Sermons Online

www.sermonaudio.com is a great website on which my sermons are broadcast. Additionally, you can search by date, topic, or speaker to find a sermon that interests you or that meets a need you currently have. These can be heard around the world and are a useful resource to add to your spiritual growth.

God's Love Letter to Us

Enjoy this encouraging and reaffirming writing.

A LOVE LETTER TO MY CHILD:

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:30

For you were made in My image. Genesis 1:27

In Me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are My offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you before you were conceived.Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, all your days are written in My book.Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts of you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Ps 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are My treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippines 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of My being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is - Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad, Almighty GOD...

180 @ Tomoka's Bike Ministry

Green Pedal Bicycle Ministry is an outreach of Tomoka Christian Church's teen ministry, 180 @ Tomoka, and it has proven extremely successful.

Green Pedal Bicycle Ministry was born after Pastor Bill Collins read an article in the newspaper about a gentleman who repaired and distributed bicycles for over 26 years in Edgewater, Florida. He was going blind and wanted someone to take over the ministry so Tom Menzel and Pastor Bill answered the call. The ministry takes in bicycles in any condition and refurbishes them to a "like new" condition. The bikes get a new lease on life as the teens fix broken parts, repaint them, and finally test drive them to make sure they are good as new; it also helps keep them out of the local landfills. We have "Bike Work Days" twice a month at our warehouse located in Port Orange.

Then, the bicycles are given away, for free, to those in need in the community where we partner with several organizations such as the Daytona Outreach Center, Haven Recovery Center, The Star Center, Closer Walk Ministries, The United Way Foundation and The Alliance Church of Ormond Beach, as well as provide to individuals. We also work with New Smyrna, South Daytona, Daytona Beach, Holly Hill and Ormond Beach Police Departments to assist people who have had a bicycle stolen and need a replacement.

To date we have taken in 567 bicycles and we have redistributed 528 of them this year. If you have a bicycle to donate you may contact Tom Menzel at (386) 801-5426 or the Tomoka Christian Church office at (386) 677-6455.

Team Cox Update from Ethiopia

Sean and Becky Cox are missionaries in Ethiopia who have witnessed firsthand the devastation of the drought and starvation in Africa. Below is their August update. Please keep Sean, Becky, and their children in your prayers as well as the millions in Africa who are struggling daily to stay alive.

Poverty is the image of God being marred in people (Ash Barker). That definition really resonates with me. Especially during these times; "the best of times and the worst of times", as Jody Manuel reminded us this morning in his sermon message. It definitely looks like the worst of times in east Africa right now. Millions of people in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya are dying from the effects of a severe famine. Seeing the faces of starving kids in Africa on television is one thing; meeting them face to face is another. Recognizing that the image of God is being marred in those created to bear His image, knowing the enemy of God is ultimately behind it, and feeling the overwhelming burden of grief and guilt for having when so many have not...how does one reconcile all of this?

We cannot, but we must trust the sovereignty of Almighty God. And, as the author of Hebrews writes, we must "fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross..." We can focus on the difficulties and the seeming impossibility of it all, or we can trust the One who commissioned us to go and make disciples of all nations and teach them and baptize them in His Name. Well, I think I will choose the latter; it's the only option I can live with.

To read the rest of the Cox's update, click here.

Do You Want God's Blessing?

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” –Psalm 66:18

We all want God’s blessing, don’t we? I’m sure that most people would say, “Yes! I want God to bless my life.” The alternative would be for God to curse my life. Who would willingly put their life under God’s curse?

Sadly, many who claim to know Jesus continue to make life decisions that keep themselves under God’s curse rather than His blessing. If we harbor sin, God will turn away our prayers. John teaches us this way:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” -1 John 1:9

Confession involved both an admission of wrongdoing as well as a desire to stop engaging in the illicit activity. Confession is also an affirmation that one will begin to do what is right in the eyes of God. This would include worship, ethical choices and obedience to God’s Word - in short, giving our lives away for the furtherance of Jesus’ Kingdom here on earth.

Do you want God’s blessings or His curses? Don’t answer that with words, but with your life.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” –Romans 12:1-2

Ninos de Mexico Mission Trip

Below is an email from Panda Rodriguez who, along with her husband, led a team of 10 this past summer to Mexico:

Our mision team of 10 arrived safely in Mexico on August 6 where we were greeted by our host and three of the kids from Ninos. This year we would be helping Iglesia de Cristo, the church that the four homes attend, with their VBS. We found this information out a few weeks before our trip. We purchased small soccer balls, cones, waterballs, jump ropes and a few other items so we would be ready for the first day or two of VBS. The rest of our supplies would be purchased in Mexico whenever we could get to the store.

VBS ran Monday - Thursday from 9:00 until 1:00. We were in charge of games, so we had to come up with different ones and provide the supplies. Our team also supplied paper products and drinks for snack time. We had some good homemade snacks! We had 5 team members leading games, sometimes even without a translator. The kids were separated by age into 5 groups and one of our team members was with each group. It was rather funny when some of us had to try and say the Bible memory verse in Spanish. We think the teacher just needed a really good laugh! Our team started bonding with all the kids from day one. We enjoyed getting to know them and trying to sing worship songs in Spanish. Yes, we were undignified! We donated all the game supplies to the church so they could be given out to the local children.

Saturday night we were asked to pray for two of the houseparents during our week at Ninos: Amelia Coronel-Bethel Home because her father was very ill and passed away on Monday and Sarahi Soriano-Genesis Home as she was having complications with her pregnancy and was put on bedrest.

Monday afternoon we painted two of the school classrooms. We also sorted the donations of clothing, shoes, toys and books that we had brought with us. Later in the week we applied a second coat of paint. Our team purchased sour candy, soccer balls, basketballs and volleyballs for the four homes. We brought Gatorade bottles, towels and backpacks for the boys' soccer team. We were able to visit and play with the children at each home. Some sponsors from TCC sent a gift to their child and they were excited to receive a present. They enjoyed beating us at futbol! We enjoyed spending time with them and loving them! We visited Dr. Noe's home and the clinic. He told us about his ministry to the Indians in Chilapa. He not only does a weekend of meeting medical needs, he also does a weekend of preaching. His heart for these people is amazing and he also takes some of the Ninos children with him.

Our team raised extra money so on Friday evening we were able to have a party for the children, staff and church staff. We purchased hot dogs, chips, cookies, drinks, coffee and pinatas for around 100 people. Fun was had by all!!!

This year was really special because they let a few kids go with each mission team on their outings, so they could each have some special time with a group. Our team purchased gifts for the kids that went with us. Three of the boys went with us to the airport and we had lunch with them before we went thorough security. Tears were shed when we waved goodbye to our Ninos family.

Thanks to all the prayers, we let the light of Jesus shine through in everything we did while in Mexico. We had an awesome team this year and a lot of laughs. Thank you to everyone who supported our team in one way or another. We were truly blessed on this trip. May God continue His good work in Mexico through the children and staff at Ninos.

Continued Drought in Africa

Many of you know that my wife and I adopted 2 of our children from Ethiopia in 2007. This is the same region where the drought is claiming lives at an alarming rate. Parents just like us are watching their children go thirsty and hungry day after day. We can help. Here is a great opportunity to make a difference for a child in need: www.seeyourimpact.org/members/ask5for5.

Backpack Bash

You probably don't know about a new ministry that Tomoka supports. Pastors John & Lisa Polite started Ministries for Christ Outreach in Daytona Beach to minister to the poor, the homeless, the addicted, and the abused and to bring the message of Jesus Christ to give hope to a hopeless people in Daytona Beach. Here is a report from Lisa Polite of a recent “Backpack Bash” they held at their church in the Mason Nova shopping plaza on August 20, 2011.

I don't even know where to begin. Friday's back pack bash was incredible. At 9:45 am we had a line of 229 people including children waiting to get backpacks. At 10:30 am, when the program was to start, we had a line of 323 people. By 10:45 am all the backpacks were gone, but they were still coming for food and clothes that we also had, and boy did the Lord bless. We got rid of everything we already had in the church and everything we bought for this event, plus everything people donated. I never have seen anything like that. Families were just hungry. They didn't mind people praying for them. Many people dedicated their lives back to Jesus or they accepted Jesus Christ for the first time. For the first time in my life I felt overwhelmed. The lines just never stopped. At 12 noon we had served well over 500 families. I can never thank Pastor Joe for praying for the people to receive salvation and boy it was just like Heaven opened up. We didn't finish until almost 4 pm. We had grandmas with 4 and 5 children asking for us to pray for the families. We had addicts who were trying to kick heroin asking to be saved. People just kept coming off the streets asking what was going on. Either people were being a blessing coming to others or they were being blessed. My day was blessed at the end when a little 8 year old boy came and kissed me. He wanted to know who was Jesus Christ and if He could help him. He said he heard me telling the other children about Jesus and He wanted Him too. Tears begin to flow, and He said he just wanted the voices to stop in His head. We prayed, and praise GOD NO VOICES AFTERWARD, HIS GRANDMA CRIED, WE CRIED, AND THE ENTIRE HOUSE WAS LED TO JESUS.

If you would like to give monetarily to this ministry you may send a check to the church and we will be sure that they receive you gift. If you would like to find out about how you can get involved with Ministries for Christ Outreach contact Lisa Polite at 386-852-7046 or by email at mfcoutreach@hotmail.com.