Beyond Measure, and Extraordinary

Beyond Measure, and Extraordinary

I love this life, this life in Christ. The honor of serving Him, and His people. As best we can Betty and I embrace the mission and the calling on our lives. Prayerfully we move forward. Always giving Him the glory, and always in prayer for you, and this church.

The greatness of God has blessed us, strengthened us, and supplied us with His awesome love.

Holidays, and special times are difficult for me, in the sense that I don’t always embrace the theme of the day for a message. Sometimes the things weighing on my heart don’t even collide with the season we are in.

I am going to try to do better this year, and I am going to share a common theme for the rest of the year.

I am going to talk about Jesus, and His awesome plan for our lives.

I come to you this morning in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “Beyond Measure, and Extraordinary”

Three of the Psalms are titled, Mikhtam. It’s exact meaning is unknown but there are two possibilities. From rabbinical studies some believe it means, “a golden poem” Others believe it means atonement.

Psalms 16 is titled a Mikhtam by David.

Psalms 16:5-11

5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.

7 I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay. Messiah
11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;

Psalms 16:11 NLT

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

This Psalm is a wonderful picture of faith. Faith in God for now, and for the future.

The theme for the rest of my thought is this. God has not just provided for us a path for salvation. He has provided a path for a life beyond measure. An extraordinary life.

A mountain moving, spirit filled, more than conqueror, supernatural empowered life.

James 1:17 Amplified

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].

What an awesome, powerful example of God’s consistent plan for His people.

Philippians 2:5-11

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,

7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Message v.11 “and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.”

John 10:7-10

7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

False teachers, promoting themselves not the Gospel

9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Explain thief. Greek word Klep’tace. “embezzler, pilferer. The name is transferred to false teachers. Who do not care to instruct people, but abuse their confidence for their own gain.”

It is interesting to me that these type relationships are mentioned by Jesus, Peter, and Paul, and others. I believe there is a reason for this.

Jesus and the Apostles understood that the devil had been conquered. His only power left is contaminating your thoughts, or getting someone else to contaminate them.

This shallow, flesh driven gospel that is built around anything other than the story of Jesus. Built around the personality of another. This false gospel will, steal, kill, and destroy your drive towards destiny. Your dreams will lay dormant, wondering where God is.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful force on earth and in heaven. It will take you to, valleys, mountains, storms.

Who hated Jesus? Not the sinners. The religious people!

God has not just provided for us a path for salvation. He has provided a path for a life beyond measure. An extraordinary life. A mountain moving, spirit filled, more than conqueror, supernatural empowered life.

In the name of Jesus.

“Are you living that life? Would you like to begin the journey towards that life today?”

#inHisname

I Love the Church

I Love the Church

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It began before Halloween at Walmart. Seems every year the push for buying and selling begins earlier and earlier.

Betty and I have great love for all of you and we wish you the best during this time. I am fully aware that this season brings great joy, along with sorrow. Sorrow for the friends and loved ones that are no longer with us.

Betty and I pray for you always. Remember the love and the grace of God. He will bring you comfort and peace through every season of life.

Soon we will begin our 15^th year. I know I have mentioned this but here I go again.

God has been very good to us. I have every reason to believe that His favor will continue. His purpose for us will grow larger. And our faith will tear down walls of division. All Things are Possible!!!

I come to you this morning in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “I Love the Church”.

Matthew 16:13-19

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

15 He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”

The church has been built upon this confession. Peter ended his first church building sermon by reaffirming this statement more broadly.

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.

What must the message be? It must be Jesus

I want to spend a few minutes on the word church.

The word church comes from the Greek word ekklesia.

The word ekklesia means, “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly.”

Dictionary.com, a congregation, or church. Free dictionary, church or congregation, collective body of Christian believers, regarded as the universal church.

The word covers every aspect of our Christian faith.

1^st-The Body of Christ worldwide.

Matthew 16:18

I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

Ephesians 1:22

And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,

2^nd-Regionally

Acts 9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

3^rd-Local congregations.

1 Corinthians 1:2

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

Worldwide, regionally, and locally, the church is the light of the world, declaring the story of Jesus and the Word of life to everyone, everywhere. “It also includes those who have died in the faith as well.”

Revelation 1:11

“Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” “The message to local churches.”

Revelation 22:14-17

14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Revelation 22:14, 16-17 Amplified

14 Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) are those who wash their robes [in the blood of Christ by believing and trusting in Him—the righteous who do His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give you assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.”

17 The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, believers) say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take and drink the water of life without cost.”

Jesus named these seven churches in Rev. 1:11. They were found in actual physical locations. I want to spend some time on their character.

Most people deal with Revelation as an end time book. Lucky for you guys, I am not most people. The Bible is filled with events that seem to conclude in their real time. Yet there are lessons, and spirits, and character traits that have moved forward for thousands of years. Things that we must recognize and deal with.

“I love the church. The institution, and the people have been my life for 47 years.”

I believe that Revelation has in many cases a much broader meaning than end time. I believe there are things that also deal with real time. The character traits of the 7 churches is one of those real time examples.

Study their relevance for today.

Jesus began and ended Revelation 22 with this thought found in verse 7 and verse 20. “I am coming quickly.

The word quickly is translated from a Greek word which means, “quickly, speedily, and without delay.”

I believe, with all of my heart, this message to the churches is for the ages. For every season of time. Every failure and sin. Every indifferent attitude.

He will come quickly to restore!!! To restore each church and their negative character.

Remember this!!!

John 10:10 NASB

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

#inHisname

When It’s Time to Praise

When It’s Time to Praise

God has been faithful to us, meaning all of us, continually. Always there when we need Him. To heal, to encourage, to unify, to embrace, and to love.

Manifesting His great love for us, and filling our hearts with love for others.

If there is one thing that I believe we have learned, it is praising God through every season we have passed through.

When there is nothing we can do, there are two things that always remain relevant to every situation.

In our personal lives, our church, our city, and our country. We can pray, and we can praise. Pray to the Father in Jesus name, and praise Him for His love and grace.

I come to you today in His name. To share some thoughts titled, “When It’s Time to Praise”

Eleven Psalms were attributed to the sons of Korah. I want to share a few passages from 2 to begin today.

Psalms 42:9-11 KJV

9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?

10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Psalms 48:1-3 KJV

1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

“Praising and trusting in all seasons of life.”

Peter taught a lot about trials and praise.

1 Peter 1:3-9 KJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:5 KJV

Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

This leads us to verse 6 which needs some attention.

1 Peter 1:6 KJV

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

Some words need attention. The word heaviness comes from a Greek word which means, “to make sorrowful, to affect with sadness, to cause grief.” The word temptations comes from a Greek word with an interesting meaning. “An experiment, a proving, the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, and constancy.”

“Before and after, the experiment, the proving, the trials, there is this.”

1 Peter 1:8 KJV

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1 Peter 1:8 AMPC

Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exult and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.

I get experimented on, proved, deal with trials of character and persistence. Then, I am supposed to praise.

“YES, He trusts you. He believes in you. You have overcome, and you will overcome.”

The process is not always easy, but the end result is heavenly.

Peter had a couple of more things to say about this.

1 Peter 3:17 KJV

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

1 Peter 5:10 KJV

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

“Why, because He trusts you.”

“When It’s Time to Praise” We praise in the church.

Hebrews 2:12 KJV

Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

“When It’s Time to Praise” We praise when it’s not easy to praise.

Hebrews 13:15 KJV

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

I began with the sons of Korah, and I will end with them.

Psalms 47:1-9 KJV

1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.2 For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

5 God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

“When It’s Time to Praise” The time is now!!!!!!

#inHisname

Unfamiliar Places

Unfamiliar Places

I love the Lord, I love life, my family, church family, and I love this church, with all of you. I am absolutely in love with living. When I wrote this it brought to mind an old Hippie song we used to sing at campfires.

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.”

Seems like I remember Jesus saying the same thing, just in a little different way.

Paul shared this with Timothy 1:7. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

I come to you this morning, in His name. To share some thoughts titled, “Unfamiliar Places”

Proverbs 3 is a book that defines the pursuit of, and the traits of wisdom. Wisdom is not the foundation of my message today, but when we come to understand the plan of God for our lives we will be wise from the experience.

2 Verses go with my thoughts, but I will read 12 from the KJV. Just too good to skip.

Proverbs 3:1-12 KJV

1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

This would be a great message to read on a regular basis. Nothing in life is more encouraging than hearing the words of the Lord, and His commitment to His people. What an awesome story of His love, care, and concern for those who follow Him. Even when He corrects us, it is done in love, and because He loves.

Here are the two verses that begin my thoughts.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP

5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

These passages held great importance to me as I was praying this week. Trusting in God. Looking beyond our narrow vision of life and destiny. Trusting God for direction and safety as we acknowledge His purpose, and walk in it.

Trusting and believing that where God will take us is infinitely better than anything we can imagine ourselves. “ In all your ways know ,and acknowledge, and recognize Him.”

You have heard me say often that God’s timing is different from ours. It is perfect. It considers every obstacle, failure, and tragedy. Every path we must take and the faith we need to walk it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

Amplified

There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.

The Hebrew for the word purpose has a very interesting meaning. It is, “to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with.”

So this passage is actually saying that when your season of time has come it will be a delight to be in. You will take pleasure in your purpose. Pleased with your life and what God is doing in you, with you, and for you.

I want to read the two verses again.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I read these again to remind us of how we must live every day, and also to remind you that before you experience this season of time. This time of peace, joy, delight, and pleasure in your purpose. These places that you are in are exactly where you want to be.

Most often before you reach this place, you will have to walk through unfamiliar places. Unfamiliar, “different; unaccustomed; unusual; strange”

Abraham became the father of Israel. Two things happened that put him in an unfamiliar place.

1^st, God told him to leave his homeland, his father, and go to the land of Canaan. Where is this place he may have thought. What will I do when I get there. It was an unfamiliar place for a seventy year old man to be.

2^nd, God promises that his seed would go forth in all the earth. He had no children. He had to wait 30 more years for Isaac. All that time, in an unfamiliar place.

David was a good shepherd. Protected his flock. God wanted him to be a king. He found himself in unfamiliar places. Giant, sought to be murdered by Saul. He walked these unfamiliar places before he could be king.

Peter was a good fisherman. Jesus wanted him to be a fisher of men. This was something unfamiliar. Something he didn’t understand until he was filled with the Spirit. He found his familiar place. Daniel was in captivity, but skilled in the high levels of government. Favored by the ruler of the land.

God put him in an unfamiliar place. By taking a stand for righteousness. Daniel’s purpose was to see visions from God. Write prophetically of end times, the Ancient of days and the Messiah. This was his purpose, but he had to first go through the lions den. His unfamiliar place.

“How did these people and many more find their purpose from these unfamiliar places?” It came from a very familiar principle.

Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

#inHisname