June 6, 1944 was the day that the Allied armies invaded the territory that was controlled by the tyrant Adolf Hitler! The preparation of invasion had been worked on for years! There was 9 battleships, 23 cruisers, 104 destroyers, and 71 large landing craft of various descriptions as well as troop transports, mine sweepers, and merchant ships, in all, nearly 5,000 ships of every type were used to transport the invasion force. 100,000 troops would be transported in the first wave of the invasion. The last week before "D" Day, the US had a fighting force of 1.75 million men in Great Britain. But the US Military was not the only needed piece in the invasion, the manufacturing might of the US, which was civilian, would out produce the factories of Germany. More than 16 million tons of supplies would be needed to feed and supply US forces and their allies: six and one-quarter pounds of rations per day per man; 137,000 jeeps, trucks, and half-tracks; 4,217 tanks and fully tracked vehicles; 3,500 artillery pieces; 12,000 aircraft; and huge stores of sundries everything from dental amalgam for fillings to chewing gum and candy bars.

The beaches of Normandy became the beachhead for the 2 million plus army of the US, Great Britain, Canada and the underground forces of France. Those beaches were important because through them the needed reinforcements and supplies would be able to land and help continue the advancement of the Allies! The eyes of the world were on that day! We had to get a toehold somehow!

Christmas means different things to different people. To some it is a day of family, friends and food! Others gage the day by the gifts that they receive. But to me Christmas is: Heavens "D" Day!

The plans had been made in eternity (He was to be "lamb slain before the foundation of the world" Rev. 13:8). The creative "Word" logos would become flesh (John 1:1, 3, 14). The One who had created Heaven and Earth would become the Savior of humanity! The One who was rich would be come poor (2 Cor. 8:9).

That is why the eyes of Heaven were on the cradle at Bethlehem!As you read the accounts of the birth of the Lord in the gospels, you will notice the presence of angels throughout the birth. In the Word of God the Birth of the Lord is the event where we see more angels on this earth than any other time in scripture! Angels came to Mary, Joseph (twice), and Zacharias (father of John the Baptist). Shepherds experience a multitude or "great number"(TDNT) of "angels" of the army of heaven (Luke 2:13)! In the New Testament angels are "divine messengers and heavenly representatives" (TDNTA, p. 13)! Heaven is well represented at this birth!

Why is this so important? The birth of the Lord is the start of the invasion, the day the Kingdom of God invaded the Kingdom of Satan! How did it happen? It happened because God came down! The beam of light of heaven pierced the darkness of sin! And darkness no longer held people by fear (Hebrews 2:14-15). Jesus describes the invasion best as he speaks to earthly foes, the Pharisee's:

But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you 11 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. (Luke 11:20 , King James Version)

Jesus came to the house and went in! Whose house was it? The house of Satan! The earth was under the control of Satan! Satan was the God of this world(II Cor. 4:4)! The Prince and power of the air (Eph. 2:2)! Yet Jesus invaded Satan territory! He was stronger so he took the Satan's armour! But not only his armour but his spoils! Satan's spoils was the blind, lame, the deaf, and the dead! Jesus opened the blinded eyes, and unloosed the tongue of the dumb!He destroyed the armour of death and took the keys of death and hell (Rev. 1:18)! But not just the psychically dead but the spiritually dead! He distroyed sin and its controling ability by forgiving our sins and the debt that sin produces. He took our sins, blotted them out and nailed them to the cross (Col. 2:13-15)!

He came uninvited but not unannounced! The army of heaven announced it! They praised God on earth at the Birth of Jesus and then return to heaven (Luke 2:14) watching Jesus constantly and coming to assist Him in His battle to regain lost humanity! They were the reinforcements that should accompany him at high points in his life and ministry: his birth, temptation, passion, and resurrection (Lk. 2:9ff.; Mk. 1:13; Lk. 22:43; Mt. 28:2).

As I listened to the songs of the season I kept hearing the word "angels"!

Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new born king!

Angels we have heard on high

Oh, come all ye faithful Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of Angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

These song writers understood that heaven was watching the birth of our Lord! They placed them in their songs! Why? To help us remember the importance of this event!

The Lord's birth began the invasion and this invasion will end in total victory for Jesus with everything under His feet (Eph. 1:20-23)!

Another Wonderful Grandson!

My wife and I are excited about the new addition to the Wilmoth family! My youngest son, Todd and his wife Courtney have been blessed with a wonderful bundle of joy: Shiloh Michael Wilmoth! He's a cutie! He was 5lbs 11 oz and 18 inches! He was a month early but all is well! This probably means he will be early to church services, school, the job and all appointments the rest of his life! HA!!





We have now five grandchildren (3 boys and 2 girls)! They are all under the age of three! It's going to be exciting at Christmas to see all them anticipating the gifts etc!





But for me, I'm anticipating them receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (with the evidence of speaking in tongues) and being baptized in the name of Jesus! That will be the greatest gift they ever give to me: The joy of having family live for God!

John said it like this:

3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (KJV)

As a parent my children walking in truth is my joy!! In my life I have learned that I want to try and bring about joy for my life! I want to be a parent and grandparent that is not relying on church and it's ministries to be the first line of defense for the salvation of my children. I love the children's and youth ministries of Hope Center but I realize that it is my parental responsibility to train and lead my children and grandchildren! Listen to the words of the the Lord as He speaks to Israel:

Deuteronomy 6:1-7
1Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:

2That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son (Grandchildren), all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.

3Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.

4Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

5And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (KJV)


This instructs us that the parents who call themselves the people of God have a responsibility to teach their children and their grandchildren! In fact he says in verse four: There is no retirement from teaching your families! You must do it all the days of your life!

Father's & Grandfathers: Lead your families into the spiritual things of God! Parents & Grandparents: Let your children and grandchildren have memories of hearing your voice in prayer being lifted up at your home! Let them see parents and grandparents participating in the worship service, giving in the offering, praying in the alters and supporting the Pastor's preaching and teaching by living what the Pastor preaches! Use Godly correction with love and teach them the ways that a One God Apostolic Pentecostal lives (A Spiritual life of prayer, devotion, sacrifice, hunger for restoration of the early church in your local church, separation from the world and it's cultural, and serving others)! Don't lay that responsibly upon the Children's Ministry director, the Youth Pastor, the Pastor or other leaders in the church! Remember: It's your joy that is on the line!

Great Things Have Happened!

Well, it's been a while since I've blogged. I wish I could really say "it's been a while since had the time to blog, but in realty I must say that it hasn't been a priority! The #1 priority of the leader is not to manage others but to manage themselves! That is my main mission!

There's been a lot of things happening that I would like to share with the readers!

The best thing is that individuals have been receiving the Holy Ghost! Here is a picture of a great young man, Aaron Trawick receiving the Holy Ghost at Jr. Youth Camp!
I love this picture! He getting drunk on the Spirit! His sister is praying with him and other young guys! This speaks volumes to each of us! Our youth are not the church of tomorrow but the church of today! We must release them to minister in the present time not the future.

Here's another great event that has just happened at our church! EGroup with over 60 young men! This is a conference for empowering, equipping and encouraging young men to Apostolic ministry! It was as a great time for all! Bro.'s Kevin Bradford, John Shoemake and Myles Young were powerfully used by God! Even though that did not discuss their messages, they went hand in hand! It was great to see young men lying on the floor of our auditorium praying and weeping under a burden to become all they can for God! If you are interested you can go to menseekinggod.com for the Cd's. They will bless you!

Friends are wonderful! Each year my wife and I take a special trip with our friends of over 30 years, Phil and Debbie White! This year we went to Chicago! I'd flown through Chicago but this was the first time to visit! It's a great city! One that I will return to! One of the highlights was a 3 hour Segway tour of the city! The Segway is a blast! I want one! It would be cool to be able to ride around Redlands! If you ever get the opportunity take a spin on a Segway!

There have been many other exciting things going on, more than I can mention! These are just a few! This fall starts another dream of mine, that is, to teach in a accredited college! I've started my first class with Apostolic School of Theology! The subject is Pentecostal History! Please keep me in prayer that I can help potential leaders become great men and women of God!

Character Still Counts in Leaders!

Last Saturday I visited the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA. This was a special treat since it was a Father's Day gift from my oldest son Brandon! Not only was did he provide the tickets and transportation to the Library, he also bought lunch at one of my favorite restaurants in Pasadena, Lebanese Kitchen!

The Library is fabulous! Why? Because of the character of the man who it represents! He was a great American President who was gifted as a public speaker! His humour and wit was renown!

When going the operating table for an assassin attempt, he would ask the doctors: "Are you all Republicans?" The main doctor responded: "Today, Mr. President we're all Republicans"!

He told his wife as soon as he was able to see her after the assassination attempt: "Honey, I forgot to duck"!

It was his desire to put everyone at ease! Everything is going to be alright!

His public speaking would also help motivate the destruction of Communism that was represented by the Berlin Wall. For close to forty years this wall had separated a nation and its people from each other. He would speak the following at the Berlin wall: "Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

What was his character based upon? It was founded upon his belief in God. He spoke the following:

"If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under."

"Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face."

"Without God, democracy will not and cannot long endure."

"We are never defeated unless we give up on God."

"I believe with all my heart that standing up for America means standing up for the God who has so blessed our land. We need God's help to guide our nation through stormy seas. But we can't expect Him to protect America in a crisis if we just leave Him over on the shelf in our day-to-day living."

His belief in God caused him to see the good in man since man is made in the image of God! Listen to what he spoke about man:

"I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there's purpose and worth to each and every life."

Yes, character still counts in Leaders! America needs leaders who believe in God and allow the Word of God to guide their decisions and actions!



Thank you Brandon and Rach for your sacrifice of time and finance in making this a day of remembering what really is important for Leaders! Character!

34 years TOGETHER!

Last week my wife and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary! On June 28,1975 we were married in Modesto California!

This has been the second most important decision that I have ever made (The #1 decision was decision to serve the Lord)! Not only was it an important decision but also the right one! Through the years, our lives have became knitted together, intertwined and inseparable.

How has our marriage been able to stand the test of Time? Each of us have had a great love for God! This has caused us to develop individual prayer lives which are foundational to a great marriage! Remember:

The deeper your relationship with God the richer the love for each other! Why? Because God is Love!

The wise man Solomon stated: Iron sharpeth, iron (Pro. 27:17)!

As you walk with the one who is the very essence of Love you will sharpen your love for others! Your mate will be the main individual who will receive that blessing of Your walk with Love (God)! I thank God for a wonderful wife who walks with God!

What did we do for our 34th? We spent two days with each other, and topped it off with a hot air balloon ride! The one hour ride started near the Pacific ocean at Del Mar and passed over the home of some of the world's richest people in Rancho Santa Fe! An area near San Diego! Bill Gates owns a home there along with others such as the Diet Queen Jenny Craig!

Yet I felt like the richest man in the world! I had a faithful wife by my side and a faithful God nearby!

I gazed at His creation, the sunset on the Pacific Ocean and felt His love! You too, can experience the same! Start a consistent prayer life and let His love impact your decisions!

Congradulations "09" Grads!

Sunday was wonderful as we honored the "09" Grads of Hope Center! Their testimonies were very touching and uplifting! A real blessing to all!

Three young ladies graduated from "REV" High School and one young man graduated from College!







Klarissa Contreras







Alejandra Reyes








Valeri Sartoresi








Andrew Simpson!





We honor them for their perseverance and commitment to excellence! The future is bright for them! Their and your key to a life of success is Joshua 1:8:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

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Remember Hope Center builds Healthy Disciples! To be a Healthy Disciple you need to: Worship, Connect, Serve and Reach! This Saturday is a great time to Serve! Join one of the 7 ministry teams that are raising funds for their ministries at Sylvan Park on July 4th! How can I join? Go to hopecenteronline.com and click on "Sign Up Here" box at the bottom of the page. It will be a great time of fellowship for all!

San Diego "Youth Connect 2009"

Powerful! Life Changing! Challenging! How else can I describe the Service that I have just been in?

It was a great Spiritual Landmark for our youth and myself! God used Bro. Cody Marks to minister in the Holy Ghost and challenge each of us to reach to higher spiritual dimensions! I loved being with our teens and being able to pray a special prayer with each of them! It refreshed my spirit to draw the young guys close, hug and pray for each one! Tears flowed, dedications were made, renewal came to young men who were struggling to believe in themselves! But God let them know that He believes in them! Failure is not final! Get up and reach again! It's going to happen in your life!


But it did not stop there! My wife was able to do the same with our young ladies! They too, let the tears flow and became determined to live a "sold out" life for God!

The trip was filled with times of fun and laughter also! They went to "Old Town" San Diego, Hotel Del on Coronado Island (Some of the girls were a little scared of the Bridge to the Island! It's a little high!) and other sites. After Friday night service there was a lock in with lots of fun and food!

But the highlight for me was the services! Thursday's night message on Prayer is so powerful that we are making that CD available at our church for $3.00 this Sunday AM & PM! Pick one up in the "Book Center" and let it change your prayer life! Join me and let's make our church a powerful church of Prayer!

A Beautiful Granddaughter!

This week a wonderful new addition has been added to our family! Brandon and Rachael have been be blessed by the Lord with a precious daughter: Audrey Lanae Wilmoth! 7lbs 4 oz. and 20 inches long! Not only has our family been blessed but the Kingdom of God has grown!

It's important to understand that our first mission field is our family! Our children and grandchildren must be trained and developed in the ways of the Lord! Each generation has the responsibility to pass on the truth's of the Word of God. These truth's must be focused upon if they are going to continue to lead the people of God! They cannot be become thought of as "old fashioned" neither "out of touch with our world".

What are the truth's that we must pass on? The truth of:

1. "One God"

2. "The necessity of receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues"

3. "Water baptism in the Name of Jesus"

4. "Separation from the World and separation to God"

5. "The importance of Spiritual growth through daily prayer & daily reading of the Word of God"

6. "Proper Christian living"

This list is not exhaustive but a simple 1st step!

Remember:

Proverbs 13:22
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children...

Join me and give your children and grandchildren the most valuable possession you have for an inheritance: The Truth's of the Word of God!

Coming back! Watch out!

It's been a LONG while since I've posted but I'm going to get back at it! We've been in revival with Bro. Jonathan Stringfellow and it's been powerful!

Our Revival will be tonight and Tuesday night! No service Wednesday night! We moved our Wednesday night service this week to Tuesday since it's the last night of the Revival! So make sure that you remember! It promises to be power packed!

Last night was wild! We had fun church! It was a party! Great faith and joy was experienced by all!

Two things to remember:

1. The Father is a party animal! He loves to party! He wants His children to have Joy! He's always got a fatted calf ready, just waiting for someone to return to Him (Luke 15)!

2. "Ain't no party like a Holy Ghost party and a Holy Ghost party don't stop! The party started last night! Let's party on in God! Have a Holy Ghost party today and life will look better!

A Great Weekend!

Well I'm back! I've been busy but that's no excuse. Let's face facts, the blog has not been a priority. It's time for that to change!

The Valentine weekend was a great weekend! I was able to spend time with the main woman in my life, my wife of 33 years! It was special!

Not only was that special but Hope Center was blessed with the ministry of two powerful Apostolic Pentecostals: Bro. Jimmy Shoemake and Sis. Bobbie Shoemake. As the speakers for our annual marriage retreat they were outstanding! Married for over 51 years their wisdom was priceless! Their ministry on Sunday was blessed of the Lord! Both of his message were powerful and her ministry was so fitting leading us into the presence of God!


I've often pondered this question: Where do you go for support for marriage if you do not have a church family?

I asked a friend who is not a minister neither member of our church that question. I asked specifically: where do you receive support for marriage? at your job? from your family? from friends? He stated that working as an EMT specializing as a Air Medic he has much interaction with city fire department along with other medic's and they were is much discussion about marriage but always in a negative sense! That life would be better not being married than having the work and maintenance of marriage!

Just as I thought! In our world there are few institutions that support your marriage! But the church is different! It's teaching and preaching challenge an individual to examine themselves as to their area's of weakness. This action supports you having a wonderful marriage. Why? Marriage should not be about changing your mate but you working on life change in you. Don't work on your mate, work on yourself!

That being said the best marriages should between two children of God! Two people led by the Spirit of God! His Spirit and Word challenging each one to become better! Yes, I glad I've got the church to work on me because as it works on me, my marriage grows and becomes! I love being in the church for it supports my life happiness that comes from being in a wonderful marriage!