This is December, the month we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But let’s take a look back, way back, even before there was a month called December, yes, even before there was a universe, God created both space and time, because before that time, there was no space and there was no time.

But God still had more creation in mind, because He then spoke, and He created the heavens and the earth, and all living things that flew in the air, on the earth, and in the sea. He then looked at all His creation, and He saw that it was good. And in seeing that great creation He desired companionship. He then formed Adam from the dust of the earth, and from the rib of Adam He created Eve, who would become the mother of all mankind, and they were fruitful and multiplied, filling the earth.

But soon thereafter, when He saw the sinfulness of His creation, He sent a flood to destroy all of humanity, save a few. But man seemed to have learned nothing from the flood, so this same God volunteered to come to earth as a man, subject to all the frailties and sufferings of mankind. And this, the greatest gift ever, was soon beaten, scourged, spat upon, and nailed to a cross, taking the just punishment we deserved for our sins.

But this great gift, whose name is Emmanual, Everlasting Father, Redeemer, Almighty God, Yeshua, and Jesus, on the third day rose from the dead, giving us still another even greater gift, the gift of eternal life. That great gift meant that we would never have to stand before a just God and hear the word “Guilty” because he said He would cast our sins from Him and remember them no more. That was a gift we could never earn, all we had to do for this great gift, was to accept Him and His gift, by surrendering our lives to Him and accepting His free gift of salvation.

Although most of His creation still rejects Him, He did all this because of His great love for us, His children. What an amazing God we serve, and He is worthy of all our love, because He is love! We owe Him our everything, because without Him we would have no hope . . . without Him we would have nothing!

Ken Simmons

While I was in Florida for mutual assistance support, restoring power to thousands of people. I got a glimpse of the destruction a hurricane can bring and the aftermath it leaves behind. I thought of the scripture in Matthew 5:45 “For He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

I’m sure that there were many people who were affected by the loss of loved ones or of much or even all their earthly possessions that served the Lord. Just as Job had they probably didn’t expect that tragedy would be knocking on their door. It goes to show that nothing in this life is guaranteed to last forever, it is all temporal.

I like how the Amplified describes John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]”

We cannot allow any disappointments, infirmity, health issues, depression, financial distress or loss of any kind to shift our mind and allow the enemy to bring doubt into our hearts and question God. In Him we have PERFECT PEACE! No matter what this life may bring. I encourage you today whether you find yourself in the valley low or on mountain high, trust in our God, your God, who is a loving father, desires the attention of His people and supplies a peace that surpasses all understanding.

Will you seek Him today?

In His Service,

Damian Provencio Sr.

Dear Family of God!

In the times we are living in it is crucial for us to stay close to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and not be deceived or confused by the things going on around us. To avoid being deceived or confused we must know the truth. That being said we really need to know the Word of God. To stay close to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we must know Him, spend time with Him and read His word. This world is getting darker by the minute and we need His truth to lead and guide us. Not only will His word, by the Holy Spirit, keep us in the light but it will cause us to be a light in this lost and dark world.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” His word shows us how to live and walk like a spiritual compass. His word illuminates the path for each step and keeps us from missteps and wrong turns.

Psalm 1:1-3 says, “¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ²But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in season: his leaf also shall noth wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” May we meditate day and night in His law so that we will not be shaken but firmly planted like a tree by the river. 

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things.”

So let’s keep our mind on Him, continue to read His word, and walk in His truth.         

Josh Rios

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ,

For the last few months, we have received a calling from the Lord to draw closer to Him and sit with Him in quietness and rest, in seeking and asking, in worship and praise. So as you draw close to Him, He WILL draw close to you. He has promised this in James 4:8a “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” This is not because you feel close to Him but because He said He would be close to you as you draw close to Him. That is faith in action. Believe Him for He is trustworthy and faithful. Today, draw close to Him and when you do, KNOW that He is drawing close to you. What comfort and what joy in the knowing and not necessarily in the feeling. Oh yes, feeling His presence is great and desired but our feelings can be deceptive. When we begin to rely on them instead of what God says we then become slaves to our feelings. Oh, the depth of despair that can come from trusting in our feelings. Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (feelings).” Proverbs 3:5

This month as you draw near to God allow Him to reveal any areas of change you may need to make in your life. It may even be something that you had changed and now have embraced once again. Our loving heavenly Father is waiting for you with open arms to draw close to Him. When you make those changes, you are then consecrating yourself unto Him. He desires us to be consecrated (set apart) unto Him so He can use us for His glory. You see, it’s all about Him and not about us. 

Choose to draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. I pray that as you consecrate yourself unto the Lord you will find a peace and joy like never before!

My love to you all,

Doris Cook

Greetings my fellow believers,

This year we Americans, as we always do every four years, have the privilege of electing our leaders for every level of government. While being a privilege, it many times results in dividing our country and causing much damage to our unity, our livelihood, and ultimately our nation’s prosperity.

In the same way, there have been many splits in the Christian community that have caused much confusion among Christian believers and non-believers as to what beliefs are true and meaningful for our time and important for which to build our faith. In the process, many denominations pick and choose what is important, what is outdated for our time and insert beliefs that are not Biblical. We must as Christians be vigilant to study the Bible and pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal truth to the church and revelation (2 Timothy 2:15) about passages that may not be immediately clear. We should ask how to apply those things as we walk out the plans and purposes God has prepared for us. God has plans for each of us and He holds us responsible for learning what those plans are (Jeremiah 29:11). God promises to hear us when we earnestly pray seeking His will and plans for us.

If we would all do this, division, strife, and misguided efforts would be greatly diminished and unity throughout the Kingdom would prevail. We must not follow after our own desires but God’s desires for us. As we do this, the church will be united and empowered by God, allowing many more souls to be added to the Kingdom.

I believe the most important thing for us to do as we step into the future is to pray fervently for unity amongst the Christian community and that God would prepare us for the revival that will likely come as the result of that unity. The best is yet to come within the Kingdom of God before the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let’s strive to be participants in making that happen. Amen.

Love in Christ to you all,

Roger Cook

Where does my help come from?

In times of trouble, sickness, and hardship—whether for yourself or a loved one— what source do you draw from? In times of trials where do you seek help and peace? Is it by confiding in a spouse, a friend, or anyone who lends an ear?

Sometimes, merely having someone listen can alleviate some burden, but often the weight remains. Instead of simply speaking to ease pressure, turn to the source whose yoke is light. Lay your burdens before Him; speak to the Father who listens and answers! Let us follow Jesus' example: in times of heaviness, he prayed earnestly, seeking the Father for all things.

Consider these scriptures:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

“I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill.” Psalm 3:4

“Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free.” Psalm 118:5

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4

“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.” Jonah 2:2

“Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” Matthew 26:38-39

Let us go to the source of life—His Word and prayer. The Father on His throne and the Son at His right hand will hear and answer! Remember, we also have the Holy Spirit, our helper in times of need. Seek the Lord first and find resolution from the God of truth, compassion, mercy, grace, and freedom, where true peace resides.

Marina Provencio

As we embark on this new journey, it is crucial to stay connected to the true Vine. In John 15:1, Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser." We must not be distracted by our surroundings or current events. Our primary focus should be on God and maintaining our connection to the Vine.

Jesus also said in John 16:33, "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" Finding peace in Him is essential, especially in these challenging times. The world will try to overwhelm us with its demands and distractions, but Jesus reminds us to find peace in Him and to be courageous. This means persevering and not giving up, regardless of our circumstances. Jesus has already given us the victory.

When we abide in the Lord, He promises to abide in us. As we remain in Him, He will guide our steps and lead us to the promised land. Now is the time for the Lord's children to stand in the gap for the body of Christ.

As we stay connected to the Vine and abide in the Lord, let us remember His promises and the victory He has already secured for us. By focusing on Him and finding our peace in Jesus, we can navigate the challenges of this world with courage and faith. Let us stand firm, support one another, and trust that He will guide us every step of the way. This is our calling and our mission as His children.

Blessings to all,

Samantha Rodriguez

Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

As I was seeking on what to write for this month’s Pastors Corner, the Lord reminded me of running the race! In the book of Hebrews 12:1 is says: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”

As I read this over and over a new revelation began to unfold. If we look at this verse in reverse it shows the following: first it states, there is a race set before us. This race is our life which God has given us to run. It requires stamina to run a race and with this comes resistance training. God has some things for us to learn along this race. Second, that we may run with the endurance that He gave us to run it with. God would never set before us a race we could not run. It’s important that when running this race that our eyes are solely focused upon Him. Third, that we may be able to push aside all those things that try to hold us back. We can’t run a race looking at what’s behind us. It will only distract us and slow us down.

I think about when I went on a hike years back, the air was thin, I was out of breath and all I could think to do was keep going and not look back, otherwise I was in danger of becoming discouraged. I had come so far, and to turn back would mean forfeiting the whole purpose of the hike. So I trudged on for 6 miles till we got to the top of the mountain. When we finally got there I forgot all about the staring of the hike and beheld such a beautiful place with huge pine trees, waterfalls and a stream with wild trout you could see at the water’s edge. What a beautiful reward.

Finally, we are to remember the part of the verse that states, “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses”. Like a stadium full of spectators urging us on to not only the finish line but to ultimate victory in Christ Jesus.

So while running this race of life, let us run it with endurance, learning along the way, pressing to that next place, overcoming the obstacles in our path, and most importantly keeping our eye on the prize Jesus!

Your brother in Christ,

Aaron Wantuch

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Let us welcome the advent of spring with hearts brimming with joy! As we look around our camp, we witness the gentle emergence of new life. The gardens burst forth in a symphony of colors, a beautiful testament to the rejuvenation of the season. Spring's arrival is eagerly anticipated, not only for its vibrant hues and warmer days but also for the profound upliftment it brings to our souls.

Yet, amidst the blossoming flowers and the refreshing breeze, let us not forget the deeper significance that spring holds for us. These are signs of a great celebration, one that fills us with hope and promise. As we prepare to commemorate Resurrection Sunday, let us pause to reflect on the profound parallels between the rebirth of nature and the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

Just as spring breathes new life into the world, so too does Jesus offer us the gift of eternal life. In the spirit of John 3:16, we are reminded that God's love knows no bounds. He sacrificed His only Son so that whoever believes in Him may not perish but have everlasting life. This promise is our anchor, our steadfast assurance amidst the ebb and flow of life's uncertainties.

In John 4:13-14 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”

Reflecting on the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, we are reminded of His role as the ultimate source of living water. He offers us a drink that transcends physical thirst, quenching the deepest longings of our spirit. When we come to Jesus, He provides the nourishment and fulfillment that our souls truly crave.

So, as we immerse ourselves in the beauty of spring and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, let us drink deeply from the well of His grace. May His living water flow within us, rejuvenating our spirits and guiding us towards eternal life.

With love and blessings,

Juan Rodriguez

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

During this time of year, it is great for spring cleaning and getting rid of things in our homes and lives that no longer serve a purpose. I urge you to do the same in your spiritual life. Clean out your hearts of what is not of the Lord as well as the things that don’t serve a purpose in furthering the kingdom of God.

Paul says in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Paul tells us not to adapt to the world in any way but to continually be transformed by the Lord. In order to do this, we need to continually surrender everything to the Lord so we may properly carry out God’s will for our lives.

Being living sacrifices requires us to posture and position ourselves before the Lord in such a way that we are able to carry out what the Lord has for us at any point the Lord calls upon us. To carry this out we have to abide in the Lord. In John 15:4-5 we are given a promise, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ‘I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”' If we remain in the Lord, we will bear much fruit. The key to both of these scriptures is remaining in the Lord in constant fellowship and letting Him change us. And as we continue to abide in Him, He will reveal things that are not of Him.

I encourage you to ask the Lord to reveal to you the things you need to get rid or surrender so that in turn you can bear much fruit for Him.

Manny Blessings,

Alexis Provencio

Dear Family of God,

I pray this year is leading you in the Lords presence like never before! It has been said time and time again that this year will be a year for more of Him!

The Lord is desiring His church to desire more and more of Him. To seek Him in every moment and in every decision. We are to seek the face of the Lord this year church. In 1 Chronicles 16:11 it lays it out in such a way that is clear for us to follow, “Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face always,” We are to always seek the face of the Lord. The Amplified version of this verse says it so beautifully, “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]” ...

longing to be in presence!

Maybe the Lord is trying to lead you to follow Him for direction in your life, maybe it’s because He desires to reveal Himself to you in new and beautiful ways, or it could simply just be that the Lord is desiring all of you this year. Whatever the reason, the God of all the earth is beckoning us closer to His heart this year.

I encourage you this year to lay aside your will, your desires and your wants for the will of the Lord, for the desires of the Lord and for all that the Lord wants for you. I believe it’s greater than you can imagine and it’s what is best for you!

Seek the Lord this year church. Follow the voice of the Lord in all that you do. Long for the presence of the Lord! I am sure you will see Gods hand move like never before when we surrender all to Him and His leading in this new year! I leave you with this verse, respond to the Lord this year! Psalm 27:8 (TPT) ‘I heard your voice in my heart say “come seek my face”, my inner being responded “YAHWEH, I’m seeking your face with all my heart”’

God bless you all in this New Year!

Blessings,

Vanessa Provencio

Happy New Year friends,

Stepping into a New Year always brings a freshness to our lives. It just seems to bring a sense of new beginnings or second chances. As we stepped into this Year I believe this is exactly what God is offering us…another chance. We need multiple chances because we are susceptible to missing the mark or in biblical terms, we sin. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” None of us are perfect but we serve a God that is full of mercy and grace. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on a cross for us and give us another shot at walking right with Him. Although God has done and continues to do tremendous things on our behalf, He still leaves some responsibility on our plate as His children. I believe the Lord has spoken very clearly to Me concerning three things He desires to see done His church during this next year.

1. Clean up the messes in our lives

2. Get rid of the distractions in our lives

3. Align our lives with Him and His word

I don’t know about you but I have certainly failed in upholding these things in my life on a daily basis. Some days I feel on top of it all, other days I’m barely scraping by just to make it to the end of the day. I believe each of these matters are connected to one another. As I begin to work on one area, it paves the way for the other two but the opposite side of the coin is also true. If I begin to drop the ball in one area, I place myself in danger of failing in the other two matters as well. When I am not aligned with God’s word it usually causes a mess that was created through some sort of

distraction. Sound familiar at all?

Titus chapter 2 gives us great insight on what it takes to be a strong and healthy church. As we are diligent to follow the instructions we receive from these scriptures I believe we will become a mess free, distraction free church. A body that is aligned with God’s plan will enjoy and experience the wonder working power of God in many more ways than we could ever imagine. With this insight let us echo the wise words of John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30) I pray your year is filled with “more of Him.”

Blessings, 

Pastor Damian Provencio Jr.

Blessings body of Christ,

This is a wonderful time of year that we are currently in. It is filled with family, gatherings, and opportune time for great memories. As we know this is the time of year that we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The scriptures tell us that our God is faithful to complete every good work that He has begun. Since creation God has prepared for us to be in constant relationship with Him. This is the ultimate purpose of man. If we diligently search through scriptures, we will find the many covenants God has made in regard to this purpose of fellowship. Jesus Christ incarnate has been the Lords greatest expression of the faithfulness to His words. As we know from Isaiah 55:11, “His word never returns void to Him.”

The basis of this scripture should build great faith and expectation inside of each and every one of us. Throughout the ages we have been given great examples of men and woman that had great expectation of God’s word being fulfilled. We have a prime example in Matthew 2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” By their statement we can assume these men were actively looking for the sign of coming King. They did not find this star by accident but through diligent study and attention to the spoken word of God uncovered the many prophesies pertaining to the promised Messiah to come. They counted the times, interpreted the scriptures and with purpose searched for the sign of Gods fulfilled word. What drove all their efforts? Expectation! They believed that because God spoke something was going to happen and they prepared themselves to be present for the establishment of His word.

The coming of Christ although one of the most profound moments in history and opened the door for every future word to be, was not the fulfillment of every prophetic utterance ever given. The word of God is filled prophecy that has yet to come pass and many operating in the gift of prophecy have spoken innumerable utterances from the Lord. Do you know what has been spoken of us and for us? Have you given time to understand the revealed will of God for your life? Your church? Your family? This nation? God has spoken and His hand is not shortened. Are you wise as these men were to be in full expectation in this season for the Lord to accomplish all that He has promised?

Your brother in Christ,

Pastor Damian Provencio Jr.

Broken Promises:

Greetings family and friends.

As I was spending time with the Lord, I was reminded that the Lord has never broken His promises. I then recalled many times in my life where I had broken my promises. It caused hurt, mistrust, and division. We see an example of Gods perfect promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Even with the many examples of God’s faithfulness in the bible, the enemy still tries to create doubt in our minds of Gods promises. We tend to look through our own eyes as to how we think things should go. When we look at our circumstances through our eyes, with our knowledge from out positions, the enemy wiggles in with his schemes and he tries to deceive us.

Like the moment he deceived Eve in the garden. All he had to do was cause her to question God and doubt His spoken words. We lack the vision and understanding of what God is doing through a situation when trials come. We much remember that our circumstances do not define God’s ability but they do give us opportunity, if we are looking to God, to see that. “all the promises of God in Christ Jesus are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) While Abraham was given such a great promise, it took many years to manifest, even up to this day. God was faithful then and He is still faithful now.

I want to encourage you. Gods promises and covenant to us has never and will never fail. When trials come, draw closer to Him. When you feel at the end of your rope, remember this: He will never break His promise!

Blessings,

Brother Aaron

Greetings Gathering Family!

Well we are entering into a month in which the world celebrates the holiday of Halloween. We as believers in Christ of course don't celebrate this holiday, in fact we oppose the things of this world. In Romans 12:2 it says "Don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." In John 2:15-16 it says, "¹⁵Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life is not from the Father but is from the world."

So if we are to be set apart then we need to imitate Christ and not the world. 1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Paul said, " Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ." To truly imitate Christ, we need to walk pure and holy and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. The world is imitating the devil whether they realize it or not. The truth is the devil is an enemy of Christ, therefore he is our enemy also. This means there is a spiritual battle between evil and good going on. The world is going one way (the way of the devil) and we as believers are going another way (the way of the Lord). It even says in the bible that in the last days evil will increase and get worse. Mathew 24:12 (NIV) says, " Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold."

So what should we be doing? As believers living in a dark world we need to shine our light as never before. Mathew 5:16 says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Mathew 5:14 says, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." How can we shine if we conform to the ways of this world and compromise? So let’s not tolerate the wickedness of this month but let’s stand up for righteousness and let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. 

Blessings,

Josh Rios

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ,

Last month we received a calling from the Lord to draw closer to Him and sit with Him in quietness and rest, in seeking and asking, in worship and praise. So as you draw close to Him, He WILL draw close to you.  He has promised this in James 4:8a, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” This is not because you feel close to Him but because He said He would be close to you as you draw close to Him.  That is faith in action. Believe Him for He is trustworthy and faithful. Today, draw close to Him and when you do, KNOW that He is drawing close to you.  What comfort and what joy in the knowing and not necessarily in the feeling.  Oh yes, feeling His presence is great and desired but our feelings can be deceptive. When we begin to rely on them instead of what God says we then become slaves to our feelings.  Oh, the depth of despair that can come from trusting in our feelings. Brothers and sisters, I encourage you to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (feelings).” Proverbs 3:5

This month as you draw near to God allow Him to reveal any areas of change you may need to make in your life. It may even be something that you had changed and now have embraced once again.  Our loving Heavenly Father is waiting for you with open arms to draw close to Him. When you make those changes, you are then consecrating yourself unto Him.  He desires us to be consecrated (set apart) unto Him so He can use us for His glory.  You see, it’s all about Him and not about us.

Choose to draw close to Him and He will draw close to you.

I pray that as you consecrate yourself unto the Lord you will find a peace and joy like never before!

My love to you all,

Doris Schmalz

Brothers and sisters,

Gratitude, what a wonderful word and thought. We all appreciate hearing words of gratitude from those that we may have done something for. So, when we consider the sacrifice that Christ Jesus made for us all, suffering more than we can imagine on the cross, shouldn’t we be extremely grateful? Not only that but once we begin counting our blessings, from family, friends, our homes, closets full of clothes, and the food on our table, we are truly blessed. Instead of focusing on what we lack, we need to be thankful for what we have.

Showing gratitude/thankfulness is a concept that appears throughout the Bible. We are called to give thanks to God for everything – not only to be thankful but to rejoice: “Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing. Give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1Thessalonians 5:16-18. See also Psalm 95:2 and Psalm 103. Much like counting our blessings can uplift us, reading or reciting Bible verses about thankfulness to God has a way of filling us with hope. (Matt 13:16, 1 Chronicles 16:34, Colossians 3:15, Colossians 4:2, Philippians 4:6-7, Psalm 50:14)

Brandon Lake has written a very popular song called Gratitude. Part of the song says:

So come on my soul

Oh, don’t you get shy on me

Lift up your song

Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs

Get up and praise the Lord

Many of us have probably gone to a ballgame or concert and jumped out of our seats, punching the air with our fists screaming at the top of our lungs. But when we come to church, we are as quiet as a church mouse. The Lord deserves our exuberant praise far more than any ball team or concert group. We need to SHOUT out our praise, giving Him our highest praise!

John F. Kennedy once said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” This year let’s not wait until Thanksgiving to express our gratitude to God. Let’s do it daily with exuberance!

Your fellow servant in Christ,

Roger Cook

Brothers and sisters,

Entering this month of July brings much excitement in our nation, as we all anticipate celebrating our nations Independence Day. It is a time for us to remember that we did not once have the freedoms and liberties that we have today. There was a time of oppression that we escaped on the account of many men spilling blood and with the work of a group men relying on God and the Holy Spirit to guide them in establishing law and rule. Our freedom has come at a great cost in this nation and we cannot soon forget that.

This year it will be 247 years America has been a free nation, but long before the United States of America established the freedoms we now enjoy Jesus Christ was working on the whole worlds behalf. With this wonderful work of Jesus Christ was established in heaven and on earth a ruling that will last through all the ages. It can never be dismissed or overruled. It will never fade away. It will never lose its power or strength. Freedom has been made available to all who would look to Jesus Christ to be set free from the bondage and oppression of this world.

The Lord God desires that we would all, young and old, tall and short, light and dark, receive this life and liberty that can come only from Him. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) Jesus Christ has set us free, untangled us from the web of death. As we are encouraged here by the Apostle Paul to stand in the liberty we have received from Christ we are also warned that we can, if we are not careful, fall back into the estranged ways of this earth. “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13) We must heed the command to not use this great freedom we have received from Christ on the lust of our own flesh.  We have seen the results in our nation when one or many people use their freedom and liberties as an opportunity for the flesh and the many consequences that follow it. These actions are detrimental to a society and the body of Christ.

Brothers and sisters I urge you as we enter this next month, as we celebrate our nations’ freedoms, remember that our unquestionable liberty comes first and foremost from Jesus Christ. Let us use these for the glory of the name that is above every name! “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthian 10:31)

Your fellow laborer in Christ,

Pastor Damian Provencio Jr. 

ASK SEEK KNOCK

“Ask, and the gift is yours. Seek, and you’ll discover. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. For every persistent one will get what he asks for. Every persistent seeker will discover what he longs for. And everyone who knocks persistently will one day find an open door” Matthew 7:7-8.

In asking you must speak so let your voice be directed and heard by the Lord! And know sometimes or most of the time you need to ask more than once. Follow the example of Jesus. In Matthew 26: 39;42;44

39. Then he walked a short distance away, and overcome with grief, he threw himself face down on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if there is any way you can deliver me from this suffering, please take it from me. Yet what I want is not important, for I only desire to fulfill your plan for me. Then an angel from Heaven appeared to strengthen him.

42. He returned again the second time to pray in solitude. He said to God, “My Father, if there is not a way that you can deliver me from this suffering, then your will must be done.

44. So he left them and went away to pray the same prayer for the third time.

Even as I write this I’m having to seek the word for Truth and just like our God I asked and he answered I sought and I found and I knocked to get an open door for understanding! 

If you read Matthew 26:36-38 The Passion Translation you will find that Jesus led his disciples to an orchard called The Oil Press. “He took Peter, Jacob, and John with him. However, an intense feeling of great sorrow plunged His soul into agony. 38 and he said to them My heart is overwhelmed and crushed with grief. It feels as though I’m dying. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

It was this intense feeling of great sorrow and agony that his heart was overwhelmed and crushed with grief! Enough to make it feel as though he was dying yet the cross wouldn’t happen till the next day. And it was the cross and only the cross that would take this away! He was strengthened by an Angel to get him to that point!

There will be times that we will have to be strengthened by the Lord in the asking seeking and knocking! Knowing that what we are going through or feeling can’t always be removed but will have to be walked out for us to see the fullness of Gods purpose and promises fulfilled in our lives! In all this it was of the most important for God’s will to be done as it should be in our lives just as it was in Jesus life!

In His service,

Marina Provencio

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Have you at times felt as if you were an outcast? Unaccepted by your peers, or even unloved? Maybe even broken spiritually, mentally or physically beyond repair? If you have ever experienced any of those emotions or if that has ever been the case for you. Be assured that we have a Savior that is everything we will ever need and is capable of making you whole again! “Hallelujah!”

We read in the book of Mark 1:40,41 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” When we get to a point of desperation in our lives, notice what the leper did and let us follow his lead.

First, he came as he was, then he begged for mercy, next he reverenced Jesus’ authority, now was the perfect opportunity to ask, and finally he had the faith to believe. It was a simple formula that caught the compassion of the Messiah and not only did He have compassion but He touched a man that no one else was willing to associate with for who knows how long. Then he heard those marvelous words, “I am willing: be cleansed.”

Jesus should not be our last resort once we have tried everything else in life but the one we look to first for every situation of our lives. We keep ourselves bound to sin, shame, hurt, pain, brokenness, pride and the list goes on and on. When we are unwilling to humble ourselves before our Heavenly Father, repent and ask Him to intervene in our lives, James 4:2 says, you do not have because you do not ask. So what are you waiting for?

In His Service,

Damian Provencio Sr.

Dear brothers and sisters,

We are entering the month of April, we have the incredible opportunity to celebrate the most significant event in the history of Christianity: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a momentous occasion, as we commemorate the establishment of the new covenant between God and His people.

In the Gospel of John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him,” we are reminded of the love of God for us.

As we gather to celebrate this season, let us not make it a mere tradition or ritual, but instead, let us meditate on the weight and significance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross and our lives being transformed by the power of the Resurrection.

This Resurrection Sunday, many individuals are seeking to reconnect with their faith and attend church services. This is an opportunity to share how God is actively working in our lives. This can serve as a testimony to others about God's faithfulness and love.

Let's not miss this chance to spread the Good News and encourage those who may be searching for answers. Our words and actions reflect the hope and joy that represent Jesus Christ, and may we be a light in a world that desperately needs it. Mathew 15:14 ^“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This is a perfect time to extend a welcome to all the newcomers and anyone who we have not had the opportunity to see lately. As we gather to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, let us also come together and embrace one another with open arms.

Blessings,

Samantha Rodriguez

Brothers and Sisters,

March is the month when we start a new season in the calendar, Spring! Normally is season to change clothing from cold weather to a warmer temperature, but because the calendar tells us one day the spring starts does not mean the weather shifts in that day, we have experienced a weather that is not been the normal either is too cold in winter or too hot in summer. Is this a preparation in the natural for what is coming in the Spirit? For us to be prepare in season and out of season? There is a time that we will need to stand in what we believe and be ready to share with others that they may be confused. Paul warns us in 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 

The world is in desperate need of hearing good news, the social media, the news are bringing confusing information, and is making people to enter in depression, misunderstanding, divorces, suicidal thoughts, hate, there is a dark atmosphere been created. But God send Jesus to bring clarity and free the captives and leave each of us to bring light Mathew 5:14“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Let’s keep our eyes open for those that need help or feel like outcasts, as the opportunities will be at hand. We need to stay alert and seek out those that need a word of encouragement, a word to lift their spirit up 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

I pray you all will have a great time this season, that it will be a season of restoration and many blessings for your family and for everyone that you meet.

Blessings,

Pastor Juan Rodriguez

Dear Family of God,

I recently heard a man of God explain “the fear of the Lord” in such a way that I am encouraged to share it with you all, in hopes to help you see our Father in a new way! The man of God said this, “the fear of the Lord is not that we are afraid of God, it’s that we are terrified of being apart from Him”. Wow! We aren’t to be afraid of God, but instead we are to be so terrified of living our lives apart from Him!

God Himself made us not only in His image, but He created us to have a relationship with Him. In order to have a relationship with our God we must get to know who He is. The Word of God says in Psalms 25:14 “There’s a private place reserved for the devoted lovers of Yahweh, where they sit near Him and receive the revelation-secrets of his promises.” I used the passion version because I love that it says “for the devoted lovers of Yahweh”.

Family, make it be so in your lives this year that you become a devoted lover and follower of Yahweh, so He can reveal His secrets and promises to you! Get into those secret places with your Father God. Be so terrified of being apart from Him that you daily run into that secret quiet place with Him to sit near Him and receive revelation secrets from the God who created you! He desires a relationship with You. He wants to be close to you, closer than anyone else is to you.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowing God intimately. So I encourage you, fear the Lord! Become intimate in new ways with the Lord this year and I know that your life will be better for it!

God bless you all this New Year!

Blessings,

Vanessa Provencio