Transformation Church Tallahassee

Six Reasons I Fast and Pray: #1. Jesus Expected His Followers To Engage In Regular Times of Fasting and Prayer. 16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:16-18 #2. To Receive An Open Reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:17-18 #3. To Humble My Flesh. “I humble myself by fasting…” Psalms 69:10 GNT “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7 #4. Fasting Changes Me! #5. To Deal With Carnal Appetites and Emotions. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 #6. To Address Unbelief. 14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic[c] and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Matthew 17:14-21 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8-9

Today we start with some quotes that claim hell is not real. “There is no hell: The souls of sinners simply vanish after death and are not subject to an eternity of punishment.” - Pope Francis, March 30, 2018 (A quote later shown to be a false quote.) “Hell is a metaphor for the horrors of life on earth - poverty, genocide and injustice.” - Rob Bell “God has shown me that there is no hell. Because of God’s grace everyone will be saved - - regardless of how you live, everyone will go to heaven.” - Carlton Pearson 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 13 “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. 14 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 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:41-42 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out... 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9:43-48 NIV 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 NIV 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Revelation 14:11 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. Revelation 20:1 19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ Luke 16:19-24 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ 27“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Luke 16:25-28 29Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 30And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” Luke 16:29-31

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Hebrews 2:9 “…that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14-15 Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. 3 He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:1-3 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4 I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 4 Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:4-6

22 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 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:22-26 “FORGIVENESS IS SURRENDERING MY RIGHT TO HURT YOU FOR HURTING ME!” – Archibald Hart And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 Five People Who Need Forgiveness: 1. The First Person You Need To Forgive Is You - - Yourself. When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. Matthew 27:3 NIV So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. Matthew 27:5 NIV Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 NIV 2. Many People Carry Resentment In Their Heart Toward God. 3. You Need To Forgive Family Members. 4. There Has To Be Forgiveness For Anybody Else Who Has Done Anything Against You. 5. We All Need Forgiveness From God.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:6 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV 25“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? 26Look 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? 27Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Matthew 6:25-27 28“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these… 33But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:28-33 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 NKJV “For the Lord is good and the Lord does good!” Psalms 119:68 24 “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ 26 “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. Matthew 25:24-29 35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35-37

The special guest speaker this week is our student pastor Zach Barnes!

Our special guest speaker this week is Andy Raatz, Director of Communications for the Assembly of God World Missions.

#1. Jesus Taught That Believers Are To Pray In His Name! And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13 “… Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. John 16:23 “… 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...26 In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. John 16:23-24, 26-27 #2. There Is Only One Way To God, and That Is Through His Son, Jesus Christ! but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 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 #3. The Name Of Jesus Carries Power And Authority In Three Worlds. 15 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. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; Mark 16:15-17 #4. The Name Of Jesus Belongs To Every Believer.

#1. Recognize That God Loves Lost People (Luke 15). However Lost People Are Blinded By Demonic Deception. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT The Lord is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 #2. Remember Your Goal Is To See Lost People, Born-Again Of The Imperishable Seed Of God’s Word. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 #3. Offer Yourself As A Laborer To God. Pray, “Lord, You can use me to bring others to Christ!” …“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Matthew 9:37-38 #4. Pray For The Conviction Of The Holy Spirit 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; John 16:7-8 #5. Ask God To Forgive You Of Any Resentment In Your Heart Toward The Person. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20:23 #6. When Praying For A Lost Spouse or Child, Believe God To Help You Have A “Holy” Influence On Them. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14 #7. As You Pray For The Lost, Fully Consecrate Your Own Life To God! 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.” 1 Samuel 1:1-11 18 But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. 1 Samuel 2:18

9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Matthew 6:9 6 But now Jesus, our High Priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. Hebrews 8:6 NLT The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalms 37:23-24 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 10 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 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:1 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 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. Matthew 6:12 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 NLT For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:5 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:6-8

Enjoy the moving of the Holy Spirit through our guest speaker Steve Sampson!

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray… Matthew 6:5 5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. Matthew 6:5 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 #1. To Pray Effectively, Get Your Own Heart Right With God, and Your Prayers Motivated By Love. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24 #2. To Pray Effectively, Make Sure You Are Praying In Light Of The Finished Work Of Christ On-The-Cross. 30 …“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:30-31 9 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. Romans 10:9 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, Romans 8:16-17 #3. Prayer Isn’t Trying To Twist God’s Arm, To Make Him Do Something, He Doesn’t Want To Do. Prayer Is Communion (Fellowship) With God. Prayer is Receiving By Faith What God Has Already Done For Us In Christ! 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:6 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7

"My Prayer For You" 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will. Ephesians 1:11 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:12-14 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking (slander) be put away from you, with all malice (evil behavior). 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. Matthew 12:32 15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Ephesians 1:15-17 “… you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

A special message as we head into the new year 2018!

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. James 1:12-15 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 #1. Always Remember: Jesus Was Tempted By The Devil Just Like You Are! Yet He Successfully Overcame Every Temptation! 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 #2. Learn To Stand On The Word Of God and Speak It Aloud In The Face Of Temptation. 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’” 5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ” 9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ 11 and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ 12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” Luke 4:3-12 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Ephesians 6:17 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 #3. Pray Like Jesus Taught Us: “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 16:1 #4. God Promises A Way Of Escape For Every Temptation You Face. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

"The bigger the battle the bigger the victory!" #1. When You Give To God, You are Moving In the Opposite Direction Of The Devil. 5 This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Haggai 1:5-6 NLT 23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23 NLT #2. Giving and Receiving Is A Battle, Because The Devil Doesn’t Want You To Have Anything – Especially Not Money. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth… Deuteronomy 8:18 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38 #3. The Bible Says That Our Prayers Are Answered Because Of Our Giving! Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Acts 10:30-31 NIV 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; Malachi 3:10-11 #4. Solomon, The Wisest, Richest Man In The World At The Time He Was King, Learned The Secret Of Giving. Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. 25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NKJV Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. Ecclesiastes 11:1 NIV #5. To Prosper, You Not Only Must Be A Giver, You Must Also Be A Good Steward. Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

Coming through the Thanksgiving season and preparing for the Christmas season!

#1. Thanksgiving and Praise Will Destroy A Spirit of Heaviness. #2. You Cannot Thank and Praise God, and Complain At The Same Time. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith 1 Peter 5:8-9 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 #3. You Should Thank and Praise God for Delivering You Out Of Situations That Only He Could Save Your From. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, Psalms 107:1-2 11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19 #4. The Enemy Might Try To Stop Your Thanksgiving and Praise, But Who Cares What The Devil Does! 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 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 #5. When You Realize The Authority God Has Placed In Your Hands To Fight and Defeat The Devil, You Will Want To Thank and Praise The Lord Day and Night! Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered. Psalms 68:1 I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. Psalms 9:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103:1-5

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "A stronghold is a system of thought, empowered by your emotions, that is contrary to the Word of God. A stronghold is a thought that holds you strongly." False Evidence Appearing Real Five Principles: #1. Your Tongue (Your Mouth) Can Bring About Victory, Or The Enemy Can Use It To Put You Into Captivity And Bondage. You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth. Proverbs 6:2 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 #2. You Have To Realize That Your Words Carry Power In The Realm Of The Unseen. Your Words Carry Power In The Realm Of The Spirit. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 #3. What Comes Out Of Your Mouth Not Only Affects Everyone Around You, But It Actually Affects You! It Stops You From Moving Forward In The Things Of God. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalms 19:14 #4. Your Words Can Either Quiet A Thing Down, Or Stir A Thing Up. A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 #5. The Best Way I Know To Deal With A Stronghold Is To Meditate On the Word of God and Get God’s Word In Your Heart, and Then Speak It Aloud.

Lesson #7: “The Way The Devil Attacks” 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 #1. Atheists say: “There is no God." #2. Agnostics believe there is a God, but it is impossible to know Him or have a relationship with Him. #3. Assassinating the Character of God. #4. Lustful thoughts #5. Greed and Covetousness #6. Fear, Worry and Anxiety #7. Self-hatred and Believing Lies about Who You Are. Comparing yourself with others. #8. Believing That Everyone is against you. #9. Unforgiveness and Taking up another person’s offense. #10. A Poverty Mentality I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 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 12:1-2 6 …Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. Romans 8:6-7 NLT “And do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27 “5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, (lustful) passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” Colossians 3:5-10 Here Are The Facts: The Devil Is Defeated, Jesus Is Exalted. The Cross Is Sufficient. We must believe it and walk in the light of it. It is that simple!

“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:15-23 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:5-6 NLT 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NIV Three Responsibilities: #1. Don’t Give The Devil A Foothold In Your Life. “Nor give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27 …casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:7-9 #2. Stay Submitted and Yielded To God. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:7-8 #3. Never Forget, You Have Authority Over The Devil! He Is Under Your Feet! And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons. Mark 16:17 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. Romans 16:20 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19

A Sower Went Forth To Sow - a special message for Pastor Appreciation Sunday

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 1 Kings 19:1-3 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom (juniper) tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9 Regret is rooted in making poor decisions and missing out on great opportunities. Remorse is a deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed, that often results in self-resentment and self-hatred. Repentance means to turn away from your sin and past, and turn to God’s grace and forgiveness. Five Cause of Regret: 1. Past Mistakes When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. Matthew 27:3-5 “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 2. Disappointments and Unmet Expectations. 3. Puzzling Circumstances. 4. Difficult or Failed Relationships. 5. Unfulfilled Hopes, Promises and Dreams.

And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. 1 Kings 19:1 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:2-4 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.” 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 1 Kings 19:2-3 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 1 Kings 19:4 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 1 Kings 19:5-7 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. 1 Kings 19:8 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 1 Kings 19:9-10 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore..,” Ephesians 6:12-14a 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… Colossians 3:15 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 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 20 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 HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR HEART SENSITIVE TO THE LORD: 1. GLORIFY GOD! 2. BE THANKFUL. Name followed by its meaning Jehovah- Tsidkenu “Jehovah our righteousness" Jehovah-M’Kaddesh “Jehovah who sanctifies” Jehovah-Shalom “Jehovah is peace” Jehovah-Shammah “Jehovah is there" (is present) Jehovah-Rophe “Jehovah heals” Jehovah-Jireh “Jehovah’s provision shall be seen” Jehovah-Nissi “Jehovah my banner” Jehovah-Rohi “Jehovah my shepherd” #3. Walk In The God Kind of Love. 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 KJV 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Matthew 23:25-27 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 KJV 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart…” Ephesians 4:17-18 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins Ephesians 2:1 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

“Faith is your positive response to what God has already given you by grace.” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 KJV #1. The First Key Is To Simply Live A Life Of Glorifying God! #2. The Second Key Is To Be Thankful To God! But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. 2 Timothy 3:1-2 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:21 KJV #3. Don’t Allow Your Imagination To Become Vain. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 KJV

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalms 46:1-7 20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. Acts 27:20-25 37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship. Acts 27:37 44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land. Acts 27:44

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 “Evangelion.” 3 Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, 4 they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” 6 This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 7 So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:3-11 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:18 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. Romans 1:19 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… Romans 1:20 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. Romans 1:21

“The Fear of Success" 17 So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint you king over Israel? 1 Samuel 15:7 “…you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”1 Samuel 15:26 14 Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones. 15 And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. 16 But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. 18 And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.” 19 Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place… 2 Chronicles 26:14-20 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. 2 Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. 3 So David sent and inquired about the woman. And someone said, “Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her, for she was cleansed from her impurity; and she returned to her house. 1 Samuel 11:1-4 “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 1:6-8

Our guest speaker was Ronald Gray, and he shared a powerful message on The Holy Spirit.

1. Celebrate Recovery is based on God’s Word – the Bible. 2. Celebrate Recovery is FORWARD-LOOKING. 3. Celebrate Recovery emphasizes PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. 4. Celebrate Recovery BRINGS PEOPLE TO A COMMITMENT TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! 5. Celebrate Recovery teaches that we NEED EACH OTHER IN ORDER TO GROW SPIRITUALLY and EMOTIONALLY. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. 13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”[a] we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 4 And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:2-6 7 And it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 1 Kings 17:8 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’” 1 Kings 17:10-14 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 7 For God has not given you 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 15 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” (Daddy, God). Romans 8:15 19 And my God shall supply all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thess. 5:24 NAS 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Ephesians 1:3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy-SN5j1ogk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIQQ3_PNX34 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. Proverbs 24:16 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 1 Chronicles 16:9

Our guest speaker this Sunday was Pastor Ryan Kramer, preaching a message entitled The Rope, sharing about the love of God.

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 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 (Verse One ) Oh Lord I am your willing servant - You know that I have been for years - I'm here in this pew every Sunday and Wednesday - I've stained it with many a tear - I've given You years of my service - I've always given my best - And I've never asked you for anything much - So, Lord I deserve this request (Chorus:) Please don't send me to Africa I don't think I've got what it takes I'm just a man, I'm not a Tarzan Don't like lions, gorillas or snakes I'll serve you here in suburbia In my comfortable middle class life But please don't send me out into the bush Where the natives are restless at night (Verse Two ) I'll see that the money is gathered - I'll see that the money is sent - I'll wash and stack the communion cups - I'll tithe eleven percent - I'll volunteer for the nursery - I'll go on the youth group retreat - I'll usher, I'll deacon , I'll go door to door - Just let me keep warming this seat (Chorus) Please don't send me to Africa I don't think I've got what it takes I'm just a man I'm not a Tarzan Don't like lions, gorillas or snakes I'll serve you here in suburbia In my comfortable middle class life But please don't send me to the ends of the earth Where the natives are restless at night – “Please Don’t Send Me To Africa.” by Scott Wesley Brown. 3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate; and they said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We will enter the city,’ the famine is in the city, and we shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall only die.” 5 And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians; and when they had come to the outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise no one was there. 6 For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!” 7 Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives. 8 And when these lepers came to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid them; then they came back and entered another tent, and carried some from there also, and went and hid it. 9 Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and tell the king’s household.” 2 Kings 7:3-9 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. 25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ 26 “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, 27 why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ Matthew 25:24-27

God created every one of us to be successful!

When it comes to Jesus Christ, His life, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, His sending of the Holy Spirit, and His return on the white horse, we all have to decide, "Am I a believer, or am I a doubter?" (Message originally delivered April 12, 2015)

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 For as (A man) thinks in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7 “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 18 “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth… Deuteronomy 8:18 34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. Acts 10:34-35 11 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 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. Psalms 139:14 26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Corinthians 1:26

“…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah. Joshua 7:1 NLT 19 Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the Lord and must be brought into his treasury.” Joshua 6:19 NLT 2 Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven. 3 When they returned, they told Joshua, “There’s no need for all of us to go up there; it won’t take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don’t make all our people struggle to go up there.” 4 So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai 5 chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away. 6 Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the Lord until evening. 7 Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign Lord, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! 8 Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies? Joshua 7:2-8 NLT 10 But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? 11 Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. 12 That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction. Joshua 7:10-12 NLT 19 Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don’t hide it from me.” 20 Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. 21 Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.” 22 So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest. 23 They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the Lord. Joshua 7:19-23 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. Acts 15:39. “Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5). But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, And my Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. 16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. Isaiah 49:14-16

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in. Joshua 6:1 2 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 3 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. Joshua 6:3 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.” 6 Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” 7 And he said to the people, “Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the Lord.” 8 So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them. 9 The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 10 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.” 11 So he had the ark of the Lord circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp. Joshua 6:4-11 “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 (the giant) there. Numbers 13:27-28 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.” “The land… 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 13:30-33 12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord. 13 Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the Lord, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets. 14 And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six days.15 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 6:12-16 20 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

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” 15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13-15 I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. 3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me, And let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:1-4 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Joshua 5:13-14 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17-18 15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:15

Psalm 84:5-7 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Romans 5:2b-5 2 And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.. 1. Suffering 2. Perseverance 3. Character 1 Cor. 10:13,13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 4. Hope

Last Sunday, just after church, at 12:39 p.m., my mom took her final breath and woke up in the arms of Jesus! The day before, was her birthday, she turned 89 years old. On Saturday, the Doctors had called the family and told us she could pass that day… But it was just like Mom to wait until church was over last Sunday to go home to heaven. I am glad that Deanie Todd was prepared for eternity! She loved Jesus Christ with all of her heart and she endeavored to do His Will. When I was 15 yrs. old, my dad entered full time ministry as a traveling evangelist. For periods of time, my mom was both mom and dad to my sister and me. Many times I heard my parents in their bedroom praying: “Lord, we consecrate our lives to You! We want to be in your will more than we want anything in this world. We will go where you want us to go. We will be what you want us to be. We will say what you want us to say and we will and we will do what you want us to do." God loves it when we prepare to do His will! Preparation is very important in life. Preparation is often the difference between success and failure. Someone said, “Good fortune is where Preparation meets Opportunity!” The Florida State Football team lost a game last season to the University of North Carolina – a game they should have won. Some of the players admitted they didn’t prepare for the game, as they should have. Joshua chapter five tells us that God wanted to do some preparatory work inside the Children of Israel before they went to war with the Seven Heathen Nations that occupied the Promised Land. So it was, when all the kings of the Amorites who were on the west side of the Jordan, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel until we had crossed over, that their heart melted; and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the children of Israel. Joshua 5:1 Note verse 1: The people of the land are extremely intimidated by the presence of Israel. The Scripture says: - Their hearts melted - There was not more spirit in them to face Israel – they lost their Courage, and lost their Backbone! Note verse 2: At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time.” Joshua 5:2 God says, before you conquer the Land, I want you to do something. I want every male to be operated on – I want every soldier to first have surgery. “I want the flesh of every soldier’s private area to be cut away." Circumcision was introduced in Genesis chapter 17. God told Abraham, I am giving you a sign – a symbol of our Covenant Relationship – the sign is going to require surgery - the cutting away of the foreskin of your private area. In my mind, I can see Abraham saying, “God, did I hear you right?” “You want to do surgery where?” “That is kind of a delicate area Lord, how about doing surgery on my arm?” “That would be more comfortable.” I imagine Joshua was thinking, “Lord, can’t we do this after we fight the battles and take the land?” “Our entire army is going to need time to recuperate and heal.” “Right now, all the nations are afraid of us, can’t we go to war and strike while the iron is hot?” But no doubt, Joshua remembers the charge God gave him in Chapter One. God told Joshua that OBEDIENCE to Him Was the key to success! 8 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 3 So Joshua made flint knives for himself, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 And this is the reason why Joshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Egypt who were males, all the men of war, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness, on the way as they came out of Egypt, had not been circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people who were men of war, who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord—to whom the Lord swore that He would not show them the land which the Lord had sworn to their fathers that He would give us, “a land flowing with milk and honey.”7 Then Joshua circumcised their sons whom He raised up in their place; for they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. Joshua 5:3-7 God didn’t want men in His army who didn’t bear the mark of circumcision. Because in the O.T. Circumcision speaks of COVENANT COMMITMENT! It was a mark of commitment to God and a mark of personal purity before the Lord. But what God really wanted wasn’t just the circumcision of the flesh. He wanted a circumcision of their heart! 16 Therefore circumcise the for

Exodus 2:1-10 (NKJV) Moses Is Born 2 And a man of the house of Levi went and took as wife a daughter of Levi. 2 So the woman conceived and bore a son. And when she saw that he was a beautiful child, she hid him three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took an ark of bulrushes for him, daubed it with asphalt and pitch, put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank. 4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him. 5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river. And her maidens walked along the riverside; and when she saw the ark among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it. 6 And when she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby wept. So she had compassion on him, and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.” 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and call a nurse for you from the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for you?” 8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Go.” So the maiden went and called the child’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10 And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses,[a] saying, “Because I drew him out of the water.” 1.Be a mother of Courage 2.Be a mother of Wisdom Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) 10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Mark 6:47-52 -47 Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. About three o’clock in the morning[a] Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, 49 but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. 50 They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here![b]”51 Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed. Exodus 14:14 NIV -The LORD will fight for you; you need only to BE STILL! 3.Be a mother of Faith 1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV) 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Hebrews 11:1 NLT Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track

Have you ever felt frustrated? Have you ever been working toward something, only to have things not work out? Joshua Chapter 3 is about resolving frustration. In this chapter we read about a nation who numbered about 2 and a 1/2 million people – they have been frustrated for the last 40 years. For 40 years they have been wandering around in the wilderness. For 40 years they have been homeless – sleeping in tents. These people know if they can just get across the Jordan River, they can reach their Promised Land. But there was a BIG OBSTACLE. The problem was the swollen Jordan River. Normally the Jordan River was easy to cross. But it was the Spring of the year, and the Spring rains and the melting snow from Mount Hermon had created Flood Conditions. If anyone knew failure, it was the Children of Israel. If anyone knew disappointment it was the Children of Israel! if anyone knew what it was to miss blessings of victory – it was the Children of Israel. 40 years earlier their forefathers had stood poised to cross into the Promised Land, but they let problems discourage them and they turned back. Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12 God had a strategy to get all 2.5 million people across the flooded river. And God has a strategy to get you into your Promised Land. God has a strategy to get you from where you are to where you need to be. I have a friend who served as an Associate Pastor for over 15 years. His father was the Senior Pastor and my friend served with His dad. His dad became sick and died, and my friend was named the Senior Pastor. My friend told me that 6 months after he became the Senior Pastor, that it seemed that everyone in the congregation began finding fault with him. The board members were constantly getting on his case, and members of the congregation seemed to always be upset with him… One day he called me and said, “I’m miserable, and though I am supposed to be the leader, no one is submitting and yielding to my leadership as the Pastor. When I started serving at this church, I was submitted to the Lord Jesus Christ and acting like a Christian, and I refuse to fight with people and demand they yield to my authority. I am going to resign and see what God does for me. 3 months went by and became the pastor of a congregation that at one time had run over 500 on Sundays, but had gone down hill and were down to about 50 people on Sunday mornings. He and his family moved to the location of that congregation. He told me that within the first year their attendance doubled. Then it doubled a second time and finally doubled a 3rd time. I saw him in March and he told me he was the happiest he had ever been in his life. God knows how to get you to your Promised Land. He knows how to get you to where you need to be! Verse 1 - Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and they set out from Acacia Grove and came to the Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they crossed over. 2 So it was, after three days, that the officers went through the camp; 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. 4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you must go, for you have not passed this way before.” Joshua 3:1-4 #1. v.3 – You Will Never Enter All That God Has For You – If You Don’t Learn To Listen To and Obey The Word of God and the Inward Voice of the Holy Spirit. A. The people had to decide, am I going to listen to what God is saying through Joshua? Or am I going to ignore what he says? If you are going to move from Frustration to Occupation, you have to listen to and obey what God says to do. “If you continue in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31 3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests, the Levites, bearing it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it. Joshua 1:3 6 Then Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. Joshua 1:6 #2. For 40 years the Nation of Israel has been following a pillar-shaped-cloud by day and a pillar-of-fire by night. In the cloud was the very Shekinah presence of God. A. When the cloud moved, the entire nation of Israel moved… When the cloud stopped – 2.5 million people stopped and camped. But now God is teaching a new lesson – He is saying: “I no longer want you to follow the cloud, because My Presence Is No Longer in the Cloud. I want you to learn to follow the Ark, because

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho...” Joshua 2:1 A. Note v. 1: “to spy out secretly…” The fact that this was a classified mission reveals that Joshua intended to take Jericho by force and was unaware of the miracle that God planned for the armies of Israel. You can get so used to depending on yourself that you don’t expect God’s help and miraculous power. #1. EXPECT MIRACLES EVERY DAY! God Is At Work, Even When You Can’t Perceive It! Never Forget That God Is Your Source. Its’ important to always talk about God’s Goodness! To Always Testify about the goodness, and glory and greatness of our God! Sit around your dinner table and tell your kids and grandchildren about the day God saved you. About the time Jesus baptized you in the Holy Spirit. How God has met your needs. How God has healed you. How God has come through for you time and time again. Always remember, God is Good and the Devil is bad! God-Good; Devil-Bad… This will help you to make sense of the world and things going on… A. Our God is a wonderful God, a great God, and a good God! Jesus is a wonderful Jesus. A great Jesus! And a good Jesus! The Holy Spirit is a wonderful Holy Spirit. He is a great Holy Spirit! He is a good Holy Spirit! B. Some people talk about the devil as if He is a great devil. Some people think that God and the devil are in a boxing ring, fighting it out. C.How many remember the movie “Honey, I Shrunk The Kids!” Some people have shrunk God and blown up the devil. But you need to shrink the devil and place the focus on the King of Glory – our Lord Jesus Christ! D. God and the devil aren’t even in the same category! Not even in the same Universe! The devil is a created being and the Lord our God is the Creator! God said: “Let there be light!” And He has never rescinded that command. So light just continues to shine and shine from solar system to solar system throughout the universe! E. The devil has a beginning and an ending! God has not beginning nor ending. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. God has always existed and will always exist! F. On the Cross of Calvary, Jesus “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15 G. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:20 H. The only power the devil has over you - is the power you give him. Oh yes, he may attack you. But you have authority over him, if you will use it. I. “nor give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:27 The devil will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone… and will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10 I expect a miracle every day of my life! Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. Joshua 2:1 A. For many years I read this verse and wondered, “Why did God have the spies to stay at the home of a prostitute?” They certainly didn’t go there to commit sin with her. B. But if you think about it, The house of Rahab was a perfect place for the spies to stay because of the constant flow of traffic – it was common for strange men to come and go all hours of the day and night. C. God led the two spies to the one person in Jericho who believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! D. “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” Hebrews 11:31 E. Did you know that King David was a descendant of Rahab the harlot? Rahab married King David’s great, great grandfather, a man named Salmon. They had a little boy named Boaz, and Boaz married Ruth and they had a son named Obed. And Obed had a little boy named Jesse and Jesse was the father of David who slew a giant and became a king. F. By adoption, Jesus our Lord, was a descendant of Rahab. 28-generations after King David was born, we read: 16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16 G. Don’t ever condemn yourself because of your past. Don’t ever tell yourself, “Well God can’t use me, because look at all the sin I have been in.” “God can’t use me because my father was a bootlegger and my mother was a harlot.” God can’t use me because my father was in the Mafia and I don’t know who my mother is. God can’t use me because I used to hold up 7/11’s and deal drugs, why I even killed a person. Moses too killed a man. Saul of Tarsus consented to the death of Stephen, a deacon in the early church. H. God can save from the uttermost to the guttermost! The blood of Jesus knows no boundaries! It reaches to the highest mountains and flows to the lowest valleys. The blood that gives us stren

Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 78:41 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. Joshua 1:1-4 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:5 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 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 NIV 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. Joshua 1:6-7 8 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 1:6-9

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11 Six Things I do to live in the presence of Jesus: #1. Never Forget That God Is Your Source. #2. Act On God’s Word As A Way Of Life. #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. #6. Always Testify. Always talk about God’s Goodness!