Antioch Pentecostal Church

Author: Brad Hall

  • What You Focus On Multiplies in Your Life

    What You Focus On Multiplies in Your Life

    How a simple truck purchase taught me a profound spiritual lesson

    I recently had to get a new truck. Not brand new, but new to me. I was very excited since it was an upgrade to my previous truck.

    My dad gave me a ride to pick up the truck. As he was looking it over, I said, “I haven’t seen any of these trucks around, have you?”

    “No, I haven’t,” he replied, probably wondering whether I got a good deal or not.

    I paid the guy and left the dealership happy with my purchase. A few weeks later, my dad and I were talking on the phone.

    “Man, those trucks are everywhere,” he said. “I didn’t realize it, but there’s a lot of those trucks around.”

    “I’ve been seeing them everywhere too now,” I replied.

    It’s funny how we never notice things until we begin to get our minds on them more and more. We never noticed those trucks before. But once we got our minds on that truck and paid attention to it, we began to see them everywhere. We began to notice them more and more.

    Where Is Your Focus?

    This made me think about something important. If we have our minds on the enemy, we will notice the enemy more and more. We will see the works of the enemy everywhere we look.

    But if we instead begin to get our minds on God, we will begin to see Him more. We begin to see what God is doing in our lives.

    “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

    — Philippians 4:8

    Have you ever worked around someone who constantly complains? They complain about work, complain about their spouse, complain about friends, or complain about anything and everything.

    Now think about the opposite. Have you ever been around someone who is filled with joy?

    The difference is where they put their focus. One focuses on problems, the other on blessings.

    “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

    — Colossians 3:2

    Change Your Focus, Change Your Life

    Just like with those trucks that suddenly appeared everywhere once I bought one, what we focus on multiplies in our awareness.

    If we focus on God’s goodness, we’ll start seeing His hand at work everywhere. If we focus on problems, we’ll find problems everywhere we look.

    “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

    — Proverbs 23:7

    A Simple Challenge

    So today, I challenge you: Where will you set your focus? Will you look for the negative… or for God’s blessings?

    When we train our eyes to see God at work, suddenly He appears everywhere – just like those trucks.

    The choice of what we focus on is ours to make every day. And that choice will determine what fills our vision and, ultimately, our lives.

    May we all choose to focus on “whatsoever things are lovely” today and every day.

  • Finding Hope in Jesus

    Finding Hope in Jesus

    Finding Hope in Jesus

    Hope is essential for life. Without it, we lose our sense of direction and purpose. Many of us place our hope in the wrong things. We put it in our careers, our health, our finances, or even other people. The problem is, all of these things can change—and they will. They’re not solid foundations.

    The Only Unchanging Source of Hope

    There’s only one source of hope that never changes: Jesus Christ. God’s Word says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). An anchor keeps a ship steady during storms. In the same way, hope in Jesus keeps us steady when the storms of life come our way.

    Jesus is our unshakable hope because He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. When you place your hope in Him, you’re building your life on a foundation that can’t be shaken, no matter what happens around you.

    Why Hope Matters

    Hope isn’t just wishful thinking. It’s a confident expectation of God’s goodness. It’s knowing that no matter how hard life gets, God is working behind the scenes for your good and His glory. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

    Hope gives you the strength to keep going when you feel like giving up. It reminds you that your story isn’t over. God is still writing it, and His plans for you are good.

    How to Build Your Hope in Jesus

    Here are three practical ways to anchor your hope in Jesus:

    1. Trust God’s Promises: The Bible is full of promises that remind us of God’s faithfulness. Read them. Memorize them. Hold on to them when life feels uncertain.
    2. Talk to God: Prayer is a conversation with the One who loves you most. When you’re feeling discouraged, tell Him. Ask for His help. He’s always listening.
    3. Stay Connected to God’s People: You weren’t meant to do life alone. Surround yourself with other believers who will encourage you and point you back to Jesus.

    Hope for Today and Forever

    No matter what you’re facing, there is hope. Jesus is with you. He sees you. He cares about you. And He’s inviting you to trust Him with your life. When you place your hope in Him, you’ll discover a peace that doesn’t make sense and a joy that nothing can take away.

    Don’t wait for your circumstances to change. Start building your hope in Jesus today. He is the anchor your soul needs—firm, secure, and unchanging.

    Watch Our Sunday Morning Live Stream

    We’d love for you to join us for our Sunday morning service! Tune in below to watch the live stream. It’s a time to worship, pray, and hear God’s Word together.

    Can’t make it live? Don’t worry! The recording will be available on our YouTube channel after the service. Visit our channel here.

    With love and prayers,

    Your Friend

  • The Gentle Whisper: Understanding the Holy Spirit’s Conviction

    The Gentle Whisper: Understanding the Holy Spirit’s Conviction

    Weekly Devotional – John 16:7-8

    “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

    – John 16:7-8 (KJV)

    In the depths of every believer’s heart, there dwells the Holy Ghost, that divine Comforter promised by our Lord Jesus Christ. Among His most vital ministries to us is that of conviction – or as the King James Version beautifully puts it, “reproof.”

    The Nature of Divine Reproof

    The Scripture declares in Proverbs 3:11-12: “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” This holy conviction is not the condemning voice of the adversary, but the loving correction of our Heavenly Father, administered through the Holy Ghost.

    Three Aspects of the Spirit’s Conviction

    The Lord Jesus outlined three specific areas where the Holy Ghost brings conviction:

    1. Of Sin – “Because they believe not on me” (John 16:9)
    2. Of Righteousness – “Because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more” (John 16:10)
    3. Of Judgment – “Because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:11)

    The Working of the Spirit

    Consider the words of Scripture: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The Holy Ghost uses the Word of God to bring this sharp, precise conviction to our hearts.

    The Proper Response to Conviction

    When the Spirit of God brings conviction, we ought to:

    • Humble ourselves: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6)
    • Confess our sins: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9)
    • Turn from our ways: “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isaiah 55:7)
    • Walk in the Spirit: “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16)

    The Blessed Purpose

    The Scripture declares, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11). The Holy Ghost’s conviction, though sometimes uncomfortable, works in us that peaceable fruit of righteousness.

    Points for Prayerful Meditation:

    • Have you felt the Spirit’s conviction in any area of your life?
    • How do you respond when the Holy Ghost reproves you through the Word?
    • Are there areas where you have resisted His gentle correction?

    A Prayer of Submission

    Our Father in heaven, we thank Thee for the gift of Thy Holy Spirit, who guides and corrects us in the way of righteousness. Grant us hearts that are tender to His conviction and willing to yield to His guidance. Help us to walk in the light as He is in the light, that we might have fellowship one with another, and that the blood of Jesus Christ Thy Son might cleanse us from all sin. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen.

    “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” – Psalm 51:10-11

  • Free Indeed: Living Under God’s Control

    Free Indeed: Living Under God’s Control

    “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” – 1 Corinthians 6:12b (KJV)

    In our walk with Christ, we often hear about the freedom He provides. But what does this freedom really mean? The Apostle Paul gives us a profound insight: while we have liberty in Christ, we shouldn’t allow anything to control us except God Himself.

    Think about your daily life. What occupies your thoughts, time, and energy? It could be work, a hobby, social media, or even good things like ministry activities. While many of these aren’t inherently sinful, they can slowly take control of our lives if we’re not careful.

    True freedom in Christ means living in such a way that God alone directs our paths. It’s about consciously choosing to submit every area of our lives to His lordship. When we do this, we experience the liberating power of living “under God’s control.”

    Today’s Challenge:

    Take a moment to reflect on your life. Is there anything that might be controlling you more than it should? It could be a habit, a relationship, or even an emotion like worry or anger. Identify one area and intentionally surrender it to God today.

    Let’s Pray:

    Heavenly Father, thank You for the freedom You’ve given us in Christ. Help us recognize anything in our lives that may be controlling us more than You. Give us the strength to surrender these areas to You. May we experience the true freedom that comes from being under Your loving control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.