Steve Caronna

Philippians 1

"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"  Phil. 1:6

Sometimes you may feel that the circumstances of this life are too much for you, and you're not sure how much longer you can hang on.  Just remember, the most important thing that you can do is hang on...to HIM!  And where is He?  He is doing that good work IN you!  Stop looking for the outward circumstances to change, and realize that those outward circumstances will change as you change on the inside!

This passage does not say that God has begun a good work in the situations concerning you, but rather IN YOU.  Just changing the circumstances will not benefit you, (although we so often long for that to be the case!) because your enemy is going to be sure that you get hammered with problems, awaiting the day when you finally give in and give up.  But when you are strengthened on the inside, that's when your victory is assured because the victory is IN you, going wherever you go, doing whatever you do, regardless of what else may occur around you.

So take heart!  You have the Power of the Word Of God in your mouth, the authority of the Name Of Jesus, The cleansing power of the Blood Of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as your best friend, teacher, guide, and comforter.  It's all good!  Remember...the victory is always IN YOU!

Eph. 6

Glad that everyone is keeping up reading the New Testament through with Connie and I.  If you haven't started yet, start now!  Go to www.lwfc.org and click on the downloads section to get the guide or subscribe to have the passage sent to you via text msg.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withSTAND in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND.  STAND therefore..." Eph. 6:14-15a

God intends for you to STAND in every circumstance, and every circumstance brought into your life by your enemy the devil, or by the flesh, is designed to make you fall.  Which actually happens, is of course up to you.  Not the circumstances.  Everybody goes through stuff, but those who understand that their ultimate destiny is victory will never tolerate defeat!

I know some people right now that are in a real fight in areas of finances, health, kids, and jobs.  The ones that are guaranteed to "make it" are those who understand that the Power of the Name, the Blood, the Word, and the Spirit were given to them by Jesus for a reason, and that reason is NOT so that they can get goosebumps at Church!  That reason IS that they can have victory when times get tough. 

Anybody can be a "Christian" when everything is going their way.  A "circumstantial christian" is one who only serves God when the circumstances suit them.  Just remember, Jesus is Lord ALL THE TIME!  He has promised you victory in every situation!  So stay faithful and fight the GOOD fight of faith.  Even if it looks like all of hell is against you, God is GREATER than any problem you have!

Gal. 1

"For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church Of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, and I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.  BUT..." Gal. 1:13-15a

People, and Christians in particular, need to get rid of the notion that "it doesn't really matter what you believe, as long as you're sincere".  That's certainly not what Paul is saying here!  He was beyond his contemporaries in his knowledge and zeal for Judaism, but what he believed was WRONG!  And instead of God being impressed by Paul's zeal, God changed Paul's heart.

Do you believe the right things?  How does a person know what to believe?  Is what we believe really that important?  Does it make a difference in our every-day life?  Absolutely, it matters!  Hosea 4:6 says that even God's people are destroyed when they don't know the right things!  The Bible is the Truth of God, and imparts His Knowledge to us.  If you don't KNOW that for sure, I want you to go to the online bookstore at https://www.mmpowerweb.com/~lwfc/bookstore/ and order the cd set YOU CAN TRUST THE BIBLE.  It really does matter what you believe.  Come on...settle it today, and don't let your life be wiped out because you don't know the right things!

2 Cor. 13

Good evening, Church!

"...by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established" 2 Cor. 13:1 (NKJV)

"...By the testimony of two or three witnesses must any charge and every accusing statement be sustained and confirmed." 2 Cor. 13:1 (AMP)

"...a matter becomes clear after two or three witnesses give evidence..." 2 Cor. 13:1 (MSG)

Taking this Scripture to heart would resolve so many conflicts before they even start!  Church leaders (and believers for that matter) are not to act on every accusation made against another person...there should be two, or even better three WITNESSES.  That doesn't mean people who are repeating what they heard from someone else, but rather are reporting what they SAW. 

Often someone will want the Church to resolve personal issues between parties, and it's usually one person's word against another.  But when there is more than one witness involved, then correction, healing, and instruction can be brought to the party who is identified to be in the wrong.

Why is it important for you to know this?  Because from time to time there are issues brought up in the Church, and questions will arise as to why they weren't  dealt with in a certain way.  I just want you to keep in mind that the Bible has specific instructions for how the Church is to deal with most situations, and as leaders we need to stick as closely as possible to that.

Please pray for your spiritual leaders, that we obey the Word and listen to the Holy Spirit in every situation, that the Church can walk in power, love, and peace!

2 Cor. 9

Good afternoon Church!  This past weekend was soooooo good.  Many marriages are being helped during the "Mannequin" series.  Last night's graduation service was so exciting...I mean to see the accomplishments of those who have worked so hard.  Congratulations to all, especially Michael Butler and Kevin Wilberding, wjo earned their bachelor's degrees, and Sean Spinks who was licensed.  Everyone has worked hard and deserves to be celebrated!

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver"- 2 Cor. 9:7

This whole chapter is about giving.  What everyone needs to realize is that giving is a matter of the heart.  Most of us can be made to feel guilty enough to give to a cause, but the Bible is clear here that our motivation to give should not come from guilt, but from the heart.  As a pastor, I have encountered many who resist giving in any systematic way, such as God's idea of tithing, and instead want to give as they "feel led".  I usually leave these people alone, not trying to twist their arm, because the issue is not a "head" issue, but a "heart" issue.  The change doesn't occur by reason, but by: 1) our being so in love with Jesus that we are willing to obey Him in EVERY area of our lives, even our money, and 2) realizing that when the enemy convinces a Christian not to tithe, he is not so much after their money, but their HEART!  But when that believer's supply begins to dry up, many times they will come back to obedience to God.

After all, money is not the main thing, but rather a tool and a test.  A tool to get the gospel out, and a test for us so that we can be entrusted with real Kingdom stuff! (Luke 16:11-12)  So let's be faithful in every area of our lives, and deal with our hearts.  It's then that we can be "cheerful" about giving!

2 Corinthians 5

Good morning Church!  Leaving Costa Rica this morning after I meet with Pastor Asfaldo, the pastor of the "mother church" that we are helping to plant the Church here.  I love these people and will miss them, but God is using powerfully to reach souls.  So proud of all of them!  Can't wait to get back to the states and see CONNIE, and YOU!

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation" 2 Cor.5:18

I love the whole chapter of 2 Corinthians 5.  So much great Truth there (of course, as in every chapter!).  Verse 17, verse 21...wow!

God has reconciled us to Himself.  That's what we usually call, "saved", "born again", or a "decision for Christ".  God has made us His own.  There are lots of benefits for us to be reconciled to God...lots of stuff for us.  BUT this Scripture says that once we were reconciled to God, then HE gave US "the ministry of reconciliation"!  What does that mean?  That means that our life is not only about what God gives and has done for us,  but also about others.

If a person has really had a transformation, then this strangely supernatural deal happens on the inside of us, and we begin to become concerned about others experiencing what we have experienced.  We begin to pray, not just for us, but also for them.  We begin to realize that the decisions we make not only affect us, but also those we are praying for.  My freedom in Christ is not as important as my witness for Him.  Just because I can (fill in the blank) doesn't mean I do it, if it hurts my witness.

This is an area that frankly I'm concerned about.  I'm all for freedom in Christ.  Let the Pharisees die in their hypocrisy!  But some believers are so wrapped up in their freedom, they forget those that God has put in their life that need to be reconciled. 

Who is in your sphere of influence that needs to come, (or come back to) God?  Just remember, your life is as much about them as it is about your freedom in Christ.  Come on, all of you "Ministers Of Reconciliation"!  Influence a life for Christ today!

2 Cor. 4:18

Greetings Church, from Costa Rica!  One of the things I love about this country is how big the sun is in the sky so early!  The window in my room faces east, and about 5AM, well it's like someone all of a sudden shines a flashlight in your eyes.  Yea, I know it's crazy...but I love it.  And the coffee!  Costa Ricans make the best coffee...and they brew it in a sock.  No, not that kind of sock.  The coffee is grown right here...I can see the coffee fields from my window on the side of a volcano.

Spending the day today visiting with some pastors and ministry sites, and hopefully some time to pray with the prayer team.  Jamie and I had dinner with the team at the home of Carlos and Reisa, our contacts here.  Love those people!  They have been a great blessing to our teams and the Church.

"While we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen.  For the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are eternal." 2 Cor. 4:18

Congratulations to all of the faithful that are reading through the New Testament with Connie and I.  If you haven't started, start here today!  If you started, but fell off the wagon, get back on!  Let's all finish strong in the Word this year!  Go to the download link at www.lwfc.org to view the guide.  you can even have the day's reading sent to your phone via text message!

Whatever you may be dealing with in your life today, keep focused on the unchanging truth of the Word Of God!  This passage says we don't look (focus) on temporary things...and the attacks of your enemy as well as the "junk" life throws at you are all subject to change when we choose to focus, not on them, but on what the Bible says SHOULD be in our lives.  God's blessing, calling, shaping, cleansing, healing...all are eternal!  The poverty, shame, depression, stagnation, and confusion of outward circumstances are only temporary, but the longer you FOCUS on it, the longer it affects you.

How temporary are these negative circumstances?  Will this all finally go away in the "sweet by and by"?  Actually, all of these issues beging to fade in comparison to God's purpose and plan when we renew our minds and begin to focus on the Word until His Word becomes bigger on the inside of us than our circumstances.  Yep, we're back to Rom. 12:2 AGAIN!  This is the most important principle a Christian can learn.  Forgive me, if I souund like a broken record, but Church, we REALLY need to get this!

Go to the bookstore, onsite or online, and get those confession cards and promise books, and start replacing your thoughts with God's thoughts.  You'll be amazed at how your outward circumstances change in proportion to how your mind changes with His Word!

2 Cor. 3

Good morning Church!  Does 3:30 happen twice in the same day?  Obviously!  Headed to Costa Rica with Jamie for a couple of days to check on our projects there.  We have a prayer team down there now, and are sending 5 more teams over the next 2 months.  Everybody pray that the teams are safe and fruitful...souls for the Kingdom!

" But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  2 Cor. 3:18

Transformation.  Being CHANGED from glory to glory.  I never have understood why we resist that so much.  After all, we tried life OUR way, and realized very quickly that we were failures at it on our own.  So once we commit our lives to Christ, He promises to give us the transformation that we so desperately need.  so let's don't resist, but embrace EVERYTHING that God wants to do in our lives.

How do we do it?  Begin in Romans 12:2 : "Don't be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED (there it is again!) by the renewing of your mind..."  We must begin looking at life the way God sees it, through His Word!  Get it into your mind and into your mouth.  That's where transformation starts, and the rest is so simple after we change the way we think!

Time to board the plane!

2 Corinthians 1

Good morning, Church!  Everybody ready for a big weekend?  "MANNEQUIN, Bringing Your Marriage To Life" starts this weekend!  Bring someone, and let's see marriages changed!  Pray for the series, that the wisdom of God flows throughout.  As a culture we've tried marriage our way, now let's try it GOD"S way!

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the Glory of God through us"- 1 Cor. 1:20

God has given us His Word, that He wants us to rely on for our lives.  So often when hearing people talk about their life's philosophy, they begin by saying, "Well, I think..."  not realizing that often that's what gets us in trouble, if it doesn't line up with what GOD thinks.  What does HE think, anyway?  How can we know that?  By His Word, the Bible!  But we don't just need to have a copy in our house, or even carry one to Church, but we need to AGREE with it, that what the Word says is what WE decide to believe, practice, and say. 

Often, it means changing our minds to agree with God.  And nope, it's not as hard as it sounds.  We change our minds because of "outside influences" all the time.  That's the purpose of marketing...to change our minds about which toothpaste we use or which car we drive.  How many times have we not known that a product existed, then saw the advertisement for it, and exclaimed, "I've got to have that!"  We'll that means their mission was accomplished, and you just changed your mind about your priorities.

The difference with this is that God is an "inside influence" if we know Him, and who better to agree with!  He has a great plan for you, an awesome purpose...and that purpose is driven by His Promises...the promise to heal you, bless you, prosper you, give you wisdom, strength, knowledge, and favor.  God already knows and walks in this, but when YOU know and walk in it, power is generated for your destiny. 1 Cor. 1:20 in the Message Bible says that God's "Yes" and our "yes" make the power of the promises of God "gloriously evident".  Agree with the promises of God for your life and see His plan unfold before you in Power!

1 Cor. 9

Good morning, Church!  Still in South Carolina studying for the "Mannequin" series.  This is going to be a really good series to strengthen your marriage (or future marriage!).  It starts the weekend of 5/30 and goes through 6/28.  Don't miss a single message!  This weekend is the "One Prayer" message, a really powerful, life changing message by one of America's greatest pastors!  This message changed me when I heard it, and I know it will change you, too!

"...I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." 1 Cor. 9:22 (NKJV)

What means are we willing to go to so that others can hear the Gospel?  Paul said, "by ALL means"!  How about:

Going to Costa Rica
Giving so that someone else can go to Costa Rica
Volunteering at the Helen Wright Center
helping in a "support circle"
bringing someone to the "Mannequin" series
Hosting a connect group
leading a connect group
volunteering for "Angel Food"
Helping with the upcoming Red Cross blood drive

Of course all of these are things that we DO.  Paul here says that he is willing to BECOME!  What are we willing to become that others might know Christ?  How about:

Kind
Compassionate
Understanding
Reasonable
Loving
Caring
Generous
Honest
Faithful

...and yes, the list could go on and on.  We as THE CHURCH should stand for TRUTH, and be the Voice of God to this generation, to this world.  But too often I see Christians who are so insistent upon proclaiming truth, that they forget HOW to proclaim it.  Paul called it, "speaking the Truth in LOVE".  No, we don't compromise.  But as you have heard me say before, "it's hard for people to accept what you are saying if you are screaming at them".

Jesus was hard on one group of people, hypocrites.  The Greek word for "hypocrite" actually means, "an actor in a play". These are the people to be hard on, those who pretend to be Christians, then cause trouble for everybody else in the Church.  But those who aren't Christians, know they're not, don't even pretend to be, and often don't seem to be interested in it are the ones we are to reach out to.  By yelling the loudest?  No, by caring.  Because the Truth must win out in the end?  No, because the Truth must win out in the end...FOR THEM.