"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

The Secret of LIfe -- abundant life is God's peace!
TheCambridge Dictionary defines peace as: "freedom from war and violence, especially when people live and work together happily 
without disagreements"

The Bible offers a different kind of peace -- Shalom -- which means wholeness, health and balance and wholeness in every aspect of life. This is what peace means in the Bible. Psalm 23 is a perfect illustration of Shalom:
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
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 overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever."

God wants to save us and be with us permanently. That is why He created us! If we have God we have God forever. God already sent Jesus so we could be with Him. What is beyond His capability? Nothing. Nothing but we personally can stop Him from being part of our lives.

"The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert,
    his righteousness live in the fertile field.
17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
    its effect will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:16-17

In the midst of the chaos, look for the Calm One. We need to be the Calm Ones in this world of Chaos. The ones standing in God's confidence and Quietness. 

Don't panic. God's presence, God's assurance, God's promises -- when God maeks a promise He keeps it. He fulfills it. Three examples:
"
1.  "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12
2.  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Romans 5:1
3. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" Ephesians 2:8

All these promises are fulfilled in our lives when we say Yes to Jesus; when we take the hand He is offering us; when we say yes we can't do it without Him; when we say Yes we are sinners, You are God and we choose your forgiveness!

God wants us back in the garden hanging out with Him. We have to choose Jesus to get there.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

God's peace will guard our hearts and minds. This is a promise. Live in this peace. We are the Children of God. We are bought and paid for. We need to be the Beacons of LIght this dark and hopeless world needs. Please be the light!

​James 1 – Consider it all Joy
 
General letter to all churches – scattered – This world is not our home
James 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:
Greetings.
John 17:14 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
 
James 1:2 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds
-Why should we consider it joy?
-wouldn’t it be better to just be comfortable?
-wouldn’t it be awesome to live a life of ease as a Christian?
-who likes to be tested anyways?
Comfort and easy living was never promised, never possible.
John 16:33 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 14:27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
1 Peter 4:12 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
 
We will be tempted, we will have struggles, we will live a life in contest against the world.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 John 5:19  We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
So why should be consider it joy when we face trials?
Trials – PT – Testing – Airborne School – Elite – training + testing + achievement
 
James 1:3-4 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]endurance.  4 And let [b]endurance have its perfect [c]result, so that you may be [d]perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Trials and testing strengthen us, not to harm us, but to ready us for the temptations of the world. God loves us enough to test us, refine us, make us ready for what the world will bring against us.
1 Peter 1:7 so that the [a]proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which [b]is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Proverbs 17:3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests hearts.
 
But what of we can’t figure this out? What if we don’t understand the need for testing? What if, like a child, we just don’t get it?
 
James 1:5 5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and [a]without reproach, and it will be given to him.
 
Jesus answered those who asked him in faith. Many times the disciples asked in faith for clarification. But they asked in FAITH. To those who asked in an attempt to test him, to trap him, he gave no answer, only rebuke.
Matthew 23:27 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness
 
James 1: 6-8 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a [a]double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
 
If you are asking, seeking answers, looking for wisdom, make sure that it is in faith. Do not be double minded! Either you are seeking or you are trying to reason, trap God into giving you something. Why bother? If we simply ask, he will give freely.
Matthew 7:9-11  Or what man is there among you [a]who, when his son asks for a loaf, [b]will give him a stone? 10 Or [c]if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
James 1:12 12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has [m]been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him
There it is again, perseverance, endurance.
Luke 6:20-23 20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are [j]you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are [k]you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to [l]treat the prophets.
1 Peter 3: 14  14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you [a]are blessed. And do not fear their [b]intimidation, and do not be troubled
1 Corinthians 9:25  Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
 
 
The difference between trials and temptation.
James 1: 13-14 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted [a]by God”; for God cannot be tempted [b]by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Seeming contradiction : Genesis 22:1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Nissah – to try or to test – KJV says tempt
 
What is the difference between trials and temptation? Motivation.
IF from God, it is for your good, if from satan, it is to make you fall.
James 1:15 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin [a]is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Wages of sin, the sinful man nature, is death. Don’t see temptations as trials, see them for what they are.
 
James 1:16 16 Do not be [a]deceived, my beloved brethren
 
Every good thing is from God. Not the world. Temptation is telling us that temporary reward is better than eternal. That immediate satisfaction is enough in itself. Remember, we are only here for a short time, eternity awaits.
 
James 1:17 17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or [a]shifting shadow.
 
Hebrews 13:8 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
John 14:6 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me
John 10:30 0 I and the Father are [a]one.”
Malachi 3:6 “For [a]I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, [b]are not consumed.
God wants only the best for us!
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans that I [a]have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope
Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
OFTEN MISQUOTED!
 
Application

1. Be what you are meant to be – followers of Jesus Christ!

 
James 1:18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be [a]a kind of first fruits [b]among His creatures.
Firstfruits – the very best, the first of the harvest, the perfect offering, brought for the by the word, Jesus. Cain vs Able

1. Act like you know what you are doing, follow the example of Christ

 
James 1:19 This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;
Quick to hear – listen
Slow to speak – be still
Slow to anger – Forgive
Matthew 6: 14-15 14 For if you forgive [a]others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive [b]others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Ravi Zacharias

1. Receive and bear fruit

James 1: 21 21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all [a]that remains of wickedness, in [b]humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Parable of the sower, well worked, fertile ground, garden.

1. Be a doer, not just a knower

 
James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.
1 John 3:18  Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
Luke 6:45 The good man out of the good [a]treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from [b]that which fills his heart.
John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
 
So why should we consider it joy? Because we have been chosen, we have been set apart. We are God’s children, his team, identified as his. These things we face we face because we belong to him. That is a reason for rejoicing! 

Following are Shannon's notes. Some of them only make sense if you actually listen to the sermon. See below:

Let put Jesus first again.
Headlines: Trump’s devious coronavirus election strategy
Michigan protest bellwether of dangerous partisan divide
Covid Anger splits US
Texas officer killed, two injured in ambush
Federal judges side w/ Planned PH, deem elective abortions essential.
Opinion + Dear Abby
Our country is divided-broken-fearful-lost
What the world needs is Jesus!
Jesus is coming soon, we have a stewardship responsibility for what we have been given.
Romans 14:11-12
 For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
 
 
 
 
We have been called to take up our cross and follow
Luke 14: 25-27
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Right now what the world needs is REVIVAL not SURVIVAL
 
Two biblical accounts of revival:
Nehemiah – rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem
Nehemiah 7: 4-5
Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt. 5 So my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials and the common people for registration by families.
Nehemiah 8:1-3
1 all the people came together as one in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the teacher of the Law to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law
 
 
 
Nehemiah 8:6
6 Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
Jonah
Jonah 3: 1-5
Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”
3 Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day’s journey into the city, proclaiming, “Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
Revival means a second chance (CPR). We need a second chance in country.
What do we need to do?

1. Repent.

Isaiah 30:15
15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
How did we get to this point? Where did we go wrong?

1. Pray with confidence

Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Psalm 138:3
When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
If a microscopic virus can do this to the world, image faith of a mustard seed!
Spurgeon:
“Prayer pulls on the rope below and the great bell rings in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell for they pray so languidly. Others give an occasional pluck at the rope. But he who wins heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continually with all his might”

1. Have a Passion for the Glory of God

1 Peter 2: 9-10
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Colossians 3:23
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
“the true worth of a man is measured in the objects he pursues:
Matthew 6:21
21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

1. Have a burden for the lost and revival

John 13: 34-35
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Phil: 2:3-4
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.
John 4:35
35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
Matthew 9:35-38
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Phil 2: 1-3
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,
 

1. Be bold – GO Forth!

1 Cor 15:58
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
 
 
Gal 6: 9-10
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
2 Chron 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
1 Thess 5:11
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
2 Tim 1:7
7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Isaiah 6:8
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
 
 
Joshua 1:9
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
 
Go boldly where no man has gone before!
​
​

Shannon recorded this live on Facebook today. You can see that here if you'd like or you can listen to it below on the Youtube link. I happen to have Shannon's actual sermon notes today, so I will cut and paste those in this blog post. We are missing Sunday Service with everyone, but God will get us through this time and we can all get back together and shout Halleluia together! Below are Shannon's notes:

2 Timothy 3:16 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
Theopneustros – God Breathed.
2 Peter 1:21   21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:13  13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
John 5:39  39 You study[a] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,
 
Bible Facts/history
40 authors
Over period of 1500 yrs
Over 25,000 manuscripts – 98% accuracy
95% of entire bible accurate to other manuscripts
Most historically accurate documents in the world.
 
The bible is a mirror, not a window
Coloring book version – Samson, Noah, David and Goliath, Jonah
 
Example : Jonah 1:1-2   The word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
Nineveh was the capital of Assyrian Empire during the reign of King Hezekiah of Israel
Jonah rebels, flees
Great fish
Jonah 4:6-11 6 Then the Lord God provided a leafy plant[a] and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the plant so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”
9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?”
“It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”
10 But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. 11 And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”
 
How do we become a “man after God’s own heart” like David?
Joshua 1:8  Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1: 1-2  Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
 
 

1. Read the bible for yourself.

Understand: God’s interactions with man
              God’s plan for redemption
              God’s promises
              God’s character
2 Timothy 2:15  15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
 

1. Study the bible yourself

Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.
Reading does not equal studying
Commentaries, bible study, Sunday school
 

1. Meditate on the word

Edmund Burke “To read w/o reflecting is like eating w/o digesting”
Matthew 13:19 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path
 

1. Apply the word

James 1:22 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
 
Let the Spirit lead
John 14:16-17  16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you.
John 16:13 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
 
The written word leads us to the Living Word
The word made text leads us to the Word made flesh. 

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”" Joshua 1:1-9

Joshua was Moses' understudy and servant. Joshua was always with Moses. 

For the second time the Israelites are standing on the banks of the Jordan waiting to enter the Promises Land. These are the commands to a new man, a new leader -- Joshua. Be strong and very courageous. 

"Between tne Now and the Not yet"

Their promised land is in front of them. We are in the Now and the Not Yet -- we are saved now. We have redemption now. Get Ready! In 3 days  you'll cross into your promised land. He didn't send scouts this time. God said, Go. So Joshua said, Go. When they stepped out there was great risk. But there would be great reward. 

God says we are foreigners/strangers in this place.

"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11

While you're here, do what God says.

Promises of God to Joshua -- A PLACE

"After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west." Joshua 1:1-4

I'm going to give you a place you can call your own.

Promises of Jesus to us -- A Place in Heaven

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24-25

Promises of God to Joshua -- BELONGING

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5

Promises of Jesus to us -- Belonging

"All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." John 6:37

Promises of God to Joshua -- AN INHERITANCE

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them." Joshua 1:6

Promises of Jesus to us -- A family

"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[a] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first." Matthew 19:29-31

Jesus is not talk about material stuff here. He's talking about our spiritual family, our spiritual inheritance. 

We are called to be different from the world.

Promises of God to Joshua -- COMMANDMENTS

"Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go." Joshua 1:7

We will have success being who we were called to be; success in God's eyes; success carrying out God's will. 

Promises of Jesus to us -- The Word

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:9-11

My joy is made complete when I follow God's commands (or can be made complete).

Remain 100% in God's realm as we live out our lives here on earth. This isn't going to be easy. Being free didn't mean to be safe. Jesus doesn't promise us safety or earthly wealth. He doesn't give us these things for sure because they don't matter. It's not about here. It's about there. God's in charge. He has power over all. Remain in His love. Right here and right now. He finds great joy in those who love Him. 

Promises of God to Joshua --  GUIDANCE

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

Joshua was faithful.

Promises of Jesus to us -- A Role in the Kingdom

"You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:14-15

He is My Friend! I am His friend.

We have a job to do -- make more family members. 

Promises of God to Joshua -- PRESENCE OF GOD

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Grab hold of God's promises -- Apply them.

Promise of Jesus to us -- Presence of Jesus

"and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”" Matthew 28:20

Food is important -- focal point in our brains!! To the modern person fasting is a novelty. We don't think about it much.

Fasting=voluntary withdrawing from food/drik or other fleshly appetites for a specified period of time. 

Fasting has to include prayer.

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness[a] will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard." Isaiah 58:6-8

3 kinds of fasting:
1. Normal food fast.
 "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry." Matthew 4:1-2

 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." Matthew 6:16

2. Partial Fast -- omit certain foods.
Daniel, Elijah and John Wesley are examples of people who did this.

3. Absolute Fast -- nothing. 
"Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments." Exodus 34:28

This was a miracle Moses survived without water that long. Don't do this!

Why Fast? (see Isaiah 58:6-8 which is quoted above)

1. Free from addictions (Yoke)
      Solve problems (injustice)
     Revival (oppressed)

You take that time and money that you would on those meals and spend it with God.

2. Help provide for others (again, see the Isaiah passage)
3. Healing, testimony protection glory of the LORD.

"Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-21

Benefits of Fasting

Focus and more time for prayer.

Intent -- more attentive to God.

Demonstration of seriousness..

What Fasting is NOT:

It isn't a bargaining tool with God. It is not meant as manipulation; fasting is for ourr benefit, not His.

Not to immpress others.

Not for pride reasons.

Shouldn't get legalistic.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." galatians 5:1

"When you fast"  Jesus expected we would fast. Should be part of our prayer life.

 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15-16

When we are dealing with the world we should be ready to defend our faith. 

Provide evidence-based defense.

What is stopping us from us being ready?

A. Fear of Confrontation. There is so much fear of offense and tolerance accepted (accept for Truth) that no one says anything. We can speak with truth with gentlness, respect and compassion. People need to hear the truth.

"So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

B. Fear of Inadequacy. Be ready. Know the Word -- just like Jesus, use the Word of God.

"He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?" Matthew 12:3

"Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent?" Matthew 12:5

"Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures:
“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’[a]?" Matthew 21:42

Jesus used Scripture to defend  His position, His choices, His faith.

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

We hav been given much. We need to use it rightly.

C. Vulnerability of Ignorance. 

"For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many." Matthew 24:5

D. Be Doers.

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1:22-25

E. Read The Word.

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.' Joshua 1:8

"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near." Revelation 1:3

It's not enough to just hear. You need to meditate on it and do it, put it into practice. Let it become a part of you. If there's no depth to your faith, it will fail.

"They have ears, but cannot hear,
    noses, but cannot smell." Psalm 115:6

"Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" Matthew 7:22-23

F. Be Ready

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13

"Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:9

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:13

Be ready. Know what's in the Word!!