Greetings all!
Pastor Troy V. Ingram’s live sermon recordings are available in the iTunes store for FREE!!!
In iTunes search for Mt.Olive House of Prayer or Pastor troy ingram.
They are available as free podcast. So you can listen and be blessed at home on you Mac or PC or on the go with you iDevice!
God Bless!
by Pastor Troy V. Ingram
Matt. 26:23- And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
To be betrayed is one of the most horrible things to experience as a human being. Yet someone in our family, or one of our friends, could do it at anytime. We cannot be betrayed by a stranger, for there is no connection of the heart with them. What is most hurtful about betrayal is that it happens unexpectedly and usually by someone you would not suspect. Someone you loved, respected, and trusted. Betrayal has been equated with being stabbed in the back. Many never get over the breach of trust. I know of a few who have suffered nervous breakdowns. Some have been so seriously damaged that it altered their character in some way. Praise God we can overcome betrayal with love. Charity (love) never fails (I Cor. 13:8a). Jesus could not save Judas, the son of perdition (John 17:12), but He still loved him!
Things that hurt us initially could make us stronger when the pain subsides. If we stay angry, remain unforgiving, live in bitterness or resentment at the ones who have betrayed us, then we are not walking in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit releases power to us to do those things which are beyond our ability to do. He will teach us how to love those who have offended us. However, His help depends upon our obedience to the Word of God to forgive. If we don’t forgive, neither will God forgive us (Mark 11:26). No matter how terrible the atrocity committed against you or I, we cannot allow it to dictate and control our thoughts—talk—and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16). Also, do not even think of revenge; it belongs to God (Rom. 12:9). Your flesh will not feel enjoy walking in God’s Will, but in the long run you will be filled with joy that you did.
by Bro Mark Johnson
Is Jesus your Lord by constraint or by choice? Selah. People of God, Jesus wants to be our Lord not just our Savior. God is seeking for those who are voluntarily submitting their will to His will. If you are unsure if Jesus is Lord in your life, ask yourself the following questions: Do you heed to your own thoughts or God’s thoughts (his word)? Do the words that come out of your mouth bring glory and honor to the Lord? Do you hear God’s voice? In the gospel of John 10:27, Jesus said , My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Are you following him?
Have you been successful in leading your own life thus far? I’m sure the answer is no. If it is not, seek God, and he will reveal it to you. When Jesus is Lord, you are no longer your own. What does this mean? I’m glad you asked. Our Lord Jesus Christ shed his blood, that He might give life unto those who believe. We were dead; now we have life. Our eternal destination was Hell, but now it is Heaven. We were in bondage to sin, but now we have liberty in Christ. We were spiritually blind, but now we can see. Our inner life was in chaos, but now it is ruled by order. Jesus!!
Father, Forgive us, for we have sinned. We have not put you first in our life. We have loved our old life more than the life that you have given us. We have been ruled by our feelings and not by your word. We have grieved your Holy Spirit time and time again. We have essentially made the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus of none effect. From this day forward, we want to serve you. You did it all righteous Father. You created us, you saved us, you redeemed us, you will glorify us. May your name be glorified forever and ever. In Jesus Name, Amen
by Brother Mark Johnson
The word lust comes from the Greek word epithymeo which means desire, to long for to covet. In the context of sexual desires, lust is found once in the Scriptures in I Thessalonians 4:3-5 which says “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor; not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God.” The other 54 times, it pertains to the aforementioned definition. Saints of God, we need to be mindful of the fact that lust is not always associated with sexual desires.
As humans we are full of desires. This is how God created us. Therefore our desires are not evil; for everything that God created was good (Genesis 1:31). The desires for freedom, love and affection, sex, security, stability, and success, just to name a few, are built into our DNA. However when our desires become more important than the will of God, and when God is not number one in our hearts, they become evil. Sex outside of the proper context of marriage is fornication or adultery, and both are sin. Sex within the context of marriage fulfills our purpose (the will of God) of being in the plan of God. If we are not careful, our desires can become gods. Please listen to the gravity of this truth. Everyone has a purpose. Our desires are a roadmap to lead us into our created purpose and can only be fulfilled in God. Seek the Lord, cry out to him. Our Lord Jesus Christ did not shed his blood so that we can fulfill the desires or lusts of our flesh.
by Mark Johnson
Stop for moment and think about the following question: who is your greatest enemy? What is the first thought that came to your mind? Was it the Devil? Good answer, but no. Was it your past? Was it your annoying, controlling, self-centered boss? Was it a missing father or mother? No! No! No! The answer is very simple; it is you. You are your greatest enemy. Huh? Yes I said it. One of the greatest deceptions known to mankind is the refusal to accept responsibilities for one’s actions. Believe it or not, Satan does not care what or who you blame for your circumstances in life. He is more than willing to play the role of the accuser (Revelation 12:10) and the accused (Genesis 3:13). Why? Because his end game is to keep you from serving God fully and to keep you in darkness, to prevent you from having a flourishing relationship with God.
Adam blamed God and the woman. Eve blamed the serpent. The serpent remained silent because he knew that he had accomplished his mission. But God also had a plan. His name is Jesus. Our Lord Jesus took full responsibility for sins that He did not commit and brought them to the cross, putting them to death. For He was perfect, tempted in all points, but without sin (Hebrews 4:15) He was the perfect sacrifice, the only sacrifice, the only way back to the Father. He is our example. God is not interested in excuses. He has given us His Word and His Holy Spirit to defeat the inner me. We have all that we need to live in this world but not be of it (John 17:6-16).
Exodus 3: 11- And Moses said unto God, who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?
As the story goes, Moses was in exile after having killed an Egyptian. He was living with his father-in law, Jethro, keeping the flock. It was here that God chose him. God chose Moses to return to the very place he ran away from; to lead His people out of captivity. However, Moses was fearful for his life. He also feared that the people that knew the man he once was would not believe that he was sent by God. In Moses’ eyes, he was incapable of accomplishing the great task set before him.
Our unwillingness to answer the call of God is heavily based on our lack of faith in God’s ability to work in us, and an over-dependence on the inadequacies of our human weaknesses. We know that God can do great things, but we still attempt to instruct God on how we feel we are best capable. Moses was happy with tending the flock (comfort zone), but God had a greater plan. We enjoy seeing the supernatural works of God; such as the burning bush, the raising of the dead, or the healing of the sick. But when we are asked of God to follow him, to go where he says go, to speak his word, or to be who he called us to be, we respond by saying, “Why me Lord?” The answer is simple: why not you? He called you. He chose you. He will empower and enable you by the power of the Holy Ghost. Obey Him.
Bro. Andrew shares his powerful testimony at Mt.Olive House of Prayer’s youth service. An amazing testimony that shows the love that God has for his children. This testimony shows how one can walk away from their past if they take heed to the voice of God before it’s too late.
Luke 14:28- For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
It would be a foolish thing to attempt to manage our bills without a budget. Entrepreneurs and even long standing businesses have failed for ill-advised money managing practices, all because they did not get the necessary help that was needed. Money management should be taught to every child old enough to understand that there is more to electricity, water, and the telephone than using these things for our convenience. There is a high cost these utilities will incur when abused. My daughter who has been married for two years, and now understands how imperative it is not to stay in the shower long, and not to run lights she is not using. She is getting a taste of what her mother and I told her for years! lol.
It is a very satisfying thing when we make good decisions. Whether good or bad the decisions that we make could greatly affect our lives. Should our decisions be impulsive or made without a thought process? Should we flip a coin? Or should we leave what’s going to happen to fate? No way! We must sit down and ask for the wise counsel of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name. “You have not because you ask not” (James 4:2b). Pride will cause us not to ask for the help that we need. It is usually the only factor that exacerbates matters. Pride will keep you and I from receiving help, but definitely does not warn us of the consequences for lacking propriety. So come down from the “Summit of Pride,” and come down to “Humility valley.” God meets us in the valley, and then will bring us to the zenith of all that He has for us. There you will find counting the cost is not just talked about, but diligently exercised.
Kings 2:12- And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 13. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; 14. And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
The relationship between Elijah and Elisha is one of the greatest examples of mentorship in the Bible. Elisha saw his mentor as his father. Not because of a biological connection, but a spiritual one. God told Elijah that he had chose Elisha to continue his work. Elijah knew that his ministry was coming to a close so he had to train his successor in following the Will of God and the fine points of ministry. When the time came for Elijah to leave this earth, Elisha would not leave his mentor’s side. More than teaching him to be a man, Elijah trained Elisha to be a man of God. This caused Elisha to develop an inseparable attitude towards leaving his trainer. Nevertheless the student was now ready to lead, and the mentor had completed his mission. After seeing his father taken from him, Elisha had to stand at the brink of Jordan and reflect on the path set before him. The mentorship worked! The Jordan River obeyed by opening for the successor.
The Holy Spirit is the believer’s mentor. His spiritual relationship with us is invaluable. He is helping us continue the work started by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must willingly acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s unmatchable ability to develop the Christ-like character in us. It is our duty to submit ourselves to the Spirit’s training in righteousness. Only He can turn a whore into a woman of God and a Pimp into a preacher. Seeing the importance of His mentorship, let us stay in the Word of God and prayer so the Holy Spirit can train us to be leaders. And when you or I come to the brinks of our wits end, the Spirit will open a path for us to get through what we are going through. There is purpose upon your life! Let the Spirit of truth, the Comforter, the guide, place a fresh anointing upon you.
John 8:29- And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
It is a horrible thing to admit—but America is quickly becoming a fatherless nation. Statistically speaking, single parent homes out number the homes with married couples raising children. Most of the time mothers are left to bring home the bacon, and fry it up in the pan. Our school systems and the world are full of children who are confused, angry, and sad in their inner being because they did not experience fatherhood. Many do not even know the root of the problem. Moreover there are girls and boys in the workforce who are considered adults due to their age, but not having fatherhood throughout life has undoubtedly taken its toll.
Thank God that Jesus Christ died so we who have faith in Christ, can have our relationship with the father of all creation restored! He will never leave us, He will never forsake us, and His fatherhood is based upon His love for us. “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up” (Ps 27:10). We have a Father who will always be there to guide us, give us direction, and affirm us. Let’s not have a pity party this Father’s day if our fathers haven’t been there for us, deserted us, acts like strangers to us, etc… but celebrate the One whose Fatherhood record remains unblemished.