God bless,

                                Have you ever spent time discussing religion with a person from another faith? Did it go far at all? Did you ever spend time with someone that was a non-believer trying to convince them that they Had to become a Christian? How did that go? How did it feel when they brought things up like:

1)      The church is full of hypocrites

2)      The church only wants your money

3)      Is your church a cult

4)      Etc..

I'm sure like I have you each have grown frustrated at times trying to convince people that "the Way" was the right way but not everyone will see or receive what you and I have to say. So what's my point here today? It's simple, don't waste your breath on people who want to contend religion but rather invest your time with people that are seeking a higher degree of relationship. The church was never built with the teachers of the law but rather with the worst of the earth (no offense to any of us). We have to begin to go back to the basics, Jesus followed this same strategy reaching out to those that were discarded rather than the priest and elders of the places He visited. Today I encourage you to reach out to someone that is imperfect, rather than tell them what you are all about show them your beliefs through your actions. This will convert the heart of anyone.

Moving away from trying to prove Christ to people who are not receiving,

Pastor Joell A. Perez

Mark 11:33 "So they answered Jesus, "We don't know." Jesus said, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things."

God bless!

                Did you know that the opening sentence of any article, letter, book etc. is the hardest line to write? The reason this is true is because we are all like forceful waters behind a dam, much to say but we try to contain the words so that we don't offend anyone (can I get an Amen?). Could you imagine what our lives would be like if we always said what was on our mind? I know all the "Hard" people are thinking "I always say what's on my mind", but if that was true I wouldn't be emailing you right now because you would probably be unbearable. I have to be real. What am I writing about today? I'm writing to all the couples out there and I have an important message for you: HOLD ON! I know it's not easy but I also know it is possible to have a happy marriage if you simply believe. You have to believe in God and then you have to allow Him to change you (yes you!!!). A relationship has to be the most difficult thing in this life to maintain in good terms, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. Coming from someone that wanted to run, scream and hide so many times I can talk to you in certainty that there is hope for you and yours as there was for me and mine. There will be ups and downs but focus on the ups for a moment and think of all the good that you have received throughout your time together. I know if you are going through a hard patch this is hard to do but man / woman up and do it! There is hope..hold on to Him..He knows your needs better than you know them yourself..don't let go..just let God!

To the singles: get ready and be strong because what you desire comes with a big price tag, ask yourself before you do, "Do I & am I willing to pay the price?".

Pastor Joell

God bless!

                As I type this email my heart cries out for the people this will impact. Many of us are currently going through a season of confusion, not because we don't know what to do but rather we don't know where to do it. I come today moved by God to tell you that all you have to do is Have Faith. I know for some of us moving out of our comfort zone is frightening but it necessary, we have been on pause for way too long and God is not a God of pause but of movement. He seeks people after His own heart and you and I are just the right people. You may be wondering how do we start the process? It's simple Have faith in God!

Looking toward tomorrow,

Pastor Joell  A. Perez

Mark 11:22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered."

God bless!

                Have you ever gone to lay in your bed with a pair of muddy sneakers? Have you ever opened the sunroof on your car when it was pouring outside? Have you ever stopped and glanced at cars as they drove fast towards you? Of course not! Why am I saying all of this? Because there is a time and a place for everything in this life and we would never mix certain things together. The verse today talks about mixing the House of God with business, don't do it! I've known many people during my many years in ministry as a leader or even as a simple member that have truly destroyed churches because of their desire to make a quick buck. Do you know any? People who could take advantage of single mothers, low income families, immature adults, etc. there is no room in church for this type of action and Jesus shared this same sentiment. In fact He shared it so much that He got physical to prove the point.

In life there must be certain areas we retain as sacred and the House of God should be the highest on our list to maintain this way. Am I lecturing today? I hope none of us take it that way but at the end of the day we all have to respect His house for what it is, HIS HOUSE! Would we go into a court with a hat on and a drink in our hand? Would we talk on a cell phone during a court case? Would we go to a funeral and allow our kids to jump and scream? (don't go their Pastor.) I'm sure we all know the answer to these questions.

Preparing to turn the tables,

Pastor Joell A. Perez

Mark 11:17 "And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: ?My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it ?a den of robbers."

God bless!

                I pray you had a blessed father's day, start this week like you mean it. Expect huge things this week and don't take less than what you deserve! I'm going to keep it short and sweet today because today is your day and you and I need to just get to it and be productive! Don't take no for an answer as the answer from God to you is YES.

Pastor Joell  A. Perez

God bless!

                No more standing still! Isn't it interesting how we can grow comfortable in bad situations? We can get used to being broke, being sick, being unhappy. Why? It's simple it takes less energy and drive to remain where we are than to push for a positive change. Though the previous statement seems to be true, as Christians we can see time and time again how Jesus wouldn't declare healing over someone or impose a hand but rather He gave orders and as they obeyed they received what they required. What if God told you today to walk down that road you haven't  traveled before, would you do it? What if He told you to go get counseling, would you do it? What if He told you to Get a Job, would you do it? I know these statements and questions sound silly but if we can be honest for a moment how many of us simply have stood still and not seen any change in our life for some time. Too deep for a Friday morning I know but the fact that this is Father's day weekend and He is the greatest Father there is, what better gift to give Him than to see us change and be happy? Want to change then Go!!!!! Now is the time, you have been waiting for a sign.here it is. You have been waiting for confirmation well you have been CONFIRMED! Have a great weekend!

Pastor Joell A. Perez

Mark 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road."

God bless!

                Have you ever had one of those uncomfortable conversations where the other person you were talking to was making circles around the topic. They just couldn't seem to get to the reason they were talking to you until that moment that finally it came out! It's not only frustrating but at times its quite annoying, don't you agree? The reason I'm talking about this today is because of the verse below and the story it pertains to. Jesus was a very direct individual, when He was upset He expressed it, when He was doing something He was so focused that even His family couldn't distract Him. Today I encourage you to hear the voice of God through this email, He is asking you and I today straight out "What do you want me to do for you?" I know what I need from Him and I'm not afraid to ask, are you? Let's stop beating around the bush with God and go right to it. What do we have to lose?

Making my request,

Pastor Joell

Mark 10:51 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him."

God bless!

                So you said you want to be in charge, huh? We all at one time or another want to be able to rule around us, we all want to be the decision maker but what many of us don't realize is that with the title comes great responsibility. As a person who is a leader I can tell you it's not all it seems cracked up to be. Many decisions will be questioned, many people will doubt but ultimately we must always do what is right for the service of the group we lead. Yes you heard right not what's best for us but what's best for those around us. This is the hard part about being a good leader, to be considered a good leader you have to consider everyone else's needs before your own. Where did I come up with this? The verse below is as clear as can be, if you want to be "great" you must start by being a servant.

Do you need anything?

Pastor Joell  A. Perez

Mark 10:43 "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,"

God bless!

                Let me get right to the point here today: You are blessed! You are Blessed! You are blessed! I don't care what anyone ever has said to you, you have been designed to be victorious! You may have been overlooked for that promotion at work but you are still blessed! You may have been left at the altar but you are still blessed! You may have been looked upon as a reject in school but you are blessed! Your mom and dad may have given you up as a baby but you are still blessed! There is absolutely nothing you cannot overcome and absolutely nothing you can't accomplish. Though your sickness may be life threatening, your God is life Giving! Let me relay a message to you (and myself) today: God is aware of your New Beginnings and He has a plan that exceeds your small expectations. The changes start today, if you and I embrace the fact that with God there is nothing impossible I promise you that He will show Himself real in your life today. Not tomorrow, not the day after but today! Yes I'm talking to you. Man may tell you that it won't happen, you won't accomplish it but I respond to that with the verse below..

Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

God bless!

                I observed someone over this weekend doing something very interesting that sparked my interest in the verse of the day. The individual looked at a child and told him something that was exaggerated, to say the least but, the interesting part of the story was the natural tendency of the child to blindly believe what he was told. Why is this relevant? The verse today talks about how we have to become like children once again if we desire to enter into the Kingdom of God, why is that? Children are simple! They are not like you and I, when they are told something they believe it and don't question what they are told. They listen and walk at the command they are given, they don't try to figure out why, they confide that the adult has a plan for their good. Do we confide when God directs us? Do we question or even laugh at Gods commands? Do we believe or do we try to explain to God why He is wrong? I know you haven't done it but I have! In all this the lesson for today is simple, we have to stop being so prideful and think we are the last coca cola in the dessert and start realizing that God not only has control over everything but He will assure our good because that's what He does. Today is a fresh start, even if we have questioned Him in the past today is the perfect day to believe that He will make a way even in our difficult situation.

Believing..

Pastor Joell  A. Perez

Mark 10:15 "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."