Transformation Church Tallahassee

2 Corinthians 10:15-16, "15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory."

Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. 4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. 11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? Acts 3:1-12 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: Acts 4:7-8 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. Acts 4:10 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him (Jesus) and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11 23 “…Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:23-24 #1. There are many people who believe in Jesus. But they don’t believe in the power of His name, so they don’t cast out devils or heal the sick. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18 #2. It is very important to know the Person behind the name! 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:15-16 #3. Sometimes people say, “Well, I prayed in the name of Jesus, but nothing happened.” #4. Critics say, “You Christians just use the name of Jesus as a formula, as a good luck charm.”

W.D.J.D. – “What Did Jesus Do?” And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. John 21:25 NKJV “…That the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “ John 17:23 #1. Because of His compassion for people, Jesus paid the price for our sin and destroyed the works of the devil. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10 “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 1:15 "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:14 “Sin does not have dominion over me. For I am not under the law, but under the grace of Jesus Christ!” "Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one." 2 Corinthians 7:2 #2. Not only did Jesus pay the price for our sin on the Cross, but He also paid the price for our sickness and disease. "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed". 1 Peter 2:24 #3. Jesus also paid the price for our peace. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 #4. Not only did Jesus pay the price for our sin, sickness and fears, He also paid the price for our poverty. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; Deuteronomy 30:19

13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:13-15 NKJV 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:16-18 February 5th, 2017 A.D. A.D. – “Anno Domini” – Latin for “Year Of Our Lord.” #1. If you want to see Jesus clearly, take your Bible and read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Underline everything He did and everything He said. Put yourself in every verse. #2. Jesus Wasn’t A Barefoot, Scrawny, And Weak-Kneed Person With A Lamb Under His Arm, Speaking In Elizabethan English. #3. Jesus Was Merciful To Sinners, But To Religious People, His Words Cut Like A Knife.

What Happens When Jesus Shows Up “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19 #1. He Blesses Your Emotions With Joy! #2. He Meets Your Need! So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, 2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. 3 Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. 4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; Luke 5:1-9 #3. He Brings Peace! 35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:35-39 #4. He Brings Forgiveness of Sin!

(This sermon was preached previously, and is part of our occasional "Best of" series.) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 Question: “What rules your heart?” “What dominates your thinking?” As a kid I remember at time fears ruling my heart. One night my dad was preaching at a church over in Chattahoochee, FL and he and mom drove over there, and I stayed home with my younger sister. Sometime that evening Carla told me she heard someone rubbing up against and shaking the heating oil tank outside her bedroom window. I listened and sure enough, I could hear someone outside rubbing against the tank. In my mind’s eye, I envisioned an escaped convict, crouched down ready to break in our house. Even though we didn’t have ammunition, I grabbed my dad’s shotgun, and sat on the bed, shaking in fear… After several hours my parents came home and turns out the noise we heard, was the neighbor’s dog rubbing his back on our heating oil tank. But it scared me and fear ruled my heart. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 The Greek word for “rule” comes from the root word from which we get our English word “Umpire.” It means to govern or to arbitrate. When I played Little League baseball, I was a pitcher. I learned that once the umpire made the call, it was decided. I would throw the ball to home plate, and the umpire would call it either a ball or a strike. His decision was final; there was no opportunity for a video replay. Paul says the peace of God should be an umpire in our hearts – let the peace of God make the final call about which opportunities you act on, and which ones you let pass. Four Things About God’s Peace: #1. There Is A Difference Between Having The Peace Of God And Having Peace With God. Every true follower of Jesus Christ enjoys peace with God. True believers repent of sin and believe the Gospel. The Gospel can be summed up in five simple statements: • God became a man in Christ Jesus. God stepped into this world by taking on human flesh. The religions of the world call men to work their way to God. Christianity explains that God came down to us. • Jesus lived the life we should have lived. God expects us to keep His moral law. Christ lived a perfect life, completely yielded to God. This was the life God intended all men and women to live. • Jesus died the death we should have died. Jesus died because evil must be punished. If there is no consequence for breaking a law, then the law ceases to be a law. Jesus Christ bore our punishment by taking our place on a Roman Cross. • Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proves that He is God and His authority is real and gives us hope there is life beyond the grave. • Jesus Christ offers salvation to those who will repent and believe. He not only forgives our sins, but He delivers us from the power of evil in this life and in the next. To repent means to turn from evil and from trusting in our own efforts to earn our own salvation. We turn from evil to Jesus Christ. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 Paul says God speaks to believers, not through having peace with God, but through having the peace of God, or the lack thereof, concerning specific situations. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMP He will act like an umpire continually! The Holy Spirit inside you is the umpire who continually declares peace… or the lack of peace. When a Christian has a decision to make, and he says: “I just don’t have peace about it,” he is not saying that He doesn’t have peace with God, but that he lacks the peace of God concerning the specific decision he is trying to make. At other times when a decision has to be made, the Holy Spirit will give a tremendous foundation of peace - double dose that gives assurance to the believer. This overwhelming peace is indication that the decision is in the will of God. The peace can be so overwhelming that it is hard to resist a smile or even laughter. Many years ago, a successful businessman in the church I was pastoring tried to talk me into constructing a new building on our campus. Truth be told, I wanted to construct the building he was interested in, but every time I prayed about it, I felt a sense of unease in my heart. For 6 months I told the businessman, I wanted to build it, but didn’t have any peace about it. Finally he g

The Good Shepherd The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Psalms 23:1-6 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. John 10:11-15 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalms 23:1 #1. Never Forget That God Is Your Source. 27 Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:27-33 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:2 #2. God Wants To Provide Rest For Your Soul. 3 He restores my soul…Psalms 23:3 #3. Our Lord Jesus Is All About Restoration!

“Pressing Into The Presence Of Jesus” …But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NIV Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. Luke 19:2-4 NKJV And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Luke 19:5-6 NKJV #1. “When You Are Desperate, You Will Do Anything!” A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Mark 2:1-2 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. Mark 2:3-4 “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 “But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:10-12 #2. When People Get Into Desperate Situations, They Sometimes Do Some Amazing Things. 3-minute video https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/las-vegas-woman-who-walked-26-miles-snowy-grand-canyon-n700371 #3. Desperate People Take Authority Over The Devil! Luke 10:19 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. Mark 10:46-50 NIV “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:51-52 NIV 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

The Presence Of Jesus In 2017 38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Matthew 10:38-42 NLT #1. Never Forget That God Is Your Source. #2. Act On God’s Word As A Way Of Life. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21 #3. Don’t Lose The Excitement Of Living For Jesus! #4. Always Give Jesus The Glory, For Every Little Thing! #5. Think Back On Your Past Victories. being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 #6. Always Testify. Always Talk About God’s Goodness! that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:6

(This sermon was preached previously, and is part of our occasional "Best of" series.) 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 Question: “What rules your heart?” “What dominates your thinking?” As a kid I remember fear at times, ruling my heart. One night my dad was preaching at a church over in Chattahoochee, FL and he and mom drove over there, and I stayed home with my younger sister. Sometime that evening Carla told me she heard someone rubbing up against and shaking the heating oil tank outside her bedroom window. I listened and sure enough, I could hear someone outside rubbing against the tank. In my mind’s eye, I envisioned an escaped convict, crouched down ready to break in our house. Even though we didn’t have ammunition, I grabbed my dad’s shotgun, and sat on the bed, shaking in fear… After several hours my parents came home and turns out the noise we heard, was the neighbor’s dog rubbing his back on our heating oil tank. But it scared me and fear ruled my heart. 15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 The Greek word for “rule” comes from the root word from which we get our English word “Umpire.” It means to govern or to arbitrate. When I played Little League baseball, I was a pitcher. I learned that once the umpire made the call, it was decided. I would throw the ball to home plate, and the umpire would call it either a ball or a strike. His decision was final; there was no opportunity for a video replay. Paul says the peace of God should be an umpire in our hearts – let the peace of God make the final call about which opportunities you act on, and which ones you let pass. Four Things About God’s Peace: #1. There Is A Difference Between Having The Peace Of God And Having Peace With God. A. Every true follower of Jesus Christ enjoys peace with God. True believers repent of sin and believe the Gospel. The Gospel can be summed up in five simple statements: God became a man in Christ Jesus. God stepped into this world by taking on human flesh. The religions of the world call men to work their way to God. Christianity explains that God came down to us. Jesus lived the life we should have lived. God expects us to keep His moral law. Christ lived a perfect life, completely yielded to God. This was the life God intended all men and women to live. Jesus died the death we should have died. Jesus died because evil must be punished. If there is no consequence for breaking a law, then the law ceases to be a law. Jesus Christ bore our punishment by taking our place on a Roman Cross. Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proves that He is God and His authority is real and gives us hope there is life beyond the grave. Jesus Christ offers salvation to those who will repent and believe. He not only forgives our sins, but He delivers us from the power of evil in this life and in the next. To repent means to turn from evil and from trusting in our own efforts to earn our own salvation. We turn from evil to Jesus Christ. 16For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 osGGTherefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 Paul says God speaks to believers, not through having peace with God, but through having the peace of God, or the lack thereof, concerning specific situations. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15 AMP He will act like an umpire continually! The Holy Spirit inside you is the umpire who continually declares peace… or the lack of peace. When a Christian has a decision to make, and he says: “I just don’t have peace about it,” he is not saying that He doesn’t have peace with God, but that he lacks the peace of God concerning the specific decision he is trying to make. At other times when a decision has to be made, the Holy Spirit will give a tremendous foundation of peace - double dose that gives assurance to the believer. This overwhelming peace is indication that the decision is in the will of God. The peace can be so overwhelming that it is hard to resist a smile or even laughter. A. Many years ago, a successful businessman in the church I was pastoring tried to talk me into constructing a new building on our campus. Truth be told, I wanted to construct the building he was interested in, but every time I prayed about it, I felt a sense of unease in my heart. For 6 months I told the businessman, I wanted to build it, but didn’t have any peace about it. Finally h

Luke 2:41-52 41 His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. 42 And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast. 43 When they had finished the days, as they returned, the Boy Jesus lingered behind in Jerusalem. And Joseph and His mother did not know it; 44 but supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances. 45 So when they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking Him. 46 Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. 48 So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” 49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Luke 2:41-50 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. Psalms 31:19-20 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:31

An inspiring Christmas message, starting with Pastor Teryl's personal Christmas miracle!

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18-20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

A special message from missionary Ronald Gray who grew up at Evangel!

#1. God Loves Mankind! "And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen." John 21:25 “…That the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. “ John 17:23 "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 “…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 #2. Jesus Died And Rose Again That We Might Be Made New On The Inside. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." 1 Peter 1:23 "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" Colossians 1:13-14 KJV #3. Jesus Wants To Redeem You Through His Blood – So You Can Have Forgiveness Of Sins!

Jesus said, "You shall be My witnesses"! Does your anointing work outside the four walls of the church? Are we sharing Jesus boldly in the community?

Introduction: Who comes to mind when you think of the world’s wealthiest people? Bill Gates? Warren Buffet? Your great uncle? (Wouldn’t that be nice?) Forbes Magazine says that Bill Gates, the cofounder of the Microsoft Corporation has a net worth of approximately $66 billion dollars. Warren Buffet, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway has a net worth of $46 billion dollars. That is more than you and I could make in hundred’s of lifetimes. Yet, the ten’s of billions of dollars that Bill Gates and Warren Buffet are worth, doesn’t begin to match what one man in the Bible gave to the work God. Before he died, David, the second King of Israel, wanted with all of his heart to build a temple for God. For most of his 80 years, David had given his whole heart to God, and he begged God to let him build the temple. But God turned him down. And told David, you can’t build My temple, but your son, Solomon can build Me a temple. Not to be discouraged, David developed the architectural plans and began amassing building materials, so Solomon would have everything he needed to build the temple. Here are the instructions he gave to Solomon: 14“I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. 15You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work 16in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you.” 1 Chronicles 22:14-16 Lets put these quantities into modern terms, to give us some perspective on the size of David’s gift. A talent weighed about 70 pounds. That means that David gave roughly 3,750 tons of gold or about 7.5 million pounds. Multiply that by 16 to get the number of ounces, and as of Thursday of this week gold was selling for a low of $1,550 a troy ounce. So David’s gold donation alone was worth: $186 billion dollars. Add to that his 37,500 tons of silver worth today about 32 billion dollars and even without considering, the other materials given, you come up with an offering that three or four times larger than the entire fortune of one of today’s richest people. We don’t know how much David had left over after giving it, but his gift had to be one of the largest donations in the history of the world. What in the world would motivate such an extravagant gift? I believe it was David’s crystal clear recognition that every single thing – every shekel, every cow, every sandal, every fringe on his garment – had come to him from the hand of God, and it was only right to give back to him lavishly as a demonstration of his gratitude. #1. When We Get In Touch With Our Heavenly Father, We Become Extravagant In Our Response To God Because He Is Extravagant By Nature! A. When we think about the nature of God, ideas come to mind like: “God is Love,” and “God is Just,” and “God is Holy.” And they are all true! But we miss something by not recognizing the superlatives that go with each aspect of His nature. - A superlative expresses the highest degree of grammatical comparison of an adjective or adverb. It refers to something or somebody of the highest quality and the highest admiration. B. The angel in Isaiah’s vision cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord!” It was an extreme exclamation. “Holy” by itself means that someone is already perfect, sinless, pure and righteous. C. But the angel felt compelled to shout it three times for emphasis. That is because God isn’t just kind of holy, or kind of loving, or kind of just. He is lavishly, abundantly, excessively, bountifully holy, loving and just in every part of his being. God is limitless. He is extravagant! #2. It Is This Extravagant Reality Of God That King David Got In Touch With. A. The closer we get to Jesus, the clearer God’s extravagance registers in our hearts and hopefully it flows up to our consciousness. B. Today, I want to call you to a radical, dramatic complete commitment to Jesus, in response to God’s immense love for you! C. Solomon got the message, at least for the first part of his life. His father’s over-the-top devotion to God captured the young King’s heart. D. So Solomon builds a beautiful temple for His extravagant God. When the temple is complete, Priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the Holy of Holies, and a cloud fills the temple with God’s presence. Solomon offers a prayer of dedication and then: 63Solomon offered a sacrifice of fellowship offerings to the LORD: twenty-two thousand cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the temple of the LORD. 1 Kings 8:63 NIV E. I have a hard time grasping the significance of that moment. What are the sounds, smells and sights of sacrificing 142,000 animals in a colossal worship service? F. The Lord didn’t command Solomon to sacrifice so much. It was simply the overflow of hi

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 The Greek word translated “Prosper” is “Eudoo.” “To find help on your journey and to succeed in reaching your goals.” For the LOVE of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before…12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters…15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days. Job 42:10, 12-13, 15-17 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34 This, the first of His signs (attesting miracles), Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed His glory [displaying His deity and His great power openly], and His disciples believed [confidently] in Him [as the Messiah—they adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him]. John 2:11 – AMPLIFIED

Lesson #11 – “The Words Of Your Mouth” Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth. Proverbs 6:2 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 58:8-9 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’In tithes and offerings.9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation.10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 “And all nations will call you blessed,For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:8-12 10The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11 7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 7Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

“Watch your thoughts, they become words; watch your words, they become actions; watch your actions, they become habits; watch your habits, they become character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” On average most people speak about sixteen thousand words a day. If you transcribed those words they would fill a three hundred-page book every week. At the end of a year, you would have an entire bookcase full of words. In a lifetime you would fill a library. · How many of those words would really matter? · How many of those words would make a difference? · How many of those words speak life into your situations or speak death? Proverbs 18:21 NIV The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18: 21 NLT The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. 1 Peter 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Passage: 1 KINGS 17: 8-24 8 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” 1. Believe that where the Lord leads, he Feeds. 2. Where he guides He provides. 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.” 12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” Point #1 Your perspective influences your Words. 13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” Point #2 Your Words have the power to bring hope and life. 15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. 17 Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. 18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” Point #3 Your words only go as far as your opinion of God. 19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. 20 Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” 21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” 22 The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! 23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” 24 Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.” Point #4 Your Words are a testimony. Because Elijah allowed God to speak through him the widow experienced the life giving power of God. • The words you say reflect your heart? • God wants to heal broken hearts, • Restore relationships, • Renew hope and • Bring Life to troubled past. Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. James 3:5-6The Message (MSG) 3-5 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! 5-6 It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. Philippians 4:8 8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Proverbs 13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but

1) Who You Are in Christ. 2) What You Have In Christ Jesus. 3) Know - You Are Saved To be A Difference Maker! “…and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.” Mark 4:19 “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 “Jesus Christ Is Lord!” “…Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” Luke 10:25-37 NLT “In Christ,” “In whom,” and “In Him,” Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 #1. You have the life of God – the Holy Spirit working in you. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever— 17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. John 14:16-17 Amplified Classic Edition #2. You have nature of God working in you. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 “ But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” 1 John 2:20 “…But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16 #3. You have the ability of God – the anointing to draw on – working in you.

1 Peter 3:15, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear..." Pastor Appreciate Day message by Tommy Moore, Superintendent of the West Florida District Council of the Assemblies of God.

#1. Each Day Confess That Jesus Christ Is The Lord Of Your Life. #2. Speak Aloud And Confess With Your Mouth The Promises In God’s Word. “…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. ROMANS 12:2 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16 #3. Recognize That God Works Through Your Lips. FORGIVENESS AVAILABLE IMPOSSIBLE TURN HEAVEN #4. As You Speak God’s Word Aloud, The Holy Spirit Begins to Work. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:17-20 #5. Treat the Word of God with the same reverence you would show Jesus if He were present in the natural. Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10 “…Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” Luke 8:50 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” Genesis 26:24 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:7-11 NKJV that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed. Acts 19:18-20 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." Romans 8:16 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:8-9 “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Isaiah 43:25 For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12

I am excited about this series of messages. I love to talk about and encourage people to exercise faith in God. It’s because learning to exercise faith in God has changed my life! Faith in God has changed Kathy’s life. It has changed the lives of our three girls and their husbands. We choose to live our lives believing God’s WORD! But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 Why is it impossible to please God without faith? Because God is not pleased when he cannot manifest Himself in your life. God wants to have a relationship with you, meet your needs, and work though you to bless others. Faith is the CONNECTION by which salvation is transferred from heaven to you! Faith is the CONNECTION by which healing, financial help and everything God has, is transferred from heaven to you. A key verse when studying the topic of faith is Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Moffatt’s Translation Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 AMP Classic Edition There are several different dimensions of faith: #1. A Natural Human Faith. Everyone, Those Who Follow Christ and Those Who Don’t, Have A Natural Human Faith. By faith you are trusting that the chair you are sitting in will support you and not fall apart and spill you on the floor. You have faith that you're the engine of your car will start when you turn the ignition key. Most have faith the sun is going to rise tomorrow morning. #2. “Saving Faith” or “Faith To Follow Jesus Christ” – This faith comes from believing in your heart that God raised Christ from the dead and confessing with your mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord. Romans 10:9-10 #3. Supernatural Mountain Moving Faith Jesus said: “…whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:23-24 NKJV Faith is the CONNECTOR between God and man. For example: you hope for finances to meet your obligations, but faith in God gives the assurance that you will have the money when you need it. You hope for physical strength, to do the work that you have to do. Faith in God says: “The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 Sometimes we hope for God’s help in life, but Romans 8:31 says: “What shall we say to these things, if God be for us…” Faith says about itself everything that the Word of God says, for faith in God is simply faith in God’s Word! I learned an important lesson as an 18-year-old when I moved from Tallahassee to North Georgia to attend Emmanuel College. My first couple of weeks in College I had roommate problems. My first roommate was a basketball player who introduced himself to me as the Marco Polo of College basketball – told me that Emmanuel was the 7th college he had attended. He only lasted a week. I returned from a class and he and all of his belongings were gone. Along with a few of my things. My second roommate was a “Rockin-Roller” who wanted to play guitar all night long. I would wake up at 2 a.m. and he would have two or three other guys in our small dorm room “jam-‘in away.” And I was terribly homesick. I would call home and tell my parents I didn’t like North Georgia, I was coming home… and mom would say: “Son, come on home!” And dad would say: “Don’t you dare come home. Losers never win and winners never quit! You better not come home and you better make good grades!” Now, I didn’t know a lot about faith in God, but the one verse I knew was Phil. 4:13… I began to exercise my faith: “Lord, you see I am not happy, but Phil. 4:13 says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” So by faith I receive a good roommate, and my dad says I can’t come home and I have to make good grades, so I thank you for helping me to like it here!” My 3rd week in school, I met a guy named Greg from Roanoke, VA and Greg told me he wasn’t getting along with his roommate. So I asked Greg if he was a party animal or if he liked to sleep at night (he said sleep), and Greg and I talked our roommates into moving in with each other, and Greg and I became roommates and good friends. I continued to pray: Phil 4:13… “Thank you Lord that today I am meeting new friends. By faith. I am going to enjoy Emmanuel College and the community here.” I quit sitting in my dorm room feeling sorry for myself, and griping abo

Inspirational message from the legendary Florida State football coach!

From Sunday, March 29, 2015 I believe that God has a specific plan for every person. And God wants us to know His plan. 17Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:17 The Lord wants you to know what His will is for your life. But you won’t find out God’s will by accident - you have to seek His will, by asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer, and by seeking first His Kingdom and his righteousness. For the last several weeks we’ve talked about the importance of you being a living sacrifice - wholly acceptable unto God. We’ve also talked about the importance of renewing our minds with the Word of God. If you will do these two things it will help you to find and follow God’s purpose for your life. King David said: Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:3-5 Note: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” v.4 This means when we align ourselves with the Lord, He puts his desires in our heart. Now some people misinterpret this passage to mean that God will give them whatever they want: A million Dollar House, A Lamborghini sports car, a particular job, a promotion, or what ever. But this verse is not a free pass to get your hands on everything your flesh craves. Many years ago a man approached me and said: “Psalms 37:4 says that if I will delight myself in the Lord that He will give me the desire of my heart. I want you to pray that a certain woman will become my wife.” I asked him who this woman was, and when he told me her name, I said: “Now hold on a minute. This woman is married to another man and I know her husband, he is a good man.” This fellow told me that her husband was not a good husband to her, and God was sending him to rescue her out of a bad marriage, and be a good husband to her. I said: “My friend, I am afraid you are deceived. God doesn’t want you to be a third party - breaking up their marriage. God isn’t into divorce. Sometimes divorce takes place and God is merciful and will help every divorced person to put their life back together again, but divorce isn’t God’s highest and best for people. In the book of Malachi God says: “I hate divorce.” Its because divorce hurts people! I am not going to pray that God will use you to break up their marriage. I’m going to pray that God will help that man to love his wife like Christ loves the church, and I’m going to pray that they fall back in love with one another. And that God will make their marriage like heaven on earth. And that she will forget all about you!” He didn’t like what I told him, but he had misinterpreted Psalms 37:4. God gives us the desires of our heart, as we seek the Lord with our whole heart. What happens is that as we love Jesus with all of our heart, God changes the desire of our hearts – so we desire good and godly things. After I became a follower of Jesus Christ, the desires of my heart changed. I didn’t want to smoke pot anymore. I didn’t want to attend parties where wild and crazy things were going on. The ungodly things that I was doing before I gave my life to Jesus didn’t appeal to me anymore. In verse 4, the Hebrew word that is translated “delight,” literally means, “to be soft or pliable.” It’s speaking about having a sensitive heart towards the Lord. #1. Pray: “Jesus, may I have a soft and pliable heart toward You.” “May I be sensitive to You!” A. To delight in the Lord means to be sensitive to the things God likes. It means to commit your life to him. To put Him first in your life. If you put Jesus first and delight yourself in the Lord, He will order the desires of your heart. B. But that is a big “if.” Some Christians don’t want to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. They don’t want to renew their minds by reading God’s Word. C. We all have to deal with stubbornness and selfishness inside us… We all have to deal with our carnal nature. And we live in a sinful world, and we battle thoughts and emotions that can lead us astray. D. I’m not saying that you have to be perfect in order to be committed to God, but you have to desire to live more for God that you do for yourself. #2. We All Need To Pray: “Jesus, help me overcome selfishness. Give me the desire to live for You, instead of just living for myself!” A. When you try to live for God - which is what it means to delight yourself in the Lord, I think He puts His desires in your heart. It’s pretty simple. #3. One Of The Ways God Leads Us Is By The Sanctified, Holy, Jesus-Honoring Desires Of Our Heart! A. When the board here at our church, first called me and asked if I would be a candidate to pastor this congregation, I didn’t have a desire to pastor Evangel. And as far as I know, I was delighted myself in the Lord. Five months went by and one evening the

John 20:24-24 1. “Have I found a promise in God’s Word, for that which I am believing God for?” 2. “Am I living in obedience to what the Scriptures teach?” “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me...10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:8-12 3. “Do I believe God’s Word with my heart/spirit?” 4. “Am I considering contradictory circumstances?” 5. “Am I praising God for the answer?” Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29 NKJV “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 1. Find A Promise In God’s Word Related To What You Are Asking God For. 2. Examine Yourself. Is Your Life Lined Up With God’s Word? 3. Mediate On God’s Promise, So It Becomes The Conviction Of Your Heart. 4. Believe God’s Word, and Affirm It With Your Mouth. 5. Do Not Consider Contradictory Circumstances. 6. Praise God For The Answer.

Lesson #5 – “Acting Your Faith” Part 2 - Acts 19:1-6 “…Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Acts 19:1-6 “he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:2 “John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Luke 3:16 “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 " And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied." Acts 19:6 “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” 1 Corinthians 14:14 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive… 1 Corinthians 14:14 (AMP Classic Edition) Jesus said: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.” John 14:16 “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4

Lesson #4 – “Acting Your Faith” – Joshua 6; Luke 5 And the Lord said to Joshua: “See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor. Joshua 6:2 You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days. 4 And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5 It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him.” Joshua 6:3-5 Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, “You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” Joshua 6:10 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there… 30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:27-28, 30 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the giants[a] (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:31-33 But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times. 16 And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city! Joshua 6:15-16 So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. 19 And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. Luke 5:18-19 20 When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” Luke 5:20 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Luke 5:24 Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. Luke 5:25

Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief. Mark 6:5-6 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 “As a man he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” Mark 5:25-30 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:34 “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.” Matthew 8:17; (Isaiah 53:4) “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24 “…For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6

Lesson #2 – “How To Wake-Up Your Faith In God” But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV Now faith means that we are confident of what we hope for, convinced of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 Moffatt’s Translation Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 AMP Classic Edition #1. Natural Human Faith #2. “Saving Faith” or “Faith To Follow Jesus Christ” #3. Supernatural Mountain Moving Faith For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:23-24 NKJV Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:17-21

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power…” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV “…Men’s hearts (will) fail them from fear…” Luke 21:26 NKJV "The Same Way You Exercise Faith To Be Saved and To Have Relationship with Jesus Christ, Is The Same Way You Exercise Faith In God On An On-Going Basis." For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 “… if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

9 The next day as Cornelius’s messengers were nearing the town, Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, 10 and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11 He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. 12 In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. 13 Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” 14 “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” 15 But the voice spoke again: “Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.” 16 The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up to heaven. 17 Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? Just then the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house. Standing outside the gate, 18 they asked if a man named Simon Peter was staying there. 19 Meanwhile, as Peter was puzzling over the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Three men have come looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs, and go with them without hesitation. Don’t worry, for I have sent them.” 21 So Peter went down and said, “I’m the man you are looking for. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “We were sent by Cornelius, a Roman officer. He is a devout and God-fearing man, well respected by all the Jews. A holy angel instructed him to summon you to his house so that he can hear your message.” 23 So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. 24 They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered his home, Cornelius fell at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter pulled him up and said, “Stand up! I’m a human being just like you!” 27 So they talked together and went inside, where many others were assembled. 28 Peter told them, “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. Acts 10:9-28 NLT 29 So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. Now tell me why you sent for me.” 30 Cornelius replied, “Four days ago I was praying in my house about this same time, three o’clock in the afternoon. Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me. 31 He told me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God! 32 Now send messengers to Joppa, and summon a man named Simon Peter. He is staying in the home of Simon, a tanner who lives near the seashore.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” Acts 10:29-32 34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. 35 In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right. Acts 10:34 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:36-38 39 “And we apostles are witnesses of all he did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him to life on the third day. Then God allowed him to appear, 41 not to the general public, but to us whom God had chosen in advance to be his witnesses. We were those who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.” Acts 10:39-43 44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Acts 10:44-46 Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. Acts 10:46b-48 NLT

This Sunday our missions team from Evangel gave a recap of their time in Costa Rica and all that God did! Pastor Zach spoke on how God has called all of us to “be the church” in our community.

It is possible to be touched by God's power, but not let your heart be changed by His presence. (This sermon was preached previously, and is part of our occasional "Best of" series. May God bless you as you listen!) Romans 1:18-21, "18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. 2 And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see, 3 and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle[a] of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, 4 that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 5 So he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” And he said, “I did not call; lie down again.” And he went and lay down. 6 Then the Lord called yet again, “Samuel!” So Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” He answered, “I did not call, my son; lie down again.” 7 (Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, nor was the word of the Lord yet revealed to him.) 8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:1-11 (NKJV) Three Things Parents Need To Do: #1. Encourage Your Children To Listen To The Lord’s Voice. #2. Teach Your Children To Praise God. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. Psalms 8:2 NIV Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith… 1 Peter 5:8-9 #3. Teach Your Children To Love God Completely. Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matthew 22:37 19 So Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel had been established as a prophet of the Lord. 1 Samuel 3:19-20 Three Keys To Hear God’s Voice: #1. God’s Word Tunes Your Heart To Hear The Voice Of The Lord. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 #2. The Holy Spirit Wants To Have FELLOWSHIP With You! May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Psalms 25:4-5 #3. Cultivate An Attitude Of Expectation. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalms 5:3 NIV

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Matthew 6:9 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. Ephesians 3:14 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 11 Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 Fathers, do not aggravate (or provoke) your children, or they will become discouraged. Colossians 3:21 NLT 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation,But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:12-13 14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15 NKJV

“Choose To Follow The Holy Spirit” 36Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Acts 15:36-41 NKJV 1Then he came to Derbe and Lystra… Acts 16:1 …And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3Paul wanted to have him go on with him. Acts 16:1-3a #1. When Barnabas leaves (for whatever reason), God has a Silas and Timothy to take his place. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32 28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 …And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. 4And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. 5So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:3b-5 #2. Timothy Had A Heart For God and Didn’t Want Anything To Hinder His Ministry. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. Philippians 2:20 NLT 6Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. Acts 16:6 7After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:7-9 9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9 10Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. Acts 16:10 6Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia. 7After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them. 8So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. Acts 16:6-8

#8 – “Choose Victory” 1 Samuel 17 NKJV 2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. 3 The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. 4 And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 1 Samuel 17:2-4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manute_Bol#/media/File:Manute_Bol_2006.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheorghe_Mureșan#/media/File:Gheorghe_Muresan_(15833043052).jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath#/media/File:Osmar_Schindler_David_und_Goliath.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/David_and_Goliath.jpg 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze. 6 And he had bronze armor on his legs and a bronze javelin between his shoulders. 7 Now the staff of his spear was like a weaver’s beam, and his iron spearhead weighed six hundred shekels; and a shield-bearer went before him. 8 Then he stood and cried out to the armies of Israel, and said to them, “Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” 10 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 11 When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17:5-11 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:24 17 Then Jesse said to his son David, “Take now for your brothers an ephah of this dried grain and these ten loaves, and run to your brothers at the camp. 18 And carry these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers fare, and bring back news of them.” 19 Now Saul and they and all the men of Israel were in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines. 20 So David rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a keeper, and took the things and went as Jesse had commanded him. And he came to the camp as the army was going out to the fight and shouting for the battle. 21 For Israel and the Philistines had drawn up in battle array, army against army. 22 And David left his supplies in the hand of the supply keeper, ran to the army, and came and greeted his brothers. 23 Then as he talked with them, there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words. So David heard them. 24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid. 25 So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.” 26 Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 1 Samuel 17:17-26 27 And the people answered him in this manner, saying, “So shall it be done for the man who kills him.” 28 Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger was aroused against David, and he said, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” 29 And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?” 30 Then he turned from him toward another and said the same thing; and these people answered him as the first ones did. 1 Samuel 17:27-30 31 Now when the words which David spoke were heard, they reported them to Saul; and he sent for him. 32 Then David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, 35 I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of th

Lesson #7 - "Choose To Stand On God’s Word" For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV Go to our website – www.evangelag.org and click on the Media Tab and scroll down and click on Podcasts and you can get the message delivered to your Smart Phone, Tablet or Computer for free. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Zechariah 9:12 NIV It was the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede, the son of Ahasuerus, who became king of the Babylonians. 2 During the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, learned from reading the word of the Lord, as revealed to Jeremiah the prophet, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years. 3 So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I also wore rough burlap and sprinkled myself with ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “O Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands. 5 But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations. 6 We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land. 7 “Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame. This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you. 8 O Lord, we and our kings, princes, and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. 9 But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him. 10 We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets. Daniel 9:1-10 NLT if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:1 GNT For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.' Jeremiah 29:11 NAS For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 MSG Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the remainder of the elders who were carried away captive—to the priests, the prophets, and all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. Jeremiah 29:1 NKJV 4 Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. 8For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the Lord. 10 For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. Jeremiah 29:4-14 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. 6 Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. 7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace. Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV …In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:13 NIV Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NKJV Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. Hebrews 10:35-36 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure… Hebrews 6:19 NIV Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you. Zechariah 9:12 NIV Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5 NKJV

1 Samuel 1:24-28 After he was weaned, she took the boy with her, young as he was, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the Lord at Shiloh. 25 When the bull had been sacrificed, they brought the boy to Eli, 26and she said to him, “Pardon me, my lord. As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. 27 I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:24-28 NIV Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 20 Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the Lord give you children by this woman to take the place of the one she prayed for and gave to the Lord.” Then they would go home. 21 And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:19-21 NIV #1. Giving Honors God. Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. Proverbs 3:9, 10 (NIV) #2. Giving Is About Trust. Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 1 Kings 17:7-11 #3. Giving Is About Obedience To God. 10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread — only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it — and die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 1 Kings 17:10-14 #4. Giving Requires You To Resist Fear. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12 NKJV "Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.” 1 Kings 17:13 "For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” 15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her... 1 Kings 17:14-15a #5. We Often Give Out Of Our Need and Not Just From Our Abundance. While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Luke 21:1-4 NLT She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16(NIV) #6. When We Give First, We Activate The Miracle Supply of God Flowing Back Into Our Lives! 38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT

There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. 2 He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. 3 Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 6 Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.8 Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” 1 Samuel 1:1-8 NIV 9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” 12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.” 15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of Him.” 18 She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:9-18 NIV 1. Pain is PART of LIFE. 2. Your deepest pain is often the PATHWAY to GOD’S GREATEST MIRACLES AND PLANS FOR YOU! And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 1 Samuel 1:6 (NKJV) 3. Your RESPONSE to your pain MATTERS. So Hannah arose after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the tabernacle of the Lord. 10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish. 11 Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.16 Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 18 And she said, “Let your maidservant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:9-18 (NKJV) When in pain, don’t: ๏ (1) Pretend you don’t feel it. ๏ (2) Make God your enemy. ๏ (3) Waste time and energy complaining to God and others. ๏ (4) Waste time and energy comparing yourself to others. ๏ (5) Become a bitter, angry, disillusioned person with poisoned thoughts and attitudes. When in pain, do: ๏ (1) Be honest about it. ๏ (2) Take your pain to God in genuine, fervent, continued prayer. ๏ (3) Enlist the help of others who pray. ๏ (4) Remember the Holy Spirit is your Helper. He will help you if you ask Him to. And if you will patiently wait for his help. ๏ (5) Surrender your will to God’s will. ๏ (6) Trust God’s nature, promises, ways and timing. ๏ (7) Keep on living and giving. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” 1 Samuel 1:20 (NIV

Ryan Kramer's farewell message.

1 Samuel 1:8-18 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 15 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 “Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1:12-17 And it happened, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” 1 Samuel 1:12-14 But Hannah answered and said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 “Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” 1 Samuel 1:15-16 17 Then Eli answered and said, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” 1 Samuel 1:17 Four Reasons To Choose To Change: 1. When CONFRONTED With What Is Right And What Is True. 2. When CONVICTED By The Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NIV) 3. When You’re HINDERING or RESISTING Godly Progress. 4. When BY NATURE YOU’RE A Naysaying, Stubborn, and Cantankerous Person.

1. Abide 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 2. Abandon 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. Luke 9:23-24 3. Advocate 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” Acts 1:8

#2 “Hannah’s Choice” Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah… 2 And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. 3 This man went up from his city yearly to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of hosts in Shiloh... 4 And whenever the time came for Elkanah to make an offering, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat. 1 Samuel 1:1-7 Three Choices That Hannah Made: #1. The First Choice Hannah Made Was To Overcome Anger and Bitterness. This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. 2 So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. 3 Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.” Jonah 4:1-3 NLT #2. The Second Choice Hannah Made Was To Overcome Fear! 35 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” 36 So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). 37 But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. 38 Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” 39 When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:35-40 NIV There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 NIV “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:5-6 25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. Joshua 10:25 NIV The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalms 27:1-3 NIV #3. Hannah Choose To Fight Despair! For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 2 Corinthians 1:8

"Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the mountains of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite." 1 Samuel 1:1 #1. Elkanah Chose To Take A Bold Stand For God, When Others Would Not. "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” Mark 12:29, 30 (NIV) Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32, 33 NKJV “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13, 14 (NIV) Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:3 #2. Elkanah Stood CONSISTENTLY For God. He Was Consistent In His Worship of God. “Consistent” means, “firm, steady, regular, ongoing, unaltered, continually practiced.” "When He came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures." Luke 4:16 NLT "Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25 NIV "One day Peter and John went to the Temple at three o’clock, the time set each day for the afternoon prayer service." Acts 3:1 NCV #3. Elkanah Stood CONFIDENTLY and EXPECTANTLY With FAITH In God! This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8-9 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalms 1:1-3 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing. Psalms 92:13-14

38Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” 39But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:38-41 https://worldnewsdailyreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/giant-shark.jpg https://worldnewsdailyreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/shark-tooth.jpg https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zeQMqUMvIeY/hqdefault.jpg 1Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3But Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish; so he paid the fare, and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:1-3 Four Things About Jonah: 1. Jonah Didn’t Like What God Told Him To Do. 2. Jonah Sails In The Other Direction. https://goodshepherdacton.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/advent1-image1.jpg 17Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 1:17 3. We Can Ask God For A Second Chance! 1Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I tell you.” 3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Jonah 3:1-3a 41The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. Matthew 12:41 4. God Is Concerned For You!