"What the world needs is Jesus"

Friends - often we are overwhealmed by the hustle and bustle of the busy lives we live.

We face financial challenges, physical emergencies, family unrest and yes, then there are the politics and world events.

The Scriptures say that in the last days we will have these items and even that men's hearts would fail them for fear.  Yes - we're in the last days, I do belive.  The signs are everywhere, just as the Scripture has foretold.

The 'experts' on TV tell us their solution to everything - - - but they're only flailing in the dark.   What the world needs is Jesus - nothing else will satisfy.

Join us this Sunday at Battlefield Assembly - where you'll hear anointed ministry from the World - the old-time gospel shared.   

You'll also hear encouraging and uplifting hymns and choruses, the way you remember them from the past.    If you're looking for a church that is similar to what you grew up with - you'll find a home at Battlefield Assembly.

What the world needs is Jesus my friend - come join us as we worship Him this Sunday.   A little talk with Jesus makes it all right!

See you Sunday :-) 

As though it had happened yesterday, I remember the thrill of hearing my name called in the foyer of the church building. We had only been in the church for a few months. How could the pastor of such a large congregation know a little boy well enough to call him by name and express genuine interest in things a kid would like?

You see, our minister was a “people person” who specialized in making each of us feel we were his favorite. He made it his business to know what made our eyes light up. He could shoot marbles with the best and play softball with the rag tag crowd after “dinner-on-the-grounds”. And he it was who prayed for me and washed my face with cold water when I got hit in the eye by a fast-pitch softball.

Hugh Hawkins may never have been pastor of a megachurch but he walked on the water as far as that bunch of rowdy kids was concerned.

His care for us and his interest in us reminds me of the interest God must have in His kids. Jesus mentioned that God knows the number of hairs we have. How beautiful that our Father would be so focused on us and that He would send people like Pastor Hawkins into our lives to role-model His love.

I sincerely hope you have had someone like that to telegraph God’s love for you. If not, look around. There are any number of genuine Christians waiting to interact with you wanting nothing in return.

If you have had a bad experience somewhere along the way, let Jesus and His gentle people help with the hurts of the past. Remember; there are no perfect people…just forgiven!

Lovingly, Rich Orrell, Lead Pastor

It is difficult to express the depth of my disappointment as I rolled into the dorm parking lot from Christmas break during my freshman year of college.

I had allowed a friend to use my '57 Chevy for a three day ministry trip into a neighboring state while I rode with other friends home to Florida for a surprise visit. A penny a mile was just too cheap to pass up. And after all, wasn't the '57 just a ministry tool anyway? I had rationalized as I had unwisely given my key to the other student. 

My beautiful black and yellow pride and joy was nowhere to be found. 

I soon found the borrower and discovered to my horror he had let yet another student take my car on some pretext of a family emergency to New York City! Shortly, I found someone who knew how to contact that second borrower. I called and amazingly reached him. I was not comforted to know the phone was in a bar. Barely controlling my anger, I informed him he had just 24 hours to have my car back to me or the police would be coming for him. Little did I realize he had already wrecked it. My beautiful '57 Chevy was dropped off in the middle of the night with a smashed grill, a sagging and broken bumper and a motor that had been run out of oil. My flashy chrome hub caps had been sold to buy fuel for the return trip. My nearly new tires were gone and had been replaced with almost worn out used tires. 

I was livid until the Holy Spirit reminded me of the thought He had dropped into my mind about a year earlier when He had reaffirmed my call into the ministry. So sweetly He had asked if I would be willing to give up the life I lived in order to pursue Him. My answer had been quick and positive in the holiness and sanctity of the moment. In the span of that brief instant I had been made aware my decision to follow Christ would cost me my career in Banking, the girl to whom I was engaged and yes...my beautiful '57 Chevy. 

In short order the dominoes fell and I had resigned the Bank, my girl had broken up with me...but at least I still had my car. Since it was paid for, I thought I must have been mistaken that night in prayer when God had asked if I would be willing to give it ALL up. 

It was only as I surveyed the wreckage of my dream that the still small Voice of God whispered peace into my damaged emotions. 

In the ensuing years, the Lord has always provided reliable transportation, adequate income, a fulfilling career spanning decades of service to the Communities where I have served Him, and a loving wife who has been my constant companion and dearest friend for more than 50 years. 

God's way truly is the wisest way!

Still trusting Him...

Richard Orrell, pastor

His Grace is sufficient!

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)

^9 “Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. ^"

In this world we WILL have trials and tribulations.  The Bible tells us this, but it also says be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.   That said, we do not, and should not, try to fight these battles alone.   Today’s Scripture states that His power works best in weakness; that’s talking about us my friends.  

When we are weak, HE is strong.   I am so thankful that we’re not in this battle alone.  We have a Comforter, Advocate and Great Warrior on our side.  Rather, we’re on His side.  The battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. In Him we are more than conquerors: 

Thank you Jesus for Your Grace to us.

   Love ya, Pastor Phil      

There is no dirtier, more sweaty work on the planet than sandblasting; especially in the extreme heat and humidity of South Florida.

Friends of our family had just completed sandblasting yet another large building and had converted much of their final pay into cash. Their old car was on its last legs and he had promised his wife a new one. She reminded him that she had her heart set on a Cadillac. And on a whim that very afternoon they stopped at the large local dealership just as they were; dusty, dirty, sweaty, but with pockets full of money.

They entered the posh showroom and quickly discovered that some do judge a book by its cover. Awkwardness prevailed as they politely waited for one of the several unengaged sales staff to notice them. Finally, one of the younger staff ventured to ask what they wanted. He could hardly believe his ears when my friend said they were there to buy a car. The salesman attempted to redirect them to the used lot just down the street but they were adamant, they wanted a new one. He inquired if they realized the price range of new Cadillacs. They assured him they had their facts researched and their minds made up. He reluctantly agreed to show them the cars available. And of course, the one they really liked was blocked in by several others. All of them had to be moved to get their choice out so they could drive it.

I don't think the salesman was very happy right then.

He would not allow them to drive the car by themselves even though that was customary in those days. He tagged along, thankful that one's nose burns out quickly!

They drove it several miles, then made their way back to the dealership. My friend having seen the window sticker asked the famous "bottom line" question.

The salesman quoted the figure he knew to be the lowest he could go and then with a smirk asked, "...and how did you intend to pay?"

Imagine his shock when my friend answered with an innocent grin, "Why, cash, of course!"

Suddenly, the dealership caught a whiff of hard-earned money. The very ones who had shown little interest in them were now their best friends.

I remember riding in that gorgeous yellow Coupe DeVille snuggled into those delightful cream colored leather seats with a brand new appreciation for the fact that you really dare not attempt to judge any book by its cover. A little interaction with the unfamiliar might just reveal a treasure trove of friendship and loyalty. Sterling qualities of hard work and honesty may be hidden. Godliness and purity could be lurking just beneath the surface of a façade carefully crafted to protect a tender heart.

And aren't we glad God takes time to see our hearts, so hungry for Him?

Have a blessed week as we celebrate God's love and the love He has put into our lives.

Kindly,

Richard Orrell, Lead Pastor

John 14:1 (NLT)

14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

WOW!  The media has been bombarding us with so much disinformation since the election. Many are confused and frightened.

Here’s a word from the Lord for us today.   The Scripture tells us that God is NOT the author of confusion and that He has come to bring us peace and assurance that all is going to be alright.

So my friends “Take a Chill Pill”, don’t trust the media, but put your trust in the Lord! 

He has this!

Love ya, 

Pastor Phil      

Definitions of the word, “love”, are many and varied. But one common thread running through them is that the object of our love becomes the focus of life.

For a small boy a long time ago, love had nothing to do with warm fuzzies. It had everything to do with responsibility. No doubt there were days he didn’t even like his older sister; and would certainly never have confessed love for her. But when she was caught out in the back yard by the old red rooster, he found the courage to grab the pitchfork and skewer the attacking beast before it could rake her with those terrible two inch spurs.  

He quickly learned that deliberation is unnecessary when a loved one is under some threat.  Something rises up in the one who loves and inures him to danger as he defends the one who is the object of his devotion.

Loyalty and devotion seem to have been dropped from our understanding of love. More attention is given to feelings of warmth among individuals than to the bedrock commitments made at some sacred moment between them and God.

Each of our relationships must be founded on personal commitment rather than emotional response. Marriages that last are the ones not dependent on feelings. Friendships that endure are founded on a willingness to be a part of each other’s lives.

Go ahead. Take the risk. Commit yourself: to family, to friendship, to community, to church, to LOVE, to God!

Richard Orrell, Pastor    

Blessings for Obedience

Deuteronomy 28:1  NLT

28 “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world.”

Friday we inaugurated the 45th President of the United States.

Our God-given responsibility is to keep all His commandments, which includes praying for our leadership.   If we straighten up and fly right as a nation—God will exalt our nation and give us favor above all other nations.

Let’s resolve today to pray for and support our new President, Vice President and other elected leaders.

Let’s pray that God returns America to her prior greatness once again, so that God will exalt our nation.

 Love ya,  Pastor Phil      

Rich Reflections

Early on as we were all trying to learn computers we occasionally heard the phrase, “garbage in, garbage out”. Although most of us are definitely not computer programmers we have been around them enough to understand the concept. If the program is not well written only lesser quality performance can be expected. If inaccurate data is keyed into it, the finest retrieval methods can only extract the actual file content.

Life is rather similar; don’t you think? We can expect to get out of life exactly what we put into it. Small     investment, small return. Poor quality building materials, poor quality building. Shoddy relationship building     efforts, shoddy relationships. Well; you get the idea.

So…as we examine our recently turned calendar page do we recognize the same old patterns from the previous year? Perhaps worse, do we find ourselves locked into the same old, same old from many years of our past? Have we already given up on finding meaningful change for our lives?

Come on! We haven’t yet begun to fight! Of course it is a battle!

Most  progress is truly difficult but worth the price. We’ll never lose an ounce unless we become willing to experience the normal human condition of hunger.  Establishing friendships and even deeper relationships requires learning to consider life’s highest privilege: the well-being of that other person. It is high time we each make the supreme effort to apply what we know to be the right way to live. Give it our very best. Do unto others as we would have them do unto us.

Expecting God’s best for you in 2017!

Richard Orrell, Pastor

Love one another this year!

2 John 5  (NLT)

^5 “I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new    commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. ^"

With our 50th Anniversary being Dec. 30th, my mind goes back to when Twila and I met.    It was “Love at first sight”.   It is so great when love comes our way as a gift from God, exciting, natural, powerful and awesome!

Thinking about 2107—  it is not always so easy to love ‘everyone’ as we’re commanded to do, but there it is in His Word, “We should love one another.”

How about if we join in a pledge for 2017?   Let’s work on loving one another in spite of our differences.  God so loved the world, we need to follow His example — my 2017 goal.

Thank you for all your kindness and love shown toward us!  

We Love ya,       Pastor Phil