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

In His Name

October 17, 2017

In His Name

Welcome to everyone this morning. God has been awesome this past week. Really nothing new, He always is. Each week we gather in His presence and enjoy His greatness.

Day by day we live in Him. Move in Him, and embrace Him, and His purpose for our lives.

Our relationship with Christ should never stop progressing. Moving forward in our purpose, and growing stronger in His grace. Embracing the Word of God. Embracing a consistent prayer life. Being the light of Christ to your world.

There is an amazing season of change occurring in the church world. People who left the Gospel for religious rules and regulations have been brought to their senses, by the Holy Spirit. The truth of the Gospel, the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus is being restored in pulpits across this land. “Amen, Amen!!!”

I come to you this morning in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “In His Name”

Isaiah 52:13-15

13 Behold, My servant will prosper, He will be high and lifted up and greatly exalted.

14 Just as many were astonished at you, My people, So His appearance was marred more than any man And His form more than the sons of men.
15 Thus He will sprinkle many nations, Kings will shut their mouths on account of Him; For what had not been told them they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.

This is clearly a reference to the coming of the promised Messiah. It takes two other translations of verse 15 to make sense. The first will take care of, He will sprinkle many nations.

Isaiah 52:15 AMP

So He will sprinkle many nations [with His blood, providing salvation], Kings will shut their mouths because of Him; For what they had not been told they will see, And what they had not heard they will understand.

This passage clears up the rest.

Isaiah 52:15 TLB

Yet many shall be amazed when they see him—yes, even far-off foreign nations and their kings; they shall stand dumbfounded, speechless in his presence. For they shall see and understand what they had not been told before. They shall see my Servant beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know it was a person standing there. So shall he cleanse many nations.

“We are talking about Jesus”

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,
And interceded for the transgressors.

(The NLT says, I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.)

“We are talking about Jesus!!!”

Daniel had a prophetic vision and then God revealed to Him, the Son of Man.

Daniel 7:13-14

13 “I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him.
14 “And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed.

“We are talking about Jesus, Why isn’t everyone talking about Jesus?”

Philippians 2:8-11

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.

Phillip’s says of verse 11, “And that is why, in the end, “every tongue shall confess” that Jesus Christ” is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

“We are talking about Jesus, Why isn’t everyone talking about Jesus?”

His Miracles.

1. Calming the storm – Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:37-41; Luke 8:22-25
2. Feeding 5,000 – Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
3. Walking on water – Matthew 14:22-32; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21

4. Feeding 4,000 – Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-9
5. Fish with coin – Matthew 17:24-27
6. Fig tree withers – Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25
7. Huge catch of fish – Luke 5:4-11; John 21:1-11
8. Water into wine – John 2:1-11

Healing of Individuals
1. Man with leprosy – Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-44; Luke 5:12-14

2. Roman centurion’s servant – Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10

3. Peter’s mother-in-law – Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:30-31; Luke 4:38-39
4. Two men possessed with devils – Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-15; Luke 8:27-39
5. Man with palsy – Matthew 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-12; Luke 5:18-26

6. Woman with issue – Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48
7. Two blind men – Matthew 9:27-31
8. Dumb, devil-possessed man – Matthew 9:32-33
9. Canaanite woman’s daughter – Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30
10. Boy with devil – Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:17-29; Luke 9:38-43

11. Two blind men – including Bartimaeus – Matthew 20:29-34; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43

12. Demon-possessed man in synagogue – Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37
13. Blind man at Bethsaida – Mark 8:22-26
14. Crippled woman – Luke 13:10-17
15. Man with dropsy – Luke 14:1-4
16. Ten men with leprosy – Luke 17:11-19
17. The high priest’s servant – Luke 22:50-51
18. Nobleman’s son at Capernaum – John 4:46-54
19. Sick man at the pool of Bethsaida – John 5:1-15
20. Man born blind – John 9:1-41
Raising the Dead
1. Jairus’ daughter – Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56
2. Widow’s son at Nain – Luke 7:11-17
3. Lazarus – John 11:1-44

“We are talking about Jesus, Why isn’t everyone talking about Jesus?”

John 3:18

18He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Acts 3:6

But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!”

Colossians 3:17

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

1 John 3:23

This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.

1 John 5:13

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

“Talking about Jesus. In His Name.”

#inHisname #hopelives

He Leaned Toward Me

October 9, 2017

He Leaned Toward Me

http://bit.ly/2y5uI40

As always I want to tell all of you how precious you are to Betty and I. Our prayers for you go up daily to the Lord. Speaking favor and blessings over your lives, and our community.

Please be in prayer for our country. The division and anger has been consistently troubling over the past months. Please pray that God will cover us with His presence and His peace.

It seems like my weeks go by so fast. Getting everything done that needs to be done is a challenge.

In just about 2 months we will be having our Christmas Banquet. The years go by faster and faster.

Moving forward is what we do. Looking back, except to learn, has never been an option with me. You can not measure our results by normal standards. “We ain’t normal.”

I come today in His name to share some thoughts titled, “He Leaned Toward Me”

Psalms 40 was attributed to David and it has an awesome story to tell.

The NASB Bible titles chapters and passages in the chapters, with a relevant synopsis of the chapter or the passages .

Psalms 40 Is titled, “God Sustains His Servant”

The word sustain has several meanings to day. Here is a couple of ones relevant to this Psalm. (to support, hold, or bear up from below; bear the weight of. To keep (a person, the mind, the spirits, etc.) from giving way, as under trial or affliction.)

Here is what David said.

Psalms 40:1-3

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.

The first verse tells of the three portions of answered prayer.

1^st-Waited Patiently. 2^Nd-God inclined to me, literally means, He bent towards me. 3^Rd-He heard my cry, literally means, He answered it.

He begins the testimony of his deliverance, and His praise for God

2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord.

Psalms 40:4-5

4 How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, And has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.

Psalms 40:6-8

6 Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired;
My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required.

(Nothing David did brought about this deliverance. It was God. Same is true for us today. He does good things because He loves us. He answer prayers, not because we are worthy, but because we prayed.)

7 Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”

Psalms 40:9-12

9 I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips,
O Lord, You know.

(David has declared the greatness of God in every public place he could. In the midst of all the people.)

10 I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.

11 You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me; Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
12 For evils beyond number have surrounded me;
My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to see; They are more numerous than the hairs of my head, And my heart has failed me.

(Have you ever just felt like you just can’t stay out of trouble.) Some life event, jobs, family, kids, finances. Something swirling all the time. “God, I am surrounded.”

Here is the answer!!

Psalms 40:13-17

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; Make haste, O Lord, to help me.
14 Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to destroy it; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in my hurt.
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
16 Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!”
17 Since I am afflicted and needy, Let the Lord be mindful of me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

I love verse 17. He is praying for everybody, but don’t forget me. Don’t forget me!!

“Lean Toward Me”

(Somebody needs Him to lean toward you today. To hear and to answer.)

#inHisname #hopelives

Remember When

October 2, 2017

Remember When

http://bit.ly/2g4dglZ

The fall season is trying to arrive but summer has resisted it’s coming.

It reminds me of us, broadly speaking mankind in general. We resist change. It is who we are.

Change has unknown elements to it. Just when we get comfortable with the season of life we are in, God moves us forward to a new season. Change begins.

Sometimes we will hold on to what God is through with. Because we are comfortable with it. When we become comfortable with ourselves, usually this is the very time that God will begin to shake things up. It becomes a season of change.

With all of that said, much of the Bible is about the past. Examples of His grace and love. Stories of people and the difficulties they faced. Revealing their faith and how God moved for them. Moved them forward in destiny.

I come to you this morning, in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “Remember When”

Genesis 30 is the story of the sons of Jacob.

Genesis 30:22-24

22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God gave heed to her and opened her womb.

23 So she conceived and bore a son and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”

24 She named him Joseph, saying, “May the Lord give me another son.”

From the Hebrew Joseph means, “Jehovah has added, from the root word which means, to add, increase, do again.”

Exodus the 2^nd chapter begins with the birth of Moses. His people being persecuted in Egypt. Moses fleeing to Midian. He took a wife, had a son, and became a shepherd of his father in laws sheep. “Then This”

Exodus 2:23-25

23 Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

God remembered the cries of a single individual.

He remembered His promise to the fathers, when He heard the cries of a nation with millions of people.

(God remembered when, someone prayed, when someone cried, when He made a promise.)

God will remember you!!!

Let’s talk about us for a while.

Matthew 26:74-75

74 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

How many remember a sin or failure?

(Let me fix this for you.)

Hebrews 10:14-18

14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying,

16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them After those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, And on their mind I will write them,” He then says,

17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Mark 8:17-19

17 And Jesus, aware of this, *said to them, “Why do you discuss the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Do you have a hardened heart?

18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember,

19 when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.”

(Do you not remember His goodness? Everything He has brought you through. Every prayer answered, need met.)

Finally, In Romans 11 Paul was writing about the failure of the Jews to accept Christ. Explaining how that opened the door for the Gentiles to be saved.

In detail the Apostle was explaining the mystery of salvation and its quality of restoration.

He then said this.

Romans 11:17-18

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,

18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.

Remember who we are. It is not about us, it is all about Him, the Root.

Just so you know who the root is.

Isaiah 11:10 AMPC

And it shall be in that day that the Root of Jesse shall stand as a signal for the peoples; of Him shall the nations inquire and seek knowledge, and His dwelling shall be glory [His rest glorious]!

Romans 15:12

Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”

“Do you remember when?

#inHisname #hopelives

What’s In Your Center?

September 25, 2017

What’s In Your Center?

The love and grace of God is an eternal flow. God loves unconditionally, and forgives with the same authority.

The last few years of my life have been a period of transformation. Understanding and revelation have been consistently communicated to my spirit.

I believe that should be true at some level, for everyone.

I love the word of God. I believe it is His inspired words. I also believe that it is fully revealed and understood, when read with spiritual revelation, study, and prayer.

It has always been my hope, and my prayer, that I would bring just that kind of revelation to those that hear me share the heart of God.

I come to you, in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “What’s In Your Center?”

The Gospel message, and its presentation, has been my heart, and my concern for many years.

Over time the message has been corrupted with all sorts of add ons. Things are changing. We are entering a new season, but the church will always be tempted to preach a man centered gospel.

A man centered Gospel is all about God meeting our desires, our wants, and our needs. I strongly believe that God does want to do good things in our life. Yet the Gospel is not about getting, it is all about giving.

The message of the Gospel must not be man-centered. It must be Christ centered. Paul said it this way.

Roman 14:7-8

7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;

8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

In 1^st Corinthians the second chapter Paul shares His total reliance on the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:11-15

11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,

13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

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.

Would that we all would have a sincere, faith and confidence in God.

Appraises,appraised means, “To determine the excellence or defects of any person or thing.”

I Corinthians 2:15 AMP

But the spiritual man [the spiritually mature Christian] judges all things [questions, examines and applies what the Holy Spirit reveals], yet is himself judged by no one [the unbeliever cannot judge and understand the believer’s spiritual nature].

TLB

But the spiritual man has insight into everything, and that bothers and baffles the man of the world, who can’t understand him at all.

We should Understand and reveal the heart of God.

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.

Colossians 2:11 AMP

“In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature.

In Peter’s second letter, while writing to several cities, influenced by his ministry, he said this.

2 Peter 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.

This is not man-centered stuff. This is Christ centered.

Revelation 3:20-22 Amplified

20 Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.

21 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
22 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

We have a responsibility to build our life, our hopes, and our dreams around the Gospel message of Jesus. Working from the center out our world will change. Our lives will be enriched, and promises will be fulfilled in our life with Christ.

Would you make Jesus the center of your life today?

#inHisname #hopelives

“Enlarge and Extend”

September 18, 2017

Enlarge and Extend

I am one of those folks that believe in seasons. Yes we have 4 seasons in every year of our life. The longer you live you will have many more than that in your relationship with God.

There will be dry spells, then times of refreshing. Revelation, then where’s God at? Tragedies, failures, then healing and victory. Times when things stay the same for a season, then God begins to open the gates of increase.

I come to you, in His name, to share some thoughts titled,“Enlarge and Extend” “Aggrandize”

Aggrandize means, to widen in scope, increase in size or intensity. Enlarge and extend.

There is an awesome Messianic prophesy found in Psalms.

Psalms 110:1-3

1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
2 The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
3 Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.

The whole chapter is just 7 verses read it when you can. I want to deal with verse 2 for just a few minutes.

“The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

I need to deal with some words.

The word stretch, means to stretch out or extend. Strong means to be strong and prevail. Scepter is referring to a staff. The staff is most often represented as a tribe.

I am fixing to unwind because I love this stuff. One more word. Zion.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

Peter reminded his readers of the same passage.

1 Peter 2:6

For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.”

These passages from the old and the new are confirming the prophetic word of the coming of Christ.

Back to the one more word. Zion.

Psalms 14:7

Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!
When the Lord restores His captive people, Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.

Zion is the place where God lives.

Psalms 9:11

Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; Declare among the peoples His deeds.

We know from study that Zion is a type and shadow of the church. The body of Christ. Jesus, who dwells within us by revelation and power.

I found the definition of the word from the Hebrew very interesting. The Hebrew word, tsee-yone’, is translated Zion, and it means, “parched place.”

Preach, why does God live in a parched place. Where He is there is life, and life in abundance.

Jesus shared this with the woman at the well.

John 4:10

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

John 4:13-14

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”

So what did Psalms 110:2 say? “The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

Isaiah 54:1-3 Amplified

1 “Shout for joy, O barren one, she who has not given birth; Break forth into joyful shouting and rejoice, she who has not gone into labor with child! For the spiritual sons of the desolate one will be more numerous Than the sons of the married woman,” says the Lord.

2 “Enlarge the site of your tent [to make room for more children]; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not spare them; Lengthen your tent ropes And make your pegs (stakes) firm [in the ground].
3 “For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
And your descendants will take possession of nations
And will inhabit deserted cities.

When one season ends, the very next thing is a new beginning.

I love the word aggrandize. It is time for you, and for us, to “widen in scope, increase in size or intensity. Enlarge and extend.”

There is a city, a church,whose builder and maker is God.

#inHisname #hopelives

Do You Not Know?

September 11, 2017

Do You Not Know?

http://bit.ly/2wVWnBk

I love the Lord. Together we love the Lord, as a body united to give Him glory. To praise Him for His greatness. To worship Him for who He is. Unified in our purpose to make a difference in the world we live in.

We walk in faith. Believing that God has called us, and positioned us to fulfill destiny. Our individual destiny, and our corporate destiny will define this body. It will be what people remember long after many of us have gone to our eternal destiny.

I want to share 2 verses before I get into my message. It will kind of set the tone for the rest of the day.

Philippians 4:6-7 Amplified

6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.

7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].

“Isn’t that awesome?”

I come in His name to share some thoughts titled, “Do You Not Know?”

My mind has been focused this week on how God thinks. It came to me while remembering something that happened more than 38 years ago. I may not get to that, but when I considered understanding God’s thoughts this came to mind.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Since I can’t fully understand His thoughts, for just a few minutes I want to talk about what He has said. It is relatively easy to understand what He has thought, by what He says.

Exodus 32:1-3

1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

2 Aaron said to them, “Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”

3 Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron.

Moses was gone a relative short time. The people needed a god that they could embrace. One that they could see.

Little has changed even today. “It has always been easier to believe in what you can see, than it is to believe in what you can’t.”

God responded to this lack of faith.

Exodus 32:7-10

7 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.

8 They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”

9 The Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people.

10 Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.”

Anybody wonder what God was thinking?

The word obstinate interested me. God used it in the same context in Exodus 33:3 and 5, and in Exodus 34:9.

In the KJV the Hebrew word is translated, stiffnecked.

It is used figuratively to mean, “apostasy.”

Today the word apostasy means, “The abandonment or renunciation of a religious belief.”

Here is what it meant in 1446 BC. “Faithless, turning back.”

All the spoil they left with, still they wanted to go back.

Why? Because they understood and accepted where they were at. They did not know what awaited them ahead, and they were afraid.

How many today want to live like they are, and never move forward in the Kingdom promises of God?

Romans 11:1-4

1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.”

4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

“No matter how much division there is. There is always someone held close to God. Someone He has kept close, called to carry on His purpose.”

David said it this way.

Psalms 55:22 Amplified

Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

What’s my title?

Isaiah 40:28-31

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.

29 He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power.
30 Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Moving forward, not looking back!

“inHisname”

Where’s God At?

September 5, 2017

Where’s God At?

http://bit.ly/2eZc56P

Your love and support has changed the landscape in this community. It has taken a while, but as always God has been faithful to keep us in His perfect will.

I want to encourage everyone to continue in prayer for the devastation that has occurred in Texas and Louisiana. We support an organization that is responding in the area. The IOCC.

I come to you, in His name, to share some thoughts titled, “Where’s God At?”

I kind of want to set the tone for these thoughts with this very familiar passage.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

With a passage well known like this one I asked myself, why there are times that we wonder, where’s God at?

David shared an awesome declaration of God’s constant presence in his well known Psalm 23.

Psalms 23:4 AMP

Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

What remarkable trust and faith in God!! You are with me; David said

In Genesis 28 Jacob had this awesome dream. Here is a part of what God said.

Genesis 28:13-15

13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants.

14 Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

I love the prophet Jeremiah and his response when God called him, and appointed him a prophet to the nation of Israel.

You will find the whole story in his 1^st chapter.

Jeremiah responded this way.

Jeremiah 1:5-6

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Alas, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I am a youth.”

What an awesome destiny, with a pitiful excuse.

“What excuse are you using today to keep from fulfilling your destiny?”

Here is how God replied.

Jeremiah 1:7-9

7 But the Lord said to me,“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you shall speak.
8 “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the Lord.

9 Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.

“Don’t tell God you can’t do something when He has called you, and then touched you!!!”

The great I Am is with you, He will deliver you, He will equip you. He will touch you and move you forward in your purpose.

Nothing can stop you, except your lack of faith in Him.

God told Moses-Joshua-He would never leave nor forsake them. Isaiah prophesied it, Solomon wrote about it. David shared the words many times, that God would always be with him.

Why do we sometimes find ourselves in a situation asking, “Where’s God At?”

The enemy of your peace-The enemy of your love-The enemy of your family-Friends-Your job. The enemy of your relationship with Christ, has set his purpose to discourage. Put doubt and fear in your heart.

To say I am too old, too young, not qualified. All the while God has said this through the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:13 AMP

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

God is with you always. Isaiah, the prophet often noted as the prophet of calvary spoke often of God’s presence.

Here is a couple of examples.

Isaiah 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 42:16

I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone.”

Preach-God equips and finishes what He starts.

The writer of Hebrews is giving some instruction. In chapter 13 the writer said this.

Hebrews 13:5-6 NASB

5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”

6 so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”

God is here right now. Here always. In you, surrounding you. Embracing you.

Ready to meet your need,calm your storm, forgive your fall.

Remember always when you are tempted to ask, “Where’s God At?”

You need only to look in the mirror. He is with you always.

#inHisname

Every Single Day

August 14, 2017

Every Single Day

Prayer is not something that you always randomly do. Yes there are times when we are moved to pray. Still I believe you should make an appointment to pray. Set a time, and do everything possible to keep the appointment.

I would encourage everyone to do this. Even if it is just a few minutes. Be faithful and pray. I am in my third year of this, and it has changed my life. Embracing this Godly connection is awesome.

The last couple of weeks I have been overwhelmed with the goodness of God.

Sharing with other ministries, building relationships, and simply resting in His presence.

I come to you today in the name of Jesus, to share some thoughts titled, “Every Single Day”

Before I get to the message I want to share a couple of passages to set the tone.

Isaiah 41:8-10

8 “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend,
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you.
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 43:1-2

1 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

What awesome promises from a Holy God.

Luke 9:23-25

23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

25 For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Luke 9:23 JB Phillips

Then he spoke to them all. “If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me.

There is some awesome stuff in these passages. Verses 24-25 have a clear message. You can live a long life, become wealthy. Have many children, and accumulate much property. You may just live normal life. You are still going to die.

If you lose your life, “give up your life for His life in you.” You will have gained everything of eternal value.

Just a little time on verse 23.

Luke 9:23

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

Pick up the cross daily.

The cross is not a burden. It is an instrument of death. Jesus was going to die on the cross. He used the example to teach us that we must die to ourselves.

Die daily to our ways.

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.

Galatians 5:24 NASB

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

So what happens through all this process. I give up myself. Turn from who I am, and become who He is in me. Die to my ways, my desires. YES YES

2 Corinthians 5:16-17

16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.

17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].

Accepting Christ means giving up your self and your will, in favor of His. We have to pick this firm commitment up, “Every Single Day.”

I must not fail to mention the benefits.

Psalms 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

Our victory in Christ

Romans 8:37

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

“Every single day we pick up our cross, and every single day we walk and live in His victory.”

Who is tired of doing it your way? Getting No results!!

Maybe it is time to do it His way. The benefits are awesome, and they are eternal.

Blessings to you all. #inHisname

How long will you wait?

August 8, 2017

How long will you wait?

Today we move forward with the greatness of God. Opportunities to share Jesus, to reveal His purpose, and to support our community, must always be our mission.

There is nothing more important than being relevant. Not only within these walls, but to everyone who walks through the door. We must also be relevant in our community.

The doors are open, and I am asking you to pray that we carry His story with every opportunity that is presented.

Matthew 9:1-7

1 Getting into a boat, Jesus crossed over the sea and came to His own city.

2 And they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”

3 And some of the scribes said to themselves, “This fellow blasphemes.”

4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?

5 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, and walk’?

6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then He *said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.”

7 And he got up and went home.

There are a lot of things going on in these seven verses.

First, Jesus went home. Home was a place that He once said gave their prophets no honor. Home is sometimes a difficult place to minister.

The paralytic man was brought to Him. This account is referred to similarly in Mark and Luke. I believe that Jesus was teaching us that we have a responsibility to bring needs to Him.

Jesus saw their faith. “When we bring a need to Jesus the person may not have the faith to receive. We must have the faith for them!!!”

Jesus forgave the mans sins. I find that interesting, particularly because the man didn’t ask for forgiveness.

“Jesus dealt with the most important need first.” It was also an opportunity to teach the skeptics who He was.

“Then He said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your bed and go home.” And he got up and went home.”

Once again Jesus is using an opportunity to teach who He is.

Mark 3:1-5

1 He entered again into a synagogue; and a man was there whose hand was withered.

2 They were watching Him to see if He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.

3 He *said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and come forward!”

4 And He *said to them, “Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to kill?” But they kept silent.

5 After looking around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

With each of these cases get up required obedience. “Get up, pick up your bed and go home. Get up and come forward.”

Luke 22:45-46

45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow,

46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:46 NLT

“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”

Acts 9:10-12 NASB

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,

12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.”

Acts 12:6-8

6 On the very night when Herod was about to bring him forward, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards in front of the door were watching over the prison.

7 And behold, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared and a light shone in the cell; and he struck Peter’s side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And his chains fell off his hands.

8 And the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he *said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

You want freedom, you have to get up.

Acts 26:16

But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you.

Paul is blind from the bright light. His circumstances are not conducive to move forward.

In the midst of your circumstances God is saying you have to get up before you can get going.

“The Phrase Get Up-Is A Call To Action!!” Let me share just a few things that require action.

Jesus supply’s every need-Grace is sufficient.

Everlasting life-all things work together for good.

preparing a place in heaven-power to bind and release.

lives can bear fruit-free indeed-nothing impossible.

answer prayers-with us always-works greater than His.

abide in Him His words abide in you ask what you will

ask in His name and receive-With us always.

With all of these and more action is required. You must get up and believe. http://bit.ly/2fq0Ffw

#inHisname

God is Always Searching

July 25, 2017

God is Always Searching

Once again I have to give God Glory for His consistent presence in Amazing Life Church. He is positioning people among us to understand His presence, and how to utilize it in our daily lives.

I know He is ever with me, and with you. It is still particularly pleasant, and humbling, when you can sense Him in your daily walk. Always in you, surrounding you, and leading you day by day. Makes no difference who you are, what level of faith you have. It makes no difference if you occasionally stumble. Even if you have left the reservation for a season. He loves you, and awaits your return. Ever ready to help you find your way again.

What an awesome Father, Son, and Spirit. I come to you today, In His Name, with some thoughts titled, “God is Always Searching”

Psalms 143:1-12

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, Give ear to my supplications! Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!
2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no man living is righteous.

3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.
4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart is appalled within me.

5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on the work of Your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to You; My soul longs for You, as a parched land. Selah.

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails; Do not hide Your face from me, Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.
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.
11 For the sake of Your name, O Lord, revive me. In Your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And in Your lovingkindness, cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul, For I am Your servant.

What a Prayer

David is pouring out his heart. Crying out for deliverance from his enemies, and direction for moving forward.

Prayer is how we build our relationship with the Father. It is our path to victory, revelation, healing, deliverance.

It is the source of our faith, and understanding of His words.

Oswald Chambers said, “we have to pray with our eyes on God, not on our difficulties.”

Prayer consists of three elements. “Petition, praise, and worship.”

There is an interesting verse found in Ezekiel 22. The chapter is all about God, and His anger towards Israel for their rebellion and sins.

Ezekiel 22:28-29

28 Her prophets have smeared whitewash for them, seeing false visions and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the Lord has not spoken.

29 The people of the land have practiced oppression and committed robbery, and they have wronged the poor and needy and have oppressed the sojourner without justice.

Ezekiel 22:30

I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.

NLT

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”

“No one there to defend, and no one there to intercede.”

What a sad epitaph for the nation of Israel.

“Jesus stood in the gap for us”

Paul understood the value of intercessory prayer. He shared an admonition to Timothy that would do us well to follow today.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,

2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

He is encouraging us to pray for people, and for those in authority. “Pause and calmly think of that.”

Ephesians 6:18-19

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, “ Paul said pray for me”

Romans 15:30

Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me,

AMPC

I appeal to you [I entreat you], brethren, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love [given by] the Spirit, to unite with me in earnest wrestling in prayer to God in my behalf.

Matthew 26:39-41

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

40 And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?

41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

God is searching for someone to pray.

When I read these last few scriptures an old chorus we used to sing, from years ago, came to my mind.

It’s me, Its me oh Lord. Standing in the need of prayer.

Link to the video. Hope you enjoy. http://bit.ly/2tWLXOx

#lovewins #hopelives

« older entries newer entries »