Scripture Focus: Esther 4:14 "For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place… And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

The Blessed Assurance
Mordecai did not know how God would deliver, but he was absolutely convinced that God would. His confidence was not rooted in a private revelation or a supernatural visitation; it was anchored in the unshakable covenant faithfulness of God. When he declared that deliverance would come “from another place,” he was essentially saying, “God has more options than we can see”.

When we face situations where every visible door is shut, we must remember that God is not confined to the pathways we can imagine. He is sovereign over the person who closed the door, the system that seems immovable, and even the generational patterns that feel unbreakable. If the door in front of you is sealed, God has “another place,” that is, another route, another strategy, another provision already in motion. Hallelujah.

Moving from Fear of the Scepter to Faith in the Sovereign
Esther was staring at a law that threatened her life: approach the king uninvited, and you die unless the golden scepter is extended. The fear was real. The risk was real. But Mordecai reminded her that the king of Persia was still just a man holding a piece of metal. There is a higher Throne, and a greater King whose authority supersedes every earthly decree.

What “scepter” are you waiting on today? A diagnosis? A loan approval? A supervisor’s decision? Sovereignty means God governs the heart of the king, the timing of the moment, and the outcome of the situation. You are not at the mercy of human decisions when you belong to the God who reigns over every kingdom, courtroom, and circumstance.

Enlargement Is Coming
The word enlargement means relief, breathing room, or literally “to catch one’s breath.” For Esther, Mordecai, and the Jewish people, God did not remove the threat entirely. Instead, He empowered them within the threat. Through a royal decree, they were given the legal right to defend themselves and even take possession of the goods of their attackers (Esther 8:11–12). In other words, God did not eliminate the battle; He equipped them to win it.

Sometimes when our back is against the wall, the wall is simply revealing the limits of our human strength. And that is often the exact place where God’s strength begins to operate. He promises to sustain, provide, and deliver us. When God breathes enlargement into your situation, you do not just survive; you rise with authority, clarity, and supernatural help. Let God breathe on and expand your “it.” You will be the better for what He is taking you through.

Today’s Takeaway
1. God always has another place. There is another route, another strategy, another provision beyond what you can see.

2. You are not ruled by earthly scepters. God’s sovereignty outranks every human decision.

3. Enlargement often begins at the wall. When your strength ends, God’s strength steps in with power and breath.

Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley

“Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb” - 1 Samuel 1:6a NIV

Sometimes our first reaction to life not going our way is to question, is God seeing this? Does He know what I am going through? Why doesn’t He fix this? I can testify that there have been moments in my life when this has been my first and only response. However, I have learned, and I am still learning, that sometimes our pauses, stand still moments and redirections in life are orchestrated by God.

Remain Yielded In The Process
The scripture in 1 Samuel 1:6a, states that the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. This
strongly suggests that He saw the end from the beginning and needed to use a submitted vessel to get the results He needed. Hannah cried, yes; Hannah prayed, yes; Hannah continued to do what she should as a wife, yes! And through all of it, God was allowed to get the glory out of the end results. As we face God orchestrated moments in our lives, they may be hard, they may seem unsufferable, they may seem to be leading to destruction, but I encourage us today to remain yielded to God during it all. He wants our submission as He writes the story of His glory.

Follow Through With Our Yes
As Hannah received the “God-timed” response from her submission in tears and prayers, she gave God a yes that was difficult to think about. She said yes to giving up the very thing that she was praying for. We have been praying for family members to be saved, for children to be delivered, for our finances to finally be more than enough, and when he gives us the answers, then He asks for us to give it back to Him. Don’t be afraid to follow through with a yes to Him. As Hannah gave Samuel to the work of the temple, she was then blessed with more children. Sometimes our full yes, our give back to God is the key that opens the doors to our ‘overflow moments’.

I encourage us this week as we pause in prayer and reflection to surrender our “pause
and wait” moments to God and give Him a yes and follow through with His plan. Does
this mean we won’t cry, it does not. Does this mean we won’t have painful moments, it
does not. What it does mean is He will be glorified in our lives and we will receive from His hearts overflow.

- Pastor Ro

The Scripture Texts:
And He (Jesus) had to pass through Samaria (John 4:4, ESV).

But the Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion (Luke 10:33, ESV).

Seeing the Way Jesus Walked
In first century Palestine, “the way” was more than a metaphor, it was the network of roads people traveled every day. Some paths were convenient, others avoided. Many Jews even took the long route around Samaria to avoid the people who shared their ancestry and history. Let’s be real, the Jews avoided Samaritans because they believed Samaritans were not their equal. Jesus, a Jew, chose differently. He walked straight into Samaria. He sat at a well with a woman others ignored and restored, not only her dignity, but her long desired fellowship with the Father. When He revealed Himself as the Messiah who is “the way, the truth, and the life,” He was not only revealing Himself to the Samaritan woman, He revealed to us how He walks through the world. Jesus’ way is compassionate, a way that moves toward people, not around them.

Kindness that Steps in, Not Around
Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan echoes the same truth. Two religious men saw thewounded traveler and kept going. The Samaritan (imagine that-the one who was neverconsidered to be “good enough”) saw him and stopped. But the Good Samaritan did not justpause and stop with sympathy. He lifted the man, carried him to safety, paid for his care, andpromised to return. For the wounded man, this was not only a way out of danger; it was a waythat most likely led to a Christ-honoring relationship between two unlikely friends. Jesus wasteaching us that kindness is not accidental. It is intentional. It costs us something, ourconvenience. It lifts someone until they can stand again.

Takeaway for the Week
To follow Jesus, THE One who is THE Way, we must be willing to go out of our way for others. His compassion was never confined to convenience; it moved toward people others avoided, paused when others rushed past, and lifted those who had fallen until they could stand again.  Kindness that reflects Christ is not accidental or effortless.  It is intentional, restorative, and willing to stretch beyond our routines so someone else can rise.  When we walk Christ’s way, we choose the longer road if it means carrying His heart.

Go out of your way and do at least one of the following:

• Notice the person others overlook and pause long enough to truly see them.  Ask them their name.
• Lift someone who has fallen by offering support that helps them stand again.

Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley

The Scriptures
“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth1:20, ESV).

“May the Lord give strength to His people. May the Lord bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11, ESV).

The Story
Sometimes the way to our next abundant harvest depends entirely on how we handle our current trials. The human reflex to a crisis is always a geographic, situational or emotional escape. When resources dry up, when pressure mounts, or when the environment becomes uncomfortable, our immediate instinct is to run toward relief. We want to pack up and find a quick fix.

The book of Ruth begins with a family facing this exact crossroads. They were from the tribe of Judah, living in Bethlehem, a modest, but not prestigious town. Yet, Elimelech and his family seemed to be living well. We do not know exactly why the famine hit, but because this occurs during the time of the Judges, scripture implies that Israel’s cycle of idolatry plays a heavy role in their oppression from their neighboring enemies. If we look closely at the names of the family members in this story, we see God’s grace and the fact that God reigns on the just and the unjust. First, Elimelech’s name means “My God is King.” This was a family that explicitly named the Lord as their God. Then Naomi, her name means pleasant or delightful. The shift happens when they have children. The first son was named Mahlon meaning sickly. The second son’s name was Chilion, which meant pining or fading away.

Whether the boys’ fragility was due to the famine or an isolated family struggle, Elimelech made an executive decision: he packed up his family and left Judah for the prosperous, metropolitan community of Moab. Moab promised relief. It promised survival. In fact, the plan worked at first, because the sons grew up, settled down, and married. But Moab, although ideal for agriculture, was a place not spiritually aligned with God. In chasing physical sustenance, Elimelech stepped out of spiritual alignment.

When the dust settled, Elimelech and both sons were dead, leaving behind a bitter widow named Naomi. Despite her being bitter at God, it was clear that she imparted the word of God to her daughters-in-law. Later, the scriptures state that she turned from Moab toward Bethlehem because she “…heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food” (Ruth 1:6, ESV).

The Safeguards
1. Guard Your Alignment Over Your Comfort
If we are God’s people, we must be incredibly careful about where we align ourselves, even when a worldly alternative promises immediate reprieve or relief. True alignment with God means choosing to depend only on Him for our survival and sustenance, even when the ground beneath us looks cracked and dry. Moving outside of His presence for quick comfort always costs more than we bargained for.

2. Protect Your Posture in the Trial
Trials are brutal, but our instructions remain the same: delight in the Lord and refuse to be poisoned by bitterness. When Naomi eventually returned home, she demanded to be called Mara (i.e., bitter), claiming the Almighty had dealt bitterly with her. Naomi’s posture changed negatively because she focused on what she lost in the famine rather than who God still was. Do not let a temporary drought or being in a dry place dictate your disposition of joy.

3. Turn your Heart in God’s Direction
When we turn in God’s direction, He begins working quietly in our favor. We may not see or hear of it right away, however, there will come the moment when our faith becomes sight. Naomi returned to Bethlehem, and was eventually willing to be satisfied with the bread made from the grain harvest, but look what the women in the community said when Naomi’s grandson was born: “Blessed be the Lord who has not left you this day without a redeemer, and may his name be renowned in Israel” (Ruth 4:14, ESV). In other words, God turned Naomi’s bitter days into pleasant days again by redeeming her life from destruction and crowning her with His loving kindness. Not only did the town know about her grandson Obed, but the whole country also heard about Obed’s grandson in the person of King David. May God strengthen us in our trials. I believe our fields will be fruitful again.

Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago

In 1905, a woman by the name of Anna Jarvis lost her beloved mother. To honor her life, she promoted a National Day of Gratitude on behalf of mothers on the second Sunday in May. It was finalized by President Wilson in 1914.

While this can be a wonderful day set aside, we must remember God had already given a commandment in Exodus 20:12 “Honor (respect) thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”. We find this was the fifth commandment God had given with a relational promise.

We applaud many of the women in the scripture who were great mothers. Proverbs Chapter 31 gives an exceptional example of King Lemuel’s mother, who gave godly instruction to her son by giving honor to a woman with a virtuous character. With all her excellent attributes, more importantly, she was a woman who feared the Lord and should be praised.

Not all women in the scripture were as exemplary as the woman mentioned in Proverbs.
We find that Eve was the first mother of all living, and although she had her temptation with the serpent, she was a mother to Cain, Abel, Seth, and other children as well.

Sarah was named in Genesis 18:12, who brought forth Isaac in her older stage of life. Even laughing when God gave her and Abraham the promise of a child being born to them at her advanced age. She got ahead of the Lord with her handmaid, yet she was honored because of the Lord’s faithfulness, and Isaac, the promised seed, was born as promised.

Bathsheba, in 2 Samuel 11-12, was used by King David for his own desires. She brought forth a son named Solomon, who would rule on the throne, and we see he was in the lineage of the Messiah.

Rahab, the Canaanite prostitute, hid the Israelite spies in Joshua 2, yet is recognized in Hebrews 11:31 as one of the heroes of the faith. From her lineage, she was the mother of Boaz, who was in the successive line of King David and Jesus.

These are a few women in the scripture who may not have been perfect, yet were used by God to bring forth his will in the day they were living.

Hannah, Ruth, Jochebed, Mary, Elizabeth, Eunice, and Lois were a few mothers named in the Bible who were great examples of women who loved God and were used for his service.

Here at the Bridge of Hope, we celebrate all the dedicated mothers who have been wonderful examples to their children at home and in church. We also recognize our beautiful, sweet, and loving first lady, Romeika Adderley, who is a great blessing to her children and the BOH family.

On a personal note, I have been blessed to be the mother of Asa and Brent, for which I am so grateful and blessed beyond measure. They have stood by their dad and me through thick and thin. I love them with every part of my being.

I also give honor to my precious mother, who is with the Lord now. I remember the last time I visited with her. I took her by her feeble hands, looked at all the age spots, and the finger that had been severely injured in her younger life. I began to think about all she had been through in her life, yet she remained faithful to the Lord. I realized one day that I might not be able to take her hand again and thank her for all she had meant to me and for the love I had for her. In that year, she was gone.

I leave with you a little story written by Dr. G. Campbell Morgan:
He had four sons, and they all became ministers. At a family reunion, a friend asked one of the sons, Which Morgan is the greatest preacher?  While the son looked at the father, the father replied, “Mother.”

- Seniors Pastor Carol Johnson

As any 4.5 year old would, my daughter loves to play “hide and seek”. We take turns, of course, but I was thinking recently about how if I really wanted to, I could hide so well that she could not find me. It would be a rigged game where the fun of playing would turn to fear for her because there is no hope of finding me and her security would turn to feeling alone. However, as most parents who have played this childhood game with their kids know, the best part is the moment when you let your child find you. I want Grace to find me, so I leave clues: my foot sticking out of the closet door, or making noise under the covers so she can hear me. Finally, the best part: There is a coming together, maybe a hug, and definitely lots of laughter and “bragging rights”. In addition to all that, there is also a quiet reaffirming to my daughter that “I am here. I haven’t left you, nor will I.”

We may feel at times that God feels far or inaccessible. We wonder at times if He even hears us. But I believe that there is a productive struggle in the Lord wanting us to seek Him. Look at what God tells Israel through the Prophet Jeremiah:

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord…”
Jeremiah 29:12-14a ESV

This is coming to Israel at a time where they are to be taken captive by Babylon and God gives them a promise of restoration. Notice, God is NOT saying that to seek Him is futile. In fact, He says “I will found by you.” The implication being similar to how parents let themselves be found by their kids while playing hide and seek. But just like the real game, there are lessons learned and a child builds skills necessary for growth and awareness, and also learns the crucial skill of resiliency in a safe, controlled, environment. In the same way, we as God’s children, learn resilience, we learn to trust and stretch our faith muscles during times of seeking. However, the environment is controlled. We are ultimately safe because “if His eye is on the sparrow, then I know He watches me!” If  we feel we cannot see Him or feel Him, we can be sure He is watching over us. He leaves clues to lead us to Him whether it be a word from the scriptures in your devotional reading, or a visit or embrace from a friend, the beauty of nature, etc.

One final thought: the other thing that having  us seek Him does, is that it helps filter out the reasons we are seeking Him. He says in Jeremiah, that if we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will find Him. I don’t have to wonder what it looks like to seek Him half-heartedly.  I know when my heart is not in it and it’s more looking for just the fish and loaves. Looking to see what I can get out of God…looking for His hand instead of His face. I can want the hand of God for what He can give and not want His face for all of who He is.

“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
Psalm 27:8 ESV

Let us seek God’s face, church. Let us do so with all of our hearts, knowing that in the seeking, we will grow stronger in our faith. Let us keep an eye out for clues God is leaving around you to lead you to a beautiful encounter with Him. Seek in confidence, knowing “He will be found by you…”

In Christ,
Pastor Javier

I found myself in a desert place one summer. This is not a metaphor. I once spent a few summer days in Joshua Tree, California, a small town in the Mojave Desert. I’d felt inexplicably drawn to this place for years, despite none of my friends knowing about it, nor seeing it featured on travel sites I frequent. It wasn’t a destination known for comfort, yet I was still compelled to go.

WHAT IS A JOSHUA TREE?
Part of my interest was the name: Joshua Tree. Why were these desert plants called that? I discovered that some say Mormon settlers named it after the biblical Joshua, whose hands lifted in prayer. Others likened its sharp leaves to a warrior’s blade. The name alone added to the desert’s intrigue.

I am amazed that plants like the Joshua Tree thrive in the harsh Mojave Desert. They need little to grow, but require just the right amount of rain and temperature—a delicate balance for such a rare plant in the U.S. Despite the apparent barrenness, they flourish. That alone could be a powerful message.

THE SIGNS ARE THERE
While exploring Joshua Tree National Park, I saw repeated signs: “DO NOT DIE TODAY.” Such a direct warning made sense. The sign explained the dangers of desert heat, urging extra caution. The average temperature soared to 120 degrees—a serious threat.



In Joshua 1, God tells Joshua to “be strong and of good courage” 3 separate times. Why would he do that? Because fear is a real thing. Fear of failure. Fear of success. Fear of the next thing. Fear of the unseen. God knew what Joshua would face and the kind of leadership he would have to show. The phrase “DO NOT DIE TODAY” is a way of conveying God’s call to endure and have courage each day in the face of fear or overwhelming circumstances.

And he is speaking to US with those same words. It doesn’t matter if you feel like you have been wandering aimlessly for these past few years – DO NOT DIE TODAY. You feel like this job you are at is too much and is going to be the death of you – DO NOT DIE TODAY. You may not understand why your kids seem like they are never getting better – DO NOT DIE TODAY, they need you. You have been praying for the same miracle for days, weeks, months, years, and have not seen any progress – DO NOT DIE TODAY in your praying and fasting. You used to hear God’s voice so clearly, but now you feel like he has left you because you haven’t heard from him in a while – DO NOT DIE TODAY. He’s still right there just quietly waiting for you to pause and listen.

FINAL TAKEAWAY
You were BUILT for this season. You aren’t meant to die out. Be strong and of good courage. These tests are for your testimony. These battles are for your conditioning. And these pains are for your gains. Like the Joshua Tree, which thrives in a harsh desert, you can also find strength and grow in challenging conditions because you have been CALLED to such a place in a time such as this. I know it hurts. I know it burns. I know it sucks most days (am I allowed to say that?). But be encouraged. Know that you need to LIVE in order to see what blessings the Lord has in store for you. Take your extra precautions, plan ahead, and prepare for the journey.

Joshua Tree is symbolic—a sign of faith and hope that beauty can emerge from adversity. Like the Joshua Tree, you too can embody faith and hope. Will you endure to see how your story ends?

Rooted In Love,
Pastor Thaddaeus

The Backstory:
The air in Babylon was thick with the scent of settled dust and forgotten rituals. For decades, the people of Israel lived in a world of "good enough," but Ezra, a descendant of Aaron, felt the weight of a different calling. He was not interested in just surviving the exile; he was obsessed with the order of God’s house.

In the corridors of the Persian palace, Ezra did not rely on charisma or political maneuvering; rather he relied on quiet, relentless preparation. As Ezra 7: 9-10 tells us, Ezra devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. In essence, he was not just concerned with honoring God for himself, he wanted the “Next Gen” to love and honor God as well.

When he stood before King Artaxerxes, something supernatural happened. The King did not jus grant him passage; King Artaxerxes opened the royal treasury. Ezra was given silver, gold, and authority because the King saw a man whose internal world was so ordered that he could be trusted with the external world. Ezra’s steady faithfulness in the secret place of study became his favor in the public square of the empire.

Steady Faithfulness: A Message for Every Generation
At Bridge, we know that the Holy Spirit moves powerfully among us, but Ezra reminds us that the Spirit also moves through faithful steadfastness. Whether you are a senior who built the foundations or a young adult navigating work-life balance, Ezra’s journey speaks to us today. For the seniors, whether you have lived through seasons of revival or seasons of drought, like Ezra, your role is to ensure that the "ancient paths" of holiness are not just remembered but lived. For our youth and young adults, our emerging faithfulness to the “order” of God’s House is the “bridge” for our Next Gen students. So, do not grow weary with realignment or the need for consistency in prayer and in the Word of God. Our consistency in private and public is what gives the Body of Christ and our surrounding communities gravity from the chaos that surrounds us.

Our Takeaway:
True "public square" influence whether in your workplace, your social circles, or your city comes from a life ordered by the Kingdom of God. When we are faithful to God’s House and His Word in private, the "Artaxerxes" of our work industry will take notice of the excellence and integrity within you. "For the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord..." (Ezra 7:9-10).        
Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley  

The Architecture of Distraction
In Luke 9, Peter, James, and John get a "behind-the-scenes" look at the King of Glory. The curtain of Jesus' humanity is pulled back, revealing His royalty. What was Peter’s response to this weight of glory? He wants to build three tabernacles as a gift for His Lord and two great men: Moses and Elijah. The tabernacles were a quiet reference to the profound joy the Jews had when recalling how God brought His people out of the wilderness and gave them rest in the Promised Land. In other words, Peter’s overwhelming joy was leading to work when he should have been at rest. He wanted to provide a "gift" of housing for a King who already owns the heavens. God the Father’s response was a gentle but firm course correction “…This is my Son...listen to Him.”

The Hustle of the Hearth
As we turn the page of the scriptures, in Luke 10, we see this same energy in Martha’s kitchen. While Jesus is in her home, Martha is spiraling. She is focused on making a good "present" for the King; a delicate meal and the performance of being a good host. She even asks Jesus to tell Mary to leave His side to help her with the work. Just like the Father rebuked Peter, Jesus gives Martha a soft reality check. He tells her that Mary has chosen the "better part." Martha was preparing a gift for the King, but Mary was simply BEING with the King. Martha’s "presents" were getting in the way of resting in His presence.

The Importance of Being Still with Him
Whether it is Peter on the mountain or Martha in the kitchen, the struggle is the same: believing that our works, our talents, or our "tabernacle gifts" are more valuable than placing our devotion and attention on Him. We often feel the need to justify our place with God by being productive especially when we are coming out of a "wilderness" or a dry season to experience the goodness of His GRACE. We want to prove we are worthy of the Promised Land by what we can build there.

Concluding Thought
The Transfiguration and the story of Mary and Martha teach us that no ritual, or no “church” project for the auxiliary can compare to BEING with Him. We do not have to "do" to capture His attention. He sees us. In fact, He is the one who invited us to come into His presence!! We were not fortunate like Peter, James, John or Mary and Martha to be with Christ while He was on earth, but Revelation 21:3 says that “…the dwelling place of God (i.e., the tabernacle) is with man, He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God himself will be their God.” Someday soon, you and I will experience overwhelming joy, as we will be at rest or in worship in His presence forevermore!!

Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley

The Echo of the Sanctuary
As I sat in the empty sanctuary yesterday, I still heard the echoes of our jubilant and vibrant worship. On Sunday, we declared that He is our King, the Lord of Glory. We raised our banners and voices high, singing and shouting His praise for what He has done. Even now, I remain in awe of the sweet savor of His presence, and am profoundly grateful that He redeemed us with His precious blood.

The Intentionality of God’s Love Story
The writer of Hebrews provides a connected flow of God’s love story toward humanity. It begins by reminding us that God, in multiple ways and times, spoke through His prophets about His intentionality toward redeeming mankind. But that story did not end with words; it culminated in a Person. The Person who welcomed love and adoration from his disciples like John, Peter and Mary Madelene. It was Mary who poured her best fragrance on our Lord, often weeping in deep appreciation for saving her from the grip and misery of sin.

The  Express Image of Glory
In addition to being God’s heir, the writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image of who God is. Hebrews is clear: Christ has already attained the right hand of God. Therefore, if we are to take on the image of God, we must look at the person of Jesus Christ. As citizens of heaven, we cannot choose to see Him as someone who is "not desirable," as described in Isaiah 53. We must check our hearts to ensure that our love for Christ remains deep. If our devotion wanes, or if we are ashamed of Him, He will not announce us before His Father.

The Assurance of Our Transformation
So, how do we as believers develop the assurance that when He appears, we will be like Him? How do we reflect the King of Glory in our daily lives? Psalm 16:8 gives us the key: we must set the Lord always before us. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him, His character, His sacrifice, and His current seat at the Father’s right hand, we find not only stability, but we will also see Christ fully, simultaneously encountering His transcendent fragrance. By setting Him before us, we too can be at God’s right hand and not be shaken by the things of this world.

A Prayer for Our Week
May we carry the image and fragrance of the "King of Glory" from the sanctuary into our streets, so that others seek Him and, in turn, are announced and known to our Father.

Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley

“Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me... The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them." Matthew 21:2, 6

The Unseen Burden
It is possible that many of us may sometimes feel like the donkey in the story of the Triumphant Entry. We spend our lives from sunup to sundown carrying heavy loads: the weights of responsibility, the mistakes of humanity, and the expectations of others. Often, we feel like "brute beasts," overlooked and under-appreciated, doing the hard work while the world moves past us without a second glance. We might even feel like "hybrids" who are caught between who we are and who the world wants us to be, living in a state of "mixing" that feels far from God's original, perfect intention for creation.

The King’s Choice
But notice what Jesus did. He did not send for a majestic stallion or a warhorse to carry Him into Jerusalem. He sent for the lowly donkey.

• He Saw the Animal: Before the crowds cheered, Jesus recognized the donkey’s existence and its purpose.
• He Gave Honor: By choosing this animal to carry the King of Kings, Jesus elevated the "lowly" to a place of royalty.
• He Loosed the Bound: Jesus gave the command to "untie him." He did not just want the donkey's service; He wanted the donkey’s freedom from its previous hitching post.

The Exchange of Weights
If you feel tired from carrying a weight that is not yours, remember that Jesus sees you just as He saw that animal. He is aware that you matter. While serving the Master in a broken world can sometimes feel like an "unfair burden," Jesus offers a divine exchange. He says: "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me... for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. "When we carry Jesus, the nature of the load changes. It is no longer a weight that crushes us; it isa weight that connects us to His royalty. We are not told what happened to the donkey after that Sunday, but we can be certain of this: once you have carried the King, you are never the same.

Praise God!
Pastor Z. Adderley

In the famous story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we often focus on the one who left home and squandered his inheritance. But this week, the Holy Spirit is highlighting a different figure: the elder brother who stayed home. He was ”squeaky clean” on the outside, meticulous, hardworking, and status-driven, but he was rotting on the inside.

The Pharisee in the Field
The elder brother represents the “party haters” of Jesus’ day, the Pharisees. They were experts at executing the Father’s portfolio but had no room for the Father’s people. Like the elder brother, it is possible to be “in the house” but miles away from the Father’s heart. When we treat our faith like shift work, rather than a relationship we are enjoying, our joy evaporates. Service without love is not devotion; it is slavery.

The Father’s Heart Revealed
The most beautiful part of this narrative is not the brother’s performance, but the Father’s persistence. Even as the elder son stood outside in miserable, bitter resentment, the Father stepped out to entreat him. Despite the elder sons “squeaky clean” legalism and his judgmental spirit, the Father didn’t abandon him to his bitterness. He went out to meet him, pleading with him to come inside and share in the celebration. This is the heart of God: He pursues the religious legalist just as fervently as He pursues the rebellious runaway.

Why We Lose Our Joy
Disobedience is not always “riotous living.” Often, it is subtle alignment issues:

• The Trap of Assets: Valuing the “estate” (status, rules, and coins) over the “family” (people).
• The Contract vs. Covenant: Seeing God as a boss to be satisfied rather than a Father to be loved.
• The “Why” Gap: Being so busy managing a corner of the field that we miss the
  heartbeat of the whole house.

”Christian joy returns when we stop viewing people as interruptions to our work and start
viewing them as the point of our work.”

Are You Just Maintaining the Estate?
If our hearts do not break for what breaks His, and if we cannot rejoice when He rejoices, we are merely “estate managers” in a house we do not truly call home. Joy is the byproduct of shared values. If we find ourselves hardworking but miserable, it may be time to stop working for the Father and start walking with Him. After all, we are laborers with God.

A Provocative Thought:
If the Father threw a party today for the very person you find most undeserving, would you be found inside leading the dance, or outside explaining why they should not have been invited?

Blessings,
Pastor Adderley

I Co-wrote a song a few years ago called “What a Name”. It was released by a group called “Writing Rounds Worships:

No Father like ABBA, What a Name!
No Healer like Rapha…What a Name!
None keeps me like Nissi…What a Name!
There’s no one like God
There’s no one like Yahweh!

Listen to “What a Name”!

This is the inspiration behind the song…

Have you ever had a friend that surprised you with a talent or skill you had no idea they had? In my case, I went bowling with some friends and while we all showed up empty handed to the bowling alley, one of my friends had a whole suitcase that he took out of his truck. He had his own ball, his own special bowling shoes, etc. He proceeded to DESTROY the rest of us who were just trying to have some fun! While we had done lots of different activities together, we had never been bowling. We had no idea that he grew up in a family of competitive bowlers. It was by being in a bowling alley with him that we were able to become aware of this amazing talent and skill that he had. The best thing is, if we ever make an amateur team to compete, I know the first person to call to be on my team. (This person may or may not be a beloved leader in our church)! My new awareness of what he is capable of, affects how I walk into any “bowling difficulty” I may come across.

Throughout the scriptures, we find God revealing attributes of Himself to people who were in different situations.  In these difficult moments, they encountered God showing up in specific ways that were tailor-made to what they needed Him to be. After each encounter, both the person and the reader are left with a better understanding of who God is, many times summarized in a name of God.

In Genesis 16 we find part of the story of a servant, Hagar, who had a child with Abram at the behest of Sarai, her mistress. After being mistreated by Sarah, she flees to the desert while pregnant and begins a trek that would most likely have been a death sentence. In verse 7, the Angel of the Lord encounters her and gives her a promise that while the child she is carrying would not have an easy life, he would be the first in a long line of descendants that would become a great nation.

13 She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen[c] the One who sees me.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi[d]; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:13-14 NIV

In human eyes, invisible, treated as merely an object. God saw her and knew her name and had a purpose for her. El Roi: The God who sees me.

In Genesis 22 the name Yahweh-Jireh is revealed after God provided a ram as a substitute for Abraham’s son Isaac. The Lord is my provider!

In Exodus 17:15, after winning what seemed like an unwinnable battle against the Amalekites, Moses declares, Yahweh-Nissi, the Lord is my banner!

In Exodus 15:26 we find God promising to be Yahweh-Rapha, the Lord who Heals.

Each name, a different revelation of the character of God. He knew that we would need every attribute and facet of who He is. This is why when He revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush, and Moses asks what God’s name is, the reply is all-encompassing: 13 Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.[c] This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

I AM. This leaves it open for God to be EVERYTHING you could ever need HIM to be. He is all we could ever need and more!

I AM HEALER
I AM PROVIDER
I AM A PRESENT HELP IN TIME OF NEED
I AM REDEEMER
I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH, THE LIFE
I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

We need Him to be all of it and the wonderful news is that HE CAN BE and HE IS!

However, while there are names we may have heard, it is different when you experience that name for yourself. If you are going through a difficult time,  ask God, “What name are you revealing to me?”

I remember hearing about God as a provider, but there was a day where I needed Him to be that in my life and He came through. I now felt I could call on that name with confidence because we had gone through that situation together.

He is Abba - your loving Father
He is Rapha - your healer
He is Nissi - your banner

What glorious names our Lord has! Truly a name above all names!

• What do you need the Lord to be in your life? How do you see Him revealing more of His character to you?

In Christ,
Pastor Javier Batista

Romans 8:37 ESV
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. If it is so often that we make the statement of being “more than a conqueror” without taking into account that in order to identify as such, we must be people who have been tested, tried, and or pressed.

Conquerors and/or more than conquerors are those who have seen tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword (Romans 8:35)b and have come through successfully. We sometimes want to declare victory without having gone through anything; we want a medal for running a race we didn’t start or finish.

If we are going to live a life that shows how our God makes us more than conquerors, then we need to prepare ourselves to:

1. Live with a clear understanding that there will be times of opposition. The enemy of our souls is not playing dead, and allowing us to live our full and abundant life of promise. His entire job responsibility is to kill, steal, and destroy, and he’s been at his job for a while.

If we are living with this clear understanding that opposition will come, then we need to sure up our feet and be prepared to stand fast, stand strong, just stand, armored up in Jesus Christ. We can’t be easy and open targets for the enemy; we can’t make his job easy. Ephesians 6 tells us that we must be armored in prayer at all times. If we are in constant ready-mode, communicating with the Father through the Holy Spirit, then we have a greater opportunity to receive spiritual intelligence about what is going on around us – the Holy Spirit will keep us vigilant. Most times, if we apply hindsight, we will identify the time and location when the Holy Spirit gave us a heads-up on what is ahead. We can also note the times that we overlooked it, brushed it off as the devil, or just ignored His touch. As we walk through these moments that take us to being “more than a conqueror,” let us take comfort in the fact that it is not about us. These moments are so that Jesus can be lifted high, exalted, and receive all the glory!

2. When we find ourselves at the beginning, the middle, or the end of a battle, dry season, or struggle, we must be careful to declare what we know about our conquering status, not what the enemy wants us to believe.

Culture has taught us how to skip truthful speaking when we are being pressed by life. When we are asked, “How are you doing?” most times we give a generic response. A response that doesn’t give room for additional questions. The Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4 demonstrates for us how our words need to align with our status as a conqueror, even when the status change isn’t visible to others. This woman was given a miracle child by the Word of the Lord, through the man of God, and then the child passed away. In the midst of her emotional reconciliation as she went to visit with the prophet, her husband, and the prophet's servant asked her, “Is everything okay?” Instead of responding in defeat and despair, she responded from the place of victory and said, “IT IS WELL”. She was a great example of being more than a conqueror, even when what we speak and what is do not align with each other. We shouldn’t be afraid to speak His Word over our lives. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 states “8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies.”

3. Rest in God and trust that He will do what He says.

Romans 8:27 reminds us that as we are praying to the Father, the Holy Spirit is making intercessions on our behalf. The Spirit is reminding the Father of His perfect will toward us. This allows us to stop trying to make a plan to avoid trouble, and or redirect how things are going in areas of our lives. All we have to do is follow the Holy Spirit’s plan for our lives. Is it easy? No, it is not. Is it sometimes cloudy or unclear? Yes. Will there be moments of uncertainty, and will the flesh try to be the supreme decision-maker?, Yes. Let’s remember that we have the 4th man in the fire with us, so we can rest in Him. Rest in the fact that if the Word of God hasn’t been made manifest in our lives, then God is not done, so we can rest. Psalms 23 is another scripture that assures us to rest, “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul.” A beautiful picture of resting in the Lord, knowing that you are more than a conqueror. When you know how the battle ends, you behave differently in the middle of it.

Let us truly walk in the fact that we are “More than Conqueror” through Him who loves us.

- Pastor Ro

In a world that grows louder, heavier, and more unpredictable by the day, many of us find ourselves searching for something, anything that will steady our hearts. But the greatest strategy for spiritual victory is not hidden in a new trend or a clever life hack. It is found in an ancient rhythm that still carries power today. When we look at Daniel in the lion’s den, we don’t just see a man who survived a crisis. We see someone whose life moved the heart of a king and the hand of God. Whether you are navigating pressure at work, tension at home, or battles in your own mind, the Daniel Strategy offers a pathway to deliverance.

Consistency: The Quiet Strength of a Daily Rhythm
Daniel did not start praying because trouble came. He was delivered because he had already been praying. In Daniel 6:16, even King Darius, who did not know God, recognized something remarkable: “Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Consistency is the hidden engine of spiritual authority. It is the daily rhythm that builds a life God can trust. When we walk with God consistently, even unbelievers notice that something is at work in our lives.

Weaponized Prayer: Turning Devotion Into Power
Ephesians 6:18 calls us to pray “at all times in the Spirit.” Prayer was never meant to be our last resort; it is our first line of engagement. When the decree was signed outlawing prayer, Daniel didn’t panic. He didn’t retreat. He didn’t ask, “Why me?” He simply opened his windows toward Jerusalem and continued his rhythm. Daniel understood that prayer is not passive; it is power. Prayer is the spark that ignites the coldest heart, it is the weapon that breaks chains and brings Heaven’s fire into earthly situations. When we petition God, He will open waterways and shut the mouth of lions to rescue His children.

Consecration: The Depth That Releases Breakthrough
Daniel’s life teaches us that victory requires more than words; it requires a posture of sacrifice. He often paired prayer with fasting, creating space for God to move. His consecration was so compelling that it influenced the atmosphere around him. The king himself fasted and lost sleep, because he observed firsthand the power of Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 6:18). A consecrated life shifts environments. It softens hearts. It opens doors. It prepares the ground for God’s intervention.

Credibility: Integrity That Heaven Honors
When Daniel was lifted from the den, the text revealed that Daniel was unharmed because he was “innocent before God” and had done no wrong to the king. His enemies could not find a single flaw to exploit. They had to weaponize his faithfulness because his integrity was unshakable. Character still matters. Integrity still carries weight in Heaven. And credibility still positions us for God’s rescue.

The Heart of the Strategy
Heaven responds to believers who are consistent in prayer, consecrated in spirit, and credible in character. No matter how deep the pit or how loud the roar of the lions, God is still shutting mouths and opening doors. A praying church is a powerful church. A consistent church is a dangerous church, and a consecrated church is a church that sees results. Let’s embrace the Daniel Strategy, not as a story from long ago, but as a lifestyle that unlocks Heaven’s rescue today.

Blessings,
Pastor Z. Adderley

Last week’s Bible study concluded with a quiet but poignant mention of Uriah, named as one of David’s “Mighty Men.” What is striking about Uriah is that he remained faithful to the very king who treated him with the ultimate injustice. David’s abuse of power was so absolute that Uriah lost his family and, eventually, his life. To the natural eye, it would seem Uriah’s integrity was buried with him. This led me to reflect on Mordecai in the Book of Esther. Mordecai was exiled enduring harsh conditions alongside his cousin. In both stories, God initially appeared silent toward the plight of both Uriah and Mordecai. However, Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God is not unjust, nor does He forget our work and labor of love.

The Quiet Integrity of the Oppressed
The lives of Uriah and Mordecai began in the shadow of absolute power. Uriah was a Hittite, an outsider by blood, but he became more “Israelite” in spirit than King David himself. Mordecai was an exile who had lost his sovereignty and found himself serving in the courts of a pagan empire. David included Uriah among his elite because Uriah chose duty over comfort, refusing to sleep in his own house while the Ark and the army remained in tents. Similarly, Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, prioritizing the honor of God over social safety. Both men faced “hard treatment” not because they were rebels, but because they were righteous.

The Pen of Wickedness and the Silence of God
In both narratives, "unjust circumstances” were orchestrated by wickedness in high places. David used his pen to sign Uriah’s death warrant; Haman used the King’s signet ring to decree Mordecai’s genocide. In their moments of greatest trial, Heaven seemed silent. Uriah died on the front lines, likely wondering why his king abandoned him in the “hottest” part of the battle. Mordecai sat in sackcloth, facing the extinction of his people, perhaps wondering if even Esther would forget her God as deliverance seemed to stall.

Divine Archives and the Great Reversal
As noted earlier, God is not unjust and He does not forget. In Mordecai’s case, God “disturbed” the sleep of King Xerxes, leading to a public reversal of fortune. This is the “God of the Breakthrough” who rights wrongs in the here and now. Although Uriah did not regain his wife or his life on earth, God ensured that in the final records of David’s reign, Uriah was not remembered as a victim, but as a Mighty Man. His vindication was etched into the Eternal Word.

Responding to the Sting of Inequity
What is our response when we are the “Uriah” working hard and staying faithful, yet losing anyway? Or when we are the “Mordecai,” waiting at the gate while the arrogant and wicked are promoted? Let’s us remember that we cannot lose if we order and operate our lives using Christ-like principles. Jesus said if we lose our lives for His sake, we will find it. Like Uriah, let us remain faithful even when the outcome is significant loss, trusting that our names are recorded in a Book that no earthly king can burn. Like Mordecai, let us act with courage, trusting that God remains Lord over every leader’s sleep and He cause our names to be remembered in due season.

The Writing of the King of Kings
Ultimately, we must remember that earthly ledgers are often flawed, but the King of Kings keeps a perfect record. The scriptures tell us of a day when “the books were opened” (Revelation 20:12). Unlike David, who wrote a secret letter to ensure a man’s death, or Xerxes, who needed a book read to him to remember a man’s service, our King is the Alpha and Omega who sees and knows it all. The injustices of this world including the betrayals by family, the social inequities, or the unjust behaviors by friends who turned their backs cannot thwart the plan of God concerning His children. God remembers you. He is the Great Scribe who records every tear and every act of hidden integrity. Therefore, we look past the temporary “hard treatment” toward a reality we cannot yet comprehend for “eye has not seen, nor ear heard... the things which God has prepared for those who love Him”(1 Corinthians 2:9). Your story is not being written by the pens of men, but by the hand of the Sovereign King.

Blessings,
Pastor Z

As another Valentine’s Day fades into memory, God’s people must resist the temptation of letting love be reduced to a once a year sentiment or a commercialized display. The love God is costly, consistent, and deeply sacrificial. It stretches us to love when we are disappointed by a spouse or wounded by a child. It steadies us to love even when death separates us from those we cherish. When God’s love is displayed through sacrifice, something remarkable happens; it multiplies, and it deepens.

We see this multiplication early in the Holy Scriptures. When Abram obeyed God and was willing to offer Isaac, his act of surrender created space for God’s love and promise to expand .By the time we meet God’s people in Goshen at the end of Joseph’s  life, they are described as “fruitful and multiplying greatly,” a people almost without number (Exodus, 1:7, ESV). Their growth was not without grief, as God often lamented their unfaithfulness, yet His love refused to let them go. Through Hosea, God declares, “I will say to those who were not my people, ‘You are my people’” (Hosea 2:23, KJV). Love multiplied again.

This same pattern reaches its fullness in Christ. Seeing our separation, our rebellion, and our inability to return to God on our own, Jesus willingly embraced the Father’s plan: “A body you prepared for me… I have come to do your will, O God” (Hebrews 10:5,7, ESV). Even as the weight of that obedience pressed upon Him, Jesus looked beyond the suffering to the harvest it would produce. He revealed the divine principle of multiplication in God’s kingdom: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24, ESV). Jesus invites us to follow the pattern of the Father and Himself: give from the heart, live sacrificially, and watch God multiply what we surrender.

John the Apostle later captures this breathtaking reality: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God” (1 John 3:1, ESV). Like Hosea, John was probably in awe of God’s loving kindness, as he recognized that we were deserving of abandonment, yet God’s love reconsidered us, reclaimed us, and renamed us! Hallelujah!

It’s no wonder the hymn writer could only marvel:
“The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell…”

The song goes on to describe God’s love as so vast that if the oceans were ink and the skies were parchment, they still could not contain the story of His love. That is the love that multiplies. That is the love that found us.

A Call to Live the Multiplying Love of God
If God multiplies love through sacrifice, then our daily lives become the soil where His kingdom grows. Every act of forgiveness, every moment of obedience, every costly choice to love someone who has not earned it are seeds. Christ has already shown us that what dies in love rises in fruitfulness. So let us pattern our lives after His. Let us give in ways that stretch us, love in ways that cost us, and trust, by faith, that God will multiply every surrendered seed. The return may not look like what we expect, but it will always reflect the heart of the One who loved us first.

Blessings,
Pastor Adderley

For those who don’t know, I had a hip replacement back on December 10, 2025. Long story short, I have dealt with a small “catch” that would come up sporadically back in college and, about 2 years ago after playing in a student/staff basketball game at my school, I could barely move that evening. I went to the doctor, and they told me I was bone-on-bone and had a couple of bone spurs. They said it looked like I had been in multiple car wrecks. I’m only 41years old. This was devastating news, but I went through the process of trying to hold out without surgery for as long as I could with injections every 3 months. I was able to last with until this past September. I scheduled my surgery and, lo and behold, my injection wore off much earlier (within about 3 weeks instead of 3 months) than usual and I had to suffer miserably for 2 months until the procedure.

I had a conversation recently and their response was:

1. It doesn’t look like you just had a surgery (Praise God!)
2. I had no idea you were even in pain.  

I reflected on a scripture from Romans 12:1 - I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Paul is writing to the church in Rome and trying to help them understand the importance of giving their all in worship to God. It doesn’t say “Worship God with just enough on Sundays”. It doesn’t give instructions on how to put on a show for others. It talks about how we are to present ALL of ourselves as a sacrifice on the altar regularly. The Romans (and even pagans) knew what sacrifices were at the time. They knew of the ritualistic offerings left to be sacrificed – unblemished and perfect animals brought to be burned. These offerings were brought alive to the altar.

But as I looked at myself during this season, I knew there was no way I was unblemished OR perfect. I was BROKEN seemingly beyond repair and that was more than just the physical. It began to take a toll on my mental space. Not sleeping or being able to move without pain caused me to realize my frailty and I began to wonder if there was something I had done to deserve this torture I was going through.

But there is something about the Lord’s consuming fire that does something to the soul when you lay it on the altar. It purifies you - it MAKES you holy. When you “present your body,” it is not merely speaking about the physical – it refers to giving ALL you are to the Lord. One commentary I read says that God doesn’t want just your work, he wants YOU. And what good is it to do a bunch of “work” for the Lord and not give him your self?

I was very intentional about HOW I served during that season. I worked more in the background while still submitting ALL of me to the Lord in a way that was slightly different than the past. When I felt low, I would cry out to the Lord and ask him to give me strength to be a light where I went. I wore a smile and began to encourage others at my workplace EVEN MORE than I had in the past. My worship began to change because now I had no choice but to submit all I was and had to the Lord because I had nothing left to lose. He began to show others and myself how great his power really was. And my healing testimony is all the stronger from it.

My worship is now filled with a spirit of joy and gratefulness that it lacked before. My heart is full from the little things like being able to rest and being able to walk up stairs with no pain. My interactions with others point more toward the Lord as I help them understand where I came from and how far he brought me.

For some, going through tests and trials seems like it will never end. I want to encourage you in this season, and I want to challenge you. Have you submitted all you are to the Lord? Not just the things you do for Him but your entire being. Ponder on how you can change the narrative and ultimately be purified and justified in the eyes of God so that man, one day, will see there is HOPE even in the least of us.

Rooted In Love,
Pastor Thaddaeus

2 Kings 4:1-7
As we read the text, we encounter a widow and her sons in need of a miracle, an answer. Two major points are highlighted today.

Honest Faith
This story highlights the importance of honesty before God. We must be truthful about where we are, because honesty is required to move forward in the things of God. As His people, we must be honest with ourselves and honest with Him.

The widow had a clear narrative. She told the prophet plainly: your servant, my husband, is dead; the debt is looming; my sons are being sought after as payment. She did not embellish the truth; she stated the reality of her situation. When we have a need that requires God’s attention, we must make our requests known to Him (Philippians 4:6–7).
Like the widow, some of us find ourselves in situations not of our own making, with no clear way to “fix” them. Some of us may be saying, “God, I’m stuck in emotional bondage because of my past,” or “I’m living in cycles of anger because of family trauma,” or “I’m broken and need You to heal me, mend me, fill me, and use me.” When the widow shared her story with the prophet Elisha, it touched his heart. How much more do our prayers touch the heart of our Father God, who loves us and desires the best for us?

Elisha asked her, “What shall I do for you?” and then quickly followed with another question: “What do you have in your house?” If the Lord were to ask you today, “What do you have in your house that I can use?” would you have an answer?

Obedience Without Limits
As God speaks to us and gives instructions, we must be careful to hear everything He is saying and not mix our thoughts with His instructions. Our deliverance depends on it. The widow received clear directions: borrow empty vessels from her neighbors, borrow not a few; go into the house; shut the door with her sons; pour into the vessels; and set them aside as they were filled.

There are many ways our flesh would want to interfere with instructions like these. We would have questions, alternative ideas, or even limit how many vessels we gather. Yet God’s math is not our math. His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

As we hear the instructions of the Father, we must take the limits off of what He can do. Be encouraged to follow God completely and gather vessels, take the limit off. God may be giving instructions that feel out of the norm, but do not be afraid. Your willingness to release limits will determine the level and scope of your victory.

- Pastor Romeika Adderley

The Unexpected Descent
My journey through the scriptures recently brought me to the life of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. In Genesis 37, we see a close-up of a young man whose faithfulness to his father and his God was undeniable. When God began speaking to him through dreams, Joseph had no idea that the assignment on his life was far greater than his teenage mind could grasp. Because of the magnitude of his calling, Joseph entered a season of intense refining that began at just seventeen years old. Driven by jealousy over their father’s favoritism and Joseph’s role as their supervisor, his brothers hated him. What followed was thirteen years of grueling hardship.

The Cry from the Pit
Throughout his ordeal, Joseph often reminded himself—and those around him—of his innocence. In the depths of an Egyptian dungeon, he pleaded, “…for I was indeed stolen out of the land of Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit” (Genesis 40:15 ESV).

Have you ever found yourself in a season of suffering so severe, and at such a high personal cost, that your soul cries out, “This isn’t right?” Like Joseph you have been faithful, yet you find yourself stuck, discarded or forgotten. In these moments, we must ask: What if the Lord is orchestrating these trials for our good and His glory? What if He is shaping my character in a "pit" that is actually a divine darkroom?

The Process of the Developer
In the days of film photography, creating a masterpiece required a specific environment: total darkness and precise chemical reactions. To bring what was hidden on the film into the light, the photographer followed a strict process:

• A Darkroom: The exposed film was placed in a light-tight tank, shielded from any outside interference.
• A Touch From Chemicals: A developer solution was introduced to reveal the hidden images.
• A “That’s Enough” Bath: A second chemical wash was used to halt the process, ensuring the photo did not over-develop or become distorted.
• Intermittent Agitation: Throughout the stages, the developer would shake the tank vigorously to ensure the chemicals coated every inch of the film before it was finally dried and presented as a finished work of art.

Toxic Elements, Divine Protection
Your journey may not mirror Joseph’s exactly, but we all face seasons of "development." God allows various "chemically toxic" events to touch our lives, but He never permits them to destroy us. He knows when to say “…devil that is enough!” It may feel as though you are trapped in pit, a dry place, moving from one crisis to the next. But remember, God is in the middle of the process. Just as He added grace to Joseph’s administrative skills and clarity to his visions, He is using your current trial to hone your unique gifts.

The Paradox of the Progress
There is a striking paradox in Joseph’s story. He went down to Dothan, down to Egypt, and down into a prison. By every worldly metric, Joseph was supposed to die. Yet, in the midst of this thirteen-year descent, the writer of Genesis makes a staggering claim: Joseph was a prosperous man (Genesis 39:2). While Joseph was going "downhill" in the eyes of men, he was actually moving closer to the ear and throne of the Pharaoh. Every step into the dark was a step toward the palace.

The Great Restoration
Do not be dismayed by the trials or the feeling of being stifled in a dungeon. Do not resent the "agitation" of the process or the "haters" who put you there. Release the bitterness over the demotion or the loss of status. God is with you in the darkroom. The "shaking" you are experiencing may have cost you the initial “coat” that you once wore, but God is preparing to bring you out for His glory. He will add to and multiply you just like He did for Joseph. In the end, Joseph did not just get his coat back; he received a signet ring, a royal chariot, and a position where the world bowed before the wisdom God had developed in him. Trust the Developer, He is making something beautiful in you! You have no idea regarding the glory that will be revealed in and through you!

Blessings,
Pastor Z Adderley

In my travels last year through the ancient cities of Turkey, I was struck by the sight of the olive trees. Some were lush and green; others stood bare and gnarled, looking almost lifeless against the dry hilly landscape.

Unlike the towering cedars of Lebanon, these trees aren’t known for their height. Their strength is in their base which is made of thick, twisted trunks (sometimes unsightly) with expansive root systems. In the arid climate of the Mediterranean, an olive tree’s roots perform a dual miracle: they spread horizontally just beneath the surface to catch the slightest morning dew, but they also push deep and vertically into the earth, searching for hidden water tables to survive years of drought.

David’s Desert Season
This imagery provides a profound backdrop for Psalm 52. When David wrote this, he was in the midst of a “winter” season. He had been betrayed by Doeg the Edomite, hunted by Saul, and forced to flee from cave to cave.
To the casual observer, David likely looked “bare”. He was likely disheveled, weary from hunger, and dressed in tattered clothes rather than kingly robes. He looked like an olive tree in the harshest season of dryness. Yet, while his circumstances were brittle, his roots were reaching deep into the character of God. While waiting for God’s deliverance David said, “…the steadfast love of God endures all the day…” (Psalms 52:1, ESV).

Sustenance in the Dryness
As David ran, he determined that the goodness, favor, and mercy of the Lord would be his portion. He understood the secret of the olive tree: the external environment does not dictate the my internal life. Even when the rain stops, the tree lives because its foundation is connected to a source the sun cannot reach. David’s “water table” was the promise of God, hallelujah!! This is why he could confidently write in the end:
”But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever”. (Psalm 52:8, ESV)

Encouragement For Your Season
If you find yourself in a dry season today, do not be discouraged by your “bare branches”.

• Trust the Root System: Just as David did, use this time to push your roots deeper into God’s faithful love. You can trust God’s character!
• The Season is Temporary: The same tree that looks dead in the winter is the one that buds with new life in the spring.
• Focus on the Source: Your sustenance doesn’t come from your circumstances, but from your connection to the Living Water.

Be encouraged. You may feel weathered, but because you are planted in the house of God, you will show green leaves again. Amen!!

Love & Blessings,
Pastor Z. Adderley

As we have entered a new year, many may have questions, and or concerns about what this year will look like. Some of us are looking at the previous year and saying okay God, please, I can’t handle another year like 2025. I am not sure if emotionally, financially, or spiritually, I can go through similar circumstances in 2026. Can I encourage us today to “walk by faith”? God is reminding us today that the only reason we are still standing is that He has been carrying us. I am convinced that the reason many of us feel disheveled, tired, and out of sorts is that we refuse to “rest” in God fully. Be honest with me, we all have phrases on autopilot to use if we are asked how we’re doing, in the middle of a “moment”.

When we look at the scripture, “walking by faith” does not denote that we always get to know the plan upfront. In Genesis 12, Abram and Sarai didn’t know what to expect when God told them to go. Abraham wasn’t given the outcome when the Lord asked him to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22. However, in Hebrews 11, we are given a wonderful template of how to respond in times of uncertainty. Not only does Hebrews chapter 11 confirm that a faith walk is possible ,but it also gives us the example of how to do it. This chapter uses two phrases that caught my attention, “by faith” and “through faith.”

In my investigation of the phrases, I learned that they are very similar, but they can have a slight nuance. BY FAITH leans toward the fact that faith is the source by which something is manifested, that it is the components, the substance. THROUGH FAITH leans more toward the fact that faith is the process, the gateway, the conduit. Both phrases are needed in our venture into the new. By faith, we will see things come together; come to pass, and through faith, we will do things differently; we will walk in the plan for our lives. I encourage all of us today to read through the entire chapter of Hebrews 11 for encouragement and then write a few statements of faith to speak out loud…why, because faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God.

So, begin to say into your own hearing, BY FAITH, I am the blessed man/woman who doesn’t walk in ungodly counsel. THROUGH FAITH, my soul is restored, as I am led in paths of righteousness. Throughout the year, allow this method of strengthening your spirit be a weapon against uncertain moments or uncertain seasons. Let this be a “walk by faith” year!

Love and Blessings!
Pastor Romeika Adderley

The story of Rahab in Joshua 2 is a powerful example of how a person’s response to a situation can change the trajectory of their life and the lives of their family in a moment. Before Rehab encountered the spies, she and the rest of Jericho heard about God’s deliverance of His people from the strong oppression in Egypt. Rehab heard the same message as the rest of people in Jericho; however, she decided to BELIEVE in the God of Israel. “And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). The writer of Hebrews reports that although Rahab was a woman with an imperfect past, her FAITH caused her and family to live and not be destroyed like the rest of the citizens of Jericho (Hebrews 11:31). What are key takeaways from Rehab’s act of faith?

1. Awareness Over Apathy
Rahab mentioned that Jericho was gripped with terror because of what they heard about God’s power (Joshua 2:9-11). While everyone else was paralyzed by fear, Rahab used that same information to take decisive action and BELIEVE God by receiving the spies peacefully. Rahab’s "better life" began when she witnessed God’s power in the lives of God’s people and believed that His power could work in her life and circumstances as well. She experience the GRACE of a perfect God, although she was imperfect.

2. The Power of "Personal Intercession"
Rahab did not just ask for her own safety. In Joshua 2:13, she specifically names her father, mother, brothers, and sisters. Better living starts when, despite our own needs, we look beyond ourselves to show care and kindness to others. Rahab teaches us the value of spiritual and emotional advocacy. Just as she stood in the gap for her family’s physical lives, we can choose spiritual life for our families as well. The Apostle Paul challenges us to “… call into existence the things that do not exist. (Romans 4:17, ESV). Speak your children’s salvation into existence!

As we are in the time of prayer and fasting before the Lord, let us pray in FAITH that God will speak to and help us as we look to Him to do the impossible in our and in our family lives.

Blessings,
Pastor Zhivago Adderley

We had planned our week to include the family getting together, and going to Raleigh to attend a funeral for one of our senior’s family.   All seemed to be going as planned until Wednesday when my dear husband became sick and was admitted to the hospital.  All the plans and events were placed on hold.

I was reminded in the scripture about a couple, Mary and Joseph who no doubt were  preparing for a different life until everything changed for them.  We find in Matthew’s gospel chapter 1 where the Holy Spirit appeared to Joseph in a dream and changed his plans.  No doubt he planned to take Mary as his wife; they would have children and be like any other ordinary, Hebrew family.  But God had a different plan for their lives.  Mary, this young girl probably never dreamed she would be the one to carry the promised Messiah, and Joseph may not have considered, he would also figure into God’s plan to be the earthly father of the Messiah.

We sing a beautiful song at our church through this season,
“Jesus, Jesus oh, what a wonderful child.  Jesus, Jesus so lowly meek and mild.  New life, new hope, new joy he brings.  Won’t you listen to the angels sing?  Glory, glory, glory to the newborn king.

Today, we can rejoice in the words of this song due to a couple who were willing to have their lives and plans changed.

Sometimes, we can be resistant when the Lord changes our plans to accommodate his plan for our lives. But thank God, Mary and Joseph were willing to surrender their plans to accommodate the will of God not only, for their lives but for all who would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  

- Pastor Thomas & Carol Johnson

In Matthew’s gospel, chapter 28, we read about the resurrection of Christ. The first few
verses depict how the event of the resurrection unfolded as recorded by St. Matthew.
In verse 6, he proclaims, “He is not here: He is risen.” In the final verses of this chapter
(18 – 20), Jesus states “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye
therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you….and
lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

In these verses of scripture, He empowers and commissions the disciples (church) to
continue the mission that He began. He concludes this discourse with the words “Lo, I
am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” In other words, “You are not
alone! I am with you!” Immanuel…God With Us!

Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold the virgin shall
conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”

Ahaz, King of Judah, was faced with enemies who desired to conquer Jerusalem.
(Isaiah 7:1) Isaiah prophesized to King Ahaz that God would give him a sign. A virgin
would bear a son, who would be named “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” This
prophecy assured Ahaz that God would be with him, and would save him from his
enemies.

Isaiah’s prophecy foreshadowed what happened with Mary, the mother of Jesus, when
an angel of the Lord appeared unto Joseph seven centuries later in a dream telling him
that Mary’s pregnancy was from God. (Matthew 1: 20 – 21)

Mary’s conception was in fulfillment of the prophecy given to King Ahaz, that a virgin
would be with child and bear a son, who would be called Immanuel, which is translated
“God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Matthew confirmed that it happened just as Isaiah had
prophesied.

God with us! Christmas celebrates the reality that God came to dwell among us (John
1:14) “And the Word was made flesh.”

In the words of the old song, “He abides, He abides, Hallelujah He abides with me!” You
are not alone! He abides! God is with us always!

A.W. Tozer stated, “Nothing in or of this world measures up to the simple pleasures of
experiencing the presence of God.”

Blessings,
Bishop George Mclaughlin