“What About, In The Middle?”

“What About, In The Middle?”

Thanks to everyone for you faithfulness and love for this house of God. It is such a blessing to walk in God’s purpose. Walking with a bunch of awesome people who love God and have a desire to help. Help our friends, loved ones, and the community.

We have laid a strong foundation of love and grace. These Gospel traits broaden our understanding of the scriptures. They increase our ability to tell the story of Jesus, with a strong conviction of the Good News.

As time progresses I have become more and more impatient. Fortunately, in prayer the Father pulls the reigns. Reminding me often that the things I have prayed for at His direction. The dreams He has placed in my heart. The plans He has for some of you, and the events He has pictured in my mind will come in their appointed time.

#wewill #inHisname

I come to you in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “What About, In The Middle?”

There is a very familiar passage that I will share as I begin my thoughts today.

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.

I am a strong believer in what many call types and shadows in the scriptures. With my understanding I firmly believe that many things in the scriptures are lessons, and examples for us to follow today. They didn’t die with Jesus or the Apostles. They weren’t preserved through the years simply to read and acknowledge as the good old days. Jesus said in

John 14:12 KJV, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”

John 7:3-8

3 Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing.

4 For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” (unbelieving challenge)

5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him.

6 So Jesus *said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune. (referencing going to the Temple to celebrate a feast, not His time but always their time.)

7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.

8 Go up to the feast yourselves; I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.”

Shortly after this encounter He went to the feast, and began teaching in the temple. Seems that no one would force Him to go. He went when He wanted to go.

The crowd began to taunt Him. Wondering how He was educated. Saying that He had a demon.

It’s not about proving yourself, we must reveal Him.

John 7:28-30

28 Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from; and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.

29 I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

30 So they were seeking to seize Him; and no man laid his hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

John 2:1-4

1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there;

2 and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.

3 When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.”

4 And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

For every season there is a beginning and an end. Not literally the end of purpose. It is more like a promotion, containing a new purpose. When you finish one season of learning, you move onto another. Preach Preach

“We will be, should be, evolving, our entire lives.”

(His time has come!!)

John 12:20-28 NASB

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who were going up to worship at the feast;

21 these then came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and began to ask him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

22 Philip *came and *told Andrew; Andrew and Philip came and *told Jesus.

23 And Jesus *answered them, saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

25 He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

28 Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

(telling the story of the great harvest of souls)

John 17:1-3

1 Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You,

2 even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. 3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Time was not yet, and the time has come. “Does any of this sound familiar?

What about us? We have the dream, prayed the prayers, heard the heart of God as He speaks hope, and peace, and excellence, and all of His awesome love to our heart.

Why do I feel stuck, helpless, like a failure. Wondering when, why the delay. On and on our mind is rattled with questions about the dream. The vision. The prayers.

When will my time come. When will the time come for the church. We know when we got the dream. We know when we prayed the prayers. “Here is how Jesus dealt with the journey.”

When He was 12 and His parents thought He was lost. They found Him in the temple. Debating with the scholars and theologians. Mary said, why have you done this, we have been looking for you.

Luke 2:49 KJV

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

AMPC

And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me to be in My Father’s house and [occupied] about My Father’s business?

John 4:34 KJV

Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

AMPC

Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work.

“What About, In The Middle?” Work, dream pray, and your time will come.

#wewill #inHisname

“Good Luck With That”

“Good Luck With That”

The first two weeks of 2018 have been awesome. God has blessed and encouraged as the church has moved forward in it’s purpose. Many churches in this country are moving back to the Gospel message. I look for it everyday and am excited to see it happening.

Two weeks have passed and already God is providing opportunities to help others. Speaking a unified message to servants in this house. Calling us, as the scriptures say in Ephesians.

Ephesians 3:17-19 NASB, (17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.) “What an awesome way of saying, God is calling for the maturity of the saints.”

#wewill #inHisname

I want to share some thoughts today titled, “Good Luck With That”

Actually, “Good Luck With That” has a definition. It is a set phrase that people say when you’re going to try something that they think will be hard or impossible. The literal meaning is simply, I hope you succeed with that, but is most often used sarcastically.

The moment I heard it, it brought several encounters from the Bible to mind.

Genesis 17:15-19

15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

16 I will bless her, and indeed I will give you a son by her. Then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”

17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man one hundred years old? And will Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”

18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before You!”

19 But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

“Abraham fell on his face and laughed” Let me translate that in today’s vernacular. “Good Luck With That”

Abraham had more than enough legitimate, physical reasons that this would not happen.

Abraham was basing His purpose, and God’s promise on what He could do.

The same things takes place everyday in the world, and in the kingdom of God. (We base our purpose, God’s promises, on what we believe about ourselves.)

Many times God speaks to His people a word of destiny. A plan and purpose for their life. Sometimes He speaks through another. Sometimes in a dream or a vision. He also will remind you of your talent and ability. We often reject the plan and purpose of the Father because we think we can’t.

Our thoughts are very clear. “Good Luck With That”

Every tine the dream, the vision, the talent confronts you with an opportunity your mind tells you, “Good Luck With That”

Preach, Far too many many people base their purpose and their abilities on what they think about themselves.

“It is difficult for God to bless you in His plan for your life when you will not let Him use what you have.”

(Everything begins somewhere, with something!!)

John 20:24-29

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus *came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”

27 Then He *said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

“Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

Let me put this in today’s vernacular, tell it however you want, “Good Luck With That”

Once again the situation represents the thought patterns of today. People want to experience success before they ever believe that it is attainable. Before they ever even take the first step. Make the first sacrifice.

Let me see the new building, the overflow crowd. Let me see the dream and vision come to pass. When I see it I will believe it.

So what is this all about. It is all about one thing. Doubt. A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.

James 1:5-8

5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

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 double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Matthew 14:28-31

28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Mark 11:23 NASB

Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.

I found this very interesting. The word doubt, or doubting, comes from the Greek word,

“dee-ak-ree’-no”, and it means, to be at variance with oneself, to hesitate or doubt.

I love this stuff. Doubt is the enemy of faith. There are people in many of our lives, that do not want you to succeed. They perceive no dream, vision, or talent in their life so jealousy rears it’s ugly head every time you mention a desire, or a gift, a dream. Your passion for helping others. The words that come from their shallow mind and negative perception ring loudly, Good Luck With That.

Let me close with this. Remember what God told Abraham. Gen. 18:14 “Is anything too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

Jeremiah 32:17 NASB

Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,

The Angel told Mary in Luke 1:37 NASB, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

When the disciples asked Jesus who could be saved in response to the encounter with the rich young man, He said in Luke 18”27 NASB, “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.”

(We base our purpose, God’s promises, on what we believe about ourselves.) What do You believe?

I believe you can do anything, accomplish anything, get over anything, make anything, sing any song, share the Word of God. I believe you can walk out His divine purpose in a victorious fashion.

Nothing is impossible with God.

Will you take the step forward today to be what God has called you to be? (1^St, is to be a follower of Christ.)

#wewill #inHisname

“Unlocking the Power of the Scriptures”

“Unlocking the Power of the Scriptures”

We do appreciate the faithful for the Wednesday night Bible studies. We have a very casual presentation and it is a great format to bring someone with you.

Tonight will probably be more like preaching but it would be great if you write thoughts or questions down, and I will try to leave some time for discussion.

I am not sure I will get through tonight with my thoughts. I will finish my next time.

I come to you with some thoughts titled, “Unlocking the Power of the Scriptures” #wewill, #inHisname.

I believe that we are in a season of time where God’s people need to scripturally position themselves. God is not winking at spiritual ignorance and religious traditions. He is calling for the maturity of the saints.

Proverbs 22 has a message for the church today. It will help us understand the process for unlocking our understanding of the scriptures.

Proverbs 22:17-21

17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge;
18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
That they may be ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, even you.
20 Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels and knowledge,
21 To make you know the certainty of the words of truth
That you may correctly answer him who sent you?

There are several things going on in these 5 verses.

1^st is a very clear invitation to receive. “Incline your ear and hear.”

It is important to understand that unless our heart and mind is ready to receive, it does no good for someone to tell it. Hebrews 3:7-8 says, (7Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,“Today if you hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, As in the day of trial in the wilderness,)

“It does no good to hear if you have not prepared your heart to receive.”

The next couple of verses are referring to gaining wisdom from God’s word. Gaining wisdom has great value. It reveals the depth of God’s word. It reveals the excellent things recorded in God’s word. His promises and His purpose. We must keep wisdom in our hearts.

(Wisdom sees God’s truth with clarity.)

Verse 21 is telling us that we are responsible to act on what we hear. (The most profound and brilliant sayings and scriptures are powerless without personal application.)

1 Peter 3:15

but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

Amplified But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect.

#wewill #inHisname

“Rejuvenate-Restore-Revive”

“Rejuvenate-Restore-Revive”

Today we embark on the 15^th year of Amazing Life Church. I am so thankful for the 14 years we have dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There have been victories, there have been tragedies. We have gained, and we have lost. God has brought us through every season that we have entered. Beginning each one with faith. Leaving each one better than we were before.

It has been my custom to look at the Biblical numerology of each year. I looked at that for the number 15, and I have rejected it. It means a time of rest. I do not have time to rest. Quicker than I have imagined my years will accomplish that for me some day. If God approves my petition, not for many years to come.

What I will embrace regarding the number 15, are the 15 promises found in The Gospel of Matthew. Let me read them quickly before I begin my message.

1. The Kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3)

2. We will be filled with righteousness (5:6)

3. We shall see God (5:8)

4. Will be called the children of God (5:9)

5. Our names confessed before God the Father (10:32)

6. We will be given rest (11:29)

7. God will consider us part of his family (12:50)

8. We shall become fully converted (18:3)

9. We shall be great in God’s Kingdom (18:4)

10. We will be able to receive Christ (18:5)

11. Our requests made with others will be granted (18:19)

12. Christ will be with us (18:20)

13. We will be saved (24:13)

14. We serve Jesus by serving others (25:40)

15. Jesus will always be with us (28:19)

I come to you in His name to share some thoughts titled, “Rejuvenate-Restore-Revive”

The word restore means, “to bring back into existence, reestablish.”

Psalms 51:10-13

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You.

The word rejuvenate means, “to restore to a former state, to make fresh or new again.”

Ephesians 4:21-24

21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,

22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,

23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Ephesians 4:24 AMP

and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].

The gift of a new life in Christ!!!

The word revive is very interesting. “It means to activate, set in motion, take up again.

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

“It is time to prove Him” Let’s talk about the words one more time.

Restore, What was David thinking when Nathan the prophet came to him? “Maybe God, please don’t be mad at me any more. I want to be in your presence, know that your voice is directing me. Restore my joy and my confidence so that I can accomplish your will.

Do you need to be restored today?

Rejuvenate, make fresh or new again.

Have you kept one foot in the past? You have walked in His presence and His anointing. Doesn’t seem as real or as close today.

Psalms 92:10

But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil.

AMPC

But my horn (emblem of excessive strength and stately grace) You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil.

He hasn’t changed. Your purpose is the same. “Maybe it is time for a fresh anointing.” (fresh-Fig. Prosperous, flourishing.)

Revive, to activate, set in motion, take up again.

Have you been complacent, resting in your comfort zone? Satisfied in a place that is easy.

“It is time to activate the gift of God within you.”

Preach Preach Preach,

COME AND BE RESTORED, REJUVENATED, AND REVIVED.

#we will, #inHisname

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