Category Archives: grow my faith

Sermon Preached in Holualoa

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Good evening, everyone! What a blessing it is to be gathered here in the beautiful town of Holualoa, a place known for its peace, its rich coffee culture, and its thriving arts scene. Tonight, I want to talk about something far more precious than coffee or art. I want to talk about the authority of Jesus Christ and what that means for us as believers.

Let’s turn to Mark 1:21. It says that Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and taught, and the people were astonished. Now, astonished is a strong word. It means they were absolutely amazed, awestruck by His doctrine. But why? Was it because He used complex words? Because He quoted the greatest rabbis? No! It was because of how He taught—with authority!

Unlike the religious leaders of the time who debated theories and left people confused, Jesus spoke with certainty. He didn’t say, “Well, some scholars believe this, while others say that, so you decide for yourself.” No! He said, “This is what God says, and this is what it is!” And the people marveled because they had never heard anyone teach like that before.

Holualoa, a town built on volcanic history, reminds us of the power that shapes landscapes. But there is no greater power than the authority of Jesus Christ! And I want you to grasp tonight that His authority wasn’t just something He used in His teachings—it was evident in everything He did, in His miracles, and in how He dealt with the enemy.

Mark 1:23 tells us that while Jesus was teaching, a man with an unclean spirit cried out. The demon said, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us?” The devil himself recognized the authority of Jesus! And how did Jesus respond? Did He panic? Did He gather people to intercede for hours? No! He simply said, “Be quiet, and come out of him.” And the demon had no choice but to obey.

Church, listen to me. The devil thrives in an environment of fear, but Jesus never operated in fear—He operated in authority! And that same authority is given to us as believers. But too many Christians live in defeat because they don’t understand their authority in Christ.

When trouble comes, do you stand firm and say, “In Jesus’ name, this has to go,” or do you panic and cry, “Oh Lord, what am I going to do?” The enemy feeds off fear, but when you resist him in faith, he has no choice but to flee. James 4:7 tells us, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” It doesn’t say he might flee. It says he will!

Some of you here tonight need to stop letting the devil run your life. You need to rise up in your God-given authority and tell the enemy, “Enough is enough!” Whether it’s sickness, depression, fear, or oppression—whatever the devil is using to try and keep you bound—you have the authority in Jesus’ name to command it to leave.

Let me tell you something: The power of God is not just in His hand or in His arm—it’s in His very finger! In Luke 11:20, Jesus said, “If I cast out devils by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” The devil isn’t some mighty force equal to God—he’s a defeated foe who trembles at the presence of God’s power! If just the finger of God can cast out demons, how much more powerful is His entire hand upon your life?

Now, some might say, “Well, that was Jesus. We can’t expect to operate like Him.” But that’s not what the Bible teaches. Jesus operated as a man anointed by the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:38 says, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” If Jesus did this as the Son of God alone, we wouldn’t have a chance. But He showed us how to live as Spirit-filled believers.

So why do we hesitate? Why do we struggle with fear and doubt? It’s because the enemy wants to keep us in ignorance. He knows that a believer who understands their authority is a believer who cannot be stopped!

I’ll share a testimony with you. There was a man named Kenneth E. Hagin, a great minister of God, who had a vision of Jesus. During that vision, a little demon-like creature began making noise and trying to block his view of Jesus. Brother Hagin thought, “Why doesn’t Jesus make him stop?” But Jesus kept talking as if He didn’t even notice the demon. Finally, out of frustration, Brother Hagin commanded the creature to be silent in the name of Jesus, and instantly, it fell and the disturbance ceased.

Afterward, Jesus told him something powerful: “If you hadn’t done something about that, I couldn’t have.” Brother Hagin was shocked! He thought, “Surely You meant You wouldn’t.” But Jesus replied, “No, I meant I couldn’t.” And He showed him scriptures proving that the authority to resist the devil has been given to us, not something God does for us.

Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” That means it’s up to us not to allow him to operate in our lives. Too many people pray, “Oh God, please make the devil stop,” when God has already given us the authority to stop him!

Holualoa, just like this town is known for its history of movement—sledding down the volcanoes—we are called to move with power and authority in Christ. It’s time to stop living in fear, stop tolerating the enemy’s lies, and start walking in the victory that Jesus purchased for us.

Tonight, I challenge you to take hold of the authority that has been given to you. Speak to the mountains in your life and tell them to move. Speak to the sickness and tell it to leave. Speak to the darkness and command it to flee. And know that when you stand in the authority of Jesus Christ, the enemy has no choice but to obey!

Let’s pray: Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, we declare victory over every attack of the enemy. We take hold of the authority You have given us, and we choose to walk in it daily. Strengthen our faith, open our eyes to Your truth, and help us to live boldly in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

God bless you, Holualoa! Walk in your authority!

Los Angeles Prayer Meeting: Healing Through Faith

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On a warm evening in Los Angeles, a city known for its creativity and influence, a gathering of believers assembled in a local church. The air was filled with expectation, faith, and unity as people from all walks of life came together to seek God’s presence. The speaker for the night was a young woman named Willow, a passionate and anointed voice in the community.

Willow stepped up to the podium, her heart burning with a message of hope and healing. She began by acknowledging the significance of the city they stood in—a globally recognized hub of creativity, dreams, and influence. “Los Angeles is a city where people come searching for something greater—fame, fortune, fulfillment,” she said, her voice steady. “But tonight, we seek the presence of the One who truly fulfills.”

As she opened her Bible, she read from Matthew 18:18: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven….” She urged the congregation to recognize their authority in Christ. “What if we bound up sickness, depression, and fear? What if we declared healing and breakthrough over our city?” The crowd responded with fervent amens.

She continued, recounting the power of redemption. “How did you receive salvation?” she asked. “Not by working for it, not by earning it, but by believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth.” She drew a parallel to healing, declaring, “If salvation is received by faith, so is healing!”

As the meeting progressed, Willow led a prayer for the sick. “God hates sickness,” she proclaimed. “He hates sin, and He is not the author of death. Our Lord is a healer, and tonight, we stand in faith for miracles.” People in the audience lifted their hands, interceding for loved ones and for their own healing.

Shifting her message, she spoke about stepping into God’s divine purpose. “Many of you have dreams locked inside of you—dreams of creativity, of writing, singing, and leading,” she said. “God is breathing on your creativity tonight. No longer will fear hold you back. This city is filled with talent, but it needs people who are surrendered to God’s call.”

Willow then spoke prophetically over the gathering. “Daughters of God, arise! No longer will creativity be hindered in your life. God is opening doors of influence, positioning you to impact this world for His glory.” The room filled with shouts of agreement and praise.

She reminded the people of Ezekiel 34, where God corrects the shepherds who neglect their flocks. “Our God is a Good Shepherd,” she affirmed. “He cares for us, and He is leading us into new places. Don’t fear the unknown. Trust that He is guiding you.”

The meeting reached a climactic moment as she led the people in a declaration of faith. “We are redeemed! We are healed! We are stepping into our divine calling!” The voices in the church rose like a mighty chorus, filling the space with faith and expectation.

As the night closed, Willow invited those who needed prayer to come forward. Many responded, seeking healing, deliverance, and renewed purpose. The presence of God was tangible, and lives were being changed.

Los Angeles, a city of dreams, had become a place of divine encounter that night. The believers left strengthened, knowing that they were not just a part of a city known for entertainment, but part of God’s greater plan to bring His light to the world.

The Heart of El Dorado – A City Built on Community and Faith

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Speaker: Freya

Introduction:
Good morning, beloved! What a joy it is to stand before you today in the heart of El Dorado, a city that thrives on love, community, and faith. They say El Dorado is the heart of Arkansas tourism, but we all know the real heartbeat of this city—it’s the people! It’s the neighbor who waves at you as you drive by, the teacher who prays over their students before a test, the young person who volunteers at the community center. This city is built on relationships, on service, and on faith, and today, I want to talk about what that means for us as believers.

A City of Love and Giving
El Dorado isn’t just a place; it’s a people. It’s a community that pours into one another, that builds each other up. And isn’t that exactly what God calls us to do? The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” El Dorado exemplifies this through programs like the El Dorado Promise, a scholarship that ensures every graduate has the opportunity to chase their dreams. Isn’t that a reflection of God’s promise to us? He, too, has made us a promise—a promise of hope, a promise of a future, a promise of eternal life.

Just as the city of El Dorado works to provide for its children, so does our Heavenly Father provide for us. But here’s the thing, church: He provides so that we, in turn, can be a blessing to others. We are not meant to keep God’s blessings to ourselves. We are called to be a light in our neighborhoods, to serve, to give, and to love as Christ has loved us.

Building a Strong Community Through Faith
One thing I love about El Dorado is the way we invest in our people. We have parks where families gather, a skate park for our youth, a dog park where strangers become friends, and a Murphy Arts District where we celebrate creativity and culture. This is what community looks like! But let me tell you something—without God, even the most vibrant community will lack true peace and purpose.

Acts 2:42 tells us, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” This is what the early church did, and this is what we must continue to do. A thriving community doesn’t just happen—it is built, it is nurtured, it is strengthened by the faith of the people who live in it.

So, I ask you today: Are you investing in the spiritual community of this city? Are you pouring into the next generation? Are you inviting your neighbor to church? Are you showing up for your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Faith in Action
Let’s take this one step further. James 2:17 tells us, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” We cannot sit in our homes and just hope for a better community; we must get out there and be the hands and feet of Jesus. El Dorado gives us so many opportunities to do just that!

Do you love to cook? Bring a meal to a family in need. Do you have a heart for children? Mentor a student. Do you want to share the love of Christ? Strike up a conversation at the farmers market.

You see, church, this is how revival starts. It starts in small conversations, in acts of kindness, in prayers whispered over a friend. It starts when we stop waiting for someone else to do the work and say, “Here I am, Lord! Send me.”

Closing Encouragement
El Dorado is more than just a place on a map. It is a reflection of God’s heart—a heart of generosity, of love, of promise. And just as this city is known for its hospitality and community spirit, let us, too, be known as a people who love fiercely, serve faithfully, and live boldly for Christ.

Let’s take hold of this moment. Let’s commit to being active in our faith, to strengthening our community, and to being the light that El Dorado needs. Because, church, when we live out the Gospel, when we love our neighbors, when we pour into this city—we aren’t just changing El Dorado. We are changing lives for eternity.

May God bless you, may He bless El Dorado, and may we continue to shine His light wherever we go. Amen!