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Category Archives: Sermon Notes A look into the mind of a Pastor preparing sermons. The notes include tag lines to elaborate on certain points.

Spirit Rain

April 19, 2018

Spirit Rain

I continue to believe with all my heart that we have entered a fresh season of the purpose of God for Amazing Life Church. Early on this month I felt some spiritual oppression. That usually means that I must pray more, strengthen my faith with more word. Realizing the importance of God’s plan for this house.

I began to feel a shift in my spirit as I prayed and sought the Lord, for His guidance.

Whether you believe it or not, this house is moving forward in God’s purpose. We exist for more than you may think. Hang on tight for we are entering a new season. It is time to get rained on. #wewill #inHisname

I come to you today to share some thoughts titled, “Spirit Rain” I found many of my thoughts today from the OT. Beginning with this.

Isaiah 45:8

Drip down, O heavens, from above, And let the clouds pour down righteousness; Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit, And righteousness spring up with it.
I, the Lord, have created it.

AMPC

Let fall in showers, you heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness [the pure, spiritual, heaven-born possibilities that have their foundation in the holy being of God]; let the earth open, and let them [skies and earth] sprout forth salvation, and let righteousness germinate and spring up [as plants do] together; I the Lord have created it.

Hosea 5:14-15

14 For I will be like a lion to Ephraim And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver.
15 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.

Here is the response to this rebuke from the Lord!!

Hosea 6:1-3

1 “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.
2 “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.
3 “So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.”

There is a very important idea found in Hosea 6:2. “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.”

This verse connects itself with the terms corresponding to revival, resurrection, and restoration, to the Divine favor and protection of the Father.

The declining dying state of Israel would be revived. Their death like condition would undergo a resurrection process, and their disfavor would give way to Divine favor.

Hosea 6:2 led me to this passage in the NT.

Luke 13:31-32

31 Just at that time some Pharisees approached, saying to Him, “Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

32 And He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal.’

Most likely Christ was referring to the Passion. The sufferings, the cross, and the resurrection. He was saying that Herod can’t touch me. I still have work to do, but only for a short time. All of these passages have brought me to a very important conclusion, after I asked myself these questions.

How do I benefit from the work of Christ on the cross? How do I grow beyond my present state, and relationship with Him? How do I find myself enjoying the rain of God? How do I find myself drenched in His Spirit rain? What’s this all about?

It is all about repentance!!!

Remember what Christ told the church at Ephesus.

Revelation 2:5

Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lamp stand out of its place—unless you repent.

He gave the same message to Pergamom and Laodicea. As well similar instructions to the other 4.

Repentance is an ongoing process. It comes from the Greek word, met-an-o-eh’-o, and it means, “to change one’s mind.”

Changing the mind is a process!!!

What could I possibly need to repent from? Little things. “It is sometimes the little things that spoil our growth.

Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.

No revival without repentance. Repentance from what? David said this!!!!

Psalms 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalms 139:23-24 Message

Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life.”

Our walk with Christ is progression and increase. All of which is a characteristic of repentance. It moves us forward and brings us closer to the Father.”   www.visitalc.com 

Where is The Power of God?

April 19, 2018

Where is The Power of God?

We are in a glorious Biblical season of time. One, that in a sense causes more unity in the church than any other time. Even though parts of the global body of Christ remember this season at different times. The reverence, and thankfulness for what Christ has done is equally remembered with worship, love, and prayers.

I am so thankful for the presence of God in our lives. For His love and grace. Thankful for the many prayers that have been answered, and for those prayers that are waiting, on His time.

Living long enough you will see several different cycles, or maybe I should say social and religious changes. Quote from Billy Graham November 1966 at the world council on evangelism.

There is the universal feeling that history is running out, that civilization’s days are numbered, that the problems of the world are insoluble, that hope has reached its frazzled end.”

It is interesting that he said this. What interested me is that he didn’t live like he believed it. He would not accept it. For 40 plus more years before he retired he preached the Gospel of hope.

I have committed to the same. It ain’t over until God says it is. “WE NEED TO TELL HIS STORY!!!”

The Word of God was assembled and passed down to give us hope. Romans 15:4, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

Where is The Power of God?”

I want to quickly share some sobering thoughts from the OT.

Judges 2:6-10

6 When Joshua had dismissed the people, the sons of Israel went each to his inheritance to possess the land.

7 The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who survived Joshua, who had seen all the great work of the Lord which He had done for Israel.

8 Then Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of one hundred and ten.

9 And they buried him in the territory of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

10 All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.

Psalms 78:5-8

5 For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children,
6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,
7 That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,

8 And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

We can not blame God for the condition of the world. Generations have neglected to tell the story of Jesus to

children. Passing on respect for God. For their fellow man. Teaching them the Bible at home, and in church.

So what do we do. Obviously we pray, but there is more. Our words must be intensified by the power of God. What we say to ourselves, and what we speak to others means something. “What is that power based upon?” “What will empower our words?”

1 Corinthians 1:18-19

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.”

Before you can ever rise from the death of sin in your life. You must come to the cross.”

I think I read something about a cross somewhere else.

Matthew 16:24-26

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

I have to pick up the cross? The cross is an instrument of torture and death. Eph. 2:1 “ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins” “Dying to our ways”

But it is also a symbol of commitment.”

He went. He didn’t have to. His response to a disciple cutting the ear of a soldier in the garden.

Matthew 26:53-54

53 Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

54 How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

He took His purpose seriously. He could have went home. He chose to go home the hard way. That is the only way we live today, in the grace and love of a Savior who would not make His life His own. But gave it up for us. “The cross is the power of God to Salvation.”

You can not rise, until you die to your sins, and your ways.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5

4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

What destroys the wisdom of the world? What is the power of God for Salvation?” Preach The Cross

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Will you come to the cross today? Will you die to sin?

www.visitalc.com #inHisname #wewill

What’s Greater Than the Promise?

April 19, 2018

What’s Greater Than the Promise?

Love is the force that moves us forward. As Christians, as a church, and as the global church moves forward we do so with, and in love.

Love is the most incredible theological principle in the Bible. It is so simple, yet it covers every single law from the OT, and all the writings of the NT. Love God, Love your neighbor. With all your heart that embodies the entire Bible. Are there lessons to be learned, principles to embrace. Sins to repent from and prayers to pray. Of course, and love for God and man drives them all.

The Apostle Paul shared this with the Corinthians.

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.” #wewill #inHisname

Early in the Bible God gave Moses a promise to share with His children in Egypt.

Exodus 3:16-17

16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I am indeed concerned about you and what has been done to you in Egypt.

17 So I said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.”’

They began their journey with spoils from the Egyptians, and a promise from God.

This is not much different from the way our journey with Christ began. Not tangible in nature, but God has endowed us with spiritual gifts. Victory over sin, and His promise is to never leave us. He will see us through to the promise of eternal life.

Let’s take a look at the children of Israel.

Numbers 13:1-2

1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying,

2 “Send out for yourself men so that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the sons of Israel; you shall send a man from each of their fathers’ tribes, every one a leader among them.”

Numbers 13:21-24

21 So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, at Lebo-hamath.

22 When they had gone up into the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak were. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

23 Then they came to the valley of Eshcol and from there cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes; and they carried it on a pole between two men, with some of the pomegranates and the figs.

24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut down from there.

Here they are, looking at the promise of God. After all this time, standing in the promised land.

Numbers 13:25-27

25 When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days,

26 they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.

27 Thus they told him, and said, “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.

So God said He would give it to them, and what they saw was exactly how God said it would be.

Numbers 13:28-29

28 Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there.

29 Amalek is living in the land of the Negev and the Hittites and the Jebusites and the Amorites are living in the hill country, and the Canaanites are living by the sea and by the side of the Jordan.”

Caleb tried to encourage the people. Then this.

Numbers 13:31

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.

They could not embrace victory by the promise. Their eyes deceived them. Their thoughts crippled them. They could not see God in the process.

Sometimes it is difficult to see God in our surroundings. “Who remembers Hagar the horrible?”

In one strip we find Hagar kneeling in prayer. “It’s not easy to believe in you God. We never see you. How come you never show yourself? How do we know you even exist…” Next we see

  • a flower springing into life beside Hagar,
  • a volcano erupting in the distance,
  • an eclipse of sun turning the sky black,
  • a star shooting across the stratosphere;
  • a tidal wave rushing over Hagar,
  • lightning flashing,
  • a bush beginning to burn,
  • a stone rolling away from the entrance to a tomb.

Hagar pulls himself from the mud, dripping wet, surrounded by darkness. “OK, OK. I give up! Every time I bring up this subject, all we get is interruptions.”

All too often the answer is right in front of your eyes. In your heart or mind.

Many times the answer or the promise just doesn’t come like we want it. Most often it requires us to take it. To believe it before we receive it.

Father, I accept your promise. Give it to me. What? Go get it.”

What about today?

Acts 2:21

And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Acts 2:38-39

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Is Anything Greater Than the Promise?”

Without any Merit

April 19, 2018

Without any Merit

God is so good to all of us. Through every season, every difficulty, every joy that we experience, God is with us. Loving, leading, strengthening, and rejoicing.

Together we stand. Hearts and minds dedicated to reach our community, and as much of the world as we can.

Remember, how could you forget, the words you hear most every week. God is in this house, and in the mission we have embraced. We move forward always with His purpose, and in His strength.

Tear the walls of doubt and fear down, and believe with me that, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. #wewill #inHisname,

I want to read 8 scriptures. There is only one that is the focus of my message, but the others are so awesome I couldn’t carve them out.

Romans 11:25-32

25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,

The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”
27 “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”

28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers;

29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience,

31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy.

32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all. Preach God’s eternal plan!

My theme for today is found in verse 29. “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Romans11:29 Amplified

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call].

Gifts is translated from the Greek word Charisma. It has a very thorough definition. “a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own.” “the gift of divine grace,- the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue,- the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith,- grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit”

While putting this together a Biblical character came to mind. Someone who was born with a purpose. You might say He was a gift to his parents, and there was an anointing on him from God. A gift to save his people from an enemy. His name was Samson.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Samson’s mom with this message.

Judges 13:3-5

3 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and give birth to a son.

4 Now therefore, be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing.

5 For behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”

This same message was confirmed to her husband.

When Samson was born and began to grow into adulthood it was evident that the anointing of God was on him.

Unfortunately Samson had some weaknesses. He often used his gift to tease or irritate the enemy. He also had a problem with the ladies. His gift was huge. With it he could deliver his people from the enemy that had afflicted them. You know the story.

He divulged the vow. The secret of his strength. They cut his hair, blinded him, bound him in bronze chains, and made him the grinder in prison.

What happened to his gift?” Is This Us?

Here is one of the most remarkable passages in scripture.

Judges 16:22

However, the hair of his head began to grow again after it was shaved off.

How many would love to hear, however, right now?

So what is our individual gift. Individually, and corporately we have the same gift as Samson. “Share the freedom from sin in Christ. IE deliverance.”

1 Peter 4:8-10 Amplified

8 Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].

9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].

Sometimes we have to stir up the gift within us.

2 Timothy 1:6 KJV

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

You have to look beyond what the eyes can see, and focus your faith on the gift of God. It is not about surroundings, culture, talent or ability. It is about what God says.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB and Amplified

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God-

8 For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;

9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

9 not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].

Gift in this passage from the Greek means, “a present, a gift offered as an expression of honor.”

Is there an however in your life? What you felt years ago may be stirring again in your heart.

Maybe you are ready today, to embrace the gift of eternal life. Free from condemnation, fear, and hopelessness.

Www.visitalc.com

The door is open, What are you waiting on?

April 19, 2018

The door is open, What are you waiting on?

This has been a great week in the presence of God. He is always faithful to bless and encourage, especially when you take time out to talk with Him.

In prayer and study you will grow closer, and stronger in your relationship with the Father. After all that is what following Christ is all about. Learning His way, thinking His thoughts, responding to circumstances and unexpected events with His wisdom. We only become accomplished in these things from prayer and meditation on His Word.

God loves us so much, and there are times I wonder if we really understand why Jesus died, shed His blood. Allowed His body to be broken. The answer is simple. Of course it was to restore us to the favor of the Father. Redemption from sin. There is also this. He wants to have a personal relationship with us. He wants you to share yourself with Him. Your love, joy, sadness, hurts. Everything that matters to you, matters to Him.

#wewill #inHisname.

Hebrews 10:19-23

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

The Tabernacle of Moses was a complicated work. There was a courtyard, A Holy place, and the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is the place where God sat on the mercy seat, on the Ark of The covenant.

No one could enter this far without blood sacrifice. And that would have to be accepted by God or the priest would die.

These passages in Hebrews tell us that Jesus was the blood sacrifice. His broken and crucified body was what opened the veil into the presence of God. Where God sits. “I love this stuff.”

There was one other thing the High Priest did in the Holy of Holies. He burned incense. So where is the incense in the new and living way that Hebrews talks about. “I Found It!!”

Ephesians 5:1-2

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

The smell of His sacrifice was sweet to the presence of God. (That’s not all.)

2 Corinthians 2:14-17

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?

17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

When we enter His presence we are not facing death, we are embracing Life.

1 Peter 1:17-19

17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,

19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

Verse 19 from the AMP says, (but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ.)

In Exodus 12, as God is preparing the people to leave Egypt, He had them put blood on the door posts of their homes. He then gave this eternal promise, and instituted the passover feast.

Exodus 12:13 KJV

And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

(“When I see the blood”)

1 John 1:5-7

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Verse 7 AMP

1 John 1:7 Amplified

but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

The blood not only joins us in fellowship with God. It joins us in fellowship with one another.

I love Romans 5:9 from the classic AMP.

Romans 5:9 AMPC

Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

Blood of Jesus”

To everything God has, “The door is open, What are you waiting on?”

Let’s do this Together

April 19, 2018

Let’s do this Together

I appreciate all of you who prayed for us, and also those who took care of and attended the Wednesday night service. While away I realized how much I missed ALC and you guys. It moved me as I found some time later in the week to put down the thoughts that God had placed on my heart.

Hear me say this over and over. I love the church, and I love this church. The church broadly has been commissioned to carry the story of Jesus to the world. In an another sense, the local church has been commissioned to carry the story of Jesus to their community. And to serve their community with their resources. #wewill #takethelead #inHisname

Let’s do this Together”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.

10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

This is a familiar passage, still I believe that we need to think about what it means. (Our world has changed. Broadly speaking so many want to do it alone. Not owing anyone. Not making commitments to someone. Accountability to one another is a trait hard to find.)

God never meant for us to stand alone. “It’s not just me and Jesus.”

There are some things that us seasoned saints grew up in that should not have been discarded. They were and are, eternal precepts. “One of the most important in this season of life is the relationship we have with one another.”

Someone to talk to, to pray with, to encourage each other. To study together. Face difficulties together. To embrace the one who has failed,and help restore them again.”Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.-For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.”

Relationships empower us for successful prayer.

Matthew 18:19-20

19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

Matthew 18:19-20 AMPC

19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.

20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I Am in the midst of them.

Unity is excellence

Psalms 133:1-3

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Even Aaron’s beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever.

It is anointed, refreshing, and blessed to unite with one another.”

The world view is. “I don’t need anyone!!!”

We can do this better, together.

Hebrews 13:1-3

1 Let love of the brethren continue.

2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

3 Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

Our love for one another will develop our compassion and love for our world.

Unity is important in receiving from God.

Acts 2:1 KJV

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

120 people received as they joined together.

Ministry is strengthened with unity.

Mark 6:7 KJV

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits.

#wewill #inHisname www.visitalc.com

“The Enemy Within”

February 12, 2018

The Enemy Within

What an awesome season we are in. God has blessed, revealed, and confirmed in these past few weeks. The purpose for this church has widened in scope. God is positioning us to change more than just ourselves, and our community.

There are people everywhere in need of the faith, love, and prayers that we embrace. Doubt and fear is a cloud of darkness. It hides the revelation we love. The story of Jesus. That is the light of the world.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” Ro. 13:12 KJV

I want to share some thoughts titled, “The Enemy Within”

There are four areas in our life that we have to deal with. You might say they are enemies to the plan and purpose of God. If you remember from last week, God has already given us the promises we need to be successful in our walk with Christ.

Just as He gave the children of Israel the promised land, we have to take our promises just as they had to take the land.

They fought a physical enemy. We are fighting something different. There are 4 areas of our life we must conquer. I will deal with 2 today.

The mind, and the will. Buckle your seat belts

Let’s begin with an attitude adjustment!!

Philippians 2:5-8 KJV

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Verse 5 from the Amp reads, Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],”

Humility has been lacking in Kingdom authority in this day and time. You can’t even begin to embrace the promises of God until you break before Him, and know it is not about you. It is all about Him.

The 1st area of our life we must deal with is our mind.

Romans 7:21-25

21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.

22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man,

23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members.

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Romans 7:21-23 Message

21“It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. 22 I truly delight in God’s commands,

23 but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.”

Our minds and our thoughts. There is a war going on for our thoughts.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16

14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.

16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Verse 16 AMPC

For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.

The second issue we must deal with is our will.

Joshua gave a charge to the children of Israel when the land had been taken.

Joshua 24:14-15

14 “Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.

15 If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Believing the promise is only the beginning. You then have to disregard all the reasons why you can’t, and then choose to do what He said you can do.

Choose to believe and receive, or choose to walk away.

Here is a familiar word from David

Psalms 143:8-10 NASB

8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies; I take refuge in You.

10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

We have to be taught to do His will. Prayer, study, counsel.

Let me close with this admonition from Hebrews.

Hebrews 13:20-21 NASB

20 Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord,

21 equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be.

What will you choose? Your thoughts, or your will. Imperfect and lacking.

Choose you this day!!! #wewill #inHisname

“It Either is, or it Ain’t”

February 12, 2018

It Either is, or it Ain’t

Our thoughts and prayers are always on this ministry, and the people who are faithful to continue with us in obedience to God’s Word, and our work in this community.

I mentioned last week that God was speaking to multiple people. It seems to be a common message of entering a new season for Amazing Life Church. I am excited to see God confirming His word, and challenging us to get ready to embrace His greatness.

Our faith and confidence in the Father must remain strong. Our prayers for wisdom and understanding must be consistent.

Holy Father knows that I will never embrace cookie cutter religion. I am not interested in following the popular movement. Being religiously correct.

I am however, very interested in stepping out of the boat. Climbing the mountain. Casting the net. I am interested in stopping to help the one who has been beaten and left for dead. “Beaten down with life, alcohol, drugs, failure and disappointment.” I am interested in becoming more like Jesus. Embracing His fulness, and I am very interested in challenging you to do the same.

I come to you in His name to share some thoughts titled,“It Either is, or it Ain’t”

For your information. I googled, “How many promises are in the Bible?” Several sites came up and I chose Bible Gateway. It responded with 5467 Divine promises. “Promise number one”

Hebrews 6:13-18

13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself,

14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”

15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise.

16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute.

17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath,

18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6:18 AMPC

This was so that, by two unchangeable things His promise and His oath in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled to Him for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before us.

God has laid the foundation for our life and its purpose. The foundation to build upon has an eternal cornerstone. A chief cornerstone. All the weight of our life. Our destiny, our success, our ministry, our everything is built upon Jesus. “His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension.” Himself declaring, I am the way, the truth, and the life.

God said to Abraham, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.”

In verse 17 God said He would do the same for the heirs of the promise, In verse 18 Father defines such, as those who have taken refuge in Him.

Deuteronomy 1:6-8

6 “The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb, saying, ‘You have stayed long enough at this mountain.

7 Turn and set your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites, and to all their neighbors in the Arabah, in the hill country and in the lowland and in the Negev and by the seacoast, the land of the Canaanites, and Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.

8 See, I have placed the land before you; go in and possess the land which the Lord swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to them and their descendants after them.’

The word Horeb from the Hebrew means, desert. It comes from a root word which means, to be waste, lay waste, make desolate, be desolate, be in ruins.

God said you have stayed long enough.

Why the urgency?

Preach conforming to your surroundings.

No blessings there.

The blessing is in the promise.

You may have to go through the desert, but don’t stay too long.

You have to get up and leave the ruins, and take what God has promised. God gives, and we have to take it.

The children of Israel never realized the promise under the leadership of Moses. Joshua took His place and did two very important things to claim the promise of God.

Joshua 11:23

So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses, and Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. Thus the land had rest from war.

He took it all. The second is very important, and relevant to us today.

Joshua 12:7

Now these are the kings of the land whom Joshua and the sons of Israel defeated beyond the Jordan toward the west, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon even as far as Mount Halak, which rises toward Seir; and Joshua gave it to the tribes of Israel as a possession according to their divisions,

It goes on to list all the kings by name and territory.

Joshua 12:24

the king of Tirzah, one: in all, thirty-one kings.

To realize the promises of God, you will have to believe they are yours. You will have to remove every obstacle that hinders you from receiving them.

Colossians 2:8-15

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form,

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;

12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

It Either is, or it Ain’t”

#wewill #inHisname

“Calling for Maturity”

February 12, 2018

Calling for Maturity

I want to share some thoughts titled, “Calling for Maturity”

God is calling for the saints to scripturally position themselves. He is not winking at Spiritual ignorance and religious traditions. He is calling for the maturity of the saints.”

1 Corinthians 14:20 KJV

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

1 Corinthians 14:20 AMP

Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

Ephesians 4:9-16 KJV

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:15 TLB

Instead, we will lovingly follow the truth at all times—speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly—and so become more and more in every way like Christ who is the Head of his body, the Church.

AMPC

Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

The phrase speak the truth comes from a Greek with a very broad meaning. It means, “to speak the truth, teach the truth, profess the truth. To be true in doctrine and in your profession of faith.”

Love is from the Greek agape, and it means brotherly love, affection, goodwill, and benevolence.

Nothing in this passage tells us to use it to attack, judge and condemn. Nothing in this passage gives us the right to tell anyone anything beyond the story of Jesus. It is a command for us to personally know, speak, live, and declare the Gospel of our Lord.

Pulpit commentary says this of verse 15. “Truth is the element in which we live, move, and have our being. Being consistent in truth is the backbone of Christian ministry. Truth must be inseparably married to love.”

This passage ends with an exhortation. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

Hebrews 5:11-14 KJV

11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

12-13 Amplified

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food.

13 For everyone who lives on milk is [doctrinally inexperienced and] unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a spiritual infant.

#wewill #inHisname

“What Difference Does it Make”

February 12, 2018

What Difference Does it Make

Establishing on a firm foundation of love and grace, the Biblical principles that will strengthen and encourage those who hear. The same principles that move us beyond these walls, and with great authority, impact our community.

You might say this is the mission statement that I have used to form the words I share each week. Hoping and praying that purpose will take our thoughts and dreams forward in the plan of God.

I want to share some thoughts titled, “What Difference Does it Make?”

Balak, king of Moab. Feared Israel.

Numbers 23:19-21 KJV

19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

AMPC

19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?

20 You see, I have received His command to bless Israel. He has blessed, and I cannot reverse or qualify it.

21 [God] has not beheld iniquity in Jacob [for he is forgiven], neither has He seen mischief or perverseness in Israel [for the same reason]. The Lord their God is with Israel, and the shout of praise to their King is among the people.

David wrote in Psalms 138:7, KJV. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”

(The enemy can not touch the blessed of God.)

Psalm 102 does not have a confirmed author but some Believe it was written by David after his trouble with Absalom. The header says this. “Prayer of an Afflicted Man for Mercy on Himself and on Zion. A Prayer of the Afflicted when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the Lord.”

Psalms 102:24-28 KJV

24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations.

25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed:

27 But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.

28 The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. We Are Blessed

Hebrews 1:10-12 KJV

10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;

12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

(God is eternally the same!)

Hebrews 13:8 KJV

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

James 1:16-17

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:17 AMP

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].

He never changes. He never moves from His purpose. Revival, awakening, a move of God is not about where we are. If God moves in, Dallas, Pensacola, Canada, Kentucky, California, The Colonies.

Azusa Street, and on and on. “What Difference Does it Make?” (If God did it anywhere, He will do it here.)

(The enemy can not touch the blessed of God.)

1 John 4:4 AMP

Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind].

What difference does it make where we are at. God is the same. He simply needs us, needs you to say yes.

Yes to His love and grace. Yes to the call in your heart. Yes to the dream you have. Yes to His kingdom authority. Yes to the blood He shed for you.

#wewill #inHisname