We dive into a story of a new construction project that is taking place in a turbulent time in the history of Israel. There was a group of young men that were studying and learning in the school of the prophets with Elisha, and it came to a place where this seminary had become too small for them to live and to study.

If I assess our current situation, our projected path, if we take a core sample of the culture, I’m afraid there are some places in scripture that would define where we are, and it’s a telling thing to understand just what the implications are—the truth is, Jesus could return at any moment! 

We are truly living in the last days—history is coming to her final chapters, and as we approach that day, our hearts are to be prepared. This is NOT the time for us to quit. 

1And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.

Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.

And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.

So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.

But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.

And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.

Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

2 Kings 6:1-7

Hopelessness and Despair, Pressure, Pain and Fatigue! Dissatisfaction, Contempt, Complacency. Weariness that leads to giving up. This might describe your life in its entirety, or in some way, a portion of your life. The end result is a group, a generation, a people who are ready to give up! I’ve heard in my office and on the phone many times in the past 2 years, it’s just not worth it! I cant take it anymore.

Today, I want us to see the second one has to do with what we are in our souls when our spiritual nakedness and bankruptcy are revealed. Where are plunged into sorrow for sin. The sorrow is for our sin and the sin we see all around, sin that breaks God’s heart as well as His laws, sin that breaks our hearts too. Those who mourn are promised comfort.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

Dear Church Family,

Recently our Supreme Court has been presented a case on abortion from the State of Mississippi that challenges Roe v. Wade at the core of the law.  Roe v. Wade was the 1973 landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the Court erroneously ruled that the Constitution of the United States gives a pregnant woman the right to choose to have an abortion without government restriction.  It struck down many U.S. federal and state abortion laws that protected life, and to this day it is a  sinful stain on America.  I can’t imagine what it does to the heart of God to observe a blessed nation like the United States legalize the murder of its own babies.  May God have mercy!

Why this case matters to the Christian:

The very fact that the current court, with its solid six-member conservative majority, agreed to even consider a state law that bans abortion could indicate that the court is prepared to scale back Roe v. Wade,  if not reverse it outright—this is something we have prayed about for a very long time!

Already, in a separate case, the court is considering a Texas law that bans abortion after six weeks.  The justices have allowed that law to remain in place for three months, rendering Roe v. Wade “dead” in the country’s second largest state!  This law isn’t perfect, but it saves lives and is a step in the right direction.

What do we pray for now?

Pray for the justices by name.  Pray that God will turn their hearts and minds towards what is right!  This week, the nine justices will sit alone in a conference room, away from the media and outside influence, to review the case.  They will speak in order,  with Chief Justice John Roberts explaining his vote and reasoning, then following by seniority: Clarence Thomas, Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.

The senior justice in the majority and minority will get to choose who writes the Court’s opinion, a process that will take months, with plenty of drafts going back and forth          between the chambers.  As we’ve mentioned recently, prayer is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil and this will be an ongoing prayer effort as they deliberate on the future of this unthinkable crime against life and against our God, who gives life.

One national prayer group is making an emphasis to pray from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, the darkest hours of the night.  So much evil and darkness surround this satanic effort to end lives before they even get to start. It’s our duty to go to battle and pray for the far-reaching, ever-capable hand of God to intervene!

Will you join me in this effort?  Let us pray!

Pastor Winston Parrish

This Sunday, the day after Christmas, I want us to explore a passage of scripture that comes shortly after the birth of our Lord, still found in the second chapter of Luke. Luke 2 is a vital chapter of truth and everything we find there is consequential to me and to you. Everything here is for us to consume and it is rich truth, full of hope! That would be my heart today, for us to find yet another layer of real hope, tangible hope, hope that you can count on and sort of store up for the coming days of your life. 

We all need hope!