Category: Holy Spirit - Dupree Baptist Church

A Life Based on Knowledge

7/21/2019

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Hearsay = information received from other people that one cannot substantiate; rumor, gossip.

ALL Scripture is God-breathed. All of it comes from the mouth of God. We need to equip ourselves thoroughly. Go right to the source!

1. Scripture is necessary for understanding God's will for your life.

"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”" Matthew 4:4

"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," 1 Peter 3:15

How can you truly love God if you don't spend time with Him?

2. God's word is necessary for discernment.

All the noise of the world blocks out God.

Prosper= Shalom = peace, wholeness, completeness.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

We can lay the pieces out of our lives and get the junk out.

“Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" Jeremiah 23:29

If you don't have God's truth, you will use your own (or someone else's).

3. The Word of God is the instruction book for life. We try it ourselves first and then we go to the book. We should go to the Word first.

"How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word." Psalm 119:9

"but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." James 1:14

4. The Word of God is the ultimate tool for yourr life. Offensive weapon -- all the hardware you'll ever need. Macgyver our lives with the Bible!!

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Ephesians 6:17

"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

The Bible is a tool you need to learn how to use.

Hearing the Shepherd's Voice

7/7/2019

"Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:25-27

Listening is an art form. You have to train yourself to learn to listen well. Humans are naturally good at it. We naturally just listen for what we want to hear. And we can hear God's voice if we pay attention. He is speaking and wants each of us to hear Him.

"he said, “Listen to my words:
“When there is a prophet among you,
    I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions,
    I speak to them in dreams." Numbers 12:6

"But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:20

"For God does speak—now one way, now another--
    though no one perceives it.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people
    as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak in their ears
    and terrify them with warnings,
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
    and keep them from pride,
18 to preserve them from the pit,
    their lives from perishing by the sword." Job 33:14-18

To be part of a relationship you have to do your part. You have to communicate. You have to listen.

Have caution -- don't take someone else's words at face value. Do your own research. Speak to God yourself.

"The idols speak deceitfully,
    diviners see visions that lie;
they tell dreams that are false,
    they give comfort in vain.
Therefore the people wander like sheep
    oppressed for lack of a shepherd." Zechariah 10:2

"Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God." Ecclesiastes 5:7

God can speak to us anyone He wants to. He spoke to Moses the first time thorugh a bush!

Then there was the long silence:

"The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.”" 1 Samuel 3:1-4

Silence was in preparation for the next step.

Jesus didn't have to stay around and have a ministry. He did all this so we could have a relationship with Him. God has not changed.

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed." Malachi 3:6

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

If you aren't hearing from God, you aren't listening.

The more familiar you are with God's voice, the more you will hear Him.

God will speak to us through His word.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a]may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Our Father is speaking to His children.

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

the Word is alive!

He speaks to us intentionally and personally. If you're walking in faithfulness, God will speak. What you fill your world with is what You will focus on.

"Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:23-26

"Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:3

The World wants us distrated and following impulses and totally disorganized.

Often, God will speak to us through circumstances.

"or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Give your testimony from the point of weakness. Use discernment and prayer.

"But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults." Psalm 19:12

"Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands." Psalm 119:66

"let the wise listen and add to their learning,
    and let the discerning get guidance—" Proverb 1:5

Don't take stuff at face value. Do your own research.

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

If you ask God a question, give Him time to answer.

Focus on God. Dwell with Him. Listen. He has something to tell you.

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord." Ephesians 5:8-10

Are you listening for the Shepherd's voice?

Mothers

5/12/2019

There was a "mothering" day in the early church. It was on the 4th Sunday of Lent. People would go back to the church they were raised in and attend there that Sunday.

(Shannon shares other examples of Mothers' Days that were set aside for friendship, reconciliation and prayer, but you'll have to listen to the sermon to hear them. I didn't take great notes today.)

In 1914 Woodrow Wilson made it an official holiday (Mother's Day).

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12.

This is the only commandment with a promise attached to it.

Talk about 3 Mothers in the Bible:

1. Hannah -- Sacrificial Love:

"In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11

God blessed her with a son, and Hannah followed through with her vow. After giving Samuel up when he was weaned she saw him just once a year when she would bring him a new robe she had made him.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there." 1 Samuel 1:27-28

2. Peter's Mother-in-Law -- A mother's Servant Love:

Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.

She got up and served Jesus, Peter and the rest of the ministry team (disciples and others) and then see who else showed up at her doorstep that night:

"At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah." Luke 4:40-41

Peter's mother-in-law very likely was serving these people as they were healed. Hospitality demanded it.

3. Mary -- A mother's long-suffering and blessing Love:

"Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”
“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” John 8:19

The Pharisees bring up the controversy of Jesus' birth -- his supposed illegitimacy! Very likely Mary was there and heard this jab. She had to hear this his whole life even though it wasn't true and she had done nothing wrong.

"When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”[a] 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:48-52

Jesus was (and is) perfect, but he still obviously vexed his mother!

"On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”
4 “Woman,[a] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” John 2:1-4

Mary and Jesus had a fun relationship. You can see this in the above verses. She probably vexed him a bit in this scene!

"Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.
“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph,[a] Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith." Mark 6:1-6

Mary had to see her son rejected by her community.

"Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman,[a] here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." John 19:25-27

Even on the cross Jesus cared for His mom.

Why did God allow Mary to go through Jesus' crucifixtion? Because He wasn't done with her yet. He had more blessings to give her.

"Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." Actts 1:12-14

Mary was with the disciples constantly in prayer. Now read the next chapter of Acts:

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them." Acts 2:1-4

Mary was there at Pentecost! She was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Radical Change

3/24/2019

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signsyou are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”"
John 3:1-3

Nicodemus was a member of the ruling council, a pharisee and a mature man (he was not young). He was aware of Jesus and he acknowledged Jesus. BUT, he came alone at night. He doesn't acknowledge Jesus in public though. Jesus knows what's really going on inside Nicodemus. He says to him,

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” John 3:3

Jesus knew his heart. Nicodemus was wondering what Jesus had that he could add to what he already had? He was hoping for a self-improvement class from him.

Jesus says He wants all or nothing. Gospel doesn't add to who we are. Gospel gets rid of who we are and makes us new creatures. It transforms us. Tear down and start over. We can't just add Jesus to our ready-made life. Jesus must become our life.

Am I Nicodemus? Am I trying to do it my way rather than Jesus' way?

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” John 3:4

"Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit." John 3:5

Water is the justification, the forgiveness of our sins. Can't have the Spirit without repentance.

"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impuritiesand from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:25-26

Nicodemus didn't think he needed new birth.

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[a] gives birth to spirit." John 3:6

Jesus didn't give Nicodemus easy answers. He didn't give him steps to take to be saved.

"You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[a]must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[b]" John 3:7-8

You can't give yourself new birth. Nicodemus was probably offended by this point.

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?" John 3:9-12

Are you, am I, leaning on our own understanding?

"one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[a] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[b] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”" John 3:13-15

God's message is confrontational. Nicodemus would have got this reference. The people who were bitten by the snakes had to look to the snake, to the representation of their own sin, to be saved. Just like we do with Jesus -- who became our sin on the cross.

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

We did nothing to deserve salvation. Jesus struck Paul blind so Paul could see. Pharisees weren't made overnight. We are nothing without Him. Are you part of the radical change or are you a pharisee? The Cross is uncomfortable. Carrying the cross is uncomfortable. If it isn't, then something's wrong.

Fill Me Up, Lord!

2/3/2019

"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." Psalm 23:5-6

We have a cup. If we don't have God who fills it up, the world will fill our cup with a bunch of junk (or we will). The world is constantly saying we need to change our appearance (for example). It's a fallen world.

If you ask Jesus into your life, your heart will be full of Him -- your cup will be full of Him. You have a cup.

You are the cup!
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," Romans 8:1

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

We need to keep ourselves full.

Stagnant water is not a good thing. This isn't what Jesus is talking about. Still water is clean and pure. If we aren't constantly replenishing water, we're going to get stagnant (or the water will evaporate).

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

"Fill you" means a continual filling, not a one-time event.

"Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Colossians 3:16

It should be a continuous thing going on in our lives.

How do we get filled up?
1. Let the message dwell or live in your richly.

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,"
2 Timothy 3:16

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5

We can choose to be ignorant. But when we do we will miss out on God.

"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

If we overflow someone else will get the benefit too!

The everlasting waters of Christ aren't just a sip or swallow. It's a raging torrent.

"Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

We should have a river overflowing -- people can be swept along in a very good way.

When the pwoer of God is flowing out of me in a torrent the power can be defeafing (in a good way). It will not let the noise of the world get through.

Jesus mentioned His cup twice (in the Garden). His cup allowed for our cup.

Recharging our spiritual batteries

1/13/2019

29 "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:29-31

This was after Pentecost when the disciples were initially filled with the Holy Spirit. In this passage it is talking about a refilling, or a recharging by the Holy Spirit. There are two different Greek words for our word "filling."

Rechargeable Battery Characteristics (when they are recharged):
1. Original chemical battery composition restored.
2. Recharge 100% efficiently -- should be able to do this 100s of times!
3. Recharge safely.
4. Return to their original state.

If we're going to use energy we need to be recharged.

Instances when Christians were recharged/refilled by the Holy Spirit:

--"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!" Acts 4:8

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

-- "Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said," Acts 13:9

Why do we need refilling?

Initial filling is at salvation which leads to regeneration.

Through salvation the Holy Spirit dwells in us. He won't leave. However, we need to be recharged.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
2 Corinthians 4:7

We are jars of clay -- we leak out. Clay is porous, has holes. It has a tendence to absorb and leak.

"be filled with the Spirit," Ephesians 5:18b

The following verse uses the same form of "fill" as a continuous filling:

"When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away." Matthew 13:48

This full is of a net that can be refilled. It was full to being crammed with fish. We can be crammed full of the Spirit. Crammed as full as you can get!

"The true measure of a spiritual life is not how much you get, but how much you give, how much the Spirit flows through you."

The Spirit wants to make us into people who love and give.

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit." 1 John 4:12-13

If you don't let the Spirit out no one will see anything.

"the desire to be filled (by the Spirit) must be all consuming." A.Z. Tozar

God will fill you if you ask. So, how to be refilled.

1. Need to have that initial filling, the salvation filling.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6

2. Be daily in the Word and in prayer.

Like a farmer -- set the enviroment. Prep the field. If we want our yields to increase, we have to work the "soil" of our hearts.

3. Be sold out to God -- He has to have the first priority in our lives. Be All in!

"All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." Actts 2:44-45

4. Praise -- an essential part of drawing near to God.
Praise will change us -- Praise will put our eyes on God.

"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do." Luke 10:21

Even Jesus did this!

5. Spread the Gospel -- discharge the energy!

A battery will be able to hold its charge better and longer if it is allowed to drain and then be refilled. Same as us. We need to give all we have away and God will refill us. We have to let go and let God live through us.

We receive power for a purpose, for God's purposes, for other people. When we commit to God we will see His commitment to us. The only limits are in us. We are batteries. We aren't the power source.

Stressed out? Refill your cup

12/30/2018

"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing." Psalm 23:1

We forget all that we have when we're stressed.

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

"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." Psalm 23:2-3

There are two different kinds of green grass in the Middle East: goat grass and lush green grass. Goat grass will kill a sheep within 24 hours after a sheep eats it. The shepherd makes sure we are being nourished rather than poisoned.

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10

Sheep won't drink out of running water. They fear drowning. So sometimes the shepherd would alter the water so the sheep would drink from it (like create a small dam to make a pool).

"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink." John 7:37

"but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'" John 4:14

"he refreshes my soul." Psalm 23:3a

He has given us the Holy Spirit. Refreshment will come through the Spirit.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever" John 14:16

The Holy Spirit is our Advocate (another word for Lawyer).

"But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." John 16:7

"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." Psalm 23:3-4

Sheep are scared of everything.Sheep won't take care of themselves.

"I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side." Psalm 3:5-6

"Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7

We cannot overcome anything on our own!

"You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5

God takes care of it in the midst of anything!

Nothing is more secure than trusting God has your back. He does!

When we're stressed out we forget all the blessings we have. Light always wins over darkness.

"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

"my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5c

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

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3

Give Thanks

11/25/2018

16 "Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1863 -- Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a National Holiday, a day to give thanks to our magnificient Father.

1950s Became a 4 day work week because a lot of people were calling in sick on Friday anyway.

1939 Roosevelt pressured by realtors to change the date to the 4th Thursday in November.

1941 Congress passed Law to say that Thanksgiving would always be celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November.

Yet, every day should be Thanksgiving -- filled with thanksgiving.

When we have a thankful attitude we personally benefit. Satan wants to steal our joy away. If we have a thankful heart, he won't be able to. You could call it a good defensive posture.

Give thanks no matter what. Be content no matter what.

"To love God is to love His will." Elizabeth Elliott

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6

Paul doesn't complain. Follow His example. And follow Christ's example.

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] 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[b] 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!" Philippians 2:5-8

Say (and mean it), "I trust you."

The Duke of Wellington (who defeated Napoleon twice) said at the end of his life, the one thing he would change is that he would give more praise.

How do we live like this? How do we live with a grateful heart? A thankful attitude?

1. Begin and end each day with praise.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”[a]" Hebrews 13:5

In every circumstance praise God.

Complaining dries our hearts up.

"9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
    but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’" Matthew 6:9-13

We can't maintain our witness when we are ungrateful.

2. Remember what you have received.

"For if, by the trespass of the one man, deathreigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in lifethrough the one man, Jesus Christ!" Romans 5:17

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lordrejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced," Psalm 105:1-5

3. Praise is a conscious action. We can choose how we approach life.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4;2

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

In One Accord

11/18/2018

The phrase "in one accord" is mentioned 11 times in the book of Acts.

"They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." Acts 1:14

The Early Church:
*Anointed and Full of the Holy Spirit
*Preached the Word Boldy
*Miracles, Signs and Wonders
*1000s saved and were being added to their numbers
*One purpose

What changed?

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

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

We've dropped the ball somewhere along the linee because Jesus Christ hasn't Changed. The Father and the Spirit haven't changed. God's gifts are still perfect.

Maybe we've slidden away from having passion for Christ into man made stuff, rules and regulations.

We need to go back before we can go forward.

"How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon
    were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore." Psalm 133:1-3

Unity is anointed.

They were unified in prayer. Have faith. Have belief -- Pray with faith.

"He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s."
2 Chronicles 20:15

God, do your will. Praying this is part of our worship.

"When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them." Acts 4:24

All prayed. All worshipped.

How often do we pray, "God use us"?

How often do we ask God to let His power come through us? Our prayer needs to be purposeful and directional.

We need to be united in vision and purpose.

Our church needs to be a place where:
-- we worship in Spirit and in truth.
-- We grow and become more like Jesus.
-- We encourage and build each other up.
-- We minister and serve.

Reach out to the lost no matter the cost!

Some people have no hpe. We can give them hope. If we're truly heart-broken about someone, we will reach out. If you see pain and hurting, bring them to Jesus.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-- 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:20-23

Like heart, like mind, like action.

Do we have this relationship with Jesus? Do we share?

Endless pot of blessing to share.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

We don't have time to be tired. Our role is to preach the gospel and make disciples. If I want it done I must do it.

Do you have ears?

10/28/2018

"Whoever has ears, let them hear.” Matthew 13:9

White noise, so much noise in our world to distract us. Bombarded with tons of messages.

"Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”" Matthew 13:2-9

Parables were a new way of teaching for the disciples.

"The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”
11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Matthew 13:10-12

Are we getting numb to God and His word?

God spoke because someone was listening.

"This is why I speak to them in parables:
“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.
14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:
“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving." Matthew 13:13-14

Some of them just don't want to hear it. We need to have intentional listening.

Intentionally listen to God.

It's easy to get distracted.

Jesus says there is a purpose.

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it." Matthew 13:16-17

Are we shutting God out? Are we callous to God?

“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more." Mark 4:24

You listen to me -- you're going to hear something.

The more you listen the more you'll hear.

Why bother to listen?

“Come, all you who are thirsty,
    come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
    and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
    and you will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
    listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
    my faithful love promised to David." Isaiah 55:1-3

God says focus on what's important. Focus on God first.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Romans 1:18-21

If we don't glorify God and give Him thanks, we can grow hard toward God.

If God is living and active, what are we doing about this? How do we listen?

Listen through the Spirit.

"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." John 16:13

"Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 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." 2 Peter 1:20-21

If we want to speak we need to listen.

"However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[a]--
    the things God has prepared for those who love him--
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God." 2 Corinthians 2:9-10

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." John 10:27

The knew the shepherd so well His voice was unmistakable.

Wod of God has to be our foundation.

God's waiting for us, waiting to hear from us, waiting for us to listen.

Have you listened?

Are you listening?