Steve Caronna

Titus 1

How great is it to be a part of His Body, the Church, and be serving the King?! Do you realize, Church, that as God works through us, that we are the most powerful force on this earth?

"Paul, a bondservant of God AND an apostle of Jesus Christ..." Titus 1:1 NKJV

I am excited to see a new trend in the Church, at least in recent years, and that is powerful men & women of God with power gifts realizing that they are also called to servanthood. Instead of being aloof because they might "lose the anointing", we're all working together to advance His Church across the earth. Absolutely, we must respect and honor the gifts that God has placed in His Church, but it's great to see the Church getting a revelation of that and acting on it, rather than demands being made by 5-fold ministry gifts.

We've even seen it in the ranks of regular church folks.(which we really all are anyway!) "I couldn't possibly serve in the kid's church or parking lot...I'm called to be an intercessor." Oh, please! Grow up! Paul here says that he's an apostle, and ALSO a servant! Try to top that!

We accept, receive, and celebrate those with powerful gifts in the Church, but Psalm 1:10 doesn't say that in the day of His power there will be more power gifts, but more serving in the House Of God!

Some years ago, there arose a dispute in the Church between the sound department and the décor department as to who was going to install some soundproof padding and cloth in the sound booth. The sound people thought the décor people should do it, and the décor people thought the sound people should "have to" install it. Connie and I finally got tired of all of the bickering...and WE showed up one Saturday morning and the two of us spent about 4 hours completing the project. These teams were ashamed of themselves when they found out that Connie & I had completed the project for them, but we did it because we are SERVANTS as well as Pastors! Either of those teams, with all of their people, could have easily done it in less than an hour.

I want to point out that these two teams are led by different people now, who would have insisted that THEIR team do the work, and serve the others!

God's Church is made up of His Children who have a heart for His House. Let's serve in His House as His Sons and Daughters!

Pastor Steve, in our reading today Paul talks about how the dead in Christ will rise and meet Jesus together with us, and II Cor 5:8 says when we're absent from the body we're present with the Lord.  I'm confused about what really happens when we who know the Lord die, and it's really important to me to know what the Bible says about this because of some family situations.  If you could write about that sometime, it would really help me and maybe some other folks are wondering too?  Oh, and happy belated birthday!  We love you!

P. Steve says:
Thanks for the question Cindy!
When the Bible talks about "the dead in Christ" rising first, the bodies of those who have died will rise along with us in the rapture of the Church, but their spirits are not in their bodies like ours are, their spirits left their bodies and went to be with the Lord when they expired.  So you could say that their spirits are "re-united" with their bodies at the rapture, then changed in the same manner that we are. 

The Scripture that tells us this is 1 Thess. 4:13-14:  "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as those who have no hope.  for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus."

And all in the twinkling of an eye!

Of course, the next question is, "What about those who have no bodies on this earth?  Whose bodies and bones have been burned up, decayed, or destroyed?"  I don't know the answer to that.  Since all of the molecules that made up their bodies are still here in some form, God can reconstruct them if He wants to.  I'm not saying that He will do it that way, but I'm sure God has a plan!

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!