James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 20:20-34
- If we improve our asking, we'll improve our receiving.
- Every asking is not good asking.
- We cannot ask simply for positions of power and authority, if we are not able to handle them.
- We cannot just put our eyes on the ultimate thing, without considering the required thing.
- Too often we want the destination but we don't want to take the journey.
- The language of ability is the language of Jesus.
- The disciples wanted authority, the beggars ability. The disciples wanted to be in power. The beggars wanted to be empowered. The disciples wanted an outward charge. The beggars desired to be changed inward.
- A different asking will lead to a different result.
1 Kings 3:5-12
- God granted Solomon's request because he asked for the ability to lead not to just lead.
- May 30, 2021Ask Me Again
May 30, 2021Ask Me AgainSeries: General
James 4:3; 1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 20:20-34
- If we improve our asking, we'll improve our receiving.
- Every asking is not good asking.
- We cannot ask simply for positions of power and authority, if we are not able to handle them.
- We cannot just put our eyes on the ultimate thing, without considering the required thing.
- Too often we want the destination but we don't want to take the journey.
- The language of ability is the language of Jesus.
- The disciples wanted authority, the beggars ability. The disciples wanted to be in power. The beggars wanted to be empowered. The disciples wanted an outward charge. The beggars desired to be changed inward.
- A different asking will lead to a different result.
1 Kings 3:5-12
- God granted Solomon's request because he asked for the ability to lead not to just lead. - May 23, 2021The Common Temptation
May 23, 2021The Common TemptationSeries: GeneralGenesis 32:24-26; Psalm 11:1
- It is common for us to have times when we want to give up.
- We can have good times and bad times, ups and downs, disappointments and enjoyment, joy and pain, even if we know God.
- Sometimes we can find ourselves in a dark place by ourselves, a place where it is hard to find good. God inhabits the dark places too.
- Day breaks in. It doesn't just show up. (Pastor Jeff).
- When we feel like giving up, we need to grab hold of God. Once your hand becomes attached, it won't let go.
- We have to have an inner conviction that we are not letting go.
1 Corinthians 10:13
- When we feel like giving up, BUT GOD is faithful.
- When that common temptation comes, remember Peter, " Where are you going to go? Jesus has the words of life?"
- When that common temptation comes, remember Hagar," Go back and submit." Don't run. - May 16, 2021Rest For Your Soul
May 16, 2021Rest For Your SoulSeries: GeneralMatthew 11:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:23- Our soul is our mind, our will and our emotions.- We have a Spirit, Soul and Body.- We spend more time strong to take care of our bodies rather than our spirit or soul.- Our soul is eternal, our body is temporary.Matthew 16:26- Our souls are valuable.- There is nothing we can exchange of equal value to our soul.- Our soul is the determining factor of our life.- Our soul is the seat of genuine service.- When our soul is healthy, happy, prospering we tend to look out for other people.- When we start looking inward it's a sign that our soul is not healthy.- Our soul is of great concern to Jesus.- When we lose control of our emotions, over desires, our minds, we need rest for our soul.. Psalm 62:1; 121:7; 42:1-2,5-6,11- A temporary thing cannot satisfy our eternal soul.- Our soul can only find rest in Jesus.- If our soul is going to be content, it has to stay connected to the One who created it.- The answer for a soul out of whack is God.Psalm 19:7- Finding rest for our soul is one of the most important things we need to do.- The difference between a healthy soul and one unhealthy is are you selfless or selfish.
- May 9, 2021Mother’s Day. Remembering Mama
May 9, 2021Mother’s Day. Remembering MamaSeries: GeneralGenesis 21:1-2, 30:22-23; 1 Samuel 1:19-20- No one can fill the void of a Mom.- Mothers represent unconditional love, support, nurturing, forgiving nature, proud of our achievements, most loyal.- Moms are irreplaceable. Biggest supporters and best friends.- Mom knows how to keep a secret.- Only moms can kiss a boo-boo and make you feel better.- Moms teach us things.- Moms nag you for your good.- We don't have to wait until our mom passes away to remember her.- We can remember our mom simply by keeping our word.- God remembered Sarah by keeping His Word.- God remembered Rachel by listening to her.- God remembered Hannah by answering her our prayers. Giving her what she deeply desired.Isaiah 66:13- God comforts us as a mother comforts her child. A mother's love comes from God.
- May 2, 2021A New Perspective
May 2, 2021A New PerspectiveSeries: GeneralGenesis 47:23-25,27- We like the salvation, but the terms of the contract, we have a problem with.- We have to examine our perspective of what God has done and is offering us.Deuteronomy 8:18; Psalm 103:7- We take grace for granted.- Do we grade God according to His conduct or His character?- If we know someone according to their ways, instead of how they act, we wouldn't judge how they act.
- Apr 25, 2021Keep Doing Your Part
Apr 25, 2021Keep Doing Your PartSeries: GeneralJohn 21:15-22- Now is not the time to give up.- God asks us questions to unravel or undo the things we have done grievous to Him.- We are worried about what other people do or their relationship to God, more than our own. Or when Jesus tells us what our role is.- How we fulfill our role will determine what mark we leave on society.- We all have a role to play. We may have some overlap, but we are all unique in His plan.Colossians 3:17-24; Ecclesiastes 9:10- We are to put all our effort into the things we do for God.- When we go about our life to do what we do to please the Lord we are storing up treasures in heaven.- Refuse the temptation to focus on other people and the role others have to play.- The danger of comparison is that we compare their perceived best with our worse.- Comparison is the thief of joy.- Our comparisons are based on limited knowledge.Matthew 20;- We must not get caught up in somebody else's "anything" but instead look at Jesus.John 14:10- If we need to talk at anyone or compare ourselves to anyone, we should look at Jesus. He is both our example and our encouragement.- It is God's desire to bless us in the role we have.Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 27:13; Genesis 27:30-38- God is not short on blessings. There is a blessing with your name on it.
- Apr 18, 2021God in the Image of Man
Apr 18, 2021God in the Image of ManSeries: GeneralJudges 18; 17; 1:21,27,29-34- God provided a promised land for every tribe except the Levite. God expected the people to take care of the Levite, represented of Him.- Because the people did not recognize God as king, they made one themselves.- If we don't remove the sinful things in our lives, we will not recognize God as king.- When you are not committed to God you will go to the highest bidder.- There are too many hirelings in the vineyard of God.- We can have the right family name, the right spiritual heritage, lineage, a historical relationship with God, but do you acknowledge God as king?- When we do what we want and think it is okay to do something, we are making God in our image.- When God is not on the center of our heart, we create our own idols.- When we don't recognize God as the true and living God, we search for what is beneficial for us, instead of what God has ordained.- When God is not your king, it becomes all about self.- When you don't recognize God as king, your worship is counterfeit, you look for the easy way out.- Too many of us walking around like God didn't make commandments, He makes suggestions.- Can't be true worship if the God we worship is made in our own image (or somebody else's).- If you can pick your God up and move Him around, your God has no power.- We want to avoid, runaway from, any God made in the image of man.
- Apr 4, 2021He Kept His Word
Apr 4, 2021He Kept His WordSeries: GeneralMatthew 28:1-8; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17- Three times Jesus spoke of His death and that He will rise again.- Jesus reveals things in greater detail the more we walk with Him.- The stone was rolled away not so Jesus can get out, but so that people can get in and bear witness that He had risen.- Our testimony is different from that of the world's.- The empty tomb gives us hope.- When Jesus got up from the grave it was a game changer.- Because Jesus kept His Word about the resurrection we can have confidence in everything else He said.- The empty tomb gives us hope that this life is not all that is.
- Mar 28, 2021Jesus, the King of Glory
Mar 28, 2021Jesus, the King of GlorySeries: General
Psalm 24:7-10; Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-111; Luke 19:28-44; John 12: 12-19; Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 9:4; Psalm 118:25-26; 2 Samuel 7; Habakkuk 2:10-11; Luke 19:41-44
- The people had a deep desire for God to be with them.- Jesus needed the obscure donkey. No matter how obscure we may seem to be, Jesus needs us!
- What the people were doing and how they received Jesus was based on Scripture.
- Those that knew the Word knew Jesus would come on a donkey.
- I don't need no rocks crying out for me, I will do it myself.
- There is no escaping from God.
- Jesus wept over the city because He knew that they would regret Him and they would be judged.
- The people did not recognize when God visited them, and that led to their demise.
- These questions are echoing through the heavens. We need to have an answer.
- Who is this King of Glory?
- Why do you desire to see Jesus in your life? Curious, miracle worker, to do for you?
- For what reason do you want Jesus?
- Who do you say that Jesus is?
- The King of Glory will come in but the doors have to be opened.
- Mar 21, 2021For Now I Know
Mar 21, 2021For Now I KnowSeries: General
John 3:16; Romans 8:32; Genesis 22:1-18; 21:12
- Love is an action that flows from a decision. God made a decision to create us,
- Because God is great, His actions are not fully appreciated.
- The best obedience is immediate. Delayed obedience turns into disobedience.
- Commitment is shown over time.
- When we have the opportunity to back out and we don't, our commitment is revealed.
- In the midst of our circumstance, purpose to continue to speak words of faith.
- Even though the situation looks contrary, we have to remember what God told us.
- We need to know God will provide Himself.
- Just because God told us something, we have to keep listening.
- Sometimes we don't know something, until someone shows you with their actions.
- For now I know that God loves me because He gave His son.