Bethel Temple Church: Recent Episodes
Bethel Temple Church
Here at Bethel Temple Church our desire is to see people changed, delivered, and set free as they experience the light of Jesus. We are a dynamic multi-ethnic, multi-generational church led by Pastor Charles and Lori Ricks.
When it comes to this world in which we live, there is only One Owner, and that is The One and Only Sovereign God. He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth and It All Belongs to Him!
What are some ways that we can guard our hearts? Join us as Pastor Ron Deberry expounds on the ways that we can guard our hearts in Christ Jesus.
Being AVAILABLE to God's voice and calling will allow you to be able to do whatever He has called you to be. Join us for the conclusion of the AVAILABLE series.
Join us for our series, Available. Being available is a God Thing! Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share!
Join us for Part 5 of our series, AVAILABLE. Today, we learn how to say Yes with immediate readiness.
The Holy Spirit is Our Power Source, and He is the One who empowers the ABLE in Our AVAILABLE.
The Holy Spirit is Our Power Source, and He is the One who Empowers the ABLE in Our AVAILABLE.
The Holy Spirit is Our Power Source, and He is the One who Empowers the ABLE in Our AVAILABLE.
When Man’s “AVAIL” is infused with the “ABLE” of God it produces an ABILITY that is Supernatural. Because it is God who possesses All Power in Heaven and in Earth.
We are God’s workmanship
We are created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared beforehand
We are to walk in these good works
Our AVAILABILITY encompasses Our Purpose, Our Abilities, and Our Service in God’s Kingdom. As we learned last week, being AVAILABLE means that we are “Ready for Immediate Use.”
It’s important that we understand that God is not merely looking for Ability. God is looking for Our AVAILABILITY!
The Gift of Christ to us is a testament to the magnitude of God's Love For Us. God sacrificed the most precious for the sake of the most undeserving.
Biblical definition of joy:
"a celebratory acknowledgement of the benefits received with being in covenant with God whether it be Old Testament people or New Testament people..."
When we face problems, our natural reaction is often to worry and to try to solve them on our own. We may lose sleep, become anxious, or even fall into despair. But the Bible tells us that there is a better way.How do we pursue God's peace in the midst of our problems?In this week's sermon, let’s tackle this question together.
The reality is--no matter what you might Hope to find beautifully wrapped under the tree on Christmas morning--one of the most incredible gifts any one of us could receive is the Gift of HOPE itself.
This Call of God upon our life is not by “Happenstance or by Accident.” But The Call is a part of God’s “Predestined Plan.”
We have been Anchored for Destiny.
Faith Without Works is Dead!
Too often we are lured into thinkingthat because the situation is The Way It Has Been, that is TheWay It Will Continue to Be. But that’s Not what Faith Is!
Faith is not accepting “What Is” but believing for “What Can Be.”
Spiritual Storm Preparedness:1. Studying the Word of God2. Consistent Prayer Life3. Praise and Worship4. Building Up Faith
Prayer is conversation with God in praise, thanksgiving, or intercession. In prayer, we address God with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.
What happens when we are Anchored in Prayer?We Pray With Purpose.We Learn Patience.We Receive A Better Revelation Of Jesus
Truth Reveals.Truth Transforms.Truth Loves.“Truth without love is brutality, and love without truth is hypocrisy. (Warren W. Wiersbe)
Our Hope—Jesus—has Already Overcome the World! Because of that, Our Souls can remain secure because we are Anchored in The Lord.
The first Principle for Sharing the Gospel is You Must Talk to God Before You Talk to Others.The next Principle for Sharing the Gospel that Paul gives is You Must Walk the Walk Before You Talk the Talk.
The final Principle for Sharing the Gospel which is You Must Talk the Talk Graciously.
We must understand that God hasn’t Called Us because of Who We Are, but because of Who He Is. And “Who” He is, is Holy. And each of us has been extended a Personal Divine Invitation (Calling) from God to Live Holy.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
To be Ruled by the Flesh means we open ourselves up to Weakness, that leads to Temptation, that leads to Sin, that results in DEATH.
The Spirit of Life Empowers us and gives New Spiritual Life now and promises New Life on that Great Day when Jesus Returns.
With the help of the Lord, you can Stand in the Gap! You can Show Up, You Can Speak Up and You Can Stand Up.
Justification removes the Guilt of Sin and makes you ALIVE, Sanctification removes the Power of Sin and helps you Stay ALIVE.
So, what does it take to Stay Alive and FREE?
How do you stay free? Don’t allow yourself to get tied up in bondage again. But How do you do that?
...Give Yourself Permission to Believe...Give Yourself Permission to Follow Your Heart...Give Yourself Permission to Submit...
What walls come down when we recognize the victory we have in Jesus over addiction, broken relationships, disease and illness?
What about our lives as Christians reveal that we've been made alive in Christ Jesus? What changes occur in our outlook and our actions? Listen to this sermon for Pastor Ron's insights on how the fruit of the Spirit evidences change in our lives.
What is honor? And how do we show it to each other and those placed over us? Listen to this sermon with Pastor Seagear’s insights on how honor impacts the very foundation of our lives.
Oftentimes, we place values and expectations on God based on what we want Him to be...but do you recognize Him from His stated Word? This Palm Sunday, we explored an understanding of Jesus as the unexpected King and delved into what that means for us as Christians today.
AWAKENED NOW!
AWAKENED to the CALL!
AWAKENED and GOT DRESSED!
AWAKENED to REPENTANCE!
AWAKENED to the GIFTS!
AWAKENED to LOVE!
AWAKENED to POWER!
AWAKENED to A SOUND MIND!
For God has not given us a Spirit of Fear, but of Power and of Love and of a Sound Mind.
--2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
How do we Awaken to the Power of the Holy Spirit? First, you have to Conquer Fear.
Awakening to Power Requires Obedience.
The Miraculous is Birthed in an Atmosphere of Hunger for Jesus.
LOVE is the foundation from which everything else is established.
Love Compels.
Love Gives.
Love Costs.
God is the Giver of the Gifts.
EVERY Believer has been Given a Gift.
Every Spiritual Gift was given on purpose for a purpose.
Take Off Your Night Clothes.
Romans 13:12 NKJV
12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
Put On The Armor of Light.
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Put On The Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:5-7 NKJV
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Now is the time to Wake Up and Get Dressed!
First, we have to Put Off the Works of Darkness.
Put On The Armor of Light.
Put On The Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Recognize the Voice of God.
The Call of God is Persistent.
The Call May Be A Still Small Voice
Position Yourself for Availability.
Position Yourself in Humility.
Awakening to the Call Requires Response.
There is a Call to SHINE.
Get ready for the New. The Holy Spirit is willing. He is able. And He stands ready to Awaken Us NOW!
The Lord is calling us away from dependency on being “Revived” to being “AWAKENED.”
Romans 13:11-14 NKJV
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
God Generously Gives us Spiritual Gifts for the Purpose of Building Up His Body for Kingdom Service.
Spiritual Gifts are Given for Kingdom Service not Personal Benefit. Their purpose is: to promote the common good of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthian 12:7), to build up the Church (1 Corinthians 14:12) and to prepare each of us for works of service (Ephesians 4:12-13).
God Generously Gives us Spiritual Gifts for the Purpose of Building Up His Body for Kingdom Service.
Spiritual Gifts are Given for Kingdom Service not Personal Benefit.
Their purpose is: to promote the common good of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthian 12:7), to build up the Church (1 Corinthians 14:12) and to prepare each of us for works of service (Ephesians 4:12-13).
It is the Holy Spirit that Empowers Us to Live Victorious over the Flesh.
Romans 8:12-13 NKJV Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
The Holy Spirit Empowers for Victory Over the Flesh. To Be Ruled By the Flesh: A Vicious Cycle that Leads to DEATH. To Be Ruled By the Holy Spirit: A Virtuous Cycle that Leads to LIFE.
The Holy Spirit is —Our Teacher
The Holy Spirit Teaches Us Truth To Protect Us From Lies.
The Holy Spirit Teaches What Jesus Taught.
The Holy Spirit Teaches Us to Glorify Christ.
...you can’t perform Kingdom Work with Human Strength. We need Kingdom Power to perform Kingdom Work.
The Holy Spirit is Our Helper.
The Holy Spirit Sanctifies Us.
The Power of the Holy Spirit Convicts of Sin.
It takes Kingdom Power to perform Kingdom Work.
The Kingdom Power that we need is available to us through the Gift of the Holy Spirit. With the Holy Spirit, we are Empowered to be Christ’s Ambassadors, and we are filled with the Power needed for life and for service.
The Word of God Provides Comfort to Those Who Mourn.
The Word of God Comforts by Giving Beauty for Ashes.
The Word of God Comforts by Giving the Oil of Joy for Mourning.
The Word of God Comforts by Giving the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness.
Principle #1- The Word of God is Infallible.
Principle #2- The Word of God Gives Wisdom and Knowledge.
Principle #3- The Word of God is Living and Powerful.
Principle #4- The Word of God Increases Faith.
Principle #5- The Word of God has the Power to Heal.
Authority Principle #1: The Word of God is Infallible.
Authority Principle #2: The Word of God is Living and Powerful.
Authority Principle #3: The Word of God Gives Wisdom and Knowledge.
Authority Principle #4: The Word of God Increases Faith.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Luke 9:1-2, 6 NKJV
1Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick…..6So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Luke 17:20-21 New King James Version Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 17:20-21 New King James Version Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 17:20-21 New King James Version Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
On this special edition of the Bethel Temple podcast, we hear from Erich Driscoll and the volunteers that help us support our missionary teams across the globe.
Missions Team member Mae Harris reminds us of what it means to return our reasonable service unto God.
And Dr. Daryl and Martha Jones share updates from around the world as the leaders of the Military Ministry of Cru.
In his sermon, Dr. Daryl imparts his encouragement to the saints in adopting the mindset of Christ towards evangelism.
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:3-5 NKJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Psalm 145:4 (NIV)
"One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts."
**2 Corinthians 8: 11-12
11 "...but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have."
Hope: “To cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or be true.” (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary)
Hope: “A strong and confident expectation; fulfillment of God’s promises.” (Holman Bible Dictionary)
Ephesians 4:14-15 NIV
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
John 4:23-24 NKJV
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Spirit without Truth will lead to a shallow overly emotional experience.
Truth without Spirit will result in a dry passionless experience.
Both are necessary for God Honoring Worship!
Isaiah 60:1-3 NKJV
Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
“We are to be a Lighthouse that sends a Beacon that will lead many out of darkness. To be a fountain where many will come and drink.” (Pastor Charles Ricks – 10/23/16
To be a community of Loving Disciples, experiencing Inspired worship, Growing through discipleship, giving Hope to the hopeless, and sharing the Gospel message of Jesus through Transformational evangelism.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
John 16:33 (NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10 - For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV
8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
The True Vine 15“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
**1 John 1:5-7 (NKJV)
5This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7**But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
"Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
John 14:6 (NKJV)
John 11:25-27
25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
27She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
14“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep." --John 10:14-15, NKJV
Time is considered to be one of man’s most irreplaceable possessions. While we are on this earth, God has made us stewards over many things. Time is one of those areas of stewardship, and the expectation is for us to manage it well. Are you being a good steward of your time?
Popular HGTV shows like, Property Brothers, Love or List it, Flip or Flop, Fixer Upper walk through the lives of homeowners who have become dissatisfied with their current home and seek the help of these decorating gurus to Re-new, Re-form, or Re-novate their existing living space. These experts take what’s less than desirable; messy; ugly; what’s been hanging around for years and no longer has usefulness and give a complete overhaul. That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit wants to do in our lives--to be given Total Control in order to take what’s not desirable; what’s messy; what’s ugly; what’s been lying dormant for years and is no longer useful and He wants to give US a complete overhaul—A Complete Renewing of the Mind!
Several things happen when the altar is broken, and they can be signs that we have lost our first love. The Lord is calling us to return to the altar—the place where we can reconnect with God.
The message of Repentance is an unpopular one. It’s not one of those feel-good messages that make you jump and shout. However, it is a Clarion Call to us so that we may re-align ourselves with His plan so that we can complete the work that He has called us to in these last days.
“Re,” which is a prefix that means, “again; anew.” God has a particular affinity for “R-E” verbs as throughout the Scriptures we find many words that begin with this prefix. Words such as Restore, Redeem, Repent, Rebuild, Revive, Renew, Return, Remind, Repair, Refresh and the list goes on. Whatever you are facing, if you Focus on the circumstances, they will overwhelm and overpower you. However, if you Re-Focus on Jesus even in the midst of the storm, He will not allow you to sink.
“No You Turn,” is a play on words with regard to the “U”. There is Y-O-U, the Individual and “U” the Direction. Up to this point in our series the focus has been on the Y-O-U, the Individual as we have been encouraged to Glance at our past, but to Look toward the future In other words Remember (What happened in the past?), Reflect (What lesson did you learn?), Refocus (What is ahead in the future?). As it relates to Direction, there are two secrets to success: Turn to the Sovereign God, and Turn Away From Worthless Idols.
When we consider the words, “No You Turn,” there is a contrast between the “old” and the “new,” or “what was” and “what will be.” The original Jacob was known for being a deceiver. The contrasting reference to Jeshurun the upright is an indication that a transformation has taken place. Instead of God seeing His people as Jacob the Deceiver (what was), He is seeing them as Jeshurun the Upright (what will be), thus fulfilling the purpose of their calling.
Our testimony makes us thankful for what the Lord has done in our past. Throughout the Old Testament, we find numerous passages where God reminds his people that He called them, He desired relationship with them, and what He did for them. Reminders serve several purposes: they help us to learn God’s Character; reminders of past victories give encouragement for future victories; they remind us of what He has done, so we can remember who He is. Ultimately, reminders are vital because they help us remember that we were created to declare His glory. In other words…It’s All About the Praise!
Pastor Ron DeBerry, Discipleship Pastor talks about our need for a Factory Reset. We are challenged from 2 Kings 23 to Reset Our Passions, to Be Persistent, and to Pulverize anything in our lives that keeps us from the things of God.
As we go through life we will experience many new seasons; however, each new season is an opportunity for God to do something new. The Prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” To “Behold,” means, “to fix the eyes upon; to see with attention; to observe with care.” Although this is not a word that we use often in our everyday vernacular, it is used over twelve hundred times throughout the Scripture. Behold alerts us to “pay careful attention to what follows.” That was the message of the Lord that the Prophet Isaiah was communicating to the Children of Israel. God has already set into motion a New Direction and a New Purpose for our lives…simply Behold the New!
Every now and again in our walk with Christ, we take a need to take quick glances in the rearview mirror of our lives. It is in those glances that we realize that it is only by the grace of God that we made it through. We are reminded that our faith helped to guide us, and it is also our faith that ensures that we have NO Y-O-U TURNS.
The purpose of a “No U-turn” sign is to prevent illegal turns. Making illegal turns have the potential to create dangerous situations for both drivers and pedestrians alike. We are presented with a similar challenge when faced with unexpected or unplanned situations in life. Such situations can cause us to look back and even romanticize the past. Every now and then, we should take a peek in our rearview mirror in order to see what’s behind so we don’t make a wrong turn, but to truly move forward, we just can’t gaze too long.
We are living in a time where there are many questions. There are questions about what is right or wrong…what we should do or shouldn’t do. Everybody has an opinion and everyone has a voice that is demanding to be heard. The voice that we need to be listening for is the voice of the Lord. The question that we should be asking is, “What Does the Lord Require?” When we do, it forces us to begin searching exactly what that is. We can find the answer in Micah 6:8.
After his resurrection, Jesus commanded his disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the Promise of the Father. The promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost according to Acts 2:3-4. All who were assembled in the Upper Room were filled with the Holy Spirit, they became witnesses to Jesus, people started getting saved, and the Christian Church was born.
Unlike a champion runner who is competing for a personal reward, a believer’s call to action is to win souls. This winning is not about personal recognition, but it’s all about Jesus.
Even though mothers are producers of life, our Heavenly Father created us for His purpose through His Son, Jesus Christ. Many times during seasons of trial, we have a tendency to think that God has changed his mind about us. Our suffering is not always an indication of God’s judgment. The season that we are in may be bitter, but when we trust the fullness of God’s character, it helps us to understand that the purpose of it is to make us better.
In the Maintenance Phase, the goal of the runner is to maintain acceleration and minimize deceleration. In other words, the runner has to summon all of his power and strength to maintain his top-end speed until he reaches the finish line. It is the Holy Spirit that fuels believers and keeps us from fading. It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to run our race victoriously to the finish line.
Most people want to think of themselves as being a “Good Person.” However, being “good” isn’t good enough. Jesus didn’t die to make us good. He died to Reconcile our broken Relationship with the Father and to make us Righteous. In a believer’s Maximum Velocity Phase, we establish our mission more clearly—not only do we GO and preach the Gospel to someone, but it is necessary to preach the Gospel to everyone because everyone has a need for a Savior.
We are living in a unique season in which what was normal is no longer familiar. Our new normal is characterized by fear, frustration, hopelessness, and separation. As a result, many people’s hearts have become tender for the Gospel. In our Drive Phase, our mandate is to PREACH THE GOSPEL.
This week’s message will focus on the last two steps that help us maintain laser focus that’s needed to get set: (4) Keep His Commandments; and (5) Pursue Holiness.
The next phase in the runner’s process is “getting set.”: Although runners are not in a race alone, it is their individual race to run. In the set position, focus is critical as the runner is listening for the starter’s gun in order to explode out of the blocks. This week’s message will focus on three of five steps to get set: (1) Get Your Mind Right; (2) Exercise Self-Control; (3) Hope in Grace.
Before a race begins, there are a few things that a runner must do to get ready. This process parallels to our calling to The Great Commission. The most important part of a race is the start because many times, how we finish can be determined by how we start. To get ready, a runner must do three things: be anchored, rely on power, and get in position.