Victory Life KY

My prayer today is that every one of us see Jesus with a fresh, clear perspective, as we gather around His table.

It’s only by God’s word that we are renewed, transformed, changed, and renovated by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:5 (NIV) Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

For those of us that will be open to it and willing to trust Him, He’ll show us the areas in our own house that needs a little renovation. You know what any renovation projects starts with? Decision and Commitment

Seriously, no renovation project is worth investing in without a solid foundation. And without question, in God’s house, love is that foundation.

The first thing about a renovation project is the decision to actually do it. From there, we have to count the cost.

This is why it’s so important for the born-again to grasp the reality that God has built us with the ability to see through the lens of His promises. He wants us to move from an intellectual process to a spiritual one.

So today as we honor fathers, let’s magnify our Heavenly Father and let His instructions inspire us today. One thing I’m pretty sure all fathers want for their children is success. And our Heavenly Father makes it very clear that He wants success for each of us.

We left off last week looking into what life on the other side of humanity looks like; life in Heaven. And I know we know these truths, but so often we are so consumed with this life that heavenly realities drift. Sometimes we simply need to be reminded that God and everything about His creation is eternal, and before the fall we see glimpses of what heaven is like.

This may help, as citizens of heaven, this earth can’t be our priority. Not only are we citizens of heaven, we’re actually called to be ambassadors for that kingdom. • Shouldn’t we know about our kingdom if we’re called to represent it? • So we probably should set our sights on the realities of Heaven • We probably should think about the things of Heaven

Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT) Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of Heaven, not the things of earth.

Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV) If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Most people want to be healed, but they don’t want to take the time to hear anything and unfortunately, most of those people seldom get anything from God. So if you haven’t gotten a miracle of healing and you want to be healed, according to Jesus’ own life and ministry; time for some hearing! Matthew 4:23 (NKJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Notice Jesus emphasized teaching and preaching before healing.

Over the years as a pastor, one thing I’ve constantly witnessed is brave mom’s continually setting the standard of faith for their family.

Tithing is a heart issue, not a money issue. – whether you do it or don’t do it, it has very little to do with money and everything to do with our hearts trusting God.

Communion provides us with this divine perspective into everything Jesus did for us. It is our declaration of faith in our new life, not only acknowledging His sacrifice, His Lordship, and covenant but also His return.

God wants to use every one of us to give people a glimpse of what a new life in Him looks like. Ephesians 1:3 (NLT) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

Matthew 10:1 (NKJV) “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” Luke 9:1-2 (NKJV) “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

For the born again, the Word of God and the Kingdom of God has to be the source of revelation directing our steps, shaping our vision, our life. Proverbs 29:18 (NKJV) Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint (NLT) When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. (MSG) If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves

Every believer needs to understand that because Jesus defeated death, not just physical death for Him, but spiritual death for all of us, we will reign in life through Jesus Christ. Remember, this whole thing (creation) is a setup. Planned from eternity, because God wanted a people that would freely choose Him.

Sometimes it’s just good to hear Him in the back of our mind saying, “it’s what I do” I made you a masterpiece!! I’ve got great things planned for you!! Because now, we are His body in the earth. Wrap your head around this; without Him we cannot, without us He will not.

Peters's first sermon was to a group of confused people who just witnessed spiritual language. The first thing he does is take them back to the Word because any spiritual reality will always be proven through God's Word.

We are sons and daughters of God by birth, not by worth

God gave us His Spirit to empower us to be His body in the earth. To carry on the ministry of Jesus, represent His kingdom, to do things the way Jesus told us and showed us to do them.

Matthew 10:1 (NKJV) “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” Luke 9:1-2 (NKJV) “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”

John 14:12 (NKJV) “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. By design, we cannot exercise anything beyond what we are willing to believe. It is literally the only way the Kingdom of Heaven works.

Here’s the thing, knowing who we are in Christ, when we find ourselves in a wilderness moment, is absolutely necessary for our success as a disciple.

Mark 2:16-17 NKJV “And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Part 3 2/19/23 James 1:22 (NKJV) “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” MSG, ACT ON WHAT YOU HEAR!

Matthew 4:23 (NKJV) Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

James 1:22 (MSG) Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. ACT ON WHAT YOU HEAR!

• James 1: 22-24,NLT- But don’t just listen to God’s word. YOU MUST DO WHAT IT SAYS. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. • For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. • You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (MSG) Let me go over with you again exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you.

Colossians 1:13,NLT- For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.

Jesus told us “That which is born of the Spirit is spirit, and the words that I speak to you are Spirit.” Jesus’ words are what bring out the faith that’s in our born-again nature.

Here’s the deal, everything about our new world, our authority, dominion, and our effectiveness all hinge on this one Kingdom of Heaven foundation; we have to stay on the love line. Which will absolutely require complete trust that God’s way is right.

Our real life is 100% spiritual. But most Christians only refer to this life, our humanity, as real life. The spiritual life is a someday life when we get to Heaven. Let me ask you this, do you honestly believe you belong to a different world right now? How often do you think about that world? How the eternal world applies to this temporary one.

“Home for Christmas” is simply a reminder for us as we celebrate another Christmas holiday, to embrace being at home with Christ, and being comfortable with Him in our daily lives. Which means acknowledging who we are in Him.

Matthew 16:19 YLT “and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.”

Our new talk, “Home for Christmas” is simply a reminder for us as we celebrate another Christmas holiday, to embrace being at home with Christ, and a big part of that is acknowledging who we are in Him.

As we celebrate another Christmas holiday, as we take part in all the family and social events, all the traditions, sometimes just a simple reminder for all of us as believers to remember is why we’re here.

Thanks-giving should be at the heart of every believer confessing Jesus as their savior because it connects us on a more authentic level with His presence.

Here’s a truth we should give a little more consideration, thanksgiving is a heart acknowledgment of something someone did for us. For the born again, thanksgiving is a spiritual force that connects us to more of our Lord’s grace.

When we get used to something, it’s difficult to change direction. But when we choose to maintain an environment of change, we position ourselves for a higher level of influence.

Canaan represents a new life God has for each of His people. A life that sometimes in the natural looks bigger, more intimating, than we might be comfortable with.

The reason we are captivated by Jesus is because he first was captivated by us.

Canaan is the Promised Land. Canaan represents a new life God has for each of His people. Represents God’s best. There are benefits both individually and corporately in Canaan.

Matthew 16:1-3 (NKJV) Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red; and in the morning, It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the SIGNS OF THE TIMES

While we’re on this planet, each of us has the opportunity, should I say, the responsibility to impact someone’s life for God.I know I say this all the time but it’s the reality we need to make our minds up about, Jesus told us. “OCCUPY TILL I RETURN!" So as we look at some of the things God’s word shows us concerning the end, it’s important that we stay humble, teachable ambassadors for our King.Unfortunately, there’s so much speculation, opinion, incorrect interpretation, unbelief, and confusion, so there’s no wonder we don’t hear much on the subject.Matthew 16:1-3 (NKJV) Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, When it is evening you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red; and in the morning, It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening. Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the timesSo according to Jesus, if He expected His people to be able to recognize His first coming, He absolutely expects us to be aware and ready for His next one. And make no mistake, the Bible is full of clues, signs, revelations, insight, and even specifics about this day.So if we know that the day is closer than ever before. Then as His body is on the planet, it’s our job to have as many as possible ready for that day.In 1 Timothy Paul instructs us to pray for all men, especially those in authority. Then in chapter 2:4, he says, because God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.Here’s something every disciple has to be aware of, if we’re supposed to recognize this day, the enemy absolutely recognizes it and will be as relentless as possible in keeping us distracted about it. And his primary tactics are deception and fear.Hebrews 10:23-25 (NKJV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.There is still a hell to avoid!! Let’s not forget, we have a very real enemy who has had way too much success deceiving the church into thinking his kingdom is not a reality, and as far as this thing wrapping up, we really don’t talk about it. Don’t kid yourself, he is the master of distraction. And that’s exactly what’s happening around the world, as well as in the church.Matthew 24:42-44 (NKJV) Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”We are closer than any generation to the things Jesus told us to watch for concerning His return. So don’t think the enemy won’t do everything possible to keep people from these truths.2 Peter 3, Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 2 Timothy 4:3 (NLT) “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.”Truth is, evil hasn’t really changed its look throughout history and he knows that if he can keep us divided, he can keep us weak.Here’s something Jesus said that we have a tendency to overlook, Matthew 16:18, I will build My church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.Over the years so many have interpreted this as meaning hell can’t come against the church. But gates represent the entrance into a place…Remember, we are no longer of this world.Not only can the gates of hell not stop us, but when the kingdom of darkness tries advancing, we, the church are the restrainer stopping the kingdom of darkness from just having its way.Remember, Jesus told us in Luke, I’ve given you authority over all the power of the enemy. That being said, we’ve got to be able to discern our season. Recognize the signs of the times.Something we must remember, He’s returning for a glorious church. And as the world around us grows darker, according to Proverbs, The way of the righteous is like the morning sun, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.Here’s a reality everyone will have to come to terms with, during Jesus’ first coming, there came a point where His disciples had to make some hard decisions concerning their faith, and their lives.So as we peel back a few layers of this revelation, let's remember, God, desires all men to be saved Our mission is people! Yes, we are to