First Assembly of God

The reason many people haven’t been set free is — THAT THERE ARE AREAS OF THEIR LIFE — WHICH ARE NOT — RIGHTFULLY SUBMITTED TO THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST.
Instead they are firmly under the control of either self or the demonic. The third principal aspect of the soul is that with which we make decisions — THE WILL. Scripture talks about the spirit being willing, but the flesh weak. The meaning of this phrase, which has become part of the language of tempatation is simply that IF THE FLESH HAS NOT BEEN CRUCIFIED, — THEN THE WILL GETS OUT OF CONTROL.

Satam will use every trick in the book to make our wills subject to the flesh, INSTEAD OF THE OTHER WAY AROUND. A person who is walking in wholeness and obedience before God is one whose WILL IS UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST, and whose flesh life, as a consequence is under his control.

Crucifying the flesh is the road to WHOLENESS (holiness) which, if followed will have enormous benefits in every dimension of our lives.

The Key is control of the will.

From the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard

Scripture tells us that many are called but few are chosen. Does that not mean that God plays no favorites, and His loving call to salvation goes out to every man, woman, and child? Yes, of course it does. Not one is ever chosen without first being called.

Every time you answer His call, He takes careful note ot that, and when you are faithful to that call, He evaluates with total accuracy and complete understanding of all your doings, even to the very intents of your heart.
If you answer His call to salvation, trust in Him, and live for Him you are saved.
How about being faithful to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, which includes;

*The Call to pray & intercede for others.
*The Call to love your brothers and sisters in the Lord.
*The call to be faithful to the House of the Lord
*The call to be pure and live a holy life.
*The call to obey everything God commands.
*The call to tithe and support Christ’s Church.
*The call to encourage others
*The call to reach those who are lost without Christ and perishing

These things will ensure the fulfillment that we will not only be called, but chosen as well.

From the Pastor’s Pen
Ray Leonard

You are welcome to listen to any of my sermons found on the podcast archives. His a a small portion of them.

Love never fails
Do you love darkness or light?
Do you have the fruit of the Spirit?
Run with the message
Agreement

Enjoy these and many more.

From the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard

As you listen to the worship service let your spirt soar as you worship with us. God’s presence is very real and powerful. These sermons will lift your soul, and strengthen you in the inner man. As you apply these messages to your every day life — you will begin to take on the very likeness of our blessed Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. Here’s a partial list of the sermons you can listen to.

*Winning the War of Thoughts
*The Prodical
*I will Build My Church
*Shout your Ears to the Voice of the Enemy..
*Our Choices Determine Destiny

From the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard

You will find great inspiration, encouragement, blessing, help, and healing as you listen to the different sermons preached at First Assembly of God. You will feel the breathe of heaven as you worship and apply these messages. Look them over and then listen to those that have a special interest to you.

From the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard

Read Blogs of First Assembly of God, and receive encouragement, help, blessing, healing, and deliverance, from anxiety, worry, conern, and feel the anointing of God and His joy, and strength to carry on from day to Day.

Here’s just one page of blogs – that you will want to start reading immediately.

1…..Love Never Fails
2…..Pinellas Park is Loved by God
3…..Help is on the Way
4…..Exploring Worship
5…..When you are Lonely, – God is Near
6…..The Eternal Word
7……Praying the Word
8……You are a Miracle waiting to Happen
9……Faithful in all things

I will list other riveting blogs at another time.

From the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard

We read in I Corinthians 13:8 that charity never fails. This word used in today’s language would be translated LOVE. Love puts purpose in our life. Love makes us want to wake up in the morning. If you do not know God, you may wonder what is the purpose of my existence? Why am i here. Scripture tells us that ‘God is love’, and that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. So, when you think nobody loves you, remember John 3:16, ‘GOD LOVES YOU!

I Peter 5:8 tells us to cast all of our care (worry, concern, & anxiety on God for He cares for you). If that is the case, then we should not carry such heavy loads as we do. God loves you so much more than you have an idea of, but God will not interfere in your life. Though He cares so much, He will only come to your aid, when asked. Oh, friend, see how quickly He comes to your side to help you in your time of need. He will intervene when you ask Him, but never interfere.

Love, such as God gives you, makes life worth the living. You wake up with a song in your heart ready to face your day. It causes you to care deeply for your family. It causes you to not only (not) do any harm to your neighbor, but causes you to think of ways you can bless them.

If the inhabitants of a society loved one another, there would be no need to lock your doors at night. No need to worry about your children walking home from school alone, for fear of someone kidnapping them. True love, – godly love, would eliminate all crime, all murders, all rapes, all divorces, all fights, not to mention all unforgiveness, all bitterness, and all uncontrolable rage. Citizens individually and collectively would be working to bring about the highest good of all that live in their jurisdiction.

Love God with all your heart, mind & soul, — and your neighbor as yourself, for that is the whole duty of man. If you were blessed by this article, please leave a comment.

From the pastor’s pen,
Ray Leonard

Scripture tells us that ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everylasting life.” Now i realize that Pinellas Park, is not exactly the world, but it is definitely a little piece of real estate that’s a part of the world, and God loves ‘ALL THE PEOPLE OF PINELLAS PARK. God has his very own people right here, and i’m not talking about any particular Church. He has His people scattered all around the city and the county. There are many of His children that are not recognized, because they don’t have a title in front of their name nor do they fill a position in a prominent church. I recognize that there are many faithful and godly Christians among pastors, deacons, elders, and teachers of prominent churches, but my point is that there are many godly, christians that will never be seen or acknowledged publicly, but prays to God in secret, and the Lord is manifesting His healing power to someone the doctors have told have a terminal illness. Some unknown intercessor (might be you) has prayed down revival in some church that has no idea that God’s blessing upon them, with the saving of the lost, and the healing of difficult cases is the result of one person, or a small group of intercessors totally given over to praying the Kingdom of God down.
God loves everyone, but delights only in those who put Him first, and love and obey Him with all their hearts. Why not be that one that God can depend on to call upon in any situation, and bring great pleasure to His heart because of your prayers, worship, obedience and faithfulness to Him.

From the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard

Our wonderful Lord says in John 10:10, “The thief (Satan) comes not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.” Has the thief (the devil) been stealing from you, or destroying those things which are absolutely essential in your life? Well, i have good news for you, because Jesus came to give you life (eternal), and life abundantly in all it’s manifestations and forms. Remember if you’re a Christian, “GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU, – THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD” (IJn 4:4). You, who are in nursing homes or assisted living The Lord has a word for you. Jesus says, “I love you, and I haven’t forgotten about you. Put your trust in me for all your needs, and especially your salvation. It is through Me, and My death on the cross, that I purchased your redemption. Ask Me to forgive all your sins, and give you a clean heart, and I most certainly will. Then live for Me and obey My Word, and you will have a place in heaven. My love for you will never fail, and I will be with you always.”
This word is also for everone who senses their need for these ‘words of life.’ Call upon Jesus right now, and right now He will answer you.
Tell us what God has done for you, and post a comment that we might rejoice with you. God bless you this very hour.

from the pastor’s pen
Ray Leonard`

i have a book named ‘Exploring Worship’ by Bob Sorge which has blessed me and if you desire to know more about ‘Praise and Worship’ it wouldl be worth your time reading.
Let me give you a few thoughts about worship. If you are a true Christian you will be intensely grateful to God for your salvation. You know, God did not owe us anything, and if He never lifted a finger to help or save us he would be completely justified. But the thing i will never understand is, God loved us so much that He gave Jesus to die for sinners like you and me. All of humanity was and is on their way to destruction and hell apart from Jesus Christ. Yet God loved us so much because He had created us with an eternal soul, that would spend an eternity in hell if He didn’t intervene. BUT, PRAISE GOD, THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HE DID. When he saved you and me, he lovingly drew us into his comforting arms of safety, and forgave us of all our sins. Sins that without Him brought death. He received us as His very own children, and cleansed us with His very own blood. He gives us eternal life through believing in His name.
So why shouldn’t we praise and worship Him every day of our lives.
Praise is our expressing from the depths of our heart who God is, and with the overwhelming things He has done. We thank Him for His great creation as Creator. We praise Him with tears of thanksgiving and joy for saving us. For helping us. For meeting our financial needs. For healing our sick bodies.
Not only are we to praise God for all those things we FEEL so grateful for, but we should praise Him even during times when we don’t feel like praising Him at all.
Our wonderful God is always worthy of our praise. Praise counteracts criticism, and develops a grateful heart. Praise and worship brings God into your world, and His presence becomes very real.
If you want God to answer your prayers then make sure you praise and worship God sincerely every day in spirit and in truth.

From the Pastor’s Pen
Ray Leonard