All posts by AOCM

My name is Pastor Tony Catron I graduate from K.S.U. with a degree in electronic/electrical engineering. While doing that I became a Junior Deacon and also a musician in my dad's ministry in Cleveland, Ohio. Years later, my career took me to Michigan where I worked as a Electrical/Electronic Engineer. While in Michigan I became a Minister, then later went to Seminary training at Birmingham Bible Institute and became an Elder at a large Pentecostal church in Michigan called LLCC. I was called to the ministry by God. So I headed up an outreach ministry based on the End Times, dealing with restoration in people lives. Then my dad called me back to Ohio to help him Pastor his church. During that time, God changed my outreach ministry, turning it into a full-time restoration ministry. He gave me the name Ark of Covenant Ministries and the rest is history.
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Mark 1

The Gospels aren’t just stories for you to read, but blueprints for you to follow. The Gospel of Mark has its own flavor that leads us into the understanding of the Son of God, Jesus the Anointed, promised Messiah.

Mark gives us a picture of the servant-hood of Jesus, doing the acts that were destined for Him from His Father who sent Him.

Throughout this first chapter, we see characteristics of what a servant should be, the importance of being obedient to God, the significance of walking in the authority of the One who sent you. A servant loves their master and the masters wish is their command although in a true and healthy master to servant relationship, the servant has free will.

The Wonderful News

Mark doesn’t start his gospel off with a lengthy introduction but rather goes straight to the heart of what Jesus came to do: bring salvation. This is the wonderful news about Jesus! Mark speaks immediately of John the Baptist who was prophesied to come by Isaiah. John was dressed very simply. He didn’t look like “a prophet,” dressed in the prestigious garb of the day. We can’t determine if someone is qualified by the way they look, and those who came to him to be baptized didn’t judge him as such, but listened with intention to his message and repented of their sins.

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

Jesus was baptized by John, although not to remove sins, as He was sinless, but as a testament to the death of the flesh, to rely completely on the “Spirit-dove,” that fell upon Him. The Spirit compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness to fast for 40 days to be tested by Satan and He was met by wild beasts but Angels attended to Him. Its a reminder that we will endure trials just as the Son of God did. As soon as we get on the right path to God, Satan rears his head. Yet, God will surround us, even with angelic activity, to protect us.

Satan thought that the Son of God, perceived as a mere human, could easily have been tempted by human, fleshly weaknesses. The desperation of hunger and the desire for power Satan thought he could tempt Jesus on, but Jesus overcame by the Word of God.

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him

Jesus, immediately after His testing, went and taught about the Gospel in the region of Galilee, preaching repentance as access to the Kingdom of God. Jesus taught with authority. Think of a subject you’ve heard taught by two different people. One may have compelled you in a different way the other teacher did not, simply because of the authority and authenticity they carried.

Jesus also immediately called His disciples, Andrew, Simon, James and John. Immediately, they left their fishing endeavors and followed Jesus. How amazing that Jesus, unknown to them, by His very presence and authority would compel these perfect strangers to follow Him.

Jesus Casts out a Demon

Jesus authority was apparent when He taught. His words held such authority that as he spoke, unclean spirits within people listening to Him manifested in fear! It is sad because those who were suppose to fear Him didn’t, but those who you wouldn’t think to fear Him actually do. Jesus simply and shortly silenced these demons. There was no yelling or tarrying when He cast the demons out. They came out quickly. The people were astonished and instead of embracing this truth from Jesus, they constantly questioned it. They didn’t realize to what degree of a false reality they lived in.

Jesus Heals Many

Jesus healing Simon’s mother was very simple. He just touched her and she was healed. His fame spread because of His miracles, casting out demons and healing others. We need to see Jesus and take tips from Him. He was tempted, tried by Satan, over came, and was ministering to others with simple faith in His identity.

Jesus values the secret place of prayer with His Father, for he went away before the sun was even up to be alone. Jesus is always going against the grain of societal norms, having touched an untouchable leper. He had great compassion on his condition that He physically touched him to heal him. Jesus was discreet by telling the leaper not to tell anyone, but His ministry was nothing but discreet because many people flocked around Him.

Sickness is a part of the human condition which entered into our humanity because of the curse of sin. Jesus has come to break the curse of sin by healing everyone who was sick and oppressed by demons.

Jesus preached and healed and performed miracles in tandem. He didn’t do one without the other.

Summary

  1. The Holy Ghost will lead through the wilderness
  2. Preach and heal wherever you go
  3. Jesus is the blueprint
  4. Let Christ rewrite your life
  5. The light in you will uncover darkness
  6. Be alone with God in prayer
  7. Always be available to be used by God
  8. Walk in Holy Ghost authority
  9. Know where to get your healing
  10. Holy Ghost in you will always profess the truth
  11. Key characteristics of a servant
  12. Importance of obedience to God
  13. Walk in the authority you’ve been given
  14. Jesus as supreme authority over all things
  15. Apostleship and servant-hood go hand in hand
  16. Servitude carries not attitude
  17. Follow Christ without delay
  18. Servants must have compassion

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You Need to Shut the Noise up in Your Mind and Heart

Have you ever had your mind or heart so full and overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions that your heart and mind could not focus on anything else but those memories and emotions? In some situations your mind was so locked up, that you couldn’t think or even sleep and sometimes wouldn’t eat properly. A lot of us have done the “miss direct.” You know the the one where you are staring right in the direction of some person, completely zoned out until you here these words: “do I know you?” or “why are you staring at me?” How about this: has anybody ever had something bother them so much that they got into their car, started to drive and while they were driving they came to themselves wondering when they’d even gotten into the car and for what reason? What about accusing someone of something, that came from a dream?

The problem of every human being in the Church, around the Church and in the world, is that our minds and hearts are so preoccupied with things from our past, things of the present, and possibly even our future. So much so that we will not get an understanding of who we are, what we are, and where we are. We will never know where we are going.

So lets look at where we are now in life; our existence in life calculated by three things: Past, present, and future. Past+present+future = Existence. Philippians 3:13-14 says, 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

So if any one of these processes is not met, there cannot be any growth in the mental, the spiritual or the physical. Let’s give an example: Lets say that more of a past situation has gained the majority of your mind, heart or both. Then your past, from the past, has already occupied your past fully, and it also has occupied your present which means you don’t have a present now because it has become you past. Lets try to calculate that. Past+Past+Past = No Existence. To know where you’re from (Past) and to know who you are, (Present) is to know where you are headed (Future) = existence. So to be preoccupied with the things of your past and not to be aware of the present and pertinent things in your life, there will be no growth in you. That means that you will become stagnant in your life, and that will cause you to have no future.

Mark 4:19 reads, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. One of the things that the people of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ suffer with is this: they don’t know how to let the desires of this life or the world go! They’re trapped in the mindset of having their cake and eating it too, as the old adage states. However, the Word says in 1 John 2:15-17 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

We must not allow anything, any mindset or anyone to confuse our heart or mind to turn us away from Jesus Christ, and if you don’t know you better ask somebody. Colossians 3:1-2 says, 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Also Isaiah 26:3-4 reads, 3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Finally, Hebrews 12:1 says, lay aside every weight that so easily beset us.

It is so!

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Which Button Do I Press in Life, Play, Pause, Stop, Forward, Rewind, Record

Have you ever wondered what your life would had been like, if only you had pressed the button? You all are probably thinking, “what button is he talking about?” Lets pause and press rewind to about 5 years ago. Now press stop at this point in your life. What were you doing? Sometimes we try to put things, as some would say, to the back of our minds, or some place in our minds where we don’t have to see it or face it anymore. By doing this, we will feel better about the situation and our part in it. Does it ever work? NO. In most cases, the individual starts having flash backs that cause them to have dreams or nightmares relating to that situation. Sometimes people think that if they just continue on in their lives, things will work themselves out. How many of you ever said those same words? As humans we have a strong emotional tie to things, events and situations in our lives. It’s seem as though we’re continually pressing or holding down the rewind/instant replay button. Some of us are living our lives on instant replay, just like the sports games we watch. Let’s see what the Word of God says about this.

Proverbs 23:4-7 says

4 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. 5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee;but his heart is not with thee.

Here are four major questions you need to ask before you press play in your life:

  1. Do you like being where you are now in life?
  2. Has your life turned around for the better since you’ve been in control?
  3. Have you forgiven yourself yet?
  4. Do you know now where you are in you natural and spiritual mind?

If you answered “NO” to any of these questions, it’s time for you to be restored. Proverbs 3:5-10 reads: 

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

If you don’t resolve any of your issues in your life now, they will surely rise up somewhere in your future at an unexpected moment with all the emotions attached. If it’s dealing with a relationship, it will always show up in the next one. If its job related it will always show in the next job. If its concerning your finances it will show up in dealing with your income, or in trust, or with men and women. How about dealing with self-confidence, fear, or even anger? Romans 12:1-3 says:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

In my conclusion read the following verses. Ephesians 4:25-29 says 

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Also read Matthew 5:37: 

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Colossians 4:6 says: 

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. in jesus name it is so.

Week of February 23

The Prayer

Lord,

May we pray unto you in the way in which you have taught us. May we utilize the template you have provided instead of trying to create our own. Allow the words of this prayer to infiltrate our every thought and action. We need you desperately in every area of out lives. Have your way in the lives of those reading this prayer. In Jesus Name Amen.

The Scriptures

Matthew 6:9-13

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The Prayer

We pray for your will to be done on earth during these trying times There is death surrounding us, yet we serve a Living, Great, and Powerful God. Lord, give us what we lack strengthen our belief in your abilities for we know that you are real. Deliver us Lord from all that is unlike you, for we have become too comfortable. May we receive a renewed sense of Awe for you. We give you all the praise Lord for you are worthy of all praise. Lord this world needs you desperately. May we pray without ceasing for those dealing with the onslaught of locusts, the spreading of the coronavirus, and natural disasters that have never been seen in this magnitude. Yet and still we trust you oh God to deliver and save all those who believe in your name. May your mighty protection surround all those struggling and searching for you. In Jesus Name May your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen

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When Is Enough, Enough in Your Life, and Where Can Christ Fit In?

Have you ever been in a place in your life that you were tired of doing you? Have you ever noticed or saw a side of you that brought an epiphany to you? That made you really aware for the first time of what kind of person you really are which sent you immediately into denial mode? After that you start going into to excuses and justifications, just like the Pharisee and the Publicans. Do you remember that scene in scripture with the Publican and the sinner praying in Luke 18:10-14?

“10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”

When is enough is enough? A person that denies the real truth about themselves, who and what they really are, is setting themselves up for annihilation; not restoration. The first step in restoring is to deconstruct the way you use to be, down the the foundation first, before you can reconstruct. When you reconstruction, do so with the true foundation which is totally Jesus Christ as the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

“10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

The Word of God also states that we are to be transformed by the renewing of your mind in Romans 12:2-4, “2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:”

You have to remember that we are no more children, as stated in Ephesians 4:14-15, “14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

During this time of reconstruction, you will encounter stumbling blocks during the process, but he who has began a new work in you will see it to the end, so never give up and never surrender. In the end time, people will begin lusting after the flesh as it reads in the book of 2 Timothy 3:1-7, “1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

In my conclusion, take this for thought from Proverbs 14:2-13, “2 He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him. 3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. 4 Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox. 5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 6 A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. 10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. 11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. 12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.”