Pastor Lonnie Phillips
​
​If I call myself a Jesus follower, what view do I have of His words and what constitutes His words?
Jesus speaks on a variety of subject matters such as: marriage and divorce, sexual immorality, salvation, forgiveness, husband/wife relationships and parent/children relationships. He speaks on holiness and joy. He speaks on the issues of Justice and Mercy and on Righteousness and Love. He tells us plainly what Grace and Truth are and even things pertaining to Heaven and even Hell. He even tells us about Himself!
However, do we confine Jesus' words to the Gospels only and to the red letters at that, or also to the epistles and even Old Testament Scriptures?
It is true that the Bible had over 40 different authors that spanned over a 1500 year span and has 66 books in it. However, who was it that led and inspired these 40 different authors to write what they did? Is the Bible full of teachings that come from people and thus we can pick and choose the teachings that we like and reject the ones we don't? Or has God spoke through these authors whereby then they are greater than opinions and ideas and are words that correct, encourage and give life to our soul?(2 Timothy 3:16-17)
If we are following Jesus and know Him to be the Son of God, who came into the world to save us from our sins and that He is the Word made flesh, then every word that we read from Genesis to Revelation are His words to us.(John 1:1-14)
I have to admit that I ask the Lord questions of His word as I read. There are times where I haven't fully understood and even haven't liked what I read because He is calling me to change the way I may believe about myself, a situation or even Him.
There was a time when some of those who were following Jesus didn't like what He was saying and chose to walk away from Him. Jesus turns to His twelve and asks the question, "Do you want to go away as well?"
Peter's response, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:60-71)

By: Pastor Lonnie Phillips
​
​Psalm 79:13 So we Your people and the sheep of Your pasture Will give thanks to You forever; To all generations we will tell of Your praise.
I am very Thankful to the Lord for His wonderful Sovereign rule and that He remains in control, when other things seem so out of control.
On this Thanksgiving, I pray all of those who belong to Christ and His Kingdom will give thanks on Thanksgiving Day and beyond. There surely are many this Thanksgiving holiday who are dealing with loss and are grieving. I pray the Lord's comfort and strength and thanksgiving would come even in times of grief for the Lord is there to carry you and walk you through grief.
For those possibly dealing with the loss of a job or anxiety about the future, that prayers of thanksgiving would be raised to the Lord, and his peace be known supernaturally guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
For those who have been in a season of prosperity at every corner may there arise a thankful heart to the Lord for what He has done.
The Lord is good all the time and in every season of our life. Let us truly be a thankful people, giving Him thanks while we are with family and friends.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Pastor Lonnie Phillips
​
There are movements that are very destructive to our society. All movements where Jesus' name is being rejected or distorted will never benefit a society or culture of people.
However, the movement that will always be a blessing to a society and culture is the Movement of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ's Church. When the Holy Spirit has captured the hearts of God's people, they will not only align to His word, allowing themselves to be taught, rebuked and even corrected, but will be a people that are living out their faith in their homes and communities so that others can get a glimpse of Jesus Christ, who is Savior and Lord.
May we be a people filled with the Holy Spirit and aligned to His word, so that Christ Jesus will be exalted in and through our lives.

Pastor Lonnie Phillips

​As you watch this video which is only 22 seconds, see if you can detect hate speech or discrimination of any kind. Yet, as Drew Brees made this video to encourage children to bring their Bible to school, he was attacked as being a proponent of an organization (Focus on the Family) that comes against those who are living a homosexual lifestyle. Drew Brees quickly had to explain himself and what he stands for. Focus on the Family is an organization that focuses on ministering to families and believes in marriage between one man and one woman. They are an organization with Christ-Centered values that are being labelled as an organization that discriminates against the LGBTQ community. We have witnessed our society make dramatic shifts in values over the past 50 years. It is a society that no longer carries Christ-Centered values but pluralistic values that reject the Exclusive Claims of Christ Jesus. However, this is not a time to grumble and complain about these shifts but to be equipped and walk closely with Christ our Savior.
For the Disciple of Jesus Christ, the Lord calls us not to be surprised when things like this happen. In 2 Timothy 3:12-15 we read, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."
When we obey God's word in Christ Jesus, the world and its values will make all kinds of false Judgments. For the ones who are living out their faith in Jesus Christ, the calling is to Love and pray for those who are persecuting and making these false claims about Christ and His people. We must recognize that Jesus said if the world hated him then the world will also hate the ones that belong to Him. This is not a time for the Church of Jesus Christ to back pedal and apologize for our faith in Christ and the authority of His Word but it is a time to ask the Father to pour out His Spirit to give His people a greater boldness to share Jesus and showcase His love, grace and truth to the world. May we learn how to love in the love of God and stand in the truth of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Lonnie Phillips
​
If I say that Homosexuality is a sexually immoral lifestyle, does that constitute that I am homophobic?
If I say that illegal immigration is breaking the law, does that constitute that I am racist?
If I say that having sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman is immoral, does that constitute that I am too legalistic?
If I say that all religions do not lead to heaven but that Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life, does that constitute that I lack empathy?
The truth is: I can love the sexually immoral, the illegal immigrant who is breaking the law, the Buddhist, the Hindu, the Muslim, and the Atheist. Why? Because God loved me when I broke His law and transgressed against Him, and yet Christ Jesus has saved me, when I repented and received Him as Savior and Lord.
The Grace of God is given to those who repent and turn to Jesus. If there is no repentance there can be no salvation in Christ. If there is no repentance then God's love will not be intimately known.
Repentance is often what is being left out when we speak of God's love and grace. The message today is God's love and grace can be known without repentance. Repentance is actually and indication that God's love and grace is being made known since the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin. Praise be to God for the gift of a repentant heart, thirsting for Christ!