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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What Tool Are You Using in This Walk of Warfare?

Have you ever been in a situation or confrontation with someone or something that you felt so inadequate to handle, to the point that you got flustered enough that you were at the verge of giving up in hopelessness and despair? Maybe even in some cases you fell into a mental traffic jam?

An auto mechanic uses a set of sockets and wrenches and power air devices to assist in fixing cars. A baker needs pots and pans, cups, spoons and kitchen appliance to mix the ingredients to make delicious baked goods. A doctor needs scalpels, syringes and intricate machinery to look at and into the human body to properly diagnose. An electrician need meters and screwdrivers, pliers, electrical tape, and wire to preform the task at hand to it fullest. To resolve a problem in your life, you need the appropriate tool, device and instrumentation for the job, situation, or confrontation, whether physical or spiritual.

Here are six question you need to ask yourself, so that you can ascertain what type of steps that can be taken to be free and healed.

  1. What is the nature of the problem or situation
  2. Who or what is the cause of the situation
  3. Is it personal or an ongoing problem
  4. How long is it been going on
  5. What are your emotional attachments
  6. Do you understand what’s happening and do you truly want to be freed and delivered?

If we can answer these questions honestly and truthfully we can be on our way to restoration. If we understand who or what is the cause of our dilemma, then we will know what tools are needed to resolve that issue. As a son or daughters of Jesus Christ, the Word of God encourages us in Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

Know this, before you can put on the whole armor, you first have to know what the armor is, where the armor is and how to use the armor.

As we look in the book of 2 Corinthians 10:3-7, it reads, “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. “

Philippians 1:20-24 says, “20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

Jesus needs as many of us to carry His love and will for all of mankind no matter who or what their lifestyle consists of, because we must remember we were all in sin and lived accordingly to its laws. But now those who are new creatures are no longer held captive to their sin nature, but are renewed into Jesus Christ’s Heart and into a new life in him.

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Wasting Your Life and Time Will Leave You in a Confused State of Mind

Here we are again Saints, caught in the midst of our time consuming and confusing selfish lives. Not so much as loving each other, but loving the world and pleasing people of this life over the people of Jesus Christ, who are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some saints, and I’m not pointing at anyone in particular, stick closer to the worldly lifestyle along with individuals who are involved with the worldly lifestyle, loving it, thinking it’s ok in Christ’s eyes. In some cases, they even treat their brothers and sisters in Christ with a negative and jealous emotion just as the world does the Saints.

Most people in the Church spend their time trying to reach the same goals in life as the world sees fit, trying to please the mind and heart of society. But only to slowly be subdued into a false sense of security about this world and what it has to offer them while they’re being ever slowly drawn away from the Word of God and His will for their lives in Him.

1 Peter 4:1-12 says: 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

All of us must understand that Satan that Devil of deception, is trying to delay you from reaching and completing the will that Jesus Christ has for your life upon this Earth.

John 14:15 says: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21 says: 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23-24 says: 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

People of God who know Him and those who still don’t know Him, we don’t have much more time. Some of you may die at anytime so don’t say I’m not ready yet.

Ephesians 5:15-16 says: 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. In the Bible reads this And whatever ye do , do it heartily, as to the lord, and not to men.

In My conclusion: In the book of Hebrews 3:12-15 it reads: 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

In Jesus name, it is so!

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Looking Back Over Your Life in Retrospect

Sometimes in our minds we occasionally tend to reflect back over them. For some, they reminisce. For others, they regret. As we look back, all the thoughts and the emotions that where attached come rushing back as fresh as though they’d just happened. The average person has or will go through this type of event in their life. These events usually come out of two critical factors in your life which stems from 1) not forgiving all the individuals involved or the situation that causes it and 2) not forgiving yourself for being involved in that situation and what hurtful things you may have said as a result.

In some cases even when we have given our lives over to Christ, some of us still suffer from those two factors. If we don’t realize it in time, those two factors will drag us back into bondage, even if the Lord Jesus has set us free.

Matthew 6:14-15 reads:
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.


2 Corinthians 5:17-18 reads:
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;


Guilt and regret have caused a lot of people in the Church and in the world to make some of the worse decisions in their life, even decisions that resulted in death. While some people try to move past these events, somehow they say they just can’t let go.

In Philippians 3:13-14 reads:
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.

You can’t keep trying to go forward in life when continuously looking back at what has transpired in your past. You have to forgive yourself and grow from that situation or event so you can allow Jesus to release your future. If you don’t forgive yourself and that whole situation, then you will be caught in a loop of reliving the pains of your past, thus your future will be your past. A song writer wrote a song with this lyric: “you better to let it go, looks like another (love) T.K.O.

Luke 9:62 reads:
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.


Ephesians 4:17-27 reads:
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 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.

Selah !

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Matthew 28

The Resurrection of Jesus

What a wonder that women, those who were typically diminished in the then known culture, were the first to witness the unprecedented events leading up to finding out that Jesus was resurrected! Heaven’s realm crashes into the natural realm as the two Marys’ hear an Angel’s heavenly proclamation of the risen Jesus. The supernatural is awakening into the natural, shifting things.

Jesus was already risen before the Angel rolled away the stone. Remember when He appeared before the disciples who were inside their home with the doors locked (John 20:19-22)? Jesus may have walked right through the stone walls of the sepulcher.

However so, these women were privileged to hear the angelic proclamation that the King of Majestic Glory had indeed risen from the dead. Then the Angel of the Lord told them to go and tell the other disciples. The Angel also quoted Jesus from Matthew 26:31-32 when He said that after He was killed, He’d rise again and meet them in Galilee. The women hastened to go to the disciples, and on the way, Jesus appeared to the women! Glory! What a beautiful exchange they shared. The women were obedient to the Angels words, and on their way were met with a glorious surprise. Its a reminder of listening to the Word of the Lord with expectancy and readiness to do His will. Many are record to have seen Jesus: Paul on the road to Damascus and after his Damascus road experience (Acts 22:16-21, 23:1, 26:16), and many saw Him when He was with His disciples for 40 days (Acts 1:3).

Testimony of Guards at the Sepulcher

The Religious leaders went through such great lengths to cover up Jesus’ resurrection by bribing the guards who watched over Jesus tomb. The guards had experienced the earth quake as the Angel of the Lord came from heaven, rolling away the stone and then sitting atop it! No doubt these guards heard the Angel speak to the women. Yet when the guards told the chief priests and religious leaders about their 1st hand experience, the chief priests and religious leaders instead wanted them to spread false information about what had happened and for added incentive, they bribed the guards with money. Because of this bribe, the guards spread a false report that the disciples stole His body away. The scripture is true when it says the love of money is the root of evil (1 Timoty 6:10). Some who heard this falsehood were persuaded by its lie.

The Disciples Meet the Resurrected Jesus

When the disciples were able to see Jesus, they worshiped Him, but many of them doubted. Blessed are those who haven’t seen Him and still believe, yet they saw Him. We may not see Him in the physical, but He will reveal Himself to us in ways that are plain. Its just a matter of us growing in our discernment.

Commissioning His disciples, Jesus sent them out. He was sent by the Father to fulfill His course, and now having been given all authority by the Father He sends out the disciples and commissions them. Jesus says that they should go into the nations and baptism people. We know baptism is powerful to someone who has repented, because it is the means by which a soul is resurrected from spiritual death into the the life giving Spirit, Holy Ghost, Who makes them new creatures. Baptism also naturally leads to teaching and discipleship.

Summary

  1. Be obedient
  2. Never doubt what God is about
  3. Being aware of Holy Ghost in you
  4. He will move in your tomb if you let him
  5. Expect the unexpected
  6. Don’t deny the undeniable
  7. Be fruitful and disciple
  8. Open your eyes to see what lies
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Matthew 27

Judas Betray Jesus

Judas repents of his betrayal toward Jesus. Yet overcome with grief and regret, sadly Judas commits suicide. When someone wants to take their life, thoughts of negativity and evil wrap around their souls, shrouding the beauty they were created to emanate: the image of the living God. We are image bearers of the living God and He as our loving Father, is quick to forgive us of any offense if we come to Him with true repentance. One has to wonder if Judas would have known this, he could have been healed, heart and soul, so as not to take his own life.

What we think of ourselves has great power in determining how we treat ourselves. Negative thoughts and no good notions aid in weakening our resolve for all that our souls were created to receive: everything good, Godly and peaceful. Words have the power to kill and issue forth life, so be careful at how you view yourself and how you speak to others.

Jesus, Humble to the End

Jesus is self-less, even toward those who had such hatred toward Him to go so far as to want Him dead. Though the religious leaders interrogated Him bringing up false accusations, Jesus didn’t answer them, but he did respond to Pontius Pilate. Yet even with Pilate, Jesus was self-less and gave no defense of Himself against the charges of the religious leaders. Even the crowds were filled with bitter rage to see Jesus dead as they exclaimed, “His blood be on us and our children.” Its a reminder of how its best not to defend yourself against those who accuse you, but think what is good about them and pray for those that spitefully use you, as God Himself will be your defender. Love endures all things, and Jesus’ love was beyond intellectual understanding, for the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all and He demonstrated it by sacrificing His life for His accusers and all of humanity.

Jesus Condemned to Death

Jesus was humiliated being stripped of His clothes, having a crown of thorns placed on His head, ridiculed, mocked, spat upon, hit over the head with a reed staff, which no doubt lodged the crown of thorns into His temples, beaten with leather straps which were embedded with sharp pieces of metal; When one ponders the passion of Jesus, the agony He endured, the shame He withstood, the eminence pain He felt, one can’t help but feel His suffering love for all of humanity. Love is as strong as the finality of death and will compel even the most selfish of us to open our hearts and consider others around us, as this was the Mind of Christ Jesus. Love, Paul says, is what all of us should posses as our foundation, for without it, the gifts and work of God will be meaningless offerings that have no value to Him.

Jesus endured so much for us having been nailed to the cross. His hands and feet pierced in pain all for the sake of His undying love…for us. It pleased the Lord to bruise Him (Isaiah 53:10), for the sake of baring the sin of many (Isaiah 53:12), for He came to Earth to be the salvation for all of humanity. As He hung there, He was offered a mild painkiller, a drink of wine mixed with gall, yet Jesus denied it. It’s a testament to His deep feelings toward us to endure the pain for the sake of us.

The Death of the Saviour

Jesus gave up His life and died. While He lived, often supernaturally He raised people from the dead. Now, because of His death many supernaturally were raised from the dead and walked among the living. The beauty in His pain of death was that His life brought forth more life to others; its what He came to do, bring abundant life. Those who tormented and crucified Him, after the earthquake realized the gravity of who He was: Truly the Son of God.

Devoted Disciples Bury Jesus

Joseph of Arimathaea was another devoted disciple to Jesus to take His precious body, clean it up and give Him a proper resting place. What an honor of great care. Mary Magdalene and Mary of James and Jacob and the mother of Zebedee were other devoted disciples of Jesus and were said to have ministered to Him in His Earthly ministry.

Guard Over His Tomb

The Pharisees and chief priests stuck with their unbelief to the end by having Roman guards stand outside of Jesus tomb, for they heard Him say He would be raised from the dead after 3 days. However so, they must have had an inkling that Jesus words about His resurrection were true, had they not, they would not have had guards to stand near His tomb.

Summary

  1. A hardened heart can’t hear the truth
  2. Be ready to be used like Joseph of Arimathaea
  3. Never underestimate the power of God
  4. Pay attention to your dreams
  5. The price He paid is still active today
  6. Minister to Jesus needs
  7. Jesus death gives us life
  8. Power of Jesus’ immeasurable love
  9. Don’t diminish our loss at the cross or your soul will be lost