Dominion Fellowship Church

Give Them Jesus

Sun, 07 Aug 2016 01:53:00 +0000

Introduction

THE WORK CONTINUES
Acts 13 : 1 – 3    NKJV
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

A RESULT of the Believer's corporate fasting and praying is NEW ASSIGNMENTS. (vv. 4 – 5)
You have been CALLED to the work - Prophets and teachers (verse 1) (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers – Ephesians 4 : 11)

Acts 13 : 4 – 5    NKJV
Preaching in Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.

Your NEW ASSIGNMENTS are designed for success. (vv. 6 – 12)
God will ensure that you arrive at the destinations of your assignments. God will ensure that you have the necessary help needed to fulfill His Will.

Acts 13 : 6 – 12    NKJV
6 Now when they had gone through the island[fn] to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Your NEW ASSIGNMENTS will require you to FIGHT.
Your path will be intersected or invaded by the enemies of the church.

In order to firmly establish this expansion – an expansion that would be carried by Jews who had been culturally and religiously trained to not intermingle with Gentile “dogs,” God had to RETEACH / REINDOCTRINATE the Jewish Church Leaders and evangelists about God’s view of Gentiles and Jewishness in the New Age of GRACE.

Body

TRANSITION: God had to TEACH His Jewish and Non-Jewish Sons that:

1) God Always Provides The Opportunity (SPACE and PLACE) to Fulfill His Assignment (vv. 13 – 15)

Acts 13 : 13 – 15 (NKJV)
At Antioch in Pisidia
13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”

TRANSITION: God had to TEACH His Jewish and Non-Jewish Sons to:

2) Be Who God Has Made You (In Order) to Fulfill His Assignment (vv. 16 – 41)

The Apostle Paul had become a PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL (primary calling)

Acts 13 : 16 – 41 (NKJV)
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel[fn] chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David[fn] the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’[fn] 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—[fn] 24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’[fn]
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:
‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’[fn]
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’[fn]
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘Behold, you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”[fn]

TRANSITION: God had to TEACH His Jewish and Non-Jewish Sons to:

3) EMBRACE Those That EMBRACE GOD (vv. 42 – 47)

Acts 13 : 42 – 47 (NKJV)
Blessing and Conflict at Antioch
42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue,[fn] the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”[fn]

There are a set of unbelievers in the world who are saying WE WANT JESUS, We must GIVE THEM JESUS.

Conclusion

We GROW When The Word of God SPREADS.

Acts 13 : 48 – 52 (NKJV)
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer AND Works

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:35:00 +0000

From the desk of Pastor Jackson: What is the universal church's responsibility in a world and in countries where mass shootings and killings are increasing in frequency, becoming more commonplace? The Church of Jesus Christ must be an advocate for the safety of all citizens, all human beings. It is a blessing for all law-abiding citizens to have the "Right to bear arms" in our country, the United States of America. This constitutional right and others should not be stretched and interpreted to include privileges and preferences that exceed the basic principles that underlie those rights. The Holy Bible states that the leaders who govern the affairs of the land are God's ministers (Romans 13:1-7). Our elected and appointed leaders are ministers, servants who are charged with ensuring justice, order, and general well-being for the people. It is our Christian and civic duty to address leaders that are failing to ensure justice, order, and general well-being for the people. Our participation in the process must go well beyond prayer. Christian prayer reflects confidence in God AND a responsibility to carry out God's Word. The general public's current legal access to firearms and other materials that exceed an individual's basic need to protect themselves and hunt must be amended. The general public must never lose the right to bear arms. It is a core part of each person's ability to ensure their own safety and protection from tyranny. Wise and common sense changes can and must be made to our laws to help protect lives. Pray AND Act. Contact your legislators and let them know you demand wise, common sense laws, including gun laws, that promote the well-being of the people AND protect our rights. https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

ONE LOVE

Tue, 01 Sep 2015 00:59:00 +0000

Philippians 2 : 1 – 11 NKJV

Imitating Christ’s Humility
1 Therefore 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature (fn) God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature (fn) of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

GOD intends for US – The Church – to be on ONE ACCORD
<< Acts 2 : 1 – 47 >>
GOD intends for US – The Church – to have ONE MIND & ONE MOUTH
<< Romans 15 : 1 – 6 (6) >>
GOD intends for US – The Church – to GLORIFY HIM w/ ONE Mind & Mouth
<< Romans 15 : 6 >>
GOD intends for US – The Church – to have ONE MISSION (His Will)
<< Nehemiah chapters 1 – 13 >>
AND
GOD intends for US – The Church – to follow ONE MESSAGE,
LOVE GOD and Love ONE ANOTHER
<< 1 John 3:1-22 >>

What is the Message?
1 John chapter 3 verse 11 says:
11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

Today the Lord speaks to us through His Scriptures, commanding us to LOVE WITH ONE LOVE.
LOVE is a virtue;
It something that must be taught – it is also something that must be communicated.
In the last installment of the series of sermons on the concept of ONE, we learned that
we are to BE the Message.
We are to BE the vessel that communicates and expresses God’s LOVE.

1. Be The Message – Love With Your Life                        (1 John 3 : 16)

2. Be The Message – Love With Your Possessions         (1 John 3 : 17)

3. Be The Message – Love With His Truth                        (1 John 3 : 18 – 23)

God’s Message is this: LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
-- God is LOVE.
-- You are Child of God, we are children of God.
-- Therefore, we must Have Love and Show Love.

As Blood-washed, Spirit-filled, baptized Believers, We HAVE the LOVE of God. We possess His LOVE.
1 John 4 : 15 – 16 NKJV
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (emphasis added)

As Blood-washed, Spirit-filled, baptized Believers, We SHOW the LOVE of God. We HAVE the Command and Willingness to SHOW HIS LOVE.
1 John 5 : 1 – 5 NKJV
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our (fn) faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?   (emphasis added)

It is God Himself that reveals to us that His Love is ONE LOVE.
His Love is not conditional.
His Love is not condemning.
and
His Love is not confusing.
** His Love is ONE LOVE. **

If God has saved you,
If you are a Blood-washed, Spirit-filled, baptized Believer,
Then Be LIKE GOD – Love With His ONE LOVE.
How did Jesus Christ Love With the ONE LOVE of God?
He HUMBLED HIMSELF.
In order for us as believers to Love With the ONE LOVE of God,
Then we must Be LIKE GOD, GOD THE SON, and HUMBLE OURSELVES.

HOW do we humble ourselves to love with ONE LOVE as God has called us to?
We get our minds right.

I. Have the Same Mindset
Philippians 2 : 1 - 4 (NKJV)
1 Therefore 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Share the same mindset.

The Apostle Paul says to the Church at Philippi and he also says to us today:
-- You share unity.
-- You share the encouragement of belonging – being united with Jesus.
-- You share the comfort you receive from the Love of Jesus Christ.
-- You share the blessing of having hearts that are tender and compassionate,
-- You should share the SAME MINDSET.

God says to us today through the Apostle Paul,
-- You share the benefits of salvation – being ONE with God.
-- But this sharing is only one part of picture of the abundant life lived after the moment of salvation.

The Apostle Paul says this in verse 2, “Complete my joy by being likeminded…”
-- You share the benefits of salvation – being ONE with God.
-- You must share the responsibilities of salvation – being ONE with God.

We naturally share the benefits of salvation together.
But we must decide to share in ways that do not occur in us naturally.
We must decide to share in ways that require intentional energy and effort.
-- You share the SAME Mindset (beginning with verse 2)
   -- Sharing in the SAME Love.
-- Sharing in the SAME Spirit.
-- Sharing with the SAME Mind.
-- Value others above yourself (verse 3)Prioritize the interests of others (verse 4)
-- This mindset is the mind you have been given as a disciple in Jesus Christ.

Get your mind right.
It is impossible to love as ONE BODY with more than ONE MIND.

II. Have the Same Mindset as Christ
Philippians 2 : 5 - 11 (NKJV)
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature (fn) God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature (fn) of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!

In our relationships with each other, the Apostle Paul commands us to strive to focus our minds with intentionality the way Jesus did.
-- Jesus intentionally “emptied himself” (position, self-will, self-motives, self-preservation (verse 7)
-- Jesus intentionally took on the form of a slave (verse 7)
-- Jesus intentionally made himself to live in a lesser form - human (verse 8)
-- Jesus intentionally humbled Himself (verse 8)
-- Jesus intentionally obeyed God’s will which resulted in His humiliation and death (verse 8)

Jesus did all of this with the ONE Mindset to LOVE as God commanded Him.
Jesus LOVES with ONE MIND.
Jesus LOVES with ONE LOVE.

Get your mind right.
It is impossible to love as ONE BODY with more than ONE MIND.
The Mindset that Jesus has produces the GLORY OF GOD.

III. The Same Mind Glorifies God
Philippians 2 : 5 - 11 (NKJV)
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Mindset of Jesus Christ,
The Mindset we have been commanded to possess after being saved by God,
This Mindset brings glory to God.

Get your mind right.
It is impossible to love as ONE BODY with more than ONE MIND.

The Assignment

Wed, 01 Jul 2015 14:01:00 +0000

GOD intends for US – The Church – to GLORIFY HIM – Carrying Out the Commandments He Gave Us.
His Commandments Are OUR ASSIGNMENT.

What is Your Church’s Assignment?
What is YOUR Assignment?

Nehemiah chapter 1 => THE ASSIGNMENT is Revealed With A REPORT.

REPORT
Nehemiah 1 : 1 – 3 (NKJV)
Nehemiah Prays for His People
1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah.
It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan (fn) the citadel, 2 that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” (emphasis underlining added)

Nehemiah chapter 1 => THE ASSIGNMENT is Received By REPENTANCE (Prayer).

REPENTANCE
Nehemiah 1 : 4 – 11 (NKJV)
4 So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
5 And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You (fn) and observe Your (fn) commandments, 6 please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.7 We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. 8 Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; (fn) 9 but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ (fn) 10 Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. 11 O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” For I was the king’s cupbearer. (emphasis underlining added)

Nehemiah chapter 2 => The Assignment is Fulfilled by THE Righteous One (God).

Nehemiah chapter 2 => The Assignment is Fulfilled with FAVOR – The Favor of God and
Favor with Humans.

God supernaturally provided everything the Israelites needed to return to their homeland. God gave the Israelites favor with King Artaxerxes. In Ezra chapter 7, King Artaxerxes gives the decree for the Jewish people to return home and he also informs the rest of his empire to accommodate Jews with their return journey and the rebuilding of the temple. Nehemiah had to RISK his position as the king's cupbearer in order to obtain favor for God's people, the favor supernaturally provided God.

RISK
Nehemiah 2 : 1 – 8 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. 2 Therefore the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This is nothing but sorrow of heart.”
So I became dreadfully afraid, 3 and said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?”
4 Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”
So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5 And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
6 Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), “How long will your journey be? And when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
7 Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River,(fn) that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple,(fn) for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me. (emphasis underlining added)

God’s FAVOR is a Reward of FAITH in Him.

REWARD
Nehemiah 2 : 9 – 20 (NKJV)
9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. 10 When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official (fn) heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.
<< Nehemiah Views the Wall of Jerusalem >>
11 So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. 12 Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode. 13 And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire. 14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass. 15 So I went up in the night by the valley, and viewed the wall; then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I had done; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or the others who did the work.
17 Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me.
So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”
20 So I answered them, and said to them, “The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.”

What Appears to be a Risk (YOUR ENEMIES) is Actually A Reward.

-- Your enemies can not defeat you as long as you are faithful to God.

-- They laugh at you initially because they may view you as a slave.

-- They laugh at you initially because they have only seen you as subordinate, in submission to different POWERS that control every aspect of your life.

-- Psalm 23:4-6 (5) | REWARD
4 Yea, 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell (fn) in the house of the LORD Forever.

God’s Assignment Has REWARDS!

STRATEGY for the Assignment
-- Get to WORK – NO Delay (Nehemiah chapters 3 – 6)
-- Delegate POWER and AUTHORITY (Nehemiah chapter 7)
-- Reestablish God’s Law as Supreme (Nehemiah chapters 8 – 10).

Unarmed & Unguarded

Sun, 12 Apr 2015 11:49:00 +0000

Matthew 9 : 35 – 38 NKJV
The Compassion of Jesus
(Luke 10:2, 3 )
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.(fn) 36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary(fn) and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Introduction

Security is found in LOVE.

Spouses FEEL more secure than Single Adults because they have a greater sense of protection or security through the commitment of their spouses to LOVE THEM FOR LIFE.

Children of households with two (2) parents FEEL more secure emotionally, socially, and relationally than children with one (1) or no parents. In general they are receiving more parental attention and love than if they only had one (1) parent.
Decades of scientific research bear out the truth that these children achieve more and are more fulfilled in their adult life than children with one (1) or no parents.

Security is found in LOVE.

Citizens of developed nations with a robust economy and military infrastructure FEEL more secure than citizens of less developed nations with underdeveloped economies and less stable military infrastructure.

The first group feels secure because they can take care of themselves without being subservient or slaves to another nation or nations.

The first group feels secure because they believe that their military keeps their borders safe and protects their interests AND is capable of defeating any and all foes that may choose to attack them.

Like love, these citizens have chosen to cooperate as a group of people for a common goal – security/preservation. You take of me and I will take care of you – You look out for me and I will look out for you.

Security is found in LOVE.
But,
In this imperfect world, there are those who are not secure.
In this imperfect world, there are those who are EXPOSED.
In this imperfect world, there are those who are WEARY.
In this imperfect world, there are those who are UNCOVERED.

Jesus saw humanity and the state we would devolve down to when SIN entered our experience.
Jesus saw humanity and knew we would NEED MINISTRY.
Jesus saw humanity and knew we would NEED HIS LOVE.

----------

Jesus saw humanity BEFORE the World was created.

Jesus saw humanity and knew we would NEED HIS LOVE.
Jesus saw humanity and knew we would NEED HIS MINISTRY.
When Jesus completed His Assignment on the earth, he charged us, THE CHURCH, with carrying out HIS MINISTRY.
- - -
Matthew 28:18-20   The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore (fn) and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.(fn)
- - -
John 14:12 Greater Works
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

The World receives HIS LOVE Through HIS BODY, The Body of Christ, THE CHURCH.
Jesus has supplied the LOVE and the BLUEPRINT for meeting the needs of humanity.
- - -

TRANSITION: Jesus gives us the Blueprint for Ministry.

Body

I. Minister the LOVE OF GOD With WORDS (Matthew 9 v. 35)
Matthew 9 : 35 (NKJV)
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.(fn)

He (Jesus) ministered the LOVE OF GOD with The WORDS of God The Father.
- - -
John 12 : 49
“For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak.
- - -
John 14 : 10
“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
- - -
TRANSITION:
We SPEAK the Words given to us by God – The GOSPEL of the Kingdom (His LOVE)
We SPEAK the Words given to us by God – HEALING Upon the People (His LOVE)
We SPEAK the Words given to us by God, and We SPEAK them with POWER.

II. Minister the LOVE OF GOD With POWER (Matthew 9 v. 35)
Matthew 9 : 35 (NKJV)
35 Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (fn)

He (Jesus) ministered the LOVE OF GOD with POWER.

He (Jesus) ministered the LOVE OF GOD with AUTHORITY.

People confessed Jesus as The Messiah, and their sins were forgiven them (DIVINE POWER).

People believed on Jesus as The Messiah, and they were added to the Family of God (DIVINE AUTHORITY).

People received the Power of God for HEALING, and they were healed AND made whole (DIVINE POWER and AUTHORITY).

TRANSITION:

Jesus Ministered the LOVE of God With WORDS.
Now we can minister the LOVE of God With WORDS.

Jesus Ministered the LOVE of God With POWER.
Now we can minister the LOVE of God With POWER.

AND

Jesus Ministered the LOVE of God With COMPASSION.
Now we can minister the LOVE of God With COMPASSION.

III. Minister the LOVE OF GOD With COMPASSION (Matthew 9 v. 36)
Matthew 9 : 35 (NKJV)
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary (fn) and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

We serve God by SERVING PEOPLE.
We love God by LOVING PEOPLE.
The God of ALL IS LOVE.
Everything He does is With Love.
His Judgments are WITH LOVE.
His Mercies are WITH LOVE.
God is FULL of COMPASSION. God FEELS what we feel.
More importantly, God SEES US. He SEES the Real Person on the Inside.

TRANSITION:

Jesus Ministered the LOVE of God With COMPASSION.
Now we can minister the LOVE of God With COMPASSION.

And this COMPASSION is given by God not to FEEL SORRY for people.

This COMPASSION is given by God not to be SYMPATHETIC for people.
This COMPASSION is given by God to be EMPATHETIC towards people.
To FEEL What They FEEL, to Remember that YOU were weary and scattered.

This COMPASSION is given by God to die to self and be used by God

TO COVER people lost without a Shepherd.

To COVER the Unarmed and COVER the Unguarded.

Conclusion

IV. Minister the LOVE OF GOD With HIS COMMISSION (Matthew 9 vv. 37 – 38)
Matthew 9 : 37 – 38 (NKJV)
37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Commission (definition)
a : a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties

PRAY TO GOD

** To Send the Commissioned

** To Help Us Be About HIS Business (Salvation of souls through Jesus Christ)

** To Arm the Unarmed with HIS Word

** To Guard the Unguarded with HIS Presence

Ephesians 6 : 10 – 18   The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, (fn) against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

LOVE: It's Who I AM

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 22:30:00 +0000

1 John 4 : 17 – 19 NKJV
The Consummation of Love
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.19 We love Him (fn) because He first loved us.

1 John 4 : 17 – 19 NLT
17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other (fn) because he loved us first.

Our Heavenly Father wants us to KNOW HIM.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is PERFECT.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is MESSIAH.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is LIGHT.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is TRUTH.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is CREATOR.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is LORD.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is JUDGE.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is PROVIDER.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is LIFE.
He wants us – His Children – to know that He is LOVE.

This morning God says to us His Children that we are NOT FATHERLESS.
He says to us that we are NOT Spiritual Orphans.
He says to us that we are NOT Unloved.

He says to us that we are NOT Rejected.
He says to us that we are NOT Meaningless.
He says to us this morning that we are His and that HE LOVES US.

This simple yet profound statement reveals the HEART of God.
“we are His and HE LOVES US.”

In our search to understand our existence –

how we came to be,who we are, andwho we are becoming –we tend to focus on the subject, US, instead of The Sovereign, God.

In our search to understand our existence –
how we came to be,who we are, andwho we are becoming –we tend to emphasize our environment, THE WORLD, instead of The Emmanuel, God With Us.

When our focus and emphasis is SELF-CENTERED,
When our focus and emphasis makes US the CENTER of Our UNIVERSE,
We fail to receive the revelation God has already given us in His Word.
Yes, His Word says that He made us.
Yes, His Word says that He nurtures us.
Yes, His Word says that He has redeemed us.
But that does not seem to be enough WORD to satisfy our inquisitive souls.
So we keep searching, trying to figure out:
how we came to be,who we are, andwho we are becoming –In all of our searching, God tells us TODAY that in order to know:
how we came to be,who we are, andwho we are becoming –We must KNOW The One who made us first.

I did not fully know Derrick Jackson until I began to study John Jackson, my father.
I did not fully know Derrick Jackson until I began to study Rosemary Worship, my mother.
When I began to study MY PARENTS - not just observe them, not just be in their presence, and not just hang out with them - then I began to truly know Derrick.

We can not fully understand who we are, who we have been, and who we are becoming until we KNOW our Heavenly Father.
And the beauty of this journey, the beauty of this SEARCH for ANSWERS is that God WANTS US TO KNOW HIM.

His lesson for us today is SIMPLE: GOD IS LOVE.
I want you to KNOW, says the Lord, that GOD IS LOVE.

GOD IS LOVE – His Love Is Forever
1 John 4 : 17
17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

We are BOLD and CONFIDENT in God because his Love abides in us and with us FOREVER.
God is Eternal. His LOVE is ETERNAL.
His Love makes us SECURE because His Love is FOREVER.
His Love makes us SECURE because His Love is LIBERTY.

GOD IS LOVE – His Love Is Liberty
1 John 4 : 18
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

We have the PERFECT LOVE of GOD.
We have the LIBERTY TO LIVE FULLY IN GOD.
“Love Can Not Exist in an Atmosphere Without Freedom”
– quote from Christian Psychiatrist Timothy R. Jennings, Ph.D.
His Love makes us SECURE because His Love is FOREVER.
His Love makes us SECURE because His Love is LIBERTY.
His Love makes us SECURE because His Love is Unconditional.

GOD IS LOVE – His Love Is Unconditional
1 John 4 : 19
19 We love Him (fn) because He first loved us.

Who loved you before You could love yourself?
Who loved them before they could love you?
1 John chapter 4 verses 10 & 11
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

We are rapidly headed toward the day when we will stand before God in judgment.
Like you, I want to be READY.
Remember, each day...CLASS IS IN SESSION.

God wants us to grow in the knowledge and experience of HIS LOVE.
God wants us to pass the test.
Here’s is the answer to your Spiritual High School Exit Exam:
“GOD IS LOVE”

It is the foundation upon which everything in our Life With God is built.

My Fight | God's Battle - Part 1

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 09:00:00 +0000

1 Samuel 17 : 1 – 11

David and Goliath

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh (sō kō’) and Azekah (az·ā·kä'), in Ephes Dammim (eh'·fes dam·mēm'). 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them.
4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 7 Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. 8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. (pronunciations added)

INTRODUCTION

2 Chronicles 20 : 15
And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (emphasis added)

This Word of God has spoken to generations of God’s people who have trusted him to do the impossible in their lives. King Jehoshaphat feared the attack of a great enemy, but sought the Lord regarding the actions that nation of Israel should take. In the midst of the people King Jehoshaphat declared God’s power over the enemy. God spoke to his people through one of his priests, Jahaziel, reassuring them victory (2 Chronicles 20:15).

Life requires us to fight.
We must fight our enemies – The enemies of our nation, the enemies of our family, the enemies of our soul.
** In the spirit realm, which is far more significant than the experiences we encounter in the natural realm, we must rely upon God to fight the battle.

Every battle has a scene in which the battle occurs.

The Scene of the Battle
VERSE 1 – 1 Samuel 17
Shochoh

pronounced sō kō’ ; meaning: “hedge” “bush” “bushy” (H7755)
Town Located in Judah (“praise”)

Azekah

pronounced az·ā·kä' ; meaning: “dug over” “broken up” (H5825)
Town Located in Judah (“praise”)

EphesDammim

pronounced eh'·fes dam·mēm' ; meaning: “edge of blood” (H658)
Town Located in Judah (“praise”)
Located 16 miles (25 km) southwest of Jerusalem (“city of peace”)

VERSE 2 – 1 Samuel 17
Elah

pronounced ā·lä' ; meaning: “an oak” (H425)
Town Located in Judah (“praise”)

The enemy sets up camp, a temporary home, NEAR the place of battle.
The enemy sets up camp, a temporary home, IN YOUR LAND.
God’s people set up camp at the place of battle (The Valley of Elah).

The Enemy and God’s People are set up on opposing mountains, ready to do battle.

The Enemy perceives that he has the superior force and the superior power and threatens the people of God.

How can the world (forces of darkness) believe that it is more powerful than the people of God?
1) The world is deceived by its ability to win.
2) The world has believed the lies of the wicked one who says there is NO God.
3) The world has not seen the power of God fully in action LATELY.
** King Saul disobeyed the Word of the Lord in battle in 1 Chronicles Chapter 15, and God rejected him and his kingship.

A true enemy can detect weakness.
A true enemy waits for his opportunity to attack you in a moment of vulnerability.

The people of God APPEARED TO BE VULNERABLE because the king who they asked God to give them had the Spirit of God (His Anointing) taken from him. (1 Chronicles 16 : 14).

MESSAGE

WE WILL BE CHALLENGED BY OUR ENEMIES.
The enemy challenges God’s people three (3) ways.

1. His Warrior Record

1 Samuel 17 verse 8
8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me.

2. His Warrior Plan

1 Samuel 17 verse 9
9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.”

3. His Warrior Contempt of Their Fighting Power

1 Samuel 17 verse 10
10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

CONCLUSION

Question: WHAT WILL OUR RESPONSE BE to the Challenges of Our Enemies?

A CAUTIONARY TALE - A WARNING

In 1 Samuel chapter 15, King Saul did not utterly destroy the enemy as God instructed him to.
1 Samuel chapter 15 verses 1 - 9
1 Samuel also said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the LORD. 2 Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. 3 Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
4 So Saul gathered the people together and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men of Judah. 5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.
6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. 7 And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8 He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed.

Their Warrior Response

1 Samuel 17 verse 11
11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

The King (King Saul) reacts with fear.
The People of God (The Nation) react with fear.
No one reacts with humility before God.
Do they trust in His Divine Power?

2014: The Year of Uncovering

Sun, 05 Jan 2014 09:00:00 +0000

Mark 4 : 21 – 25
Light Under a Basket
(reference Luke 8:16–18 )
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

INTRODUCTION

You Are God’s LAMPSTAND

God has set us in HIGH Places

Ephesians 4 : 4 – 6
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Psalm 18 : 31 – 34
31 For who is God, except the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places.
34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

God has set us in SECURE Places

Psalm 40 : 1 – 3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

WHY?

To SET HIS LIGHT SOURCE (Jesus Christ) upon us and in us to SHINE in the darkness of this World.
Mark 4 : 21
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
A LAMP is not an ornament. It’s Purpose is not to Provide ENTERTAINMENT
A LAMP is a TOOL. It’s Purpose is to be a PROBLEM SOLVER.

What is the problem that is being solved?

The Consuming Presence of Darkness in the spirit.
Genesis 1 : 1 – 3 (v. 2)
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light

In nature, there is a BALANCE of Light and Darkness, preserving the cycle of life.
In the spirit, there is an ATTRACTION to Darkness but a NEED for Light.

John 3 : 19 – 21
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

MESSAGE

A. The World Can Not Hide

Mark chapter 4 verse 22
22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.

HIDDEN things will be REVEALED by the Light.
SECRET things will be MADE KNOWN by the Light.

B. The LIGHT Can Not Be Stopped

Mark chapter 4 verse 23
23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Hear: Greek word akouō (ä-kü'-ō) meaning “to attend to, consider what is or has been said”
The second word “hear": in the verse is in the imperative mood, meaning do it now –

HEAR NOW, LISTEN NOW, CONSIDER IT NOW.
It = The Word of God (The Gospel of Jesus Christ)

Transition: This year, 2014, is the Year of Uncovering. We can rejoice in what this means for the saints.

CONCLUSION

Mark 4 : 24 – 25
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Discern what the Lord is saying.
If you receive the message of God as being TRUE, you will be received.
If you reject the message of God as FALSE, then the fractional truth you do believe in will be lost through your unbelief.

The Faith and Confidence of those who are in right relationship with God WILL BE SEEN.
The Unbelief and Rejection of God's Truth in those who deny the Reality and Power of God in their lives WILL ALSO BE SEEN.

God Wants It All

Tue, 17 Sep 2013 23:09:18 +0000

The God of the Bible reveals His Nature in a myriad of ways. One of the most common revelations of God known to humanity is His identity as The Creator God. Millions of people are familiar with the Biblical account of the creation of the earth, its inhbitants, and the heavenlies. This widely known account is found in the Bible in the book of Genesis chapters 1 and 2. As the Creator of humankind, God possesses a unique position to require that we live our lives "for Him". His position as Creator affirms His claim of ownership of everything that He has "made", i.e. the heavenlies, the earth, you and I. As Creator, God rightfully and righteously exercises His Sovereign right of ownership of our lives, our space, and everything connected to us.

Fortunately God is not a tyrant, a dictator, or a bully. The Bible reveals that GOD IS LOVE. We find evidence of this truth in New Testament scripture in 1 John chapter 4:
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (emphasis added) 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (NKJV)

God's Love (agape) is revealed through the gift of salvation in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ and is ALSO expressed by His blessing of FREE WILL He has given to every person. Humanity has never been forced to choose God, His Will, and His Word. We have always been given the gift of choice. In His infinite wisdom and love, God also gave humans clear instructions (Genesis chapter 2 verses 15-17) and revelation regarding the consequences of choosing or rejecting Him (Deuteronomy chapter 28 all (accepting v. 1-14 | rejecting v.15-64)) (John chapter 3 verses 16-21) (Acts chapter 13 verses 46-52).

"God Wants It All"

** God has lovingly given us everything. As Creator God, God has given us life, love (agape), gifts, talents, abilities, human relationships, opportunity, and resources.

2 Peter 1 : 2 - 4
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJV)

** God has ALSO given humanity His blueprint for life on earth and life in eternity with Him.

Deuteronomy 6 : 1 - 9
1 “Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (NKJV)

Titus 2 : 11 - 14
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (NKJV)

"God Deserves It All - All That We Are and All That We Have"

** God gave His Best Gift - Jesus Christ - when we were undeserving of the gift of eternal life with God.

Romans 5 : 6 - 11
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (NIV)

** God knows your heart. He knows what you need and what you need to let go.

Mark 10 : 17 - 22
17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”fn
20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

According to the Word of God, the Holy Bible, God is our Creator and Redeemer. Since God made us and knows us (even our secrets faults within), we should GIVE HIM OUR ALL and live according to His Word and Wisdom found in His eternal Word, the Holy Bible.

Daily Prayer

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 15:11:00 +0000

DAILY PRAYER

GREETING

Good New Day God! I rejoice that You have blessed me to experience (and not simply see or witness) another day in the Kingdom of God on Earth!

AFFIRMATION OF GOD OUR FATHER AND GOD THE SON

You are MY God.
You are MY Heavenly Father. (Matthew 6:9; John 1:12-14, 20:17)
Your Son, Jesus Christ, is MY Lord, MY Savior, MY Master, and MY King; He is MY High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14)
Your Holy Spirit, He is MY Guide, MY Intercessor, He is YOUR Righteousness in me, He is MY Teacher, He Is MY PARTNER. (Ephesians 5:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:7; John 7:37-39; Romans 8:26; Luke 12:8-12; John 14:16)

Thank you for giving ME your ultimate gift – the sacrifice of your only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for mankind to be restored back into relationship with You, God the Father, through God the Son-Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-17; 3:35-36)

Thank you for raising Him from the dead on the third day with all power. (Matthew 28:18; Mark 9:31; Luke 24:1-7)

Thank you that upon salvation I was regenerated (revived/brought back to life), my soul being made alive with the same resurrection power that you raised Jesus from the dead. (John 5:25-27; Romans 8:9-11)

You have all power and all things (including all power) you have given to Your Son. (John 3:35-36)

AFFIRMATION OF THE SANCTITY OF GOD'S NAME

Your name, Jehovah, is worthy to be praised. (1 Chronicles 29:10–13; Psalm 150)

1 Chronicles 29 : 10 – 13
10 Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: “Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, And You are exalted as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. 13 “Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.

You are MY Covenant God, and You have never broken any of Your Promises to me. (2 Peter 3:9)

2 Peter 3 : 9
The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Thank You for being the ultimate Promise Keeper. (Deuteronomy 7: 9–10)

The name of Your Son, Jesus, is above every name (Philippians 2:1-11(10-11)); that at the name of Jesus Christ, every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, that He is Lord.

Affirmation of the Authority of God (Dominion of God – KINGDOM)

Thank you for creating me to help further build YOUR Kingdom. (Daniel 7:13-27; Matthew 6:10,13,33; 9:35; 13:1-52; 16:19)

I am a part of Your Kingdom; I am a citizen in YOUR Kingdom; I am YOUR son; You are MY King, and You Rule Over MY Life. (Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

1 Peter 2 : 9 - 10
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

You Have the Authority to do with my life whatsoever You choose to do at any given time. (Job 1:6-22; John 1:12-13)

John 1 : 12 - 13
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

You Have the Authority to do whatsoever You choose to do at any given time with anything or anyone on Earth or in Heaven (Daniel 4:33-35); And I submit today to your Rule, Dominion, and Power.

Your kingdom will spread and grow in influence and addition of souls today. (Matthew 6:10)

Your Church will increase in salinity as the “Salt of the Earth”, positively and spiritually influencing the world. (Matthew 5:13)

I affirm Your Will to destroy evil works and evildoers; I also pray for your mercy upon those for whom Christ gave His life a ransom (Psalm 109; Matthew 6:10; John 3:17, Romans 9:18-24 (22))

AFFIRMATION OF THE WILL OF GOD

Your Will, O God, is perfect and true. There is no fault (no imperfection) in Your Will and Your Order. (Romans 8:23-28(27); chap. 9 (all))

Romans 9 : 14 – 18
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

EXPECTATIONS OF GOD AS MY SHEPHERD

Thank you for providing food, clothing, and shelter for me today.

Your Word tells me in I Timothy 6:8 to be content with food (a sufficient supply of food) and clothing.

Your Word tells me in Psalm 23:1 to affirm you as My Shepherd and have confidence in Your complete care of me.

AFFIRMATION OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS OF SIN

Thank you for your forgiveness of sin. I personally thank You for choosing to display your great and mighty power towards me through your longsuffering patience (forbearance) and not your wrath. (2 Peter 3:9)

2 Peter 3 : 9
The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

I ask for forgiveness of my sins, as Your Word has revealed that You have the power to forgive sin (Matthew 9:5-6). You alone, O God, are able to forgive the offense and penalty of sin. Humans are able to forgive themselves for the offense of THEIR sins committed personally against God, themselves and others and the offense of the sins of others committed against them.

Today I forgive those who sin against me, that I may be forgiven, as Your Word has revealed that I have the responsibility and right to forgive others for trespasses against me (Matthew 6:14-15)
I also forgive those who are my enemies and those people who are the enemies of the church
(Matthew 6:12)

More importantly, today I forgive myself for any sin against You, Your Word, others, and myself. It would be ridiculous to receive Your Forgiveness and not forgive myself. (Matthew 6:14-15)

AFFIRMATION OF GOD'S AUTHORITY OVER EVIL

Today I affirm the truth that You, Jehovah, are holy.
– You are infinitely above and separate from evil and sin. (Leviticus 19:2)
– You are the source of holiness. (Leviticus 19:2)

Your holiness complements your authority over evil.

Leviticus 19 : 2
"Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God [am] holy."

You possess and You are the Supreme Authority over evil.
– You are the Supreme Judge of evil and sin. (Genesis 3:14-24; Psalm 109)
– You are infinitely above evil and sin. (Leviticus 19:2)
– All mankind, demons, satan, and death will be judged by You. (Revelation 20:11-14)
– All mankind and demonic spirits, satan, and death are subject to You. (Isaiah 14:12-14; Matthew 4:1-11, 8:29, 28:18-20; Romans 9:20-24; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; Philippians 2:10-11)

AFFIRMATION OF GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY

The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to YOU.

The Kingdom of Earth belongs to YOU.

ALL POWER belongs to YOU  (Revelation 4:11)
ALL GLORY belongs to YOU  (Revelation 4:11)
ALL HONOR belongs to YOU  (Revelation 4:11)
FOREVER.

DECLARATIONS

I profess your power in every area of my life and I profess my commitment to growth in these areas:

1) I will handle my afflictions in a godly way, knowing that Good Shepherd afflicts with purpose. (Job 5:17; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Hebrews 12:11)

2 Corinthians 4 : 17
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory,

2) I will maturely manage moments and conquer my emotions. (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 6:45; Romans 8:12–17; Ephesians 4:26–31; James 1:19–27)

James 1 : 19 - 27
19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

3) I will consistently follow through with decisions and complete God-given objectives. (Genesis 41:45-57; Proverbs 16:9, 19:21, 24:30-34; Matthew 25:1-30, 26:39-44; Luke 14:25-33; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:2-8)

Proverbs 19 : 20 – 21
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. (NKJV)

Proverbs 24 : 30 – 34
30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32 Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction. 33 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34 So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. (KJV)

PRAYER

More than my doing, Your Word emphasizes my being. TODAY:

I am a TRUE BELIEVER in You, O God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:6,15,16; 4:5; 6:3; Luke 20:37)

I am holy (I Peter 1:1-25 (1:16); Leviticus 20:7)

I am righteous (Romans 1:16-32 (17); Revelation 22:11)

I am transformed (Romans 12:1-2)

I am Your son (Romans 8:13-19; **Galatians 4:1-8)

I am loving (Matthew 5:43, 22:37-40; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:10; Ephesians 5:25-33; James 2:8)

I am loyal (I Kings 19:18)

I am happily married (Proverbs 5:18-19; Ecclesiastes 9:9; Ephesians 5:22-28)

I am a wellspring of Your Love, O God (John 7:38-39)

John 7:38-39
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing [fn7] in Him would receive; for the Holy [fn8] Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

I am Your yielded instrument/vessel--created to worship and praise YOU (James 4:7, 8)

I die daily (Luke 9:23-26; Galatians 2:20, 5:22-25)

Luke 9:23-26
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

I believe (Your Word & Works), therefore I speak Life, I speak Truth, which is Your Word, I speak Faith, I speak Affirmation of Your Word & Will, I speak Forgiveness, I speak Mercy, I speak Trust in You, O God. (Psalm 116:10; 2 Corinthians 4:13–14)

I am confident in You, O God, and in whom You are making me
I am confident in Your Word, O God, and in whom You are making me
(Confident in Your Word, which is the foundation of my life (I Corinthians 3:11; Romans 4:20–21))

I am an EXCELLENT Steward of all you have entrusted to me, O God (Matthew 25:20–21)

I am bold in Your Spirit, O God (Acts 2:14)

I am obedient (Joshua 11:15; 2 Kings 18:6; Acts 26:19)

I am merciful (Proverbs 11:17; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36)

I am forgiving (Matthew 6:14–15, 18:21-35)

I am non-judgmental (Matthew 7:1; Luke 6:37)

I am slow to wrath (anger), slow to speak (Proverbs 14:29, 16:32; James 1:19; Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 16:32) – PEACEFUL & WISE

I am fruitful in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25)

Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (kindness), goodness, faith (faithfulness), 23 meekness, temperance (self-control): Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

I am prosperous and in good health (3 John 1:2)(Deuteronomy 29:9; Nehemiah 2:20; Psalm 1:3)

I am spiritually SOBER (1 Peter 5:8-9)

I am a producer, and not just a consumer – industrious (Matthew 25:14-30; John 4:36)

I am a profitable servant leader and business owner – connecting with many people and earning significant profits in all endeavors (Matthew 25:20–21)

I am joyous, peaceful, (Galatians 5:22)

I am wealthy, wise, and prudent (Proverbs 3:5–10; Luke 21:15)

I am a godly decision-maker (Proverbs 3:5–10; Luke 21:15)

I am happy (Matthew 5:12; John 13:16–17)

I am content (Philippians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 6:6–8; Hebrews 13:5–6)

I am discerning (1 Chronicles 12:32; Matthew 16:2, 3)

I am Your representative/agent in my home, in the marketplace, in the community, and in the church PUBLICLY & PRIVATELY (Genesis 39 – 41; Psalm 1:1–3, 91 (all), 127:5; Isaiah 6:1–8; Matthew 5:13–16, 6 (all))

I am a Statesman (Job 42:10-17; Psalm 78:5-7, 101:1-8(all); Daniel 1:17-20; Ephesians 5:15-21)

I am the leader of my home and a leader within the local church and Kingdom. (Ephesians 5:22–28, 6:4; 1 Timothy 3:1–7)

There are some things that God will do and there are some things we must do.

WORK - God's Expectations

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 22:56:00 +0000

"WORK – God's Expectations "
Text: Matthew 25 : 14 – 30 NKJV

Matthew 25 : 14 – 30 NKJV | The Parable of the Talents
(see Luke 19:11–27 )
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

As a believer, You are in the construction business.

God has made you a partner in his Construction Firm.

As a partner, YOU ARE THE WORK and YOU ARE A WORKER.

Ephesians 2 : 10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

The heart of God’s Work (His Workmanship) is HIS LOVE.

His LOVE is Unconditional – but God still has expectations of His Workmanship, US.

God Expects You to Work As A Servant          (v. 14)
Matthew 25 : 1 – 3 NKJV
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.

A Servant Works at the Command of His/Her King – They work TO SERVE at the pleasure of the King.

God Expects You to be a Competent Worker          (v. 14b – 15)
Matthew 25 : 14 – 15 NKJV
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.

We Receive His Treasure (The Gospel).

We Go into the Marketplace and Community and Be Fruitful with the Treasure He has Given Us.

God Expects You to Work By Faith          (v. 15 – 18)
Matthew 25 : 15 – 18 NKJV
15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.

We Receive His Treasure (The Gospel).
God Expects Us to Go and Be Fruitful with the Treasure He has Given Us.

The Reward is Coming – The Master will return – and I will get my just reward.

God Expects You to be a Productive Worker          (v. 19)
Matthew 25 : 1 – 3 NKJV
14 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

The Master will return – and He is expecting a RETURN ON HIS INVESTMENT.

God has given much to those who believe in Him. Therefore, God expects much.

God Expects Our Work to be WORTH REWARDING          (v. 20 – 23)
Matthew 25 : 20 – 23 NKJV
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

The Bible says all of our work on earth will be tried in the FIRE to see what sort it is.

1st Corinthians chapter 3, verses 12 thru 15
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

God Expects Us to be MANAGERS          (v. 20 – 23)
Matthew 25 : 20 – 23 NKJV
20 “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ 23 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

Our Perception of and Outlook on Ministry is that of a MANAGER.

It is impossible to MANAGE anything or anyone without doing some WORK.

Our Spiritual Identity is that of a son/daughter AND priest.

1 Peter chapter 2, verses 9 & 10
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

God Expects Us to be WORKING UNTIL He Returns          (v. 24 – 28)
Matthew 25 : 24 – 28 NKJV
24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

Our work in the spiritual marketplace indicates what we think about God.
- No work shows that we do not care what God says.
- No work shows that we have an unscriptural view of God's requirement of us to be productive disciples.
- No work shows that all we did with God's message of love was hid it in our minds. (it was buried in the dirt).

The Lord of the servant called him "WICKED" and "LAZY"
- The UNPROFITABLE servant is WICKED because of what he believes about his lord and because of what he FAILS TO OBEY.
- The UNPROFITABLE servant is LAZY because of what he believes about TIME and because of what he FAILS TO DO.

The Reward is Coming – The Master will return – and we will get OUR just reward.

God Expects Us to FOCUS ON OUR OWN REWARD         (v. 29 - 30)
Matthew 25 : 29 – 30 NKJV
29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Profitable Servants receive their reward, AND the treasure of the Unprofitable servants.

God's Expectations can be fulfilled in US, because WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP.

2 Corinthians 5 : 16 – 17 NKJV
Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

When God went to work, we became NEW – In our SPIRIT, In Our SOUL, and In Our BODY.

When God went to work, He put His treasure IN us, and put us to work in His vineyard.

2 Corinthians 4 : 6 – 7 NKJV
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

WORSHIP - God Is Worth It All

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:56:00 +0000

Worship - God Is Worth It All
Bible Text: Judges 6 : 11 – 24 (20 - 21) NKJV

Judges 6:20-21 NKJV
20 The Angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay [them] on this rock, and pour out the broth." And he did so.
21 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that [was] in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

God has CREATED US TO WORSHIP.

God has CALLED US TO WORSHIP HIM in every circumstance.

Judges 6:1-6 NKJV
1 Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years, 2 and the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of the Midianites, the children of Israel made for themselves the dens, the caves, and the strongholds which are in the mountains. 3 So it was, whenever Israel had sown, Midianites would come up; also Amalekites and the people of the East would come up against them. 4 Then they would encamp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep nor ox nor donkey. 5 For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, coming in as numerous as locusts; both they and their camels were without number; and they would enter the land to destroy it. 6 So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.

WORSHIP Requires A RECOGNITION OF GOD AT WORK. (Judges 6 : 17 – 22)

Judges 6:17-22 NKJV
17 Then he said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me. 18 Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.”
And He said, “I will wait until you come back.”
19 So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them. 20 The Angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so.
21 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
22 Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face.” (emphasis added v. 22)

WORSHIP Requires A RELEASE (of Something Valuable to You) TO GOD. (Judges 6 : 20 – 21)

There Was a LACK of Food.
There was a LACK of Offerings.

Yet Gideon RELEASES that which he has risked His life to possess.
Gideon RELEASES TO GOD that which will increase his possessions and sustain Him.

Judges 6:18-21 NKJV
18 Do not depart from here, I pray, until I come to You and bring out my offering and set it before You.” And He said, “I will wait until you come back.”
19 So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them.
20 The Angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so.
21 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

WORSHIP Requires AN ALTAR. (Judges 6 : 21)

Judges 6:21 NKJV
21 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

In Old Testament times, the animal or offering that was placed on an altar in worship of the True God was CONSUMED BY FIRE. God is calling us to place ourselves on His holy altar and allow His Holy Spirit to consume us - becoming pleasing to Him.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual [fn1] act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer 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.

Give God what you know He is DUE and WORTHY OF!
Give Him you.

Your Life.
Your Will.
Your Heart.
Your Time.

We Are Not Alone

Tue, 22 May 2012 01:12:41 +0000

Disciples of Jesus Christ are never alone.
We are not alone - our Heavenly Father gave the gift of His Holy Spirit to live within us as our Comforter. God loves us so much that He does not allow those who trust in Him to live this earthly life without His Divine Presence and empowerment.

John 14 : 15 - 31 NKJV

Jesus Promises Another Helper
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

Indwelling of the Father and the Son
19 “A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.

The Gift of His Peace
25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28 You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
29 “And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me. 31 But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.

Acts 1 : 4 - 14

The Holy Spirit Promised
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power 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.”

Jesus Ascends to Heaven
(Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50–53 )
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The Upper Room Prayer Meeting
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

The Promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2 : 1 - 4

Coming of the Holy Spirit
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord [fn1] in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

We are not alone.

PNEUMATOLOGY | The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead.

The Holy Spirit is distinguished in name, form, and person from all other spirits.

- God is Spirit (John 4 : 24)
- Humans are spirit beings
- Angels are spirit beings
- Demons are spirit beings

HOWEVER, humans, demons, and angels are not THE Holy Spirit.

Jesus introduces God the Holy Spirit to His Disciples.

Jesus is so loving and meticulous in His care for you and me. He loving prepares His Disciples for the unimaginable loss of His presence by crucifixion and the miraculous re-emergence of His Presence through God the Father resurrecting Him and the Advent or Promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. (John 14 : 26)

o 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “the Helper”

- In the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV), He is "Helper"
- In the King James Version of the Bible (KJV), He is Comforter (Gr. paraklētos (pä-rä'-klā-tos) G3875; Helper/Aider/Protector)

o in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant

 of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father),

• to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and
• to give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom

- HOLY SPIRIT

o Holy (Gr. hagios (hä'-gē-os) G40; Most Holy)
o Spirit (Gr. pneuma (pnyü'-mä) G4151; Third Person of the Godhead/Trinity; coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son)

The Holy Spirit is not just a New Testament Revelation.

The Spirit of God, God the Holy Spirit, existed before Creation.

The Hebrew writers, inspired by God, used the Word “ruach” (Hb. Ruwach (rü'•akh (note “short a”) H7307; breath, wind, spirit) when referring to the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament (Hebrew Tanakh (təˈnax)), the Holy Spirit is known as:

- The Spirit of God

o Genesis 1 : 2 Spirit (Ruach) of God (Elohim) << The Godhead at the beginning of Creation >>
o Genesis 6 : 3 My (Jehovah) Spirit (Ruach) << God’s decision to destroy humanity >>
o Genesis 41 : 38 Spirit (Ruach) of God (Elohim) << Pharaoh said God’s Spirit was in Joseph >>

- The Breath of Life (Hb. Nĕshamah (nesh•ä•mä') H5397; Breath of God)

o Genesis 2 : 7
 “And the LORD 3068 God 430 formed 3335 man 120 [of] the dust 6083 of 4480 the ground 127, and breathed 5301 into his nostrils 639 the breath5397 of life 2416; and man 120 became a living 2416 soul 5315.”

Job 33 : 4
 “The Spirit 7307 of God 410 hath made 6213 me, and the breath5397 of the Almighty 7706 hath given me life 2421 .”

o Psalm 33 : 6
 Ruwach (rü'•akh (note “short a”) H7307; breath, wind, spirit
 “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” (NKJV)
 “The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.” (NLT)

The Holy Spirit :

 He is – The Spirit of God
 He is – The Breath of Life
 He is – The Helper
 He is – The Comforter
 He is – God the Holy Spirit

He is not simply a “force”, impersonal and unfeeling.
He has a mind, a will, and emotions.

The Holy Spirit can be grieved (emotions).

- And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4 : 30)

The Holy Spirit decides (mind) who will receive spiritual gifting (will).

- The question is not can the Holy Spirit give someone a miraculous gift. Scripture affirms this truth. Even in the 21st century, we acknowledge that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense gifts according to His will (1 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 11).

That’s who and what the Holy Spirit is, He is God the Holy Spirit.

God the Holy Spirit, according to the words of God the Son (Jesus Christ), is:

- the One who teaches us ALL things

- the One who reminds of the Word of God everything that Jesus has spoken to us

John 14 : 26
o 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

A. When / How do we receive the Holy Spirit?

1. The receiving / indwelling of the Spirit occurs at the moment of salvation.

What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
The baptism of the Holy Spirit may be defined as that work whereby the Spirit of God places the believer into union with Christ and into union with other believers in the Body of Christ at the moment of salvation.

2. The filling of the Spirit is an ongoing process in the Christian life.

How can I be filled with the Spirit?
The permanent indwelling of the Spirit is not for a select few believers, but rather for all believers. This is in contrast to the commanded filling of the Spirit found in Ephesians 5 : 18.

Ephesians 5 : 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, (NKJV)

B. Why should I receive the Holy Spirit?

1. You Need Him

a. Jesus said He will teach us ALL things (what we need to know to live)
b. Jesus said He will remind us of His Word (what we need to have/possess to live)
c. Jesus said He will AID us (divinely) in life (as Helper/Comforter)

- Including the granting of spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12 : 7 - 11)

2. He Wants to Connect With You – FOREVER

a. His Presence in our Hearts is a part of our Eternal Salvation (John 3 : 3)
b. He Regenerates Us; He Causes Us Upon Salvation to be BORN AGAIN (Breath of Life)

Many Christians have an unbiblical perception of the Holy Spirit.
Some understand the Holy Spirit as a power or force given to us from God – This is not Biblical.

Remember, Pneumatology teaches us that the Holy Spirit is a Person:

- with a mind,
- with emotions, and
- with a will.

The Holy Spirit is Jesus' "replacement" on earth (John 14:16-26; 15:26; 16:7).

The Holy Spirit is received at salvation (Romans 8:9) and is the permanent possession of every believer in Christ (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Pneumatology helps us to understand these issues and recognize the Biblical roles of the Holy Spirit in our lives today. Pneumatology is of immense benefit to the Christian.

- In the pages of Scripture, we come face to face with the third Person of the trinity, God himself in spirit, and we see His very personal and intimate ministry to us.

- Through Him, we come to know God’s love for us “because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).

- To understand the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to find joy in His role as our Comforter (John 16:7; Acts 9:31) who not only helps and comforts us, but who comes to our rescue when our hearts are so burdened we cannot even pray for relief (Romans 8:26).

- When we pursue the knowledge of the Holy Spirit we find, to our great delight, that He not only lives within us, but He does so forever, never to leave or forsake us (John 14:16). All these truths are burned into our hearts when we study and embrace Pneumatology.

THE WORD . . . God Cannot Be Separated From His Word

Sun, 06 May 2012 01:13:00 +0000

THE WORD – God Cannot Be Separated from His Word

2 Timothy 3 : 10 – 17 NKJV
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The Bible is the Word of God.

There is an increasing move afoot to separate God from the Holy Bible.

In this move, a move involving unbelievers and some who profess to be Christians,

- They say that The Bible IS NOT the Word of God
- They say that The Bible CAN NOT BE the Word of God
- They say that The Bible, as a whole, promotes HATE, MURDER, CLASSISM, SEXISM, WAR, BIGOTRY

- They say that God, IF He is who they believe God to be as they understand the Scriptures, CAN NOT be connected to many of the ideas and doctrines found in the Bible.

- They say that God is LOVE, and love does not tell a people to go to war with another people.
- They say that God is TRANSCENDENT ONLY, and is completely uninvolved in the affairs of you and I.
- They say that God created all people, and would never require a person to change because of their gender preference or lifestyle, because after all, God made me that way.

THE BIBLE SAYS IT’S WORDS ARE FROM GOD (v. 16)

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,

The Word is God-Breathed (ruach = Holy Spirit)
God says I Cannot Be Separated from My Word because it came from me.
Scripture:       graphē pronounced " grä-fā' "     =          A Writing, Thing Written Down
Scripture:       The "All Scripture" referred to verse 16 AT THE TIME the Apostle Paulspoke was what we call the Old Testament

The WORD OF GOD is BREATHED by God and also BENEFICIAL.

THE BIBLE IS BENEFICIAL

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Profitable (dōphelimos pronounced “ō-fe'-lē-mos” = PROFITABLE (NKJV))

We BENEFIT through FAITH in the Word of God and its consistent application to our daily living.

ALL that is spiritually beneficial to us HAS TO COME FROM GOD

God does not list anything of material benefit in this list.

Profitable (dōphelimos pronounced “ō-fe'-lē-mos” = PROFITABLE (NKJV))
For (pros pronounced “pro's”   =   communicates the idea that this fits with that)
Doctrine      fits with Profitable =   Teaching & instruction of the elders of the Faith
Reproof       fits with Profitable =   Conviction of One’s Sinfulness
Correction   fits with Profitable =   Correction, improvement of life or character
Instruction fits with Profitable =   Instruction which aims at increasing virtue in thinking,
in Righteousness                                feeling, and acting - by correcting mistakes and curbing passions as you walk with God.

The Bible is Beneficial AND It's Benefits Come from the God who is Sovereign, able to BE Judge and Savior of Our Souls. When we maximize the profitability of our connection with God's Word, we can become whole.

THE BIBLE ENABLES US TO BECOME WHOLE in GOD

17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

- COMPLETE  (dōphelimos pronounced “ō-fe'-lē-mos” = PROFITABLE (NKJV))
- Complete = Lacking Nothing
- Complete = Fully Equipped
- I can become COMPLETE through Faith in Jesus Christ

2 Timothy 3 : 10 – 15  NKJV
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

THE BIBLE IS THE WORD OF GOD.

It is LIKELY that someone who does not KNOW GOD would be capable in their mind and heart of separating God from His Word.

If You know Him, you know that the Bible is His Word TO US (humanity).

THE WORD . . . Impacts!

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 00:49:00 +0000

THE WORD – The Word IMPACTS!
Genesis 1 : 1 – 13 KJV

Unlike humanity, THE WORD CREATES SOMETHING FROM NOTHING. And When the WORD GOES FORTH, it makes AN IMPACT!

There’s at least three (3) ways that THE WORD makes an impact:

1) THE WORD CONVERTS Chaos into Order (v. 2)
Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

2) THE WORD CREATES (v. 3 – 9)
Genesis 1:3
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Genesis 1:6
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
Genesis 1:7
And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament: and it was so.
Genesis 1:8
And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
Genesis 1:9
And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.

3) THE WORD SATISFIES (v. 10 – 13)
Genesis 1:10
And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.
Genesis 1:11
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, [and] the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed [is] in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
Genesis 1:12
And the earth brought forth grass, [and] herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed [was] in itself, after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.
Genesis 1:13
And the evening and the morning were the third day.

THE WORD IMPACTS!

PSALM 139
God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall [fn1] on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; [fn2]
Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.

- Darkness is symbolic of evil.

- When the WORD GOES FORTH, it deals with the darkness!

4) THE WORD REVEALS That Which the Darkness Covers (v. 2)
Genesis 1:2
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

- Darkness (H2822 choshek (khō·shek') - "darkness")
- THE WORD EXPOSES that which already exists - it REVEALS it.
          - The Scripture says in verse 2: "And the earth was without form,
          and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep.
          And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

- Without Form (H8414 tohuw (tō'·hü) - "no form, no life, AN EMPTY PLACE")
                - Job 26 : 7
                         - He stretcheth out the north over the empty place,
                   [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing.
                - Jeremiah 4 : 23
                        - I beheld 7200 the earth 776, and, lo, [it was] without form 8414,
                   and void922; and the heavens 8064, and they [had] no light 216.

- And Void (H922 bohuw (bō'·hü) - "emptiness, NO ABUNDANCE")

- Let the WORD come in and expose that which already exists in your life, in your environment.
                - Let the Word expose your empty places
                - Jeremiah 4 : 23
                        - I beheld 7200 the earth 776, and, lo, [it was] without form 8414,
                   and void922; and the heavens 8064, and they [had] no light 216.
                   WHY? Because wherever the WORD SHOWS, the SPIRIT GOES.

- Face (H6440 paniym (pä·nēm') - "the face / presence")
                - Genesis 1 : 2
                   - And the earth 776 was 1961 without form 8414, and void 922;
                   and darkness 2822 [was] upon the face6440 of the deep 8415.
                   And the Spirit 7307 of God 430 moved 7363 upon 5921 the face6440
                   of the waters 4325.

- Deep (H8415 tĕhowm (teh·hōm') - "the DEEP")
                - Genesis 1 : 2
                   - And the earth 776 was 1961 without form 8414, and void 922;
                   and darkness 2822 [was] upon the face6440 of the deep 8415.
                   And the Spirit 7307 of God 430 moved 7363 upon 5921 the face6440
                   of the waters 4325.

- The WORD reveals that which the DARKNESS Covers.

- The WORD makes an IMPACT on our Knowledge of that which the DARKNESS Covers.

- The WORD makes an IMPACT on the DARKNESS itself.

5) THE WORD CONTROLS the Darkness (v. 3 - 5)
Genesis 1:3
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Genesis 1:4
And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

- Darkness could not remain where LIGHT appeared.

- Darkness had to be separated from the LIGHT in order to continue to exist. (read v. 4)

THE WORD IMPACTS!

THE WORD CONVERTS Chaos into Order.

THE WORD CREATES.

THE WORD SATISFIES.

THE WORD REVEALS That Which the Darkness Covers.

THE WORD CONTROLS the Darkness.

But we must LET THE WORD OF GOD IN - Read It, Revere It, and Run With It – FOR LIFE.

The Story of Palm Sunday

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:13:00 +0000

The Triumphal Entry
Jesus Rides into Jerusalem

story found in the Holy Bible in Matthew 21 : 1 - 11 (Mark 11:1–10; Luke 19:28–40; John 12:12–19 )

Matthew 21 : 1 - 11 NKJV
1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”
4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion,
‘Behold, your King is coming to you,
Lowly, and sitting on a donkey,
A colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’
Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”
11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

For every Christian community, Palm Sunday commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem - marking the commencement or the beginning of His faithful weeklong journey to the cross. Palm Sunday on the Christian calendar coincides with the week leading to the Passover celebration on the Jewish calendar. These days remind Christians of our connection with the Jewish faith and how both faith traditions look for God’s in-breaking in human affairs by the Messiah. Palm Sunday demonstrates how no amount of oppression can dash the hopes of a people who believe that their King will come.

The ministry of Jesus Christ and His Supernatural Power challenged and upset the powerful of His day. Jesus’ prophetic parade into Jerusalem was a celebratory critique of the status quo of the empire and the corruption of the sacred. At the time of Jesus' triumphal entry, the great political power of the day was the Roman Empire. The religious elite in Israel oversaw the Jewish system of worship. Jesus entered into Jerusalem triumphantly, yet humbly, to show the powers that be that He was AND IS the True King.

Pasted above, the Gospel writer Matthew tells us in Matthew Chapter 21 that as Jesus entered into Jerusalem, the people paved the streets with their clothing and cried out, “Hosanna” or “Save Now.” Jesus riding a donkey, symbolic of peace, and having his way paved with palm branches is a fulfillment of the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. On Palm Sunday, millions of Christians from every corner of the globe enact this biblical moment in salvation history by distributing and waving palm branches in the air. Many preachers are found on this day encouraging the people to exclaim, “Ride on King Jesus, no man can a-hinder me.”

This is the Story of Palm Sunday.

God's Festivals & Today's Church

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 01:27:00 +0000

SOURCE: God's Holy Day Plan. "Are God's Holy Days Relevant Today?" United Church of God. 22 May 2010. < http://www.ucg.org/booklets/HD/relevanttoday.asp >

Are God's Holy Days Relevant Today?

When God begins something in this present age of mankind, He nearly always starts small. In Matthew 13:33 Jesus Christ compared God's Kingdom to both a mustard seed and leaven. Both analogies start with something small that expands into something much larger. Similarly, God called only a relatively few people in Old Testament times who were willing to follow His ways.

The biblical record shows that, early in the account spoken of in the Bible, only a few people decided to obey God. However, early patriarchs including Abel, Enoch and Noah did respond to the revelation of God's plan of salvation (Matthew 23:35). After the great flood of Noah's time, God found He could work with Abraham and his wife, Sarah. Of God's obedient people of those times, Hebrews 11:13 says they "all died in faith" with the sure knowledge that they would gain eternal life (verse 40).

We should note that the plan for providing eternal life was already at work in the lives of these early people of God. The plan did not start with a covenant God made with ancient Israel; nor did it start with Jesus' earthly ministry.

God loved the world so much "that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God's love in giving His Son continued His plan of salvation from the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:34; Revelation 13:8). The blueprint of the Holy Days would reveal in due time the plan God had designed from the very beginning. These festival observances were not just a cosmic afterthought.
With Abraham's family we see God beginning to reveal the good news about His plan of salvation (Galatians 3:8). Genesis 26:3-4 identifies specific blessings God promised to Abraham and Abraham's descendants. The Creator pledged to bestow them "because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws" (verse 5). Perhaps this is why the Bible calls Abraham "the friend of God" and "the father of all those who believe" (James 2:23; Romans 4:11; Genesis 18:17-19).

A nation singled out

Abraham's descendants grew into a mighty nation (Genesis 18:18). They were named after Jacob, the grandson of Abraham whose name was changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28). After settling in Egypt, before long they became slaves (Exodus 1). The story of God's deliverance from their bondage and His delivering of people today is part of the intricately woven fabric of God's festivals.

In due time the Creator set in motion a series of events that illustrated for the Israelites His plan as depicted in the Holy Day observances and led to their freedom from slavery in Egypt. When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh, they told the Egyptian ruler that the God of Israel commanded him to "let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness" (Exodus 5:1).
Moses and Aaron had earlier called for the elders of Israel to assemble and had explained to them God's plan to deliver them (Exodus 3:16-18). Then Moses and his brother, Aaron, performed a series of God-directed miracles in sight of the people (Exodus 4:29-30). As a result, the Israelites (although they later faltered) believed God would deliver them and fulfill His covenant with Abraham, as He had promised (Exodus 4:31; 6:4-8).

What followed was ancient Israel's first Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. Much later the New Testament Church kept these same days as a reminder of Christians' deliverance through Jesus Christ. For instance, Paul told members of the Church at Corinth-both Jews and gentiles-that they should be "unleavened," or without sin, because "Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7). In the next verse Paul said, "Therefore let us keep the feast," referring to the same festival God had instituted in ancient Israel many centuries before.

The Holy Days in the New Testament

From Jesus' earliest childhood years, He observed the Holy Days with His parents. "His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover," Luke 2:41 tells us. The following verses describe Jesus, at age 12, engaging the theologians of His day in a spirited discussion during this festival season (verses 42-48). Clearly, He astonished these religious leaders with His understanding and insight. John writes of Jesus continuing to observe the annual Holy Days as an adult during His ministry (John 2:23; 4:45).

In one of the most instructive examples, Jesus risked His personal safety to attend two of the festivals, the annual Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day (John 7:1-2, 7-10, 14). "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, [which] those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified" (John 7:37-39).

Many churches believe that the apostle Paul fundamentally changed the way Christians are to worship. This notion assumes Paul taught gentiles that observance of the Holy Days was unnecessary. Although some of his writings were difficult to understand, even by his contemporaries (2 Peter 3:15-16), Paul's explicit statements and actions contradict any notion that he annulled or abolished Holy Day observance.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, for example, Paul told his followers to "imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ," and "keep the traditions as I delivered them to you." A few verses later he explained: "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me'" (verses 23-24).

If Paul's practice had not been to observe the Holy Days, his comments to the Jews and gentiles in Corinth would have been meaningless. Clearly, evidence is lacking that Paul ever discouraged anyone from keeping the annual festivals; such a notion would have been for him unthinkable (Acts 24:12-14; 25:7-8; 28:17).

On the contrary, the biblical record of Paul's ministry repeatedly depicts the Holy Days as important observances, milestones in his life. For example, he told the Ephesians that "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem" (Acts 18:21). In Acts 20:16 and 1 Corinthians 16:8 we find Paul arranging his travel schedule to accommodate the Feast of Pentecost. In Acts 27:9 Luke, Paul's companion in his travels, referred to the time of year as after "the Fast," a reference to the Day of Atonement.

The Expositor's Bible Commentary, in a reference to Acts 20:6, notes that Paul, unable to arrive at Jerusalem for the Passover, "remained at Philippi to celebrate it and the week-long Feast of Unleavened Bread ..." (Richard N. Longenecker, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, 1981, Vol. 9, p. 507). Regarding Acts 20:16, the same commentary notes that Paul "wanted, if at all possible, to get to Jerusalem for Pentecost on the fiftieth day after Passover ..." (p. 510).

Paul's ministry included observing the Holy Days with the Church. In defending the gospel he preached, Paul said he brought the same message the other apostles taught: "Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed" (1 Corinthians 15:11).

Paul and all the apostles taught a consistent message of the Christian's obligation to follow the example of Jesus Christ in all matters. The apostle John, who wrote near the close of the first century, summed up this message: "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6).

Jewish believers continued to uphold the Holy Days, as did gentile Christians (see "Colossians 2:16 Shows Gentile Christians Kept the Holy Days" ). From all these references we can conclude only that the practice of the early Church was to continue the observance of these God-given festivals, the first of which is the Passover.

WISDOM - Makes You Extraordinary

Sun, 05 Feb 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Wisdom – Makes You Extraordinary

Luke 2 : 21, 25 – 32, 36 – 40, 41 – 52 (52) NKJV

Christ Born of Mary

The Birth and Childhood of Jesus
(Matt. 1:18–25 )
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Circumcision of Jesus
21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD” ), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Simeon Sees God’s Salvation
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.”

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna Bears Witness to the Redeemer
36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

The Family Returns to Nazareth
39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. 40 And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

The Boy Jesus Amazes the Scholars
41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them.

Jesus Advances in Wisdom and Favor
51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Wisdom is not synonymous with age.

Wisdom is synonymous with possessing the Living Spirit of God on the inside.

Wisdom is synonymous with possessing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Throughout this chapter, we see Jesus Christ as a baby then as One who has begun adolescence.

We see Jesus in verses 41 through 52 as the Boy who is now age 12, yet He is allowed to join the men in the temple.

One authority on Jewish culture (http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=269777&rel_no=1) stated that boys during this time in antiquity, became adults at age 13. It's a tradition that dates before the time of Jesus Christ, more than 2,000 years ago, when life expectation was very short. In that time, people were expected to live only 30 or 35 years. That's why a generation is counted each 25 years today.

Then, at age 13, a boy had lived about half of his life, so he was expected to have children (procreate). Even among Jews in Brazil, girls were married at 14 and 15 years old until recently. For women, life was very short because many died during childbirth. Until 13 and 12 years old, boys and girls respectively, don't need to follow the orders of religion.

Girls are considered to come of age at 12 years old, although there is no ceremony to certify this. For Jewish boys, they must go through what is known as a Bar Mitzvah (Bar is "man" and "Mitzvah" means obligation to be a provider).

According Jewish tradition, a religious ceremony takes place marking the obligation of someone to be considered as adult. This happens on Saturdays, a day dedicated to reading of the scriptures in the Torah.

At a synagogue, the boy being honored reads a part of the Torah. The day doesn't have to be the boy's birthday, but it should be after he turns 13 years old. After reading the Torah, he can be considered an adult for religious purposes and be allowed to read the Torah at other times. A party usually follows the ceremony. The ritual is conducted by Jewish people from each country, not only Brazil.

For girls, there is an event -- not a religious ceremony -- called Bat Mitzvah ("Bat" means "girl"). It doesn't register with the Jewish liturgy, but it became popular in the last 30 years so that boys and girls can both have parties. During a Bat Mitzvah, girls from 12 to 14 years old perform music and Jewish dances.

The model was inspired by debutante parties, where girls are officially presented to society in the Occidental world. There isn't any obligation assumed by a girl at a Bat Mitzvah. The Jewish orthodox people don't promote Bat Mitzvahs, but liberal groups have embraced them.

For boys and girls, these events are prepared through lots of studying. To many children who study in the Jewish educational system, this is their first contact with Jewish religion and tradition.

The Bar Mitzvah is necessary to be considered Jewish. In the Talmud, the Jewish book of laws, it says age 13 is the ideal age to marry; between 16 and 24 years old is the age to work; and from 20 years old is the best age to sustain a family.T

The boy Jesus shows us how wisdom make us extraordinary.

1.     LISTEN - Listen to the People that Possess Wisdom (v. 46)

Wise People in God are Extraordinary.
Wise People "of the World" are Ordinary in God's Sight – they don’t possess the Mind of Christ .

2.     ASK QUESTIONS - Seek to Learn from the People that Know God (v. 46 )

RESULTS: Wisdom-filled understanding and answers (v. 47)

3.     SUBMIT (v. 49 – 51 (51))

Submit to Your Elders (parents, Christian mentors)
Submit to the Word of God

RESULTS
Growth in Wisdom (Sophia  so-fē'-ä (G4678); human wisdom) and
Stature (hēlikia  hā-lē-kē'-ä (G2244); physical height).

Application of the Wisdom of God results in Extraordinary Growth in BOTH Spiritual AND Physical Capacities.

WISDOM

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:13:00 +0000

Proverbs 8 : 22 – 36 NKJV

22 “The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,
Before His works of old.
23 I have been established from everlasting,
From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.
24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,
When there were no fountains abounding with water.
25 Before the mountains were settled,
Before the hills, I was brought forth;
26 While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields,
Or the primal dust of the world.
27 When He prepared the heavens, I was there,
When He drew a circle on the face of the deep,
28 When He established the clouds above,
When He strengthened the fountains of the deep,
29 When He assigned to the sea its limit,
So that the waters would not transgress His command,
When He marked out the foundations of the earth,
30 Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; [fn2]
And I was daily His delight,
Rejoicing always before Him,
31 Rejoicing in His inhabited world,
And my delight was with the sons of men.

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children,
For blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
And do not disdain it.
34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life,
And obtains favor from the LORD;
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul;
All those who hate me love death.”

2012 DFC Theme: “The B.E.S.T.” (Growing in God, Fiscally Sound, Spiritually Stable)

WISDOM

God speaks to us today in His Written Word and He says,
I am the Source of Wisdom.
I AM Wisdom.
Wisdom = The Gospel = The Revelation that God has provided salvation for mankind through the expiatory death of the Messiah Yeshua, Jesus Christ.

God IS Wisdom,
Consequently, wisdom is found in God.
Moreover, wisdom is found in Jesus Christ.

As we embark upon our journey in the Wisdom of the Scriptures, God gives us the following tools to take with us on our journey:

1. Christ Jesus became to us wisdom from God.   1 Corinthians 1 : 30
2. All the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Jesus Christ.   Colossians 2 : 3
3. God can give us a divine gift to speak this wisdom.   1 Corinthians 12 : 8
4. This wisdom has opposition.   Colossians 2 : 4 – 10

1 Corinthians 1 : 30 NKJV
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—

Colossians 2 : 1 – 3 KJV
Col 2:1
For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and [for] them at Laodicea, and [for] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Col 2:2
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
Col 2:3
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 12 : 8 KJV
1Cr 12:8
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

Colossians 2 : 4 – 10 NKJV
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Just like Christ, Wisdom is everlasting.

1. Wisdom is Jesus Christ

a. Wisdom, Jesus Christ, was BEFORE Creation. Proverbs 8 : 22 – 26

Wisdom, Jesus Christ, preceded everything that you can see and cannot see.

Wisdom, Jesus Christ, preceded everything that can and will affect your life.

Nothing is Superior to Wisdom.

b. Wisdom, Jesus Christ, was AT Creation. Proverbs 8 : 27 – 31

Wisdom, Jesus Christ, made everything that you can see and cannot see.
Proverbs 8 : 30

AS MASTER CRAFTSMAN,
Wisdom, Jesus Christ, made everything that can and will affect your life.
All the Laws of Universe and of Creation are IN GOD. Proverbs 8 : 27 – 29

AS GOD THE SON,
Wisdom, Jesus Christ, was filled with joy. Proverbs 8 : 30 – 31
God is overjoyed with mankind when we look like that which He originally created.

Because Wisdom is Jesus Christ, He says, “LISTEN TO ME.” Proverbs 8 : 32

2. We Follow Wisdom -> We Have Wisdom -> We Have Jesus -> We Have God’s Blessing

The Lord Jesus Christ, WISDOM, says to us:

OBSERVE/FOLLOW In My Course of Action Proverbs 8 : 32b

HOW?

BE A LISTENER and Not Just A Hearer Proverbs 8 : 33 -> “BE” WISE

WATCHING
Keep Watch/Stand Guard at the Thresholds Isaiah 6 : 4
- The Thresholds are our Ears, Eyes, Mouth.
- Our Bodies are His Temple, His Dwelling Place. 1 Corinthians 6 : 19

WAITING

Keep Watch/Stand Guard at the Doorposts
- The Doorposts are Our Hearts Matthew 12 : 34
- Jesus Stands at the Door and Knocks Revelation 3 : 20

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 dine with him, and he with Me.

EMBRACING

Those who follow the wisdom of God have his blessings.

His BLESSINGS = Our Possession
a. We have His Wisdom   Proverbs 8 : 34
b. We Have Life   Proverbs 8 : 35
c. We Have the Lord’s Favor   Proverbs 8 :35
d. We Have Peace   Proverbs 8 : 36