ARC Audio: Recent Episodes
Frederick Joseph Garcia
Audio of our weekly sermons and special events here at the Apostolic Restoration Center for the equipping of the Body of Christ as a whole.
Jennifer teaches us that anger comes from hurt and we don't have to embrace the things that hurt us. Trauma happens, which is out of our control. We can be empathetic and gentle, without accepting the trauma. God anoints people to bring healing and freedom, so trauma doesn't need to be a part of our identity.
Pastor Fred reviews the seven mountains and looks for God inspired solutions for taking them back. God wants us to walk in unity and with maturity in Christ. He will filter out what we don't need and He fills us with what is needed to build us up. Our mistakes and screw ups don't define us, with God's grace there is forgiveness and freedom. Pastor Fred teaches that forgiveness is the refusal to judge someone, based on past actions, which isn't easy, but it's necessary for freedom.
Dave Carlson speaks about the authority given to believers, by God. Great power resides within us and we carry the Kingdom authority to change our worlds. We can speak into situations and circumstances to change outcomes. This is the moment of the Church.
We welcome our Special Guests, Dave and Julie Carlson. Dave teaches about the Kingdom position, with hands held wide open, to receive all Papa has for us. The Church is the body of Christ and there is a Glory Invasion happening now. God has created a glory zone around us and miracles are flowing! Dave explains that 2020 was a year of conceiving and 2021 is a year for birthing what was conceived. We are in the days of AZUSA, we need to be expectant and aware.
This morning we have the pleasure and the privilege of hearing from Melissa Montgomery as she bridges a gap on what's next once you receive a prophetic word. Melissa gives us a key to accelerate that prophetic word in our lives, so this is going to be very practical. First, she covers what a prophetic word is, then why it's important and what to do next.
Lead Pastor Fred Garcia teaches what it means to be in Christ. Being in Christ is our starting point for any undertaking.
No matter life's circumstances, we are called to live in the Tension. It is a tension between heaven and earth, between God’s culture (Kingdom culture) and the world's culture. There are many challenges associated with living and making decisions in that tension which is so ramped up right now and at the forefront of a lot of issues.
Defining the Tension -Merriam Webster defines tension as an “inner striving, unrest, or imbalance often with physiological indication of emotion.” We feel the tension, it’s creating all kinds of emotions right now because there is an imbalance - not between right & wrong, truth & deception, justice & injustice or even life & death …but between heaven and earth. The tension includes those things, and each are important…But the tension we are feeling & experiencing right now is an imbalance between Kingdom Culture & the World’s culture.
Culture as defined by Jon Claussen is the sum total way of living passed on from generation to generation.So it’s not just any one of those things, but the sum total of those things which comprise the culture in which we are currently living and the culture which we desire to live and to be passed on for generations to come. And the tension comes because of the imbalance…Romans 8:19-22 19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. There is a recognition and longing by creation itself for the revelation and restoration of Kingdom Culture.Here’s the good news…Jesus lived in this tension & thrived! This is what He has equipped us to do as well…
Join Pastor Fred as he continues to elaborate on following Jesus' example as we seek to no merely survive, but to thrive in challenging times.
Esther is a dear friend to many here at ARC and brings an amazing testimony that is still in the making. She has always had a heart and passion for dance and the arts and was well on her way to seeing those dreams become a reality when tragedy hit. No one knew if she would even walk again, much less dance. Her story is an incredible journey of overcoming in the face of adversity. She shares with us out of the book of John, chapter 11 - the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and brings some inspiring wisdom, insight and comfort in the process. No matter your circumstance you will find fresh hope, strength and vision for your future as Esther encourages you in word and testimony! Even in the midst of trials she continues to say, "He has never left me". While she is now walking and continues with her rehab, she continues to look for the day when she is healed completely and dancing again in the here and now - and we continue to believe with her! Be inspired!
Among other places, the description of Jesus' Ascension into heaven is found in Acts 1:9-11 "And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven."
Anytime you look at an event in God’s word, helpful to look at what happened prior to and just after. There is great significance to the Ascension of Jesus, but the context is where we are called to live. Pastor Fred takes time to explore just that using Acts 1:4-8 and Mark 16:14-20 as he talks about how Jesus challenged his disciples faith and built up their expectation about what was to come. Jesus not only promised that the Holy Spirit would come with power from on high, He was preparing them to receive it before being taken up. "Belief & Expectation give direction. Without direction, power is dangerous and largely ineffective."
We need the power of the Holy Spirit. "In our culture it is very easy to go intellectual and lose the awe and wonder of the Supernatural God whom we serve and be reduced to a powerless people…to the degree which you may have lost that or have never experienced it – I want to invite you to remember! I want to invite you to allow Him to set the culture around you…"
After Christ Ascension, and prior to Pentecost, the disciples didn't stop meeting together, Acts 1:14 "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." Hebrews 10:23-25 encourages us in the same manner, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near."
Acts 1:15-26 also give the account of the apostles adding structure as they replace the office which Judas left vacant. Structure may be in relationship to many things including Relationships (boundaries, pressing into, etc.) with God and man, Organizational, Functional and even Physical. Structure comes before power because "you can only receive power & grow to the extent that your weakest, most underdeveloped structure in you life can take you." Where do you need structure??? Take some time to consider it and lean into Papa's voice as you listen to this inspiring word by Pastor Fred.
We often see the word "Selah" throughout the Psalms. While it's generally accepted meaning is to "pause; or to take time to reflect", Pastor Fred points out that in it's fullest sense the word Selah means to lift up, exalt or to cast up. The word is often translated to build. In other words, there is a purpose in the pause. Taking time to reflect or consider is intended to build us up as we lift things up to Papa. It is in the pause that the word, situation or circumstance has the opportunity to impact us for the greatest good. When we push past the enemy and step into new areas of freedom in our lives, the enemy will often try to push us forward to get us out of God's timing. While new found freedom often propels us forward, sometimes we need the Selah in order to keep in step with what Papa is trying to do in our lives.
Pastor Fred reminds us that the season of advent often focuses on “preparing the way of the Lord”. Preparing hearts to celebrate Jesus birth is truly a celebration of our new birth. For those who may not know the exact date of your “born again experience, I suggest you celebrate it specifically on this day, Christmas.
Preparing the way of the Lord was John’s job. John 3:28-30 28 "You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent ahead of Him.' 29 "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 "He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Understanding Decrease: Often, we are received by people through their own set of beliefs about themselves…He/she is perfect, I am flawed...He/she is everything, I am nothing/nobody...He/she is worthy, I am not good enough...He/she is a success, I am a failure. Even John appears to struggle with some of this in Luke 7:19 Summoning two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying, "Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?" John is wondering, did I miss it, did I fail here? I don’t believe we’re to interpret this passage through our doubts and failures…
Decrease - to make less (in rank or influence); To make less, used trans. in regard to dignity.
Dignity – a: high rank, office, or position b: a legal title of nobility or honor
If we are both sgts, and you become a general, who is now the greater rank? Who is now the lesser rank? I am still a sgt with all the rights and privileges of a sgt. Therefore, #1 this is speaking of the position Jesus is to have in every aspect of our lives. Lord of lords & King of kings.
2 Your position doesn’t need to change in order to decrease in rank. It is not about becoming less than you are, it’s about knowing the fullness of who you are and all that you are created to do and to be, through the recognition of Jesus’ Lordship. When we FULLY recognize Jesus’ Lordship in every area of our lives it immediately means we become lesser in rank because He is greater, and also because prior to this revelation, we don’t see ourselves clearly. We either think much more of ourselves, as being much higher in rank than we truly are…
Ro 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
Ro 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Or, we think much less of ourselves…Being flawed -2 Cor 5:21 [you are] the righteousness of God in {Christ Jesus]...being nothing/nobody -Ro 8 you are sons/dtrs of Most High God...being not good enough - Ro 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...being failures - Ro 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
Pastor Fred continues on, drawing from King David's life in 1 Samual 21, talking about what it means to pursue promotion. Davids promotion occurred as he invested in, poured into, as he promoted others. He got under their mission in life and pushed up!
When we decrease, but promoting others and getting under all that they are called to do and to be in life, whether above or below us, Christ is lifted up…then we are in the perfect position for promotion!
Melissa encourages us that God is moving in the earth. What is happening may not look the way we think it should. However, now is the time to enter this move of God without offense, to enter in with a pure heart, find what God is doing, and surrender all to Him. All will encounter God in this time, and it is our privilege to be the labors in the field during this harvest. Be encouraged as this word takes us through a prophetic picture of history, current and future events!
Scriptures used:
Matthew 13:24-30 24 Jesus presented another parable to them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 "But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 "But when the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the tares became evident also. 27 "The slaves of the landowner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' 28 "And he said to them, 'An enemy has done this!' The slaves said to him, 'Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?' 29 "But he said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 'Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn."'"
Matthew 11:2-6 *2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" 4 Jesus answered and said to them, "Go and report to John what you hear and see:
5 the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. 6 "And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."*
Proverbs 9:1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;
Isaiah 61:1-4 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 2 To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. 4 Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up the former devastations; And they will repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
Pastor Fred reminds us that we are called to take captive every thought in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NASB) 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
But what exactly are we capturing???
SPECULATIONS: Demonic thoughts that start with WHAT IF...
ie. What if…God doesn’t provide…the washing machine/car/house breaks…we don’t have enough to cover/can’t afford...God doesn’t protect…I, kids, spouse gets hurt…a tornado, fire, famine, virus comes...I’m not who He says I am…God doesn’t love me like…I’m not good, strong, smart, fast enough...I cannot overcome my thought life, my sinful tendancies, habits, this obstacle, etc...I’m not close enough to God…I can’t hear His voice like…I don’t experience His presence like…I don’t work in the gifts like…
LOFTY THINGS: Demonic thoughts that says "Devil big….God little" about all of our situations...
ie. I will never overcome this addiction, habit, sin...Not even God can help me with this…I will never get out of debt, be free, able to fix this relationship, be healed, be loved, own a home…
THOUGHTS: Random Ideas (Impulses that go entirely counter to who we are and what we would normally do…)
ie. Drive your car into that tree...Hit that person...stab yourself with that knife...Go have an affair
These are not your thoughts. Truth: I am a new creation, these thoughts are counter to my new nature
When confronted by these thoughts the choice is to be Captured by the thoughts so that we cannot function effectively In Him, deflect the thoughts or Capture the thoughts.
To be Captured is to not know the truth or know the truth but choosing not to believe it. Either way it is Believing someone else’s/your own truth(lie) (false god). When we let thoughts capture us (when we choose to believe them) we cannot function effectively IN Christ. According to Romans 8 the fruit of our choices will be various forms of death and bondage.
To deflect thoughts involves knowing, believing, acting upon the truth just long enough not to get past a temptation, a situation, an interaction but remaining vulnerable to the same lie/attack over and over again. It keeps coming back and we cannot deflect consistently, therefore it often leads to discouragement and cycles of giving up, finding brief victory, giving up again, finding victory. Leads to a feeling of instability because we are sometimes believing the lies, and sometimes not. James 1:5-8 (NASB) 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. We have times of instability without being unstable…though they could be convince they are unstable from time to time.
Capturing the lie…involves knowing, believing, acting upon truth until the lie is captured and no long has a hold on you. If the lie comes back, you easily move past it. This is what is available functionally in Him.
Be encouraged as you listen to the entire message and Pastor Fred lays out the PROCESS for taking our thoughts captive!
Pastor Fred talks about our position In Christ. We know that scripture calls us to be Holy, Perfect and Righteous (Ephesians 1:4, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Matthew 5:48...) If it’s something we have to do, it is impossible. However, if it’s something which I am, because of my position, it equips me for the impossible.
If it’s something I have to do, I will always disappoint others, it will always lead to failure, condemnation, & shame.
If it’s something that I am, and a position which I hold, I may still disappoint others but, that now becomes their issue and not mine. I may still need to help them sort things out, but it’s no longer about my failure
2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Being and staying “in Him” is the position paid for on the cross of Jesus. You have been redeemed and this is now available Romans 8:1-4 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
It is not about trying to become perfect and holy - It is about believing and receiving the revelation that Jesus, the Christ has made us perfect, righteous and holy and then learning and purposing to stay in Him and not doing it in our own strength.
James tells us that it’s not by works so that no man may boast, and Isaiah (64:6) tells us that our works are as filthy rags…It’s not just about turning from our sins, but remaining in Him so that we are able to resist temptation when it returns.
True repentance is turning away from ourselves or false gods, and back towards God. It’s getting back in Him and turning away from our ownwayness, or satan which caused us to sin in the first place. The turning from our sins is the fruit which comes from repentance. John the Baptist, when speaking to the Pharisees told them: Matthew 3:8 "Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance;Our job in repentance is getting back in Him, because we left Him; and when I realize that I left Him I can no longer hold on to my sin if I want to return to Him, so I let it go; I then bear fruit because I am now IN HIM and therefore begin speaking the things He speaks and doing the things He is doing because I am IN HIM.
It’s not about enduring our sickness, but remaining in Him and daring to BELIEVE that Jesus has paid the price for our sickness and receiving His healing…It’s not about getting ourselves out of difficult circumstances, it’s about remaining in Him, learning to overcome the fear and anxiety surrounding our circumstances so that we can hear His plan of attack and step into what He is doing…
Summary: Matthew 11:28-30 28 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me...For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."Here’s the take home: when we are in Him AND WILLING TO LEARN FROM HIM, our burden is easy and light. We get outside of Him, doing things in our own strength we will become weary and heavy-laden, and it will feel like the world is crushing us. We have remember as we keep moving forward that restoration is about helping others find their place in Him, and then helping them to abide there (John 15); it is a process and not an event; it is a marathon and we are preparing people to run with us, not sprint and finish the race. We have been Redeemed, and it allows us a position IN HIM!
Pastor Michele’s sermon about the spirit of prophecy defines the basics of what prophecy is to God and to man. It takes a look into the book of the prophet, Zephaniah, and what that meant for the nation of Israel, as well as, what it means now for us, today.
A prophet is God’s human instrument used by Him to deliver His messages to mankind. The heart of every prophet’s message is to point to Jesus. Revelation 19:10 states “For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.” All prophecy is according to God’s timing.
Throughout the history of Israel, prophets have been key in delivering God’s Word to His people to urge them to remain faithful to Him and to remind them of what may happen if they do not. The Old Testament if filled with prophetic words and warnings for the Israelites to honor God above all else. Even during the division of the nation of Israel, into the Northern Kingdom of Israel/Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom of Judah, God sent His prophets to be His mouthpiece to both.
From notes taken from the book, A Popular Survey of the Old Testament, by Norman Geisler, the three chapter book of Zephaniah, has a theme centered around the vindication of God. Zephaniah’s prophetic declarations to Judah would prove that the coming judgment on them and the surrounding Gentile nations would be correct. There are three main messages in Zephaniah: retribution, repentance and redemption, which were critical for the people of Judah to hear. These same messages also apply to us presently.
Retribution means payback. Chapter 1 of Zephaniah describes the judgment God will bring on Judah and other Gentile nations, for pursuing other gods. For Judah, it means an impending captivity. God is the only One who is able to judge the nations, in the past, present and future. He is the only judge over the hearts and souls of men. It is not our place to bring retribution to this world. Our place is to pursue the higher way of love, forgiveness and intentional acts compassion towards each other.
Repentance means to go in the opposite way; turning from our way to God’s way. The second chapter of Zephaniah is a call to repentance. In verses 1-3 he implores Judah to “seek the Lord.” This applies to us right now. Because of Jesus, we have access to Papa God and repentance can always be right now. We don’t have to wait for time and a perfect sacrifice.
Redemption means to buy or win back. Chapter 3 of Zephaniah, reveals how God will fight for Judah and how the tongues of other nations will be silenced. Zephaniah 3:17 NIV states “The Lord Your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” This is Papa God’s heart for Judah and for us today! We are all worth being fought for! We are all worthy of being redeemed!
Many times we look at the move of the Holy Spirit in the church and think that it should look exactly like that out in the world. Instead, we come together in the church to experience His presence and then translate it to the world. The world needs the power of the Holy Spirit working through each one of us to bring God's kingdom on earth. What does that look like for you?
Scriptures used:
Acts 2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance...
2 Corinthians 3:2-6 2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, 6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
1 Corinthians 12:4-7 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Romans 12:1-2 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
What is God speaking to you? It’s such a need right now and there are many Christians who do not recognize yet that not only CAN they hear God’s voice, but that it is vital to their everyday existence. There is nothing more powerful than the voice of God. In John 19:30 Jesus said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. With these words we were suddenly given access to intimacy, the veil was torn to open up the most intimate place, the Holy of Holies to everyone…THIS is the celebration of Easter! Because it is finished Jesus can now go on to phase 2 of His mission which is the restoration of all things. Because it is finished, we see him doing just that as He goes to hell, kicks open the door, takes those who have been waiting, somehow shows them the door which He has now opened so that they can now have access to the Father. Jesus takes the keys of authority from Satan so they can be handed to those who would now walk through the door, the way He has just made and join Him in phase 2 restoration. Because it is finished, we then see Him coming forth out of the grave, a demonstration of everything that has just been accomplished 3 days earlier and a sign of the power which He not only walks in but has now made available to all flesh in the Holy Spirit!
Easter Sunday was our first glimpse of all that had just taken place when He uttered “it is finished” 3 days prior. It is verification of everything that had just taken place, who He said He is and always will be! Because it is finished we have hope and access to the Voice…
Importance of the Voice. Prior to every major event throughout history, biblical and post biblical the voice of God precedes it.
i. Revolutionary war – 1st great awakening
ii. Civil War – 2nd great awakening
iii. WWI – asuzu street revival
What’s the purpose?
i. Bring life, Unity,Healing, restoration
ii. Tearing down of strongholds
iii. Give people greater access to God
Preceded times where there was the potential for
i. Loss of life, disunity, enmity, strife, injury, death, destruction,
ii. the falling under of strongholds
iii. and things that were perceived as having the ability to turn people from God…
Pastor Fred goes on to talk about the story of Jezebel found in 1 Kings 18, and how this epic battle was indeed, all about the voice! The key strategy right now is plugging into the voice of Papa over and above all of the horizontal distractions going on around us right now, and always. It’s renouncing those voices with the name above all names, Jesus, and then plugging in to the revelation which only comes from knowing Him.
Guest minister and long time friend of ARC Jeffery Lloyd shares on being sealed by God's love in challenging times. He provides opportunity to practice forgiveness and walk in the mercies of God while painting prophetic pictures for what Papa God is speaking to His children and specifically to the people of ARC.
Like a lighthouse or beacon on a foggy day, God provides prophetic markers offering hope and direction in difficult and uncertain times. The enemy of our soul does his best to hijack these markers for his own purposes, thus diminishing their poignancy and clouding our vision. Using the story of Mary's angelic visitation found in Luke 1:26-38, Pastor Fred encourages us in the importance of these prophetic markers and the need to keep them out in front of us. Because the way we view our future will determine our present reality! In the midst of the broad places of the prophetic, we find God's prophetic markers.
It is not always easy to make a defense as we are encouraged in 1 Peter 3:13-16 "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. 'And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.' But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."
"More relationships die because of indifference than due to fighting." While it is often viewed only through the lens of the preaching of the Kingdom, we are reminded that the Kingdom is all about relationship. As believers we all challenged to find that sometimes elusive point of tension in all relationships between fight or flight, between being too aggressive or lacking boldness. Ultimately, the goal is to reveal the Father over "being right". To listen to and engage people, being ready to give a defense whenever needed with gentleness and readiness. Be encouraged by this challenging and masterfully articulated word!
Melissa takes us on a wonderful Journey as she opens up and explores the book of Joshua while drawing out powerful parallels and encouragement for the present day. It begins in Joshua 3 as the Ark is being taken over the river Jordan and into the promised land. We are reminded as we begin that we are indeed we are that tabernacle crossing over - 1 Corinthians 3:16"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?". Tune in as you are encouraged and reminded to continue on your own journey of crossing over into your promised land and find the grace that is required to take that step of faith!
Jesus was a man of action and as such was constantly engaging people. He engaged through signs, wonders, miracles and miraculous healings. But He also engaged by asking the hard questions of those in authority and those whose lives did not line up with the character and nature of the Kingdom which He came to preach. Like Jesus our attempts to engage people and society are often perceived as an attack. Nevertheless we are called to press through this perception till people can see it for what it is, an invitation for discussion. We are called to speak the truth in love. And in love, with grace we are called to hold each other accountable. Proverbs 27:5 "Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed."
Melissa presents a Foundations teaching on water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is a part of our foundations teachings for new and more mature believers alike. Baptism is transformative in nature. All who live past the salvation experience are called to partake in it. But it is not limited to water baptism. The Apostle John tells us in John 1:32-33 "...I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit." We see it throughout the New Testament beginning in the book of Acts. First on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and throughout. In Acts 8, Philip gets them baptized in water and the Apostles Peter and John later come along and get them baptized in the Holy Spirit. Tune in and find out more about this wonderful grace which is available for ALL believers and necessary so that we may walk in boldness and in power!
Sometimes it is difficult to discern where we are at and where we are going in life. It's at times like these that is is often helpful to look back a the faithfulness of God. Dwelling upon His protection and provision, all of the things which make up the testimony of His faithfulness can light the way. Psalm 100:4-5 tell us that we "Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations." The key to wisdom, discernment and lighting our way begins with getting into His presence, and testimonies of thanksgiving do just that. The word testimony literally means that God will do it again. Tune in to hear testimonies of His faithfulness and grab a hold of them, because the testimonies you hear are the very things which Papa God desires to do in your life as well!
Apostle Tim Davies, the founder of Christ Community Church which is now ARC, gives a brief history of the ministry transitions of the Apostolic Restoration Center. This is a part of our foundations series where by we begin the process of discover as we seek to walk out Amos 3:3
"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" Walking together requires getting to know one another and a large part of that begins with knowing our history! Enjoy!
Pastor Fred continues the first lesson in our Foundations courses offered at the Apostolic Restoration Center for the purpose of equipping in the work of ministry here at ARC. This lesson entails the spiritual foundation upon which the ministry is founded derived from the following passages in Isaiah:
Isaiah 58:11-12 11 "And the LORD will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. 12 "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; You will raise up the age-old foundations; And you will be called the repairer of the breach, The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
Isaiah 61:1-4 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners; to proclaim the favorable year of the LORD and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, they will raise up the former devastations; and they will repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations.
Our Mandate is to fulfill the Great commission, initiated in Genesis 1:28 to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it, and brought back on track through the finished work of the cross. Through His death and resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit released we are called to walk out the fullness of the Great commission restored and reissued in Matthew 28:19-20 and Mark 16:15-18.
The vision of the house is "Restoring Hearts & Pursuing Dreams". ¨ To Restore the broken, body soul and spirit (Identity), then equip, envision and release them to become the Restorers of the broken and pursue their God given dreams. (Purpose) Tune in as Pastor Fred elaborates on the rich calling and heritage of not only ARC but the people of God in general!
This is a part of our Foundations series where by we begin the process of discover as we seek to walk out Amos 3:3 "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" Walking together requires getting to know not only our history, but our identity and vision! Enjoy!