South Tacoma Assembly of God

When we are dealing with a wounded, prideful spirit, we are dealing with a self-created barrier. Self-inflicted is not someone else's fault - it means we've taken on something that didn't have to belong to us. God came to Cain to rescue him from a self-inflicted wound and he refused God's help. Have you refused help too?

Have you been wounded? How are you addressing those areas in your life where you were injured? God wants us to bring our wounds to Him and walk through the process of healing with Him - but are you ready?

In this message, Pastor Reed speaks on the freedom we receive on the inside because of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Not only did He free us from our sins, but He also gave us the ability to live free on the inside. His death and resurrection allowed the door to be opened for our spiritual freedom. The very first manifestation of this freedom came in the form of Barabbas being physically freed from dying for the crimes he had committed. 

In this message, Pastor talks about the garden experience. Where Adam received the breath of God which made him a living soul. That same breath is now available for us through the person of the Holy Spirit.

When we acknowledge the breath of God that gives us life, we realize that the strength we operate from is an inside job. The breath of God brings order - we just have to make sure that we allow the Word of God to operate on the inside of us so that we live out of who He is in our lives, not other inside things like worry or disobedience.

Jesus was and is the ultimate gift of God, but even today, He is often misunderstood. In Sunday's message, Associate Network Leader with the Northwest Ministry Network, Don Detrick, ministered on Jesus as the gift of God, and how our understanding of Him allows us to represent Him well to the world around us.

The gift of God is perfect and it comes from heaven. It started with Jesus and continues with the steadfastness of His love. Once we receive Christ, we become the gift that He gives to others. It's important that you see yourself as God sees you and present yourself as such.

When the angel visited Zachariah to let him know his prayers had been answered, Zachariah's words didn't align with the promise he was about to receive. In this season, let your words line up with what you prayed. May you know and understand that you are a gift of God, and what you soon carry with your hands will also be a gift from God in response to your prayers.

The Christmas season is one often used as a time of giving, but often the gift we give is dependent on who the recipient is. It's a good thing to follow the season, but we must not allow the season to prevent us from following the Word of God. In any gift we give, it's important to measure it against and through the real Gift of the season. May our lives provide fruit that testify of Who Jesus is, and may the gifts (more than just material ones) we give reflect His life on the inside of us.

Three years ago, God kept Lisa through an aneurysm that 99% of people don't make it to the hospital alive afterwards - but that wasn't the only thing. Through it all, Lisa shares of the faithfulness of God and declares that even when you can't see it or feel it, God is working in your situation. As she shares the testimony of her healing, Lisa encourages us that, no matter what it feels like, to trust God.

There is power we have through our relationship with God which brings provision like nothing else. When we acknowledge the power that is at work inside of us, we impact the world according to the spirit of God. As we do, our relationships and the world around us benefits from us walking according to God's power and not our own.

Does prayer really work? Does prayer really change things? When we're waiting for things to happen that we've been praying for, it can become easier and easier to underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer will cause us to wait and believe. Relationship with the Word in the midst of the waiting will also help us to wait and increase our belief in the power of prayer.

Have you felt stretched lately? When we look at the activity and season God has provided for us, we have to be alert, we have to watch, we have to listen, and we have to pray. As a church, it is important for us to listen for what the Spirit is saying and align our steps with what we hear. It's an imperative time for the body of Christ to watch and pray.

Every day should bring us closer in our relationship with God, through our fellowship with the Word of God. As we approach the start of a new year, Pastor George challenges us to realize it's more important to recognize the season, trust God for that new season, and to follow Him and allow change on the inside as the years and seasons change.

Two people can't walk together until they agree on the direction they are going in. In Sunday's message, Northwest Ministry Network Superintendent, Dr. Don Ross, helped us celebrate Pastors' Appreciation by challenging us to reconsider who it is we are connected to.

God's vision is the most important vision for our life. His vision for us provides purpose. When we walk in His vision, we're walking out our purpose. When God gives you vision for life, you can go anywhere, be you, and be okay.

The spirit of fear manifests as more than just the fear of things or people. The spirit of fear can also disrupt our relationship with God, causing us to escape intimacy with Him. It's through that intimacy and relationship with Him that we are able to stand in authority, commanding fear and trauma to leave our lives. You're one encounter away with Jesus from deliverance, healing, and freedom.

Where do you keep your treasures? Those things that are near to your heart and hard to let go of? In this message, Pastor George ministers on the exchange we make when we give God our treasures - we end up becoming one ourselves.

Change is the biggest test of life. If we value comfort over character, we will get mad and bitter. If we have an appreciation for what God can do through change, we'll embrace it rather than push it away. There's an authority you carry to see change through the eyes of God. Our outlook on change can be secure in knowing that God always has the best outcomes in mind.

When something stands the test of time, it proves its value over a long period of time and does not fail, wear out, or go out of style. Trials test our endurance or our ability to forbear. In the midst of every trial, we have the opportunity to Transform, Restore, Improve, Align, and Loose.

Times of trial help us in our pursuit, our perception, and our practice of the Word of God.

Every day that we get up, we are tested. Don't give up now - your biggest impact is still ahead. Endure the test of time.

Don't make your timing a demand on God, but give God's grace an opportunity to bring fulfillment to your situation in His timing.

Should we look for timing or should we believe in faith in God's timing? Both. God's timing is not something we can control, but something we can believe in and look for the fulfillment of. If God has promised you something in faith, wait on Him and His timing.

Time is a plan, schedule, or arrangement when (something) should happen or be done.Timing is the choice, judgment, or control of when something should be done. Timing is never right for a planned time, but creates opportunity for change. If God has promised you something in faith, wait on Him and His timing.

We are filled with different hungers every day - emotional, financial, and relationship appetites that can move us out of service to our King as we pursue those things. When we train our appetites, we operate as disciplined individuals. That discipline will increase our endurance and allow us to stand fast, holding onto our faith in difficult times.

In the times we are living in, it is so important to apply the Word of God, not just know it. Standing still and knowing that He is God enables us to face challenges head on, empowered by the revelation of Him that we find in His Word.

Purpose doesn't drive time; time brings fulfillment to purpose. Seasons were created to allow us to see the beginning and end to growth or maturity. Because of this, we must be mindful of life's many adjustments and evaluate the way we are sowing into the coming harvest.

God is a God of provision and a God of preparation. God, the perfect Father, seeks to prepare the heart of every father to bear the responsibility of fatherhood. Even though our own personal experiences with fatherhood can cause the weight of this subject to be heavy, Pastor George emphasizes the heart of the Father, and how to pursue healing, restoration, and setting a new trajectory for your own family.

There is an empowerment that comes from Jesus, and it is through His empowerment that we possess authority through faith. Salvation is the way we receive the empowerment Jesus provided for us, and salvation remains the way we follow Him and influence the lives of those around us.

When we share our testimony, we disarm the enemy from using parts of our life's story as ammunition against us. Pastor Jonathan Burger tells his testimony, encouraging the listener that God can use what looks like broken pieces to fulfill His purpose and plan for our lives.

What is mental health, and how does the Bible fit in to how we view and address it? Jonathan and Abby Burger discuss some of the misconceptions of mental health and the role the church plays in helping people to live well spirit, soul, and body. To register for the Mental Health and the Bible seminar, use the link below!

I'm tired has at least two perspectives: depletion of energy or an attitude of frustration, annoyance, or disappointment. It's okay to be tired, but our attitudes should still be in alignment with what God says is our portion.

A mother's love mirrors the love of Christ. The key aspects of a mother's love are what we see that Jesus did for us on the cross, and what He empowers us to live out everyday. For every mother, and every believer, the choice is ours to reflect to others the way that Christ has loved us.

God's provision is attractive and something we all want, but with provision comes trust, responsibilities, tribulation, and salvation. God's seasons allow us to learn, and they create a hunger and thirst for the salvation of the Lord. Whatever you are going through, hold on. Trust the process of God for your life and know that He Who began a good work is faithful to complete it.

Easter is over and many will return to their lives because the celebration is over. But, the celebration is ongoing and a new beginning has taken its place in many lives. The resurrection was and is about a love relationship with the Father of heaven through His son. Through that relationship, we learn to love others.

The finished work on the cross is now the completed work for a new beginning. We get to choose how we celebrate our risen Savior, not just on Resurrection Sunday, but every day. When we look at what He did for us, the question then becomes what can we do for Him.

For believers, Palm Sunday is a reminder of the welcoming of Jesus into our hearts and of our willingness to follow Him. That invitation is not just a one-time thing at salvation, but a continual one that invites the power of His resurrection into our lives every day.

When we understand that we serve a God Who delivers, sustains, and provides, our expectation of what He will do can take the feelings of brokenness and despair and replace it with hope. In this season of the celebration of Jesus' resurrection, the understanding of our covenant authority not only helps to bring healing to us, but also stand in agreement with Him for the provision He desires for others as well.

It is important for us to maintain a healthy perspective on the new beginning that God has provided for us. The primary way to keep our perspectives right is to make sure we are connected to God, Who will forever be the Source of provision. When we remain connected to Provision, our expectations and beliefs about our tomorrow become rooted in Him.

There are both healthy connections and unhealthy connections, good connections and bad connections. A connection alone can provide so much if we would understand who and what we are connected to. Our expectation can either fuel our connection with God, or cause us to shrink back, afraid of being disappointed. If we allow our expectation of God to shepherd our connection with Him, we are divinely connected to a Source that does not run dry.

We are all linked to something or someone - whether that connection is good, bad, or indifferent. A connection alone can provide so much if we would understand who and what we are connected to. There is an earthly connection governed by the natural senses and there is a heavenly connection governed by the supernatural.We are connected to both.

Like never before, it is important that we add commitment to this season of provision. Lives are connected to our commitment to pursue God's purpose for our lives. It is up to us to stay committed, even when it is inconvenient.

Sometimes we say things that don't make any sense, yet we want the listener to understand and reply. In the midst of the conversation, we are often not ready for the answer that we will receive. The right balance is important to effective and meaningful communication.

When we think about prayer as going to fellowship with God, we change our perspective from entering a one-sided conversation to a time of expectation for two-sided fellowship.

In this message, the question was asked, “What environmental control measures have I established to meet with God?” This will determine how and what we establish with others. Salvation brings access to authority; the ability to adjust everything according to the need. Salvation brings empowerment because it now gives us the ability to see. We should conduct our lives as one looking out the window (looking forward) and not in a mirror (looking at the past).God talks to us so that we can connect, grow, serve, and celebrate resulting in a transformation of a life. We cannot be timid with the things of God. We must speak as the way God allows us to speak. We must understand the presence of God and what He provides. His presence is always with us. Pastor connected verses 19 and 22 of Hebrews 10. In the Old Testament, the priests entered boldly into the Holy Place, following specific guidelines both naturally and spiritually. For those who have received salvation - God can be trusted. Embrace the will of God by embracing the Word of God. Our actions will reflect in our walk whether or not we trust Him. There will be boldness without anger or under artificial stimulus. The Word of God has provided us the authority to walk in boldness. Our relationship with Him will help us walk with wisdom as a peacemaker. Having wisdom on board will help us to deliver knowledge and create relationships with others. God wants us to see Him in everything we do and say.Our environment has to serve us. Our environment should provide us with what we need. It will feed us in the midst of trials and tribulations. We were encouraged to perform a risk assessment. Let us examine what is in our environment that could influence us to do something that would lead us astray. When you have an established relationship with God, He will also provide an earthly counterpart who will also deliver the Word of God in our environment.The story of Lazarus was an example of what can take place within a designed environmental control measure. The event that took place gave the disciples an opportunity to see the boldness that could operate in their lives. Walk as the new man. Adjust your walk according to how you think as a new creation. Act on what has been provided you through salvation and relationship. Have in place environmental control measures that will work for who you are destined to be.

In this message, Pastor reflected on the actions of Adam, showing us that our lives are all about the decisions we make. Our decision should be to pursue God. We should be looking at how God works us as we receive Him through His Word. God has called us to be free. That can only happen when we are “in the know” of the things of God. If we know what really matters to God, then it will matter to us. Hebrews 10 calls us to deal with the mind according to our pursuit of God. We should persevere in being in the presence of God. God can be trusted to keep His promise. As we build up our relationship with Him, He can fulfill in us what we were called to do. Peace is what we all desire. Often, our activity is driven by our emotions. Our emotions should encompass what God has specifically given us to do. We are at peace when we are in agreement with what God has called us to be. That can be discovered through prayer, believing, and then doing. Our mind should always be kept on Jesus. God has created an environment for us through Jesus. In that environment, we can hear and see. Our environment should serve us. It should be one where risk is reduced and health and safety are promoted. Pastor challenged us to discover what is in our environments and why it is there. We need to see what's in that space that has created disruptions or distractions, and remove them. With the renovations of the church after the fire, South Tacoma Assembly has been given the opportunity to create the environment to best serve what we are called to do. We must recognize the changes in the platform God has provided for us as we go through the challenges of today's environment. Because of our relationship with Jesus, we can speak into the situations at hand. Is this your first time with us? https://www.staog.org/welcome Give Online: https://freedonationkiosk.com:9011/staog/donation/new Did you give your life to Christ today? https://www.staog.org/welcome Do you have a prayer request? www.staog.org/contact Do you have children in your home? Join Children's Ministry online at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings! Revisit past lessons at www.staog.org/childrens-ministry Stay Connected! Website: www.staog.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/southtacomaag Instagram: www.instagram.com/southtacoma_ag Twitter: www.twitter.com/southtacoma_ag Download the Church App: http://onelink.to/2nazww

Pastor brings to a conclusion the message on vision and our ability to see because of Christ. Three questions have been asked during this series: “Where am I?”, "Where have I been?”, and today he addressed “Where am I going?”. He encourages us to make the choice to move forward. That can gloriously happen when a relationship and fellowship with Christ has been established. He exhorts us to have a dialogue and not a monologue when we come before Christ with our questions and our desires. When we engage in a dialogue, we will be able to better “see” the tomorrow He has planned for us. God wants to speak to us every day. If we recognize what God is doing in us, we will embrace the developing relationships we can have with Him and with others. God wants us to establish priorities in our lives. If we can see where we are going, then distractions will have little effect. We will embrace what matters and the distractions become small. Pastor used his family as an example of what takes place when relationship is a priority. You will be able to partner with those you have been called to help; assisting them dot their “I”s” and cross their “T's.” Vision comes with a path. Vision speaks of tomorrow. When you know where you are going, you will be seen as a strength in the life of others. Praying and trusting in God and the relationship we have with Him will reveal the path.

Pastor continued his message on vision. He encouraged us to recognize that life is full of vision when we are in God. God has given those who believe the ability to have an advantage by seeing. When we can see, we will reach forward, believing that what we see is attainable. When we allow God to be our optometrist, we will be able to see how God sees. We will have His perspective on what has happened in our past, what is taking place in our present, and what we can expect in our future. When we read God’s Word, we increase our ability to see. When we can see, we will be able to change the focus of our thought life. Col 3:1 exhorts us to seek those things that are above; i.e. seek those things from the One Who has the authority. The acronym ASK (Ask, Seek, Knock) was used. There was a popular game show in which a prize was waiting behind one of three doors. Jesus is always available knocking at the door of our hearts. Behind God’s door, there is always something good when we choose to open it. That open door will provide the vision needed for our lives. Faith in God restores sight and creates opportunities. Everyday, in prayer, ask God to see. As you walk through the journey of your vision, take time to learn in the process and smell the fragrance of His sacrifice that He provided for your journey.

In this message, Pastor Reed encourages us to know that our visions and ideas reflect our ability to see. When your vision comes from God, He will provide you what is necessary for that vision or idea to bear fruit. Pastor provided as an example his visit to the optometrist during an annual physical in which he discovered that he needed glasses. Clearly seeing the Word of God in your Bible will activate the progression toward the vision. Jesus is our optometrist. He is the Word of God and will provide insight. It is particularly important during this season to be able to see God. The pandemic has impaired a lot of visions. COVID19 has created a fear. Nations now have to deal with the aftermath and the loosening of practices and legislation. The relationship and obedience to God’s Word is important to the believers at this time. Having developed a friendship with God provides the ability to see and go forward in purpose. Pastor reflected on the visual diagram at South Tacoma Assembly of God: Vision - Valley - Victory. As a church, we continue to walk out our vision to reach and transform lives through the love of Jesus Christ. We may not all be visionaries, but we all can look “at”, look ”for” and look “in” the direction and purpose that God has for us.