Join us as Pastor Dennis Lacy explores 1 Corinthians 13. Here, we discuss the three Greek words used in the Bible for love: storge, philos, and agape. From there, Pastor Dennis goes into the characteristics of true agape love.

Join us as we learn about stepping out of our comfort zone in our relationship with Christ with guest speaker Andrew Chalmers!

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Nothing Matters More Than Knowing God's Purpose For Your Life And Nothing Can Compensate For Not Knowing It.” - Rick Warren. Elijah knew what his calling was, but yet he was depressed about it - Why? Because... The ultimate purpose in life is not what we do, but who we are doing it for. Elijah wanted to bring glory to himself.
estminster Shorter Catechism:Q: What is the chief end of man?
A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.
“Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory.”
Isaiah 43:7
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31To Glorify God means to Magnify Him like a telescope magnifies an object in space and brings it closer.The reason God looks small is because I'm so far away. Magnifying God doesn't make Him bigger than He is. Magnifying God REVEALS how much bigger He is. If I have a Big God then I have Small Problems. But, if I have a Small God then I have Big Problems. When I magnify God I make Him bigger to the people around me.
When I magnify God I make Him bigger to myself. But, When I magnify God I make myself smaller... and I don't like that. Releasing Wrong Responsibility Reveals God's Glory. I Can't Glorify God And Try To Do His Job. I Try To Do God's Job When I Take Over The Responsibility Of Someone Who Is Falling Down On Their Job. When I Am doing Someone Else's Job Then I Am Living Their Life And Am Unable To Do My Job And Live My Life. So, What IS Your Job?"GOOD TO GREAT"1. Economic
2. Passion.
3. What can you do better than anyone else.
THREE CIRCLES OF GOD'S GLORY:
1. Stewardship
2. Passion
3. Revelation.
Elijah 8 Miracles - Elisha 16 Miracles
2 Kings- Hazael king over Aram; and Jehu king over IsraelWhat Wrong Responsibility Do I Have?
In What Way Am I Attempting To Do God's Job or Someone Else's Job?

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Elijah Got Back Up Through Releasing Responsibility To God.

1 Kings 19:9-18 (NASB77)

***Then he came there to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11So He said, “Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13And it came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14Then he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

15And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus, and when you have arrived, you shall anoint Hazael king over Aram; 16and Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint king over Israel; and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. 17“And it shall come about, the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall put to death. 18“Yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.”***

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RUTH GOT BACK UP THROUGH LOYALTY
Ruth 1:14-18 (NASB77)And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” 16But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17“Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” 18When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

Ruth 2:8-12 (NASB77)Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen carefully, my daughter. Do not go to glean in another field; furthermore, do not go on from this one, but stay here with my maids. 9“Let your eyes be on the field which they reap, and go after them. Indeed, I have commanded the servants not to touch you. When you are thirsty, go to the water jars and drink from what the servants draw.”10Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground and said to him, “Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?” 11And Boaz answered and said to her, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law after the death of your husband has been fully reported to me, and how you left your father and your mother and the land of your birth, and came to a people that you did not previously know. 12“May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.”

Ruth 3:10, 11, 18 (NASB77)Then he said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 18Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

Ruth 4:9, 10, 13-17 (NASB77)Then Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I have bought from the hand of Naomi all that belonged to Elimelech and all that belonged to Chilion and Mahlon. 10“Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, to be my wife in order to raise up the name of the deceased on his inheritance, so that the name of the deceased may not be cut off from his brothers or from the court of his birth place; you are witnesses today.”

13So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife, and he went in to her. And the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed is the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel. 15“May he also be to you a restorer of life and a sustainer of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”

16Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse. 17And the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Loyalty Is The Refusal To Better My Situation By Leaving Behind The People Who Have Blessed Me.

Loyalty Is The Willingness To Be Changed By God Into The Person Who Can Change The Situation.

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If Jesus is in the boat, you are never going down.

Mark 4:36-39,
"Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!"

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“FREE ...with a clear conscience.
Romans 12:9, 14, 17, 18 (NASB)
9Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. 17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you,
be at peace with all men.

Romans 12:9-13 (NIV)
9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.

WHAT IS A CLEAR CONSCIENCE? A Clear Conscience is the ability to say:
“There is no one that I have ever wronged, offended, or hurt in any way that I have not gone back
and attempted to make right with God and with them.”

THE EXCUSES: “The skin of a reason wrapped around a lie!”
“It happened a long time ago.”
“They have moved away.”
“It’s such a small thing.”
“Things have gotten better.”
“It will cost me money.”
“I’ll do it later.”
“The other person was
mostly wrong.”
“They’re not Christians.”
“I was right and they were wrong.”
“It happened before I was saved.”

HOW DOES A UNCLEAR CONSCIENCE AFFECT ME?
No Power In Witnessing. (I Peter 3:15-16)
Active At Church, But Neglecting Other Spiritual Matters. (Matt. 7:21-23)
Nervousness. (Proverbs 10:24)
Always On The Defensive. (Proverbs 21:2)
Anxiety, Tension, Guilt, And Frustration. (Matthew 18:34, 35)
Inability To Make Wise Decisions In Light Of Our Ultimate Goal. (I Tim. 1:5)
Fear. (Proverbs 28:1)
Unable To Concentrate. (Psalms 38:14; James 1:9)
Small Circle Of Friends. (Proverbs 18:4)
Depression And Fatigue. (Proverbs 20:27, Psalms 32:1-4)
Judgmental Attitude. (Romans 2:1-3; Matthew 7:1-5)
Self-Condemnation. (Proverbs 8:36; Proverbs 11:9)
No Joy. (II Corinthians 6:3-10)

IV. THE BIBLICAL PATTERN
Matthew 5 23“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

The scope of your confession should be as large but only as large as the transgression.
Do NOT apologize or say “I’m sorry,” SAY, “Will you please forgive me?”
Put the hardest person on your list FIRST.
Keep Short Sin Accounts.

23-24 (MSG) “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. 25-26“Or say you’re out on the street and an old enemy accosts you. Don’t lose a minute. Make the first move; make things right with him. After all, if you leave the first move to him, knowing his track record, you’re likely to end up in court, maybe even jail. If that happens, you won’t get out without a stiff fine.

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God does not have a permissive will. grace is the provisional place we stand in.

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Philippians 3:10-14 KJV2000
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if indeed I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, 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,

14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

To be completely consumed… William Borden

Six Words...

No Reserves: “I Press On” ― Dioko

No Retreats: “The Mark” ― Skopon

No Regrets: “The Prize Of The Upward Calling” ― Brabeon / Kleseos

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ― Socrates

“Get on fire for God and men will come and see you burn.”
― John Wesley

“We need an outbreak of holy heartburn, when hearers shall be doers,
when congregations shall go out from meetings to do things for God.”
― Vance Havner

Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod; Make me thy fuel, Flame of God.
― Amy Carmichael

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I Can Put Up With A Lot If I Have A Word From The Lord.

Luke 1:26-56 (NASB)

Logos: General Biblical Word Of God
Rhema: The word the Holy Spirit quickens to a specific person for a specific situation.

WHY YOU NEED A WORD FROM THE LORD:

THE WORD OF THE LORD WILL STRENGTHEN YOU
“But He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
THE WORD OF THE LORD COMES TO RELEASE PROMISE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Psalm 37:4 – “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 21:2 – “You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips.
THE WORD OF THE LORD COMES TO GIVE DIRECTION
"Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12
THE WORD OF THE LORD COMES TO DISCIPLINE OR REBUKE
"and you have forgotten the divine word of encouragement which is addressed to you as sons, “My son, do not make light of the discipline of the Lord, And do not lose heart and give up when you are corrected by Him; 6For the Lord disciplines and corrects those whom He loves, And He punishes every son whom He receives and welcomes [to His heart].” Hebrews 12:5-6 AMP
THE WORD OF THE LORD HELPS BUILD YOUR FAITH
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
THE WORD OF THE LORD GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO SUCCEED
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8
THE WORD OF THE LORD KEEPS YOU FOCUSED AND FLOURISHING
"The [uncompromisingly] righteous shall flourish like the palm tree [be long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful]; they shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon [majestic, stable, durable, and incorruptible]." Psalm 92:12
"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that Day. " 1 Timothy 1:12
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." 2 Corinthians 1:20-21

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5 Ways to Show God's Love:

1.) Listening
2.) Showing Generosity
3.) Encouragement
4.) Acts of Kindness
5.) Praying

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F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Request.

Casual Friends Are The Result Of Circumstances. Close Friends Are The Result Of Choices.

The righteous choose their friends carefully. Proverbs 12:26 (NIV)

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. 1 Corinthians 13

(F)ight for you.

Does Not Delight In Evil. Rejoices In Truth. vs. 5, 6

(R)espect you.

Does Not Envy. Does Not Boast.

Is Not Proud. Is Not Rude. Is Not Selfish.

Is Not Easily Angered.

Keeps No Of Record Of Wrongs. vs. 4-5

(I)nvolve you.

"Learn the international language of a smile.

If you don't know what to do or don't know what to say, the least you can do is smile."

"Ask yourself seriously, 'Would You Want You As A Friend?'"

"Negative people have negative attitudes that repel people. Positive people have positive attitudes that attract people."

(E)ncourage you.

Love Is Patient. Love Is Kind. vs. 4

(N)EED YOU.

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:

‘What? You too! I Thought I was the only one’” - C.S. Lewis

(D)ESERVE YOU.

Always Protects. Always Trusts. Always Hopes. Always Perseveres. vs. 7

(S)AVE YOU.

Love Never Fails. vs. 8 “Expressionless love is not love” (story guy falls in hole, Dr, Rabbi)

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13

REMEMBER THAT PEOPLE CAN CHANGE! - The Story Of The Formerly Demon-Possessed Friend: Luke 8:26-39

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Give Up!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God brought HIMSELF TO ME so He could bring ME TO HIMSELF.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus became LIKE ME so I could become LIKE HIM.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus GAVE UP everything so I could GAIN everything.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So what should be my response? - GIVE UP!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Salvation is FREE but it will COST ME everything.

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Giving up is not all about what I have to LOSE but is all about what I stand to GAIN.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:1-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Give up sadness to take up joy.
Give up hopelessness to take up hope.
Give up despair to take up praise.
Give up heartache to take up comfort.
Give up captivity to take up freedom.
Give up your labels to take up your identity.
Give up your dreams to take up your destiny.
Give up our fears to take up faith.
Give up your weaknesses to take up His strength.
Give up your worries to take up His peace.
Give up your problems to take up your purpose.
Give up the lies to take up the Truth.
Give up death to take up life.

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LIES, LIES… All LIES!

Famous Lies…

Get Free This Morning… Lies Are Like Chains… (CHAINS)

Satan is A Liar and the father of Lies! John 8:44

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

Lie # 1 - A true Christ-Follower Would Have Never Done That.

Lie # 2 - A Holy God Will Never Forgive Sin Like Mine (Yours)

Lie # 3 - Your Family and Friends will Never Love Or Respect You Again When They Find Out What You’ve Done.

Lie # 4 - Your Church Will Never Open Its Arms To You Again.

Lie # 5 - You’ll Never Be Eligible To Be Used By God Again.

“If any area of my life is not glistening with hope, then I am believing a lie.

That area of my life has become a stronghold of the enemy.”

Romans 15:13 ISV

Now may God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you believe,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hope is the confident, joyful expectation that GOOD IS COMING.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN HOPE?

Is There CONSISTENT, TANGIBLE EVIDENCE in my WORDS, ACTIONS, and ATTITUDES that I TRULY BELIEVE...

There Is Always A Solution. Mat. 7:7-8
I Will Always Know What To Do. James. 1:5-8,12
I will Thrive No Matter What Happens. Phil. 4:11-13
I Will Always Have The Resources I Need To Do What Needs To Be Done. Phil. 4:19
My Mistakes Will Always Be Turned To Good. Rom. 8:28

There are no hopeless circumstances, only hopeless people.

Once someone gets true hope, their circumstances cannot stay the same.

BELIEVE IN HOPE! That It Matters. Will Make A Difference. Is The Right Direction.

Every Road Without The Signpost Of Hope Leads To A Lie.

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Five Ways God Speaks To Us

"The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him."
Ezra 8:22

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

The Bible. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
Impressions From God’s Holy Spirit. John 5:19
Circumstances: Opened And Closed Doors. Matthew 13:57, 58
Research And Reason. John 9:3-4

5. Wise Counsel: Mature Christian Friends And My Spiritual Authorities. Luke 7:8, 9

The Bible.

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12b

"It is written..." Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

Impressions From God’s Holy Spirit.

“So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." John 5:19 (NASB)

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 5:30 (NASB)

Circumstances: Opened And Closed Doors.

And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." Matthew 13:57

And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 (NASB)

Research And Reason.

Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work." John 9:3-4 (NASB)

Wise Counsel: Mature Christian Friends And My Spiritual Authorities.

For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." Luke 7:8

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." Luke 7:9 (NASB)

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Five Ways God Speaks To Us

"The hand of our God is on all those who seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all those who forsake him."
Ezra 8:22

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

The Bible. Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
Impressions From God’s Holy Spirit. John 5:19
Circumstances: Opened And Closed Doors. Matthew 13:57, 58
Research And Reason. John 9:3-4

5. Wise Counsel: Mature Christian Friends And My Spiritual Authorities. Luke 7:8, 9

The Bible.

"It is written..." Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

Impressions From God’s Holy Spirit.

“So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does." John 5:19 (NASB)

“I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." John 5:30 (NASB)

Circumstances: Opened And Closed Doors.

And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." Matthew 13:57

And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58 (NASB)

Research And Reason.

Wise Counsel: Mature Christian Friends And My Spiritual Authorities.

Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." Luke 7:9 (NASB)

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“Love Handles”
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:1-2

I. Love them enough to bring up the problem personally and privately.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confess it, you have won that person back. Matthew 18:15 NLT

II. Love them enough to get help.

But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. Matthew 18:16 NLT

III. Love them enough to broaden the circle of intervention.

If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. Matthew 18:17 NLT

What is Gossip?
Sharing information that causes pain is called Gossip.
Sharing information that heals pain is called Ministry.

How do I know if it’s Gossip?
You can know it’s gossip if you haven’t spoken to the person who caused the problem.
You can know it’s gossip if the person you are talking to is not related to the problem.
You can know it’s gossip if you can’t give names and only speak in vague generalities.
You can know it’s gossip if you are making judgments about another person?

Fact: If someone Gossips TO YOU, They will also Gossip ABOUT YOU.

What do I do if someone gossips to me?
Stop Them Abruptly – Confront Them Lovingly – Take Them To The Person.

Why do people Gossip? Low Self Esteem – Pride – Fear.

You will never be Free from Gossip until you are willing to risk losing a friend who gossips.

IV. Love them enough to never give up on them.

18“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. 19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:18-20 NLT

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I. Love them enough to bring up the problem personally and privately.

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confess it, you have won that person back. Matthew 18:15 NLT

II. Love them enough to get help.

But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. Matthew 18:16 NLT

III. Love them enough to broaden the circle of intervention.

What is Gossip?
Sharing information that causes pain is called Gossip.
Sharing information that heals pain is called Ministry.

Fact: If someone Gossips TO YOU, They will also Gossip ABOUT YOU.

What do I do if someone gossips to me?
Stop Them Abruptly – Confront Them Lovingly – Take Them To The Person.

Why do people Gossip? Low Self Esteem – Pride – Fear.

You will never be Free from Gossip until you are willing to risk losing a friend who gossips.

IV. Love them enough to never give up on them.

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Luke 18:1-5, 2 Kings 18:45, 2 Corinthians 1:10

“The emerging picture from such studies is that 10,000 hours of practice is required to achieve a level of mastery associated with being a world class expert in anything”- Neurologist Daniel Levitin

Is Prayer Any Different? The Bigger The Dream, The Harder You Will Have To Pray.

LUKE 18:1-7 (NASB)
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not become discouraged, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect any person. Now there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me justice against my opponent.’ For a while he was unwilling; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect any person, yet because this widow is bothering me, I will give her justice; otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge said; now, will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night, and will He delay long for them? I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”

Knocking Until Your Knuckles Are Raw.
Crying Out Until Your Voice Is Lost.
Pleading Until Your Tears Run Dry.
Praying Hard Is Praying Through.

IF YOU PRAY THROUGH, GOD WILL COME THROUGH.

Praying Hard Is Going Twelve Rounds With God.
Praying Hard Is Blood, Sweat, And Tears.
Praying Hard Is Praying Like It Depends On God and Working Like It Depends On You!
Praying Hard Means You’re Humble And Willing To Change.

There Comes A Moment When You Throw Caution To The Wind, Cancel All Your Other Plans, And Draw A Line In The Sand.
STOP, DROP, AND PRAY!

The Judge Knew That There Was No Quit In The Persistent Widow. Does THE JUDGE Know That About You?
The Only Question Is… How Desperate Are You?

Bold Prayers Are Uncivilized Prayers.
1. Mary crashed a party 2. Nicodemus Climbed A Tree 3. The Four Friends Raised The Roof And Lowered Their Friend To Jesus.

God Is Still Honoring Uncivilized Desperadoes Who Crash Parties And Climb Trees!
Be Hard Charging, Hard Praying, Uncivilized And Bold!

The Story of Elijah The Circle Maker - 1 Kings 18:41-46 (Ref)
Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go back” seven times. It came about at the seventh time, that he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.’” In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel.

HOLD ON TO HIS PROMISE.
Pray Circles Around Bible Promises - There Are Over 3,000!
God Said It, I’ve Circled it, That Settles It.
The Only Way You Can Fail Is If You Stop Praying.
Our Lack Of Persistence Is Often Just A Lack Of Prayer Material.

“Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses” Joshua 1:3

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Six Things That Send Us To The Cross

And He was saying to them all, " If anyone wishes to come after Me,
he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (NASB)

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (KJV)

EXPECTATION
Matthew 26:33-34 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." 34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." (NIV)
TEMPTATION
Luke 22:40-42 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray,42 "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (NASB)
IRRITATION
Luke 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (NASB)
HUMILIATION
Matt 27:28-30 They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30 They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to
beat Him on the head. (NASB)
DEVASTATION
Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" (NASB)
TRANSFORMATION
Luke 23:46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last. (NASB)

*If you decided to follow Christ while listening to this podcast, please visit www.rivertownchurch.com and fill out the "Contact Us" form to tell us about your decision!

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SAMSON. The Story Of Samson Judges 13-16

God's greatest work in your life is still ahead of you! His next step for you is already beginning. His solution is already in your hand.

Judges 15:2-5 (NLT) “I truly thought you must hate her,” her father explained, “so I gave her in marriage to your best man. But look, her younger sister is even more beautiful than she is. Marry her instead.” 3Samson said, “This time I cannot be blamed for everything I am going to do to you Philistines.” 4Then he went out and caught 300 foxes. He tied their tails together in pairs, and he fastened a torch to each pair of tails. 5Then he lit the torches and let the foxes run through the grain fields of the Philistines. He burned all their grain to the ground, including the sheaves and the uncut grain. He also destroyed their vineyards and olive groves.

Judges 15:14-17 (NLT) As Samson arrived at Lehi, the Philistines came shouting in triumph. But the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon Samson, and he snapped the ropes on his arms as if they were burnt strands of flax, and they fell from his wrists. 15Then he found the jawbone of a recently killed donkey. He picked it up and killed 1,000 Philistines with it. 16Then Samson said, "With the jawbone of a donkey, I've piled them in heaps! With the jawbone of a donkey, I've killed a thousand men!" 17When he finished his boasting, he threw away the jawbone; and the place was named Jawbone Hill.

Judges 16:28-30 (NLT) Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” 29Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, 30he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.

SAMSON PRINCIPLE:
STOP WAITING FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND START WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

You're not waiting on God to act, He's waiting on you to start.

Don't let what you can't do keep you from what you can do.

If you do what you can with what you have where you are,
God will increase what you have and he won't leave you where you are!

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“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.**” C.S. Lewis

Book - Strategy of Satan by Warren Wiersbe**

Satan is the deceiver who attacks your mind with lies.
Satan is the accuser who attacks your heart with accusations.
Satan is the destroyer who attacks your will with pride.

“… He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

HOW DID THE DEVIL LIE TO EVE?

THE DECEIVER QUESTIONED GOD’S WORD.

… He [the serpent] said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1

The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” Genesis 3:2

When you start to question the goodness of God, it’s easier to disobey the will of God.

THE DECEIVER TWISTED GOD’S WORD.

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

… the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword … Hebrews 4:12

Turn rocks into bread—Written—Man shall not live on bread alone.
Throw yourself down—Written—Do not put Lord to test.
Bow down worship—Away—Written—Worship Lord God. Matt 4

GOD'S WORD IS OUR SWORD TO FIGHT WITH!

Ps 119:11 (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin.)

**Before the word comes from your mouth, It must be hidden in your heart.

VERSES FOR....**

When you are discouraged. Psalm. 42:11
- Why am I so downcast oh my soul—I put my hope in God. Ps. 42:11
When your Family is under attack. Isaiah 54:17, Joshua 24:15
- No weapon formed against us will prosper. Isaiah 54:17
- As for me and my house. Joshua 24:15
When you don’t know if I can make it another day. Galatians 6:9, Philippians 4:13
- Not grow weary in doing good, for in due time you will reap if you do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9
- I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
When the diagnosis is not good. Matthew 19:26, Isaiah 53:5
- Believe with all my heart—all things are possible with God. Matt 19:26
- By His stripes, we are Healed. Isaiah 53:5
Not sure what to do. Proverbs 3:5-6
- Trust in the Lord with all my heart, Lean not on my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6
After what you did… Romans 8:1
- There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Romans 8:1
Relationship in trouble. 1 Corinthians 13
- Love is patient… 1 Corinthians 13

His [Jesus’] head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. Revelations 1:14-16 NLT

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3 Objectives for Today:

Love on Jesus together with you.
Remind you of God’s love for you.
Challenge you to share the love of God with others.

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

I John 4:7-12

Love is visible God showed his love among us (v9)
Love is an act of the will God sent his son (v9)
Love is sacrificial - Love cost God his one and only son (v9)
Love serves the unlovable not that we loved God but that he loved us (v10)

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TRUE WORSHIP IS THE ECSTASY OF A PURE AND HOLY SACRIFICE.

Nehemiah 12:27-30 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites, 29from Beth-gilgal, and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

43and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.

Nehemiah 9:2, 3

And the descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.

TRUE WORSHIP RIGHTS WRONGS FROM THE PAST.

8:17, 18 And the entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was great rejoicing. 18And he read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.

TRUE WORSHIP IS THE RHYTHM OF PASSIONATE WORK AND CELEBRATING REST.

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THE PURPOSE OF BUILDING THE WALL WAS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY OF TRUE WORSHIPERS.

TRUE WORSHIP IS OBEDIENCE

10:1, 28-31, 32 Now on the sealed document…

28Now the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and understanding, 29are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God’s law, which was given through Moses, God’s servant, and to keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes; 30and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a holy day; and we will forego the crops the seventh year and the exaction of every debt. 32We also placed ourselves under obligation to contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God 35...bring the first fruits of our ground... fruit of every tree 36...of our cattle, ...of our herds and our flocks 37...our dough, our contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the oil. ...and the tithe of our ground to the Levites. 38...and the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God 39...the utensils of the sanctuary, the priests who are ministering, the gatekeepers, and the singers. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.

TRUE WORSHIP IS THE ECSTASY OF A PURE AND HOLY SACRIFICE.

12:27-30 Now at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites from all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem so that they might celebrate the dedication with gladness, with hymns of thanksgiving and with songs to the accompaniment of cymbals, harps, and lyres. 28So the sons of the singers were assembled from the district around Jerusalem, and from the villages of the Netophathites, 29from Beth-gilgal, and from their fields in Geba and Azmaveth, for the singers had built themselves villages around Jerusalem. 30And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; they also purified the people, the gates, and the wall.

43and on that day they offered great sacrifices and rejoiced because God had given them great joy, even the women and children rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar.

9:2, 3 And the descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. 3While they stood in their place, they read from the book of the law of the LORD their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth they confessed and worshiped the LORD their God.

TRUE WORSHIP RIGHTS WRONGS FROM THE PAST.

TRUE WORSHIP IS THE RHYTHM OF PASSIONATE WORK AND CELEBRATING REST.

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TRUE WORSHIP - Nehemiah 6, 8, 12
The Purpose Of Building The Wall Was To Build A Community Of True Worshipers.

True Worship Lifts Up God’s Word.

True Worship Is: Sin + Grace = Holy Worship. Not: Sin + Guilt = Selfish Shame
Nehemiah 8:9-12
True Worship Is Obedience.
Nehemiah 10:1, 28-31, 32

True Worship Is the Ecstasy Of A Pure And Holy Sacrifice.

True Worship Is The Rhythm Of Passionate Work And Celebrating Rest.

True Worship Rights Wrongs From The Past.
8:17, 18 And the entire assembly of those who had returned from the captivity made booths and lived in them. The sons of Israel had indeed not done so from the days of Joshua the son of Nun to that day. And there was great rejoicing. 18And he read from the book of the law of God daily, from the first day to the last day. And they celebrated the feast seven days, and on the eighth day there was a solemn assembly according to the ordinance.

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Nehemiah 6:5-14

Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand. 6In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel; therefore you are rebuilding the wall. And you are to be their king, according to these reports. Nehemiah 6:5-6

“And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us take counsel together.” Nehemiah 6:7

Believe The Best! Everything Falls Apart If People Stop Believing The Best.

Then I sent a message to him saying, “Such things as you are saying have not been done, but you are inventing them in your own mind.” Nehemiah 6:8

For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 6:9

Confront The Rest! Negative And Divisive People Are Contagious Acid To A Community‘s Soul.
They must be called out personally.

And when I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.” Nehemiah 6:10

Watch Out For The God Card. “Where Is Judas? Close Enough To Kiss You” And He Thinks He’s Doing God’s Work.

But I said, “Should a man like me flee? And could one such as I go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” 12Then I perceived that surely God had not sent him, but he uttered his prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Nehemiah 6:11-12

He was hired for this reason, that I might become frightened and act accordingly and sin, so that they might have an evil report in order that they could reproach me. Nehemiah 6:13

Believe In Who You Are. Even If The People Closest To You Don’t.

Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these works of theirs, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who were trying to frighten me. Nehemiah 6:14

Pray Honest Prayers. Confess Your Weakness. Name Names.
And Get Out Of The Way!

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You Have To Give Up To Go Up! - Nehemiah 5

The Powerful People In Jerusalem Wanted A New Wall And A Strong Growing Nation,

As Long As Their Lives Could Stay Exactly The Same.

Nehemiah 5:1-13 (ESV)

Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” 3There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.” 6I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.

7I took counsel [consulted] with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them 8and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say.

9So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.”

The “Give-Ups” That Make Us “Go-Up”

Comfort
Control
Change
Cost

12Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised.13I also shook out the fold of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.

Ask God To Show You A "Give-Up To Go-Up" Today!

1. For You.

2. For Your Family.

3. For Our Church To Transform Lives And Reach The City.

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STAND IN THE GAP - Nehemiah Series Part 4

Gap In The Wall: An Opening I Have Allowed Or Created That Is Being Unattended Or Ignored. OR Anything In My Life That Cooperates With The Enemy’s Plan To Limit Or Destroy God’s Work In And Through Me.

Nehemiah 4:6-9 (NIV) "So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 7But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."

Put Your Heart Into It.
Closed Gaps = No Enemy Access.
Closed Gaps Frustrate The Enemy’s Plots Against You.
We Must Work In Unity. Our Enemy Does.
Threats Are Met By Prayer And Work.

Nehemiah 4:13-15 (NIV) "Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 15When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work.

What Kinds Of Gaps Do We Have?

What Gap Are You Personally Filling?

What Family Factors Are At Stake For You?

Who Are You Fighting For? Families, Sons, Daughters, Wives, Homes.

Are You Aware Of The Enemy’s Specific Plot Against You?

What Work Should You Return To?

What Are You Waiting For?

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WHO’S YOUR DADDY? Authority Issues

The Absent Father: No Authority. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. 1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) | The Overbearing Father: Own Authority. Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment]Ephesians 6:4 (Amplified) | The Wise Father: God’s Authority. "For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." Matthew 8:9 (NASB)

Who’s Your REAL Daddy? God’s Authority, Genesis 22

Your REAL Daddy Is A Higher Authority.

1Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!" "Here I am," he replied.

Your REAL Daddy Does Things You Don’t Understand.

2Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Your REAL Daddy Works Through Human Authority.

6Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, 7Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?" "Yes, my son?" Abraham replied. "The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" 8Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.

Your REAL Daddy Always Comes Through In The End.

12"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." 13Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. 14So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided."

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WINNING THE WAR OF WORDS

Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 (NASB)

Good People Can Be Unintentional Carriers Of Destructive Word Warfare.
The Closer You Are To Someone The Deeper Their “Word Impact” Will Be.
Enemy Words Are Only Dangerous To Me If I Receive Them.

Nehemiah 4:1-5 (NASB)

1Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.

2And he spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said,

“What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day?

Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?”

3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said,

“Even what they are building - if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!”

4Hear, O our God, how we are despised! Return their reproach on their own heads and give them up for plunder in a land of captivity.

5Do not forgive their iniquity and let not their sin be blotted out before Thee, FOR THEY HAVE DEMORALIZED THE BUILDERS.

Demoralize - Def: Verb

1. To deprive a person of spirit, courage, physical energy, or discipline.

2. To throw a person or persons into disorder and confusion.

Bad News Always Sounds More Powerful Than Good News.
You’ll Never Rise Higher Than The Words You Allow To Dominate You.
Words Are The Most Common Vehicle Used To Carry Negativity, Pain, Fear, And Discouragement.

BUILDING A WALL AGAINST ENEMY WORDS:

Learn To Recognize Ungodly Ridicule And Criticism Of Yourself And Those You Love.
Realize What Real Feelings Inside Your Heart Their Words Have Activated.
Stop And Humbly Confront The Person. Interrupt If Necessary.
Use Your Own Mouth To Fill The Air With Praise And Positivity.
Privately Pray And Claim Your Right To The Unbridled Blessing And Unconditional Love Of God.
Quote Memorized Scripture To Replace The Negative Pre-Recorded Tapes In Your Head. Psalm 68:19, 55:22, Romans 8:31
Find A Friend.

So we built the wall and the whole wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 (NASB)

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I CANNOT COME DOWN, Nehemiah Part 2

The Sign Of A Great Work Of God Is Enemies.

All Great People Have Enemies. The Difference Is WHO Those Enemies Are!

Defining Your Enemies: An Enemy Is Any Distraction From God’s Great Work In And Through Your Life.

Your Enemy’s First Goal Is Always To Turn Your Attention Away From God’s Great Work!

“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” - Nehemiah 6:3

My Great Work For God Is _____________. I Cannot Come Down!

Nehemiah 2:17-20

Then I said to them, “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18And I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me, and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, “Let us arise and build.” So they put their hands to the good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20So I answered them and said to them, “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no portion, right, or memorial in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 6:1-4

Now it came about when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates, 2that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. 3So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4And they sent messages to me four times in this manner, and I answered them in the same way.

“I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” - Nehemiah 6:3

My Great Work For God Is __________________________. I Cannot Come Down!

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WHO CARES? Nehemiah Series."The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol, 2that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem. 3A see nd they said to me, “The said remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.” 4Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven."

SIT DOWN TO WEEP

"Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days..." Nehemiah 1:4

What Breaks Your Heart?

Your Personal Destiny Is Inextricably Tied To God’s Work Through The Church In Your City.

KNEEL DOWN TO PRAY

"...and I was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven." Nehemiah 1:4b

Pray That Factors Beyond Your Control Will Turn in Your Favor. Pray For Overwhelming Confidence!

“Hope In The Future Gives You Power in the Present.” - John Maxwell

STAND UP TO ACT

Nehemiah 2:2-5

"So the king said to me, “Why is your face sad though you are not sick? This is nothing but sadness of heart.” Then I was very much afraid. 3And I said to the king, “Let the king live forever. Why should my face not be sad when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies desolate and its gates have been consumed by fire?” 4Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”

“Be The Change You Want To See In The World.” - Mother Teresa

OUR CITY + YOU = __________ FOR GOD’S GLORY!

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Why Do You Call Me, "Lord, Lord..."

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46

“WHY?”
I’m Sorry, I Didn’t Understand The Question.
Because I Wanted To Obey When I Said It.
Because It Doesn’t Fit In To My Current Direction.
Because I’m Afraid.
Because I’m Proud.
Because I’m Ashamed.
Because I’m Comfortable.
Because I’m Tired.
Because I’ll Be Bored.
Because I Don’t Really Trust God.
Because I Don’t Have The Resources.
Because I Want To Figure It Out Myself.
Because I Will Fail Again.
Because I Just Want Him To Do It For Me.
Because I’m Not Desperate Enough To Change. Because I Want To Protect Myself.
Because I’ve Been Hurt Following God.
Because God Hasn’t Answered My Prayers.
Because I Want To Please Somebody Else.
Because I Love Other Things More.
Because I’m Not Sure What He Wants From Me.
Because I Don’t Know Enough of The Bible.
Because I Don’t Recognize His Voice.
Because I’m Really My Own Master.

Luke 6:46-49 (NASB)
“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

What Kind Of Servant? A BOND SERVANT! “It Serves Me To Serve My MASTER.”

Exodus 21:5-6 (ESV)
But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.

John 13:3-8 (NASB)
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. 5Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” 8Peter *said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

John 13:12, 13 (Amplified Version)
So when He had finished washing their feet and had put on His garments and had sat down again, He said to them, Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet.

The Giant Doors Of Opportunity Swing On The Tiny Hinges Of Obedience.

Every Miracle Has A Price. The Currency Is Obedience.

John 13:14-16
14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you this as an example, so that you should do [in your turn] what I have done to you. 16 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, A servant is not greater than his master, and no one who is sent is superior to the one who sent him.

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DANIEL - DISCIPLINE

Daniel’s Lesson Of Discipline:
Success Does Not Come From Trying Harder, But From Training Wiser.

Daniel 6 (NLT) 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions.

10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Daniel’s First Discipline – Thanksgiving…
Discipline: Any activity I can do by direct effort that will help me do what I cannot do by direct effort.
Spiritual Discipline:
- Any activity I can do, that will help transform me into a person who has the spiritual power to do what I cannot do.
Learn from Daniel’s Prayer Life
- Prayer is the gateway to all other Disciplines. Power to Deny Self!
- 3 Main Disciplines
  - Believe…
  - Belong…
  - Become…
- Fruitful Reward: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self Control.
Christianity Without This Kind Of Discipleship Is Always Christianity Without Character.
A Disciplined Person Is Someone Who Can Do The Right Thing At The Right Time For The Right Reason.
A Disciplined Person is FREE!!! --- Free to Set Free the Person God Made Inside…
Spiritual Discipline is Where You Become Your Real Self!

16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” 19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” 21Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

Spiritual Discipline - Produce - Spiritual Power
Everything Is Spiritual… Even The Lions In Your Life!
Trying Hard can accomplish only so much…
- If you are serious…you will have to enter into a life of Spiritual Training.
- Wise Training Begins With A Clear Decision.

KING DARIUS…

26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. 27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

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COURAGE The Story of Esther, Character Tour – Part 3

ESTHER’S LESSON OF COURAGE: YOU NEVER HAVE TO BE AFRAID TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT!

The PLAYERS IN THIS STORY

KING XERXES

Emperor of the great Mede and Persian Empire covering the vast territory from India to Ethiopia.

QUEEN VASHTI

The beautiful High Queen who is removed from her position for publicly disgracing the King.

She openly defied his request to attend his royal banquet.

ESTHER THE NEW QUEEN

A bold and beautiful peasant girl with a hidden Jewish identity.

She is gathered with the most alluring women of the kingdom into the palace.

In God’s divine timing she is chosen as the King’s true love, ascends the throne as Queen, and delivers God’s people from destruction.

MORDECAI The JEW

The older cousin of Esther and a leader in the Jewish community.

He raised Esther as his own daughter after she was orphaned as a child.

An assassination plot against the King’s life was foiled after being discovered by Mordecai.

HAMAN

A murderous egomaniac who hates Mordecai for not bowing to him.

He plots a mass genocide against all Jews from his position of second in rank to the King.

Esther 4:11-14 (NIV)

11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” “The Only Thing Necessary for Evil To Prevail is For Good People To Do Nothing”

Esther 5:1-3 (NIV)

1On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. 2 When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. 3 Then the king asked, “What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.”

Esther 7:3-7 (NIV)

3 Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life—this is my petition. And spare my people—this is my request. 4 For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. 5 King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?" 6 Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman." Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. 7 The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life.

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ENDURANCE - NOAH
Genesis Chapters 6 & 7

NO-AH’s Lesson of Endurance: You have to learn how to say “NO” if you want to get the “AH”

Genesis 6:5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. (NLT)

8But Noah found favor with the Lord. (AH…) (US?)

People Try To Skip NO – make their own AH… For Selves and God!
You Just Can’t have real AH… that lasts, fulfilling, Joy WITHOUT NO…

13So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth! 14“Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out. Then construct decks and stalls throughout its interior.

ARK – 450’ L (1½ X Football) 75’ W (W.C.) 45’ H (5 Stories)
No to Other PLANS (Shipbuilder) ----- PEOPLE (Believe Rain?) ----- PLEASURES (Not Really Living Man!)
“Ark - Graphic Illustration Noah’s Life Message of Endurance”
- There’s nothing like a HUGE BOAT to make a Point.
- “2 Peter 2:5 - Preacher of Righteousness” – Questions? RAIN?
  - Righteousness too – Do the NO-AH!
No To Friends – Family – Finances – Future.
Endurance… is about the END!!!

22So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him. AH AH AH AH AH AH……

Genesis 7:1 When everything was ready, the Lord said to Noah, “Go into the boat with all your family, for among all the people of the earth, I can see that you alone are righteous.

Endurance Sometimes Requires You to Stand Alone!

You May Stand Alone, But You’ll Never Be Alone!

4Seven days from now I will make the rains pour down on the earth. And it will rain for forty days and forty nights, until I have wiped from the earth all the living things I have created.” 5So Noah did everything as the Lord commanded him.

10After seven days, the waters of the flood came and covered the earth. 11When Noah was 600 years old, on the seventeenth day of the second month, all the underground waters erupted from the earth, and the rain fell in mighty torrents from the sky. 12The rain continued to fall for forty days and forty nights. 13That very day Noah had gone into the boat with his wife and his sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—and their wives.

16bThen the Lord closed the door behind them.23bThe only people who survived were Noah and those with him in the boat. **Endurance…Is A Long Obedience God In The Same Direction.

How Long Will You Last?...Noah’s obedience was greater than the life span of people today.

The Only thing comparable to his length of obedience is our very lives.

Where Will You Be When The Rain Comes Down? Are You in The Boat?**

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VISION: King David - Character Tour Series.

Character: The Outward Reflection of an Inward Connection.

BECOMING A PERSON OF VISION

Definition: “A Clear And Convincing Picture Of What The Future Could Be And Should Be”

DAVID’S VISION: Set God’s People Free to Worship Him as a Great Nation.

SHEPHERD: A Vision of Who I Am.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. ~ 1 Samuel 16:7

Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. ~ 1 Samuel 16:12,13 (NIV)

WARRIOR: A Vision of Why I’m Here.

You Discover WHY YOU ARE HERE when WHO YOU ARE CONFLICTS with WHERE YOU ARE!

1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NIV)

45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

KING: A Vision of Where I’m Going.

WHO YOU ARE, and WHY YOU’RE HERE… Will Always Determine WHERE YOU’RE GOING!

2 Samuel 7:8-9 (NASB)

8 "Now therefore, thus you shall say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. 9 "I have been with you wherever you have gone and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name, like the names of the great men who are on the earth.

If You Remember where You Came From… WHO YOU ARE --- WHY YOU’RE HERE = WHERE YOU’RE GOING!

2 Samuel 7:18,19, 24 (NASB)

18 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said,"Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? 19 "And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord GOD, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future…”

24 "For You have established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your own people forever, and You, O LORD, have become their God.

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“ONE DROP OF BLOOD”

Leviticus 17:11 (NLT)

“for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD.

It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.”

The average adult has about 10 PINTS OF BLOOD in his body. Jesus Gave It All For You!
“Because Of Love! Love Is Not A Feeling! Love Is Giving Someone What They Need Most When They Deserve It The Least!”

1 Peter 1:18, 19 (NLT)

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors.

And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Circumstances Make Things Precious.
HEALTH! vs. SICK! / PAIN! vs. COMFORT! / FOOD! vs. HUNGRY / WATER! vs. THIRSTY! / POVERTY vs. WEALTH!
SIN Makes The Blood Of Christ Precious. Redeeming Power.
The Blood Of Jesus Christ Is Precious Because Of Its Cleansing Power.
“You’re Not Ready To Live Until You’re Ready To Die!” -/- “Without The Blood, Not Ready For Death Or Life”

Hebrews 9:14, 22, 26-28 (NLT)

14Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.

22For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

26But now, once for all time, he has appeared at the end of the age to remove sin by his own death as a sacrifice.

27And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

28so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.

He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.

In the tomb, Beyond the shroud, beyond the blood and bandages, beyond the spices and the close, dank air, HE STOOD!

Alive once more, He stood—in six full weeks of sunlight.

Then on to heaven He went, sending His spirit into our hearts, making us alive forever.

Now the living Christ rules where the best flags wave, in the interior castles of our hearts, but... He IS Here!

EASTER! - Hell shuddered and the world trembled - the day the living Savior stood the dumbfounded world on its ear!

EASTER! - The day Christ moved out of His very temporary residence into the best and worst of palaces - the human heart.

LIFE! - Christ’s Life, this marvelous gift is Ours! We don’t create it! We can’t sustain it.

This life of His learned obedience on the cross and proved its power by leaving the cold stone slab of a cave grave.

Luke 24:1-7

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Checkmate

1 Corinthians 15:1-10
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

1 Corinthians 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

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Frenemies ***Matthew 26

47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.” Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.***

1.One of the saddest moments in the life of Jesus was His betrayal by Judas... - One of Jesus' closest disciples, even one of His twelve apostles, part of Jesus' ministry.

2. What led Judas to betray his Lord and Savior? How could one who had: been with Jesus… Seen His miracles… Heard His teachings… betray Him with a kiss?

Definition: A Frenemy Is Someone Who Accesses Their Close Relationship

With You As A Means To Achieve Selfishly Driven Ends.

Signs Of A Frenemy:

1.) When You Find Yourself Explaining Away Their Behavior.

2.) When You Tell Yourself The Relationship Is Worth It Because Of Other Things They Do For You.

3.) When They Treat You Good, But Other People Badly.

4.) When You Feel Good About Yourself Because This Friend Needs Your Help.

5.) When You Find Yourself Repeatedly Initiating Relationship Repair.

6.) When You Say, “But I Need Him/Her Right Now.”

7.) When Other Common Friends Either Warn You Or Start To Choose Sides. John 13:1
Psalm 41:9 Rev 2:4-5
Rev 2:14-16
Rev 2:20
Rev 3:1-3
Rev 3:15-16 Rev. 2:10John 12:6
Matthew 26:15Matthew 13:22Revelation. 3:16-17 |
Matt 26:49
Luke 22:48Luke 10:27
Matt. 13:20-21Romans 10:17 How To Be A Loyal Friend And Love Your Enemies:

1.) Pray And Ask God For Wisdom And Loyal Friends. (Proverbs 18:24)

2.) Befriend And Help Everyone, But Don’t Give Everyone The Same Access To Your Life. (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 16:20)

3.) Simply Do Unto Them As You Would Have Them Do Unto You. (Matthew 7:12)

4.) Decide In Advance That You’ll Never Advance Your Life At A Friend’s Expense. Even If It’s Done To You. (Gal. 6:7, 1 Peter, 3:9)

5.) Always Forgive And Let Go Of Every Betrayal Before You Become Infected With Bitterness And Repeat The Pattern. (Hebrews 12:15)

“‘You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

44But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43-44

JUDAS WAS CHOSEN BY JESUS, BUT DIDN’T CHOOSE JESUS.

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FISHING LESSONS - John 21:1-18

And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19

DON'T FISH WITHOUT CHRIST - Vss. 1-6

1Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. 2Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. 3Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. 4At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. 5He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. 6Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. NLT

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5

DON'T FRET OVER THE CATCH - Vss. 7-11

7Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic, jumped into the water, and headed to shore. 8The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. 9When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. 10“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. 11So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. NLT

John 10:27-31 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30The Father and I are one.” 31Once again the people picked up stones to kill him.

DON'T FIGHT WHEN CORRECTED - Vss. 12-17

12“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. 14This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. 15After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” NLT

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RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE

JOHN 20:19-24 (NKJV)

Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6

Then Judah said, “The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall.” Nehemiah 4:10

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Matthew 14:24

In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples had met together with doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood

right in the middle of them and said. “Peace be with you!” John 20:19 (J.B. Phillips Translation)

RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE, CALMED BY…

HIS PRESENCE

For He Himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:14

HIS WORDS Jesus… and said. “Peace be with you!” John 20:19

“SHALOM”

HIS WOUNDS

“...He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad…” John 20:20 “exultant joy” (Amplified Bible)

“Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” Luke 24:39

HIS MISSION

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21

Here they crucified him, and with him two others - one on each side and Jesus in the middle. John 19:18

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Last At The Cross, First At The Tomb - Mary Magdalene

Mark 16:1-7
1When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 6“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Luke 8:1-3

John 20:1-18
1On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. 2So she ran to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” 3At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. 4The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. 5Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, yet he did not go in. 6Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. 7The wrapping that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. 8The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. 9For they still did not understand the Scripture that He must rise from the dead. 10Then the disciples went home again. 11But Mary stood outside facing the tomb, crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. 12She saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body had been lying. 13They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “Because they’ve taken away my Lord,” she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” 14Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus. 15“Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.” 16Jesus said, “Mary.” Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”—which means “Teacher.” 17“Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to My brothers and tell them that I am ascending to My Father and your Father—to My God and your God.” 18Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them what He had said to her.

How Can We Have An Epic Easter

SHE SHOWED GRATITUDE
SHE SHOWED RESILIENCE
SHE SHOWED HER WORK
SHE SHOWED THE WAY
SHE SHOWED COURAGE
SHE SHOWED EMOTION
SHE SHOWED HER TRUE COLORS

John 20:13

From The Demons To The Angels

Philippians 2:10, 11

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ACTS 2:41-47

41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

44All the believers were together and had everything in common.

45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

46b …They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

47b…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

I. HEALTHY THINGS GROW

41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

II. GROWING THINGS CHANGE

All Growth is Change, but not all Change is Growth…

42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Ill. CHANGE CHALLENGES US

What is the Challenge of Change? – THE CHALLENGE is THE NEED!!!

43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

CHOICE… YOU can fill the need – or – GOD can fill the Need…
Secret: YOU FILLED with the WORD of GOD & SPIRIT of GOD = POWER of GOD

IV. CHALLENGE FORCES US TO TRUST GOD

44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

V. TRUST LEADS TO OBEDIENCE

46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! Acts 5:29 (NIV)

VI. OBEDIENCE MAKES US HEALTHY

The Chief Cause Of Failure And Unhappiness Is Trading What You Want Most For What You Want Right Now. - Zig Ziglar

46 …They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.

“As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn't take their eyes off him--his face was like the face of an angel!” Acts 6:15 (The Message)

VII. HEALTHY THINGS GROW

47b…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

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Mustard Seed Faith

Matthew 17:14-21 (NASB)

And when they came to the multitude, a man came up to Him, falling on his knees before Him, and saying, 15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic, and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16“And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” 17And Jesus answered and said, “O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once. 19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 21[“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]

WHAT IS "LITTLE" FAITH?

Little Faith Seeks Little Ends.

Little Faith Trusts In Little Resources.

Little Faith Seeks To Preserve Little Egos.

What Is The Difference Between "Little" Faith And "Mustard Seed" Faith?

Jesus says, "if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" [Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6]. Jesus promises "it will move" [Matthew 17:20]; "it will be done" [Matthew 21:21]; it "shall come to pass" [Mark 11:23]; and it will "obey you" [Luke 17:6].

BIG God… Big Resources… NO Ego!

Mustard Seed Faith Says “Yes” When Everyone Else Says “No.”

Mustard Seed Faith Is Not About Faith’s Quantity, But The Quality Of Pure Faith Untainted By Doubt.

Mustard Seed Faith Doesn’t Focus On The Size Of The Seed, But On The Purity Of The Soil. Faith IN Jesus!

Mustard Seed Faith Goes The Distance No Matter How Difficult Or How Long It Takes.

Mustard Seed Faith Wakes Up Every Morning And Says, “Today Is The Day!”

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SEARCH ME

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 | SEARCH MY HEART
~ REVEAL MY FEARS
~ UNCOVER MY SINS
~ LEAD ME SEARCH MY HEART.Search me, God, and know my heart… Psalm 139:23aThe human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? **Jeremiah 17:9 NLT

REVEAL MY FEARS.*Search me, God, and know my, heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. *Psalm 139:23

What we fear the most reveals where we trust God the least.

UNCOVER MY SINS.
Other People’s Sins Accuse Others And Excuse Ourselves*See if there is any offensive way in me.... *Psalm 139:24

What are others trying to tell me?
What have I rationalized for some time?
Where am I most defensive?**

LEAD ME.See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. **Psalm 139: 24

Psalm 139:23-24*1. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and
2. know my anxious thoughts.
3. See if there is any offensive way in me, and
4. lead me in the way everlasting.*

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HOME FIRES BURNING

1. ACCEPT REALITY"I fasted and wept while the child was alive... But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back to life?" 2 Sam. 12:16-23

2. CRY OUT TO GOD

"I cry out to the Lord; I plead for his mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. For I am overwhelmed, and you alone know the way I should turn..." Ps. 142:1-6 (NLT)

Seek God’s Comfort and Direction First – Why? So you don’t do something Stupid…
Ask God… Never ASSUME it’s Over…

3. LISTEN TO GOD’S WORD

"I am completely discouraged... Revive me by your word." Ps. 119:25 (LB)

Me… I Get Mean… Depressed…
- I know why people drink and do drugs w/o GOD and HIS WORD…

"I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promises." Ps. 119:148 (LB)

2 Kinds of God’s Word Defined in Bible – LOGOS / RHEMA…
1 Peter 3 - My RHEMA’S… ”Handle With Care”

4. SEEK AND GIVE FORGIVENESS

"My guilt overwhelms me -- it is a burden too heavy to bear... But I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done." Ps. 38:4+18 (NLT)

Are you sorry for what you’ve DONE…… Or just that you are in PAIN…

"Get rid of all bitterness... forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Eph. 4:31-32 (NIV)

Forgiveness: Giving up Hope for a Better Past…
Bitterness… Get rid of Bitterness…
Have a Funeral for: “What Could Have Been”
“…just as in Christ God forgave you”
- We Want Forgiveness, but we don’t want to give forgiveness.

5. GET BACK ON TRACK

Put your heart right, reach out to God... then face the world again, firm and courageous. Then all your troubles will fade from your memory..." Job 11:13-16 (GN)

1 heart right… 2 reach out to God … 3 face the world again… 4 firm and courageous
“Then all your troubles fade from memory…”
- Why Fade? New Life!
  - Troubles will never fade until you start your new life!!! GOD!!!
- Sometimes: Act yourself into a new way of feeling…
- How do you Forget?... Getting New Memories…

"God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation." 2 Cor. 7:10 (NLT)

God will use your Sorrows if you LET HIM!!!
He doesn’t barge in and take control of your life…

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THREE WELLS

"My people have committed two sins:

They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

“OH WELL” - Accepting a lifestyle of DRYNESS and THIRST. Giving up because you believe it CANNOT BE CHANGED

“DO WELL” - Trying to do God’s WILL and produce God’s PLAN in your own TIMING with my own STRENGTH.

“ALTAR WELL” - John 4:5-15, 23-26 NASB

Knowing WHO you are, WHOSE you are, and WHAT you have FROM GOD. RESTING and RECEIVING all you need from Heaven to fulfill all your calling on EARTH.

1 John 1: 8 - 9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

JUST BREATHE: Learning to Constantly “Breathe Spiritually”

EXHALE Your Confession. Turn away from sin and back to God.

INHALE His Forgiveness, Grace, and True Identity. Begin immediately to live in joy and thankfulness.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! — Isaiah. 55:1

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”
. . . Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. — Revelation. 22:17

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Revival Service

Beautiful

Matthew 26:6-10
While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why the waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.

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THERE’S NO LOVE WITHOUT LOYALTY

Ruth 1:16-17

1. Loyal love sticks with you through the TOUGH TIMES.But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Ruth 1:16 “Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.”
Proverbs 18:24 (MSG)Tough Times + Long Time = High Value **Who’s Worst Day Do YOU Show Up On?

How do you get family and friends like this… By being that kind of friend first... Then, wait and see… Sowing & Reaping.

Tip: Never Say, “Let me know if there is anything I can do.”**

2. Loyal love has COURAGE and gives ENCOURAGEMENT.Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth1:16 TED HAGGARD… #1 Quality determined whether someone was come back was COURAGE.

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A Little Different.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Matthew 7:13-14

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."
Romans 12:2

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, "children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation." Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
Philippians 2:14-16

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NAMELESS

NAMELESS people become FAMOUS people when they matter to Jesus Christ.

~ John 21:15-19 (NIV)
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs." 16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." 17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." 18Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18…I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Jesus: “I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” ~ Revelation 2:17 (NIV)

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People Like You

What kind of people make up the Body of Christ? People like you!

QUOTE: If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.

Yearn for People…

18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NIV)

Three Big Questions we all face.

Who Loves Me?
Who Accepts Me?
Who Believes In Me?

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 (NIV)

Answer these questions and people will know that you really care:

Do I Fit Here?A Question of Acceptance
Does Anybody Want To Know Me?A Question of Friendship
Am I Needed?A Question of Value
What is the Advantage for Me?A Question of Benefits
What is Required of Me?A Question of Expectations

WHY…

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:14-16 (NLT)

What is the Goal of Our Ministry To Each Other?

People Like You Become People Like Christ.

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THE INNKEEPER MISSED CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:7 “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

...Because He Was Too Busy.

KING HEROD MISSED CHRISTMAS

Matthew 2:1-3 “1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.”

V. 12 “And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.” (NASB)

...Because Of Worry, Fear And Jealousy.

THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS MISSED CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:4-6 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."

...Because Of Indifference.

JERUSALEM MISSED CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

...Because Of Religion.

THE ROMANS MISSED CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (NIV)

...Because Of False Gods.

NAZARETH MISSED CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:39-40 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

...Because of Familiarity

UNBELIEF:

“He Came to His Own And they Received Him Not… John 1:11”

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Sin In The Camp

**Today: Battles within ourselves - SIN

7 DEADLY SINS*LustGluttonyGreedSlothWrathEnvyPride*

A recent survey of Discipleship Journal readers ranked areas of greatest spiritual Challenge to them:
1. Materialism.
2. Pride.
3. Self-centeredness.
4. Laziness.
5. Anger/Bitterness.
5. Sexual lust.
7. Envy.
8. Gluttony.
9. Lying.

Joshua 7:2-5 (NLT)2Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the city of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. 3When they returned, they told Joshua, "It's a small town, and it won't take more than two or three thousand of us to destroy it. There's no need for all of us to go there." 4So approximately three thousand warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.

Joshua 7:10-13 (NLT)10But the Lord said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen the things that I commanded to be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them; they have also lied about it and hidden the things among their belongings. 12That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction. 13"Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the Lord. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things.

Joshua 7:18-21 (NLT)18Every member of Zimri's family was brought forward person by person, and Achan was singled out. 19Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don't hide it from me." 20Achan replied, "I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. 21For I saw a beautiful robe imported from Babylon, two hundred silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."

**What is sin?
Man call is an accident, God calls it abomination.
Man calls it a defect, God calls it a disease.
Man calls it an error, God calls it an enmity.
Man calls it a liberty, God calls it lawlessness.
Man calls it a trifle, God calls it a tragedy.
Man calls it a mistake, God calls it a madness.
Man calls it a weakness, God calls it willfulness

Romans 10:13 (NIV)*For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."*

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Can A Black Sheep Have A White Christmas?

Shepherds, at the time of Jesus, were the Black Sheep of society.

Woe is the lowly Black Sheep of the Family. He is maligned ... misunderstood ... marginalized.

The Black Sheep Often Sparks Debate Among The Rest Of The Flock:

Shall we include him in family gatherings?
Will he finally mend his ways?
How can we manage him?

History Of …

Criminal Conduct
Financial Problems
Mental Illness
Ongoing Conflicts with Multiple Relatives
Substance Abuse
Gambling or Other Addictions
Unstable Relationships
Long Periods of Unemployment

May only differ up or down from the rest of the family in …

Values & Lifestyle
Professional / Educational Attainment
Religious, Philosophical & Personal Values
Political Affiliation

Isaiah 1:18 (NASB)“Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

Isaiah 53:6 (NASB)All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

John 10:7-13 (NASB)Jesus therefore said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. 13He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep.”

Luke 15:4-5 (NASB)

Revelation 5:9 (NASB)

John 21: 16, 17 (NASB) “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep.”

Luke 15:8-20 (NASB 77) And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; 11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.” 13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

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Let’s Roll

Matthew 20
24And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your servant; 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

THREE RESPONSES WHEN IT’S TIME TO SERVEI. JONAH: HERE I AM. I’M NOT GOING.“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord... **Jonah 1:2-3

II. MOSES: HERE I AM. SEND SOMEONE ELSE. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:10-11

III. ISAIAH: HERE I AM. SEND ME.*Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” *Isaiah 6:8

A COLLISION OF MY SIN AND GOD’S GRACE*So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.”Isaiah 6:5
I am undone is not a bad place to be. "God will never do anything with us till he has first of all undone us."- Charles SpurgeonUNDONE - Reflexive Tense: Frequently used of a city. “Caused to be Cut Off, Destroyed, Ruined.” Passive verb. Isaiah is doing nothing.*“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” **Isaiah 6:6-7

A REAL EXPERIENCE IN GOD’S PRESENCE “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”*Isaiah 6:1“Whom shall I send?... “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8*

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THERE’S BEEN A CHANGE OF PLANS - Christmas Series

A CHANGE OF PLANSLuke 1:31, 38

Don’t Let Your Plans Make You Miss God’s Purpose.

Mary had been planning her wedding to Joseph, but while she was planning to get married, God was planning to save the world.

Like Mary, we have a decision to make when there is a change of plans. We must decide whether or not we will see God’s purpose in the change.

PLAN FOR INTERRUPTION

Mary’s Interruption Was Your Salvation.

Pregnancy was a major interruption to Mary’s life and plans. But… it was also the greatest thing that had ever happened to the world: God coming in the form of a Baby.

Your Interruption Is God’s Invitation.

Some Of Life’s Greatest Invitations Come In The Form Of Interruptions. The things that interrupt our agendas are often the things that are at the top of God’s agenda.

PLAN FOR INCONVENIENCE

In Order To See God Work In Big Ways, We Will Often Have To Face Great Personal Inconvenience.

It was inconvenient for Mary to travel to Bethlehem for a census while she was pregnant, and then give birth in a barn.

We could look at the Christmas story & think God did poor planning. But, what if instead it’s that God wanted to show us something by the way His Son came into the world

PLAN FOR IMPERFECTION

Expecting Perfection Stops Our Celebration Of What’s Really Important.

Many of us get disappointed in the Christmas season. In love with a perfect ideal of Christmas never met. If we plan for the imperfect, we can celebrate what’s really important.

Expecting Perfection Stops Our Celebration Of Progress.

Pregnancy is a metaphor for anything God puts inside of us. Just as God conceived Jesus inside of Mary, God plants divine purpose in each of us.

With a pregnancy, we celebrate every little step along the journey.

As believers we often expect perfection in life, instead of celebrating the little steps of progress along our journeys.

God Expected Our Imperfection, So He Incarnated Perfection.

God didn’t wait for us to be perfect, but sent His son while we were still sinners.

God knew from the beginning of time that we would never be able to get it all right, so He planned to send Jesus.

PLAN FOR IMPOSSIBILITYLuke 1:37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

God’s Plans Always Defy Human Reason.

THE PROMISE REMAINS- Jeremiah 29:11

11For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This Implies That You Don’t Know Them.
God’s Promises Still Stand, No Matter What Happens.
We Get Plans Confused With Promises.
Instead Of Trusting In Plans, We Can Trust In Jesus.
So, We Get Upset When God Changes The Plans.
He Changed Every Plan, Every Person, And Every Thing By His Birth.
Plans Change, But The Promise Remains.
He Died For Our Sins And Destroyed Death And Hell And Rose Again!

12Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:12-13

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THANK YOU For Being A Friend

Philippians Chapter One

Know Who You Are

1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:1-6

I am a Servant of Jesus Christ I am Thankful for You
I Pray For You
**I am a Partner
I am Sure About You!

Show Who You Are**

7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:7-8

“Take Your Heart Out And Put It On The Table”

Friends Ahead… Friends Beside… Friends Behind…

Go Where They Are

Casual Friends Are The Result Of Circumstances.Close Friends Are The Result Of Choices.

Sharpening… “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:17

Surgical… "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:6

Stick & Stay… “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Proverbs 17:17

“I do not call you servants any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you [My] friends, because I have revealed to you everything that I have heard from My Father.” John 15:15

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FACING FORWARD AT CHRISTMAS

I HAVE TO FACE ________ BEFORE I CAN MOVE FORWARD.

MARY FACED INADEQUACY

“Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. So, the angel said, ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID, Mary, for God has decided to bless and use you! You will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus…and he will be the Son of God, and his Kingdom will never end!’ Then Mary asked, ‘But how can this be?’” Luke 1:29-34

JOSEPH FACED DISAPPROVAL

“Now this is how Jesus Christ was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her fiancé, being a good and righteous man, decided to break off the engagement quietly, so it would not disgrace Mary publicly. But after he had considered doing this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, DO NOT BE AFRAID to take Mary home as your wife, because the child in her is from God’s Holy Spirit.’” Matthew 1:18-20

SHEPHERDS FACED UNEXPECTED CHANGE

“That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. SUDDENLY, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory flashed and surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, so the angel said to them ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID!’” Luke 2:8-10

KING HEROD FACED LOSING CONTROL

“Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the time that Herod was the king of the Jews… Then some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and started asking: ‘Where is the child born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him!’ When King Herod heard this news, he was deeply frightened and disturbed, and so was everyone else in Jerusalem!” Matthew 2:1-3

ZECHARIAH FACED THE FEAR OF BEING DISAPPOINTED

“(While serving in the Temple) an angel appeared to Zechariah. When he saw the angel, he was confused and overwhelmed with fear. But the angel said to him: ‘DO NOT BE AFRAID! Your prayer has been heard!’” Luke 1:11-13

HOW CAN I FACE FORWARD WITH FAITH?

SURRENDER MY LIFE COMPLETELY TO GOD EVERYDAY!

“Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to acceptwhatever God wants for my life!’” Luke 1:38

Job 11:13-18 (CEV)

STOP LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF FEAR!

“Whatsoever is not based on faith is sin.” Romans 14:23

FILL MY MIND WITH MUSIC THAT PRAISES GOD

“Then Mary sang, ‘With all my heart I praise the Lord! I rejoice in God my Savior, for he notices and cares for me, a simple servant girl! …He has blessed me, and He is the Mighty One who is holy… He is All-Powerful… He can do anything… He meets all our needs…and He keeps his promises!” Luke 1:46-56

Mary Sang!Luke 1:46-56

Elizabeth Sang! Luke 1: 42-45

The Angels Sang! Luke 2:13-14

The Shepherds Sang! Luke 2:20

Zechariah sang! Luke 1:67-79

You lose your fear when God is near!

BASE MY HOPE ON THE PROMISES OF GOD

Elizabeth said to Mary, “You are blessed, because you believed that the Lord would do what he said." Luke 1:45

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in God. And when I trust in God I am not afraid! I praise him for what he has PROMISED.” Psalm 56:3-4

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The Good News.

Galatians 4:4,5
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

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IT'S ALWAYS OK TO COME HOME

Luke 15:11
11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! 18 I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ 20 So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”

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TALKING TO THE DEAD.

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

You’ve Got To Kill Your Doubt To Raise Your Dead!

John 11
21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” 28After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. 32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”I. Cry For The Dead _____________ .

33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 3 4“Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35Jesus wept. 36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

II. Speak To The Dead ___________.

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” 43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

Talking To The Dead Thing Proves You Don’t Believe It’s Dead.

You Have To Start Talking To Stop Crying.

If You Don’t Talk, It Won’t Walk!

If You Want To Change Your Life You’ve Got To Change Your Confession.

III. Unwrap The Dead ___________.

44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition.

Put Wings On Your Prayers.

If You Don’t Walk It Out, You Won’t Work It Out!

Who Is Your Miracle For?

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THE CHANGE YOU NEED

REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH NEW LIFE, NOT JUST A NEW LEAF.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17)

In the Old Testament, we see how this cycle played out in the life of Solomon. He tried to change through human ingenuity when he needed divine intervention. And he was the smartest person - ever. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

Jesus calls it being "born again." (John 3:3)

REAL CHANGE IS A PROCESS, NOT A DESTINATION.

"I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6)

"By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4)

"We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18)

REAL CHANGE IS LETTING GO AND GRABBING HOLD.

“Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT)

Here are some of the reasons why change is difficult:
a. Because we are stubborn
b. Because we are trapped
c. Because we are comfortable
d. Because we are afraid
d. Because change hurts
e. Because we lack knowledge
f. Because we lack power

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;”

“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, 16 NASB77)

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Delighted

Psalm 37:4
"**Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

2 Corinthians 3:18
" And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another"

God's Presence Changes Everything

John 20:30-31
"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

John 2:9-11
"When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now." This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested is glory and his disciples believed in him."

God is at Your Wedding!
Jeremiah 29:13
"You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Pay Attention!
John 2:11
"And his disciples believed in him."

Look for More Signs!
John 21:25
"Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."**

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PICK UP YOUR MAT

God’s measurement of our lives and our church will never be our number, our money, our effort, or our success.

God’s measure of our lives will only be in the...

POWER THAT EXUDES FROM OUR SOULS

Acts 3:1-10

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Then Jesus told him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." John 5:8

Acts 3:7-10

7And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Your Daring Adventure Begins The Day You “Pick Up Your Mat.”

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**What To Do While Waiting On God

Psalm 37:3-7**

3Trust in the LORD and do good;

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.
- John Wesley

Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.

4Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

5Commit your way to the LORD,

Proverbs 3:5-6
**Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Trust also in Him, and He will do it.**

6He will bring out your righteousness as the light, And your judgment as the noonday.

7Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

When IT’s Not Right, God Says “No.”

When YOU’RE Not Right, God Says “GROW.”

When The TIMING Is Not Right, God Says “Slow.”

But When IT’s Right, YOU’RE Right, And The TIMING Is Right, God Says “GO.”

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"Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill." Exodus 17:8-13 ESV

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ," 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV

"Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him. and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun." Exodus 17:8-13

"And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword." Exodus 17:8-13

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FORGIVENESS

“Giving Up Hope For A Better Past!”

Matthew. 18:21-3521Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” 23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24“When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25“But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26“So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27“And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. 28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29“So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30“But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. 31“So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

HOW DO I FORGIVE?

1. MAKE A DECISION TO FORGIVE.

21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”START BY SAYING THE WORDS, AT LEAST TO YOURSELF.

2. FORGIVE REPEATEDLY.22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

UNTIL THEY STOP HURTING YOU, OR UNTIL IT NO LONGER HURTS.

3. FORGIVE COMPLETELY.27“And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.

FORGIVENESS MUST BE GRANTED, IT CAN NEVER BE EARNED.

4. FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN TRUSTING.28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

5. FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN FORGETTING.32“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.

6. FORGIVING SETS YOU FREE.

34“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

IF I DON’T FORGIVE…

I WILL BE IN TORTURED AND IN BONDAGE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!

1. SATAN WILL HAVE A FOOTHOLD IN MY HEART.

2. I WILL HAVE TO BE PERFECT FROM NOW ON.

3. I WILL NEVER HAVE PEACE.

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A PLACE TO SHELTER

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2 ESV

Panic Focuses On What I Am Going Through.

Peace Focuses On Who God Is.

GOD, YOU ARE MY STRENGTH

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:2

You give me strength to attack my enemies and power to overcome their defenses. Psalm 18:29 GNT

With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
Psalm 18:29 NIV

… but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Daniel 11:32b KJV

GOD, YOU ARE FAITHFUL

Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
Psalm 119:90 NLT

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it. Philippians 1:6

...if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. 2 Timothy 2:13

GOD, YOU ARE MY HOPE

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas. Psalm 65:5 NLT

“Your Hopelessness About The Problem Is A Bigger Problem Than The Problem.”
- Steve Backlund

GOD, YOU ARE NEAR

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. Isaiah 31:21

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18

“You are nearer to me than my hands and my feet. You are closer to me than my breath.”

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A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS 10.21.18 ~ 1 Samuel 30

LOSE TO WIN

1 Samuel 30

So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor; there those remained behind. 10But David pursued [the Amalekites], he and four hundred men, for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.9

Your Setback Was A Setup For A Comeback.
A Perfect Place.
Just Because You’re In A Perfect Place, It Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Going To Be Perfect.
Who Stayed Behind In Your Fight?
Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have.
Thorn Flesh 2 Cor. 12“IT’S JUST 400 CAMELS.” A Very Particular Set Of Camels.

1 Samuel 30

17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled. 18So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. 19Nothing of theirs was missing whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered it all.

Don’t let what you CAN’T DO keep you from what you CAN DO.
IGNORE - WHAT CAN’T DO. | **WHY? Because Whatever Overwhelms You Shapes You.

Raise Your “Cave In” Point.*CAPTURE INCREASED CAPACITY*

1 Samuel 30

RECOVER LOSS 18So David recovered all… and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing… David recovered it all.
CAPTURE INCREASE 20So David captured all… [which the enemy had] and [the people] ...said, “This is David’s spoil.”

If You Ever Get Knocked Down… Pick Something Up While You’re Down There. When You’re Down To Nothing... God Is Up To Something!David Down To Nothing GIVE LIKE A KING

1 Peter 2:9

But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Samuel 30

24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.” 26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord...” 31 … and for [those elders in] all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.”

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Better than Obedience.
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” - John 8:31&32

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

- 1 Cor. 14:26

“God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” -1 Corinthians 14:33

God knows us so much better than we know ourselves.
**Step one is obedience to what God says. You have to ask and listen.

He calls you his child, He thinks very highly of you, and paid a great debt for you. You belong to Him, and He makes you worthy.**

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THE STAND

Ephesians 6:10-12

THE DEVIL’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO CREATE FEAR AND DOUBT IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers… 2 Corinthians 4:4
HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Matthew 13:19
HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU. ...and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26
HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU. For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us. 1 Thess. 2:18
HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

GOD’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO GIVE ME INCREASED FAITH AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

WHAT CAN I DO?

STAND YOUR GROUND IN WARFARE PRAYER WITH SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY AND A HUMBLE HEART!

Ephesians 6:13, 18 (NIV)

1 Peter 5:1-5 (NASB)

1 Peter 5:5-9 (NASB)

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NASB)

REMEMBER...

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.

And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV)

10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 12And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. Ecclesiastes 4:10, 12

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

REMEMBER...

GOD HAS ALREADY DECIDED AND DEFINED YOUR VICTORY.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our faith. [continuing, persistent faith in Jesus the Son of God]. 1 John 5:4 (AMP)

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Grasshoppers, Giants, & Gray Hairs! Mountain Mover Series

Caleb - “Now, therefore, give me this mountain...” Joshua 14:12

There’s A Big Difference Between A Promise And A Possession.
Everyone Gets God’s Promises, But Only A Few Ever Take Hold Of God’s Possession For Their Lives.

How Did Caleb Possess God’s Mountain:
He Overcame Grasshoppers - Numbers 13:31-14:4
“...and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Num. 13:33 (KJV)

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.”Num. 13:30

He Overcame Giants - Deuteronomy 1
“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants…” Numbers 13:33 (KJV)
How Small Are You Compared To Your Giants? The OUTLOOK of FEAR!
How Small Are Your Giants Compared To God? The UPLOOK of FAITH!

Deuteronomy 1:28-31 (NIV)
...Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ ” 29Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

He Overcame Gray Hairs - Joshua 14:6-13 (NIV)
Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb... said to him... 7“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. 8“Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully. 9“So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.’ 10“And now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11“I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 12“Now then, give me this mountain about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out as the LORD has spoken.” 13So Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

When God Makes A Faith Promise, He Will Give You The Strength To See It Become A Faith Possession.
Never Count God Out! Never Count Yourself Out! An Old Dream Is Not A Dead Dream.
True Faith Looks Beyond The Present Circumstances.
Courage can be defined as a three letter word: YES!

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WHAT’S IN YOUR HOUSE?

2 Kings 4:1-7

CHECK YOUR OIL Possible? / overlooking / very thing God wants work Miracle Thru.
God Can Do His Miracle Through Think Not Worth Mentioning.
The Enemy Wants You To Despise Your Oil.… Because He Can’t Steal Your Oil. Oil is symbolic God’s Gift Holy Spirit / Empowerment! / Joy!
Elisha Learned From Elijah’s Cloud. (1 Kings 18) Size of Your Cloud doesn’t Determine Size of Your Blessing. It’s Not the Amount of the Oil… Smart, Talented.
If God Calls Me & Chooses Me, Nothing… Earth… Able Stop Me. “It Might Not Be Much....But It’s Not Nothing!
”Devil can’t Take Your Gifts, But…Think Insignificant /Starve Other People’s Oil.
The Oil Didn’t Become MORE… Until she POURED IT.
When you feel POOR, you don’t POUR.
NEED Seems --- SO BIG compared to YOUR SUPPLY.
When You Call the Supply Nothing, It doesn’t Multiply.
The Miracle is Hidden In What You’re Overlooking!
Reason / Overlooking… Seems so Small to you!
Reason / Seems so Small… Looking At What You’re NOT.
Overlooking What You ARE & What You HAVE! GAVE.KEEP ON POURING What Have left? God is Going to Bless–what He Gave You.
Because… What You Have Is What You Need.
The Strengths you have… Need!
The Experiences you have… Need!
BUT… The Oil Only Flows When It’s Poured.
The Enemy Can’t Steal Your Oil… Tries Get You…Stop Pouring!
Stop Pouring… Stop Getting Filled.
Discouragement… Pour Into Others.
Understand… The More you POUR, the More it FLOWS.
It Becomes more as it is Poured…even if feel Not Enough, As you pour… It becomes more.
Pour what you have while you wait for what you want.
“No One Appreciates Me…!” Self Fulfilling Prophecy.
Bitterness Keeps You From Pouring What You Have While You’re Waiting What You Want. Bitterness Always Stops Your Flow.
Sometimes Pour Into People…They Don’t Say a Word.
Remember: They Are Not Your Source!
Pour For The Lord, Not For The People.

SHUT THE DOOR King David Was A Shepherd…
It’s What You Pour Out In Private, When No One Is Looking… That Counts!
We’re So Busy Praying For More, More, More... And God Says Pour, Pour, Pour.
Some People May Call Your Pouring A Waste... … When It’s Actually worship (Woman With The Alabaster Jar - Matthew 26).Waist… Worship!
Feel Not Enough Feel Doesn’t Matter
The Oil Became More When It Was In Motion.
The Vessels Were Only Filled After They Were Prepared.
Message Is About The Vessels.
Only Empty Vessels Could Be Filled.
When The Vessels Are Ready, The Oil Will Flow.READY THE VESSELSBut we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 God Uses Cracked Pots. Your Blessing Flows Through The Cracks In Your Broken Vessel.
You Are The Chosen Vessel.
God Didn’t Choose You In Spite Of Your Cracks.
He Chose You Because Of Them.
That Ensures No One Will Ever Compliment The Vessel. They will Value The oil. It’s The Oil That’s Valuable. If They Value The Oil Inside, Any Vessel Will Do!
When The Vessels Are Empty, The Oil Will Flow.
Sometimes... It’s Good To Feel Empty.
Sometimes… It’s Good To Feel You’re In Need.
Maybe… You’ll Remember You’re Not The Source.Matthew 6:33

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A SAFE CHURCH.

STRIVES TO KEEP THE MEMBERS HAPPY.
AVOIDS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. REMAINS CAUTIOUS.

Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit...’ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. Acts 2:38-41

RiverTown Church is a safe place with a dangerous mission.

RiverTown’s Mission: To transform lives into the likeness of Jesus Christ.

RiverTown’s Life Transformation strategy-path-journey:

God Matters… when my schedule and lifestyle reflect that God is my top priority.

People Matter… when I admit that I need regular fellowship to grow spiritually.

You Matter… when I volunteer to show and share God’s message of love.

What Makes A Church Dangerous?

1) AN UNCIVILIZED APPROACH.

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching… ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near…’ John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him…Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:1-6

Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and… said to them, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a den of robbers.' Matthew 21:12-13

When was the last time you had an uncivilized experience with God?

2) A DIVINE BOLDNESS.

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Acts 4:29-30

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:31-35

When was the last time you took a bold stand for Christ?

3) A RISK-TAKING FAITH

And without faith it is impossible to please God… Hebrews 11:6

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25

When was the last time you took a faith-risk?

RiverTown’s End-Vision of Community Transformation:

Revealing God’s love and transforming power to the whole metro region.

Inviting our friends, neighbors and families to experience real faith for real life.

Valuing the contribution of every person.

Engaging the needs of others while expecting nothing in return.

Reproducing disciples through an intentional life transformation process.

Together, building a base of ministry with the needs of the community in mind.

Overcoming obstacles to reveal the powerful potential God has placed in our lives.

Winning the battle for our nation’s cities by sending out trained church planting missionaries.

Never missing an opportunity to become more like Jesus Christ.

So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul
- men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 15:25-27

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It’s Not Only The King…
WHAT’S YOUR DEEPEST HOPE?
IT’S IN YOU!
Your Greatest Potential In Life Lies In Your Greatest Hope.
How Do I Live It Out?
1. Dig It Out. 2. Work It Out. 3. Call It Out.

DIG IT OUT
1 Kings 19:19 “So he [Elijah] departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him."

Most Of Your Potential Is Still Buried.

Under Layers Of Painful Experiences
We Don’t Want To Re-Live.

Move Toward - Fantasy
Move Away - Fear
Move Against - Anger

CALLING Propel CAREER Prophetic Ministry – Shake Foundations Nation.
Elisha Never Saw It Coming… Potential Is UNPREDICTABLE!
You Have NO IDEA…IN YOU!
Don’t SELL Yourself SHORT… SEASON Of Your LIFE!
NEIGHBOR: “There’s More In You!”
WORK IT OUT
Philippians 2:12, 13 ...work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Elisha Was In The Field… Working It Out!
NO IDEA… God SEES In You!
YOU DON’T SEE It In Yourself.
UNLIMITED GOD Lives INSIDE YOU.
You Are MADE In HIS IMAGE ~ For HIS GLORY.
NO IDEA...Might BE...DO - GOD USE YOU! BUT,

You’ll Never Work It If You Don’t Want It.

It’s Time To Wake Up Your Want To.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.

We Need A THEOLOGY Of HOLY DESIRE!
St. Francis, “Love God And Do What You Want.”
John Piper, “GOD is Most GLORIFIED In You When You Are Most SATISFIED In Him.”
ILLUS. Johnathan Moore ~ Tony Evans
ILLUS. Dad & Dentist! Payoff!
“I’M WORKIN’ IT OUT. YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT NOW.”
“IT’S NOT OVER. I’M WORKIN’ IT.”
“MY PAYDAY IS COMING!”
CALL IT OUT
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we
ask or think. Illus. Lazarus… President Kennedy

Ecclesiastes 9:11 The race doesn't go to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor food to the wise, nor wealth to the smart, nor recognition to the skilled. Instead,
timing and circumstances meet them all.

WHY YOU? WHY NOT YOU? CALL IT OUT!

You’re Crazy If You DON’T Talk To Yourself.
Truth: You Already Do. Most Us Like Jerem.

Jeremiah 1:7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man, ’Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Deepest Hope, Deepest Fear: A CHOICE!
⟰ DIGing, WORKing, NOT UNTIL CALL!
NEIGHBOR… “You have no idea who you are sitting next to!”
FAITH IS… Go Hard, Make Investment
Trust God…Return➛Source HE Chooses.
How Many Arrows? ALLLL
FAITH - Strike Ground Every Arrow IN YOU.

2 Kings 13:14-19

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THE PURPOSE OF STORMS

YOUR STORM HAS A PURPOSE **Acts 23:11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

In The Storm...*Acts 27:20-26 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. 21After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”
27On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land.* I. To Take You Where God Wants You To Go*Acts 28:1, 2 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us unusual kindness. *Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? PURPOSE
Until The Entire Of Your Life Purpose Is About Jesus, None Of Your Storms Will Make Sense.

It Matters What You Call It!

II. To Give You Favor You Don’t Deserve — “*Favor ... Isn’t ... Fair”Acts 28:5,6,7 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god. 7There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. *Secret of God’s Favor… Remember: W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G. Favor is Experiencing An Event Through God’s Eyes!

HOW?
1. Obedience Through The Storm +++
2. God’s Kingdom Purpose = DIVINE FAVOR**

III. To Show You What God Can DoActs 28:8,9,10 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed. Acts 28:28, 30, 31 "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" 30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. **- TIMING - All you have to do is….. Wait Your Turn!

YOUR STORM IS YOUR KEY… IT HAS A PURPOSE!!! KINGDOM!!
BUT, GOD’s PURPOSE… SALVATION REDEMPTION…!**

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Storm Peace
Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB) 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Lasting Peace Is Found In Nearness To God

Acts 22-28

**God almost never works things out the way I plan them. There is almost always pain. And, it always works out far better, and radically different than I could have imagined.

We are not protected from Storms, We are protected IN Storms.*And The Peace Of GodPeace is a prevailing sense of quietness and rest in a person’s heart and emotions. You must have Peace WITH God, to have the peace OF God.* John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Which Surpasses All Comprehension, Barnes -- Surpasses all can conceived or imagined…the highest possible kind.
VWS: which surpasses every (human) reason, in its power to relieve anxiety… Definition: to excel, to be superior, to surpass, better than. God marks across some of our days, “Will explain later.” - Vance Havner Will Guard Your Hearts And Your Minds Definition: to prevent hostile invasion. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!**

In Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. This is WHERE we are guarded securely.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

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**American Dreams-Pastor David Rathel. 07.04.2021

6’s - PRIVILEGE. PRESTIGE. POSSESSIONS. PROTECTION. PEACE. POWER. | My American Citizenship Is A Stewardship. It Is Temporary. And, I Am Accountable.**

Daniel Chapter 4 and 5

First Word: MENE - Your Days Are Numbered!Daniel 5:26 NIV - Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. “King Belshazzar, your days are numbered.” Second Word: TEKEL - You Are Accountable!Daniel
5:27 NIV - Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.
Third Word: PERES - Your Position Is Temporary!Daniel 5:28 NIV - Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

My American Citizenship Is A Stewardship. It Is Temporary. And, I Am Accountable.To Our Political Leaders, But Also To Us.
**1 – Stewardship. You Didn’t Earn It. You Did Nothing To Deserve It. It’s A Gift From God… Bought In Other People’s Blood!

2 – Temporary. It Only Lasts As Long As You Do. The Moment You Take Your Last Breath, It Will Be Over.

3 – Accountable. Coveted Worldwide: PRIVILEGE. PRESTIGE. POSSESSIONS. PROTECTION. PEACE. POWER.
We Are Accountable Because: The Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.
The Best Gift We Can Give Her On Her Birthday In The Year 2021 Is To Believe In Her.Speak And Live In A Hopeful Way About America’s Future. God Is In Control No Matter What You See. Pray - And Believe Your Prayers Are Working. Believe And Speak That Your Descendants Will Thrive In Future Generations. Disagree On Biblical Morals, Standards, And Values Without Assigning Negative Labels - They’re People. The Devil Is Not Going To Win In The End Anyway. One Person Can Make A Difference.
The Most High God Is Sovereign! “Your Life Is A Stewardship. It Is Temporary. And, You Are Accountable!”**

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FIGHT BACK: The Weapon of Praise
WORSHIP IS OUR OUTWARD EXPRESSION OF OUR INWARD UNDERSTANDING OF WHO GOD IS.
SACRIFICE SURRENDER PRAYER PRAISE-outward
Praise is the weapon that EVERYONE SHOULD SEE!!!
I. What is Praise?
Genesis 1: In the beginning God created….
31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. GENESIS 1:31

GOD WAS ADMIRING HIS PERFECT CREATION:

What is Praise?
-to express warm approval or admiration of
-to recognize something of worth
Why Do We Praise?
Isaiah 43:21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
Revelation 1:8 AMP 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega [the Beginning and the End],” says the Lord God, “Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, the Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all].”

What Does Praise Do?

Praise Allows Us to Experience God’s Glory.
What is Glory? "heaviness" or "weight" ideas of importance, greatness, honor, splendor, power.

2 Chronicles 5: 13-14 Solomon’s Temple
1. Dedication of Solomon’s Temple:
“It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;
So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God” (II Chronicles 5:13-14).

Praise Allows Us to Experience God’s Glory.

______________________________________________
Praise allows us to Experience God’s FREEDOM
Acts 16: 25-26 Paul and Silas
3. Paul and Silas Experiences Victory in Prison:
“And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bands were loosed” (Acts 16:25-26).
Paul and Silas had been cast into prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of moaning and groaning, they got their minds off themselves, and begin to sing praises unto their God. God sent a spiritual (and physical) earthquake. Because of this move of the Holy Spirit, Paul baptized the jailor and his household. (Acts 16:27-33)

PHIL 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, anything praiseworthy…DWELL ON THESE THINGS!!

Praise allows us to Experience God’s FREEDOM
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Praise Allows Us to Experience God’s VICTORY.

2 Chronicles 20: 1-24 Judah’s Victory

“Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the Lord” 2 Chronicles 20:3
They fasted and prayed, sacrifice, surrender, prayer…..
The Lord Answers Their {Prayers: 2 Chron 20: 15-17

The Priests Praises: 2 Chron 20: 21-22

Praise Allows Us to Experience God’s VICTORY

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PRAISE ALLOWS US TO EXPERIENCE GOD!

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**Weapons of Worship: Prayer

Worship Is An Outward Expression Of My Inward Understanding Of Who God Is**

Prayer brings God’s Power to Our Lives“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them and said to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”Genesis 1:27&28 ESV

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him”Matthew 6:8 ESV“Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like the grain of a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain ‘move from here to there’, and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you.”Matthew 17:20 ESV
Prayer brings God’s Power to Our Lives

“Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”**Matthew 6:9&10 ESV

Prayer brings God’s Power to Our Lives**

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Fight Back

Weapons of Worship: Surrender

Worship Is An Outward Expression Of My Inward Understanding Of Who God Is

**Second Weapon of Worship: Surrender

Worship Is An Outward Expression Of My Inward Understanding Of Who God Is**

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”Jeremiah 29:11 ESV“For we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”Hebrews 13:14 ESV

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”Luke 9:23 ESV

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Fight Back

Weapons of Worship: Sacrifice

Worship Is An Outward Expression Of My Inward Understanding Of Who God Is
False Motivation is Better Than No Motivation

First Weapon of Worship: SacrificeSo Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.**Hebrews 13:12-16

Worship Is An Outward Expression Of My Inward Understanding Of Who God Is**

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PARACLETE

John 14:12-16

PARACLETE: One Called Alongside Another.

26But the (Paracletos), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

26 But the (Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, Helper — Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

John 16:7 "I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you."

“COMFORTER”

Merriam Webster Dictionary 1: a thick bed covering made of two layers of cloth containing a filling. 2: a long narrow usually knitted neck scarf. 3: one that gives comfort. 4: HOLY SPIRIT

“COUNSELOR”

Gives Direction, Listens To Everything, Doesn’t Judge Anything, Keeps Your Secrets, A Place To Put All The Trash Of Life.“ADVOCATE”

Merriam Webster: One who defends, pleads the case, or supports the interests of another.

1 John 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.

“HELPER”

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

vs. 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you (allos paracletos), that He may be with you forever;

Allos: Another identical to the First.

vs. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. John 14:17

PARACLETE: What Jesus was to them in the flesh, Jesus is to us in the Spirit – and more! He is:

Our Strength in weakness

Our Peace in trouble

Our Wisdom in darkness

Our Guide in confusion

Our Righteousness in our sin

Our Victory in temptation

The Place to lay our heads

The Love that bathes our hearts

Jesus goes on to give us one more way to understand the Holy Spirit as paraclete.

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:18)

“Be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18

There Is A Difference!

1. DESIRE to be filled. 2.REPENT of your sins. 3.YIELD yourself to God. 4. TRUST God to do what He says

How do I know if it worked?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God?

You do not belong to yourselves but to God; He bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God’s glory.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (TEV)

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WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT ENTERS YOU

HE BRINGS NEW BIRTH

John 3:5-6

HE LIVES WITHIN YOU

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19

HE HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE

1 Corinthians 2:9, 13

Jer. 29:11…. 14. ”I will be found by you...gather from Nations… And I will bring you back from exile.”

HE ENABLES YOU TO PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Jude 1:20

Romans 8:26

He Is Your Prayer Partner.

Jesus – “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears **to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”

He Intercedes For You.
He Speaks And Gives Guidance.**

HE GIFTS YOU WITH SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES

The Holy Spirit is God And He Is A Real Person. “He” Not “It”

Romans 8:27 (NIV)

He Has A Will. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all… It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1 Corinthians 12:4,11 (NLT)

He Has Emotions. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God….” Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) “…the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Literally - The Spirituals, Spiritual Gifts.

Thoughts, opinions, precepts, ascribable to the Holy Spirit working in the soul.

Effects produced by the sole power of God himself without natural instrumentality. (Gateway Personally Word, Prayer, Worship)

Motivational Gifts: “ . . . Different kinds of gifts . . .”(I Corinthians 12:4). How God works in a believer to shape his perspective on life and motivate his words and actions. (See Romans 12:3–8.)

7 Motivational Gifts: Mercy, Serving, Giving, Administration, Exhortation, Teaching, Prophecy

Ministry Gifts: “ . . . Different kinds of service . . .”(I Corinthians 12:5). How God works with what a believer does to serve and meet the needs of others. (See Ephesians 4:11–13 and I Corinthians 12:27–31.)

5 Offices Of Ministry: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher.

Manifestation Gifts: “...Different kinds of working…” (I Corinthians 12:6). How God works through a believer in a given situation to demonstrate His supernatural power. (See I Corinthians 12:7–11.)

9 Manifestation Gifts: Knowledge, Wisdom, Prophecy, Faith, Healing, Miracles, Discerning Spirits, Tongues, Interpreting Tongues.

Ephesians 5:18-20

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It Would Take A Miracle!

When The Invisible Hand Of God Becomes Visible.

John 14:12

Miracles Are Gifts That Grow Faith, Glorify God, And Preach The Gospel.

The Apostle Peter Spoke Life Into Limp Legs.Acts 3:6-8Stephen Described Heaven And Forgave His Murderers. Acts 7:80Philip’s Body Was Miraculously Transported.

Acts 8:26-40Ananias Prayed Away The Scales From Saul’s Eyes.

Acts 9:17-18The Apostle Paul Raised A Sermon Sleeper From The Dead And Shook Off A Poisonous Snake.

Acts 20:9-10

Acts 28:3-5

The Purpose Of A Miracle Is To Gift Me With Power Over Sin And Power To Minister.

***Acts 1:8

John 14:8, 14***

HOW TO GET SET UP FOR A MIRACLE:

#1. Demonstrate Jesus’s Power By Injecting God’s Love Into Dark And Hardened Places.

#2. Tackle, Or be Tackled By, Whatever Evil Problem Shows Up.

#3. Get Into A Desperate Situation. Make Sure Your Back Is Against The Wall And There’s No Way Out Unless God Shows Up.

#4. Use Up All Your Own Resources, Personal Strength, And Every Answer You Know.

#5. Notice That Some Strange New Thing, Idea, Plan, Or Person Has Shown Up. At First, You Don’t Think It’s From God.

#6. Hope That God Is At Work, But Search The Scriptures And Ask Questions To Test The New Supernatural Possibility.

#7. Thoughts Like, “I Shouldn’t Do This.” “Oh No, This Will Never Work.” “Now I Can’t Stop It.” Bring Out Your Fears.

#8. Circumstances Start Changing Without Your Help, Or Control. You Begin To Let Go And Trust That This Is God At Work.

#9. Some People Resist And Others Join In. You Are Surprised By Both Groups.

#10. It’s Impossible To Explain Or Take Credit. Continual Demonstrations Of Supernatural Power, Love, And Glory Keep Coming From God And Go Back To God.

Miracles are Gifts… Words, Resources, Healings, God Wants For Us… But Not FOR Us… Aimed At G God... Faith... Gospel...

Miracles Are Gifts That Glorify God, Grow Faith, And Preach The Gospel

GOD WANTS US TO EXPECT MIRACLES TO CONFIRM

GOD MAKES MIRACLES FOR THE PURPOSE

THE PURPOSE OF MIRACLES IS TO GIVE US POWER OVER SIN AND POWER TO MINISTER!

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MOSES: It's Never Too Late

Acts 7:23-29 (NLT)

Acts 7:30 (NLT)

Exodus 3:1-2 (NLT)

A BURNING BUSH:

IN THE MIDST OF THE ROUTINE

WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECT IT

YOU ARE SURPRISED BY GOD’S INVITATION

“When the LORD saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ ‘Here I am!’ Moses replied. ‘Do not come any closer,’ the LORD warned. ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.’”
Exodus 3:4-5 (NLT)

4 QUESTIONS WHEN GOD TURNS SETBACKS INTO COMEBACKS:

WHO AM I?

“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’ God answered, ‘I will be with you.’” Exodus 3:11-12 (NLT)

GOD’S ANSWER: I WILL BE WITH YOU

2 Cor. 3:5 ***“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything that’s coming from ourselves but our adequacy is from God.”

2. *WHO ARE YOU?

“But Moses protested, ‘If I go to the people of Israel and tell them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ they will ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what should I tell them?’ God replied to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:13-14 (NLT)

GOD’S ANSWER: I AM

I AM Your Provider… “JEHOVAH JIREH”

I AM Your Victory… “JEHOVAH NISSI”

I AM Your Peace… “JEHOVAH SHALOM”

***I AM Always There… “JEHOVAH SHAMAH”

3. *WHAT ABOUT THEM?

“But Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, ‘The LORD never appeared to you’?’ Then the LORD asked him, ‘What is that in your hand?’ ‘A shepherd’s staff,’ Moses replied.” Exodus 4:1-2 (NLT)

GOD’S ANSWER: WHAT’S IN YOUR HAND?

Ex. 4:3-4 ***“Throw it on the ground,’ the Lord told him. Moses threw down the staff and it turned into a snake.” “Moses jumped back and then the Lord told him, ‘Reach out and grab it’s tail. Moses reached down and he grabbed it and it turned back into a shepherd’s staff in his hand.”

4. *HOW ABOUT THIS!?

“But Moses pleaded with the LORD, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’ Then the LORD asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth?’”
Exodus 4:10-11 (NLT)

GOD’S ANSWER: I’M IN CONTROL

“He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”
Hebrews 11:26 (NIV)

“He had his eye on the One no eye can see, and so kept right on going.”
Hebrews 11:27 (MSG)

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NOAH: WHEN NO ONE UNDERSTANDS

Lessons from Noah’s Life: Genesis 6-9

Distractions. Doubts. Detours. Delays

FOUR CHOICES I MUST MAKE IN ORDER TO FULFILL GOD’S PURPOSE & PLAN FOR MY LIFE

I MUST DARE TO BE DIFFERENT (FROM MY CULTURE)

“This is the account of Noah and his descendants. Noah had God’s approval and was a man of integrity among the people of his time.” Genesis 6:9a (GW)

“Now the earth had become corrupt in God’s sight, and it was filled with violence. AndGod observed all the evil done in the world, and he noticed cruelty and depravity everywhere.” Genesis 6:11-12

“When God saw the extent of human wickedness, and that the trend and direction of men’s lives were only towards evil, he was sorry he had made them. It broke his heart.”

Genesis 6:5-6 (LB)

Jesus said, “When the Son of Man comes again, it will be just like it was when Noah lived.” Luke 17:26 (NCV)

“But Noah was different. God liked what he saw in Noah.” Genesis 6:8 (MSG)

“Noah was a pleasure to the Lord.” (LB) 2.I MUST LISTEN TO GOD, NOT THE VOICES OF DOUBT

“It was by faith that Noah HEARD God’s warnings about things he could not yet see.” Hebrews 11:7a (NCV)

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)

“Noah’s belief in God was in direct contrast to the disbelief of the rest of the world…” Hebrews 11:7b (LB)

“Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9c (NIV)

“Noah enjoyed a close relationship with God.” (NLT)

“Noah lived in fellowship with God.” (TEV)

Genesis 6:17-18 (CEV)

3.I MUST DO EXACTLY WHAT GOD TELLS ME TO DO

“Noah obeyed God and built a large boat to save his family.” Hebrews 11:7a

Genesis 6:14-22 (NLT)

Genesis 7:1-5

“Noah consistently followed God’s will.” Genesis 6:9 (NLT)

***“Noah always tried to conduct his affairs according to God’s will.” (LB)

4. *I MUST NEVER GIVE UP ON THE DREAM GOD GIVES ME

“Noah TRUSTED God. When he heard God’s warning about the future, Noah BELIEVED him even though there was no sign of a flood.” Hebrews11:7a (LB)

“…By his faith, Noah showed that the world was wrong, and he became one of those who are made right with God through FAITH.” Hebrews 11:7b (NCV)

“Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:8 (KJV)

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JOSEPH: WHEN YOUR SETBACKS SET OTHERS FREE

IT’S NOT OVER – Part 3 Genesis 37-50

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” Genesis 50:20

Much of Joseph’s life included a series of painful setbacks from his dream to do great things with his life.

But God used them to position Joseph for a spectacular comeback that saved 2 entire nations: Israel & Egypt

1st SETBACK: GROWING UP IN A HOME WHERE HE WAS IGNORED AND MISTREATED BY HIS SIBLINGSGenesis 37:3-5

2nd SETBACK: BEING TOSSED INTO THE PIT OF REJECTION

Genesis 37:18-20

Genesis 37:21-24

3rd SETBACK: BEING SOLD OUT FOR MONEYGenesis 37:26-28

4th SETBACK: LOSING HIS IDENTITY

Genesis 37:31-35

5th SETBACK: FORCED TO TAKE A JOB HE DIDN’T WANT

“Meanwhile, in Egypt, the traders sold Joseph to be a slave of Potiphar, a man who was an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.” Genesis 37:36

6th SETBACK: BEING PUNISHED FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING

Genesis 39:6b-19

7th SETBACK: BEING FORGOTTEN BY PEOPLE HE HELPED

Genesis 40:1-23Genesis 40:14-15, 23

WHAT MADE JOSEPH SO RESILIENT?

HE DEPENDED ON GOD’S PRESENCE NO MATTER WHERE HE WAS

IN THE PIT

Acts 7:9

Genesis 39:1-2

AT POTIPHAR’S

Genesis 39:3-5

IN PRISON

Genesis 39:20-22

“The jailer did not have to worry about anything for which Joseph was responsible, because THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH and whatever he did,

was blessed. God made him succeed in everything he did.” Genesis 39:23

HE DEPENDED ON GOD’S PLAN & PROMISE NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TOOK

Genesis 50:19-20

HE DEPENDED ON GOD’S HELP IN EVERY CHALLENGE

Genesis 41:15-16

Genesis 41:39-44

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Nehemiah: How God Turns Setbacks into Comebacks
Discouragement is a ChoiceNehemiah 4:6-12

When something takes longer than expected.
This causes fatigue“They said ‘We’re tired and worn out. We can’t keep up this pace!’”Nehemiah 4:10a“Never forget how the Amalekites…attacked you when you were exhausted and weary, and they struck down those who began to lag behind…”Deuteronomy 25:18 NLT 2. When something is more complicated than expected
This causes frustration

“Besides that, there is so much rubble and trash to be removed!”Nehemiah 4:10b“Come, Lord, and show me Your mercy, for I feel helpless, overwhelmed, and in deep distress.”**Psalm 25:16

When I start to doubt my own ability
This causes a sense of failure*“The people said, ‘We now realize that we cannot finish this wall.’”Nehemiah 4:10c* 4. When the opposition grows stronger
This causes fear*“Meanwhile our enemies are threatening to kill us in order to stop this work”Nehemiah 4:11“Then, those of us who lived closest to our enemies kept reporting over and over – ten times – that our enemies kept saying ‘It doesn’t matter where you go, we’ll attack you!’”***Nehemiah 4:12
Choose to Reorganize whatever is not working*“So I stationed armed guards at the most vulnerable places of the wall and assigned people by families with their swords, lances, and bows.”Nehemiah 4:13“Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting with other believers, but we must not do that. Instead, we should keep on encouraging each other…” Hebrews 10:25 4.Choose to Refocus on God
“Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious.’”***Nehemiah 4:14a
Choose to Resist discouragement**

“…Fight for your brothers, and your sons and your daughters, and wives and homes!”**Nehemiah 4:14b

Discouragement is a Choice**

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JOB: A Matter Of Trust

IT’S NOT OVER - How God Turns Setbacks into Comebacks – Part 2

SETBACK:A loss of progress, a defeat of a plan, or a reversal of good fortune. Anything that sets you back.

JOB: Wealthiest, Powerful, Famous, Important, Influential

5 Tragedies ONE DAY: 1) 1K Livestock Stolen All Workers Killed By Raiders… 2) 3K Camels Stolen and All Workers Killed… 3) 7K Sheep & Workers Burned... 4) 7 Sons 3 Daughters Wind Storm… 5) Incurable & Extremely Painful Disease

Job 30:26-27

HOW DO I TRUST GOD FOR A COMEBACK WHEN MY SETBACK SEEMS IRREVERSIBLE? T.R.U.S.T. God Like Job Did!

“I’m never getting out of this? I’m Never Coming Back From This?” TRUST God & DO 5 Things.

TELL GOD EXACTLY HOW I FEEL Start By Unloading All Your Emotions On God. Learn To Ventilate Vertically! Job 1:20 (GW)

4 Emotions 1) SHOCK: What’s Going On? 2) GRIEF: What Have I Lost? 3) ANGER: Why Did This Happen To Me? 4) FEAR: What Happen Next?

Little Secret… God Can Handle Any Emotion You’ve Got. KNOW WHY? He Gave Them To You! Emotional God… Made In His Image!

Job 7:11(TEV)

Lamentations 2:19 (NCV)

JEREMIAH: “Deceived Me, Lied To Me. Turned Out Like You Told Me - Angry”

NAOMI: “Call Me BITTER, Because God Has Made My Life BITTER.”

DAVID: “Lord, I’ve taken the worst from you and I’ve taken all that you can give and I’m fed up. I’ve had it.”

GOD Says, “Hey, You’re a man after my own heart”

Fear, Frustrations, Doubts, “I’m still trusting you Lord, even though I don’t understand going on, but I’m going to do exactly you’re telling me.” Psalm 116:10 (NCV)

REFUSE TO BECOME BITTER

Job 1:21-22 (LB)

The antidote to bitterness is gratitude for God’s goodness

Job 5:11 Hebrews 12:15
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (TEV)

UNITE WITH PEOPLE WHO’LL HELP ME FOCUS ON GOD

Natural Tendency Withdraw, Walls, Barriers, ISOLATE… No One Close, Deep Pain… Not Be Seen.

(Elihu) “Don’t let your anger and the pain you endured make you sneer at God. Reputation and riches cannot protect you from distress, nor can you find safety in the dark world below. Don’t turn to evil as a way of escape. God’s power is unlimited…

Job 36:18-24 (CEV)
Job 12:13 (MSG)1 Chronicles 16:11 (TEV)
Psalm 69:32 (TEV)
Psalm 63:2 (MSG)
Philippians 1:19 (NCV)
Job 2:9-10 (NLT)
Job 13:15
Matthew 6:32a (CEV)

**TRUST JESUS FOR EVERY DETAIL OF MY COMEBACK

John 16:33 (MSG) Psalm 75:6-7**

JOB’S COMEBACK

Job 42:10

Pray through T.R.U.S.T.

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MEET ROWDY JESUS

Rowdy Spiritual Passion Is A Gift From God. It’s Not About Anger; But Energy, Action, And Change!

The First Cleansing Of The Temple - John 2:13-17 (NASB)

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. 15And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables; 16and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away; stop making My Father’s house a place of business.” 17His disciples remembered that it was written,

“ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”

When Should I Get Rowdy?

When I Need To Break Free From My Normal Way Of Doing Things To Take A Stand In The Name Of My God!

The Second Cleansing Of The Temple - Matthew 21:12-14

And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. 13And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” 14And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

Getting Rowdy Comes BEFORE Getting Healed.

Get Rowdy to Get Healed.

Healing happened AFTER He turned over the Tables, Not before. Your Tables.

When I Come To Worship, Jesus Wants Me To Decide Whether I Am Here For My Business Or God’s Business.

JESUS is COMING!!! This Week. The Cross is OUR Passover. One Spotless Lamb. Blood.

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CHOOSE THE WRONG CROWD

“I Don’t Convert People. Only God Converts People. I Enjoy People, God Converts People.”

Matthew 9:9-13 (NASB) (Matthew)

HOW TO ENJOY PEOPLE FAR FROM GOD?

Don’t Be Offended Do Life Together
Don’t Be Angered Do Pray For Them
Don’t be Afraid Do Believe In Them
Don’t Expect Anything Do Include Them
Don’t Have A Timetable Do Respect Them
Don’t Overwhelm Them Do Be Happy To See Them
Don’t Give Up Do Spend Time With Them
Don’t Argue Do Invest In Them
Don’t Only Talk About Jesus Do Listen To Them
Do Be Patient With Them
Do See Jesus In Them

Who You Are, In Your Identity As A Son Or Daughter, Is More Valuable Than Anything You Could Ever Do Or Not Do.

Matthew 25:34-40 (NASB)

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THE STAND - Ephesians Series

TAP THE SOURCE OF STRENGTHEphesians 6:10 - 13
1 Samuel 30:6

IDENTIFY THE ENEMYEphesians 6:12

“Evil rarely looks evil until it accomplishes it’s goal; it gains entrance by appearing attractive, desirable, and perfectly legitimate. It is a baited and camouflage trap.”
Kyle Snodgrass

ENEMY TACTICS:

Interjecting an image into our minds of something enticing, but sinful (Matt 4:8-10, Luke 4:5-8)
Exploiting a sinful tendency, such as anger, and causing it to flare out of control. (Eph. 4:27)
Inspiring others to create a principle, teaching, or idea that sounds plausible, but is wrong and dangerous to our souls. (2 Cor. 12:7)

1. BELT OF TRUTHEphesians 6:14a

Surrounded by "honesty," "truthfulness," "integrity," and "sincerity"
Tools / Held the soldier's robe together, TRIPPED UP. /
‘Hit Below the belt.” PROTECT Vulnerable! Devil doesn't play by ANY rules.

2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESSEphesians 6:14b

Practical Righteousness Vs. Positional Righteousness. ~ His Righteousness Is Already IN you, Now It Just Has To Be ON you.
Right Doing Problem Vs. Right Believing Problem.

Matthew 5:6

3. SHOES OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACEEphesians 6:15

1ST , Our Peace With God Through Christ
2ND, Gospel… Win Personal War Against The Devil… So That Peace To The World.

Luke 4:18

Verbs: “To Be” Constant State Of Being / “To Take” Use On As Needed Basis

4. SHIELD OF FAITH
Ephesians 6:16

GUARD AND PROTECT AGAINST THE ENEMY OF DOUBT.
Recount God’s Past Victories In Your Life.
Take Time To Remember The Promises Of God.
- He will never forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).
- He will meet all your needs (Phil 4:19).
- Call on Him and He will answer (Jeremiah 33:3).
- He will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5-6).
A Soldier’s Shield Was Strongest When Linked Together.
Your Feet Reveal Your Faith.
- God Waits For Your Movement Before He Moves.
- You Might Be Waiting On God While God Is Waiting On You

5. HELMET OF SALVATIONEphesians 6:17a

Can’t live without Head. SALVATION.
MIND: Bring your Thinking UP - RICHES SALVATION.

6. SWORD OF THE SPIRITEphesians 6:17b

God’s word is our sword. The only weapon of offense. We must use it regularly in order to become proficient users.
Knowing the word is insufficient. Must know how to use it.
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3
“It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

PRAY IN THE SPIRITEphesians 6:18THE ARMOR IS USED THROUGH PRAYER.
WHAT IS PRAYER? PRAYER IS EARTHLY PERMISSION FOR HEAVENLY INTERVENTION.

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"GROW UP" Week 4 Ephesians

GROWN UP WALK

1Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called 2be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

THEREFORE - True Wealth - Sought, Saved, Sent - THAT Prayer - Power, Love, Filled Full…
You Are Saved By Grace Through Faith, But Your Walk Is By Obedience.

GROWN UP WORK

11And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.

Apostles - One who is sent and breaks new ground. Focusing is on starting new ministries and new churches.

Prophets - Foretelling or Forth-telling God’s message to people. Focusing on communicating truth.

Evangelists - The ability to recognize ripe fruit. Focusing on people outside the Church.

Pastors - Caring for spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. Focusing on the body of Christ.

Teachers - Transferring knowledge. Focusing on educating the Church.

14As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, that is, Christ, 16from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

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**“THAT” PRAYER - Ephesians Week 3

THAT expresses purpose, in this case the purpose for which he is bowing and interceding.**

Ephesians 3:14-21

STRENGTHENED WITH POWER

16that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

STRENGTHENED Passive voice - Be Strengthened. Given Strength. Made Mighty
- That which is on the inside of you to get on the outside of you.
- Ability you didn’t have before.
- Dunamis - Dynamite - Dynamo.

2 Timothy 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”

1934 Pastor Martin Niemoller…GUARD Proverbs 18:10 - “The name of the Lord is a Strong Tower. The righteous run in and are safe.”
- Niemoller’s fear fell away, and the power of that verse sustained him through his trial and his years in Nazi Concentration camp.
“INNER MAN” You Are a Tripartite Being.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

2 Corinthians 4:16

ROOTED IN LOVE

17and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge,

ROOTED… GROUNDED
FARMING… BUILDING
Psalm 1
Parable Soils Mark 4 - Path - Birds, Rocky - Shallow Soil, Thorns - Choked, Good Soil - 30, 60, 100.
Roots of tree the same size as limbs. Just as deep as is high.
GROUNDED… Building Foundation.
Parable Builders Matthew 7 - Rock - Sand
Temple Mount In Israel Foundation Stones...12’ high 14’ deep Bigger Bus ~ 600 Tons, 200 Elephants - 2 Jumbo Jets ~ Titus General ILLUS.

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Earthquake Storms - Trials… Destroy…
Both Greek Perfect Tense Verbs - a completed action which produced results which are still in effect all the way up to the present.
LOVE

Your love is...Deeper than my view of grace…Higher than this worldly place…Longer than this road I've traveled...Wider than the gap you fill.

AGAPE… DO vs DONE
How Know Love Surpasses Knowledge? ALL THE SAINTS…
EX: LOVED… BAPTISM

that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him. - John Piper.

Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people live again.

John 4:14

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Sought, Saved and Sent

Ephesians 2:1-10
Ezekiel 37
Isaiah 6:1-4

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TRUE WEALTH ~ EPHESIANS 1

Spring 52 AD > Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey > Acts 19 > Priscilla & Aquilla > Apollos

54 AD > 3rd Missionary Journey > 3 Years > Synagogue & School of Tyranus > Jerusalem > Arrested > Rome

AD 61 Paul Writes To Ephesus While In Prison > 6 Chapters, 155 Verses, 3,039 Words

WHAT WE HAVE

You Aren’t Wealthy Until You Have Something Money Can’t Buy. - Garth Brooks

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us.

“In Christ”

WHO WE ARE

With all wisdom and understanding, 9he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. 11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

WHO WE KNOW.

15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, in the knowledge of Him. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Bottom Line: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Revelation 2:4

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**ALTAR DAY "My One Word"

2 Kings 13:14-20**

WHAT IS A “ONE WORD” ALTAR?

I. THE ARROW THAT PREDICTS MY FUTURE. The best way to predict your future is to create it.

2 Kings 13:14-17

When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you shall defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

The Predictive Principles Of “My One Word.”

#1: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

#2: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

#3: Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

#4: Every Story Of Transformation Begins With A Word From God.

“My One Word” is the point at which LOGOS becomes RHEMAH in your life.

II. THE POINT I KEEP STRIKING THE GROUND. ( “Complete Victory”)

2 Kings 13:18-20

Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.” 20And Elisha died, and they buried him.

THE BEAUTY OF ONE WORD!

A Single Word Can Reveal The Voice Of God. | A Single Word Focuses On Your Inner Character.

III. THE PLOW AND OXEN I BURN. (Cortez, Point Of Plow?)

1 Kings 19:19, 21

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

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Altars and Idols
Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.“Beware lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; lest, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart becomes proud, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”Deuteronomy 8:11-14“And it shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you shall surely perish. “Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.”Deuteronomy 8:19&20“These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."Deuteronomy 6:6-9“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind“**Romans 12:1&2

Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.**

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SOMETHING ABOUT ONE THING - My One Word Series

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4

Bottom Line: Do SOMETHING About One Thing, Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS:

They Are Too Vague:

“I want to be in better shape!” | Does this mean touching your toes or running a marathon?

They Are Too Shallow:

“I want to be a better person!” | Better than who?
Looking Around = Comparison Looking Inside = Character!

There Are Too Many:

“The one who aims at everything hits nothing.”

1 Samuel 3:1-11, 19

1Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent. 2And it happened at that time as Eli was lying down in his place (now his eyesight had begun to grow dim and he could not see well), 3and the lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, 4that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6And the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. 8So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. 9And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Thy servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Thy servant is listening.”11And the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle 19Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. 20And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD.

FINDING YOUR WORD:

Get Specific:
- What kind of person do you hope to be by the end of 2021?
- Describe the characteristics of that person and the condition of their heart! Write every word down. Group and order them.
Resist Regret:

This year’s resolutions are often last year’s regrets. | Don’t promise not to be what you’ve always been.

Stay Future Focused:
- There is no need to rush. 21 Days. Altar Day.
- Stay focused on the vision of the person you believe God is calling you to be.

A One Word Prophetic Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life!

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Gaining Momentum For The New Year

2 Kings 4

1Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”

People who are stuck in life tend to focus on two things:

What They Have Lost
Negative Things They Think Are Coming

She Spoke Out Of Her Unresolved Disappointment And Fear.

Elisha Didn’t...

Give Her Money, Get A Financial Planner, Take A Class, Rebuke The Devil, Get A New Husband, Even Pray.

He Brought Her A Long-Term Solution Through Revelation.

One More Thing Keeps People Stuck: They Also Are Likely To Devalue What They Already Have.

When We Encounter A Prophetic Culture:

Who We Are... What We Have... Our Potential… God’s Promises…

“Taking our eyes off what we think we don't have causes us to see what we already do have.”

“You already have something which is the key to breakthrough and momentum in your life.”

Gifting idea skill relationship. ~ Say, “ I already have it.” ~ Widow: “What do you have?”3Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few. 4“And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.” 5So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons; they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured. 6When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.” And the oil stopped. 7Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

Word From God:

Her Eyes were taken off what she thought didn’t have, disadvantage, inferior about. ….. Eyes to the oil.

Vs. 3 - borrow, shut door behind you, pour into all vessels.

Breakthrough happens when we start putting our faith in what we have... and what we can do.

Do not despise the day of small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Zechariah 4:10

Become the Elisha in People’s lives.

Elisha Sees The Gold In People ~ Already are ~ Already have ~ Open Heaven. Until We See For Ourselves.

Some people say:
“I want to do something great” Instead, Do what you are doing now with great faith and it will become great.

Faithfulness is not just showing up, it’s how you think when you show up.

Declarations put faith in what you already have.

Exodus 14 “My forward movement causes red seas to part” “The red sea is opening up under my feet.”

John 4:35 “I see the fields white unto harvest.”

What do I have to believe in order to have hope in 2021?

In 2021 I will experience the greatest joys, greatest victories, and greatest accomplishments of my life.

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THE GOSPEL

Romans 1:16, 17 (NASB)

3 **Ways To Live:

I. Irreligious: Be Your Own Savior
Avoiding God by living as you want and disregarding God’s Laws.**

II. Religious: Be Your Own Saviour
Avoiding God by working very hard to be good and obey God’s Laws so He will give you a good life.

III. The Gospel: Looking to God Alone For Your Salvation.

I. Irreligious: “I don’t really have to obey anyone but myself.”

II. Religious: “I obey, therefore I am accepted by God.”

III. The Gospel: “I’m accepted by God at infinite cost to Jesus Christ, therefore I obey.”

The Parable Of The Prodigal Son - Luke Chapter 15:20-32

The older brother is furious... and reveals he’s just like the younger brother.
How? He wants the Father’s things and not the Father.
One is more in love with his prostitutes than the Father.
The other is more in love with his own morality than the Father. Both of these are, in fact, love of self!
One, is the way of self-discovery and self-indulgence. The other, is the way of moral conformity and moral performance.
Both of their hearts want the father’s things, not the Father!
Both of their hearts generated strategies to get what they wanted.
The Result: Both alienated from the Father.
One was spiritually lost away from home. The other was spiritually lost at home.
In the dramatic end of the story, the younger son comes to the Father’s feast and repents.
Just like the two sons, there are two ways to be your own Saviour and Lord!

There Is A 3rd Way To Live.

He sought to bring both of them in!

We need to learn to repent, not only of our bad things, but for the reason we did our good things.

The older brother’s reason for not coming into the Father’s feast: “I’ve never disobeyed” Vs. 29
It’s not his bad deeds that are keeping him away from his Father’s feast.
It’s his good works and his love of his own righteousness that isolate Him from his Father.

We need to see what it cost the Father to bring us home.

Remember, all the Father had was already given to the older brother.
The Father could bring the younger brother home, but it wasn’t free.
It was free to the younger son, but not to the family.
The Father cannot bring the repentant prodigal home, except at the expense of the older brother.

A Good Elder Brother Would Have Agreed. He would have celebrated!

The Younger Son Did Not Have A Good Elder Brother. But We Do! Romans 8:29Jesus Christ on the Cross was stripped naked, so that we could receive the Father’s robe of righteousness.
Jesus Christ on the Cross was cast out, so that we could be brought in to God’s family by grace.
Jesus Christ on the Cross paid our penalty, so that we don’t have to pay that penalty and we can be brought home.

**The Gospel is not Religion or Irreligion.
The Gospel is not Morality or Immorality.
The Gospel is not something halfway between the two. It’s something else altogether. It’s a third way!

Are you being transformed by the power of the Gospel into the image of our true elder brother, Jesus Christ!**

Luke 15:20-32

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FOLLOW - Joy To My World Series

JOY is: “the settled assurance that God is in control of every detail in my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.” --From CHOOSE JOY by Kay Warren **THREE CHOICES THAT WILL CREATE JOY IN YOUR LIFE:

1ST DESTROYER OF JOY: ANXIETY
1ST CHOICE: ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN
FIRST CHOICE THAT CREATES JOY IN YOUR LIFE: WHEN MARY WAS AFRAID SHE CHOSE TO TRUST GOD & ACCEPT HIS PLAN

2ND DESTROYER OF JOY: RESENTMENT OVER A HURT
2ND CHOICE THAT CREATES JOY: LET GO WHEN JOSEPH WAS HURT HE CHOSE TO OFFER GRACE & LET IT GO

3RD DESTROYER OF JOY: CONFUSION**

1st Christmas Everybody’s Confused Except The Angels.
WISE MEN Own Confusion.

WHEN THE WISE MEN WERE CONFUSED THEY CHOSE TO FOLLOW GOD’S LIGHT 1 STEP AT A TIME

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and we have followed it here, seeking to find and worship him.’ Now Herod was deeply upset and bothered by their search, and so was most of Jerusalem as well!” Matthew 2:1-3

Wise Men: Seekers … Headed out in Faith with the light they were given!

7BC Jupiter and Saturn 3X /// 3BC Jupiter and Venus.
On the morning of August 12 in 3 B.C., Jupiter and Venus would’ve sat just 1/10th a degree apart in the dawn sky.
In the year when Jesus was born, there was violence, chaos, political and social unrest. It was dark. Jesus Stepped In Peace
- Fast forward 2020

“Then King Herod sent them to Bethlehem with these instructions, ‘Go and diligently search to find this the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I may go worship him too.’” Matthew 2:8

Jealous, Scoundrel, Habit Killing Off Own Relatives...

“So they continued their search, following the star they had seen in the east. It went ahead of them until it stopped exactly over the place where the child was. When the wise men saw where the star stopped, they were FILLED WITH JOY, and REJOICED EXCEEDINGLY!” Matthew 2:9-10

Little Light… One Step… Big Payoff! ---- Problem You And Me: WE WANT A MAP! Why Not? 1. Scare You To Death! 2. Not Learn Trust!

“They entered the place and saw the child with his mother Mary.

Overwhelmed, they fell to their knees and worshiped Jesus.

Then they opened their treasure boxes and gave Jesus their gifts of gold and incense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

“Lord, restore to me the JOY of your salvation...” Psalm 51:12

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LET GO - Joy To My World Series

HAPPINESS | JOY
based on what “happens” | based on my choices
my external circumstances | my internal character
temporary | long-lasting

Joy Depleters - Joy Drain… Ooze… Why End Up Empty… ?
Joy Enemies - Sometimes Fight? Because...People & Problems This Christmas… See What WORLD & LIFE - Causes & Drains Joy. SERIES - JOY TO MY WORLD! FIRST… 3 Greatest
Destroyers JOY - BTW All three Christmas Story THEN… 3 Choices MARY - JOSEPH - WISEMEN -- CREATE-RESTORE THREE CHOICES THAT WILL CREATE JOY IN YOUR LIFE:1ST DESTROYER OF JOY: ANXIETY1ST CHOICE: ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN

**FIRST CHOICE THAT CREATES JOY IN YOUR LIFE: WHEN MARY WAS AFRAID SHE CHOSE TO TRUST GOD & ACCEPT HIS PLAN

2ND DESTROYER OF JOY: RESENTMENT OVER A HURT
Can’t Resentful & Joyful Come From? Wounded, Wronged, Abused | Sorry, Broken Planet, Not Fair Sin, Rebellion, Hurt Each Other Result All Wounded, Hurt, Betrayed, Rejected, Mistreatment | I Don’t Know? But All Deal Resentment = Bitterness, Bitterness Keeps Billions - JOY SEEN… Entire Life. Let Go Can’t Resentful & Joyful.
Christmas Story Joseph… Betrayed, Cheated, Lied Many Of You...Feelings in Relation | Betrayed…. Betrothed… Old word. More Than... Engaged. Today Break Off. Legal Contract. Divorce. Upset - Every Right. Did… Everything Right | Everything Right.
Rom 8:28
2ND CHOICE THAT CREATES JOY: LET GO. WHEN JOSEPH WAS HURT HE CHOSE TO OFFER GRACE & LET IT GO**

What is God Doing Here? Why? Testing Joseph’s Character. Mary Struggling Fear - Joseph Struggling Anger.
COUPLES TODAY - One Fear… Other Anger.
Joseph… Hurt & Wounded. Every Reason - Turn Against… Turn Others Against
DIFFERENT CHOICE - Doesn’t Attack...Offers Her Grace

Matthew 1:18-19

When You OFFER Grace, You GET Grace. Deal With Hurt.

First, Who has hurt you more than anyone else? Second, Are you still hanging on to that hurt?
GUARANTEE… One Reasons - No JOY.
Can’t Resentment & Joy. CHOOSE
RESENTMENT - THE MOST WORTHLESS EMOTION. Miserable, Never Change Past, People - Hoping Better Past
“You Can’t Have Hope For A Better Future And Hope For A Better Past At The Same Time” PICK ONE!!
Joseph Got BETTER, Because He Didn’t Get BITTER.
As your Pastor…Some of you have been hurt… Every time you rehearse it, you’re getting hurt all over again. LET IT GO!
FORGIVENESS ISSUE Hurting Self.
After Choosing Let Go--Passed Character test. GOD STEPS IN. Joseph Gets Grace…(Grace Party = FREEDOM)

Matthew 1:20-21

Because He didn’t get bitter, God blessed him. Raise Son Of God…
God Always Blesses When You Let Go Of Bitterness. The Grace Of God Will Rush In Immediately.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NIV)

“Think About How Much Joy You’ll Have When You Finally Let Go.” That Joy Will Be Your Strength

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Joy To My World SeriesWhat is Joy? Why so Important?
John 15:11
“JOY” is mentioned 8 times in the Christmas story

Reason---Merry Christmas, Not Scary Christmas.
Celebration, Birthday---Festival, Not Funeral.
Brings You Joy? Feel Good Emotion…FAR MORE!

HAPPINESS JOY
based on what “happens” based on my choices
my external circumstances my internal character
temporary long-lasting

JOY is "the settled assurance that God is control of every detail in my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in all things." Choose Joy by Kay Warren (2012)

Great If All The Time… no one… Grumpy, Attacking, Judgmental
- Joy Barriers - If Don’t know…Fall!
- Joy Depleters - Joy Drain, Ooze, Why End Up Empty ?
This Christmas… See What WORLD & LIFE - Causes & Drains Joy.
SERIES - JOY TO MY WORLD!
FIRST… 3 Greatest Destroyers JOY
THEN… 3 Choices MARY - JOSEPH - WISEMEN--CREATE-RESTORE

FIRST… 3 Greatest Destroyers JOY - BTW All three Christmas Story THEN…
3 Choices MARY - JOSEPH - WISEMEN--CREATE-RESTORE

3 **CHOICES THAT WILL CREATE JOY IN YOUR LIFE:

1ST CHOICE: ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN 1ST DESTROYER OF JOY: ANXIETY

Stressed, Tense, Nervous, Scarred, Afraid, Worried**

Can’t be Joyful & Fearful Same Time
Anxiety Front Door/Joy Back Door
Distress Opposite Of Delight

MARY

15 - VIRGIN BIRTH?!
Tell MOM / Who’s Father?
Single - Little Town
Gossip / Scandal
9th Month…. DONKEY?
Water Break
No HOTEL..

FIRST CHOICE THAT CREATES JOY IN YOUR LIFE:
WHEN MARY WAS AFRAID SHE CHOSE TO TRUST GOD & ACCEPT HIS PLAN

Luke 1:26-30

Minimize...Trauma Event --- Angel, “Don’t Be afraid"
YOU - Created Fulfill God’s Purpose... Acceptance God’s Purpose & Plan … ANTIDOTE TO ANXIETY!
YOU…. BUT, Can Miss It! MOST People MISS PURPOSE --- Don’t Make MARY CHOICE! AFRAID - She Trusted GOD And Accepted His Plan

Luke 1:31-33Luke 1:34-37 Luke 1:38 TRUST GOD & ACCEPT GOD’S PLAN… Even Though - Don’t Understand… RESULT ALWAYS JOY!Secret… Mary: “My spirit finds its JOY IN GOD, my Savior!” Luke 1:47 (GW)

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New Habits For Old Fruitcakes.

Luke 2:1-8

Hope Delivered Directly From God.

10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

“Hope is believing that the future will be better than the past” | “Your hopelessness about the problem is a bigger problem than the problem”

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans15:13

Believing is a Door that leads to hope.

Answers Today For My Real Needs.

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Jesus + Nothing = Everything | Jesus + Anything = Nothing

Breakthrough Birth From An Unknown, Unexpected, And Unrecognized Source.

12And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

FOUR KINDS OF PLACES THAT RESTORE SPIRITUAL PASSION:

1. The Sanctuary: Psalm 73:16, 17 “When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.”

2. The Night Room: Psalm 63:6 - 7 “On my bed I remember You: I think of You through the watches of the night. Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your wings.”

3. The Protective Wings: Psalm 57:1 “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.”

4. The Strong Hands: Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15,16

“The opportunity of a lifetime needs to be seized during the lifetime of the opportunity.”― Leonard Ravenhill

Transformation Takes Time And Takes Off.

17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:17, 20

Making Known Makes Glory. | , Be a Linus - https://youtu.be/OJ8qjdxxzzE Peanuts Christmas. -DROP YOUR BLANKET!

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THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE
GRATITUDE IS A GIFT FROM GOD.

James 1:16, 17

GRATITUDE IS A GIFT FROM GOD TO YOU.

Romans 8:28

Gratitude Makes Everything In Life Look Better. | It’s Not About Saying Thank You. | Gratitude Is Experiencing A Different Life Because You Have A Different Perspective.

It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful - Brene Brown

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude. - Brene Brown

GRATITUDE IS A GIFT YOU GIVE AWAY.

GRACE + TRUTH + TIME

Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)

GRACE 8‘leave it alone for one more year, ←

Noah was an alcoholic ~ Abraham was too old ~ Isaac was a daydreamer ~ Jacob was a liar ~ Leah was an idolator ~ Moses had a stuttering problem ~ Rahab was a prostitute ~ Gideon was afraid ~ Sampson was a womanizer ~ Ruth was a pagan ~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young ~ David had affair and was a murderer ~ Elijah was suicidal ~ Jonah ran from God ~ Job went bankrupt ~ The Disciples fell asleep while praying ~ Martha worried about everything ~ The Samaritan woman had five broken marriages ~ Zaccheus was a swindler ~ Thomas was a doubter ~ Peter denied Christ ~ Paul was too religious ~ Timothy was too timid ~ AND Lazarus, well, Lazarus was dead (and God used Him!)

God can use everyone. Everyone is worthy of Grace!

WHAT IS GRACE? (John 8 - Woman Caught In Adultery)

TRUTH “and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. - James Garfield

TIME 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

You can tell how valuable something is, by how long you are willing to wait for it.

2 Peter 3:9

Gratitude Is A Solution. Just Imagine Less. | Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have. | Pray For It, Then...See It - Say It - Seize It

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THE GIFT OF GRATITUDE
GRATITUDE IS A GIFT FROM GOD.

James 1:16, 17

GRATITUDE IS A GIFT FROM GOD TO YOU.

Romans 8:28

Gratitude Makes Everything In Life Look Better. | It’s Not About Saying Thank You. | Gratitude Is Experiencing A Different Life Because You Have A Different Perspective.

It’s not joy that makes us grateful, it’s gratitude that makes us joyful - Brene Brown

I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude. - Brene Brown

GRATITUDE IS A GIFT YOU GIVE AWAY.

GRACE + TRUTH + TIME

Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)

GRACE 8‘leave it alone for one more year, ←

WHAT IS GRACE? (John 8 - Woman Caught In Adultery)

TRUTH “and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. - James Garfield

TIME 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

You can tell how valuable something is, by how long you are willing to wait for it.

2 Peter 3:9

Gratitude Is A Solution. Just Imagine Less. | Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have. | Pray For It, Then...See It - Say It - Seize It

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Protect My Heart
Hebrews 11:1
Psalm 25:5
Luke 15:20b
1 Corinthians 13:11

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FAITH WANTS MORE

Ephesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (NIV)**Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)

JACOB WANTED MORE - Genesis 32:27-30But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied. 28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” 29And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there. 30So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” ELISHA WANTED MORE - 2 Kings 2:9-10*When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “What can I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha answered, “May I receive a double portion of the prophetic spirit that energizes you.” 10Elijah replied, “That’s a difficult request! If you see me taken from you, may it be so, but if you don’t, it will not happen.” ZACCHAEUS WANTED MORE - Luke 19:1-4*Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. MARY WANTED MORE - Luke 10:41-4241“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” **GOD NEVER GIVES YOU LESS THAN HIMSELF.
God Knows That Only He Can Satisfy Us.
Wanting more of God always leads to getting more from God.
But, just wanting more from God gets you neither more from Him or more of Him.

Jacob Wrestled With God.
What Are You Wrestling With?
God Is In The Wrestling.
Wrestling For Blessing.

Elisha Chased After God.
What Are You Chasing?
God Is In The Chase.
Chasing For Spiritual Power.

Zacchaeus Climbed To See God.
What Are You Climbing To See?
God Is In The Climb.
Climbing To See Him.

Mary Chose God’s Presence.
What Are You Choosing?

THE SINFUL WOMAN WANTED MORE - Luke 7:37-38**

37A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

JABEZ WANTED MORE - 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 10And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

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FAITH PUSHES THROUGH

MARK 5 24...all the people followed, crowding around him. 25A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”

Matthew 9:20 ESV “came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment”

Mark 5:29-34 29Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”31His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”32But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

PUSH THROUGH DISAPPOINTMENT12 Years Gotten Worse When I Young… Why tired, sad, angry | PUSH THROUGH DIS-EASEConstant bleeding. Unclean. Leviticus 15 Suffered from Doctors, Spent Everything,

Leviticus 15:19,25,27 v19″If a woman has a discharge, and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening.

v25 “‘If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean.'”

v27 “Whoever touches those things shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening.”

According to the same account in the Gospel of Mark, she had an issue of blood for 12 years (Mark 5:25). According to Leviticus 15:28 “‘But if she is cleansed of her discharge , then she shall count for herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.”

Matthew 9:21 “…”If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.”” What was it about the garment of the Lord that she had such faith, that if Jesus was really the Messiah that she would receive healing?

Malachi 4:2 “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings’…” The word “wings” used here is the same as the word “borders” seen in Numbers 15:38. So the woman knew that if this is the Messiah, then surely if I can just get close enough to touch the hem or the borders of His garment, I can surely receive healing. She was embracing the promise that the Messiah had healing in His wings. She looked upon Jesus and believed that He was who He claimed to be. When she had touched the hem of His garment, it was the same as touching Him. She looked to Him by faith and when her faith touched His grace she was healed.

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FAITH WORDS

The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. John 6:63 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Luke 1:5-20 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.

7But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old. All Say… Identity = Believe about Self

Faith Words or Fear Words. Victim Words or Victory Words. | “Fear Is Present Where Faith Is Absent.” | “Fear Vocalized Has The Power To Immobilize.” | For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 ESV

8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him:

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

“My Description Is Not My Destiny”
Thoughts create Words, But words also create thoughts. You live in a house of thoughts.
“If you want to change your life, you have to change your confession.”
Faith words are like a verbal crowbar used to generate faith leverage.
Logos: General Biblical Word Of God Rhema: The word the Holy Spirit quickens to a specific person for a specific situation.
Not Afraid, Prayer Heard, Call Him, Joy & Delight, Rejoice, Great, Filled, Bring Back, Go On, Spirit & Power, Turn Hearts, Make Ready, Prepared For The Lord.

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

When You Say What God Says About You, You Activate What He Put On The Inside.
Faith Gives You The Ability To Do What God Has Called You To Do.
Faith Words Agree With Your Identity.

19The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak

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FAITH MULTIPLIES

Would It Be Ok With You If God Multiplied Your Financial Resources?

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - John 6

1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Festival was near. 5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Three Acknowledgements:

God Always Starts With What You HAVE.
The Miracle Happened IN The HANDS of Jesus.
Multiplication Always Produces A Party - In God’s Honor!

One Principle: Everything Has To Be RETURNED To It’s Creative Source BEFORE It Can Be Multiplied.

I Am Believing That God CAN And WILL Multiply The RESOURCES I Return To Him.
The Only Alternative Belief Is That God DOES NOT LOVE ME & SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED With The Resources He Created.
It’s Either One Or The Other!

Tithing Is God’s Financial TRAINING WHEELS (10%) For Us To Learn The Principle Of Multiplication As A WAY OF LIFE in ALL THINGS!

Tithing Isn’t Giving, It’s RETURNING.

We RETURN Everything We Have To MULTIPLY Everything He Touches.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. 11“Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the LORD of hosts. 12“All the nations will call you ble

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FAITH EYES

1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7“Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam.” So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:1-7

Faith requires me to count on something I can’t see. What unseen answer from God are you counting on?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

SUBSTANCE - Greek: “hupostasis” Literally: From the compound root words “stand” and “under.” That which is real or actually exists. Setting or placing under; thing put under, substructure, foundation. To possess or stand under a guaranteed agreement. A "title-deed" | HOPED FOR
May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 The confidence that a negative circumstance will produce a positive purpose in my life. What if He is doing in your life exactly what you asked him to do, but just not the way you want it?
EVIDENCE - Greek: “elegchos” | NOT SEEN We walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Disappointment can be a prison or a portal. Disappointment can cause you to set your expectation at the level of your experience and miss the purpose of God in your life. “I thought I'd be farther along by now.” - That’s the prison of disappointment that keeps you from seeing how far you’ve come. God is not limited by your level of faith!
35Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. John 9:35-38

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GOD IS IN A GOOD MOOD!

Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus.

Genesis 12:10-13
Genesis 20:2
Genesis 26:6-7
John 8:4-5,7,10-11
John 21:15-17
2 Timothy 1:7

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My Hands For Your Battle

Exodus 17

You Can’t Always Pick What Battles You’re In, But You Can Pick Who’s Corner You’re In.

8The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the rod of God in my hands.”

I. Find Someone In A Fight Worth Winning. History Slaves. Act Like Victims. No Water.

It’s one thing to get the PEOPLE out of EGYPT, but it’s another thing to get EGYPT out of the PEOPLE.

Not those people... Joshua, Choose “””some”””

10So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

II. See The Whole Story. (Helicopter, Chess)

I. Rod of God. Identity. (Story) Where Does Victory Come From?
II. Behind every blessing is an unexpected battle.
They wanted comfort, God gave them conflict. Change Them.
Should have been a bloodbath - no experience, First Battle. BUT, GOD! 10 PLAGUES EGYPT, PHAROAH, RED SEA, ARMY!
Have to have a fight to have a victory. YEA!!! - WE HAVE A FIGHT!
STAFF THERE - FOR EVERY VICTORY - They needed the STORY OF THE STAFF TO FOCUS THE FIGHT.

12When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on.III. Give Them Rest, Not Advice

THEY DIDN’T TRY TO TAKE OVER AND FIX IT ----- AND, THEY DIDN’T HAVE A BETTER IDEA - GOD AT WORK HERE!

12...Aaron and Hur held his hands up — one on one side, one on the other

IV. The Direction Is Up

Why Moses on the hill. Old? Proud? Directing the battle? NO - Everyone will see that strength for the battle comes from The Lord.
- Old Pastor Said - Columbus Mill Workers
UP - Needed the STAFF not the SWORD!
Strength didn’t come from the sword, it came from the staff.
Look to the staff, not the sword.

— so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

V. Be Steady

13So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians.

Find Someone who Needs Their Hands Lifted up, and climb their hilltop with them, view the battle with them, take the gift God has given you, and support their hands.

Community Requires Commitment.
The Holy Spirit is the one who creates real commitment between believers, but he cultivates it with the choices we make.
Times of crisis, honesty, bravery, and suffering weld suffering souls together into conquerors with a story to tell.

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UNSEEN ENEMY - Week 1 - Unseen / Battle

WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALL THERE IS.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not unaware of his schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11

HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers…2 Corinthians 4:4 | HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU. For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18
HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.” Matthew 13:19 | HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU.

…and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:26

EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING A BATTLE YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.
WE DO NOT FIGHT FOR VICTORY. WE FIGHT FROM VICTORY.
YOUR PRAYERS ARE FAR MORE POWERFUL THAN YOU KNOW.

You, dear children,

are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

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IN GOOD HANDS Week 3 Outline - 08.16.20 ~ He’s Still *Got The Whole World In His Hands Series

Jeremiah 18

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2“Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.”

3So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

5Then the word of the Lord came to me. 6He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord.

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

SCRIPTURE“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12"It is written..." Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
HOLY SPIRIT “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14“He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. John 16:13,14Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:6-9
III. CIRCUMSTANCES: Opened And Closed Doors.But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me. 1 Corinthians 16:8,9And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:57, 58
IV. WISE COUNSEL: Mature Christian Friends And Spiritual Authorities.For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, 'Go!' and he goes, and to another, 'Come!' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this!' and he does it." Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith." Luke 7:8, 9

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; Isaiah 59:1

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:6

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The Hole World. Week 2 Outline - 08.09.20 He’s Still* Got The Whole World In His Hands Series

Isaiah 40

12Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? 13Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? 14Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? 15No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. 22God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him! He spreads out the heavens like a curtain and makes his tent from them. 26Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.

**Intro:
Hole In Your Whole Illus. Regular Donut vs. Solid WIth Filling.

Whole Enchilada Whole Ball Of Wax. Whole 9 YardsWhole HogWhole Gospel.
Shalom
There’s A “H~O~L~E” In Your “W~H~O~L~E.”

Martin Luther Three Salvations: Heart, Mind, Wallet.
¾, ½, ¾ Gospel Gospel Gospel | The HOLE In Your World Is The Person Or Thing You Can’t Live Without. Illus.M30Liv
The HOLE In Your World Is The Thing That Makes You Want To Quit.
The HOLE In Your World Is The Thing You Think Jesus Can’t Or Won’t Touch.*Mark 1:40-42 Leviticus 14:1-32, Matthew 8:1-4, Luke 5:12-16*40Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” 41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42And immediately the leprosy left him, and the man was cleansed.Answer not take away Hole - Hole filled. My Leper Options:
Decide To Handle It Yourself.
Give Up And Live With Broken Dreams.
Allow Your Pain To Be Touched. (Illus: Wound Care)
“You’ve gotta want it”
Woman Issue of Blood - Luke 8
Peter Heals Crippled Beggar - Healed Acts 3
Sinful Woman: “forgiven much loved much” - Luke 7 | “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36 Loses Soul - Hole In Soul.
“Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” Mark 8:37Key: HumilityAn Invitation To Participate In The Cross. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”Galatians 2:20https://activechristianity.org/mean-crucified-christ-galatians-220

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Easter changes everything and this year everything has changed.

Beyond the shroud, beyond the blood and bandages, beyond the spices and the close, dank air, HE STOOD!

Alive once more, He stood—in six full weeks of sunlight.

Then on to heaven He went, sending His spirit into our hearts, making us alive forever.

Now the living Christ rules where the best flags wave, in the interior castles of our hearts, but... He IS Here!

EASTER! - Hell shuddered and the world trembled - the day the living Savior stood the dumbfounded world on its ear!

EASTER! - The day Christ moved out of His very temporary residence into the best and worst of palaces - the human heart.

LIFE! - Christ’s Life, this marvelous gift is Ours! We don’t create it! We can’t sustain it.

This life of His learned obedience on the cross and proved its power by leaving the cold stone slab of a cave grave.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NLT)

“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 4He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. 5He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. 8Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.”

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Be a HOPE DEALER who has CONTAGIOUS FAITH!

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NOT AFRAID
1. We live by faith, not by fear.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1 NIV
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV
2. We are sacrificial, not selfish.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3- 4 NLT
All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Acts 2:44-45 NIV
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts ... Acts 2:46 NIV
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 NIV
3. We shine the light, we do not hide it.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
TALK IT OVER
Are you dealing with any fears or anxieties right now? What are they?

Would you describe your faith as more of a weekly faith or a daily faith?

What are some ways you could live out your faith more during the week?
How can you put others first and bring hope to those who need it this week?

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In light of our community's needs, we did a Live Stream Sunday Worship service.

"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

God is with us! He has presented us with a great opportunity. Here's how you can help:

Give your tithe this week online or at the church office as soon as you can knowing how much it is needed. We have never done this before. www.rivertownchurch.com/onlinegiving/

PRAY! God is on the move. I see a VICTORY in this house!!!

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THE TABLE OF WORSHIP

Romans 12:1, 2 (NAS) 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Matthew 22:36-38 36“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment.

Luke 7:36-47 (NLT) 36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”40Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. 41Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43Simon “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

***Isaiah 6:5 So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.”

Romans 12:1, 2 (NAS) 1**Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiri*

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Empty Tables. Empty Lives.
The Big Question:
If You Woke Up Tomorrow And All Your Family And Closest Friends Were Radically Saved And Daily Walking With God.
Who Would Be The Next Person That You Would Care If They Went To Heaven.

Luke 4:16-20
16And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”
20And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
(Leif, Christoph, Merlin + 20 more, Maren & Jessica, Kevin, Brett, John, Jason.)
Hebrews 13:1-2
“1Let brotherly love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Don’t Wait For An Invitation.
There’s Always Someone Who Needs Your Love. (Johnny Cash Principle)
Not Qualified? God Can Draw A Straight Line With A Crooked Stick.
Don’t Have All The Answers? I’m Just A Beggar Showing Another Beggar Where To Find The Bread.
Yes! People Are Messy, But God Has A Big Broom.
It Will Cost You Something, But It Cost Jesus Far More.
You Will Get Hurt, But Your Healing Will Heal Bigger Wounds.
You Don’t Have To Trust People. You Just Have To Trust God.
The Door Swings Both Ways. You’ll Never Let Yourself Out Until You Let People In.
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

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CATCH AND RELEASE
The Parable Of The Banquet - Luke 14:15-23
15When one of those reclining with Him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is everyone who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16But Jesus replied, “A certain man prepared a great banquet and invited many guests. 17When it was time for the banquet, he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

18But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ 19Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, so I cannot come.’

21The servant returned and reported all this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’

22‘Sir,’ the servant replied, ‘what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.

HOLD ON.

UNWORTHY.

KEEP MOVING.

WHO’S HUNGRY?

BUFFET SYNDROME.

Revelation 3:15-20 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

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Wendy Slaby is a walking, talking miracle. Being told by doctors that she may never walk, talk, or even survive, Wendy fought back by saying "Yes, Lord!" Hear this powerful true life story of faith and the strength God gives to face impossible odds.

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A Safe Place

The Lord Your God is a Safe Place

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

John 17:15
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
The Lord Your God is a Safe Place

Walls Without Doors are Prisons!

John 17:15
I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

A Safe Place to Put on God's Attributes
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:12-13

A Safe Place to Place Others First
"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Colossians 3:14

A Safe Place to Stop Worrying
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Colossians 3:15

A Safe Place to Learn Truth
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16

The Lord Your God is a Safe Place
"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:17

We Are:
Chosen, Holy, Beloved, Compassionate, Kind, Humble, Meek, Patient, Forgiving, Loving, Peaceful, Seeking, Obedient, Thankful

The Lord Your God is a Safe Place

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SIFTED FOR SERVICE - Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 4

What’s The Devil’s Deal?
Retreating to a safe position where I unknowingly make a deal to no longer be threatened and no longer be a threat.

Luke 22:31-34 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” 34Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
SATAN TRAFFICS IN DARKNESS
AND HAS OPEN ACCESS TO ANY PLACE IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE THAT IS ALLOWED TO STAY IN DARKNESS.

Luke 22:54-62 54Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. 55And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. 56A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” 57But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. 58A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. 59About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” 60Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 62And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Why Does God Allow The Devil's Deal’s To Come My Way?
To Expose And Erase The Darkness Within Me That Does Not BELIEVE God's Promises.
To Learn How To Relax And Receive His Promises Instead Of Command And Control The Outcome.

We bring the light of Christ into Satan's domain of darkness, people's lives are transformed, and God’s kingdom advances.
Satan strikes back with spiritual warfare and we take losses that we don't understand.
We make the choice to stay in the fight, grow in our faith, and trust God with the outcome.

What Does God Want From Me?
Victory Doesn’t Come FROM You. Victory Comes IN You.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Our Breakthrough Comes By Refusing To Judge By What Our Eyes See Or Our Ears Hear
And By Trusting That Everything God Has Promised Will Come To Pass.

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NOT TODAY SATAN - Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 3

A Deal With The Devil is the subtle moment you decide...

not to actively oppose Satan's plans, work, and agenda in exchange for his lie of a comfortable life free from his attacks.

First, we bring the light of Christ into Satan's domain of darkness, people's lives are transformed, and God’s kingdom advances.
Then, Satan strikes back with spiritual warfare and we take losses that we don't understand.
Finally, we make the choice to stay in the fight, grow in our faith, and trust God with the outcome.
Or, we retreat to a safe position where we unknowingly make a DEAL WITH THE DEVIL to

no longer be threatened and no longer be a threat.

SATAN TRAFFICS IN DARKNESS

AND HAS OPEN ACCESS TO ANY PLACE IN A CHRISTIAN'S LIFE THAT IS ALLOWED TO STAY IN DARKNESS.

Matthew 4:1-3 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone,

but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Why Does God Allow The Devil's Attacking Deals To Come My Way?

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;

32but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; Luke 22:31, 32

To Expose And Erase The Darkness Within Me That Does Not BELIEVE God's Promises.

To Learn How To Relax And Receive Instead Of Command And Control.

What Does God Want From Me?

Victory Doesn’t Come FROM You.

Victory Comes FOR You.

Finally, we make the choice…

stay in the fight... grow in our faith… trust God with the outcome.

James 4:7 "Submit to God, resist the Devil, and He will flee from you"

Our Victory Comes By Refusing To Judge By What Our Eyes See Or Our Ears Hear

And By Trusting That Everything God Has Promised Will Come To Pass.

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WHERE BREAKTHROUGH BEGINS, Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 2

Daniel Chapter 10

2At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.

12Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”

FAITH IS THE WILLINGNESS TO LOOK FOOLISH

NOAH Building The Ark, The ISRAELITE Army Around Jericho, A Shepherd Boy Named DAVID, The WISE MEN, PETER In The Boat,

JESUS Wearing A Crown Of Thorns

In Order To Experience A Miracle, You Have To Take A Risk!

If You Don't Take The Risk, You Forfeit The Miracle!

PHYSICAL RELEASE IS CONNECTED TO SPIRITUAL OBEDIENCE.

OBEY GOD AND LEAVE THE CONSEQUENCES TO HIM

Daniel Chapter 6

19At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from

21Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not

23The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

GOD MOVES ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO WAIT ON HIM.

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Pray Through For Break Through, Spiritual Breakthrough Series - Week 1

THE LEGEND OF HONI THE CIRCLE MAKER
"Lord of the Universe. I swear before your great name that I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children"
"Not for such rain have I prayed,
but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns."
"Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of
Thy favor, blessing, and graciousness."

THE POWER OF A SINGLE PRAYER

Bold Prayers Honor God and God Honors Bold Prayers

God Is For Me Not Against Me!

Who You Become Is Determined By How You Pray.

THE JERICHO MIRACLE
JOSHUA 6:1-16 (NIV)
(Text On Screen)
WHAT IS YOUR JERICHO?

What Promise Are You Praying Around?
What Miracle Are You Marching Around?
What Dream Does Your Life Revolve Around?

Most Of Us Don't Get What We Want
Simply Because We Don't Know What We Want.
Instead Of Drawing Circles We Draw Blanks

MATTHEW 20:29-34 (NIV)
Jesus Asked, “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?”

What If Jesus Asked You This Same Question?

MY ONE WORD - 2020
WHAT DO I DO?
Don't just read the Bible, Start circling the promises.
Don't just make a wish.
Write a List of What You Need For Your Breakthrough.
Don't just pray. Keep a BREAKTHROUGH prayer journal.

WHAT’S IN YOUR BREAKTHROUGH CIRCLE?
Define Your Breakthrough Dream.
Claim Your Breakthrough Promise.
Spell Your Breakthrough Miracle.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18

FOR Not HOW
Pray For It To Happen, Not How It Will

THE 21 DAY PRAYER & FASTING CHALLENGE.

Circle Your Children, Your Spouse,
Or An Unsaved Co-Worker.

Circle A Challenge You Are Facing
Or A Sin You Are Struggling With.

Circle A Dream God Has Put In Your Heart.

Circle A Change That Needs To Happen.
Or A Decision That Needs To Be Made.

PRAY THROUGH FOR YOUR BREAKTHROUGH.

Don't Just Pray For - Pray Through!

Intercede Until God Intervenes.

Refuse To Move Until God Moves.

Praying Through Is All About Consistency.

Praying Through Is All About Intensity.

My Job - God’s Job
IF I PRAY THROUGH...
GOD WILL BREAK THROUGH

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DON'T LOOK BACK - Jan. 5, 2020
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Isaiah 43:18-20
Lot’s Wife - Genesis 19
15At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!”...17When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”23Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. 24Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation. 26But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.

Abraham’s Death - Joshua 1
1After the death of Moses the LORD’s servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

Jesus: Your Plow, Not Your Past - Luke 9
51As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. 53But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” 55But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56So they went on to another village. 57As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”59He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”60But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”61Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” 62But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”

The Plan: Joshua 1
6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Jesus’s Words
32Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. Luke 17:32, 33

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IT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE - Christmas Live Series 12.24.17
“Joseph’s Side Of The Story.”
IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

Life Through Joseph’s Eyes... Your Eyes.

Vs. 19 “...because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately.”

Public Disgrace = Private Divorce.

“Are you privately divorcing yourself from a promise you used to be public about?”

The Angel Gabriel Said,

“It’s Not What It Looks Like Joseph!”

Vs. 20 “that which has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”

Tell somebody: “It’s Not What It Looks Like!”

Your Situation: Scandalous & Troublesome Surface, But…

“It’s Not What It Looks Like Because God Has A Plan.”

FEEL THE PAIN

Can you feel the emotions in Joseph’s Christmas Story?

Vs. 18 When His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child…

Surprise + Confusion + Accusation = Shame

He’s supposed to love her, but now he’s ashamed to be around her.

Joseph’s natural instinct was to EXPOSE & SHAME Mary... in order to RELIEVE himself of EXPOSURE & SHAME.

“Shame is about having eyes on you.” Dr. John Bradshaw

You can feel the PAIN because IT’S NOT WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE!

What Do You Do?

Choose NOT to Rewrite God’s Story.

“Joseph made HIStory!” ~ “Choose to make HIStory!”

You Never Really Believe God Until You “Own Your Own Story.”

HOW? He chose not to disgrace the one he thought disgrace Him. That’s Grace!

We’ve got a Choice. Grace Or Disgrace.

OPEN THE BOX - Larry Rogers...Package.

Boxes can be deceiving.

Bad things in good packages.

Good things in bad packages.

God’s Christmas Package. N.W.I.L.L.

God will often use a box that seems worthless or deceiving to bring about his greatest gift.

“Open The Box” Damaged & Beat Up Situations.

“There’s Treasure In The Box.”

IT’S NOT OVER
Just because it FEELS worthless, doesn’t mean it IS worthless.

No Matter What Life Gives You, God Is Working In It To Bring About Your Good.

How Do I Know It’s Not Over? It’s A Construction Zone. (Next Miles)

Even When Your Situation Seems Pointless,

God Can Still Fulfill His Purpose.

Failure Isn’t Final. Disappointment Isn’t Final.

Your Present Situation Isn’t the Last Chapter Of The Story.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

HOW’S YOUR HEART?

Most Of Us Spend A Large Portion Of Our Time Trying To Earn The Approval, Appreciation, And Recognition Of Others.

This Is The Opposite Of The Approach Jesus Took In His Life And Death.

Philippians 2:5-8 says that He had every right to be considered equal with God. He chose to be wrapped in flesh and made to be nothing so that through him, we might have the opportunity to receive eternal life.

1 Samuel 16:7 says,

“man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Final Question: How’s Your Heart?

The Needs In Our Lives Are Not What They Look Like. Gift Jesus Christ

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You Would Be Wise to Follow the Wisemen this Christmas
Matt 2:1-12

I. The Wise men sought the Right Thing

V:2 " Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

II. They Not Only Sought the Right Thing, They Did the Right Thing

V:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."

III. When We Find Jesus, We Will Never Be the Same

V:12 "And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way."

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Thankful For A Thief 11.17.19 - ThanksLiving Series
(Thief Stories - Safe, AC)
ThanksLiving Challenge: Become Grateful For The Thing I’m Most Ungrateful For.
What I’m Most Think Of The Person, Circumstance, Or Event In Your Life That You Are The Most Ungrateful For? Then, Ask God For A New Level Of Faith That Includes Gratitude For That Too.
(LINCOLN- Day Of National Thanksgiving)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

ALL MEANS... “ALL”
pás: ("each, every") means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time." (ananeóō) then focuses on the part(s) making up the whole – viewing the whole in terms of the individual parts.
This Greek word basically means "these things all taken together", not partially, not by piece and partial.

Romans 8:26-28
26And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(Thankful for a Thief - Gift Thanks - Les Miserables)
WHY GRATITUDE?
Because Gratitude Is The Key To The Door That Unlocks Joy.
Because Reality. This Really IS Your Life Right Now. It Is The ONLY Life You Have.
Because Gratitude In The Journey Is ALL There Is. Nothing Else Can Be Changed.
Because: “You Can’t Get There From Here.” When Your Starting Line Is Ungrateful, Your Finish Line Will Also Be Ungrateful.
You Will Always Find What You’re Looking For. It’s Who You Are, Not What You Do.
Because You Don’t Know The End Of The Story.
(Chinese Video)
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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Ingratitude

Holding Me Down

Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Ingratitude is a weight that holds you down

Ingratitude is a heart assumption based on perspective.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5
We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints” and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Ingratitude is a weight that holds you down

Give Up Your Right

Give Up Your Assumptions

Give Up Your Right

Give Up Your Assumptions

Give Up Your Ingratitude

Ingratitude is a weight that holds you down

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THE DESTROYER - When The Devil Knocks, Part 3 - 11.03.19

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1

But Joab did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, because the king’s command was repulsive to him. 7 This command was also evil in the sight of God; so he punished Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:6-7

… “I have sinned against the Lord.” … 2 Samuel 12:13

“I have sinned greatly by doing this…” 1 Chronicles 21:8

THE DEADLY SIN OF PRIDE

YOU MAY NEVER BE MORE VULNERABLE THAN WHEN YOU ARE FULL OF PRIDE.

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. … 2 Chronicles 26:16

Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 ISV

… “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you ... 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:6-8, 10

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THE ACCUSER - When The Devil Knocks, Part 2 - 10.27.19

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NLT

Satan is the DECEIVER who attacks your mind with lies.
Satan is the DESTROYER who attacks your will with pride.
Satan is the ACCUSER who attacks your heart with accusations.

… no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you … Isaiah 54:17 NLT
THE ACCUSER

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. Revelation 12:10

When the devil talks to you about God, he lies.
When the devil talks to you about you, he accuses.

Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel.
Zechariah 3:1-3

The devil is the accuser.
Jesus is your advocate.

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 1 John 2:1 NLT

The angel said to those who were standing before him,“Take off his [Joshua’s] filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.” Zechariah 3:4

Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the Lord stood by. 6 The angel of the Lord gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in obedience to me and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here. Zechariah 3:5-7

The devil knows your name but calls you by your sin.
God knows your sin but calls you by your name.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5

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YOU CAN 'T CONTROL THE FUTURE - You Don’t Have What It Takes Message Series, Part 4

I. Your Greatest Future Will Always Require You To Leave Something Behind.

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." I will make you
into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses
you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was
seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4

Reasons People Don’t Leave:

When You Live By Sight And Not By Faith.
The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.” Genesis 12:1
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where
he was going. Hebrews 11:8

When You Don't trust God with their future.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:25-33

II. When God Says “Leave” He Always Gives You A Promise.
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." I will make you
into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses
you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." So Abram left, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was
seventy-five years old when he set out from Haran. Genesis 12:1-4

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WHEN THE DEVIL KNOCKS —1, THE DECEIVER

Greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince world he doesn’t exist. Devil is real—Not some little red man: horns, tail, pitchfork. Battle.

Lucifer was 1 of 3 arch-angels created by God: Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer.
Angel of worship—Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty
Into himself—Wanted to worshipped—Like God.
God cast him down—1/3 of angels with him—Demons
Because ur made in image of God—Satan hates everything about you.

“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.” C.S. Lewis

Book - Strategy of Satan—Warren Wiersbe
Satan is the deceiver who attacks your mind with lies.
Satan is the accuser who attacks your heart with accusations.
Satan is the destroyer who attacks your will with pride.

Not IF you are under attack—You ARE under attack.
Series designed to equip and arm you for battle—Keep you from hearing.

DECEIVER
44 …He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Satan attacks minds with lies
Every time you sin against God it’s because you were believing a lie!
HOW DID THE DEVIL LIE TO EVE?

First attack was completely directed at God’s Word.

THE DECEIVER QUESTIONED GOD’S WORD.
He [the serpant] said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Gen 3:1

Eve started to question God.
God said you may eat freely from any tree in the garden—Except one.

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden… Gen 3:2

THE DECEIVER TWISTED GOD’S WORD.

Eve says, “We can eat from any but one or we will die.”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Gen 3:4-5

Not letting the devil lead my kids astray!
Not going to let the enemy steal my marriage!
Not letting you rob me of what matters most.

We have defensive armor (Helmet, breastplate, shield, belt)
Our only offensive weapon—Inspired Word of God!

17 …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:17

Bible isn’t book about how to be nice and good.
Your greatest spiritual weapon wielded against the devil in spiritual war.
2 types of swords—Big, heavy (swung with two hands) (WORD)
Shorter—Sharp on both edges—(Gladius) Hand to hand combat.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12

Ps 119:11 (I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin.)

14 His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. 15 His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. 16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance. Rev

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You Don't Have What It Takes

You Can't Handle It All

God gives you more than you can handle because He wants you to depend on Him and His people

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

God will give you more than you can handle because He wants you to depend on Him and His people

Somethings Are Meant To Be Shared
What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.
Exodus 18:17-18

Somethings Are Meant To Be Stopped
Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41-42

Everything Is Meant To Be Surrendered
Truly my soul find rest in God;
my salvation comes from Him.
Psalm 62:1

Everything Is Meant To Be Surrendered
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you
Psalm 55:22a

God gives you more than you can handle because He wants you to depend on Him and His people

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You Don't Have What It Takes

You Can't Please Everyone

Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget what God thinks about you!

Romans 3:23 ESV
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Becoming obsessed with what people think about me is the fastest way to forget what God thinks about me.

Galatians 1:10 ESV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Common Characteristics of a People Pleaser:
They take criticism personally.

They fear rejection.

They find it hard to express how they really feel.

They have a hard time saying no.

Becoming obsessed with what people think about you is the fastest way to forget what God thinks about you!

Proverbs 29:25 ESV
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Three Traps:
I'll compromise for you.

I'll overcommit for you.

I'll limit my success for you.

Psalm 34:9 ESV
Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

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YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH - You Don’t Have What It Takes Message Series, Part 1

Abraham: I am nothing but dust and ashes… Gen. 18:27
Isaiah: I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips… Isa 6:5
Peter: Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man! Luke 5:8
Paul: and I was the worst of them all.1 Tim 1:16

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Rom 3:23

THE PERFORMANCE TRAP - How good is good enough?

Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! 5 For I was circumcised when I was eight days old, having been born into a pure-blooded Jewish family that is a branch of the tribe of Benjamin. So I am a real Jew if there ever was one! What's more, I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 And zealous? Yes, in fact, I harshly persecuted the church. And I obeyed the Jewish law so carefully that I was never accused of any fault.
Phil 3:4-6 NLT

OUR ATTEMPT TO PLEASE GOD BY FOLLOWING RULES.

MY WORTH IS BASED ON WHAT I PRODUCE AND HOW I PERFORM.

OUR GOOD WORKS ARE A LOAD OF “SKUBALA”
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. Phil 3:7-9

skubala (skoo'-bal-a); what is thrown to the dogs, excrement, dung.

“BUT GOD!”

“But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much 5that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead.” Ephesians 2:4, 5

But when God…called me by his grace…to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles…Gal. 1:15-16

They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God because of me. Gal. 1:23-24

WHEN I REALIZE THAT GOD ACCEPTS ME THROUGH CHRIST, I AM NO LONGER LIVING FOR HIS APPROVAL BUT FROM HIS APPROVAL.

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WHEN GOD BRINGS YOU IN

Acts 12

1Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, in order to mistreat them. 2And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. 3And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. Now it was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out before the people.5So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.

6And on the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison. 7And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and roused him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10And when they had passed the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened for them by itself; and they went out and went along one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.

11And when Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent forth His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” 12And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

13And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14And when she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15And they said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying, “It is his angel.”

16But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. 17But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James and the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

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Labor Of Love, Overcomer Movie Series Part 3

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward his name. Hebrews 6:10

For we never fail to remember your works of faith and labours of love and your persistent and unwavering hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father; Thessalonians 1:3

“This is what you are. This is what your consciousness has breathed and lived on and enjoyed throughout your life - your soul, your immortality, your life in others. This will be you-the you that enters the future and becomes a part of it.” ― Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago

“The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” – Max DePree

YOU CAN TEACH WHAT YOU KNOW, BUT YOU CAN ONLY REPRODUCE WHAT YOU ARE.

1 Timothy 1:1,2
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
2To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Being a spiritual father is not related to gender, and a woman can function as a spiritual father just as well as a man (Gal. 3:28).

General Douglas MacArthur Was Named Father Of The Year In 1942
“By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder — infinitely prouder — to be a father.
A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still.

What is a Spiritual Father?
Spiritual Father is one that is used to reproduce spiritual children.

1 John 2:12 - 14 I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. 13I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14I write to you, dear children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”

What Do Spiritual Fathers/Mothers Do?
I Corinthians 4:14 - 21, 14 “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. 18Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

IMPLANT - my dear children.

CLAIM - do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel

EXAMPLE - imitate me

TEACH - what I teach everywhere in every church.

DEMONSTRATE - kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

DISCIPLINE - Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

General MacArthur’s Father’s Prayer
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and g

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Name In Heaven. Overcomer Series - Part 2
Luke 10 (NLT)
18“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
1The Lord now chose seventy-twoa other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. 2These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. 3Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
5“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ 6If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. 7Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
8“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. 9Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ 10But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’
17When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” 18“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
21At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. 22“My Father has entrusted everything to me.

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered. - Overcomer, Part 1

Ephesians 1:3-10 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Deed Completed Action.

Take Possession Of

Chosen

Redemption

Purchase

Mystery Of His Will
SEALED
Ephesians 1:11-14 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
Marked

Presidential Seal.

Who’s Seal - By The Holy Spirit - Rev. Worthy to open

Tomb…

Seals Found City Of David - Wax - only person -

Boat Buy - Deposit… I Delivered.
DELIVERED
Ephesians 1:15-23 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
From / To
Tetelestai
Power
Death

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Wonderfully Made, Psalm 139 | Home Album Series | August 11, 2019

Psalm 139:1 - 6
1You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

GOD MADE MY HIGH PLACES vs. 8
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there:

GOD MADE MY HELLISH PLACES vs. 8
if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

“Make My Bed” – (Hebrew: yatsa'; to strew as a surface, to spread it out.)
“Hell” – (Hebrew: she'owl; hades or the world of the dead - grave, pit.)

Sin Always Causes Pain.
Pain Always Seeks Pleasure.
Pain Makes Truth Seem Irrelevant.

GOD MADE MY HIDDEN PLACES vss. 9-10 [Hidden Brick Story]
9If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

You’re Only As Sick As Your Secrets. [Learned To Hide Things, Jen Testimony]

“Wings” - means the edge or the extremity. “Uttermost” means the last or the end.
“Lead” – Hebrew: nachah; to guide; by implication it means to transport (into exile, or as colonists).
“Right Hand” – Speaks of the place of favor.
“Hold” – Hebrew: achaz; to seize or hold in possession.

Psalm 139: 13-16
13For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. 14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.a
Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together
out of human sight, 16but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book
everything about me.

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HOME | Home Album Series | August 4, 2019
Jerry Mercer - The Homeless Mayor Of Columbus.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18

I Can Know A Lot About Someone And Even Know Them Extremely Well;
But, I Don’t Really Know Them Until I Know What They Call Home.

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us,
and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The Lens Through Which We View Home:
The Performance-Oriented Home
The Passive (Distant) Home
The Absentee Home
The Authoritarian Home
The Abusive Home
The Good Home

(Illus. Orphan
Adoption
Story.)
What Is A Good Home?
Receiving Unconditional Expressed Love.
Feeling Secure And Comforted.
Being Praised and Affirmed.
The need for purpose, a sense of value.

The Home Doesn’t Make The People, The People Make The Home.

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19
Psalm 23 (Uncle Story After Aunt Died)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

(Illus. Farm Boy In Iowa.) (Illus. Dog Re-Homed) (Broke Down RiverStory) (Girl left home - Dad No Work With)

Heaven Is My “Real” Home
John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”
(Illus. Train Station)

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COME | Home Album Series | July 26, 2019

Matthew 6:6 Message Translation
“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

Psalm 73:28 “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.”
Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Psalm 119:151 “You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.”
Jeremiah 23:23 “‘Am I a God who is near,’ declares the LORD, ‘And not a God far off?’”
Acts 17:27 “...that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;”
Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

WHEN JESUS COMES HOME WITH YOU: Jesus And Zacchaeus - Luke 19:1-10 NLT
1Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town. 2There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich. 3He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd. 4So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way. 5When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.” 6Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. 7But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!” 9Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham. 10For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

Nothing Matters Except Jesus's Opinion Of You.
You Stop Caring What Other People Think. You're Free!
You Can Invite A Sinner To Dinner.
If Jesus Wants To Come Home With ME... Then He'll Go Home With Anybody.
Every Sinner is Welcome In My Home And At My Table.
You're No Longer Satisfied With What You Can Get From People.
You Want To Give More Than You Get... And You Don't Keep Score.
You Admit That You Really Do Need To Be In God's Family.
Coming Down From Your Tree, Lifts You To Up Where You Want To Be.

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John 11: 17-26
17 On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18 Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, 19 and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Psalm 37
1 Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

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The Graves Are Opening - Ezekiel 37:1-13 NIV

1The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, y ou alone know.”

4Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

7So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lordsays: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

11Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’ ”

Matthew 27:51-54
51Then the curtain hanging in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split apart, 52the graves broke open, and many of God's people who had died were raised to life. 53They left the graves, and after Jesus rose from death, they went into the Holy City, where many people saw them. 54When the army officer and the soldiers with him who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and everything else that happened, they were terrified and said, “He really was the Son of God!”

GRAVE CLOTHES & GRACE CLOTHES

Romans 6 New Life Version (NLV)
What does this mean? Are we to keep on sinning so that God will give us more of His grace? 2No, not at all! We are dead to sin. How then can we keep on living in sin? 3All of us were baptized to show we belong to Christ. We were baptized first of all to show His death. 4We were buried in baptism as Christ was buried in death. As Christ was raised from the dead by the great power of God, so we will have new life also. 5If we have become one with Christ in His death, we will be one with Him in being raised from the dead to new life.

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MY LIGHT
Romans 13:12 - “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Ephesians 5:8-14
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord. 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Awakening Lyrics:
“As night surrenders to morning, Mercy wash over me. As I sit in the sun with the one who spoke it to be. I am waking up to His love.
I am waking up to His peace. I am waking up to His faithfulness to me”

MY SIGHT
Psalm 119:18
“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”
Ephesians. 1:18
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.”
Acts 26:18
“to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.”
Revelation 3:18
”I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.”
(Understand Shame? Naked Dream Wake Up.King no Clothes)
MY MOVE
The Great Awakening, 1734-43.
Jonathan Edwards & George Whitfield
The Revivals of 1905-1906.
Welsh Revivals Spread, Billy Sunday
The Second Great Awakening, 1800-1840.
James McGready & Charles Finney
The Azusa Street Revival, 1906.
William J. Seymour, Started Pentecostal Movement & later Charismatic Movement.
The Businessmen’s Prayer Revival of 1857-1858.
Jeremiah Lanphier
The Post-World War II Awakening.
Billy Graham, Bill Bright, The Christian Businessmen’s Committee, College Revivals
The Civil War Revival, 1861-1865.
Estimated 300,000 soldiers converted North & South
The Charismatic Renewal, 1960s & 70s
Jesus Movement. Charismatic Renewal, college campuses, Catholics, Main Denoms.
The Urban Revivals, 1875-1885.
Dwight L. Moody
The Mid-1990s Revivals.
The Toronto Blessing, Modesto Revival, Brownsville Revival, The Promise Keepers Revival, Henry Blackaby Experiencing God Howard Payne University

Acts 3:19-21“Repent therefore… that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

Revelation 3:15-16 “‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.
Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

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This is War!!
What Are You Made Of?
Mathew Cotner
06.30.2019

Your Identity and Integrity is in Christ Jesus

Acts 9:1-2
"But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.â€

Acts 9:3-4
Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?†

Acts 9:5
And he said, "Who are you, Lord?†And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.â€

Philippians 3:4-5
Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;

Philippians 3:6-8a
As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Philippians 3:8b-9
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith

Philippians 3:10-11
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:13
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 firm.

Ephesians 6:14-17
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:18
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Your Identity and Integrity is in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 6:14-17
...the belt of truth,
...the breastplate of rig

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This is War!!
Who's in Charge Here?
Mathew Cotner
06.23.2019

Christians referred to as soldiers (Phil. 2:25; Philemon 1:2; 2 Tim. 2:3-4).
Christians engage in warfare (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5).
Christians are told to wear spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13-17; Romans 13:12).
Weapons welded: (2 Cor. 10:3-5, see also Rom. 6:13; 13:12; 2 Cor.6:7; 1 Tim. 1:18).
Paul referred to his own ministry in military terms: (2 Tim. 4:7).
The Christian life is a military conflict or struggle: (Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:29; 2:1; Heb 12:4; Jude 1:3).

Military references for Christianity in the New Testament

Luke 4:18
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

If You Don't Place God in Charge of Your Life, then You are Fighting Against Him
If You are Not for God, You are Against Him

Mother Teresa Patron Saint of the Gutters
"Jesus has a very special love for you, as for me, the silence and the emptiness is so great, that I look and do not see,--Listen and do not hear--the tongue moves but does not speak.

Who is in Charge Here?

Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.

Matthew 28:19a
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..

Matthew 28:20
Behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.

John 16:33
I have told you these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart I have overcome the world.

If You Don't Place God in Charge of Your Life, then You are Fighting Against Him

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Fatherhood:The Gift of God
Pastor Cantrell Holt Sr
6-16-19
Two types of Fatherhood

Fatherhood on the fly

Genesis 13:10-13
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, and that it was watered everywhere before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plainamd pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 but the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

2 Peter 2:8-9
8 For that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds. 9 Then the Lord knows how to deliver the Godly outer temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgement.

Immature decisions lead to destruction.

Always “YES” = Chaos.

Genesis 19:29
29 And it came to past, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the mist of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

Second Type of Fatherhood
2. Upgraded Fatherhood

Genesis 5:21-24
21 Enoch lived 65 years, and had Methuselah. 22 After he begot Methuselah, Wnoch walked with God 300 years and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.

Hebrew 11:5
5 By faith Enoch was taken away so he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”, for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he please God.

Enoch
The best way to love your family is to lead by actions.

Hebrews 11:7
7 By faith Noah, being devinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with Godly fear, prepares a ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness which is according to faith.

Noah
The best way to protect your family is to lead by obedience.

Hebrews 11:8
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance and he went out not knowing where he was going.
Genesis 18:19
19 For I have not known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, thy the Lord may bring to Abraham what he had spoken to him.

Abraham
The best way to lead your family in salvation is to train them in faith.

Your fatherhood will never rise higher than your personal relationship with Father God.

Upgrades in your relationship with God will create upgrades in your Fatherhood.

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Sermon series and outline courtesy of open.church, Life Church TV, Pastor Craig Groschel

The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 2 Kings 4:1-2
WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT, GOD IS WHAT YOU REALLY NEED.
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all…”
All she can think about is what she doesn’t have.
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE MUCH?
STOP WAITING FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND START WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 2 Kings 4:2

INSTEAD OF SAYING, “ONCE I HAVE IT, I WILL WORK IT.” YOU GOTTA WORK IT BEFORE YOU HAVE IT!
OFFER GOD WHAT YOU HAVE AND TRUST HIM TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU NEED.
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:3-7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
STOP GRIEVING WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE AND BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU DO HAVE.
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 NLT

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Sermon Title and Outline courtesy of Lifechurch.tv, Open.church, and Pastor Craig Groschel

GET YOUR EDGE BACK: RIDICULOUS RECOVERY

The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And he said, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron axhead fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!” 6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:1-7
GOD KNOWS HOW TO HELP YOU FIND WHAT YOU DIDN’T MEAN TO LOSE.
HOW HAVE YOU LOST YOUR SPIRITUAL EDGE?
HOW DO YOU GET YOUR EDGE BACK?
BE HONEST ABOUT WHERE YOU LOST IT.
6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” 2 Kings 6:6
WITH GOD’S HELP, TAKE BACK WHAT YOU LOST.
When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:6-7
You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Rev 2:4-5

3 God, your God, will restore everything you lost; he'll have compassion on you; he'll come back and pick up the pieces from all the places where you were scattered. 4 No matter how far away you end up, God, your God, will get you out of there 5 and bring you back to the land your ancestors once possessed. It will be yours again. He will give you a good life and make you more numerous than your ancestors. Deut 30:3-5 MSG
GOD CARES ABOUT WHAT YOU LOST.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:6
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nah 1:7
GOD CAN HELP YOU RECOVER WHAT YOU LOST.

Jonathan Edwards, Anglican Pastor lived in the 1700’s wrote:
“Not one concern of ours is small if we belong to Him.
To teach us this, the Lord of All once made an ax head swim.”

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Elisha
Digging Ditches
Mathew Cotner
05.25.2019

YOUR GREATEST NEED BECOMES A BLESSING WHEN IT DRIVES YOU TO DEPEND ON GOD.

2 Kings 3:9-12
9 So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them. 10 "What!" exclaimed the king of Israel. "Has the Lord called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?" 11 But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?" An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah." 12 Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

2 Kings 3:13-14
13 Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Why do you want to involve me? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." "No," the king of Israel answered, "because it was the Lord who called us three kings together to deliver us into the hands of Moab." 14 Elisha said, "As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you.

2 Kings 3:15
15 But now bring me a harpist.

2 Kings 3:15-16
Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, "Thus says the Lord: 'Make this valley full of ditches.

2 Kings 3:17-18
17For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. 18This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also deliver Moab into your hands."

TWO PRINCIPLES OF FAITH THAT WORKS
ONLY GOD CAN SEND THE WATER, BUT SOMETIMES HE WANTS YOU TO DIG A DITCH.

James 2:26
6 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works

TWO PRINCIPLES OF FAITH THAT WORKS
ONLY GOD CAN SEND THE WATER, BUT SOMETIMES HE WANTS YOU TO DIG A DITCH.

REAL FAITH BELIEVES BIG BUT IS WILLING TO START SMALL.

Zechariah 4:10
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…

2 Kings 3:20
20 The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water.

YOUR GREATEST NEED BECOMES A BLESSING WHEN IT DRIVES YOU TO DEPEND ON GOD.

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Elisha
Get Your Call On
Mathew Cotner
05.19.2019

1 Kings 19:19-21
19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, he said, and then I will come with you. Go back, Elijah replied. What have I done to you? 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. 1 Kings 19:19-21

1 Kings 19:19
(Elisha) was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair.

1 Kings 19:19
Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.

TWO PRINCIPLES OF RIDICULOUS COMMITMENT
YOU DON'T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND FULLY TO OBEY IMMEDIATELY.

1 Kings 19:20
20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, he said, and then I will come with you.

TWO PRINCIPLES OF RIDICULOUS COMMITMENT
YOU DON'T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND FULLY TO OBEY IMMEDIATELY.

THOSE GOD USES THE MOST ARE THE ONES WHO HOLD ON TO THE LEAST.

1 Kings 19:21
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.

Luke 9:62
62 Jesus replied, No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.

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Philippians 4:4-9 New International Version (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

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TALKING TO THE DEAD.

Impossible Faith

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”

You’ve Got To Kill Your Doubt To Raise Your Dead!

John 11

21“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

24Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;26and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

28After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34“Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

35Jesus wept.

Cry For The Dead _____________ .

36Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” he said.

“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”

40Then Jesus sa

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Your Secret Sauce

Unity + Diversity = Anointings

Psalm 133

1Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

2It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard,

Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.

3It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;

For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.

1 Corinthians 12

12Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by c one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

TIME ~ TROUBLE ~ TESTIMONY

Revelations 12:11 “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.”

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Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King (NIV) Intro: https://youtu.be/NxgWccCgnoY
Luke 19:28-40
28After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”

32Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

35They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
40“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Philippians 2:3-11 (NASB)
3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; 4do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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OVERLY NEEDY PEOPLE - DIFFICULT PEOPLE SERIES 04.07.19

EMOTIONAL VAMPIRES
Incurably insecure

Drama queens

Blabbers

Financial freeloaders

THE TENSION
…when (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NKJV

“moved with compassion” - splagchnon (splangkh'-non); from the intestines or bowels; sympathy; inward affection, tender mercy.

JESUS CARED MORE THAN ANYONE WHO HAS EVER LIVED.

JESUS DID NOT HEAL EVERYONE OR GRANT EVERY REQUEST.

HELPING WITHOUT ENABLING

1) OFFER WHAT THEY NEED NOT WHAT THEY WANT.
Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up… Acts 3:6-7

Identify the real need.

Pay attention to actions, not words.

2) SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES.
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" Mark 1:35-37

Time boundaries

Resource boundaries

3) ALLOW THEM TO FACE THEIR CONSEQUENCES.
Don't be misled. Remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it. You will always reap what you sow! Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

Rescuing isn’t always helping.

Jesus is the savior, not you.

Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Luke 5:31

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DEALING WITH CRITICAL PEOPLE - DIFFICULT PEOPLE SERIES. 03.30.19

PRAISE AND CRITICISM – WINDOWS TO THE HEART

It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool! Ecclesiastes 7:5 NLT
Praise – often reveals what you value most.
Criticism – often reveals your deepest insecurities.
How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:4 NLT

WRONG RESPONSES - 1) FIGHT 2) FLIGHT

RIGHT RESPONSES:
1) LISTEN.
When their motive is to help not hurt.
When the person can help.
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself…Proverbs 15:31-32 NLT

2) ANSWER.
When the person is missing information that would change his perception.
When the person is open to change.
The Ephraimites asked Gideon, ‘Why have you treated us like this?...’ And they criticized him sharply. But he answered them… Judges 8:1-2a

3) DISMISS.
When the person is characterized by being overly critical.
When this person emotionally unhealthy or wounded.
Jesus replied, ‘Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be rooted up, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind…they will both fall into a ditch.’ Matthew 15:13-14 NLT

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GETTING PAST PERSONAL FAILURE

My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. Psalm 38:4

…for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.

Proverbs 24:16

You made a short-sighted decision based on a short-term situation

and ended up with long-term consequences and long-term misery.

1. YOUR BIGGEST SINS ARE NOT TOO BIG FOR GOD’S GRACE.

If we confess our sins, (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more. Jeremiah 31:34

2. YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE. YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE.

…anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

3. YOU CAN’T CHANGE YOUR PAST, BUT CHRIST CAN CHANGE YOUR FUTURE!

I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:12-15 NLT

…for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.

Proverbs 24:16

Loving Lord God,
I am made complete in the One who is completely God. I am possessed and embraced by the One in whose nature is fullness of life and hope and peace. In You, Christ Jesus, Holy One, I am now holy. In You, Christ Jesus, Peacemaker, I am now reconciled to God. In You, Christ Jesus, Mystery of God, I am now hidden. Only in You is found this truth beyond imagination, this love beyond reason, this grace beyond measure: God is not ashamed of me! What rest, what joy, what unspeakable wonder is mine to know that because I am in You, Lord Jesus, God is proud to call Himself my Father. Amen.
Love you, my son.

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RESTORE: Righting Relationship Wrongs - 03.17.19

Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

PEACEKEEPERS OFTEN AVOID CONFRONTATION TO KEEP PEACE.
PEACEMAKERS EMBRACE CONFRONTATION TO MAKE PEACE.

PEACEMAKING POINTS

THE GREATEST ENEMY TO PEACEMAKING IS PRIDE.
THE GREATEST FRIEND TO PEACEMAKING IS HUMILITY.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

HOW TO APOLOGIZE WITH INTEGRITY

ADMIT TO SPECIFIC ACTIONS AND ATTITUDES.
DON’T MAKE EXCUSES.
ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES.
CHANGE YOUR BEHAVIOR.
ASK FOR FORGIVENESS.
ACCEPT THE REACTION WITHOUT EXPECTATION.

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FORGIVENESS
“Giving Up Hope For A Better Past!”
Matthew. 18:21-35

21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my
brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven.”
23“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24“When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents
(1T = 75lbs.= $1,463,195.3) (10K = 14,631,953,000) was brought to him. 25“But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. 26“So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ 27“And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt.

28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; ($5,000) and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ 29“So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ 30“But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed.

31“So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. 32“Then summoning him, his lord said to him,
‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ 34“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. 35“My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

HOW DO I FORGIVE?

MAKE A DECISION TO FORGIVE.
21Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

START BY SAYING THE WORDS, AT LEAST TO YOURSELF.

FORGIVE REPEATEDLY.
22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times,
but up to seventy times seven.”

UNTIL THEY STOP HURTING YOU,
OR UNTIL IT NO LONGER HURTS.

FORGIVE COMPLETELY.
27“And the lord of that slave felt compassion
and released him and forgave him the debt.

FORGIVENESS MUST BE GRANTED,
IT CAN NEVER BE EARNED.

FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN TRUSTING.

28“But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves
who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and
began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’

FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN FORGETTING.
32“Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave,
I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
FORGIVING SETS YOU FREE.

34“And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the
torturers until he should repay all that was owed him.
&nb

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LABELS
WHAT NEGATIVE LABEL FOLLOWS YOUR NAME? (Your name) __________________ the (Label) ____________________.

A NEW GOD-CENTERED VIEW OF YOU
…Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

GOD WILL GIVE YOU A NEW NAME.

…You will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. Isaiah 62:2

GOD WILL GIVE YOU A NEW PURPOSE.

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
Matthew 16:17-18

GOD WILL GIVE YOU NEW FUTURE.

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

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HOW TO GET YOUR MATE TO LISTEN
The Anointed Marriage Series, Part 4

The Anointing Of Communication
"The burden shall be taken off your shoulders,
and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."
Isaiah 10:27

“When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive.” Proverbs 15:2 (GN)

Choose the Right Time.
“There is a right time and a right way to do everything…”Ecclesiastes 8:6 (GN)
Plan your Presentation.
“Intelligent people think before they speak. What they say is then more
persuasive.” Proverbs 16:23 (GN)
Begin with the other person’s Needs.
“Speak only what is helpful for building others up, according to their (needs), that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
You listen First.
“…be quick to listen and slow to speak.” James 1:19
Say it Positively.
“A mature person is known for his understanding.
The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.” Proverbs 16:21
Clarify your Conclusion.
“…Agree with each other in the Lord.” Philippians 4:2b
End with Encouragement.
“A word of encouragement does wonders!” Proverbs 12:25 (LB)

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Guest Speaker Mike Albritton shares a raw message about chasing after the one that got away.

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The Sexually Confident Marriage 02.10.19 Family Pastor Casey Valencia. Anointed Marriage Series

Genesis 2:23-25 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman,

Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Revelation 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NASB)

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Personalize 3 Biblical Concepts:

Sanctification
Possess
Vessel

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification.

Sanctification

1 Thessalonians 4:4

That each of you know how to possess his own vessel…

2. Possess- Not Repress

List of Lies:

Sex is Dirty

Sex is for Men

If a man feels tempted it’s your fault

1 Thessalonians 4:4

Young’s Literal Translation

Learn your vessel to possess in sanctification and honor

1 Corinthians 7:5

Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

1 Thessalonians 4:4

That each of you know how to possess his own vessel…

3. Vessel

2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves

Sexual Confidence in a Married Couple

3 Factors:

Vulnerability
Honor
Fun
Vulnerability

Sex is a spiritual act by which God glues together two selfish people to accomplish His will in the world. -Belah Rose

2. Honor

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Proverbs 5:18-19 Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth. As a loving hind and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; Be exhilarated always with her love.

I blame my mother for my poor sex life. All she told me was the man goes on top and the woman goes underneath. For three years my husband and I slept on bunk beds. - Joan Rivers.

3. FUN.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Practical Take-Aways:

Pray about your Sex Life.
Then talk.
Learn your weaknesses. Pray.
Find a safe person. Talk.
Parents, Talk to Kids.

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THE ANOINTED MARRIAGE SERIES

"The burden shall be taken off your shoulders,

and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing."

Isaiah 10:27

GOD'S ORIGINAL DESIGN

Genesis 2

21So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man." 24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. Genesis 2:21-24 (NIV).

“and shall cleave unto his wife” v. 24 (NKJV)

GOD'S ORIGINAL DESIGN: Leaving + Cleaving = Total Intimacy

PART I – LEAVING YOUR PAST BEHIND

4 THINGS FROM YOUR PAST YOU MUST LET GO

1. LET GO OF PARENTS

2. LET GO OF PEOPLE

3. LET GO OF PLACES

4. LET GO OF PROBLEMS

Most people are unaware of the baggage from their past that they bring into marriage.

3 kinds of problems that can fill your marriage “Baggage”

* Grudges

* Grief

* Guilt

PART II – CLEAVE TO YOUR MATE – “being united with, being one with”

Ephesians 5:29-33 (NIV)

29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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Our Mission is to Transform Lives Into the Likeness of Jesus Christ! ...Through Believing, Belonging, Becoming!

BELIEVE IN THE PERSON OF JESUS

5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
6who, although He existed in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

BELONG TO THE PEOPLE OF JESUS

7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant,
and being made in the likeness of men.

What Does Real Spiritual Belonging Look Like?
2make my joy complete by being of the same mind,
maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility
of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
4do not merely look out for your own personal interests,
but also for the interests of others.
BECOME FOR THE PURPOSE OF JESUS

8Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by
becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

What Does Christ’s Purpose Look Like?
9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him,
and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW,
of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN JESUS!
NOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH HIM?

WHAT’S YOUR NEXT LEVEL WITH JESUS?
- Is it Believing, Belonging, or Becoming?
HOPE CULTURE
1. There Is Always A Solution. Mat. 7:7-8
2. I Will Always Know What To Do. James. 1:5-8,12
3. I will Thrive No Matter What Happens. Phil. 4:11-13
4. I Will Always Have The Resources I Need To Do What Needs To Be Done. Phil. 4:19
5. My Mistakes Will Always Be Turned To Good. Rom. 8:28

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WHAT DOES OUR BELONGING ENVIRONMENT LOOK LIKE?
Elevate Rescuing Lives
Becoming Like Christ
Create Spiritual Promotions BELIEVE BELONG BECOME Weekend Worship God Matters ♦ Matt. 25 — Tell The Story! ♦ Story Insight and Life Experience
Home Teams People Matter Most People Less People Find Friendship Home Teaching Application Done with You Group Dynamic Part of a Group Reward Participation Ministry Mentoring You Matter Least People Find Faith Find Fulfillment ♦ THERE IS NO FAITH WITHOUT RISK! ♦ IT TAKES RISKS OF FAITH... TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST. Heart’s Treasure Inspiration Done For You Leadership Dynamic Hard Training Perspiration You Do Lifestyle Dynamic Part of a Whole Part of a Team Belong to a Team of Friends
14 “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
Reward Attendance
Reward Results
Engage Your Gifts for the Master
YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN A RISKY MISSION TO FULFILL. NOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again. Because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusi- asms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." - T.R. Roosevelt
IF YOU'RE NOT RISKING ANYTHING, YOU'RE NOT GROWING IN CHRISTLIKENESS! “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone! And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence au- tomatically liberates others.” - Nelson Mandella WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TO RISK TO ACHIEVE THE NEXT LEVEL OF CHRISTLIKENESS? 15 He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. 16”The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more. 17 The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.
21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsi- bilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ 28 “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver.
Openly Cel- ebrate Godly Joy
Make Your Spiritual Character a Top Priority
23 “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful serv- ant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank?

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Longing For Belonging
WHAT DOES OUR BELONGING ENVIRONMENT LOOK LIKE?
BECOME Ministry Mentoring You Matter Least People
ras
Acts 2 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and
enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
BELIEVE Weekend Worship God Matters Most People Find Faith Heart's Treasure
Inspiration Done For You Leadership Dynamic Part of a Whole Reward Attendance
BELONG Home Teams People Matter Less People Find Friendship Home Teaching Application Done with You Group Dynamic Part of a Group Reward Participation
Biblical Direction
42a They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching
WHY DO SOME PEOPLE LONG TO BELONG
AND OTHER PEOPLE DON'T? Fear, Apathy, Lack of Understanding, Sin, Past Hurts,
Family Issues, Relational Disorders.
Energetic Connection
WHY SHOULD MY BELONGING GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
42b, 43 to the breaking of bread and to prayer. |43Everyone was filled with awe, and many
wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
ANSWER? John 15:12
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Loving Affection
44, 45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
HOW CAN MY BELONGING GO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
ANSWER? John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Open Reflection
46a Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.
Never Rejection
Belonging People: _
Who Has Helped You Belong?
46b, 47a They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
Belonging Power:
_ Who Has Helped You Belong?
Growth 47b And the Lord added to their number daily Multiplication those who were being saved.
GOD HAS GIVEN YOU SOME FRIENDS! NOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO FOR THEM?
WHAT'S YOUR NEXT LEVEL OF BELONGING FRIENDSHIP?

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BELIEVING IS SEEING

Brokenness Is Required.

John 9:1-7, “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life. …Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the pool of Siloam” So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”“

Everyone Matters to God. John 9: 8-12, “Isn’t this the same man who used to sit and beg?” Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.” “How then were your eyes opened?” they demanded.

Loving God Results in Sharing His Love. John 9:17,21,24,25, “Finally they turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” “Give glory to God,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Identifying Doubts Is Normal. John 9:18, 19, “The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man’s parents. “Is this your son?” they asked. Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see?”

Extreme Faith Requires Practice. John 9:26-28, “Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” Then they hurled insults at him and said, “You are this fellow’s disciple!

Verifiable Miracles Are Expected John 9:30-33,“The man answered, ‘Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.’”

Experiencing Grace Brings Salvation. John 9:35.36, “Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”

QUESTION:
If This Guy Showed up at RiverTown Church, What would we do with Him?

ANSWER: Invite Him Into Three Environments that Help Him Grow!

BELIEVE
Weekend Worship
God Matters
Most People
BECOME
Home Teams
People Matter

BECOME
Ministry Mentoring
You Matter

Find Faith
Open To All
Heart’s Treasure
Inspiration
Done For You
Reward Attendance

The Fact is: We Are All Just Like Him. We all need what he needs!

How can this be more than JUST WORDS to us Today?

One Big Survey: Where Are We?

One Big Change: The Membership Experience and Focus Groups

One Big Month: Personal Spiritual Practices

First Wednesday
Home Team Experience
Your Story or Holy Hour
Journals
Home Team DVDs
Easter Services
Easter Offering and Community Gift Experience

GOD HAS

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My One Word For 2019

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4

In 2019 Do SOMETHING About One Thing, Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS:

They Are Too Vague:

“I want to be in better shape!” | Does this mean touching your toes or running a marathon?

They Are Too Shallow:

“I want to be a better person!” | Better than who? Looking Around = Comparison Looking Inside = Character!

There Are Too Many:

“The one who aims at everything hits nothing.” | What one thing If you only had one month to live?
This comes from the three ugly sisters of guilt, fear, and pride. | What one word would you want on your tombstone?

FINDING YOUR WORD:

Get Specific:
- What kind of person do you hope to be by the end of 2019?
- Describe the characteristics of that person and the condition of their heart!
- Write every word down. Group and order them.
Resist Regret:

This year’s resolutions are often last year’s regrets. | Don’t promise not to be what you’ve always been.Your word is a lens, not a promise. (GALILEO)

Stay Future Focused:
- Stay focused on the vision of the person you believe God is calling you to be.
- The Word “Confession” In Greek = Homo Logeo: Same Speak - Speak The Same As God / Agree With God
- A One Word Prophetic Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life! (Della)

YOUR ONE WORD IS A WELL OF LIVING WATER.

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Luke 1:26-35

26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.

Hypostatic Union: 100% God & 100% Man

Fourth Ecumenical Council: Chalcedon (451)

“We teach . . . one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, known in two natures, without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.”

Athanasian Creed (296-337)

"He is God from the essence of the Father, begotten before time; and he is human from the essence of his mother, born in time; completely God, completely human, with a rational soul and human flesh; equal to the Father as regards divinity, less than the Father as regards humanity. Although he is God and human, yet Christ is not two, but one. He is one, however, not by his divinity being turned into flesh, but by God's taking humanity to himself. He is one, certainly not by the blending of his essence, but by the unity of his person. For just as one human is both rational soul and flesh, so too the one Christ is both God and human."

Soren Kierkegaard - Danish Philosopher (1813-1855)

"the ultimate paradox", because God, understood as a perfectly good, perfectly wise, perfectly powerful being, fully became a human - burdened by sin, limited in goodness, knowledge, and understanding. This paradox can only be resolved, Kierkegaard believed, by a leap of faith away from one's understanding and reason towards belief in God; thus the paradox of the hypostatic union was crucial to an abiding faith in the Christian God.

Mary Knew Perfect Theology.
God Is Real
He Puts Babies Into Virgin Wombs

Luke 1:36, 37

36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”

Luke 1:18-25

18Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

19The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.” 21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. 23When his time of service was completed, he returned home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 25“The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

God Closed Zechariah’s Mouth
God Placed Elizabeth In Seclusion
God’s Best Work Requires The Removal Of Faithless Influence.

Luke 2:15-19

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to o

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NativityAndMe - December 16, 2018

Matthew 1:18-25

"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Luke 1:34, 35

34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

How did Jesus Receive His DNA?

46 Chromosomes Directly From Mary.
23 Chromosomes From Mary & 23 Divine Chromosomes From God.
46 Divine Chromosomes From God.
Option 1 - Jesus received all of Mary’s genetics. “Parthenogenesis” The process of reproduction without a genetic contribution from a male. Never in mammals and never in Humans. The female reproduces a complete genetic code. Thus, a new baby is born with one biological mother and “no actual father.”
Option 2 - Jesus received half of Mary’s genetics and half of a special set of DNA miraculously sent from God. This would give Jesus 23 human and 23 divine chromosomes.
Option 3 - Jesus received all of his DNA uniquely from God, and Mary simply carried him until birth. All 46 chromosomes were divine and miraculously sent from God into Mary’s womb.

Galatians 4:6, 7

6Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” 7So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

YOU’LL NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE UNTIL YOU KNOW WHO HE IS.

2 Peter 1:3, 4

3His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

WE ARE ATTRACTED TO THE IDENTITY THAT GETS AFFIRMED THE MOST.

IT’S NOT WHERE YOU ARE, BUT WHO YOU ARE.

The Definition Of Faith:

REALITY THAT IS NOT YET REVEALED TO YOUR SENSES.

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The Biker Preacher, Todd Newkirk shares a powerful Christmas story of Hope and Purpose. Find your calling!

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Leftovers. 11.25.18 Casey Valencia

Leftovers: Food you have to think about

Leftover:
Was once life-giving
We kept based on a memory
If unexamined, can make you sick

Our leftovers need to be exposed and examined.

Luke 17:11-19 (NKJV)
Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.
So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

PLOT TWIST

And he was a Samaritan.

Example Leftover #1: You have to Fear Sin Or Agree With It.

2 Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind.

Example Leftover #2: You have to Judge or Be Judged.

Three Steps to Deal with Leftovers:

Expose: Say what you are thinking out loud to a safe person.

Examine: Pray and allow the Holy Spirit to correct your thinking.

Express: Go out of your comfort zone to express God’s Love.

“Made Well” = SOZO, Saved, Delivered, Healed

When ALL you want is Jesus He’s more than you DREAMED.

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Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ 8 ”‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’” Luke 13:6-9 (NIV)
(title slide)
GRACE + TRUTH + TIME
G + T + T
Luke 13:8,9
GRACE
8‘leave it alone for one more year,

Noah was an alcoholic ~ Abraham was too old ~ Isaac was a daydreamer ~ Jacob was a liar ~ Leah was an idolator ~ Moses had a stuttering problem ~ Rahab was a prostitute ~ Gideon was afraid ~ Sampson was a womanizer ~ Ruth was a pagan ~ Jeremiah and Timothy were too young ~ David had affair and was a murderer Solomon was a philanderer ~ Elijah was suicidal ~ Jonah ran from God ~ Job went bankrupt ~
The Disciples fell asleep while praying ~ Martha worried about everything ~ The Samaritan woman had five broken marriages ~ Zaccheus was a swindler ~ Thomas was a doubter ~ Peter denied Christ ~ Paul was too religious ~ Timothy was too timid ~ AND Lazarus, well, Lazarus was dead (and God used Him!) God can use everyone. Everyone is worth Grace!
WHAT IS GRACE? (John 8 - Woman Caught In Adultery)
TRUTH
“and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it.

“16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, 17so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable. - James Garfield

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” Galations 6:1 NLT

“Instead, 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.” Ephesians 4:15

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6

TIME
9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

You can tell how valuable something is, by how long you are willing to wait for it.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

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Grasshoppers, Giants, & Gray Hairs! 11.13.18
Caleb - “Now, therefore, give me this mountain...” Joshua 14:12

There’s A Big Difference Between A Promise And A Possession.
Everyone Gets God’s Promises, But Only A Few Ever Take Hold Of God’s Possession For Their Lives.

How Did Caleb Possess God’s Mountain:

He Overcame Grasshoppers - Numbers 13:31-14:4 (...I had to overcome grasshoppers once...)
“...and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” Num. 13:33 (KJV)
31But the men who had gone up with him said,
“We can’t...” (List Verses on slide: Table Is Only For Saving Space In My Notes)
1raised their voices… wept
3Our wives and children will be taken…
32And they spread among the Israelites
a bad report…”
2All the Israelites grumbled…
“If only we had died in Egypt!...”
4“We should choose a leader
and go back to Egypt.”
Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.”Num. 13:30
(What do you do With Grasshoppers… Georgia Grasshoppers…
He Overcame Giants - Deuteronomy 1
“And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants…” Numbers 13:33 (KJV)
How Small Are You Compared To Your Giants? The OUTLOOK of FEAR!
How Small Are Your Giants Compared To God? The UPLOOK of FAITH!
Deuteronomy 1:28-31 (NIV)
...Our brothers have made our hearts melt in fear. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky. We even saw the Anakites there.’ ” 29Then I said to you, “Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. 30The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, 31and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

He Overcame Gray Hairs - Joshua 14:6-13 (NIV)
Then the sons of Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb... said to him... 7“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. 8“Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully. 9“So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.’ 10“And now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today. 11“I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 12“Now then, give me this hill mountain about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I shall drive them out as the LORD has spoken.” 13So Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb the son of Jephunneh for an inheritance.

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IS IT WARFARE? 10.28.18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12

THE DEVIL’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO CREATE FEAR AND DOUBT
IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

WHAT DOES THE DEVIL DO?

HE BLINDS THE MINDS OF UNBELIEVERS. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers… 2 Corinthians 4:4

HE STEALS GOD’S WORD FROM YOU. When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. Matthew 13:19

HE SETS TRAPS TO ENSNARE YOU. ...and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:26

HE FIGHTS TO STOP YOU. For we wanted to come to you-certainly I, Paul, did, again and again-but Satan stopped us. 1 Thess. 2:18

HE PLANS TO DESTROY YOU. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

GOD’S PURPOSE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS TO INCREASE MY FAITH AND DEPENDENCE
ON HIM AND THE PEOPLE HE HAS PLACED IN MY LIFE!

REMEMBER...
YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN YOUR BATTLES.

17And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 (ESV)

16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)

Don’t Shift Your Responsibility. Shift Your Target.

REMEMBER...
GOD HAS ALREADY DECIDED AND DEFINED YOUR VICTORY.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4

1 Peter 5:7-11 (NASB)
7casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion,seeking someone to devour. 9But resist him, firm in your faith… 10After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen

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A VERY PARTICULAR SET OF SKILLS 10.21.18 ~ 1 Samuel 30
LOSE TO WIN
1 Samuel 30
9So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor; there those [who could not continue] remained behind. 10But David pursued [the Amalekites], he and four hundred men, for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.
Your Setback Was A Setup For A Comeback.
Just Because You’re In A Perfect Place,
It Doesn’t Mean Everything’s Going To Be Perfect.
Who Stayed Behind In Your Fight?
Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have.

“IT’S JUST 400 CAMELS.”
1 Samuel 30
17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled. 18So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. 19Nothing of theirs was missing whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered it all.
Don’t let what you CAN’T DO keep you from what you CAN DO.
WHY? Because Whatever Overwhelms You Shapes You.
Raise Your “Cave In” Point.
CAPTURE INCREASED CAPACITY
1 Samuel 30
RECOVER LOSS
18So David recovered all… and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing… David recovered it all.
CAPTURE INCREASE
20So David captured all… [which the enemy had] and [the people] ...said, “This is David’s spoil.”

If You Ever Get Knocked Down…
Pick Something Up While You’re Down There.
When You’re Down To Nothing... God Is Up To Something!
GIVE LIKE A KING

1 Peter 2:9
But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Samuel 30
24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.”
26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing (gift) for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord...”
31 … and for [those elders in] all the places where David himself and his men were accustomed to go.”

LOSE
10 ...for two hundred who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor stayed behind.

IGNORE
17“not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode camels and fled. 18So David recovered all… and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing… David recovered it all.

RECOVER
18So David recovered all… and rescued… 19Nothing of theirs was missing… David recovered it all.
CAPTURE
20So David captured all… [which the enemy had] and [the people] ...said, “This is David’s spoil.”

GIVE
24For as is the share of him who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage.”
26to the elders of Judah, his friends, saying, “Here is a blessing (gift) for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord:

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WHO’S YOUR EGYPTIAN?

ACKNOWLEDGE who’s already in your life.
“And Jonathan made David swear again by his love for him; for he loved him as he loved his own soul.” 1 Samuel 20:17 (NIV)

BROADEN your perspective for who God is sending you.
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 12:2 (NLT)

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)

CULTIVATE genuine connection.
“Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them... Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)

Launch a question: “How are you doing?” Stay there with your eyes.
Listen to the heart: “That sounds hard... That makes sense.” Don’t fix
it... listen.
Love on them. “I appreciate you sharing that... thanks, that was big.”
Let them share more: “Anything else... is there more?”

DARE to risk deep with a few.
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

EXPRESS GOD’S LOVE more than your own.
“Dear friends since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.”
1 John 4:11 (TLB)

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.”
1 John 4:7 (TLB)

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Bring Me The Ephod

What Is An Ephod?

Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD. Exodus 28:30

Your Ephod Is Your Way Of Seeking God’s Decision. (1st Brainerd Story)

1 Samuel 30:3-8 AMP

3When David and his men came to the town, it was burned, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive.

4Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they were too exhausted to weep [any longer].

5Now David’s two wives had been captured, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite.

6Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. 7David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, “Please bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought him the ephod. 8David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I pursue this band [of raiders]? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him, “Pursue, for you will certainly overtake them, and you will certainly rescue [the captives].”

1 Samuel 22:9,10

9But Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, “I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob.

10And Ahimelech inquired of the Lord for him, and gave him provisions and the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

1 Samuel 22:16,18,20

16But the king said, “You will surely die, Ahimelek, you and your whole family.”

18So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod.

20But one son of Ahimelek son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled to join David.

“Bring Me The Ephod.” “I’ve Had Enough.” “I Won’t Be A Victim.” “I’ll Take God’s Decision.” “Bring Me The Ephod.”

A Victim Is A Person Without A Decision From God.

10 Signs You Are A Victim:

1. You complain rather than act.
2. You talk about the same problems.
3. You are never able to get to resolution.
4. You are always looking to people to save you.
5. You don't accept responsibility (always something or someone to blame). | 6. You take more than you give.
7. You are uncomfortable with being emotionally well.
8. You are in crisis more than not.
9. You make people around you tired.
10. You tend to harm others rather than show mercy.

1 Samuel 23:6,9,15,16 NIV

6Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.

9When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.”

15While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that Saul had come out to take his life.

16And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

2 Samuel 6:14,15

14Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, 15while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

10 Signs You Are A Survivor:

1. You are behaviorally a

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The mountains are where you see things and the valleys are where you grow things. Don't give up...Rise Up!

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My Hands For Your Battle - 09.23.2018

Exodus 17 8The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the rod of God in my hands.” 10So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up — one on one side, one on the other — so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

You Can’t Always Pick What Battles You’re In, But You Can Pick Who’s Corner Your In.

I. Find Someone In A Fight Worth Winning.

II. See The Whole Story.

12When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it.

III. Give Them Rest, Not Advice

IV. The Direction Is Up

There Is Always A Solution. Mat. 7:7-8
I Will Always Know What To Do. James. 1:5-8,12
I will Thrive No Matter What Happens. Phil. 4:11-13
I Will Always Have The Resources I Need To Do What Needs To Be Done. Phil. 4:19
All My Mistakes Will Be Turned To Good. Rom. 8:28

V. Be Steady

IV. Tell The Right Story.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Romans 15:2, 6 ESV Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 6that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians.

Community Requires Commitment. The Holy Spirit is the one who creates real commitment between believers, but he cultivates it with the choices we make.

Times of crisis, honesty, bravery, and suffering weld suffering souls together into conquerors with a story to tell.

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RIGHT SIGHT. RIGHT FIGHT.

2 Kings 6:13-15 NASB 13“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

2 Kings 5:21-23 NIV 21When Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him. “Is everything all right?” he asked. 22“Everything is all right,” Gehazi answered. “My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’ ” 23“By all means, take two talents,” said Naaman.

Gehazi Did Wrong Because He Couldn’t See Right.

2 Kings 5:26, 27 NIV 26But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes? 27Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow.

2 Kings 6:16, 17 NASB 16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

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STILL STANDING 09.09.18 You do not have to fight this battle. Take Up Your Positions, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV/HCSB

2 Chronicles 20:3-15, 17 NIV Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4So Judah gathered together to seek help from the LORD; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the LORD. 5Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD before the new court, 6and he said,

“O LORD, the God of our fathers, are You not God in the heavens? And are You not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in Your hand so that no one can stand against You.7“Did You not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8“They have lived in it, and have built You a sanctuary there for Your name, saying, 9‘Should evil come upon us, the sword, or judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before You (for Your name is in this house) and cry to You in our distress, and You will hear and deliver us.’ 10“Now behold, the sons of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom You did not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt (they turned aside from them and did not destroy them),1see how they are rewarding us by coming to drive us out from Your possession which You have given us as an inheritance. 12“O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You1.”13All Judah was standing before the LORD, with their infants, their wives and their children.

14Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 17You do not have to fight this battle. Take Up Your Positions, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.

God Wants You Standing Still During The Battle Because He Wants You Still Standing After The Battle.

Standing Still Is Not... “Standing There” or “Doing Nothing.” It’s Standing Firm While Being Still.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S GOD’S WILL FOR ME TO STAND STILL?

After Trying Everything. Before Trying Anything. When There’s Something God Wants You To See.

“stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” v. 17

God Wants Me Standing Still During _____________ Because He Wants Me Still Standing After ______________.

What Lie In Your Heart Needs To Be Reversed? (Go Off...) What Do You Keep Fighting That Leaves You Flat On Your Back?

When You’ve Got Nothing To Prove. “Go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you. 18Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord to worship Him. 19Then the Levites from the sons of the Kohathites and the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel shouting with a loud voice.” v. 17 - 19 HOW TO STAND STILL SO YOU CAN STILL STAND?

Face Them But Do Not Fight Them. “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Tomorrow, go out to face them, for Yahweh is with you.” v. 17 (Selma AL: Edmund Petis Bridge)

Worship It Out Before You Work It Out.

Worship Is Work And Worship Works. Worship Like Somebody Who’s Been Rescued.

“At the end of a prize-fight, you look at the guy who's dancing around and that's who won." - Aaron Sorkin, Writer / Producer

2 Chronicles 20: 20-29 NIV

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The Problem Of Wineskins.

Luke 5 NIV 37And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’”

2 Corinthians 5:1-5 NLT For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 NIV 14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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Colossians 3 New International Version (NIV) Living as Those Made Alive in Christ 3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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READY THE VESSELS

FAITH GIVES THE LAST DROP. “Small… But Chosen.” FAITH GATHERS EMPTY JARS. FAITH GATHERS EVERY JAR. FAITH GATHERS CRACKED POTS.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Your Blessing Flows Through The Cracks In Your Broken Vessel. “God Only Anoints The Authentic Self.”

God Didn’t Choose You In Spite Of Your Cracks. He Chose You Because Of Them. That Ensures No One Will Ever Compliment The Vessel. It’s The Oil That’s Valuable. If The Value Is The Oil Inside, Then Any Vessel Will Do!

Sometimes... It’s Good To Feel Empty.

Sometimes… It’s Good To Feel You’re In Need.

Maybe… You’ll Remember You’re Not The Source.

The Woman took her needs to the man of God, Because He Was The Man OF GOD.

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Living On Leftovers.

Living From Fullness, Not From Measure.

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SHUT THE DOOR But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6

We’re So Busy Praying For More, More, More... And God Says Pour, Pour, Pour.

The Oil Became More When It Was In Motion. The Vessels Were Only Filled After They Were Prepared. Only Empty Vessels Could Be Filled. When The Vessels Are Ready, The Oil Will Flow.

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KEEP ON POURING

What You Have Is What You Need.

The Oil Only Flows When It’s Poured. The Enemy Can’t Steal Your Oil The More you POUR, the More it FLOWS. It Becomes more as it is Poured…even if feel Not Enough, Pour what you have while you wait for what you want.

Bitterness Keeps You From Pouring What You Have While You’re Waiting What You Want. Bitterness Always Stops Your Flow Pour For The Lord, Not For The People.

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2 Kings 4:1-7 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.” 2Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 3Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” 5She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.

God Is Into you! God Formed the World … Before He Filled it. God Won’t Fill … What Hasn’t Been Formed!

We Minimize Our Supply

CHECK YOUR OIL

The Enemy Wants You To Despise Your Oil. … Because He Can’t Steal Your Oil. Oil is symbolic God’s Holy Spirit / Empowerment! / Joy!

Elisha Learned From Elijah’s Cloud. (1 Kings 18) Size of Your Cloud doesn’t Determine Size of Your Miracle. It’s Not the Amount of the Oil…

“It Might Not Be Much....But It’s Not Nothing!”

The Oil Didn’t Become MORE… Until she POURED IT. POINT: When you feel POOR, you don’t POUR.

NEED Seems --- SO BIG compared to YOUR SUPPLY. When You Call the Supply Nothing, It doesn’t Multiply.

The Miracle is Hidden In What You’re Overlooking!

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JERICHO OR JESUS. Pastor David Rathel 07.22.18

Joshua‬ ‭5:13-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 13“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14“Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.”

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DON’T LOOK BACK - Pastor David Rathel 07.15.18

Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Luke 17:32-33 Remember Lot’s wife! 33Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.

Genesis 19:17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

Genesis 19:24-26 24Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. 25Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Out Alive - Not Everybody Makes It Out Alive. Pain Greater Than Fear

Become Behold - You Become What You Behold. Leave - You Can’t Leave Something While Staring At It.

Anchors - Sin Always Creates Anchors That Stop Your Future. Farther Tyan Go Sin Longer Stay. Pay More Than Can Pay

Forward - Forward Is The Fear. Forward Is The Answer. Fear Of Looking Forward.

Ephesians 4:22-24 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Philippians 3:13-14 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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FISH OUT OF WATER - Pastor David Rathel - July 8, 2018.

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE

James 1:6-8 6the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:14-17 14but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

REMEMBER WHAT YOU NEED.

Galatians 5:16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Psalm 73:16-17 16When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply 17till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed--or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT.

1 Samuel 17:47 All the people gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to the Lord,

Ephesians 5:15-20 15See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 5:6-8 6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

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What is right and what is wrong?

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32 ESV

If everyone in a society agreed on right and wrong that society would be completely free. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.” -John 8:31-32 MSG

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” -Matthew 22:36-42 ESV

Love God

Love People

Love Truth

Be Free

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HOME IS WHERE THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IS

“WHEN JESUS HAD AGAIN CROSSED OVER BY BOAT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE, A LARGE CROWD GATHERED AROUND HIM WHILE HE WAS BY THE LAKE. THEN ONE OF THE SYNAGOGUE LEADERS, NAMED JAIRUS, CAME, AND WHEN HE SAW JESUS, HE FELL AT HIS FEET. HE PLEADED EARNESTLY WITH HIM, “MY LITTLE DAUGHTER IS DYING. PLEASE COME AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON HER SO THAT SHE WILL BE HEALED AND LIVE.” SO JESUS WENT WITH HIM.”

MARK 5:21-24

“AND A WOMAN WAS THERE WHO HAD BEEN SUBJECT TO BLEEDING FOR TWELVE YEARS. SHE HAD SUFFERED A GREAT DEAL UNDER THE CARE OF MANY DOCTORS AND HAD SPENT ALL SHE HAD, YET INSTEAD OF GETTING BETTER SHE GREW WORSE.”

MARK 5:25-26 WE ALL NEED TO MAKE OUR HOME IN THE PRESENCE OF JESUS

“WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT JESUS, SHE CAME UP BEHIND HIM IN THE CROWD AND TOUCHED HIS CLOAK, BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT, “IF I JUST TOUCH HIS CLOTHES, I WILL BE HEALED.” IMMEDIATELY HER BLEEDING STOPPED AND SHE FELT IN HER BODY THAT SHE WAS FREED FROM HER SUFFERING.” AT ONCE JESUS REALIZED THAT POWER HAD GONE OUT FROM HIM. HE TURNED AROUND IN THE CROWD AND ASKED, “WHO TOUCHED MY CLOTHES?”

“YOU SEE THE PEOPLE CROWDING AGAINST YOU,” HIS DISCIPLES ANSWERED, “AND YET YOU CAN ASK, ‘WHO TOUCHED ME?’” BUT JESUS KEPT LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHO HAD DONE IT. THEN THE WOMAN, KNOWING WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HER, CAME AND FELL AT HIS FEET AND, TREMBLING WITH FEAR, TOLD HIM THE WHOLE TRUTH. HE SAID TO HER, “DAUGHTER, YOUR FAITH HAS HEALED YOU. GO IN PEACE AND BE FREED FROM YOUR SUFFERING.”

MARK 5:27-34

WHEN WE MAKE OUR HOME IN JESUS IT HEALS OUR BROKENNESS “WHILE JESUS WAS STILL SPEAKING, SOME PEOPLE CAME FROM THE HOUSE OF JAIRUS, THE SYNAGOGUE LEADER. “YOUR DAUGHTER IS DEAD,” THEY SAID. “WHY BOTHER THE TEACHER ANYMORE?” “OVERHEARING WHAT THEY SAID, JESUS TOLD HIM, “DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE.” “HE DID NOT LET ANYONE FOLLOW HIM EXCEPT PETER, JAMES AND JOHN THE BROTHER OF JAMES. WHEN THEY CAME TO THE HOME OF THE SYNAGOGUE LEADER, JESUS SAW A COMMOTION, WITH PEOPLE CRYING AND WAILING LOUDLY. HE WENT IN AND SAID TO THEM, “WHY ALL THIS COMMOTION AND WAILING? THE CHILD IS NOT DEAD BUT ASLEEP.” BUT THEY LAUGHED AT HIM.”

MARK 5:35-40 “AFTER HE PUT THEM ALL OUT, HE TOOK THE CHILD’S FATHER AND MOTHER AND THE DISCIPLES WHO WERE WITH HIM, AND WENT IN WHERE THE CHILD WAS. HE TOOK HER BY THE HAND AND SAID TO HER, “TALITHA KOUM!” (WHICH MEANS “LITTLE GIRL, I SAY TO YOU, GET UP!”). IMMEDIATELY THE GIRL STOOD UP AND BEGAN TO WALK AROUND (SHE WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD). AT THIS THEY WERE COMPLETELY ASTONISHED. HE GAVE STRICT ORDERS NOT TO LET ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS, AND TOLD THEM TO GIVE HER SOMETHING TO EAT.”

MARK 5: 40-43

THE PRESENCE OF JESUS BRINGS LIFE INTO THE MOST HOPELESS OF SITUATIONS

“AND I HEARD A LOUD VOICE FROM THE THRONE SAYING, “LOOK! GOD’S DWELLING PLACE IS NOW AMONG THE PEOPLE, AND HE WILL DWELL WITH THEM. THEY WILL BE HIS PEOPLE, AND GOD HIMSELF WILL BE WITH THEM AND BE THEIR GOD. HE WILL WIPE EVERY TEAR FROM THEIR EYES. THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH OR MOURNING OR CRYING OR PAIN, FOR THE OLD ORDER OF THINGS HAS PASSED AWAY.”

REVELATION 21:3-4

BIG IDEA:

HOME IS WHERE THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IS, AND THE PRESENCE OF JESUS IS WHERE YOU NEED TO BE!

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WHEN WE PLACE OUR IDENTITY IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN JESUS, WE ARE IN NEED OF REDEMPTION. Ephesians 5:1-2 says, “FOLLOW GOD’S EXAMPLE, THEREFORE, AS DEARLY LOVED CHILDREN AND WALK IN THE WAY OF LOVE, JUST AS CHRIST LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR US AS A FRAGRANT OFFERING AND SACRIFICE TO GOD.” - EPHESIANS 5:1-2

Here is what Jesus says when he describes a blessed person: HE SAID: “BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED. BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY WILL BE FILLED. BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD. BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, FOR THEY WILL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED BECAUSE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. BLESSED ARE YOU WHEN PEOPLE INSULT YOU, PERSECUTE YOU AND FALSELY SAY ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU BECAUSE OF ME. REJOICE AND BE GLAD, BECAUSE GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN, FOR IN THE SAME WAY THEY PERSECUTED THE PROPHETS WHO WERE BEFORE YOU.” - MATTHEW 5:2-12

A BLESSING IS NOT SOMETHING WE ARE GIVEN, IT IS A STATE OF LIVING.

“BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.” When Jesus gives the invitation for a lifestyle of being poor in spirit, he is saying that every day we must approach God being aware of two things: 1.) We must approach God fully aware that we have nothing to offer. 2.) We must approach God fully aware that He has everything that we need.

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says, “THEREFORE WE DO NOT LOSE HEART. THOUGH OUTWARDLY WE ARE WASTING AWAY, YET INWARDLY WE ARE BEING RENEWED DAY BY DAY. FOR OUR LIGHT AND MOMENTARY TROUBLES ARE ACHIEVING FOR US AN ETERNAL GLORY THAT FAR OUTWEIGHS THEM ALL. SO WE FIX OUR EYES NOT ON WHAT IS SEEN, BUT ON WHAT IS UNSEEN, SINCE WHAT IS SEEN IS TEMPORARY, BUT WHAT IS UNSEEN IS ETERNAL.” - 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18 When we mourn we recognize that God is above it all and if we lift our eyes to Him, we will be comforted. Jesus continues by saying, “BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.”

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HUNGER AND THIRST FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEY WILL BE FILLED.” When we are hungry and thirsty, whether physically or spiritually, we are reminded of our need for something outside of ourselves. My question to you is: What are you hungry for?

“BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY WILL BE SHOWN MERCY.”

“BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART- FOR THEY WILL SEE GOD.”

“BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, THE PERSECUTED, AND THE SLANDERED.”

BIG IDEA: YOU SEE, ALL OF THESE BEATITUDES ARE OUR TRAIL MARKERS ON A JOURNEY OF REDEMPTION.

1 Corinthians 1:27 says, “BUT GOD CHOSE THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE WISE; GOD CHOSE THE WEAK THINGS OF THE WORLD TO SHAME THE STRONG.” - 1 CORINTHIANS 1:27

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LUKE 15:11-24 WEEK 2 – I Can Only Imagine Series IMAGINE FORGIVENESS

JESUS KNEW THAT FORGIVENESS WAS NOT EASY, BUT JESUS ALSO KNEW THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS.

In Luke 15:11 Jesus begins this story: “A MAN HAD TWO SONS. THE YOUNGER SON TOLD HIS FATHER, ‘I WANT MY SHARE OF YOUR ESTATE NOW BEFORE YOU DIE.’ SO HIS FATHER AGREED TO DIVIDE HIS WEALTH BETWEEN HIS SONS.” - LUKE 15:11

We learn two things about the son from this verse. 1. He is selfish. 2. He wants independence.

THE FATHER ALLOWS HIM TO GO.

“A FEW DAYS LATER THIS YOUNGER SON PACKED ALL HIS BELONGINGS AND MOVED TO A DISTANT LAND, AND THERE HE WASTED ALL HIS MONEY IN WILD LIVING. ABOUT THE TIME HIS MONEY RAN OUT, A GREAT FAMINE SWEPT OVER THE LAND, AND HE BEGAN TO STARVE.” - LUKE 15:13-14

“HE PERSUADED A LOCAL FARMER TO HIRE HIM, AND THE MAN SENT HIM INTO HIS FIELDS TO FEED THE PIGS. THE YOUNG MAN BECAME SO HUNGRY THAT EVEN THE PODS HE WAS FEEDING THE PIGS LOOKED GOOD TO HIM. BUT NO ONE GAVE HIM ANYTHING. WHEN HE FINALLY CAME TO HIS SENSES, HE SAID TO HIMSELF, ‘AT HOME EVEN THE HIRED SERVANTS HAVE FOOD ENOUGH TO SPARE, AND HERE I AM DYING OF HUNGER!’” - LUKE 15:15-17

In verses 18 - 24, the son says, “‘I WILL GO HOME TO MY FATHER AND SAY, “FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST BOTH HEAVEN AND YOU, AND I AM NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING CALLED YOUR SON. PLEASE TAKE ME ON AS A HIRED SERVANT.’ SO HE RETURNED HOME TO HIS FATHER. AND WHILE HE WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF, HIS FATHER SAW HIM COMING. FILLED WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION, HE RAN TO HIS SON, EMBRACED HIM, AND KISSED HIM. HIS SON SAID TO HIM, ‘FATHER, I HAVE SINNED AGAINST BOTH HEAVEN AND YOU, AND I AM NO LONGER WORTHY OF BEING CALLED YOUR SON.’ BUT HIS FATHER SAID TO THE SERVANTS, ‘QUICK! BRING THE FINEST ROBE IN THE HOUSE AND PUT IT ON HIM. GET A RING FOR HIS FINGER AND SANDALS FOR HIS FEET. AND KILL THE CALF WE HAVE BEEN FATTENING. WE MUST CELEBRATE WITH A FEAST, FOR THIS SON OF MINE WAS DEAD AND HAS NOW RETURNED TO LIFE. HE WAS LOST, BUT NOW HE IS FOUND.’ SO THE PARTY BEGAN.” - LUKE 15:18-24

THE FATHER RAN TO HIM.

THE FATHER DOES NOT SEE YOUR RUIN, HE SEES YOUR RESPONSE.

The story doesn’t end here, but Jesus continues by saying: “MEANWHILE, THE OLDER SON WAS IN THE FIELDS WORKING. WHEN HE RETURNED HOME, HE HEARD MUSIC AND DANCING IN THE HOUSE, AND HE ASKED ONE OF THE SERVANTS WHAT WAS GOING ON. ‘YOUR BROTHER IS BACK,’ HE WAS TOLD, ‘AND YOUR FATHER HAS KILLED THE FATTENED CALF. WE ARE CELEBRATING BECAUSE OF HIS SAFE RETURN.’ “THE OLDER BROTHER WAS ANGRY AND WOULDN’T GO IN. HIS FATHER CAME OUT AND BEGGED HIM, BUT HE REPLIED, ‘ALL THESE YEARS I’VE SLAVED FOR YOU AND NEVER ONCE REFUSED TO DO A SINGLE THING YOU TOLD ME TO. AND IN ALL THAT TIME YOU NEVER GAVE ME EVEN ONE YOUNG GOAT FOR A FEAST WITH MY FRIENDS. YET WHEN THIS SON OF YOURS COMES BACK AFTER SQUANDERING YOUR MONEY ON PROSTITUTES, YOU CELEBRATE BY KILLING THE FATTENED CALF!’ “HIS FATHER SAID TO HIM, ‘LOOK, DEAR SON, YOU HAVE ALWAYS STAYED BY ME, AND EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS. WE HAD TO CELEBRATE THIS HAPPY DAY. FOR YOUR BROTHER WAS DEAD AND HAS COME BACK TO LIFE! HE WAS LOST, BUT NOW HE IS FOUND!’” - LUKE 15:25-32

THE FATHER’S FORGIVENESS RESTORES HIM.

Here are three signs you might be like the older brother of this parable: 1. You question when someone repents. You say something like, “We will see.” 2. You would rather critique than celebrate. You would rather find a reason not to celebrate than a reason to. 3. You don’t try to understand the Father’s heart for another person. In Matthew 6:14-15 Jesus says, “IF YOU FORGIVE OTHERS THE WRONGS THEY HAVE DONE TO YOU, YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU. BUT IF YOU DO NOT FORGIVE OTHERS, THEN YOUR FATHER WILL NOT FORGIVE THE WRONGS YOU HAVE DONE.” - MATTHEW 6:14-15

1 Corinthians 5:15-19 says “THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE! ALL THIS IS FROM GOD, WHO RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUG

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MATTHEW 3:11-17 WEEK 1 – I Can Only Imagine Series IMAGINE A LOVING FATHER

In verses 11-12 John is speaking as he says, “I BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER FOR REPENTANCE. BUT AFTER ME COMES ONE WHO IS MORE POWERFUL THAN I, WHOSE SANDALS I AM NOT WORTHY TO CARRY. HE WILL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FIRE. HIS WINNOWING FORK IS IN HIS HAND, AND HE WILL CLEAR HIS THRESHING FLOOR, GATHERING HIS WHEAT INTO THE BARN AND BURNING UP THE CHAFF WITH UNQUENCHABLE FIRE.” - MATTHEW 3:11-12 Let’s read: THEN JESUS CAME FROM GALILEE TO THE JORDAN TO BE BAPTIZED BY JOHN. BUT JOHN TRIED TO DETER HIM, SAYING, “I NEED TO BE BAPTIZED BY YOU, AND DO YOU COME TO ME?” JESUS REPLIED, “LET IT BE SO NOW; IT IS PROPER FOR US TO DO THIS TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS.” THEN JOHN CONSENTED. - MATTHEW 3:13-15 Verses 16-17 say, AS SOON AS JESUS WAS BAPTIZED, HE WENT UP OUT OF THE WATER. AT THAT MOMENT HEAVEN WAS OPENED, AND HE SAW THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESCENDING LIKE A DOVE AND ALIGHTING ON HIM. AND A VOICE FROM HEAVEN SAID, “THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE; WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.” - MATTHEW 3:16-17 1. GOD IDENTIFIES WITH JESUS. Not only does God identify with Jesus, God identifies with us through Jesus. Galatians 3:26-29 says, SO IN CHRIST JESUS YOU ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD THROUGH FAITH, FOR ALL OF YOU WHO WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE CLOTHED YOURSELVES WITH CHRIST. THERE IS NEITHER JEW NOR GENTILE, NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE, NOR IS THERE MALE AND FEMALE, FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. IF YOU BELONG TO CHRIST, THEN YOU ARE ABRAHAM’S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE. - GALATIANS 3:26-29 In Matthew 16:24 Jesus said to his disciples, “WHOEVER WANTS TO BE MY DISCIPLE MUST DENY THEMSELVES AND TAKE UP THEIR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME. - MATTHEW 16:24 In Galatians 2:20 Paul writes, “I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST AND I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE BODY, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.” - GALATIANS 2:20

GOD LOVES JESUS. 1 John 3:1 says, “SEE WHAT GREAT LOVE THE FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD!” - 1 JOHN 3:1

Romans 8:35-39 NLT says, “CAN ANYTHING EVER SEPARATE US FROM CHRIST’S LOVE? DOES IT MEAN HE NO LONGER LOVES US IF WE HAVE TROUBLE OR CALAMITY, OR ARE PERSECUTED, OR HUNGRY, OR DESTITUTE, OR IN DANGER, OR THREATENED WITH DEATH? NO, DESPITE ALL THESE THINGS, OVERWHELMING VICTORY IS OURS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO LOVED US. AND I AM CONVINCED THAT NOTHING CAN EVER SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE. NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER OUR FEARS FOR TODAY NOR OUR WORRIES ABOUT TOMORROW—NOT EVEN THE POWERS OF HELL CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE. NO POWER IN THE SKY ABOVE OR IN THE EARTH BELOW—INDEED, NOTHING IN ALL CREATION WILL EVER BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS REVEALED IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.” - ROMANS 8:35-39

GOD IS PLEASED WITH JESUS.

Don’t miss this:

BIG IDEA: OUR IDENTITY AS GOD’S CHILDREN WILL PROPEL US INTO HIS PURPOSE.

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Mile 7 - Seven Mile Miracle 05.27.18 Luke 23:44-46 (NIV) It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 24:33-36 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread. 36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

TITLE: ROUND TRIP RESURRECTION: The Word Of Reunion

You Would Not Cry Over Anything That Had Left Your Life, Because You Would Know That God Is Already In Your Tomorrow.

We Ask God For Blessing, But We Don’t Actually Know What Blessing Is. Blessing Is A State Of Your Heart That Keeps You Content No Matter What The Circumstance Is.

He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast. Luke 24:17

Luke 24:20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;

Luke 24:21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.

Luke 24:21b And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.

Just Because You Can’t Feel Him… Doesn’t Mean He’s NOT WITH YOU!!!! HE’S SNEAKY!!!!

It Always Happens The Same Way In Life The Same Way. You’re BROKEN BEFORE You See GLORY Of GOD!

Luke 24:26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" GLORY Never Looks Like GLORY When It’s Coming!

Sometimes Our Memory Is Much More Enjoyable Than Our Experience.

Luke 24:33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together.

RELEASE There’s A Difference Between The Reveal And The Release.

Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

It Looked Like The End When It Was Really The Beginning. It Was Grace Dressed Like Shame. It Was Triumph Dressed Like Trouble!

John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

What are you Discussing As You Walk Along The Road….. HAND IT OVER! Hand Your Regret, Defeat, And Excuses Over To Jesus. FATHER, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY LIFE!

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Mile 6 - THE WORD OF TRIUMPH, Seven Mile Miracle 05.20.18

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” John 19:30 Exodus 14:10-16 10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. 11They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” 13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

ALL YOUR SETBACKS ARE SETUPS. When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." Exodus 13:17 BEFORE GOD CAN WALK YOU INTO THE PROMISE, HE HAS TO WALK YOU THROUGH THE PROCESS! GOD IS MORE FOCUSED ON ME BECOMING THE RIGHT PERSON THAN TAKING ME TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

GOD DOESN’T WANT US TO CHANGE OUR MINDS TO GO BACK, HE WANTS US TO CHANGE OUR MINDS TO MOVE FORWARD! 13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 15Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.

BEFORE GOD COULD TAKE THEM TO A NEW PLACE HE HAD TO GIVE THEM A NEW MINDSET!

BEFORE THEY COULD FIGHT FOR THEIR PROMISE… God Had To Get Them Place Where In Faith Heart Minds They... THEY HAD TO KNOW WHO THEY WERE … KNOW WHO THEIR GOD WAS. GOD IS SAYING, “YOU’VE GOT TO MOVE ON… YOU CAN’T THINK WAY THOUGHT ANYMORE”

GOD PUT THEM INTO AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION DESIGNED TO CHANGE THEIR MINDS THE ISRAELITES WERE OUT OF EGYPT, BUT THEY WEREN’T OVER EGYPT. GOD GOT THEM OUT OF EGYPT, NOW HE HAD TO GET EGYPT OUT OF THEM!

Real Triumph In The Story... 16Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground.

Really The Real Triumph… 30And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

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FROM OVERWHELMED TO OVERFLOWING Pastor David Rathel - Mother’s Day 2018

A SHORTAGE mindset: I never have enough & never will Bible words: Lacking, Wanting, Need

Jesus “I’ve come that you may have real life, and enjoy it in abundance - to the fullest, until it overflows!” John. 10:10 (Amp) o The Focus of a SHORTAGE mindset: MY LIMITED RESOURCES I look at all the things I’m lacking...don’t have...in short supply

o The Result of a SHORTAGE mindset: AN OVERWHELMED LIFE Never have enough... always in competition. If you get more it mean... Leads to jealousy... envy... resentment... worry... insecurity

A SURPLUS mindset: God has more than I’ll ever need Bible words: Abundance, Abounding, Plentiful

“You can be sure that God will supply everything - all that you need - from his abundant wealth that he pours out on us through Jesus Christ.” Philippians. 4:19

o The Focus of a SURPLUS mindset: GOD’S LIMITLESS RESOURCES He has all the resource of the universe & more!

o The Result: AN OVERFLOWING LIFE A life of PEACE... confidence... security .. Cooperation

It’s the life David refers to in Psalm. 23:5 “You fill my cup to overflowing.” “You give me more than I can hold.” (ICB) “My cup overflows!” (NIV) vs 1 “I shall not want.” vs. 5 “I OVERFLOW with MORE than I need!”

Are ever you worried that someone’s else breathing would steal your air?

WHAT IS AN OVERFLOWING LIFE? A Definition: To be filled beyond capacity with an endless supply of God’s goodness Bible: Cup of JOY... HOPE... BLESSING

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay connected to me... you’ll produce a lot of fruit. But you can’t do anything without me!” John 15:5 Unless I’m connected – I’ll never have enough! “If you stay connected to me and My Words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings glory to my Father... So, stay connected to my love. You stay connected to my love when you obey me... I’ve told you this so that you’ll be filled with my joy. Yes, your cup of joy will OVERFLOW!” John 15:7-11 (NLT/LB)

TWO CURES: GRATITUDE & GENEROSITY

GRATITUDE - The Healthiest Emotion. Griping – one of unhealthiest!

“Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all God has done.” Col. 2:7

“We do not make the mistake of comparing ourselves with others. When we compare ourselves we are foolish.” 2 Cor 10:12 “In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing..” Phil. 2:14

What do you compare or complain about? Does it help? Feel better?

“No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18 (NLT) - Start your day with gratitude - to God and for others = you’ll overflow. - Research - Send 1 text of gratitude each morning = lowers stress. - Gratitude is obedience that makes us healthy in every area.

GENEROSITY - Stinginess is evidence of a shortage mindset. The more generous you are...the more YOU WILL OVERFLOW!

The Generosity Difference: The Surplus Mindset Versus The Shortage Mindset. Feeding The 5 Thousand - Luke 9

12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14(About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, a

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THE WORD OF DISTRESS Mile 5 - THE THIRST TRAP, Seven Mile Miracle 05.02.18

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” 29 A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. JOHN 19:28, 29 ESV

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). 23Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mark 15:22, 23 NIV STRUGGLE - “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 29:36 How Can LIVING WATER Need A DRINK? TRAPPED Between CALLING and CHARACTER. It’s One Thing To ___, But It’s Another Thing To ____. If You Feel Trapped, GOD KNOWS!

GOD STRUGGLED LIKE I STRUGGLE. There’s A Difference Between SURRENDER and GIVING UP. You THIRST On The CROSS Because You SWEAT In The GARDEN. When I Hear Him Say “I THIRST,” It Shows Me My SHAME. SHAME - John 4 Jesus Always Sets A TRAP For Our SHAME. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” vs. 7 It’s Not A Sin To Be Thirsty. Everybody In Here Is Thirsty. Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,” vs. 13

EVERYBODY DRINKS SOMEWHERE. (Illustrate) WHAT ARE YOU THIRSTY FOR? He’s Not Trying To RECEIVE Something From Her. He’s Trying To RELEASE Something To Her.

“...but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” vs.14 NEVER THIRST? He Didn’t Say You’d Never FEEL THIRSTY. You’re Always Going To Thirst. Jesus Is Saying: You’ll Always Have A PLACE TO DRINK. Jesus Never Got TRAPPED, But Set A Bunch Of Them.

“Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” vs. 16 She’s Looking Around For A Bucket. (Free Refills) Jesus Is Trying To Get Her To See That SHE IS THE BUCKET. Give Me This Water So I Won’t Have To Keep Here, Perform,Thirst, Txt. He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” vs. 16

“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.” vs. 17 (What Had Happened)

“The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” vs. 18 ...You’re Thirsty & You’re Trapped... When I Asked You For Water... I Was Trying To Release You From... I Wanna Give You Something…Comes From Within…Doesn’t Depend… Bank...Biopsy Comes Back… Only Stronger In Struggle… Unlimited Supply… And She Said, “I Think You’re Onto Something” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. vs. 19

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” vs. 39 Jesus Used A Thirsty Woman To Transform An Entire Region!YOU SETUP - That’s Why Samaria? / Asked Drink? She Was Thirsty. / Why Cross? Why Me? After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” John 19:28

They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.22Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. Psalm 69 DEATH Didn’t TRAP Jesus. JESUS Trapped DEATH. GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERY THIRST... IN YOUR LIFE! Sometimes VICTORY Doesn’t FEEL LIKE VICTORY! It’s Not A TRAP. It’s A TRIUMPH. Friday’s TRAP Was Sunday’s TRIUMPH.

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WHY? A question we ask a lot, WHY? What do you do when you end up somewhere you didn't intend to be in?

About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) Matthew 27:46 NIV

The Word Of Abandonment. Mile 4 - THE FACTS OF LIFE, Seven Mile Miracle 04.29.18

Luke 24:20-21 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. Romans 4:18-21 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead - since he was about a hundred years old - and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ...FACE THE FACTS, BUT ONLY SPEAK FAITH. I. FACE THE FACTS, BUT FIGHT YOUR FEELINGS. Don't think of WHY, but think of The WHO that is in the WHY!

We need to fight together! Satan’s Realm Of Lies! II. FACE THE FACTS, BUT DON’T FORGET GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. A gradual miracle is just as powerful as instant miracle

Choose Your focus, Focus On God!

Just Because You Have The Victory, Doesn't Mean It Is Over - Still Scars.

Choose What You Remember

God Will Deliver YOU, Because He Has Done It Before!

Just remember how Good God has been! You Will Find Exactly WHAT You Look For. PSALM 77:7-13 7Will the Lord reject forever? And will He never be favorable again? 8Has His lovingkindness ceased forever? Has His promise come to an end forever? 9Has God forgotten to be gracious, Or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion? 10Then I said, “It is my grief, That the right hand of the Most High has changed.” 11I shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds. 13Your way, O God, is holy; What god is great like our God? 14You are the God who works wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. 15You have by Your power redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph.

The more you focus on Him, the more peace you will have. III. FACE THE FACTS, BUT FOCUS ON HIS FACE. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NIV We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Persecuted, but not destroyed. The facts are not your ultimate reality.

Jesus was abandoned so that… YOU DON’T NEED TO BE!

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The greatest pain and greatest pleasure in your life will be experienced in the context of a relationship.

THE WORD OF RELATIONSHIP

31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” 33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together. Luke 24:31-33

The Revelation of Jesus was completed, not in the context of their conversation with Him, but in their conversation with each other.

Mile 3 - COMPLETE THE CROSS, Seven Mile Miracle 04.22.18

The CROSS has TWO BEAMS

We can make Him an escape FROM people when we should be a team WITH them.

1st - ON THE CROSS. WHAT HAPPENED ON THE CROSS?

2nd - AT THE CROSS. WHO WAS AT THE CROSS?

Those who are the LOUDEST AREN’T always the MOST LOYAL.

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. John 19:25

Sometimes your greatest testimony is not the things you say, but you STANDING with them when they need someone.

When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. John 19:26-27 CEV

Sometimes we don't see those who are with us because we can only think of those who left us!

God Will Always Leave You A John At Your Cross!

He Needed John To Be With Him AT The Cross, But He Needed Judas To Get Him TO The Cross.

3rd - TO THE CROSS. Who Gets You To The Cross?

It Takes Two.

People Will Leave You Because They Help Get You Where You Need To Go By NOT Being There.

YOU NEED TO SET PEOPLE FREE WHO YOU THINK HOLD YOUR FREEDOM BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE THE KEY!

4th - IN THE CROSS. Where Do I Receive So I Can Release?

Philippians 2:1,2 1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

On The Cross There’s Jesus. At The Cross There’s John. To The Cross There Judas. In The Cross There’s Us.

I Am Complete IN The Cross.

RECEIVE IT. RELEASE IT.

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The Second Word From The Cross - The Word Of Salvation

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Mile 2 - IT’S IN THE MIDDLE, Seven Mile Miracle

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. Luke 24:28

After Jesus sat down to eat, he took some bread. He blessed it and broke it. Then he gave it to them. Luke 24:30

I Was Saved. I Will Be Saved. I’m Still Being Saved.

I. THE GIFT IS IN THE MIDDLE

Jesus Revealed His Presence In The Process Of Breaking The Bread!

Not You Will Bp;le With Me In Paradise, But I WIll Be With You… In The Process!

I Have, Not Just His Statements, But His Spirit.

1 Peter 1:8, 9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

II. THE GOAL IS IN THE MIDDLE

Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Luke 24:31

They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

The Second Seven Miles Is Not About What God Saved Them FROM, But What God Saved Them FOR.

III. THE GLORY IS IN THE MIDDLE

He answered and said, See, I see four men loose, walking in the middle of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Daniel 3:25

And all the angels stood there in a circle around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they threw themselves down with their faces to the ground before the throne and worshiped God, Revelation 7:11

Luke 23:35-43 35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

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NO MORE NAILS, SEVEN MILE MIRACLE, 04.08.18

Luke 24:30-35 NIV 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”

33They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

John 20:19-20 NIV On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side.

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34

John 20:24-25 NIV 24Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:26-28 NIV 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

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KINGDOM FAMILY CIRCLE - Kingdom Family Series. 03.25.18

The Only Way To Show People The Kingdom Of God Is To Show Them Christ As The Head Of A Supernaturally Powerful Family.

Romans 8:15-18 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.

The Biblical Transition Into Adulthood Is Spiritual Adoption Into The Kingdom Family Of God. Adulthood Is Adoption!

1 Corinthians 12:14-27 (NIV) 14Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

BELONGING IS AN INSIDE JOB!

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Meet Jon.

Jon was a star basketball player in high school and college. Although Jon was tall he wanted to increase his strength. His hobby of weightlifting and overall good health continued to develop throughout the years. He became a certified cardiovascular technologist and a personal trainer assisting others in obtaining their physical best through his knowledge of fitness and nutrition. He has worked with a Nutraceutical company maintaining and developing pro athletes performance. Jon was first introduced to the Strength Team while on a mission trip to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The Strength Team quickly found that Jon was much more than physically strong. His love for his family, God and others were what impressed us the most. Jon's life has been radically changed by Jesus Christ and he lives to tell others about God's Love and Forgiveness. Jon's family is originally from the Dominican Republic, he is the only Strength Team member that speaks fluent Spanish.

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Trusting Christ in Transitions Pastor Travis Hester March 11, 2018

Key Text: Matthew 27: 45-54 (NLT)

Jesus’ Death was Transitional….. A Shift…. A Season Change!

Jesus’ has the most dramatic picture of Transition in history: The curtain in the temple tears from top to bottom The earth shakes Rocks split open Tombs open and dead people come out of the grave When dead people come out of the grave because of you, then that is a dramatic picture of a True Transition. Before all of this, he agonizes on the cross and cries out twice

Announcement: We are ALL in Transition!

Birth Date – Death Date (the dash represents our transition) There’s nothing more exciting in transition than when you’re hoping and believing for something special. Planning for school/college Planning for that first date Planning for a new job Planning for marriage Planning for a new born Planning to get out of debt (Imagine the transition if this happened!) When you don’t get what you’re hoping for, you’re disappointed. (Prov. 13:12 NLT)

Transition: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another. It comes from the Latin word “transire” which means “to go across” Where were you when Christ came and saved you? Just remember what He had to go across to get to you!

Why so Dramatic of a Transition?

Penalty of sin is now Paid! Gen 2:17 NLT “…the day you eat of it, you shall surely die” Two Deaths: physical and spiritual Now we have Eternal Life (John 3:16 NLT)

Punishment of sin is now Removed! No more condemnation (Romans 8:1 NLT) No more fear… No more shame… No more separation (Genesis 3:10 NKJV)

Position of sin is now Replaced! (2 Corinthians 5:21) God now sees you as Righteous

“Jesus did not come to Comfort, He came to Confront!” (Steven Furtick) Matthew 10:34-39 NKJV The church is in a season marked by confrontational encounters!

What does Trusting CHRIST Look like? Trusting is Confronting – Allowing Christ to confront you! Trusting is Following – Allowing Christ to lead you!

3 Similar Confrontations in Luke 9:57-62 We are always tempted to compare current realities with past familiarities.

You Follow without looking back (Luke 9:62) You Finish without looking forward (Galatians 6:9) He will Fulfill without looking elsewhere (Philippians 1:6 NKJV)

Repeat with me: You Follow! You Finish! He Fulfills!

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God’s Kingdom Is A Family, Kingdom Family Series - Pastor David Rathel 02.04.18

God Is Building A Family! Story that led to Billy Graham Salvation - 15 Modecia Ham. Who Replace Billy Graham? Dies? ---- Billy Graham Crusade - 1994 Franklin Graham Crusade In Columbus ----- 1996 - Me and Melanie Met! First time preached week revival Hannah ----- Graham Name - Our 20th Wedding Anniversary Howle - pray who will replace? ----- Anne Graham Lotz - Feb 21 Moses Liberator - Joshua Next, Yeshua, Saviour. KINGDOM AT HAND

The Only Way To Show People The Kingdom Of God Is To Show Them Christ As The Head Of A Supernaturally Powerful Family.

GOD’S DELIVERY ROOM - 2 Corinthians 5:11-17 11Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. 12We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart. 13If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died. 15And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again. 16So from now on we regard no one according to the flesh. Although we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!

Principle #1: The Kingdom Family Is A Resting Place For Sons And Daughters. (Illus. My memory on dads chest) Who You Are, In Your Identity As A Son Or Daughter, Is More Valuable Than Anything You Could Ever Do Or Not Do.

BE A BILLY! I. Believe In Your Calling II. Be Humble III. Be Bold IV. Be A Bringer

Matthew 3:16, 17 - Jesus’s Baptism In The Jordan River By John 16“And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

“Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him.” John 1:32 NLT

Romans 8:15-17

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

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“While I was embroiled in all that, my parents were just very patient. They expressed concern and displeasure over the behavior, but never once did they make me feel they rejected me as a person. Their love for me was always unconditional. Their home was always open, no matter what condition I was in. They gave themselves to me….. Eventually, their grace and love were just irresistible.” -Ned Graham

Vow of Priority I promise to make God my number 1 priority and you my 2. Vow of Pursuit I promise to pursue my 2. Vow of Partnership I promise to make my marriage about “we” not “me”.

Vow of Purity I promise to confide in you and not hide from you.

Nothing grows in the dark “11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” -Eph 5:11

Every person should confide in their mate, because of the effects confiding has on a person.

“24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.” Genesis 2:24-25

It’s Effect on Intimacy

Secrecy is the Enemy of Intimacy

“7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” -Genesis 3:7

It’s Effect on Integrity 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” - Matthew 5:27-28

Set the line far from the sin It’s Effect on Identity

13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. -Proverbs 28:13

Be Real Be Open Be Loving

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THE VOW OF PARTNERSHIP, THE VOW SERIES 3, 02.18.18 Pastor David Rathel - Preaching Notes VOW #1: I PROMISE THAT GOD WILL FIRST PRIORITY AND MY SPOUSE WILL BE MY SECOND. VOW #2: I PROMISE I WILL ALWAYS PURSUE MY TWO.

VOW #3: I PROMISE OUR MARRIAGE WILL BE ABOUT “WE” AND NOT “ME.” ILLUS: Laws For Women / Men (Printed) That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Hebrew: ‘Echad (ekh-awd’): United, Completely Joined As One.

...‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 MARRIAGE IS A COVENANT NOT A CONTRACT • A Contract Is Based On Mutual Distrust. It protects me from your wrong-doing. I’m only in as far as you’re in.

• A Covenant Is Based On Mutual Submission. COVENANT: Hebrew: Beriyth (ber-eeth) Cutting, A Binding Agreement, A Blood Covenant. (Expl.) Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 ABOUT ALL IN: Richer - Poorer / Sickness - Health / Death - Part ILLUS: ME...For-Ever! ILUS:”I Can’t Imagine Being Married Same Man 50 Yrs.” NOT: 50%- 50%…100% - 100% Marriage isn’t dividing everything in half. It’s giving everything you’ve got.

I. MUTUAL SURRENDERING. Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. Eph. 5:22 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Eph. 5:25

If we have two visions — We have Di-Vision.

A lifetime of discovering and surrendering your most vulnerable self. The most important thing about mutual surrender is _______. The most important thing about mutual surrender is TRUST . Early In Relationship… Trust Is Easier… Sometimes Trust Like Sculpture...Sometimes Trust Is Like Chain... How do you Rebuild? 100% Proven / 100% Given I can only trust you if I trust God more than you. Is there something you know, been refusing…??? Something you want, afraid to ask…. Vulnerable?!?!?

Panel of Women…perfect man…Actor? Athlete? Wealthy? Righteous? MR POTATO HEAD. 4 Reasons: ‘He’s TAN, he’s CUTE, importance of ACCESSORIZING, If he ever breaks your trust you can rearrange his face.” II. MUTUAL SERVING. Five Stages Of Having A Cold In Marriage

So what sustains desire, and why is it so difficult? And at the heart of sustaining desire in a committed relationship, I think is the reconciliation of two fundamental human needs... security and adventure. - Esther Perel

ILLUS: COUPLE RUN OUT OF GAS... “But I’m not happy…Don’t love…Out of love.” Getting divorced because you ran out of love is like selling your car because you ran out of gas. [BAND COME]

“be tenderly affectionate one to another; outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10

[BAND START] ILLUS. THING THAT CAME OVER ME IN WEDDING. Portion Of Pure Soul…

I promise our marriage will be about WE and not ME.

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BY NATURE, WE PURSUE WHAT WE DON’T HAVE.

VOW #1: I PROMISE THAT GOD WILL BE MY FIRST PRIORITY AND MY SPOUSE WILL BE MY SECOND.

VOW #2: I PROMISE TO ALWAYS PURSUE MY TWO.

VOW #2: I PROMISE TO ALWAYS PURSUE MY TWO. 24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Gen 2:24

There’s only one letter difference between the words United and Untied. It’s where you put the “I.”

united—(root word) dabaq (daw-bak'); cling or adhere; to catch by pursuit, to pursue hard with affection and devotion.

DABAQ IS TRANSLATED: I follow close behind you… Psalm 63:8 TLB

…They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted. Job 41:17 NIV

They…pursued hard after them… Judges 20:45 KJV

Famous Story of Pursuit

Genesis 29:16-17, 19-20 NKJV

Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.

Lovely or glasses.

Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”...So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

Wedding deception. Genesis 29:26-30 NKJV

...Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn….we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”...So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also. ...And he served with Laban still another seven years.

HE WORKED FOR WHAT HE ALREADY HAD.

I PROMISE TO ALWAYS PURSUE MY TWO.

Dating—Pursuing? Are u showing interest?

YOU ARE WORTH PURUSING.

There is a myth that the man does all of the pursuing.

No one intends bad marriage. good intentions

In a research study, 75% of Americans reported that “being married” is an important value to them.

CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN INTENTIONS AND ACTIONS

Feel Love. Tired. How to close gap?

3 SCRIPTURALLY BASED RULES TO ALWAYS PURSUE YOUR TWO.

1: WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING GOOD, SAY IT.

13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Heb 3:13

Ladies

Pursue him with words of affirmation.

He is becoming who you see him as.

Try real hard not to tell him what he is not.

Tell him who you see him becoming. “My husband is not romantic” “Not Spiritual Leader”

Decision Analysts did a national survey which revealed that 81.5 of men feel disrespected in marital conflict, not unloved.

Research is in Love & Respect ….realized Praise is like oxygen to him.

“What would another woman praise my husband for?” “What would she see?”

When you… I feel….

Do you look up to him that area? Motivated.

Gentlemen

Pursue her with words of affection.

Non-sexual affection. Look it up. Food for her soul. She’s starving without it.

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE...You honor God—You are so much fun—Self-sacrificing—Best Friend Hebrews 3:13- TODAY… Present moment

She wants to know: Do you love me today?

He wants to know: Do you believe in me today? 2: WHEN YOU THINK SOMETHING SPECIAL, DO IT.

17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17

Can’t read mind. Know… so do.

Guys: Little Kids- Bath- Clean- Spit up Flowers- When women around

Women: Romantic Imagination. Bath. Nap. Connect with Female Allure We are hard on selves- body You’ve got what it takes

3: WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT, BE IT.

If only…..

Not allowed to quote me to change your spouse.

Don’t gripe about what your spouse is not.

Continue grow into you are supposed to be.

ROSARITO STORY What my husband needs right now is a happy wife.

Let Him Catch You. Be different

If we really want to add value to our r

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THE PRIORITY, THE VOW SERIES — 1

Question To Groom: John, in the sight of God and in the presence of witnesses, do you take Mary as your wife; promising to love her as your own flesh, unselfishly, as Christ loves the church, to protect her and care for her the rest of your life? (I Do) Then turn to her and share your VOW: I John take thee Mary / to be my wedded wife / to have and to hold from this day forward / For better or for worse / For richer or poorer / In sickness and in health / To love and to cherish / Until death do us part Question To Bride: Mary, in the sight of God and in the presence of witnesses, do you take John as your husband, submitting unto him as unto the Lord, showing reverence to him as the head of this union for the rest of your life? (I Do) Then turn to him and share the your VOW: I Mary take thee John / to be my wedded husband / to have and to hold from this day forward / For better or for worse / For richer or poorer / In sickness and in health / To love and to cherish / Until death do us part. THE FOUR VOWS THE VOW OF PRIORITY.

THE VOW OF PURSUIT.

THE VOW OF PARTNERSHIP.

THE VOW OF PURITY PRIORITY: (Disney) Won’t be fulfilled in life until you meet the One. I found the ONE! Found the TWO! THE VOW OF PRIORITY” (Fly) WHO’S THE ONE?(Fly) ”I _____, in the sight of God…” (Fly) GOD IS YOUR ONE AND YOUR SPOUSE IS YOUR TWO. (Fly) If You Are Hoping To Marry: “I will seek the ONE while preparing for my TWO!”(Fly) I VOW THAT GOD WILL BE MY FIRST PRIORITY AND MY SPOUSE WILL BE MY SECOND. (Fly) That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Gen. 2:24 “LEAVES” (root word azab)—loosen or relinquish. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Matthew 19:3-6 Vows Don’t Work! Society Now... Why? People Not Getting Married, New Form? You Can’t Keep Other Persons Vow - You can’t keep Vow Good Enough To Fix For Spouse. Marriage On The Rocks - Marriage On The Altar! … [Alyssa VIDEO > BAND] Covenant: Cut Covenant. Vows And Ceremony, Portion Of Pure Soul. “Place me like a seal over your heart…for love is as strong as death,” ~ Song of Solomon 8:6

It’s easy to make excuses. Love makes a way.

God Made A Way!

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THREE WELLS AND A WORD - Reset 2018 Jan 28 - Pastor David Rathel "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

“OH WELL” - Accepting and/or advocating others accept an atmosphere of dryness and thirst, even though you are living unsatisfied, because you believe it cannot be changed.

Overwhelmed. Needy. Passive. Victim. Powerless. No Choices. Child.

“DO WELL” - Trying to produce something only God can produce by becoming someone only God can become.

Overdone. Greedy. Aggressive. Violator. Powerplay All Choices. Parent.

“ALTAR WELL” - John 4:5-15, 23-26 NASB 5So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6and Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9The Samaritan woman therefore said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

10Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12“You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?”

13Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; 14but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” 15The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw.”

“ALTAR WELL” Knowing WHO you are, WHOSE you are, WHERE you are , WHAT you have, so you can REST in RECEIVING all you need from HEAVEN to fulfill all your calling on EARTH. Overabundance.

FREE. Active. Valuable. Powerful. Some Choices. Adult.

23“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” 26Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (Individual Slides not points) “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” ― A.W. Tozer What do you do when there’s no rain? Run To Your Well. Whatever Well Most Often Refreshes Your Thirst Is Your True Altar Of Worship! What Word Would Alter Your Altar? You Need A Well That Alters Your Altar. What Word Would Woo You To The Altar? Your Word Becomes Your Water. When Your Word Becomes Your Well. Then, The Well Makes You Well.

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ONE WORD TO RELEASE THE RAIN - Reset 2018 Jan. 21 - Pastor David Rathel

“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63

YOUR ONE WORD OF SPIRIT AND LIFE: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God. Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything. My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep. You Will Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

God’s One Word For RiverTown In 2018 As A Family Is ABUNDANCE!

Under King Ahab, Israel’s Word Was DROUGHT. 1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”

What Is Your Drought Word?

What Word Would Release Your Rain? (Last Sunday, The Last Year, Youth Lock-In)

YOUR WORD BECOMES YOUR WATER. Hosea 6 1“Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. 2“He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day That we may live before Him. 3“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

Receive Your Word ~ Become Your Word ~ Release Your Word Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

It’s Got To Reign In You Before It Will Rain Around You. 1 Kings 18:37-39 37Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 38Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” 1 Kings 18:41-46 41And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 42So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. 43“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” 44The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ” 45Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

Prayer Of Honi, The Circle Maker “Lord of the Universe, I swear before your great name that I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children. Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns. Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Thy favor, blessing, and graciousness.”

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There Is An Atmosphere Around You. Either It Is Shaping You Or You Are Shaping It.

What Atmosphere Around You Is Making You Sick And Causing You Pain?

Change The Atmosphere With One Word.

Call It What It Is. Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, surely there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 Their Word Was Drought. What Word Is Around You? What Word Is In You?(Fly In)

Receive: Find Your Force Field. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 3“Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4“And it shall be that you shall drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.” 1 Kings 17:2-4 The Opposite Of The Atmosphere Is Always Available.(Fly In) In The Atmosphere Of Drought Elijah Received Abundance.(Fly In) Become: A New Identity Means The Old Rules Don’t Apply. 8Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 9“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10So he arose and went to Zarephath, and when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks; and he called to her and said, “Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink.” 11And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” 12But she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son. 1 Kings 17:8-13 In An Atmosphere Of Drought Elijah Became Abundant Food & Water. You TEACH What You Know, But You IMPART Who You Are. You Keep Changing Until Your Atmosphere Does. Protect Your NO, So You Can Release Your YES. Giving What You Need Creates Freedom To Receive. Remember, I AM… Becoming Is Identity! Release: Expectation Is Everything. 14“For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.’”15So she went and did according to the word of Elijah, and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah. 1 Kings 17:14-16 Abundance Is The Belief That There’s More. Without The Belief That There’s More You’ll Always Stop. (Fly In) Like A Doctor, God Is Calling you to RELEASE the OPPOSITE of the sickness and pain in the atmosphere around you.(Fly In) Treat Them Based On Their Destiny, Not Their History. Act Like Everyone You Meet Can Have What You Have. Arguments Never Alter Atmospheres. Demonstrations Do. Looking For Fire Or Becoming A Fireplace. (Carmel) Become A Fireplace And God Will Provide The Fire!

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COME OUT OF THE CAVE - Reset 2018 Jan 4 - Pastor David Rathel

1 Samuel 22:1-5 1So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father’s household heard of it, they went down there to him. 2And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him. 3And David went from there to Mizpah of Moab; and he said to the king of Moab, “Please let my father and my mother come and stay with you until I know what God will do for me.” 4Then he left them with the king of Moab; and they stayed with him all the time that David was in the stronghold. 5And the prophet Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the stronghold; depart, and go into the land of Judah.” THE CAVE: Distress Debt Discontent

COMING OUT: Identity Embrace your whole story. If you don’t love the pain, you don’t love the story. Value Want who you are. Want who you’re with. Want what you have. Dreams Open yourself up for upgrades. Follow the path in front of you. The line that starts from your pain and goes through your present, leads to your future.

Dreams always draw you out of the cave.

Coming out of the cave always makes you deal with your Identity and Value.

Because, there’s a Victory in THIS house.

Psalm 142 (pictures)

What’s your cave experience?

You become what you behold and attract what you are.

What you’ve been through is the key to where you’re going.

Pain always has a purpose. The purpose of my pain is to change me.

Pick a word that’s the opposite of your greatest pain. The problem isn’t too much pain, but too little pleasure. Ps. 16.

Like a doctor, God’s calling is for you to become and release whatever is the opposite of the sickness around you.

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THERE’S BEEN A CHANGE OF PLANS - Christmas Live Series 12.17.17 Luke 1:26-37 http://biblehub.com/nasb77/luke/1.htm)

A CHANGE OF PLANS Luke 1:31, 38 (NIV) 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Don’t Let Your Plans Make You Miss God’s Purpose. Life springs many surprises on us that ruin our carefully laid plans. Mary had been planning her wedding to Joseph, but while she was planning to get married, God was planning to save the world. Just like Mary, we have a decision to make when there is a change of plans. We must decide whether or not we will see God’s purpose in the change.

PLAN FOR INTERRUPTION Mary’s Interruption Was Your Salvation. Getting pregnant was a major interruption to Mary’s life and to all of her plans. But it was also the greatest thing that had ever happened to the world: God coming in the form of a Baby. Your Interruption Is God’s Invitation. Some Of Life’s Greatest Invitations Come In The Form Of Interruptions. We need to recognize that the things that interrupt our agendas are often the things that were at the top of God’s agenda all along. By building margin and flexibility, we can be ready to respond to the opportunities God presents us that do not adhere to our original plans.

PLAN FOR INCONVENIENCE In Order To See God Work In Big Ways, We Will Often Have To Face Great Personal Inconvenience. It was hugely inconvenient for Mary to travel to Bethlehem for a census when she was pregnant, and then give birth in a barn. We could look at the Christmas story and think that God did poor planning. But, what if instead it’s that God wanted to show us something by the way His Son came into the world….

PLAN FOR IMPERFECTION Our Expectation Of Perfection Stops Our Celebration Of What’s Really Important. Many of us get disappointed in the Christmas season. We are in love with a perfect ideal of Christmas that is never met. If we plan for things to be imperfect, we’ll be able to celebrate what’s really important. Our Expectation Of Perfection Stops Our Celebration Of Progress. Pregnancy is an apt metaphor for anything God puts inside of us. Just as God conceived Jesus inside of Mary, God plants divine purpose in each of us. With a pregnancy, we celebrate every little step along the journey. But as believers we often expect perfection in life, instead of celebrating the little steps of progress along our journeys. God Expected Our Imperfection, So He Incarnated Perfection. God didn’t wait for us to be perfect, but sent His son while we were still sinners. God knew from the beginning of time that we would never be able to get it all right, so He planned to send Jesus.

PLAN FOR IMPOSSIBILITY God’s Plans Always Defy Human Reason. Mary asked the angel ow it was possible for her to give birth, since she was a virgin. He told her that the Holy Spirit would come to her and that she would conceive. He went on to say that no word from God would ever fail. We can plan for impossibility because God wants to do things in our lives that defy human reason.

THE PROMISE REMAINS “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 This Implies That You Don’t Know Them.

God’s Promises Still Stand, No Matter What Happens.

We Get Plans Confused With Promises.

Instead Of Trusting In Plans, We Can Trust In Jesus.

So, We Get Upset When God Changes The Plans.

He Changed Every Plan, Every Person, And EveryThing By Coming To Earth To Save Us

Plans Change, But The Promise Remains.

He Died For Our Sins And Destroyed Death And Hell And Rose Again! For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, Romans 8:

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MATTHEW CHAPTER 2

The Visit of the Wise Men 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

The Flight to Egypt 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Herod Kills the Children 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The Return to Nazareth 19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.”

In Jewish society, in the time of Jesus, children had no rights. Children, women and slaves were lumped together as inferior members of society.

Women were sort of possessions to their Husbands, Children to their parents, and slaves to their masters. When children were not given any importance or respect, Jesus showed such great respect, love, and concern for them. No founder of religion or any great man in those days, treated children as fondly as Jesus did.

JESUS WAS A CHILD-LIKE PERSON: GENUINE: He cried, he got angry, he felt hungry, he enjoyed the company of friends, he loved Nature. TRANSPARENT: He never deceived anyone; all knew where they stood with Jesus, no falsehood, pretence, hypocrisy. FRIENDLY: With his disciples, John, Mary Magdalene, Martha, Lazarus, sinners, the poor, the outcast, the downtrodden. ALIVE: To people and situations - At Cana: No wine; At Naim: The widow’s affliction; In the Temple: The poor woman’s mite. INTUITIVE: His quick and witty replies to the Pharisees and his opponents (Taxes to Caesar, adulterous woman, etc). PERSPECTIVE: Of Nature (flowers, rains, etc.), people, events of life, persons’ characters. FULL OF FEELING: Compassion for the crowds (multiply bread & fish), affection towards children and those who suffer. FORGIVING: Forgiving sinners, Peter, Matthew, the Good Thief, the Adulterous Woman, his executioners.

REVERSE ENGINEERING OUR CHILDLIKENESS: To Be Christ-Like, Is To Be Child-Like. If We Are Child-Like, Spontaneously We Will Love Children. To The Extent We Do Not Love Children; We Have Already Lost Our Childlikeness. To Love Children, Means That We Are Attracted To Their Christ-Like Qualities. Simply Put, Loving Christ Means Loving Children And Becoming Childlike.

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THE INNKEEPER MISSED CHRISTMAS Luke 2:7 “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

...Because He Was Too Busy. (Fly In)

KING HEROD MISSED CHRISTMAS Matthew 2:1-3 “1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him." 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” V. 12 “And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.” (NASB)

...Because Of Worry, Fear And Jealousy. (Fly In)

THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS MISSED CHRISTMAS Luke 2:4-6 When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 5"In Bethlehem in Judea," they replied, "for this is what the prophet has written: 6"'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel."

...Because Of Indifference. (Fly In)

JERUSALEM MISSED CHRISTMAS Luke 2:20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

...Because Of Religion. (Fly In)

THE ROMANS MISSED CHRISTMAS Luke 2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (NIV)

...Because Of False Gods. (Fly In)

NAZARETH MISSED CHRISTMAS Luke 2:39-40 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him.

...Because of Familiarity (Fly In)

(VIDEO: THE SAILOR WHO DIDN’T MISS CHRISTMAS) UNBELIEF: “He Came to His Own And they Received Him Not… John 1:11

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THE GEARS OF VICTORY 1 Thessalonians 5:17-22 11.26.17 Victory In This House Series.

I Can Do Victory All By Myself (All on Screen) (Fill In One by One) 1. 16Rejoice always; Christ Sourcing 2. 17pray without ceasing; Heaven Opening 3. 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Story Owning 4. 19Do not quench the Spirit; Power Fueling 5. 20do not despise prophetic utterances. Ears Opening 6. 21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; Right Holding. Wrong Releasing. 7. 22abstain from every form of evil. Holy Desiring

Reverse (All on Screen) (All on Screen) (Fill In One by One while first column disappears) Holy Desire Displayed 7. 22abstain from every form of evil. Unholy Desire Hidden

Holding Right. Releasing Wrong.

21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; Holding Wrong. Releasing Right. Open Ears
20do not despise prophetic utterances. Being Right

Fueled Power 4. 19Do not quench the Spirit; Frozen Death

Owning Your Own Story 3. 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Escape, Deception, And Denial.

Open Heaven 2. 17pray without ceasing; Under A Cloud

Christ Source 1. 16Rejoice always; No Source

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I’LL TAKE IT WHERE I CAN GET IT I See A Victory In This House Series Ezekiel 37 - 11.19.17

Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones 1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2And He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. 3And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, Thou knowest.” 4Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’ 5“Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. 6‘And I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.’” 7So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’” 10So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

The Vision Explained 11Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ 12“Therefore prophesy, and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13“Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. 14“And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’” (NASB 1977)

I'll Take It Where I Can Get It.

You either walk inside your own story and own it or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness. - Brene Brown

Those that find love and belonging are those that believe they are worthy of it. - Brene Brown

I'll Take It When I Can Get It. (Worry Diagram Pictures) Do you have a problem in life? No? Then why worry? Do you have a problem in life? Yes? Can you do something about it? Yes? Then why worry? Do you have a problem in life? Yes? Can you do something about it? No? Then why worry?

Learn Keith Slay Confidence. When do you get it? Get It From The Future.

“ARE YOU GOING TO PASS MY DAUGHTER?

There is no joy without gratitude. - Brene Brown It is not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful. - Brene Brown

Joy Is Strength. Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." - Nehemiah 8:10

My Lack Is Not God's Limitation.

“Dad…. I can see farther than I can look!!!”

A Green Eggs And Ham Attitude.

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No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. Philippians 3:10-14 November 12, 2017

Philippians 3:10-14 KJV2000 10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if indeed I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, 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,

14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

To be completely consumed… William Borden

Six Words...

No Reserves: “I Press On” ― Dioko

No Retreats: “The Mark” ― Skopon

No Regrets: “The Prize Of The Upward Calling” ― Brabeon / Kleseos

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ― Socrates

“Get on fire for God and men will come and see you burn.” ― John Wesley

“We need an outbreak of holy heartburn, when hearers shall be doers, when congregations shall go out from meetings to do things for God.” ― Vance Havner

Give me the love that leads the way, The faith that nothing can dismay, The hope no disappointments tire, The passion that will burn like fire. Let me not sink to be a clod; Make me thy fuel, Flame of God. ― Amy Carmichael

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Hebrews 11:3 (NKJV)

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 11:1-6 (NKJV)

The Death of Lazarus 11 Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was that Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”

4 When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”

5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

John 11:11 (NKJV)

11 These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

John 11:14 (NKJV)

14 Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead.

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THREE RESPONSES TO GOD’S CALL

JONAH: HERE I AM. I’M NOT GOING.

“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord... Jonah 1:2-3

MOSES: HERE I AM. SEND SOMEONE ELSE.

So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” Exodus 3:10-11

ISAIAH: HERE I AM. SEND ME.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

THREE RESPONSES TO GOD’S CALL

JONAH: HERE I AM. I’M NOT GOING.

“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord... Jonah 1:2-3

MOSES: HERE I AM. SEND SOMEONE ELSE.

ISAIAH: HERE I AM. SEND ME.

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: “Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

A COLLISION OF MY SIN AND GOD’S GRACE So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5

I am undone is not a bad place to be. "God will never do anything with us till he has first of all undone us."- Charles Spurgeon

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Isaiah 6:6-7

A REAL EXPERIENCE IN GOD’S PRESENCE “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1

“Whom shall I send?... “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

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1 Samuel 3:1-12

THE LORD IS SILENT TO THOSE WHO DO NOT LISTEN.

3and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD where the ark of God was, 4that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” 5Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he said, “I did not call, lie down again.” So he went and lay down. 6And the LORD called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But he answered, “I did not call, my son, lie down again.” 7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor had the word of the LORD yet been revealed to him. 8So the LORD called Samuel again for the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.”

THE LORD SPEAKS TO THOSE WHO LISTEN AND LOVE THE THINGS OF GOD. SHOW UP

ASK FOR IT

LISTEN UP

BE STILL & WAIT

YOU DO YOU

HEAR & BE SET APART

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

LIVE UP

Then Eli discerned that the LORD was calling the boy. 9And Eli said to Samuel, “Go lie down, and it shall be if He calls you, that you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Thy servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10Then the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for Thy servant is listening.”

11And the LORD said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12“In that day I will carry out against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.”

THE LORD WILL OPEN YOUR EARS TO DISCERN HIS VOICE WHEN YOU ASK. Saturate Your Life With Scripture. Set Aside Time To Ask And Listen In Prayer. Seal Sacred Relationships With God's People, The Church.

“Speak, for Your servant is listening.”

1 Corinthians 11 23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread;

24and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

25In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 27Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

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DANGEROUS PRAYERS — 2 BREAK ME, 10.15.17

While [Jesus] was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Mark 14:3

Her gift represented her past. Her gift represented her future.

As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many. Mark 14:22-24 NLT

And [Jesus] took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22:19

(Story Of Jay Video, Pastor Craig Groeschel’s Friend) (Sweetly Broken Song)

We impress people with our strengths, but we connect people with our weaknesses. Life’s greatest breakings often lead to God’s greatest blessings. Those who God uses the greatest are often those who have been broken the deepest. God never ever wastes a hurt.

TALK IT OVER:

Have you ever experienced the type of brokenness the Pastor talked about? What's your story?

Are you trying to stay strong in an area of weakness or hold on to something you need to pour out? What's keeping you from giving it to God?

Feeling risky? Start the Dangerous Prayers Bible Plan. go2.lc/dangerous

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Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

SEARCH MY HEART ~ REVEAL MY FEARS ~ UNCOVER MY SINS ~ LEAD ME

SEARCH MY HEART.

Search me, God, and know my heart… Psalm 139:23a

Good Heart?

The Heart Of The Human Problem Is The Problem Of The Human Heart.

The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Jeremiah 17:9 NLT

Some People Say...It’s Not A Lie, If You Believe It.

The Person We Lie To The Most Is Ourselves.

Where Am I Lying To Myself?

A Start: Sin List...

REVEAL MY FEARS.

Search me, God, and know my, heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23

What we fear the most reveals where we trust God the least.

Give Examples: Job, Single, Married, Children, Money.

Failure. Inadequate. Alone. Unwanted.

UNCOVER MY SINS.

Other People’s Sins Accuse Others And Excuse Ourselves

See if there is any offensive way in me.... Psalm 139:24

What are others trying to tell me? What have I rationalized for some time? Where am I most defensive?

View From Outside Church. Uncover Others Sins.

No Perfect People Allowed.

Imperfect People Being Transformed By A Perfect God.

LEAD ME.

See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 24

Psalm 139:23-24 1. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and 2. know my anxious thoughts. 3. See if there is any offensive way in me, and 4. lead me in the way everlasting.

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Hope is the confident, joyful expectation that GOOD IS COMING.

Romans 15:13 ISV Now may God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you believe, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The question is not ‘Lord, tell me what to do?’ It’s ‘Lord, tell me what to believe?’

DO YOU BELIEVE IN HOPE? 1. There is always a solution. Mat. 7:7-8 2. I will always know what to do. Jas. 1:5-8 3. I will thrive no matter what happens. Phil. 4:11-13 4. I will always have the resources I need to do what needs to be done. Phil. 4:19 5. My mistakes will always be turned to good. Rom. 8:28

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

There are no hopeless circumstances, only hopeless people. Once someone gets true hope, their circumstances cannot stay the same.

Where Do Tangible, Usable, Practical Resources Come From?

Resources Come When I Learn How To Listen For Hope In The Story. Good Is Coming!

ACTS 28:7-10 7Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.

Listening For Hope Is The Same As Listening For Resources. God Provides Where God Guides. My Resources Change My Goals Become His Purpose.

Listen For Hope! Good Is Coming Because God Is Coming. Thy Kingdom Come. Thy Will Be Done.

My Resources Rise When My Cave-In Point Rises.

“If You Want To Get To The Gold, You Can’t Cave In. “Don’t Cave In...Strengthen The Walls."

You’re Crazy If You DON’T Talk To Yourself. “I Will Always Have The Resources To Do What Needs To Be Done.” Believe In Hope! That It Matters. Will Make A Difference. Every Other Road Is A Dead-End.

TWO TRACKS: The Give Up Track And The Keep Going Track.

TWO LESSONS: Don’t Let What You Can’t Do Keep You From What You Can Do. Stop Waiting For What You Want And Start Working With What You Have.

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“If You Want To Get To The Gold, You Can’t Cave In. “Don’t Cave In...Strengthen The Walls."

So, You’re Crazy If You DON’T Talk To Yourself.

What Do People Think Hope Looks Like?

Hope Really Looks Like A Bald Guy With Beard. Acts 28 - 1And when they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta.2And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. 3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4And when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.”

Fill In The Thought Bubble Over The Apostle Paul’s Head.

Pastor T.D. JAKES - Five Steps To Happiness. Challenge Your Own Story: Change the way you talk to yourself about who you are and what happened to you in life. You wrote the script. Change the Story.

Acts 28 - 5However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

Believe In Hope! That It Matters. Will Make A Difference. Is The Right Direction. That Hope Is Enough. Enough For What?

Hope Enough For What?... To Change The Story!

What Do People Think Hope Looks Like?

What Does Hope Really Look Like?

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The Opportunity Of A Storm - Believe In Hope Series, Part 3 - 09.10.17

Hope is the confident, joyful expectation that GOOD IS COMING.

There are no hopeless circumstances, only hopeless people. Once someone gets true hope, their circumstances cannot stay the same.

BELIEVE IN HOPE! That It Matters. Will Make A Difference. Is The Right Direction. Every Road Without The Signpost Of Hope Leads To A Dead-End.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN HOPE? CONSISTENT, TANGIBLE EVIDENCE in my WORDS, ACTIONS, and ATTITUDES that I truly BELIEVE... 1. There Is Always A Solution. Mat. 7:7-8 2. I Will Always Know What To Do. James. 1:5-8,12 3. I will Thrive No Matter What Happens. Phil. 4:11-13 4. I Will Always Have The Resources I Need To Do What Needs To Be Done. Phil. 4:19 5. My Mistakes Will Always Be Turned To Good. Rom. 8:28 Acts 27:22, 25 “And yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 25Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26But we must run aground on a certain island.”

Acts 27:27-37, 42-44 “But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to surmise that they were approaching some land. 28And they took soundings, and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29And fearing that we might run aground somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and wished for daybreak. 30And as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship, and had let down the ship's boat into the sea, on the pretense of intending to lay out anchors from the bow, 31Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” 32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat, and let it fall away. 33And until the day was about to dawn, Paul was encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken nothing. 34“Therefore I encourage you to take some food, for this is your preservation; for not a hair from the head of any of you shall perish.” 35And having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of all; and he broke it and began to eat. 36And all of them were encouraged, and they themselves also took food. 37And all of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy six persons. 42And the soldiers plan was to kill the prisoners, that none of them should swim away and escape; 43but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, 44and the rest should follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And thus it happened that they all were brought safely to land. The Apostle Paul Is The Only Prisoner On The Ship, But He Is Clearly In Charge.

Hope Turns Prisoners Into Heroes.

A Storm Is An Opportunity If I Know That I Will Know What To Do!

It’s Not Preparation, But Prayerperation That Turns Storms Into Opportunities. (Beard, Adelie)

Telescope Hope: Lord, What I Should Believe About The Outcome?

Microscope Hope: Lord, What I Should Do Right Now?

Telescope Hope Is Point On A Map. Microscope Hope Is Turn-By-Turn Directions. (Algoe, NY)

Don’t Go To Algoe! There’s Nothing There!

Hope Means I Will Always Know What To Do... Before, During, & After The Storm. (BAND)

James 1:5-8, 12 (HCSB) Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7That person should

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Hope is the confident, joyful expectation that GOOD IS COMING.

ACTS 27:23-26 “For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.' 25“Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God, that it will turn out exactly as I have been told.”

There are no hopeless circumstances, only hopeless people. Once someone gets true hope, their circumstances cannot stay the same.

“If any area of my life is not glistening with hope, then I am believing a lie. That area of my life has become a stronghold of the enemy.”

Romans 15:13 ISV Now may God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you believe, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The question is not ‘Lord, tell me what to do?’ It’s ‘Lord, tell me what to believe?’

DO YOU BELIEVE IN HOPE? CONSISTENT, TANGIBLE EVIDENCE in my WORDS, ACTIONS, and ATTITUDES that I truly BELIEVE... 1. There is always a solution. Mat. 7:7-8 2. I will always know what to do. Jas. 1:5-8 3. I will thrive no matter what happens. Phil. 4:11-13 4. I will always have the resources I need to do what needs to be done. Phil. 4:19 5. My mistakes will always be turned to good. Rom. 8:28

HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT PREPARE FOR THE WORST! DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE? THERE IS ALWAYS A SOLUTION! THEN IT’S TIME TO… STOP PREPARING FOR THE WORST!

“Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8.

Stop Preparing For The Worst, Start Preparing For What You Are Actually Facing. Catastr

THE STOCKDALE PARADOX: The Story Of Vietnam P.O.W. Admiral Jim Stockdale

“Who didn’t make it out? Oh, that’s easy, The optimists.” “You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

“I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which in retrospect, I would not trade.” “I never lost faith in the end of the story.”

There Were Two Thieves On Either Side Of Jesus. One Hoped For The Best. The Other Prepared For The Worst. Which one are you?

Believe In Hope! That It Matters. Will Make A Difference. Is The Right Direction. Every Road Without The Signpost Of Hope Leads To A Dead-End.

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Hope is the confident, joyful expectation that GOOD IS COMING.

There are no hopeless circumstances, only hopeless people.

Once someone gets true hope, their circumstances cannot stay the same.

“If any area of my life is not glistening with hope, then I am believing a lie. That area of my life has become a stronghold of the enemy.”

Romans 15:13 IS Now may God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you believe, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The question is not ‘Lord, tell me what to do?’ It’s ‘Lord, tell me what to believe?’

MY ROAD TO HOPE

CONSISTENT, TANGIBLE EVIDENCE in my WORDS, ACTIONS, and ATTITUDES that I truly BELIEVE...

There is always a solution. I Corinthians 10:13 I will always know what to do. James 1:5-8 I will thrive no matter what happens. Philippians 4:11-13 I will always have the resources I need to do what needs to be done. Philippians 4:19 My mistakes will always be turned to good. Romans 8:28

Hope Is Not Optimism. There Is A Big Difference.

THE STOCKDALE PARADOX:

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

“I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life, which in retrospect, I would not trade.”

(1. Why-My Story) Believe In Hope! That It Matters. Will Make A Difference. Is The Right Direction. Every Road Without The Signpost Of Hope Leads To A Dead-End.

The Problem Is That Your Enemy Has Changed The Road Signs.

Isaiah 40:3 King James 2000 Bible “The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

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Relate And Respond - Bro. Jimmie Witherspoon

Luke 10:33-34 (NLT) “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds…

The despised Samaritan related to the wounds of the Jewish traveler. Can you relate and respond to their wounds?

Ask Don’t Assume - Pastor David Rathel

Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT) Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Christ Over Color, Culture, & Clan - Pastor David Rathel

Colossians 3:7-11 (NLT) You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.10Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you area Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Engage For Eternity - Missionary Twinkle Johnson

Revelation 7:9 (NIV) After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.

1 John 4:20 (NIV) Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

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NOW IS THE TIME

Todd and Sherri Newkirk: Our personal Mission Statement is: Seeking out God's Lost Sheep, where ever they may be, and shepherding them to spiritual safety. GOALS: 1. Stay involved and committed in the relationships we have developed. 2. Expand relationships when we can. 3. When we travel find ways to use our ministry, wherever we are going, to help the local work.

Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA) Vision Statement: Changing The World; One Heart At A Time

John 10: 11-16 "I am the Good Shepherd" "I know my sheep and my sheep know me"

Ezekiel 34:2-16 The Bad Shepherd: you do not feed the flock. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered…My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.”

Ezekiel 34:2-16 cont… I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep…and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. 13 And I will bring them out from the peoples and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land; I will feed them…they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in rich pasture… 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” says the Lord GOD. 16 “I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick;

Psalm 23: compared to Ezekiel 34 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 11 I Myself will search for My sheep 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures 14 …There they shall lie down in a good fold and feed in 15 I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down,” 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] 12 …and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day

The Time is Now! To gather those that are lost, scattered, and going astray.

The window is open, and the time is NOW. We have everything we need…we have to pull the bow back as far as we can and let that arrow go…we have to strike that floor over, and over, and over. It is time to start Seeking God’s lost sheep, wherever they may be, and Shepherd them to spiritual safety.

Matthew 28: 19 Go therefore[a] and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Thomas Rainer, “The Unchurched Next Door” identified five types of unchurched people and strategies for reaching them.

U5: Highly antagonistic and even hostile to the gospel. - Responds to long term relationships

U4: Resistant to the gospel, but with no antagonistic attitude. - Also respond to long term relationships.

U3: Neutral, with no clear signs of being interested yet perhaps open to discussion. - Talk with them, pray for them, with them, and Invite them to church.

U2: Receptive to the gospel and church. - Willing to come, if invited.

U1: Highly receptive to hearing and believing the Good News. - Just waiting for someone to invite them to church.

Likelihood of attending if someone asks: U5: 20% U4: 62% U3: 86% U2 and U1: 97%

THE TIME HAS COME. It is time to start gathering these lost sheep back up and heading down the mountain. And when we get down the mountain? 2 Thessalonians 1: 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe,[a] because our testimony among you was believed. Well done…

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WHAT AM I MISSING?

WHY DO WE FOCUS ON WHAT WE LOST OR LACK? WHY DO WE WALK INTO A ROOM AND SEE IT’S MESS Rather Than The Amazing People Who Made It.

2 Kings 13:14-17

God Did Not Prevent The Attack From Happening. HE PROVIDED THE STRENGTH TO WITHSTAND IT.

WE MISTAKENLY BELIEVE THAT THE PROVISION OF GOD TO BE PREVENTION OF PROBLEMS.

THE TRUTH IS: WE’RE ASKING GOD TO CREATE A LIFE FOR US THAT WILL MAKE HIM UNNECESSARY. KING Weeping Over WHAT WAS LEAVING. ELISHA Pointing To WHAT WAS LEFT! In Every Season Of My Life I Have That Same Choice.

Whatever Is Out Of My Reach Is Not What I Need Right Now.

God Will Create A Singular Need In Your Life So He Can Show You How To Find HIs Plural Supply. YOUR SUPPLY IS CONNECTED TO YOUR SIGHT!

SEEING CREATES BLESSING. PERSPECTIVE CREATES PROVISION. 2 Kings 6 - Elisha Needs An Army & An Axehead. Vs. 15-17 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Vs. 4, 5 So he went with them; and when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, my master! For it was borrowed.” 6Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, he cut off a stick, and threw it in there, and made the iron float.

WHAT AM I MISSING?

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. In Verse 13, What Provision Does God Give? What Purpose Of The Gift?

You Focus On What Is Missing Because You Don’t See That The Miracle You Need Is The Insight To See God’s Provision Of Strength.

Are You In A Shortage? Ask God, Allow You See What’s Already There. ASK, WHAT AM I MISSING? THE ISSUE IS PERSPECTIVE!

IF, PROVISION IS PERSPECTIVE AND PERSPECTIVE IS PROVISION. THEN, PROVISION COMES WHEN I SEE WHAT I’M MISSING.

HE KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED TOMORROW BECAUSE HE’S ALREADY BEEN THERE. YOUR PROBLEM MAY BE YOUR PROVISION. WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN WALKING OVER? WHAT ARE YOU NOT USING THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.

THE ENEMY CAN KEEP YOU SO FOCUSED ON THE NEED THAT YOU DON’T SEE THE SUPPLY.

HOW DO YOU FIND IT? STOP WAITING FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND START WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

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I Don’t Want To Fall Short, So I’ll Stop Short. (Fall Short Anyway).

WHAT’S YOUR DEEPEST HOPE? IT’S IN YOU! Your Greatest Potential In Life Lies In Your Greatest Hope. How Do I Live It Out? 1. Dig It Out. 2. Work It Out. 3. Call It Out.

DIG IT OUT 1 Kings 19:19 “So he [Elijah] departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.

Most Of Your Potential Is Still Buried.

Move Toward - Fantasy Move Away - Fear Move Against - Anger

Elisha Never Saw It Coming… Potential Is UNPREDICTABLE!

WORK IT OUT

Philippians 2:12, 13 ...work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

You’ll Never Work It If You Don’t Want It.

It’s Time To Wake Up Your Want To.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.

“I’M WORKIN’ IT OUT. YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT NOW.” “IT’S NOT OVER. I’M WORKIN’ IT.” “MY PAYDAY IS COMING!”

CALL IT OUT Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.

WHY YOU? WHY NOT YOU? CALL IT OUT!

You’re Crazy If You DON’T Talk To Yourself

Jeremiah 1:7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man, ’Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

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STRIKE THE GROUND

Put These In Order: Plant? Harvest? Plow?

“You reap what you___. So, What comes before reaping?_____.” “But, What comes before sowing? _________.”

Luke 9:62 “But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

2 Kings 13:14-19 “14When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17He said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’S arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you will defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.” 18Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it.”

But Why? Elisha Knew That The Outcome Of The Battle Is Often Decided Before It Begins.

1 Kings 19:19, 21 “So he [Elijah] departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen…”

The Outcome Of The Battle Is Decided By... “The Preparation Of The Plow.”

Most of us are not performing at the level of our potential. We are performing at the level of soil preparation we have plowed for.

Elisha was saying to Jehoash: “There Was More That God Had In Store, But You Stopped Short.”

People “Stop Short” Of Preparation, But So Do Whole Churches! First: There is a fresh vision from God. Lives are transformed by the light of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God advances! Next: Satan strikes back in spiritual warfare against us. We take painful losses. We DO NOT understand! Then: In confusion and denial, we learn how to “stop short” so we are no longer threatened - and are no longer a threat!

COLUMBUS GA, IS A GOOD PLACE FOR PLOWING.

GOD Is A GOD... Of PREPARATION! You’ve been asking God to SEND It. He’s Been Asking You to FORM it. He Won’t FILL What You Don’t FORM!

Don’t Expect Your Preparation To LOOK Like Your PROMISE. The PLACE God Prepares You The MOST... Is The PLACE That Seems The Most POINTLESS To You. God Prepares You To Trust The TEACHER By Putting You In A CLASS That Doesn’t LOOK Like The CALLING.

I’m NOT Saying, “This Will Take Your PAIN Away.” I AM Saying, “Start SEEING Your Pain As Preparation.” I’m NOT Saying, “God Is The One Who Hurt You.” I AM Saying, “In His Hands, Whatever Hurt You Will Become Healing For Where He’s Taking You.”

MY JOB Is The PLOW: “...Keep Striking The Ground.” God Is Preparing You. He’s Getting You READY. You’re Tending Sheep. You’re in the field. You ARE The Field. God Is Preparing You FOR... What He Has Prepared FOR You! It’s Not Failure. It’s PREPARATION! It Doesn’t FEEL Like Preparation. It FEELS Like FAILURE.

The Failure Was Preparation. So That, You Would Have The INFRASTRUCTURE And The FORTITUDE For SUCCESS!

Our Way: “The Preparation Exists For The Battle.” God’s Way: “The Battle Exists For The Preparation.” Battles Come And Go, But Preparation Creates Conquerors!

WHERE HAS GOD TOLD YOU TO KEEP STRIKING THE GROUND?

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FOCUS THE FIGHT - WORK YOUR WINDOW, 07.09.17 - II Kings 13:14 - 20 --- Sermon Content Credit: Pastor Steven Furtick

14Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

15Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. 16“Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands.

17“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”

[ LET GOD ] PICK YOUR BATTLES. He Told Him Which Window To Open Which Signified Which Battle He Needed To Fight. You Can’t Win Anywhere Because You’re Trying To Win Everywhere. Action Without Aim Leads to Exhaustion.

Everyone Has An Aram, And Everyone Has Arrow. Are You Focused On Your Aram, Or Your Arrow? If I Focus Too Much On On Aram, I Lose Sight Of My Arrow. We Get Discouraged In The Fight, Because We Have No Focus.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Heb. 11:1

Ask God, What Is It That You Have Given Me The Title To?

WATCH THE ARROW.

If You Look At How Big Your Enemy Is, You’ll Always Lose Strength And Heart And Courage.

Watch The Arrow Means: Look For The Activity Of God! He will show you where to shoot.

I CAN’T WIN EVERYWHERE AT ONCE. I CAN’T PLEASE EVERYBODY.

1st VIEW YOUR VICTORY ~ 2nd .FOCUS THE FIGHT!

YOUR BIGGEST FIGHT IS NEVER OUT THERE.

18Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. 19The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.” 20Elisha died and was buried.

DETERMINE THE DECISION.

I Have Determined The Decision In Advance. It’s Not An Option For Me To Stop Short.

I Have Aimed My Arrow In The Direction Of My Pre-Determined Destiny And I Will Not Stop Striking The Ground Until it Comes To Pass!

Take Aim. Take Action.

It’s Not What Happened In The Air That Determined The Victory. It’s What Happened On The Ground.

If You Will Do What You Can Do. God Will Do What You Can’t Do. It’s His Arrow, But It’s Your Effort. It’s His Victory, But It Starts With Your Vision.

Pray, “God, Show Me Where To Shoot. Show Me Where To Focus.”

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VIEW YOUR VICTORY - WORK YOUR WINDOW, 07.09.17 - II Kings 13:14–20 Sermon Content Credit: Pastor Steven Furtick

“14Now Elisha had been suffering from the illness from which he died. Jehoash king of Israel went down to see him and wept over him. “My father! My father!” he cried. “The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”

15Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. 16“Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. 17“Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. Today Aim Arrow Victory OvrOvrOv I SEE A VICTORY IN THIS HOUSE!

“You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.” VIEW YOUR VICTORY: First, Ask You A Question? Is Your Window Closed?

OPEN YOUR WINDOW. “You Are Not Going To Experience Victory Weeping Over What Is Dying.”

“You Are Not Going To See Victory In This Season If You Are Stuck In A Memory Of The Last One”

Get Your Bow. Get Your ArGET READY TO WORK IT. rows. Because: “Everything You Need For Victory In This Season Is In Your Reach.” Say, “I Have A Window Of Opportunity” Leonard Ravenhill - “The Opportunity Of A LifeTime Must Be Seized In The Lifetime Of The Opportunity.”

Trouble Doesn’t Last. Neither Does Opportunity.

“You’re Not Blessed according to the word that you hear, But Blessed according to the word that you act upon.

AIM YOUR ARROW.

I DON’T FIGHT FOR VICTORY. I FIGHT FROM VICTORY.

TWO WORDS: ReView & View. Review Past Victories As Often As Possible. When God Gives Victory…Small…Celebrate

“If You’re Gonna Climb The Mountain, Don’t Just Go Back Down. Do A Little Dance While You’re Up There!”

“If You’re Gonna Climb, Why Not Celebrate!”

“There’s Too Much Hard Stuff In Life For You To Replay Your Regrets And Not Review Your Victories.” “Celebrate It Before You Forget It.”

Your Next Battle Might Be Really Tough. You’ve Got To Get Your Victories Embedded In Your Spirit So You’ll Have The Strength And Courage To Fight.

Elisha Wasn’t Telling Him To Look Back On A Battle. He Was Telling Him To Look Forward To A Battle... As If It Had Already Been Won! View Your Victory. You’ve Gotta See It Before You See It, Or You’ll Never See It.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Close Your Eyes And Find Your Vision. Visualize Your Victory This Year. “I Want You To See Yourself According To The Word That God Speaks About You And Over Your Life. He Is Already Begun To Change You.” SUBSTANCE - HUPOSTASIS: hupo, “under,” histemi, “to stand” “a standing under, support” ---- (TITLE DEED) Ask God, What Is It That You Have Given Me The Title To? A Title Is A Supporting Document. What Does That Title Stand Under? Body...Heart Holy Passionate...Fulfilling God’s Plan & Purpose...Pulling Down Strongholds… Free From… Porn... Drugs... Alcohol... Worry... Anger... Resentment... Overeating… Making Same Stupid Decisions… See Yourself… Loving… Kind… Your Marriage In A New And Different Light.

Sometimes You Have To See The Resurrection While You’re Still Hanging On A Cross. Sometime You Have See Liberty While You’re Still In Bondage. Sometimes You Have To See Joy While You’re Still Weeping Over “Faith Is The Substance Of Things Hoped For And The Evidence Of Things Unseen.” God Determines When, Where, How, With Who. Detach From All That. Attach To The Fact That You Are SURE Of The Victory Before The Battle.

See Yourself in the future STRONGER… WISER… HAPPIER… MORE JOYFUL… Rejoice In It Now Like It’s Already Done. My Arrow Is A PREVIEW PRAISE!!! I’ve Got A Preview Because I Did A Review. I Know The Future Because I Refuse To Believe That My Past Victories Are The End Of The Story. My Victories Can’t Be Over Because The Same Author Is Writing The Whole Bo

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American Dreams

My American Citizenship Is A Stewardship. It Is Temporary. And, I Am Accountable.

Daniel 4:4-5 NIV - I , Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my palace, contented and prosperous. 5I had a dream that made me afraid. As I was lying in bed, the images and visions that passed through my mind terrified me.

Daniel 4:17 NIV - “‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that THE MOST HIGH IS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL THE KINGDOMS ON EARTH AND GIVES THEM TO ANYONE HE WISHES and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

Daniel 4:24-26 NIV - “This is the interpretation, Your Majesty, and this is the decree the Most High has issued against my lord the king: 25You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox and be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes. 26The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored to you WHEN YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HEAVEN RULES!

Daniel 4:29-30 NIV - Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

Daniel 4:31 NIV - Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you.”

Daniel 4:32-33 NIV - You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.” 33Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

Daniel 4:34, 37 NIV - At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 5:17-18, 20-24 NIV - Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. 18“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. 20But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. 21He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes. 22“But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. 23Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways. 24Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription. Daniel Is Saying... “Belshazzar..., Your Grandfather Understood that His

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Why do Christians do what they do?

b. Impossible for humans to answer c. God can answer III. Truth – 1 John 3:1-3 b. 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. i. How great is it to know that the creator of the universe considers you His child? ii. They don’t understand you, they don’t understand Him. iii. Two different versions of truth c. Romans 12:2 - 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. i. These two options are why Christians do what they do. ii. I’ve seen the results of the worlds version of the truth. iii. How do I choose God’s truth? IV. Application - Romans 12:1 a. 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. i. I am a prodigal ii. I often beg God to make me like Him. iii. I am wrong to beg. b. Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” V. Landing – Offer yourself a. It is simple – Matthew 11:29- 30 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” b. It is the same for salvation as it is throughout Christian life. Present yourself as a living sacrifice.

d. Why do Christians do what they do? i. Because we can choose to conform or transform. ii. Judging simply on the beauty of creation, I say we transform. iii. See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

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Fathers are POWERFUL You are your child’s greatest influence

You are the representation of God to your children!

Fathers are PURPOSEFUL Deuteronomy 6:6-7 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Proverbs 22:6 6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

THE PROBLEM: We seek meaning in PLEASURES Ecclesiastes 2:1-3 I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

We seek meaning in PROJECTS Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

We seek meaning in POSSESSIONS Ecclesiastes 2:8-9 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Mark 8:36 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

THE SOLUTION: SEEK God Jeremiah 29:11-13 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Matthew 6:33 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

WORSHIP God Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

TRUST God Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

OBEY God James 1:22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

MODEL Jesus 1 Corinthians 1:11 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

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Following Jesus

Following Jesus starts with a Divine Interruption

1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,”he replied. 6“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

When God interrupts our lives, it’s often an invitation to do something uncomfortable.

10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

How God speaks to us:

Through His Word

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Through Other People

"Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”" - Acts 9:17

Through Our Circumstances

Through Prayer

God will never command anything contrary to what he has already revealed through Scripture.

When God commands us to do something uncomfortable, we must do the uncomfortable thing.

17Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

19….Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. -Acts 9:17-20

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Talking about Generation Z today: (Born from 1998-Present) They are both Eager, and Overwhelmed. Eager: Gen Z's are opposites or extreme versions of millennials. eager to start working- parents encourage working and independence. competitive-they want to succeed and make it big. foodies- care more about health and cooking. more mature for their age and aware. * entrepreneurship is in their dna 1 in 2 will go to college. want to change the world - highest volunteer rate. parenting styles have shifted from helicopter parenting to empowering parenting. Kids are given more adult like responsibilities. (Owning a $600.00 phone at age 12) Overwhelmed: worried about economy changing gender roles is becoming normal living in multi-generational homes 8 second attention span verses 12 seconds in 2000. growing up In a post 9/11 world during a recession. they communicate with ❤️😂🤓

My Holy Discontent Everyone needs a certain level of holy discontent. Something on God’s heart, that’s on your heart. Mine came from Quiet Time, personal Bible Study. (PS there are no awards for perfect attendance, it’s your heart)

I identified with the struggles of Joshua’s generation, and the fearlessness they had to show.

Joshua’s generation was so busy conquering the promised land, they didn’t raise up leaders for the next generation.

I don’t want to be so busy fighting the good fight, that I forget to prepare leaders for tomorrow.

Joshua Generation- Were victorious against unthinkable odds. Fought Battles, Victorious, Joshua ends with making a covenant before God.

Joshua 24:21 “And the people said to Joshua, The Lord our God we will serve, and His voice we will obey!”

Judges 2:7-8, 10, 11-12, 18-19

7 The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 10 After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel.

11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. 12 They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger.

18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

The Lord raised up Judges for them… they did well momentarily.

Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25 are the same verse In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

When you read through Judges, it’s all so horrible. God’s people commit every wickedness known to man, from sexual assault to human sacrifice. Only one generation after the fearless conquerors.

Empower Generation Z. They are eager, but overwhelmed.

No generation has consumed as much from the tree of knowledge as this generation coming up. No generation has experienced the same level of anxiety. Adam and Eve in the garden, knowledge equals fear.

5 Ways to Empower Generation Z: Give them roots. Share what God has done in your life. Anchor them to the character of God. Don’t try to fix them. God and the Holy Spirit have that covered. Simplify. They have been overwhelmed with knowledge, while what they need is life. Life is Simple. Jesus. Focus on what is stable. They have grown up hyper vigilant to the ever- changing woes of th

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Jesus Has Entered The Building! - 05.28.17 The Good Book Series Luke 4:16-21 (NASB) 16And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. 17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, 18“THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.” 20And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Isaiah 61 Prophecy)

BE LOVE SUMMER: Offering free to the community, asking nothing in return!

Drive-Thru Prayer every Thursday - June 1st, Thursday 6:00 PM Life Skills Camp for Special Needs children, offered in partnership with Dance for a Cause - Starts June 5th, Monday 8:00 AM-12 PM Outreach Night, take water bottles to the Soccer Complex - June 7th, Wednesday 7:00 PM Wednesday Night Youth Group Hang-Outs for the rest of the summer - June 14th, Wednesday 7:00 PM Parent’s Night Out, Glow in the Dark, Jesus Is The Light, Night, One year olds to 5th Graders - June 16th, Friday 6:00 - 9:00 PM RiverTown Originals with Jennifer Mozley, Free Concert for the Community - June 23rd, Friday 7:00-8:00 PM All-American Hoedown, Square Dance and Karaoke, Family Fun Night - July 5th, Wednesday 6:00 PM Relationally Parenting Teens, A Free Parenting Seminar by Patrick Doyle of Veritas Counseling - July 6th, Thursday 6:30-8:30 PM Bridges of Faith Work Day in Verbena, AL to support ministry to Ukranian Orphans - July 14-15th, Friday-Saturday Parent’s Night Out: Water Play Night, Learn that Jesus is Living Water, One year olds to 5th Graders - July 21st, Friday 6:00-9:00 PM Back To School Pig Roast, Roasting On-Site a 100lb hog for Fourth-Sunday Feast. - Sunday, July 23rd - After 11:00am Express Service Take the City Outreach - July 28th-29th, Friday 6:30 PM and Saturday 12:30 PM Family Night In: See the kids show what they learned during our Parent’s Night Outs - August 4th, Friday 6-9 PM:

WHY? The BE LOVE Question: Who And How Many People Would Be UnLoved If You Weren’t Here?

1 John 4:7-13, 19 (NIV) 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 13This is how we know that we live in him and he in us. 19We love because he first loved us.

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No Hopeless Situations! - Daniel Chapter 3, 05.21.17 The Good Book Series

What Is Hope? Hope Is The Confident, Joyous, Expectation That... Good Is Coming!

There Are No Hopeless Situations, Only Hopeless People!

15But if you will not worship, you will immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” 16Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18“But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

24Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up in haste; he responded and said to his high officials, “Was it not three men we cast bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “Certainly, O king.” 25He answered and said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”

28Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. 29“Therefore, I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” 30Then the king caused Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego to prosper in the province of Babylon.

No One Can Take Away Your Hope! You Choose To Give Up Your Hope When You Trust In Someone’s Ability To Hurt You More Than God’s Ability To Save You!

There Is A Difference Between What People Do To You And What You Receive As Injury. The Difference is Whether You Trust In God’s Power To Save... Or Trust In The Injury’s Power To Hurt.

Hope Says: “No One Can Hurt Me More Than God Can Help Me!”

We Stay Victims Because We Have A Tendency To “Out-Problem” Every Solution God Gives Us! We Stay Victims Because Instead Of Wanting A Better Future... We Want A Better Past! The Prayer That Trusts God’s Salvation Over The Enemy’s Injury Is The ONE THING that Changes You From Victim To Victor.

The Reason God’s Final Judgement Has Not Yet Come On The One Who Injured You Is Because Their Fate Will Be So Terrible That, When You See It, You Won’t Even Want It For Them!

Where Is Your Cave-In Point?

Hope Isn’t Just About My Good. It’s About God’s Glory!

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Beautiful and Powerful 1 Peter 2:15-3:7, 05.14.17 Mother’s Day

Woman bears God’s Image: Beautiful + Powerful - 1 Peter 2:15 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men

She is Beautiful 1 Peter 3:3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel

A Woman reflects the nature of God. She is Beautiful in her Spirit, Soul, and Body.

1 Peter 3:4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

A powerful woman chooses submission to her husband because she trusts God more than her husband. …..Not because he always makes the right decisions.

She is Complex 1 Peter 3:7 7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor

The thrill of the conquest is owing to her complexity. Yet, she must never be fully conquered.

She is Powerful 1 Peter 3:7 giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Women are fragile… but so is Plutonium. She is both fragile and powerful.

The difference between a nuclear bomb and a nuclear power plant are the control rods. They must be made of an element able to withstand the release of neutrons without undergoing fission.

Be the size God made you.

Not indefinite pause.

Beautiful + Complex + Powerful: Honor

1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

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My Hopelessness About The Problem Is A Bigger Problem Than The Problem!

HOPE - The Constant, Joyful, Certainty That Everything Is Getting Better.

Psalm 23 1The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 5Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Live Outside Of The Box! Psalm 23 For Life GOD PROVIDES RESOURCES “The Lord Is My Shepherd, I shall not want” “He makes me lie down in green pastures” “He leads me beside still waters” Four Factors That Affect Sheep Lying Down: (1) Fear (2) Friction (3) Flies (4) Food

GOD PROVIDES RESCUE “Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” The Rod Is For Protection & Discipline. The Sword Of The Spirit Is The Word Of God. The Staff Is For Drawing The Babes To Their Mature Parents, The Timid Loners Back To The Flock, And The Gentle Touch Of Guidance. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me;” “Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies”

GOD PROVIDES RESTORATION “He restores my soul” “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life” “Thou hast anointed my head with oil”

GOD PROVIDES RIGHTEOUSNESS “He guides me in the path of righteousness for his name’s sake” “And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” “The Lord Is My Shepherd”

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UNLOCKING LOVE WITH THE 10 COMMANDMENTS! - 04.30.17, The Good Book Series, Part 2 TABLET I. - LOVING GOD MEANS I’M POSITIONED TO RECEIVE FROM HIM. “Have No Other Gods Before Me” There Can Be Only One… GOD! “Make No Graven Images” No Substitutions Allowed. Often Imitated Never Duplicated. Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing... Baby! “Don’t Take The Lord’s Name In Vain” Take God’s Name, But Not In Vain. ...producing no result; useless. Don’t Just Belong To God In “Name Only.” “Remember The Sabbath Day, To Keep It Holy” Pray And Play! Dedicate 1 in 7 Days To Rest So You Can Constantly Renew Your Relationship With God And The People He’s Given You. TABLET II. - LOVING PEOPLE MEANS I’M A GIVER NOT A TAKER. “Honor Your Father And Mother” Don’t Take Honor From Your Parents. When You Dishonor Them, You Dishonor Your Own Life And Where You Came From. “Do Not Murder” Don’t Take Innocent Life. “Do Not Commit Adultery” Don’t Take Someone’s Spouse. “Do Not Steal” Don’t Take Someone’s Belongings. “Do Not Bear False Witness” Don’t Take Away The Truth. “Do Not Covet” Don’t Desire To Take. Don’t Even Think About It.

The Commandments Are The Teeth On The Key To The Lock Of Love. Remember: God Is Love. It’s God’s Lock! TABLET I. - LOVING GOD MEANS I’M POSITIONED TO RECEIVE FROM HIM.

TABLET II. - LOVING PEOPLE MEANS I’M A GIVER NOT A TAKER.

Then God spoke all these words, saying, 2“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Exodus 20:1, 2

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GENESIS - Exclusively God’s. 05.23.17, The Good Book Series

TEMPTED AWAY… TESTED TO STAY.

Genesis 3:2-5, 8-13. 2And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; 3but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.’” 4And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die! 5“For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

8And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10And he said, “I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 11And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12And the man said, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” 13Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Temptation Is Satan’s Way Of Reducing Us To Our Worst. Pedal To The Metal…Or Pull The Emergency Brake

Testing Is God’s Way Of Bringing Out Our Best. Why? Christlikeness Has No Cruise Control.

RISKING FOR RELATIONSHIP Genesis 12:1-9. 1Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 4So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5And Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. 6And Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 7And the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. 8Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. 9And Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev.

Genesis 13:14-18. 14And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; 15for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. 16“And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. 17“Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” 18Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. The Only Way To Discover The End Of The Story Is To Take The First Step.

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The tomb is empty! Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ by surrendering to what God has planned for you!

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Mike Albritton is the senior pastor of New Covenant Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Although he was abandoned as a child, Father God restored him from a life of betrayal, abuse, and addiction to become a dynamic preacher and faithful family man. Listen to his powerful transformation story!

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LET GOD LOVE YOU! - April 2, 2017

Luke 24:13-35.

13And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14And they were conversing with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15And it came about that while they were conversing and discussing, Jesus Himself approached, and began traveling with them. 16But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad.

18And one of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him up to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.

22“But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that He was alive. 24“And some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.”

25And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27And beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

28And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He would go farther. 29And they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” And He went in to stay with them.

30And it came about that when He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight.

32And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33And they arose that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34saying, “The Lord has really risen, and has appeared to Simon.” 35And they began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

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DEFYING THE POWERLESS PEOPLE WHO PARK YOU AT THE POOL My Adventure Series March 26, 2017

He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. 9The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

12So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?”

13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”

15The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

How To Defy Those Powerless Pool Parkers.

Defy Your Core Lie. Lose Every Excuse And Your Victim Card Forever. “I Can’t Because ______________.”

Remember Who Has Biblical Authority In Your Life?

Defy In A Way That Gains You Respect Instead Of Losing It.

Identify The Core Lie.

Defy And Come Out Of The Closet For Jesus.

Carry Your Mat And Remember Who You Were And Where You Came From.

Remember That Everyone Else's Mat Looks Good To Everyone Else.

Defiantly Carrying Your Mat Draws A Line In The Sand And Forces You To Publicly Step Over It. Defy And Learn To Let GOD Love You.

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YOUR MAT IS YOUR MINISTRY - My Adventure Series. 03.20.17

JOHN 5 2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda… 3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, 5And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” 8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Break The Rules That Rule You. 9The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” Rules That Don’t Have Reasons. Rules That Keep You From Growing. Rules That Don’t Apply To You. Rules That Keep You/Others From Being Embarrassed Or Uncomfortable. Rules That Are Unmentioned In The Bible Or Misused By People.

Defy The Powerless People That Park You At The Pool. 11But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” 12So they asked him, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?” 13The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. 14Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Defy Yourself First. Defy People Who Have No Biblical Authority Or Power Over Your Life. (No Fight Story) Defy In A Way That Gains You Respect Instead Of Losing It. Defy Someone In Order To Lose Your Victim Status. Defy Someone In Order To Obey God.

Carry Your Mat And Come Out Of The Closet For Jesus. 15The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well. Carrying Your Mat Is Remembering Who You Used To Be And Where You Came From. Carrying Your Mat Draws A Line In The Sand And Forces You To Step Over It In Front Of Everyone. (Example: Baptism) Your Mat Is Your Ministry. (Hometeam Testimony)

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WHERE BREAKTHROUGH BEGINS! - My Adventure Series. 03.12.17

Do You Need God To Do Something In Your Life?

JOHN 5 1Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5And a certain man was there, who had been thirty-eight years in his sickness. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well?”

“Waiting On The World To Change.” The First One In Would Win. That’s The Way Religion Works. You Don’t Have To Be First. The More Desperate The Situation The Greater The Opportunity For A Miracle.

“I Ain’t Got Nobody.” Faith Has The Ability To Override The Facts. John 4 - You Don’t Need A Bucket When You’re The Well. You Don’t Have To Come To The Water. The Water Came To You

“B.Y.O.B.” Bring Your Own Breakthrough. Breakthrough Doesn’t Change The Situation. Breakthrough Changes You. What If The Only Thing Blocking Your Breakthrough Is Your Willingness To Believe That Breakthrough Is Possible.

8Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

“Bunker-Buster Bombs” Breakthrough Begins Where My Excuses End. While You’re Waiting For God To Come Down, God Is Waiting On You To Get Up. Breakthrough Begins Where You PICK UP YOUR MAT.

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UNAVOIDABLE, My Adventure Series 03.05.17

Acts 3:4-6 4And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have,

God’s measurement of our lives and our church will never be... our number, our money, our effort, or our success. God’s measure of our lives will only be... THE POWER THAT EXUDES FROM OUR SOULS "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." John 5:8

UNAVOIDABLE: HAVE. GIVE. DO.

“but what I do HAVE I GIVE YOU: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Daniel 11:32 “but the people that know their God shall be strong, and DO EXPLOITS.”

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PICK UP YOUR MAT, My Adventure Series.

God’s measurement of our lives and our church will never be our number, our money, our effort, or our success. God’s measure of our lives will only be in the... POWER THAT EXUDES FROM OUR SOULS Acts 3:1-10 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

Then Jesus told him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." John 5:8

Acts 3:7-10 7And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

What if a group of people discovered that they all had been given divine power?

These powers gave them infinite capacity to do good, give love to others, and change people’s lives for the better.

What if this same group of people realized that to exercise their power all they had to do was to believe God was with them and that nothing could stop them?

The only problem was that every time they used their powers, it cost them something.

The price to pay was in obedience to God’s plan for their lives, sacrifice of personal gain, destroying bad habits, and giving up anything that stood in the way of embracing and using His Power.

Do you think they would do it? Would the power to do that much good be worth such a personal price?

A better question is: Would you do it?

The fact is that God makes every one of us that offer every day.

Will you take the challenge to literally build the powerful Kingdom of God here on the earth?

Will you live your own God-Given Adventure?

Your Daring Adventure Begins The Day You “Pick Up Your Mat.”

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YOU HAD ME AT HELLO! Hot Date Marriage Series - Part 3

OPEN THE DOOR FOR ACCEPTANCE.

"ACCEPT one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Romans 15:7

OPEN THE DOOR FOR ATTENTION.

"likewise dwelling with them according to KNOWLEDGE, giving HONOR...” 1 Peter 3:7

“...regard one another as more IMPORTANT than yourselves;” Philippians 2:3

OPEN THE DOOR FOR ADJUSTMENT.

"SUBMIT to one another out of reverence for Christ." Ephesians 5:21, Galatians 5:13-15

OPEN THE DOOR FOR AMNESTY.

"Bear with each other and FORGIVE whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

“Look after each other so that none of you FAILS to RECEIVE the GRACE of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of BITTERNESS grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” Hebrews 12:15

OPEN THE DOOR FOR APPRECIATION.

"ENCOURAGE one another and build each other up." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“But encourage one another DAILY, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13

OPEN THE DOOR FOR AFFECTION.

“The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with goodwill and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him. 5Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 1) A Legitimate Need 2) A Mutual Benefit 3) A Spiritual Responsibility

CONCLUSION: WHAT MAKES A MARRIAGE "CHRISTIAN"?

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Renewing your covenant vows to each other: I, _________, take you __________ to be my wife/husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, For better, for worse, For richer, for poorer, In sickness and in health. To love and cherish as long as we both shall live.

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How To Heat The Heart Of A Holy Hottie

1 Peter 3:7 (NIV) “Husbands, in the same way BE CONSIDERATE as you LIVE WITH your wives, and TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT as the weaker partner, and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” According to 1 Peter 3:7, three things will warm the heart of a Godly woman toward her man.

Understand my wife! Hard Because of the way we’re made so different… Starts - “BE CONSIDERATE” Difficulty in Communication is Hard Wired (Illus. Communication 3) Woman 25,000 words – Man 10,000 words… Wife 45 Min to 1 Hour a day – Husband 15-20 Min. Once, Twice Week My Wife: Deep Yearning to Know – I want to Know Her – NOT JUST FIX HER… Understanding is the FIX!!! Definition: Thoughtful of the needs and feelings of another. Be in tune with her feelings. We need to be able to discern our wives feelings and respond to them accordingly. Don't ignore, belittle, or get angry at your wife's feelings. Know her desires. - Concerning herself. - Concerning your family Understand her moods. Some days she'll be blue a need an extra dose of tenderness. Some days she'll be fed up with the kids and need you to give her some relief. Some days she'll feel lonely, and need a little extra time. Some days she'll feel unlovely, and may need a new dress or a hairdo to make her feel attractive. There's No System.

Sensitivity grows out of communication. More than just talking. It is LOOKING, LISTENING, and LEARNING. Many wives Say, Husbands are BLIND and DEAF Understanding their needs and desires. So Busy trying to fix it – Never Understand Her – Understanding is the REAL FIX! Requires Attention - Every part of the human body communicates: The eyes - show anger, disinterest, Happiness. The body - It shows when it's tired, depressed, bored. The tone of voice often reveals the truth behind our words. Just - Open our EYES and EARS - Wives are saying (to us and to others), we would learn how to RESPOND TO THEIR EMOTIONS and MEET THEIR NEEDS.

Ask Yourself Does she need COMFORT? Does she need ENCOURAGEMENT? Does she need HELP? Does she need LEFT ALONE? 2. Spend time with my wife! “LIVE WITH” Most Modern Marriages – Suffer from a Simple lack of Togetherness…! Careers have Destroyed Relationships… Outside Interests have destroyed Relationships – No Automatic Pilot… Lack of time together - Opens up room for a deep soul loneliness – Vulnerable! Definition: Share my life … do things together… be companions. (Illus.) Sharing Life is Not – Pack Mule, Mouse, Lion, Worker Bee “What Women Want”… (Illus. Dishes with me 8)

Honor my wife! Value of a Wife: Proverbs 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Prov 12:4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband Prov 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord. Guy who didn’t do understand this (Illus. Undertaker 9) “TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT”

Guy Really tried to Change (Illus. Come Home Drunk 7)

Definition: Show that I put her needs and desires ahead of my own by my words, attitudes, and actions.

(Illus.) GOLD Practical ways to assign honor: 1) Tell her you love her and appreciate her…When we got Married… 2) Tell others that you love her and appreciate her (especially in her presence) 3) Treat her “Heir of the Gracious Gift of Life… Before God” --- CROSS Frustration builds up - Shown that she is Special “What’s Wrong?” -- “Why Frustrated?”

“TREAT THEM WITH RESPECT – AS THE WEAKER PARTNER” Explain: “Weaker – Caution: HANDLE WITH CARE”

HOW? --- 3 Ways… Pamper Her. By doing so, you let her know that you want her to dress and smell like a

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FIRST YOU NEED A HOT MAN. The Life Of King David / Hot Date Marriage Series Part 1 Credit: Wild At Heart by Dr. John Eldridge

“Many women want a passive man if a man at all; Churches often wants a tamed man – called priests or Nice Guys; University wants a domesticated man – Called Professors or Intellectuals; Corporation wants a…sanitized, shaven, shallow man.”

Real Question: What Kind of Man does God want…? Ladies have to learn Want the same kind of Man God really wants! Understand a Man’s Heart…If the Man in your life is Bored, You are in Trouble!

A Hot Man Becomes Cold Without…

I. A Battle to Fight Question he asks himself: What can I do?

The Giant Goliath - 1 Samuel 18:6-7 (NIV) 6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes. 7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

Lead the cheer for victory in his Battles

II. An Adventure to Live “Adventure with all its requisite danger and wildness – is a deeply spiritual longing literally WRITTEN into the soul of a man.” Question he asks himself: Who Can I Be?

The Career of A King 2 Samuel 2:1b-4 (NIV) David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the LORD answered. 2So David went up there with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel. 3 David also took the men who were with him, each with his family, and they settled in Hebron and its towns. 4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. 2 Samuel 5:2b-5 (NIV) And the LORD said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’” 3When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a compact with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel. 4David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

If a man has lost this desire, says he doesn’t want it, that’s because he doesn’t know he has what it takes, or believes he will fail the test… Secret: A Woman often makes her Husbands Adventures, Careers, Promotions by Her attitude toward him… Encourage his path of adventure beyond life’s ordinary borders. Remember: Pray and Say, “I think you can do it… I believe in you…”

III. A Beauty to Rescue

Question: Who Desires Him? Who Believes in Him? Who Will share Adventure? There is nothing that inspires a man to be his best more than a woman who needs him to be. Its not enough to be a Hero; It’s that he is a Hero in the eyes of someone… Let Him Win – Let Him Win YOU!!!

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ALTAR DAY "My One Word" 2017 2 Kings 13:14-20

WHAT IS A “ONE WORD” ALTAR?

THE ARROW THAT PREDICTS MY FUTURE.

2 Kings 13:14-17 When Elisha became sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over him and said, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” 15And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. 16Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” And he put his hand on it, then Elisha laid his hands on the king’s hands. 17And he said, “Open the window toward the east,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot!” And he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, even the arrow of victory over Aram; for you shall defeat the Arameans at Aphek until you have destroyed them.”

The Four Predictive Principles Of “My One Word.”

1: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God.

2: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

3: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

4: Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

THE POINT I KEEP STRIKING THE GROUND.

2 Kings 13:18-20 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground,” and he struck it three times and stopped. 19So the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Aram until you would have destroyed it. But now you shall strike Aram only three times.” 20And Elisha died, and they buried him.

THE PLOW AND OXEN I BURN.

1 Kings 19:19, 21 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

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TRANSFORMED COMMUNITY 01.22.17 Four Things That Have To Happen Before A Church Moves To A New Level.

The Pastor Moves Over

Acts 1:9-11 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

The Holy Spirit Moves In

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts:2:11-13 ...we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

The People Move Up

Acts 2:14-18 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ”‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days

Acts 2:32, 36-37 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.

The Church Moves Out

Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

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TRANSFORMED LEADERSHIP 01.15.17

God has given all of us different personalities, passions, and potential as Leaders! However, in order for any of us to succeed in God’s eyes, then all of us focus our power on what we have in common.

A COMMON CAUSE

“...Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you.” John 19:21

TWO CONTROVERSIAL TRUTHS: Every Person Without Faith In Jesus Christ Will Spend Eternity Without God In Hell. “I Am The Way…” John 14:6 Found People Find People. Every Christian Is To Actively Search For Lost Sheep. “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” Luke 15:6

Matthew 10:14-15 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

A COMMON LEADER

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me...” John 10:27

Jesus’s Five-Pronged Leadership Strategy: He Led “Himself” By Withdrawing To Pray And Battle Temptation. Mark 1:35 & Matthew 4. He Confided In “The Three” By Allowing Them To Witness His Greatest Glory And Deepest Temptations. Mark 9:2–3, 14:33–34. He Trained “The Twelve.” By Spending Most Of His Time With Them. Mark 3:14. He Mobilized “The Seventy” By Sending Them Out On Special Assignments. Luke 10:1. He Taught “The Multitudes” On A Mountain And From A Boat. Matthew 5-7 & Luke 5.

A COMMON EVALUATION

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

That servant will be blessed if his master finds him doing this job when he comes. Matthew 24:46

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TRANSFORMED BY “ONE WORD” FROM GOD

EVERYBODY WANTS TO CHANGE: It is expected that 90 million Americans make New Year’s Resolutions.

It is expected that 75% abandon them by February.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4

FOUR PRINCIPLES: Why “MY ONE WORD” ? (slide break or slide-in before every point) I. Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God. Yours Will Come A Year In Advance. II. Do Something About ONE THING, Instead Of Nothing About EVERYTHING. III. A LENS Through Which You SEE, Not A PROMISE You Must Keep. IV. Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice. A Symbol Of Your Personal, Private... ALTAR!

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: (slide break before every arrow) They Are Too Vague: “I want to be in better shape!”

Does this mean touching your toes or running a marathon? They Are Too Shallow: “I want to be a better person!”

Better than who? Looking Around = Comparison Looking Inside = Character! There Are Too Many: “The one who aims at everything hits nothing.”

What one thing If you only had one month to live?

This comes from the three ugly sisters of guilt, fear, and pride.

What one word on your tombstone?

The Power Of My One Word Is The Power Of The Bible. Your Word Is A Word From God’s Word Illuminated In Your Heart.

JAMES 1:19-25 19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

22But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

FINDING YOUR WORD: (slide break or slide-in before every arrow)

Get Specific: What did God do through “My One Word” in your life during 2016? Do you have a testimony to share? What kind of person do you hope to be by the end of 2017? Search the Bible for God’s Word for you. Describe the characteristics of that person and the condition of their heart! Write every word down. Group and order them. List 10-15 words, then narrow it down to just one. What impact will each ‘word’ have on the way you see your life?

Resist Regret: This year’s resolutions are often last year’s regrets.

Don’t promise not to be what you’ve always been.

Stay Future Focused: Stay focused on the vision of the person you believe God is calling you to be. There is no need to rush. Pray 21 Days - Create your list and narrow down that list into your One Word for 2016. Our Altar Day - We will begin by picking our words and symbols together on Sunday January, 29 2017 BOOKS NEXT WEEK - My One Word - By Mike Ashcraft. Cost $20 January 29th - ALTAR DAY! [VIDEO]

The Word “Confession” In Greek = Homo Logeo: Same-Speak: Speak The Same As God / Agree With God

A One Word Prophecy. A Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life! (Della)

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HOW TO MAKE A FRESH S.T.A.R.T. (David)

“The Lord says, `Forget about what has happened before. Do not think about the past. [Instead] look at the new thing I am going to do.’” Isaiah 43:18-19 NCV

STOP MAKING EXCUSES. (Kuturi) An Excuse Is Just The Skin Of A Reason Wrapped Around A Lie! “A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.” Proverbs 28:13 LB Common Causes Of Failure: We Don’t Look Ahead “A sensible man watches for problems and prepares to meet them. The fool never looks ahead and suffers the consequences.” Proverbs 27:12 LB We Don’t Ask For Help “Plans fail without good advice.” Proverbs 15:22 NLV We Don’t Stick With It “If you give up when trouble comes, it shows that you are weak” Proverbs 24:10 NLV

TAKE STOCK. (David) “You have experienced many things. Were all those experiences wasted? I hope not!” Galatians 3:4 ICB

ACT IN FAITH. (Kuturi) “According to your faith will it be done to you.” Matthew 9:29 NIV “We should make plans – counting on God to direct us.” Proverbs 16:9 LB “Being afraid of people can get you into trouble…” Proverbs 29:25 NCV

REFOCUS YOUR THOUGHTS. (David) My “One Word” For This Year. You Can’t help Becoming what you can’t stop thinking about.

“Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” Proverbs 4:23 (GN) “Happy are those who… are always meditating on God’s Word…They are like trees along a river …that do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.” Psalms 1:1-3 GN

THANK GOD IN ADVANCE. (Kuturi) “You will not succeed by your own strength or power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6 NCV

Ask God For The Spiritual Ability To Fast Forward Your Eyes Of Faith To January 1, 2018. Why Not Thank Him For What He Has Accomplished A Full Year In Advance? John Chapter 11 - Jesus Thanked God BEFORE Lazarus was raised from the Dead.

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 NASB

BIblical Precedent: “About this time next year” The promise of a son to a barren woman Genesis 18 & 2 Kings 4

“When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 LB

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“The Light Of Hope” Christmas Sunday 2016

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NIV

“We can live forty days without food, eight days without water, four minutes without air, but only a few seconds without hope.”

WHAT IS HOPE? Webster’s Dictionary defines hope as… “A Desire That Comes With The Expectation Of Fulfillment.”

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS… A DESIRE THAT COMES FROM GOD.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 NIV

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS... EXPECTING GOD TO FULFILL THE DESIRE HE PLACED IN ME.

25At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him 26and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, 28Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. 30I have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared for all people. 32He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel! Luke 2:25-32 NLT

Without hope, something inside of all of us dies… Hope motivates us to keep going and to never give up.

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS… A love that can never be fathomed. A life that can never die. A righteousness that can never be tarnished. A peace that can never be understood. A rest that can never be disturbed. A joy that can never be diminished. A hope that can never be disappointed. A light that can never be darkened. It takes an outside source to bring light into darkness. That’s exactly what Jesus did that first Christmas Day!

THE LIGHT OF HOPE IS… SHONE IN THE LORD’S SUPPER.

1 Corinthians 11:26-28 NASB 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. 27Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

Matthew 26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Matthew 26:27-29 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

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Put The Fun In Dysfunctional. 11.18.16. Not This Year Series.

In Luke Jesus speaks of Himself describing why he came using Isaiah’s description of Him,

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:4-6

The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. You are not just part of the family, you are an heir to God’s throne.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

Jesus Came So That Our Dysfunction Could Be Turned Into Joy!

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David... Luke 1:32

• King David. (David was the greatest king in the history of Israel. His greatest victory and his greatest defeat can be summed up in two names, David and Goliath and David and Bathsheba. And with Bathsheba, he takes the wife of another man, Uriah, and has him killed. And despite his sin, God includes Him in the Messianic lineage.) • Tamar. (Tamar could not be allowed in the Temple, they were outsiders, gentiles, sinners. Tamar was involved in prostitution for favors, not as a profession, but she was far from a Godly woman and amazingly, she is on the list of the Messianic lineage.) • Rahab. (She was also guilty of prostitution, but unlike Tamar she did it for a profession. She is the only recorded survivor of Jericho and was saved because she hid the two spies from Israel.) • Ruth. (She was not an Israelite, but a gentile, more specifically a Moabites. Moab was a son born through incest by Lot. This woman, typically mocked among the Israelites, a widow, whose husband died young. She went into the fields, like a poor person would, gathering the leftover crops in the field. And it was there Boaz catches a look at her and is taken by her, and a beautiful story of redemption takes place.) • Bathsheba. (She is referred to as the “Wife of Uriah.” Why not just call her Bathsheba? Because God want our attention drawn to Uriah, a good man and an incredible loyal soldier.) • Mary. (Her story was not one of immorality needing forgiveness, her’s was a story of a person living in the poorest conditions. She was a peasant girl, living in a godless city, known as Nazareth. It was a city known for immorality, the Roman soldiers often went through there to have a wild night on the town. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” This was Mary’s home. Mary is the only person who ever lived who had Jesus in her womb and later in her heart.)

“God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. Luke 1:26-29

TESTIMONY OF LENORA UHLS

• Joseph. (In many ways, Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas Story. Just as surely as God chose Mary to have God’s own son, God chose Joseph to be his guardian, a step-father, or father figure for Jesus on earth. Jesus was known as the son of the carpenter.)

“But the angel of the Lord comes to him, Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matthew 1

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New Hope For Old Habits At Christmas 12.11.16. “Not This Year!” Series

Luke 2:1-8 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were much afraid.

Hope Delivered Directly From God. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10

Answers Today For My Real Needs. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Breakthrough Birth From An Unknown, Unexpected, And Unrecognized Source. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:12-14

Initiate Action Now. 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Luke 2:15,16

Transformation Takes Off And Takes Time. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. Luke 2:17, 20

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Sometimes "Stuff Happens!" and when it does don't let it take your joy! True joy, comes from the Holy Spirit living inside of us; and when outside circumstances get us down it doesn't have to steal our joy that we have in Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 -"Through every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you."

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THE CHANGE YOU NEED 11.20.16

REAL CHANGE STARTS WITH NEW LIFE, NOT JUST A NEW LEAF.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17)

In the Old Testament, we see how this cycle played out in the life of Solomon. He tried to change through human ingenuity when he needed divine intervention. And he was the smartest person - ever. (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

Jesus calls it being "born again." (John 3:3)

REAL CHANGE IS A PROCESS, NOT A DESTINATION.

"I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6)

"By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4)

"We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:18)

REAL CHANGE IS LETTING GO AND GRABBING HOLD.

Here are some of the reasons why change is difficult: a. Because we are stubborn b. Because we are trapped c. Because we are comfortable d. Because we are afraid d. Because change hurts e. Because we lack knowledge f. Because we lack power

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves;” “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, 16 NASB77)

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FROM MISERABLE TO MESSENGER 11.13.16 "I Am Transformed" Series

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Isaiah 6 (NASB) 1In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. 2Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings; with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” 4And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. 5Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” 6Then one of the seraphim flew to me, with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7And he touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is forgiven.” 8Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 9And He said, “Go, and tell this people…”

Luke 5:4-11 (NASB) 4And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5And Simon answered and said, “Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but at Your bidding I will let down the nets.” 6And when they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish; and their nets began to break; 7and they signaled to their partners in the other boat, for them to come and help them. And they came, and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink.

8But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; 10and so also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

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Five Reasons Why BAD Presidential Candidates Can Be GOOD For Our Country? Sunday, 10.30.16

If God, in His sovereignty, has allowed these presidential candidates to be our only two choices, then He MUST have a plan.

Can BAD presidential candidates be GOOD for our country?

1. TWO NEGATIVE CHOICES FOR PRESIDENT FORCES US TO LOOK FOR POSITIVE RESULTS FROM GOD!

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity (to prosper you and not to harm you) to give you a future and a hope.’ Jeremiah 29:11

Do you believe these scriptures will still be true after November 8th?

2. GOD CAN DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE WITH A CROOKED STICK!

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20

God is stewarding national and global history for His own good purposes. No man or woman in history has ever been too immoral, powerful, or evil to keep themselves from being a tool in God’s hand. They are either used in God’s hand or crushed in it.

3. THE PRESENCE OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS IN THE WHITE HOUSE REVEALS THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL LIGHT IN MY HOUSE.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

(Not On Screen) The decisions of the supreme court justices, racial equality, women’s rights, abortion, gender identity, religious liberty in the workplace, honoring marriage vows between men and women, legalizing homosexual marriage, legalized drugs, caring for the poor, exploiting workers, paying living wages, Healthcare. providing for the aliens and strangers among us, corrupt and lying, and bullying those who disagree.

Every political issue that matters nationally also matters personally and locally. These issues are alive every moment of every day, not just once every four years. We vote for righteousness every day of our lives in every move we make. The leader of the free world was never meant to occupy the job of being the light of the world. YOU are the light of the world! YOU!

4. IT ONLY TAKES ONE THING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING. (Will McIvoy Quote)

3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. James 3:3-5

A dirty, smelly cave filled with animals in a tiny, insignificant village on the outskirts of Jerusalem was the birthplace of the savior of the world. Sometimes it only takes one tiny thing!

The political and religious leaders during first century Roman governmental rule were just as corrupt and immoral as our political leaders today. They crucified thousands of Jews during their military occupation. Jesus Christ was just one of them. Sometimes it only takes one sacrificial and miraculous thing!

5. CHANGING THE NATION FROM THE INSIDE OUT IS NOW CLEARLY OUR ONLY OPTION.

We don’t have the option for spiritual light and truth to trickle down from the White House. We can pray powerful prayers! We can do powerful works! We can Evangelize, Disciple, and Serve

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10

THE PERMANENT REVOLUTION WE NEED IS A PERMANENT REVI

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Wouldn’t It Be Great… Who Should I Vote For? Oct. 23 2016 ...if our country wasn’t so divided and angered by the presidential election. ...if there was someone running for president that wasn’t tainted by immorality and corruption. ...if we could get completely unbiased information about our presidential candidates. ...if we could trust candidates to keep the promises in their platform. ...if your choice in this presidential election was simple, easy and without regret. Let’s Talk About The Vote: Your Vote Is A Sacred Trust Given By God. It Has Been Paid For In The Blood Of Patriots For 240 Years. Not Voting Is Not An Option. Failing To Vote Simply Helps To Elect One Of The Candidates. Voting For A Third Party Candidate Also Helps To Elect One Of The Other Candidates. So, Your Back Is Against The Wall. You Have A Difficult Choice To Make. What Are You Going To Do?

The Question Of Hope: Can An Immoral Or Corrupt Political Leader Govern Ethically And Be Used For God’s Purposes?

Players In The Biblical Story Of Esther: 1. THE JEWS - That’s Biblical Christianity In America Under A Threatened And Decaying Judeo-Christian Legal Code. “Then Haman said to King Xerxes, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom who keep themselves separate. Their customs are different from those of all other people, and they do not obey the king’s laws; it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. 9If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will give ten thousand talents of silver to the king’s administrators for the royal treasury.” Esther 3:8-9

THE KING - That’s The Candidates And The Consequences Of Their Proposed Policies For Our Nation. “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives.” Esther 4:11
ESTHER - That’s You! You’ve Got To Choose A Dangerous Candidate Through Whom You Believe God Will Work To Accomplish His Purposes In The World. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Esther’s Plan For Action: 1. Get Past The Political Personalities: Neither Candidate Is Free From Corrupt Practices Or Immoral Lifestyles. The Candidate That Sickens You The Most Tells More About You Than Them. 2. Consider The Policies Biblically: Supreme Court Justices, Marriage, Abortion, Religious Liberty, Gender Identity, Immigration, Racial & Women’s Equality. 3. Trust God In Prayer: “Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. 5“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.6 For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” “The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves;” Esther 8 :4-6, 11

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Counselor Pat Doyle shares how to save relationships through the power of the Holy Spirit.

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MAN UP - Pastor David Rathel, 10.09.16

NEED HIM - The Selection Of The Twelve Mark 3:13-14 NASB “13And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.” “14And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach...”

Luke 6:12 NASB “12It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”

ASK HIM - The Calling Matthew Luke 5:27, 28 NASB “27After that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me." “28And he left everything behind, and got up and began to follow Him.”

APPRECIATE HIM - Jesus Called Them Friends John 15:15 GWT “15I don't call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I've called you friends because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Father.”

HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE - Molding Peter Entrust Him With Responsibility - Matthew 10:1-2 “1Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. 2Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, Allow Consequences With Mercy - Matthew 14:30-31 “30...and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him…” Confront Him When Wrong - Matthew 16:23 “23But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

GIVE HIM CREDIT - The Faith Of The Centurion Matthew 8:8, 10 NASB “8But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” “10Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.”

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LET GOD WIN YOUR TRUST Week 4, In God We Trust Series - 09.28.16

OUR MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM LIVES INTO THE LIKENESS OF JESUS CHRIST.

TRANSFORMATION IS A TRANSFER OF TRUST.

Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;”

Are There Some Problems In Our Community? ... In Our Nation? Do You Have Any Problems?

How Do You Know If Your Problem Is A Trust Problem? What really makes you angry? Anger is the impulse to protect something you need or love from danger. The loss of, failure to achieve, failure to attain, ___________, has made you angry, despondent, depressed, or irrefutably bitter. You don't trust that something you need or love is safe.

What does This Have To Do With Tithing? God Doesn’t Want My Money. He Wants My Trust.

Proverbs 3:6 (NIV) “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV) “...direct your path.” (KJV)

TRUST IS SUBMISSION: Time. Talent. Treasure. Thoughts. To Whom or What do I give these the most? That’s Who or What I am trusting the most. “If/Since I_____________, Then God Should/Will ____________.” “If I Perform, Achieve, Possess, or Feel _____________, Then Acceptance, Approval, Success, and Love will finally come. THIS is a FALSE TRUST in FALSE SALVATION.

In Order For God To Win Your Trust, He Has To Win Your Heart In Worship.

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Matthew 15:8, 9 (NIV)

Cultivating Real Trust Through Honest Worship: Admit Your Untrusting Heart To Yourself, God, And One Other Person. Ask God To Show You When, Where, And How To Take His Hand Again. Release Your Expectations And Enjoy How God Sovereignly Chooses To Act In Your Life.

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THE MIRACLE OF MULTIPLICATION 09.25.16 - In God We Trust Series

Would It Be Ok With You If God Multiplied Your Resources?

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Festival was near. 5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wagesa to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Three Acknowledgements: God Always Starts With What You HAVE. The Miracle Happened IN The Disciple’s HANDS - Not The Lord’s. Multiplication Always Produces A Party - In God’s Honor!

ONE PRINCIPLE: Everything Has To Be RETURNED To It’s Creative Source BEFORE It Can Be Multiplied.

I Am Learning To Believe That God CAN And WILL Multiply The RESOURCES I Return To Him.

The Only Alternative Belief Is That God DOES NOT LOVE ME & SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED With The Resources He Created.

Tithing Isn’t Giving, It’s RETURNING.

Tithing Is The Financial Training Wheels (10%) For Us To Learn The Principle Of Multiplication As A WAY OF LIFE in ALL THINGS!

We Don’t GIVE More To GET More. We RETURN Everything We Have To MULTIPLY Everything He Touches.

The Goal Of Multiplication: To Make A Multiplied Meal For Many From My Measly Morsels.

The Benefit Of Multiplication: SATISFACTION And LEFTOVERS.

The Choice Of Multiplication: Control Or Surrender?

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THIS TITHE IS ALIVE! - In God We Trust, Part 2 09.18.16 Mat Cotner

Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.

In God We Trust Explained: AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WE ARE INVITED INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IN HIS FAMILY BUSINESS.

“IT’S ALIVE!” The Shocking Truth That Awakens Dead Tithing:

The Word Tithe In Hebrew Means: A Tenth Or 10% Leviticus 27:30 & 32 NIV A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD... Every tithe of the herd and flock, every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod, will be holy to the Lord.
It Belongs To The Lord Malachi 3:6-10(a) NIV “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house...”
It Comes First Leviticus 27:26 NIV No one, however, may dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since the firstborn already belongs to the LORD – See Also Ex 13:12-15 Ex 22:29-30, Ex 23:19, Num 3:13, Num 8:16
It Is Holy To The Lord Leviticus 27:28 NIV But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the LORD — whether a human being or animal or family land — may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.

Old Testament vs. New Testament: Why So Much Controversy?

Old Testament = You HAVE TO or you will be punished! Vs. New Testament = You GET TO and you will be rewarded!

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 NIV Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

What happens when we give God what is His setting it apart as first and holy?

Malachi 3:10(b) NIV ...Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

The Umbrella of God: Where are you in regards to your giving?

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In God We Trust Explained: https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS, WE ARE INVITED INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER IN HIS FAMILY BUSINESS. I. How to get a DEMOTION? Never do any more than you are required to do. Never express disagreement or take a stand on an issue. Never stick your neck out on a new project. Never grow in other areas of your life. Never stay in a job very long. II. The Promotion YOU WANT can only come from GOD. For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert. But God is the judge; he puts down one and sets up another. ~ Psalm 75:6-7 (JUB) The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. ~ Proverbs 21:1 (NASB) Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.” ~ John 19:11 (NIV) Become the person who can do that job better than anyone else. Make a detailed case to the Boss. Leave the Time, Place and Position up to God. Let God promote you someplace else, if He desires. His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” ~ Matthew 25:21 (NIV) III. You must be Promoted SPIRITUALLY before you’re Promoted PUBLICALLY. Moreover, as you Philippians know… not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 15, 17, 19 (NIV) But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. ~ Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)

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Welcome Prosperity into Your Life

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ~ Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

You can’t help becoming what you can’t stop thinking about.

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ~ Matthew 7:9-11 (NIV)

If You DON’T Welcome Godly Prosperity into your Life… Satan (The Accuser) Will welcome Failure and Lies and a False Future into your Life…

Overcome Obstacles of Character.

The Story of Daniel (Daniel. Chapter 1)

Instead of pushing for success, eliminate paths to failure.

Don’t let your success take you where your character can’t keep you.

No matter how high you climb, you will always eventually fall back down to the level of your Character.

Re-Invent Yourself.

The Story of the Apostle Paul (Acts Chapter 9)

If you always do what you’ve always done, You’ll always be where you’ve always been.

Keep your focus on Jesus.

Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you’re really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master... ~ Ephesians 6:5-8 (Msg)

Who Do You W.O.R.K. For? I Work For ______________

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ~ Hebrews 12:2, 3 (NIV)

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“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.” John 12:32

“My life… I give it of my own free will”

“Forgive them… they don’t know what they are doing”

John 10:18 GNT “No one takes my life away from me. I give it up of my own free will. I have the right to give it up, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father has commanded me to do.”

John 10:18 EXB “No one takes it away from me; I give [lay down] my own life ·freely [voluntarily; of my own free will]. I have the ·right[power; authority] to give [lay down] my life, and I have the ·right [power; authority] to ·take [receive] it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.”

John 10:18 MSG “I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

Luke 23:33-35 Berean Study Bible 33When they came to the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on His right and the other on His left. 34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots. 35The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

The Cross is not Merely Our Past Substitution, but also Our Present Crucifixion.

TOTAL SACRIFICE for OTHERS. TOTAL EXPECTATION from GOD.

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Galatians 5:13-15, 24-25 The Message Translation 13For you, dear friends, have been called to live in freedom – not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. 14For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Galatians 5:24-25 The Message Translation 24“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passion and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.

Galatians 6:1-3 The Message Translation1“Dear friends, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.”

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"Come to the River". Acts 14:11-32 When we come to the river we find strength and encouragement.

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Matthew 16:13-19 NLT 13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”c 14“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Acts 2:42-47 GROW… GIVE… GROUP...

Rocks That Grow “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles” Acts 2:42, 43

Rocks That Give “And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” Acts 2:44, 45

Avoiding The Subject ~ 2. Regular Contributors ~ 3. Trying To Tithe ~ 4. New Nervous Tithers ~ 5. Long Term Tithers

Rocks That Group “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” Acts 2:46, 47

Church Isn’t Supposed To Be Something We Attend... It Is Something We Are.

It’s Good That We Come Together As The Church, But It’s So Much Better When We Move Together As The Church.

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DOUBT YOUR ENEMY! Gideon’s Battle

Judges 6:11-16 (NASB) 11Then the angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. 12And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, “The LORD is with you, O valiant warrior.” 13Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

14And the LORD looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” 15And he [Gideon] said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” 16But the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man.”

I HAVE TO DOUBT MY ENEMY, OR I WILL DOUBT MY GOD!

DENYING DOUBT MEANS ADMITTING I AM WRONG ABOUT ME.

DOUBT IS A DANGEROUS ENEMY BECAUSE DOUBT IS FEAR!

DOUBT IN MY HEART WITHHOLDS GOD’S VICTORY FROM MY HANDS.

DETECTING AND DEFEATING THE ENEMY OF DOUBT: Judges 6:25,26 FAMILY IDOL DOUBT: “Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it 26and build an altar to the LORD your God”

PRIDEFUL DOUBT: “The people who are with you are too many... lest Israel become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’ Judges 7:2

FEARFUL DOUBT: “Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’” So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. Judges 7:3

NEGLECTFUL DOUBT: “Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. 7And the LORD said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; Judges 7:6-7 (Pics Harod Spring and Pastor David Drinking)

20When the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing, and cried, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” 21And each stood in his place around the camp; and all the army ran, crying out as they fled. 22And when they blew 300 trumpets, the LORD set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army; Judges 7:20-22

FAITHING IT: GIDEON DIDN’T DO IT - HE FAITHED IT. IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE YOU CAN DO IT, DO WHAT GIDEON DID. DON’T DO IT - FAITH IT!

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God To The Rescue! - Sunday July 17th

GOD IS RESCUING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD RIGHT NOW!

Genesis 13:8-12 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” 10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.

Genesis 14:14-16 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. 15There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.

Terminal Disappointment: 1. Leave The People of God. 2. Frozen Chosen. Stop Trying.

When Are You Called By God Into His Rescue Operation:

Motive.

Means.

Opportunity.

No Alibi.

You’ve Never Locked Eyes Someone Doesn't Matter To God.

Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

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CLOSE IS THE ANSWER! - July 10. Psalm 73:28 “But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works.” Psalm 16:8 “I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 119:151 “You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.” Jeremiah 23:23 “‘Am I a God who is near,’ declares the LORD, ‘And not a God far off?’” Acts 17:27 “...that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;” Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” John 1:14 "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."

I Can Know A Lot About Someone And Even Know Them Extremely Well; But, How Well Do I Know Them If I’ve Never Been To Their Home? You’re Not Going To Israel Today, So How Can You See God Up Close?

The Garden of Gethsemane: My Human Body - WOW! Tourist Thing - This is where jesus was. Pictures. The Divine Spirit Of Jesus Is In Me Too! Holy Spirit Returning To The Scene Of The Crime - Holy Spirit In Me Has Already Been Here. Holy Spirit Comes In Too. What is He feeling? The Scene of His Suffering And Betrayal. Judas.

If I COULD JUST SEE HIS FACE: THREE FACES OF JESUS UP CLOSE

Matt. 26:36-38 “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ 37And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.” 38”Then He said to them, ‘My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.’”

Luke 22:44 “And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”

His Face of AGONY. "mental suffering" "anguish, terror, death agony" “a (mental) struggle for victory,” Originally: "a struggle for victory in the games," A Sense of "extreme bodily suffering"

Matt. 26:39 “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’”

His Face of SURRENDER.

Matt. 26:45-46 “Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

His Face Of RESOLVE.

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Andrew Chalmers, founder of Take the City, shares his amazing testimony, and a vision for revival to come to our nation. What makes revival happen? How can we know God is moving? Andrew has practical ways to start pursuing a greater experience of God's presence in our community, city, and nation.

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The Anatomy of a Cycle: Direction, Event, Triggers a Reaction, Result, Interpreted through a Belief, Action Judges 4:8 "Then Barak said to her, 'If you go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.'" Breaking a Cycle Judges 4:14 "And Deborah said to Barak, 'Arise! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hands; behold, the LORD has gone out before you.'..." Applying Truth to your life: 1. Raise your bet 2. Evict the dream killers 3. Go with the tent peg Judges 4:15-24 HCSB How Hope-Filled are you today?

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Joshua 24:15 "...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

God wants to get down deep in that darkest part of YOUR life. He wants to get in your heart, your soul. What better way is their to be a light to your family or someone else?

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" God is the ONLY source of joy, hope, and life." Were you brought or will you bring? Go Fish Ministries

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Isaiah 55:12, 13. Expanded Bible Translation “So you will go out with joy [returning from the Babylonian exile] and be led out in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands [the earth rejoices at God’s restoration of creation].

13 Large cypress [or Juniper; Evergreen] trees will grow where thornbushes were. Myrtle trees will grow where weeds [briers] were. These things will be a reminder of the Lord’s promise [or for the Lord’s honor/renown; to the Lord for a name], and this reminder will never be destroyed [for an eternal sign that will not be cut off].” EXB

WHAT is going to happen?

v.13a NASB77 “Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up;

And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up;

WHY will it happen?

v. 13b NASB77 And it will be a memorial to the LORD,

For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

This will bring fame to Adonai as an eternal, imperishable sign. CJB

And then those trees will stand as a lasting witness to the glory of the Lord. CEV

All this will happen to make the Lord known, to be a permanent reminder of his goodness and power. ERV

WHO benefits?

Isaiah 55:12 “For you will go out with joy, And be led forth with peace;

The YOU At The End Of Isaiah 55 Is The Same As The YOU At The End Of Isaiah 55.

GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED THROUGH YOU WHEN YOU ARE MOST SATISFIED THROUGH HIM.

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Week 3 - Today: THE BENEFITS OF FAVOR.

Exodus 33:12-18 TLB 12One day Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ 13If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” 14The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

15Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.”

17The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.”

YOU GET A COMPANION. v.14 “I will personally go with you…”

YOU GET REST. v.14 “...and I will give you rest.”

Rest Is A Testimony Of Trust

“It's not in trying, but in trusting It’s not in running, but in resting It's not in wondering, but in praying... That we find the strength of the Lord.”

YOU ARE SET APART. v.16 “For your presence among us sets your people and me apart…"

YOU BECOME KNOWN. v.17 “I know you by name.”

v. 18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.”

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Activating God's Favor - 05.22.16

Favor is “preferential treatment” shown to someone.

Favor denotes someone’s acceptance, approval and pleasure.

In order to activate favor, you must first have favor.

The way to activate God’s favor in your life is to recognize where you already have it.

1 Peter 2:9, 10 NASB But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Greek word for favor: CHARIS In the New Testament, this word is translated “grace.” Grace (and favor) is essentially a gift.

FAVOR IS A+ THINKING.

Your belief about your favored status is one of the most important beliefs you have. Satan HATES it.

HAVE YOU FOUND YOUR FAVOR?

The Story Of Joseph’s Favor - Genesis 39 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an Egyptian officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the bodyguard, bought him from the Ishmaelites, who had taken him down there. 2And the LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. 3Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4So Joseph found favor in his sight.

(Turtle On Fencepost Picture)

What have I done with the favor (preferential treatment) I already have?

What Fencepost Have You Already Been Placed On?

Proverbs 18:16 NASB77 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.

“Go where you are Celebrated - Not Tolerated!” Who Tolerates You? Who Celebrates You?

Psalm 85:11 GOD'S WORD Translation The LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD grants favor and honor. He does not hold back any blessing from those who live innocently.

Psalm 5:11-12 GOD'S WORD Translation But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing with joy forever. Protect them, and let those who love your name triumph in you. 12You bless righteous people, O LORD. Like a large shield, you surround them with your favor.

Jesus Is Baptized - Luke 3:21, 22 Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, 22and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.”

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A good name is to be more desired than great riches, Favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

FIRST, WHAT FAVOR ISN’T: Favor Isn't Fairness. Favor Isn't Happiness. Favor Isn't Just For You.

The FAVOR OF GOD is the GUARANTEE of His PRESENCE and the PROVISION of His POWER to accomplish His DIVINE PURPOSE.

Elijah and Elisha - 1 Kings 19:19-21 (NASB) So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him. 20He left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?” 21So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

GOD’S FAVOR MEANS THAT YOU DON’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT - YOU GET MORE!

Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us… Ephesians 3:20.

WHEN GOD DOESN’T GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT, IT’S BECAUSE HE PLANS TO GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU WANT!

Finding God’s FAVOR: Not WHAT I Want, MORE than I want. When It’s Not Right – God Says NO! When You’re Not Right – God Says GROW! When The Time Is Not Right – God Says SLOW!

When IT’S Right, YOU’RE Right, And The TIME Is Right - God Says GO!

2 Kings 2:9-13 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10He said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven. 12Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 13He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him.

GOD’S FAVOR IS ALWAYS MORE THAN YOU ASKED FOR.

GOD’S FAVOR IS ALWAYS MORE THAN YOU WANTED.

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Proverbs 31:28-31 28Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words:

29“There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!”

30Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised.

31Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.

Let's Praise Her With These Words!

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ALIGNMENT. 05.01.16

What Has To Be Done By Everyone Consistently For The Church To Thrive?

What Is Alignment? The Trinity. Adam And Eve. 120 In The Upper Room.

The Latin Word Diabolical Means "To Fragment"

The Power Of Alignment: Joshua Chapter 6

We Can Do Together What We Could Never Do Alone.

Alignment Is The Power Of The Church TOGETHER!

John 6:61-69 61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

A John 6 Moment Raises The Stakes.

Why Is It Worth It?

The Church Saved My Life.

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Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones 37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley;[a] it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath[b] to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling,[c] and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

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Our Mission Is To Transform Lives Into The Likeness Of Jesus Christ.

ISAIAH 55 1“Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost.

2“Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.

3“Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,

6Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.

7Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

8“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.

9“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

10“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;

11So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

13“Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up; And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.”

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What’s In Your Hand?

Exodus 4 Then Moses answered and said, “What if they will not believe me, or listen to what I say? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” 2And the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” And he said, “A Rod.”

3 Then He said, “Throw it on the ground.” So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. 4But the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grasp it by its tail”—so he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand.

20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and mounted them on a donkey, and he returned to the land of Egypt. Moses also took the rod of God in his hand.

Moses’s Rod Represents: Identity Income Influence

The Four Phases Of Mine Change: What's Mine Is Mine. What's Mine Is God’s. What's Mine Is Your’s. What's God’s Is Mine.

EVERYTHING YOU POSSESS, ALSO POSSESSES YOU.

What's In Your Hand?

Nothing Is Safe Until It Is Surrendered.

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” - Martyred Missionary Jim Elliott

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DRAINED- How’s That Working For Ya? Series

DRAINED or FILLED

Ephesians 5 11And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”

15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; 21and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

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John 7:1-5 (NASB) And after these things Jesus was walking in Galilee; for He was unwilling to walk in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him. 2Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. 3His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here, and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may behold Your works which You are doing. 4“For no one does anything in secret, when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

“...the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” John 6:63

Luke 4:16-22 (NKJV) 16So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."

20Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

22So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.

And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?"

The Grace Words Of Jesus: His Grace Not Only Gets You Into The Kingdom, But Allows You To Function As A Child Of The King.

What Happened? They Were Being Exposed To The SUPERNATURAL And It Got Reduced To The FAMILIAR.

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God Designed All Children To Receive From Their Parents: IDENTITY, PURPOSE, DESTINY, Awareness Of UNLIMITED RESOURCES.

Jesus Modeled Walking In Supernatural Relationship With The Father.

IDENTITY - Who Am I? “Our Father who is in heaven” Matthew 6:9 “I and the Father are one” John 10:30

PURPOSE - Why Am I Here? "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38

DESTINY - What Is My Future? Matthew 16:21-23 “From that time Jesus Christ began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

ACCESS TO UNLIMITED RESOURCES - What Do I Need? Luke 9:1-6 “And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases. 2And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to perform healing. 3And He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece. 4“And whatever house you enter, stay there, and take your leave from there. 5“And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” 6And departing, they began going about among the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.”

2 Samuel 7:18, 19 Then David the king went in and sat before the LORD, and he said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that Thou hast brought me this far? 19“And yet this was insignificant in Thine eyes, O Lord GOD, for Thou hast spoken also of the house of Thy servant concerning the distant future.

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SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS - Supernatural Series, 03.06.16

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.” John 14:12

THE PURPOSE OF A SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTER IS TO GIFT ME WITH - POWER OVER SIN & POWER TO MINISTER!

Jesus said, "You shall receive power [dunamis] when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8

The Apostle Peter Spoke Life Into Limp Legs. "Then Peter said, silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God." Acts 3:6-8

Stephen Described Heaven And Forgave His Murderers. “But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God; and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56 “And falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” And having said this, he fell asleep.” Acts 7:80

Philip’s Body Was Miraculously Transported. "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing But Philip was found at Azotus." Acts 8:26-40

Ananias Prayed Away The Scales From Saul’s Eyes. "And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18

Agabus Correctly Predicted Paul’s Sufferings. "And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' Acts 21:10-13

The Apostle Paul Raised A Sermon Sleeper From The Dead And Shook Off A Poisonous Snake. "And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, 'Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.' Acts 20:9-10

"But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.' But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." Acts 28:3-5 BIBLICAL PATTERNS OF SUPERNATURAL ENCOUNTERS.

1. Demonstrate Jesus’s Power And Inject His Love Into Dark And Hardened Hearts.

2. Tackle, Or be Tackled By, Whatever Evil Problem Shows Up.

3. Get Yourself Into A Desperate Situation. Make Sure Your Back Is Against The Wall And There’s No Way Out.

4. Use Up All Your Resources, Personal Strength, And Every Answer You’ve Ever Known.

5. Notice That Some Strange New Thing, Idea, Plan, Or Person Has Shown Up. At First, You Don’t Think It’s From God.

6. Hope That God Is At Work, But Search The Scriptures And Ask Questions To Test T

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The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:33 NLT

Acts 2:16-18 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: 17‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ God says, ‘THAT I WILL POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS; 18EVEN UPON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy.

Prophecy Is A Human Report Of A Divine Revelation.

New Testament Prophecy Is A Word FROM God, Not The Word OF God.

Human Report: Revelation, Interpretation, Application.

Prophecy Comes TO Me, then THROUGH Me!

Should I Want To Prophesy? Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:39 (Ocean Illus.)

Why Should I Want It So Much? He who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding (oikodome) and encouragement (paraklesis) and consolation (paramuthia) 1 Corinthians 14:3

Why Prophesy? 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

Ways To Prophesy? Sharing a Bible verse or passage in a timely way. Isaiah 30:18-21 18Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! 19People of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Here are some ways in which the Holy Spirit can speak to you in a prayer or devotional time: You are reminded of a Bible verse or story—or one is highlighted to you when you are reading the Bible (Scripture is the primary way God speaks to us—and also the primary way we weigh what we believe God is saying) You ‘see’ a picture in your mind’s eye An idea or impression comes to mind You feel something emotionally or physically A word comes to mind or you ‘see’ a written word in your imagination

The Gift of Prophecy is ALWAYS an opportunity to share with someone the LOVE of GOD. Whenever I receive something that I discern the Lord wants me to share, I am learning that if it is not shared to reveal the Love of the Father for that individual then problems occur! Even when a word is a correction or a warning, it is given because God loves them and wants His fullness to be worked in them or through them. Often He wants to give them hope and have their faith increased to believe in Him. It’s relational between the Father and the individual. It should always draw them closer…

A PROPHET’S HEART - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-21 14And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. 15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. 16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not quench the Spirit; 20do not despise prophetic utterances. 21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil.

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SUPERNATURAL LOVE – More than who you are. More than what you’ve seen. Sunday Feb. 21

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:1

PURSUE: Chase, Follow After, Track Down, Hunt Down, Attack, Pursue, Persecute.

LOVE: agape - An image of God defined as perfect, divine, unconditional, love for me. An image of ourselves imitating, practicing, and becoming that love for someone else. God’s love using me to build a bridge between someone and what God wants to do for them. God’s love deposited in me as the resources and raw materials He uses to answer prayers and create miracles.

DESIRE EARNESTLY: zēlóō - An onomatopoetic word, imitating the sound of boiling water. Used properly, to bubble over because so hot (boiling); (figuratively) "to burn with zeal"

SPIRITUAL GIFTS: Literally - The Spirituals, Spiritual Gifts. Thoughts, opinions, precepts, maxims, ascribable to the Holy Spirit working in the soul. Effects produced by the sole power of God himself without natural instrumentality. Supernatural.

SUPERNATURAL: Power Over Sin - Power To Minister.

More (LOVE) Than Who You Are. More (LOVE) Than What You’ve Seen.

FIVE FINGERS FOR KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR: 1. We will a seek God’s face through a voluntary, rotating, church-wide, fast for 40 days. 2. We will offer the Body and Blood of Christ represented in communion to all who desire to receive. 3. We will offer prayer for people to be emptied of self and filled with God’s Spirit. 4. We will ask God to give us new supernatural gifts to be used to extend His kingdom. 5. We will pray and believe God for physical healing for our members.

WARNING: DESPERATION AND RISK-TAKING FAITH AHEAD.

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4:9-12 9You have captured my heart, my treasure, my bride. You hold it hostage with one glance of your eyes, with a single jewel of your necklace. 10Your love delights me, my treasure, my bride. Your love is better than wine, your perfume more fragrant than spices. 11Your lips are as sweet as nectar, my bride. Honey and milk are under your tongue. Your clothes are scented like the cedars of Lebanon. 12You are my private garden, my treasure, my bride, a secluded spring, a hidden fountain.

5:9-16, Her Words... 10My lover is dark and dazzling, better than ten thousand others! 11His head is finest gold, his wavy hair is black as a raven. 12His eyes sparkle like doves beside springs of water; they are set like jewels washed in milk. 13His cheeks are like gardens of spices giving off fragrance. His lips are like lilies, perfumed with myrrh. 14His arms are like rounded bars of gold, set with beryl. His body is like bright ivory, glowing with lapis lazuli. 15His legs are like marble pillars set in sockets of finest gold. His posture is stately, like the noble cedars of Lebanon. 16His mouth is sweetness itself; he is desirable in every way. Such, O women of Jerusalem, is my lover, my friend.

6:4-10, His Words... 4You are beautiful, my darling, like the lovely city of Tirzah. Yes, as beautiful as Jerusalem, as majestic as an army with billowing banners. 5Turn your eyes away, for they overpower me. Your hair falls in waves, like a flock of goats winding down the slopes of Gilead. 6Your teeth are as white as sheep that are freshly washed. Your smile is flawless, each tooth matched with its twin. 7Your cheeks are like rosy pomegranates behind your veil. 8Even among sixty queens and eighty concubines and countless young women, 9I would still choose my dove, my perfect one—the favorite of her mother, dearly loved by the one who bore her. The young women see her and praise her; even queens and royal concubines sing her praises: 10“Who is this, arising like the dawn, as fair as the moon, as bright as the sun, as majestic as an army with billowing banners?”

7:6,7 6Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealous as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. 7Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.

Focus & Fight (slide...for each line all the way through message.)

Focus…on what excites you! (slide)

Fight…for your relationship! (slide)

Invest & Ignore

Invest…time, energy, and money to feed the flame!

Ignore…the little things that drive you apart!

Remember & Release

Remember…the story of how God brought you together!

Release…hurts that build walls around your heart!

Enjoy & Embrace

Enjoy…marital pleasure early and often!

Embrace…marital passion as a way of life!

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Joshua 4 1Now it came about when all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan, that the LORD spoke to Joshua, saying, 2“Take for yourselves twelve men from the people, one man from each tribe, 3and command them, saying, ‘Take up for yourselves twelve stones from here out of the middle of the Jordan, from the place where the priests’ feet are standing firm, and carry them over with you, and lay them down in the lodging place where you will lodge tonight.’” 4So Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the sons of Israel, one man from each tribe; 5and Joshua said to them, “Cross again to the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan, and each of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Israel. 6“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”

What We’ve Learned So Far: Week #1: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God. Week #2: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything. Week #3: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep. Week #4: Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

The Word “Confession” In Greek: Homo Logeo. SAME SPEAK - Speak The Same As God / Agree With God

A Prophetic Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life!

From The Soul’s Code, by James Hillman There is more in a human life than our theories of it allow. Sooner or later something seems to call us onto a particular path. You may remember this “something” as a signal moment in childhood when an urge out of nowhere, a fascination, a peculiar turn of events struck like an annunciation: This is what I must do. This is what I’ve got to have. This is who I am… (video LAURA https://youtu.be/SBQJw3SYQ58)

So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

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Week #3: Message Bottom Line - My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

Key Verse: But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man. The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

MY ONE WORD: ONE WORD forces CLARITY. I am amazed at how clear something can seem while it is in my head until when I try to explain it to someone else. Articulation has a way of dissipating fog like nothing else. ONE WORD focuses EFFORT. Instead of trying to do everything, your one word is going to help you narrow your focus, so your efforts will be effective. [scott smith video] Review: Week #1: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God. Week #2: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything. Week #3: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

HOMEWORK: List of CHARACTERISTICS: List 10-15 words, then narrow it down to just one. What impact will each ‘word’ have on the way you see your life? RESIST Making Promises: Instead, see the ‘word’ from God in your life that makes you dependent, not committed. FOCUS on What you SEE: This is a process. Simply, get into a position to see Christ at work deeply and intimately in your heart through your ‘word’!

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,19and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. Ephesians 1:18, 19

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One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life. Psalm 27:4

Bottom Line: Do SOMETHING About One Thing, Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS: They Are Too Vague: “I want to be in better shape!”

Does this mean touching your toes or running a marathon? They Are Too Shallow: “I want to be a better person!”

Better than who? Looking Around = Comparison Looking Inside = Character! There Are Too Many: “The one who aims at everything hits nothing.”

What one thing If you only had one month to live?

What one word on your tombstone?

FINDING YOUR WORD: Get Specific: What kind of person do you hope to be by the end of 2016? Describe the characteristics of that person and the condition of their heart! Write every word down. Group and order them. Resist Regret: This year’s resolutions are often last year’s regrets.

Don’t promise not to be what you’ve always been. Stay Future Focused: Stay focused on the vision of the person you believe God is calling you to be. There is no need to rush. Pray 21 Days - Create your list and narrow down that list into your One Word for 2016.

The Word “Confession” In Greek = Homo Logeo: Same Speak - Speak The Same As God / Agree With God

A One Word Prophetic Confession Spoken In Agreement With God About My Life! (Della) Ezekiel 37 NLT 9Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” 10So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. 13When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the LORD. 14I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the LORD has spoken!’”

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The Moment Of 12 Midnight On New Years Day Is Perfect! Then, 12:04 Happens.

EVERYBODY WANTS TO CHANGE It is expected that 90 million Americans make New Year’s Resolutions. It is expected that 75% abandon them by February.

WHY? They Focus On The External Behaviors. They Forget About Inner Character. They Neglect The Voice Of God.

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

HOMEWORK: Read Psalm 119 and underline the word “WORD” Thy word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against Thee. Psalm 119:11 I am completely discouraged—I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. Psalm 119:25 TLB Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Thy word. Psalm 119:114 [Loudermilk ONE WORD Video]

Every Story Of Transformation Starts With A WORD From God. - 1 Samuel 3:1 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And word from the LORD was rare in those days, visions were infrequent.

Pray Samuel’s Prayer: “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Pray Your Word-Vision Prayer: “Show Me My Myself Now.” “Show Me Myself... Transformed By Your Word.” “Show Me One Word That Will Create This Vision Of Me - For You.”

FOUR PRINCIPLES FOR FOUR WEEKS: My One Word Is: A Word From GOD’S WORD That Will NAME God’s Transformation In You This Year. My One Word Is: Do Something About ONE THING, Instead Of Nothing About EVERYTHING. My One Word Is: A LENS Through Which You Will SEE, Not A PROMISE Which You Must Keep. My One Word Is: A PERSONAL ALTAR of private worship before A HOLY GOD!

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HIS PERSON Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

HIS POSSESSIONS Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalm 50:10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

HIS PLACE Heaven Is A Place Of Perfect Peace And Perpetual Praise.

He Left The Worship And Adoration Of Angels For The Cursing And Jeers Of Humanity.

HIS POWER Philippians 2 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

HE LEFT HEAVEN SO WE COULD GO TO HEAVEN.

HE WAS REJECTED SO THAT WE COULD BE RECEIVED.

HE WAS BORN IN A STABLE SO THAT WE COULD BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT.

HE BECAME A SERVANT SO WE COULD BECOME SAINTS.

HE DIED SO THAT WE COULD LIVE.

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Luke 15:8-20 (NASB 77) Shepherds, at the time of Jesus, were the Black Sheep of society. Woe is the lowly Black Sheep of the Family. He is maligned ... misunderstood ... marginalized. The Black Sheep Often Sparks Debate Among The Rest Of The Flock: Shall we include him in family gatherings? Will he finally mend his ways? How can we manage him? Maybe he has a History Of … Criminal Conduct Financial Problems Mental Illness Ongoing Conflicts with Multiple Relatives Substance Abuse Gambling or Other Addictions Unstable Relationships Long Periods of Unemployment May only differ up or down from the rest of the family in … Values & Lifestyle Professional / Educational Attainment Religious, Philosophical & Personal Values Political Affiliation

Isaiah 1:18 (NASB) “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” Isaiah 53:6 (NASB) All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

John 10:7-13 (NASB) Jesus therefore said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, beholds the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches them, and scatters them. 13He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep.”

Luke 15:4-5 (NASB) “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

Revelation 5:9 (NASB) And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

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Mathew Cotner reveals to us through the book of Ruth, who is really at the head of the table. Who is at the head of your table?

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Ruth 3:10-18 AFFIRM - The Best Flavor. 10Then he said, “May you be blessed of the LORD, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11“And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.

STOP - Know Your Place. (boundaries) 12“And now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13“Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the LORD lives. Lie down until morning.”

HONOR - Words Protect Family. (Can’t Be Taken Back.) 14So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, “Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.”

GIVE - Go Beyond Expectations. 15Again he said, “Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it.” So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. Then she went into the city. 16And when she came to her mother-in-law, she said, “How did it go, my daughter?” And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17And she said, “These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, ‘Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’”

ACT - Face Unsettled Issues. 18Then she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.”

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WHAT CAN WE DO? PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD. Ephesians 6:10-20, 24 Pray For Those Victimized By ISIS: The Attackers And The Attacked - The Muslims And Non-Muslim. Hebrews 13:3, Acts 12:1-19 Pray For Our Leaders: Defend Believers And Stop The Islamic State (I.S.). Psalm 82:4, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Pray For A Spiritual Awakening For Christ In The Muslim World. John 10:10

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Ruth 1:14-18 And they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. Then she said, “Behold, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. “Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the LORD do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

FULLY PRESENT - A COMPLETELY POSITIVE FAMILY EXPERIENCE.

Declare Your Love. Remember Your Happiest Moments.
Demote Someone From High Expectations.
Believe The Best. Disconnect Negative From Positive.
Choose Person Over Place. Go Where They Want To Go. Stay Where They Want To Stay.
Live This Holiday As If It Were Your Last.
Enjoy Them. Don't Change Them.
God Will Make Up The Difference Between What I Got And What I Needed.

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FALLBACK INTO THE LIGHT… What To Do When It ACTUALLY Rains On Your Parade!

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Casual Friends Are The Result Of Circumstances. Close Friends Are The Result Of Choices. Pastor David Rathel goes deep into 1 Corinthians 13 to allow us to ask ourselves, "Would You Want You As A Friend?'"

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Pivotal Circumstances Force Us To Look In God's Direction. 2 Kings 6:8-18

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Personal ministry positions us to experience God's power in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NASB "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves."

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In this message that Pastor David speaks, he gives you the opportunity to ask yourself, "Who has God placed in my life?". Providential Relationships allows us to hear from God through others. "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm" Proverbs 13:20

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From the series, "The Five Things God Uses to Grow Your Faith," Pastor David shares the importance of Practical Teaching in our faith walk. The insertion of God's Truth at the pivotal moment changes our lives by providing an alternative interpretation of our circumstances based in Hope.

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Imagine how different your outlook on life would be if you had absolute confidence that you were in God's hands and you couldn't lose. How would you feel and respond differently to difficulties, temptations, and even good things?

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John 20:28 "Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

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Jesus Appears, Jesus Provides, and Motivates with Love. John 21:1-17

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You Can Only Receive More Of What You're Not Afraid To Lose. Matthew 25:29

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Do not strive to achieve but relax to receive. "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven." John 3:27

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Everyone Gets God’s Promises, But Only A Few Ever Take Hold Of God’s Possession For Their Lives. And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you. Matthew 17:20

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Jesus says, "if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" [Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6].

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Pastor David shares a true story of miraculous healing and explains what it means to each of us. Impossible Faith Means turning an Impossible Problem into a Faith Goal and making your Move.

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Pastor David encourages us to break free from Doubt. Based on Joshua's declaration, "Give me that Mountain," you will be inspired to leave the entanglements of doubt behind.

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Favorite Quotes: The Giant Doors of Tomorrow's Blessing Swing on the Tiny Hinges of Today's Obedience. If you want to walk on the water, you have to get out of the boat. Faith that is Big Enough to move mountains is First Big Enough to move YOU.

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The spiritual orphan is unsure of his or her place in the family. Matthew 3:16, 17 And after being baptized, Jesus went up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him, 17and behold, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”

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Casey shares a message about taking dominion as the Church. This was a part of our Situation Room Sunday Interactive Service.

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Pastor David Rathel shares a Christian Response to the recent Supreme Court decision concerning same sex marriage. He challenges us to LOVE: L- Laws don't change hearts O-Own your own Sexual Sin V-Vow to keep your marriage vows E-Expect God's Plan for Marriage to win

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Where is God when bad things happen to good people? Pastor Howle shares God's promises in Isaiah 43 to understand our adversities.

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Pastor David explains how Israel could experience their greatest victory and greatest defeat back to back. Although we all sin, hiding our sin is a sure way to lose.

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Elijah and Elisha experienced God's power because of one simple habit- being sharpened spiritually for God's service. Pastor David Howle explains what we need to be Spiritually sharp.

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Understanding the difference between a natural man, spiritual man, and carnal man.

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Luke 19:10 NLT 10For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Zacchaeus Got Back Up When He Got Back Down. Zacchaeus Got Back Up When Jesus Came Home.

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Mary Got Back Up By Believing God's Big Plans For Her Baby's Life. Luke 1:2638 (NASB77) Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee, called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was greatly troubled at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this might be. 30And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31“And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end.” 34And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. 36“And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37“For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. Three Questions Every Child Asks: Who Loves Me? Who Accepts Me? Who Believes In Me? How Important Are Mothers? God The Father Made Sure His Son Had One. Mary Was With Him From The Cradle To The Grave And Beyond!

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“Nothing Matters More Than Knowing God's Purpose For Your Life And Nothing Can Compensate For Not Knowing It.” - Rick Warren.

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To Glorify God means to Magnify Him like a telescope magnifies an object in space and brings it closer. The reason God looks small is because I'm so far away.

1 Samuel 30:1-23

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Loyalty is the refusal to better my situation by leaving behind the people who have blessed me. Loyalty is the willingness to be changed by God into the person who can change to situation.

Rivertown Church Podcast: Recent Episodes

David Rathel

5. Wise Counsel: Mature Christian Friends And My Spiritual Authorities. Luke 7:8, 9

5. Wise Counsel: Mature Christian Friends And My Spiritual Authorities. Luke 7:8, 9

“There is no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God, and counterclaimed by Satan.” C.S. Lewis

First attack was completely directed at God’s Word.

17 …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:17

What Is Hope? Hope Is The Confident, Joyous, Expectation That... Good Is Coming!

What if a group of people discovered that they all had been given divine power?

These powers gave them infinite capacity to do good, give love to others, and change people’s lives for the better.

What if this same group of people realized that to exercise their power all they had to do was to believe God was with them and that nothing could stop them?

The only problem was that every time they used their powers, it cost them something.

The price to pay was in obedience to God’s plan for their lives, sacrifice of personal gain, destroying bad habits, and giving up anything that stood in the way of embracing and using His Power.

Do you think they would do it? Would the power to do that much good be worth such a personal price?

A better question is: Would you do it?

The fact is that God makes every one of us that offer every day.

Will you take the challenge to literally build the powerful Kingdom of God here on the earth?

Will you live your own God-Given Adventure?

1: Every Story Of TRANSFORMATION Begins With A WORD From God.

2: Do SOMETHING About ONE THING Instead Of NOTHING About Everything.

3: My One Word is a LENS through which you will SEE, not a PROMISE which you must keep.

4: Keep Your “Word From God” In FRONT of you so you won’t FORGET God’s Voice.

1. TWO NEGATIVE CHOICES FOR PRESIDENT FORCES US TO LOOK FOR POSITIVE RESULTS FROM GOD!

2. GOD CAN DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE WITH A CROOKED STICK!

3. THE PRESENCE OF SPIRITUAL DARKNESS IN THE WHITE HOUSE REVEALS THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL LIGHT IN MY HOUSE.

4. IT ONLY TAKES ONE THING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING. (Will McIvoy Quote)

5. CHANGING THE NATION FROM THE INSIDE OUT IS NOW CLEARLY OUR ONLY OPTION.

1. Demonstrate Jesus’s Power And Inject His Love Into Dark And Hardened Hearts.

2. Tackle, Or be Tackled By, Whatever Evil Problem Shows Up.

3. Get Yourself Into A Desperate Situation. Make Sure Your Back Is Against The Wall And There’s No Way Out.

4. Use Up All Your Resources, Personal Strength, And Every Answer You’ve Ever Known.

5. Notice That Some Strange New Thing, Idea, Plan, Or Person Has Shown Up. At First, You Don’t Think It’s From God.

6. Hope That God Is At Work, But Search The Scriptures And Ask Questions To Test T