Pastor Joel Laswell

Message OTM12-2: ”Spoils of War” part two

In order to endure the trials and difficulties that we encounter here, it is necessary to keep our mind focused on this final reward of the faithful. Jesus did this, and it was this very thing that enabled him to endure the terrible anguish through which He passed. Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” When Jesus was in the midnight darkness of the cross, He focused on the joy that was to come. He thought of the millions of souls who would be saved as a result of His sacrifice. We too must focus on the joy that is to come!

Message 360: ”The Sifting Process”

Did you know that the Bible talks about sifting? Did you know that before Jesus returns His people will go through a complete sifting process? We are very close to the return of our Lord and this process is something that we need to understand because it actually prepares us to be citizens of the Kingdom.

Message OTM12-1: ”Spoils of War” part one

The spoils for the children of Israel after forty years of character perfecting in the wilderness was to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. This was a type of the final spoils for all those who choose to be on the Lord’s side… to enter the promised land of a new earth and eternal life with Jesus.

Message OTM11: ”Battle Ready”

Were you aware that when the Lord delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt that He tested them just before they were allowed to enter the Promised Land? So too will the Lord test His people before He returns to take them to the promised land of heaven and a new earth… there will be a final exam that all have to pass to enter there!

Message 366: ”How to be an Overcomer”

It is not enough for me to come to church or to make a profession of religion. That is not enough. I have to overcome, if I am going to receive eternal life. If I do not overcome, I will not receive eternal life—even if I go to church or make a profession of religion or preach or teach or do any of those things. This is a theme that is recorded over and over and over again in the book of Revelation, the necessity of overcoming. To overcome means to conquer... it means to be like Jesus!

Message 365: ”Saved by Grace”

Eternal salvation is not complicated. It is simple enough that a child can understand it. All you have to do is believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. It is a free gift from God. Jesus is the gift!

Message 364: ”A Cross to Bear”

There are two paths to choose from... One is a narrow path where you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus. There you will have joy and peace and the comfort of His presence on your journey and experience, and at the end of the path, everlasting life. The other path, the one that Jesus said most people would choose, is the broad path. It begins with ease and pleasure with no self-denial. But Satan is a cruel, hard, taskmaster and just around the corner, out of sight, the path gets harder and harder as you go along, and the farther you travel on that road makes it more difficult to make a U-turn. It involves sickness, heartache, despair and, in the end eternal death. Which path will you choose?

Message OTM10: ”Field Exercises”

The disciples were being trained as they went about the land with Jesus. As they learned the lessons about the kingdom they were often given chances to do the work that they saw Jesus do. Like when he sent them out two by two. They went through what can be called field exercises rather often. Many times they failed but Jesus used such instances to teach a lesson that would be very important later down the road after He was gone. These experiences helped them to prepare for the time of Pentecost. The disciples were given the power of God to do His will and work and they set upon the task of growing the body.

Message OTM9: ”Shock and Awe”

Shock and awe is a military doctrine based on the use of overwhelming power, dominant battlefield maneuvers, and spectacular displays of force to paralyze the enemy's perception of the battlefield and destroy their will to fight. The decision that Christ would die for the guilty race was reached before this world was created, and confirmed at the time man fell. The Godhead made an agreement that Jesus would become a human being forever, go through the struggles of humanity that was at war against sin and Satan and they empowered Him to carry out His commission to save mankind. This act of the Godhead was the Shock and Awe victory in the battle against evil!

Message 361: ”Knowing Our Enemy”

There is a crisis coming my friends and in understanding how to get ready for it, we have to know who and what the enemy is. I do not like to spend large amounts of time studying this subject because I like to get people's attention on Jesus and not the enemy. That's where we need to keep our attention focused. However, I want you to notice what the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 2:11, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." If we are ignorant of the devices of the devil, he will take advantage of us. The Bible tells us what we need to know about the enemy we face and we had better pay attention.