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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Matthew 18

Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

Being great in the Kingdom is equated to your humility, not your accumulated status or goods. You have to depend on Jesus, the same way a child does on its parents and be teachable as a child is to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. You must be open, caring, obedient and loving as a child is.

The Lost Sheep and Restoration of Broken Relationships

If you leave the 99 sheep and to go after one, then what about the security of the remaining 99? Jesus thinks its worth it for all to be reclaimed. Often we get lost in the multitude than the one who is lost. If someone sins against you, don’t air their dirty laundry on social media or to the whole world. Go to them privately and restore them.

Unlimited Forgiveness

Forgiveness should be limitless and a ready response or course of reaction to an offense. God forgives us so many times. We should be like our Father in Heaven and do the same to others who offend us. Jesus is after our hearts and changing them, so don’t just forgive, but forgive from your heart. Stand up for the injustice of other people as the fellowservants did in verse 31.

Summary

Have childlike faith (1-5)

Believe in the authority you have in Christ (18-20)

Be childlike, not childish (1-5)

Forgive as Christ forgave (22)

The one is as important as the many (12-14)

Be God’s best, don’t worry about petty mess (18)

Do to others as you’d have them do to you (27-30)

Whether big or small, God cares for us all (5)

Through God’s eyes the truth lies (5)

God smiles when you receive His child (5)

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Who Do Men Say That You Are?

In the Bible, the Word of God reads in the book Mark 8:27:

27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?

Mark 8:27

As we look back over our lives, we sometimes think about what kind of life we lived and some of the things we participated in. At some point, we didn’t even care who saw us. But this in turn lead others to sometimes give us names that described our character, however not the true character that we were. That name follows us even today. When you look at where you are today, you wish you hadn’t made those mistakes and now regret every moment.

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1

1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth. 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:1-2

Well, back in the 1700s and 1800s in the United States, there was a saying: “Your word is your bond.” However, that is not the same today. People today will lie right in your face with the most convincing look that a person of honor can have, but underneath are all lies and deceit. In these days some consider it an honor to have what we call a “rep” or reputation; it gives them identity.

As a Child of God, you are something new as Corinthians 5:16-19 says: 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 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; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

In my conclusion I’ll leave you with this:

16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Don’t allow yourself to be drag back into your pass where the things that people tag you with, begin to rear it head again in your life, the word of God tell us to separate yourself from the world.

Romans 14:16-19

Read also:

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
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Matthew Chapter 17

One could imagine that with all the things that happened in chapter 17, the disciples would have considered all they experienced to be nothing short of glorious, other worldly mysteries. We get a glimpse into what it looks like when the Kingdom of Heaven invades Earth with the supernatural powers of that glorious, other worldly place manifesting in their midst in the form of miracles and Jesus’ dazzling transfiguration.

Jesus’ Glorious Transfiguration

The disciples were fearful at this supernatural event when Elijah & Moses, who represent the holiness and deliverance of Jesus, appeared before them as Jesus became a bright, shining light in their presence. Peter’s initial response to make them the three of them tabernacles revealed that he acted in a natural way of thinking. Its a reminder not to go back into your own way of thinking like Peter. This event also shows us not to be fearful when Jesus is near. The fact that 3 disciples Peter, James and John were the only of the 12 chosen is significant. What’s more is that they were all told on strict order from Jesus not to tell anyone of what they’d just experienced until Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.

Unbelief Stops Healing

A father seeks for help for his child, but do we as Jesus disciples have the means to help him? Do we even know we have unbelief in us that would prevent someone from experiencing God healing power? If you allow unbelief to be a part of you how much you prevent Him from working through you. You need to believe but be connected to the Lord to know if you need to pray and fast for certain healings.

The Miracle of the Coin in a Fish’s Mouth

Sometimes we think that we need to defend Jesus when people question His authority, as Peter did when He spoke in the spur of the moment. Yet Jesus, even in this situation, demonstrated humility when He miraculously proved the tribute money for both Himself and Peter.

Summary

Here are a list of things we learned from Matthew Chapter 17:

  1. Unbelief gives you grief (20)
  2. Reveal visions when its time (9)
  3. Following in the footsteps of humility (25-27)
  4. Don’t refuse the rebuke of Christ (7, 20)
  5. Remember what God has done through His Son (2-5)
  6. True prophets will suffer persecution (12)
  7. Jesus’ death and resurrection bring you to perfection (9, 12, 22)
  8. With faith anything is possible (20)
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Delivered but Not Free

What does it mean to be delivered? When used as a verb, delivered means to set free or liberate, also to release or save. In John 8:36 it says, if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

So you might ask the question, if the Word of God declares whom the Son sets free they are free, why do most Christians seem to be so bound? Well, in order to be delivered, you must first be willing to let go of every connection to your old life that is contrary to Jesus Christ of your own free will. Romans 12:2 says be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

That means you need to bring your own body to subjection. Which entails the people you were involved with in the world, whether friend or family, you just can’t be as close as you where. Why you may ask? Well just think. They knew you when you were in the same frame of mind as they are. So as you might have already figured out, the conversations and mind sets would not be conducive to your renewal and transformation of your new way of thinking. Besides, you’re in a process of transition from the old man or old woman to a new way of talking, walking, thinking and living.

The next thing is a saying that is common among the real estate market. Everything is based upon location, location and location when buying a home. Questions are raised about what’s in that area, whether its a good or bad neighborhood, what the resale value of the home would be, what the taxes are like, and many other factors. Well, this is somewhat the same when you start your transition in the life of a true child of Jesus Christ. The places you use to go to; some people call this their old stumping ground. You must remember these are the locations where memories of events happened. So it may not be a good thing for you to go back to those old locations anymore, because all the emotional memories might cause you to have a set back in your transition of having your mind being renewed.

The last, but very important thing is who do you associate with? Like the old saying goes, “it’s the company you keep.” Not letting go of some of the people you have in your life has been one of the major reasons your new life in Jesus Christ has met with a lot of falls or stumbling blocks in your walk. Not to mention emotional discouragement and frustration, plus loss of focus in your walk in Jesus Christ. So until all these distractions in your walk have come under Godly control, it’s better that you stay clear of the pitfalls you know of from the past.

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 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? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Luke 14:26-30


You must remember talk is cheap. To walk costs you a lot but the rewards are great. So lets not just talk it out but walk it out. The reason a lot of Christians are still bound today is because they’re in some ways like Lot’s wife who looked back to bondage instead of looking in front at deliverance. She looked back at what could have been. Even in the Church today so called Christians are reminiscing over what they wish they would or could have done in their lives.

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 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; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:16-19

You have to have a sound mind about this in you heart. There is no looking back.

Philippians 3:8-21
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself

Philippians 3:8-21
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Matthew 16

In this chapter we see the religious leaders demand a sign, Jesus warn His disciples about the religious leaders doctrines, Peter’s divine revelation of who Jesus really is, and Jesus’ prophecies about His death and resurrection. This chapter is chalk full of insights.

The Pharisees & Sadducees Demanding a Sign & Their Hypocrisy

Traditions of men will cause you to forget the teaching you first received. Its a reminder to remember who is with you and what He’s capable of doing. Remember also that you become a living testimony, living for the Lord, not seeking a sign that will allow you time to do what you want to do up until the time the sign if fulfilled.

Peter’s Revelation from the Father

Don’t go off of what other people are saying about. Allow the Father to reveal truths to you like He did with Simon Peter.

Jesus Tells of His Destiny and Resurrection

You have to be very careful about what your motives and intentions are. If you’ve lived your life here on earth under the guise of Christianity but your heart was not really for Jesus, then you will loose your reward in Heaven. Jesus was destined to die for us so it should be our reasonable service to honor Him with our whole lives.

Summary

  1. Don’t wait for a sign wait for the Saviour (1-4)
  2. Keep your eyes on Christ, not on life (26)
  3. You need to be a living testimony (9-12)
  4. Who do men say I am not what they portray I am (13-14)
  5. Don’t allow traditions of men to lead you astray from the way (11-12)
  6. Don’t let your flesh get you caught in that mess (23)
  7. Deny your life for the sake of Christ’s (25)
  8. What’s the motive behind your works (27)
  9. Pick up your cross and follow the Boss (24)
  10. Divine revelation only comes from the God of creation (16-17)
  11. The Church will prevail against the gates of hell (18)
  12. You can never see the truth while mixed in a lie (6-8)