You can watch us live each week!
http://www.lmcigreenville.org/watch-live/
Service Times
Sunday AM: 11am
Sunday PM: 6pm
Wednesday: 7pm
www.lmcigreenville.org
Worship Cast License #: 6786
CCLI #: 3105920
THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.
TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.
IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).
THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS.
WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?
BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.
THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.
FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.
LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.
SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.
WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.
MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,
BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:
I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.
HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.
AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.
THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.
THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM 5;11 – BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.
IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?
I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.
FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.
I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.
I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.
I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.
I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44. ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.
I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.
THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.
AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.
I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.
WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.
* PART 2 COMING UP.
Most of us know we can’t hide from God, because He sees and knows all.
He continues to deal with those who run from Him, because it’s not His
will that any should perish. He will continually, draw them to Himself, but we do
have a will of our own. He will draw us but His desire is, that we come to Him freely. This is why
He gave us a choice.
When we do come to Him, and receive Him as our personal Savior, He then, deals with
us: first, as babies, on milk; and then expects us to grow-up.
When we raise our children, we expect things out of them, but we do have to teach them. If they don’t grow up properly, we begin to have trouble with them and they can cause us much heart ache.
Well, God has guidelines and rules, similar to the rules we enforce on our children.
We offer our children many advantages. Most of the time they don’t see that until they grow-up. This is the samewith God and His children.
Some of our advantages of being God’s children are:
1-
His giving of His only begotten Son’s life for our Eternal life
2-
A personal relationship with Him where we can communicate through prayer, and see our prayers answered
3-
The precious promises in His Word
4-
The way to live a victorious life here
5-
Healing and deliverance
6-
The fruit of the Spirit
7-
We can operate in His gifts
8-
Heaven, when we leave here
9-
We will rule and reign with Him in the future Millennial Reign of Christ
And much, much more.
But, we have a part to play in this, which is the difference in having the favor of God, that
we all want, or we could receive the judgment side of God which brings with it much trouble.
We are always telling our children, when we send them out to play, “Stay out of trouble.” You got it! —– With God It’s the same. We know if we break the rules, we are in trouble.
Today we are going to learn:
How to stay out of trouble with God:
Many of us have tried to make a deal with God. We say “If You will do this, I will do that.”
This is not how God operates. We have His Word: if we will do this, He will do that. We’re always trying to ‘get the cart before the horse’ (so to speak).
WE CAN STAY OUT OF TROUBLE WITH GOD BY BEING OBEDIENT: Our relationship with
God, and our anointing has much to do with our obedience to Him.
Acts 5:29,32
– Then Peter and the other Apostles answered and said, We ought to obey
God rather than men.
And we are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.
John 15:10 —- If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.
And
1 John 3:22 —- And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
Matthew 7:21 —- Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
God Word is very clear about how to follow His will—we must trust and obey.
One of my most quoted Scriptures is found in Proverbs 3:5,6 —-
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own
understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He
shall direct thy paths.
We are instructed to trust and obey and leave the rest to Him.
He can cause circumstances around us to change. All He wants usto do, after trusting and being obedient, is to do good when it is in our power to do so; but the most important of all requirements, is to spend
time with Him each day.
SEEKING THE LORD CAN KEEP US OUT OF TROUBLE WITH GOD:
This is where we get direction, and are refreshed by His presence.
How can we know what He desires of us, unless we have a relationship with Him?
Seeking Him, by spending time with Him, and praising and worshipping Him, brings relationship.
It can keep us out of trouble, even though, most of our trouble, is brought-on by our decision
to ‘do it our way’.
Acts 17:27 — That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him, and find Him, though He be not far away from every one of us.
2 Chronicles 15:2 — The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him; and if ye seek Him, He will be found of you; but if ye forsake Him, He will forsake you.
Lamentations 3:25 — The Lord is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.
And
Ezra 8:22 — The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all that forsake Him.
WE CAN STAY OUT OF TROUBLE WITH GOD IF WE LIVE IN THE SPIRIT AND NOT THE FLESH:
Romans 8:12,13 —- Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Or we could say, we are not obligated to our carnal or old sinful nature, to do what it begs us to do.
Verse 13 — For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify
the deeds of the body (that is die to self), ye shall live.
Let’s explain it this way. If you keep on following theold sinful nature, you are lost and you will perish, but
if through the power of the Holy Spirit you crush it and it’s evil deeds, you shall live.
You might say, ”This is hard to do”. Well, — I can tell you, it can be done, with the help of Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to help you.
Look at Titus 2:11,12 —- For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
WE CAN STAY OUT OF TROUBLE WITH GOD IF WE TAKE THE WALK OF LOVE:
1-
Brotherly love
2-
Loving God
Let’s start with brotherly love:
There are probably many words that are the opposite to the word love, but the most prominent is hate.
There are others that could describe the lack of brotherly love, like despise, judgmental, unforgiveness,
and the list goes on. I ‘m sure you could think of others right-off, and you would be right, but this will do for
now.
1 John 2:10, describes those
who love their brother (talking about other believers), as abiding in the
light. — He that loveth his brother
abith in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling (or error) in him.
1 John 4: 7,8 —- Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God: for God is love.
E M Bounds, on prayer, says,
“By prayer, the ability is secured to feel the law of love, to speak according to the law of love, and to do everything in harmony with the law of love.”
We need divine aid to act brotherly.
Jesus, our perfect example, was and is a devoted friend. He gave His life willingly that we might live. He
gave us Eternal life.
We need to judge our love walk.
JUDGING OURSELVES CAN KEEP US OUT OF TROUBLE WITH GOD:
Corinthians 11:30,31,32 —- For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (or are dead).
For if we judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be
condemned with the world.
To judge self, is when the believer sees self as God sees him. He will renounce or forsake self.
It is replacing the self life with the Christ life.
To judge self is to deny self. This is more than self-denial. Self-denial is denying one’s self of the gratification or enjoyment of the flesh. If we practice self-denial only, it is treating the symptom and not the cause.
But when we judge self, we are attacking the cause.
*To judge self, is to lose the self-life and find the Christ-life:
Galatians 2:20 — I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.
*To judge self, is to no longer be self-conscious, but to become Christ conscious:
Matthew 28:20 — Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:and, lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world. Amen.
*To judge self, is to no longer be self controlled, but become Christ controlled:
Acts 9:6 — And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told
thee what thou must do.
*To judge self, is to no longer practice self-esteem, but to esteem others better than self:
Philippians 2:3 — Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
*To judge self, is to become selfless or unselfish.
We are to search-out our lives, to see if there be any wicked way in us, and get rid of it, by askingGod to cleanse or take it out of us, so we can stay out of trouble with God and be a part of that Church without spot or wrinkle.
CASTING YOUR CARES
Today’s message is a topic all Christians deal with on a regular basis “CASTING YOUR CARES”. I pray you will be free from cares as we come to the conclusion of this mssage.
Our Scripture reading is found in 1 Peter 5:7.
When I think of this topic, my thoughts go to fishing with a rod and reel, where we cast the lure or bait into the water.
The Scripture says 1 Peter 5;7, —- Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
Care means anxiety, burden, anything that emotionally weights us down.
The problem, the most of us, have with this is, that we cast our cares and then reel them back in again. He wants us to break the line and let it go.
We are all alike, you know. We all do it.
Why can’t we just let it go?
The last part of that verse reads …for (or because) He careth for you.
We know we have better things to do with our thought-life. If He cares for us, He must be the only one who can handle that care.
Look with mw at Mark 4:18,19 —- And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the Word,
And the cares of this world, … entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Here, Jesus is talking about the sowing of the seed which represents the Word of God.
The cares of this life can weight a Christian down, so that they have no joy; and their peace goes right out the window, so to speak. We forget who we are in Christ.
We get anxious, we get tense and agitated, and speak short to people: not meaning to, but we do it.
John 14:1a says, —- Let not your heart be troubled:…
Cares can cause heart trouble and panic attacks.
He careth for you, means to me: He will take care of it.
Cast that thing that is troubling you over to Him. Don’t try to be the lord of your life. Let the Holy One have it.
He created you, why do you think He won’t handle every situation in your life?
All He wants us to do, is cast it on Him, and trust Him to take care of it.
I have, taped on my computer, Scripture verses. I also have a statement I copied from some book or source, that says, “I AM WITH YOU ON EVERY OCCASION”. Each time I read it, a peace settles over me, because, if I know anything about God, He cares, and is with me at all times.
We are yoked together with Him: Jesus said in Matthew 11:29,30 —-
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden (or load) is light.
Dr. R.W. Shambock tells the story about when he was a little boy: how he spent the Summer with his uncle on the farm.
He, being a city boy, didn’t know anything about farm life. He eyed this big strong mule; and watched his uncle harness it to a yoke. Then, his uncle did a strange thing: He took another mule, and yoked it together with the strong one: but this one was skroney and looked very weak. It swayed in the middle.
They were harnessed to pull a heavy load. —-
Well, Shambock started protesting, kicking his uncle in the shin, pleading with him, not to let that weak mule pull such a heavy load.
His uncle said, “You don’t understand, the strong mule is doing all the work, the weak one is just going along for the ride!”
Well, woman of God, this has stayed with me ever since that tent meeting, and I can still see the picture in my mind.
We pray, give it to God, and He carries the load for us.
I am not saying we are not required to do our part.
We have to pray and give it to Him.
That weak mule could have tried to get ahead of the strong one, and forced the load upon himself, by trying to pull a load he couldn’t handle,
but when he relaxed and let the strong one take the lead, he didn’t have to strain against the burden.
This load you are carrying, is too big for you. You have tried to deal with it your own way, but have not been able to shake that thing off.
You go to sleep with it on your mind, and wake-up with it on your mind.
It’s like a poster I had once, where a man is walking down a railroad track with a Volkswagen on his back. He is bent way over from the load.
In his hand, you can see a train ticket. A train is passing by him on the other side. He could have put down that heavy load, and let the train carry him and the car. He already had his ticket.
Likewise, we who are born again, have our ticket in our hand: it is our prayer-life.
The troubles of this life, don’t have to weight us down.
We can enter that rest God promised us, and take that ride through life, with Jesus, or we can go to heaven early with a heavy burden.
I firmly believe, many heart attacks, and other life threatening diseases are brought-on by the cares of this life.
Now, relax, and ask God to take that thing, which has you so distracted, and anxious. —- Find a verse of Scripture that suits your situation, and stand on it.
The Lord’s desire for us is, that we find that place of rest.
Matthew 11:28 —- Come unto Me (or move toward Me), all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Repent of not trusting, believe His Word, and He will take care of that thing.
If God is speaking to you today, about something that has you weighted you down, cast it on Him, His shoulders can handle it.
Woman of God, when we try to take that thing into our own hands, and don’t trust God with it, it can become a bigger mess than we started out with.
So, turn it over to God, and I promise you, although there may be some reaping on the part of the guilty, it will be resolved, in the best way, for all those involved.
Do the messages, God gives me for this Broadcast, speak to Me?
Yes. I needed this one today:
But the experiences of failures and victories in my life on this point make me know God will take care of this one too, If I give it to Him.
I try to stay in a place of rest with Him, and I know I will see His glory in every situation. —- For, He is with me, in every episode of my life.
These messages are to bring you the truth of the Word of God.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Pray this prayer with me:
Father, I ask You to take this care that is troubling me right now. For I am casting it over onto You. I can’t work it out for myself. Please take it, and turn it around for the good for all those involved.
In the mighty Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Now, sit down, and write me:
Jeanette Porter
PO Box 9315
Greenville, SC 29604
Or E-mail me at:
lmcigreenville@aol.com
Share with me your testimony. I would love to hear from you
Until next week.
MAY GOD BLESS THIS MESSAGE AND YOU
MARK 1:10-13 – AND STRAIGHTWAY COMING UP OUT OF THE WATER, HE SAW THE HEAVEN’S OPENED, AND THE SPIRIT LIKE A DOVE DESCENDED UPON HIM: AND THERE CAME A VOICE FROM HEAVEN, SAYING,THOU ART MY BELOVED SON, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED. AND IMMEDIATELY THE SPIRIT DRIVETH HIM INTO THE WILDERNESS FORTY DAYS, TEMPTED OF SATAN; AND WAS WITH THE WILD BEASTS; AND THE ANGELS MINISTERED UNTO HIM.
OUR MESSAGE, TODAY, WILL BE TAKEN OUT OF VERSE 13: TEMPTED OF SATAN. JESUS WENT FORTH WITH DIVINE POWER, THE HOLY SPIRIT COMPELLED HIM, WITH GREAT ENERGY; SO THAT OF HIS OWN ACCORD HE WENT FORTH, ARMED WITH DIVINE POWER, IN THE DESERT. IT WAS A WRESTLING PLACE WITH SATAN.
THERE, CHRIST AND ANTICHRIST MET AND ENTERED INTO A CONFLICT ABOUT THE ISSUE ON WHICH OUR SALVATION DEPENDED.
I KNOW THROUGH EXPERIENCE, WHEN A CHRISTIAN IS JUST ON THE THRESHHOLD OF THEIR MINISTRY, THEY MEET SATAN, OR HIS DEMONS, HEAD-ON. THERE IS A TIME OF TESTING.
CHRIST, OUR EXAMPLE, SHOWS US HOW TO DEAL WITH SATAN’S ATTACKS, IN THIS SAME ACCOUNT, IN MATTHEW AND LUKE, WHERE HE USED THE SCRIPTURES AGAINST SATAN.
WE COULD LEARN MUCH FROM THIS STORY, AS TO BE PREPARED BEFORE THE ATTACKS COME. JESUS’ MINISTRY WAS ON THE EDGE OF BEGINNING IN FULL POWER, AND THEN THE ATTACKS CAME.
IT SEEMS TO ME, JESUS COULD HAVE SKIPPED THIS PROCESS, BUT I BELIEVE HE DID THIS FOR YOU AND ME. HE COULD HAVE SPOKEN TO SATAN, BECAUSE OF WHO HE WAS, AND SATAN WOULD HAVE HAD TO TURN-TAIL-AND-RUN. THIS MAY SEEM STRANGE TO YOU, BUT LOOK WHAT HE DID ON THE CROSS FOR US: HE WENT WILLINGLY, OF HIS OWN ACCORD. HE DID THIS FOR YOU AND ME. HE MET SATAN HEAD-ON. HE KNEW HE HAD THE ADVANTAGE, BUT SATAN’S DEFEAT WAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. THREE YEARS, OR SO, LATER, SATAN’S WORK AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD WAS DEFEATED ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY; AND JESUS’ RESURRECTION.
WE NEED TO REMEMBER JESUS: AS THE WORD, WAS THERE IN HEAVEN WHEN SATAN AND A THIRD OF THE ANGELS WERE CAST OUT OF HEAVEN.
WHY HE THINKS HE CAN STILL WIN, I DON’T KNOW.
SATAN WAS NO MATCH FOR JESUS, THERE IN THE WILDERNESS. WE KNOW, IN HUMAN FLESH, HE SUFFERED AS MAN; BUT HIS MIND DID NOT HAVE TO BE RENEWED TO THE WORD OF GOD, LIKE DOES OURS, BECAUSE HE WAS AND IS THE WORD. HE DID STUDY THE SCRIPTURES FROMT THE TIME HE WAS A CHILD, BUT HE KNEW HIS DESTINY. AND HE KNEW HE HAD THE SPIRIT WITHOUT MEASURE. IT MAY BE HARD FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THIS, BUT HE WAS GOD IN HUMAN FLESH.
WHEN WE ARE SERVING GOD WITH ALL OUR HEARTS; AND THE ATTACKS COME AGAINST US,WE GO TO THE WORD OF GOD FOR HELP. WE MIGHT READ JAMES 1:2-4 – MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO DIVERS TEMPTATIONS: KNOWING THIS, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH WORKETH PATIENCE. BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE HER PERFECT WORK, THAT YE MIGHT BE PERFECT AND ENTIRE, AND WANTING NOTHING.
IF WE DON’T GO THROUGH THESE ATTACKS, KNOWING, THROUGH CHRIST, WE WILL WIN, WE WILL NOT HAVE LEARNED ANYTHING; AND THE NEXT ATTACK WILL DESTROY WHAT CHRIST IS TRYING TO TEACH US.
WE CAN ONLY COMBAT THIS TYPE OF ATTACK, WITH OUR KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF THE SCRIPTURES. IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO KNOW WHAT THE WORD SAYS, WE HAVE TO PRACTICE USING IT. SATAN WILL THEN KNOW WHERE WE STAND, AND FLEE. ALTHOUGH, HE DOES COME BACK AFTER A WHILE, AND TRY IN ANOTHER AREA.
WE THEN, STAND STRONG, AND THIS NEW ATTACK WILL NOT TROUBLE US, AS MUCH AS THE LAST ONE; BECAUSE EACH TIME, WE GET STRONGER, MORE MATURE IN THE LORD, AND WILL COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE LACK NOTHING. PRAISE GOD!
MOST OF OUR BATTLES ARE IN THE MIND, SO WE HAVE TO REMEMBER: THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS.
IN THE WILDERNESS, JESUS ALSO ENCOUNTERED WILD BEASTS (MARK 1:13). THIS SHOWS THE EXTREME SOLITUDE OF THE PLACE. IT SHOWS ALSO THE INNOCENCE OF OUR LORD, THAT THERE IN THAT WILD DESOLATE DISTRICT, AMONGST LIONS, AND WOLVES, AND LEOPARDS, AND SERPENTS, HE NEITHER FEARED THEM NOR WAS HE INJURED BY THEM. HE DWELT AMONGST THEM AS ADAM LIVED WITH THEM IN HIS STATE OF INNOCENCE IN PARADISE. THESE WILD BEASTS RECOGNIZED AND REVERED HIM AS THEIR CREATOR, AND THEIR LORD (PULPIT COMMENTARY).
CHRIST HAS GIVEN US AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME, SO WE NOW HAVE MORE AUTHORITY THAN WE HAVE EVER TAPPED INTO,
MISSIONARIES HAVE TOLD STORIES ABOUT THEIR ENCOUNTERS WITH WILD BEASTS. I REMEMBER ONE, WHERE, IN INDIA, THERE WAS A MAN WHO GOT SAVED, AND TRAVELED INTO THE VILLAGES OF THE JUNGLES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL. ONE DAY HE WENT INTO A VILLAGE WHERE HE SHARED THE LORD, AND AS HE WAS BEGINNING TO LEAVE THE AREA, HE REALIZED HE WAS LOST. HE ASKED DIRECTIONS, AND TWO MEN SPOKE-UP AND INTENTIONALLY, GAVE HIM INCORRECT DIRECTIONS. THEY WERE HEATHEN, AND DIDN’T LIKE HIM SHARING THE GOSPEL IN THEIR VILLAGE, AND SEEING THEIR PEOPLE COME TO JESUS. THE MINISTER, ALONE, AND UNKNOWINGLY, WENT THE WAY THEY SAID AND GOT LOST. HE WANDERED AROUND AND AROUND UNTIL IT GOT DARK. WHEN IT GOT DARK, IT WAS COLD. HE WAS SO TIRED, HE SAID, “LORD, I CAN’T GO ANY FURTHER. MAKE ME WARM.” HE LAY DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD GO TO SLEEP AND FREEZE TO DEATH. THE NEXT MORNING, HE AWOKE WITH WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A WARM BLANKET OVER AGAINST HIM, BUT WHEN HE OPENED HIS EYES, IT WAS A BENGAL TIGER. AT FIRST HE WAS FRIGHTENED, BUT HE REALIZED, GOD HAD SENT THIS TIGER TO KEEP HIM WARM AND ALIVE. HE REMAINED STILL AND WAITED. THE TIGER GOT UP AND WALKED AWAY; BUT AS IT WAS LEAVING, IT STOPPED, AND TURNED AROUND; LOOKED AT THE MISSIONARY, AS TO SAY, “YOU’LL BE ALRIGHT NOW”, AND THEN DISAPPEARED OUT OF SIGHT. THE MISSIONARY SAID, GOD SENT HIM A STRIPED BLANKET TO KEEP HIM ALIVE.
WE DON’T KNOW ALL THAT HAPPENED TO OUR LORD JESUS IN THAT WILDERNESS, CHILD OF GOD, BUT OUR GOD CAN AND WILL DO ANYTHING!!
WE DON’T THINK THE ANGELS HELPED JESUS THROUGHOUT THE TEMPTATION. ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, IT WAS AFTER THE TEMPTATION AND THE WILD BEASTS. IT WAS THEN THE ANGELS APPEARED TO HIM. HE HAD SAID HE COULD HAVE CALLED DOWN TWELVE LEGIONS OF ANGELS AND STOPPED THE CRUCIFIXION, BUT HE DIDN’T (MATTHEW 26:53).
HE DID ALL THIS FOR US, TO SAVE US AND TAKE US TO A HIGHER UNDERSTANDING OF HIMSELF AND TO A HIGHER LEVEL OR PLACE WITH HIM.
GOD COULD HAVE DONE IT ANOTHER WAY, BUT HE CHOSE TO DO IT THIS WAY. FOR US. PRAISE GOD!
SLEEP IS IMPORTANT TO OUR DAILY HEALTH.
OUR BODIES CAN GO JUST SO MANY HOURS WITHOUT IT, THEN MAJOR PARTS OF OUR BODIES BEGIN TO BE FATIGUED AND OR EMOTIONS BECOME ALL OUT OF SORTS; WE CAN’T THINK CLEARLY, AND OTHERS AROUND US ARE AFFECTED.
IT WAS EASIER FOR US TO GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST WHEN OUR EMPLOYMENT WAS FARMING AND PHYSICAL LABOR; BUT NOW, WE ARE BOMBARDED WITH MUCH MENTAL STRESS: ON THE JOB AND AT HOME. WE HAVE MACHINERY AND ALL KINDS OF APPLIANCES NOW, THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE OUR WORK EASIER BUT WE JUST SEEM TO “ADD-IT-ON” INSTEAD OF REST WHILE WE CAN.
SOME YEARS BACK, I HAD AN ILLNESS, THAT REQUIRED MUCH REST AND SLEEP. I QUICKLY NOTICED HOW THE NAPS I WAS TAKING WERE HEALING. IWAS WEARING OUT MY BODY AND WAS ALL STRESSED-OUT.
SLEEP IS DEFINED AS A STATE OF COMPLETE OR PARTIAL UNCONSCIOUSNESS.
IN THE SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 21 REFERENCES, AND MAYBE MORE, REFERRING TO SLEEP OR THE LACK OF IT.
SLEEP IS DESCRIBED AS SLUMBER IN PROVERBS 6:4,10. PROVERBS 3:24, IT IS DESCRIBED AS SWEET – WHEN THOU LIEST DOWN, THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID: YEA, THOU SHALT LIE DOWN, AND THY SLEEP SHALL BE SWEET. HERE, IT SAYS…THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID…
SO WE MUST ASSUME, FEAR KEEPS SOME FROM HAVING SWEET SLEEP.
VERSE 25 – BE NOT AFFRAID OF SUDDEN FEAR , NEITHER OF THE DESOLATION OF THE WICKED, WHEN IT COMETH; AND VERSE 26 READS – FOR THE LORD SHALL BE THY CONFIDENCE, AND SHALL KEEP THY FOOT FROM BEING TAKEN.
MANY PEOPLE ARE PARALIZED WITH FEAR, AND FEAR BRINGS WITH IT TORMENT. WE ARE TOLD IN THE BIBLE, THAT FEAR IS A SPIRIT; IT IS A HARASSING DEMON THAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM BEING AT PEACE SO THEY CAN’T ENJOY A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP.
SOMETIMES GOD USES THE LACK OF SLEEP FOR HIS PURPOSE: IN DANIEL 8:18, DANIEL WAS GIVEN A PROPHETIC VISION IN HIS SLEEP: – NOW AS HE WAS SPEAKING WITH ME, I WAS IN A DEEP SLEEP ON MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND: BUT HE TOUCHED ME ND SET ME UPRIGHT ( OR MADE ME STAND UP).
IN DANIEL 2:1, WE SEE WHERE THE INABILITY TO SLEEP IS CAUSED BY WORRY – NEBUCHADNEZZAR DREAMED DREAMS…WHEREIN HIS SPIRIT WAS TROUBLED, AND SLEEP BROKE FROM HIM (HE COULD NOT SLEEP). WORRY CAN CAUSE ANY OF US TO HAVE INSOMNIA. IN ESTHER 6:1, THE KING COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE GOD WANTED HIM TO READ THE BOOK OF CHRONICLES.
INTERCESSORS AND MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, CAN’T SLEEP BECAUSE GOD HAS A PURPOSE IN MIND: MOSTLY, SO THEY CAN PRAY AND INTERCEDE ABOUT SOMETHING OR FOR SOMEONE.
PETER WAS FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON (DUNGEON). JAMES HAD ALREADY BEEN BEHEADED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE GOSPEL, AND PETER WAS NEXT IN LINE: ACTS 12:1-11 – NOW ABOUT THAT TIME HEROD THE KING, STRETCHED FORTH HIS HANDS TO VEX CERTAIN OF THE CHURCH. AND HE KILLED JAMES THE BROTHER OF JOHN WITH THE SWORD. AND BECAUSE HE SAW IT PLEASED THE JEWS, HE PROCEEDED FURTHER TO TAKE PETER ALSO. (THEN WERE THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD). AND WHEN HE HAD APPREHENDED HIM , HE PUT HIM IN PRISON, AND DELIVERED HIM TO FOUR QUATERNIONS OF SOLDIERS TO KEEP HIM; INTENDING AFTER EASTER (PASSOVER) TO BRING HIM FORTH TO THE PEOPLE. PETER THEREFORE WAS KEPT IN PRISON; BUT PRAYER WAS MADE WITHOUT CEASING OF THE CHURCH UNTO GOD FOR HIM. AND WHEN HEROD WOULD HAVE BROUGHT HIM FORTH, THE SAME NIGHT PETER WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS BOUND WITH TWO CHAINS: AND THE KEEPERS BEFORE THE DOOR KEPT THE PRISON.
AND BEHOLD, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM, AND A LIGHT SHINED IN THE PRISON: AND HE SMOTE PETER ON THE SIDE, AND RAISED HIM UP, SAYING, ARISE UP QUICKLY. AND HIS CHAINS FELL OFF FROM HIS HANDS. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO HIM, GIRD THYSELF, AND BIND ON THY SANDELS. AND SO HE DID. AND HE SAITH UNTO HIM, CAST THY GARMENT ABOUT THEE, AND FOLLOW ME. AND HE WENT OUT, AND FOLLOWED HIM; AND WIST NOT THAT IT WAS TRUE WHICH WAS DONE BY THE ANGEL; BUT THOUGHT HE SAW A VISION. WHEN THEY WERE PAST THE FIRST AND SECOND WARD THEY CAME UNTO THE IRON GATE THAT LEADETH INTO THE CITY; WHICH OPENED TO THEM OF HIS OWN ACCORD. AND THEY WENT OUT, AND PASSED ON THROUGH THE STREET; AND FORTHWITH THE ANGEL DEPARTED FROM HIM. AND WHEN PETER WAS COME TO HIMSELF, HE SAID, NOW I KNOW OF A SURETY, THAT THE LORD SENT HIS ANGEL, AND HATH DELIVERED ME OUT OF THE HAND OF HEROD, AND FROM ALL THE EXPECTATION OF THE JEWS.
THIS WAS A TRYING TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHERE THE CHURCH WAS GOING THROUGH HARASSMENT AND PERSECUTION. WE FIND PETER FAST ASLEEP IN A PRISON.
BECAUSE HEROD, THE KING, SAW HOW IT PLEASED THE JEWS TO WATCH JAMES BE KILLED BY THE SWORD, THAT HE DECIDED PETER WOULD BE NEXT: AFTER THE PASSOVER.
SOMETIMES WE FIND IT HARD TO SLEEP AFTER WE HAVE PASSED THROUGH A TRIAL DURING THE DAY OR WE ATE PIZZA LATE IN THE EVENING.
THIS STORY OF PETER AMAZES ME BECAUSE PETER KNEW WHAT WAS TO TAKE PLACE THE NEXT MORNING, YET WE FIND HIM THE NIGHT BEFORE WHE WAS TO BE EXECUTED, AN A DEEP SLEEP, CHAINED BETWEEN TWO SOLDIERS, AND GUARDED WELL.
HEROD’S GREAT DESIRE TO PLEASE THE PEOPLE BY GIFTS AND SHOWS OF BLOOD TO WIN THEIR FAVER, HAD BEEN FOILED. HE WAS PLANNING TO BRING PETER UP ONTO A STAGE OR SOME HIGH GROUND WHERE ALL THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HIM CONDEMNED WHICH WOULD BE AS GOOD THEM AS A GLADIATORIAL SLAUGHTER TO A ROMAN AUDIENCE.
THIS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WAS JUST THE RIGHT TIMING FOR A MIRACULOUS EVEN IN THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH. WHEN THE BATTLE SEEMS THE HOTTEST, THE VICTORY IS USUALLY THE SWEETEST.
SUDDENLY, THE LIGHT SHOWN IN THE PRISON! THE ANGEL HAD TO AWAKE PETER OUT OF A VERY DEEP SLEEP AND RESCUE HIM AS THE SOLDIERS SLEPT ON DUTY. THIS, BY THE WAY, IS AN UNFORGIVABLE ACTION OF A SOLDIER. THIS WAS HIS DEATH WARRENT.
WHY DID PETER HAVE SUCH A CALM DEEP SLEEP ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS INTENDED DEATH? BECAUSE HE KNEW HE WAS IN THE PERFECT WILL OF GOD, AND KNEW IT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A BATTLE GOING ON FOR HIS LIFE. PETER LIVED WHAT HE TAUGHT THE CHURCH.
WE LEARN SWEET SLEEP AND REST FROM THESE GREAT SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS; BUT THERE IS ONE MORE WAY WE LEARN: AND THAT IS THROUGH EXPERIENCING GOD’S PROMISES THROUGH OUR BEING TESTED.
LAST NIGHT I WAS STUNG IN THREE PLACES ON MY BODY BY A SCORPION IN BED DURING MY SLEEP. THE LAST TWO STINGS CAUSED ME TO JUMP OUT OF BED AND TURN ON THE LIGHT. THERE HE WAS, A BROWN SCORPION, READY TO STING AGAIN. MY HUSBAND SOON CAPTURED MY LITTLE ENEMY, AND I WENT BACK TO BED, AFTER CHECKING FOR MORE OF HIS LITTLE SCORPION FRIENDS. —-DID THIS KEEP ME AWAKE? NO! —-I WENT BACK TO SLEEP, LEAVING MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE ONE WHO IS FAITHFUL: MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
I ASK YOU TO READ THIS MESSAGE WITH AN OPEN MIND AS I, AS AN OLDER WOMAN, TEACH YOU WHAT GOD HAS LAID ON MY HEART TODAY.
IN SCRIPTURE, WE ARE TOLD TO ABSTAIN FROM CERTAIN THINGS AND ACTIONS, SUCH AS: FORNICATION (I THESSALONIANS 4:3); ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL (I THESSALONIANS 5:22); AND FLESHLY LUSTS (I PETER 2:11).
GIRLS (AND GUYS), GOD HAS GIVEN A BEAUTIFUL BODY TO REJOICE IN.
ALL OF US ARE …FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE…(PSALM 139:14).
WHEN GOD CREATED WOMAN, HE FORMED HER FROM ONE OF ADAM’S RIBS; WHICH WAS THE FIRST RECORDED SURGERY. GENESIS 2:21-23 – AND GOD CAUSED A DEEP SLEEP TO FALL UPON ADAM, AND HE SLEPT: AND HE TOOK ONE OF ADAM’S RIBS, AND CLOSED UP THE FLESH INSTEAD.
AND THE RIB WHICH THE LORD HAD TAKEN FROM MAN, MADE HE A WOMAN, AND BROUGHT HER TO THE MAN. WOMAN MEANS: “AT LAST THIS ONE.” WHY DID ADAM CALL HER “AT LAST THIS ONE?” BECAUSE ALL THE ANIMALS CREATED HAD A MATE.—-…AND THE LORD GOD SAID, IT IS NOT GOOD THAT MAN SHOULD BE ALONE; I WILL MAKE A HELP MEET FOR HIM (ONE SUITABLE TO HELP HIM) (GENESIS 2:18).
SO HERE WE GO! IT IS GOD’S PLAN THAT MAN IS ATTRACTED TO WOMAN, AND WOMAN TO MAN.
IN GENESIS 4:1, WE SEE …AND ADAM KNEW EVE HIS WIFE; AND SHE CONCEIVED…
SEX BEGAN.
BEFORE THE FALL, AND RECOGNITION OF GOOD AND EVIL, THERE WAS NO NEED FOR ONE MAN ONE ONE WOMAN TO BE CLOTHED IN GARMENTS. THEY WERE CLOTHED IN THE LIGHT OF GOD, IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN WHERE THERE WAS NO SIN OR CORRUPTION. ALL WAS PURITY AND PEACE. THERE WAS NO SEXUAL CONTACT BETWEEN ADAM AND EVE BECAUSE THEY WERE IN A PLACE OF HOLY COMPANIONSHIP.
DID GOD KNOW THEN THAY WOULD FALL AND SIN? YES, BECAUSE THE SCRIPTURES SAY IN REVELATION 13:8b – …THE LAMB SLAIN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD…SO WE SEE, GOD MADE PROVISION FOR OUR SINS BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, BEFORE CREATION. GOD KNEW THE CHOICES OF MAN TO COME, AND GAVE US A SAVIOR THROUGH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST. IT WAS GOD’S DIVINE PLAN THAT HIS SON WOULD DIE FOR US, AND RISE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY, AND ASCEND BACK TO HEAVEN TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR US. WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME TO JESUS. COME TODAY.
AFTER GOD PRONOUNCED THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN, IT IS RECORDED THAT HE CLOTHED ADAM AND EVE, AND AS HIS WIFE, SHE CONCEIVED A CHILD.
OUR AGE IS NOW CALLED A SEXUAL REVOLUTION: WITHOUT RESTRAINT, PORNOGRAPHY, FREE SEX, HOMOSEXUALITY OT OF THE CLOSET, EXPOSING ONE’S BODY, AND EVERYTHING GOES.
NOW, INSTESD ABSTAINING FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL, IT IS TO BE TOLERANT OF EVIL; DO YOUR OWN THING; MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES! —-WE ARE FREE TO CHOOSE, BUT TAGGED-ON ARE THE CONSEQUENCES, OR COULD WE SAY, THE HARVEST OF OUR CHOICES.
TAKE THE CHOICE OF FORNICATION OF WHICH THE DEFINITION IS: SIN, ADULTRY, INFIDELITY, EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR (ACTUALLY IT MEANS ANY TYPE OF SEXUAL PERVERSION, EVEN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
LOOK AT I THESSALONIANS 4:3-5– FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD, EVEN YOUR SANCTIFICATION, THAT YE SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM FORNICATION:
THAT EVERYONE OF YOU SHOULD KNOW HOW TO POSSESS HIS VESSEL IN SANCTIFICATION AND HONOR;
NOT IN THE LUST OF CONCUPISCIENCE (PERSONAL DESIRE), EVEN AS THE GENTILES (HEATHEN) WHICH KNOW NOT GOD.
WHEN THE CHOICE TO FORNICATE IS MADE, THERE ARE MANY CONSEQUENCES THAT EVOLVE. IT OPENS THE DOOR TO AIDS, VENEREAL DISEASES, HEARTACHE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, UNWED PREGNANCY, ABORTION, AND THE LIST GOES ON; NOT TO MENTION DOSOBEDIENCE TO, AND CHASTISEMENT OF GOD. MOST SAY GUILT IS THE HARDEST TO OVERCOME.
WHAT ABOUT OUR APPEARANCE, WHICH INCLUDES CHOICE OF CLOTHING, OUR ACTIONS; WHO WE TRY TO IMITATE; ANYTHING THAT WOULD GO UNDER THE APPEARANCES WE WANT TO REVEAL TO OTHERS WHO ARE WATCHING OUR LIVES?
ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL (I THESSALONIANS 5:22).
I WAS TOLD BY AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE, WHO CONFESSED TO BE A CHRISTIAN, “IT DOESN’T MATTER THAT I AM LIVING WITH A MAN TO WHICH I AM NOT MARRIED. WE DON’T SLEEP TOGETHER.”
I KNEW THE CONSEQUENCES SHE COULD FACE BECAUSE A MAN AND WOMAN LIVING IN AHAOUS TOGETHER, ALONE, WHO ARE ATTRACTED TO EACH OTHER, SPELLS FORNICATION.
I SAID TO HER, “WE ARE TOLD TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL.” SHE GOT VERY QUIET AND CONVICTION SET IN. PRAISE GOD, THROUGH A DANGER TO HERSELF, SHE GOT OUT OF THAT SITUATION. FROM THAT DAY SHE STAYED CLOSE TO THE LORD, AND SHE WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD TWO YEARS AGO.
WHAT ABOUT MODESTY? I PETER 2:11 – DEARLY BELOVED, I BESEECH YOU AS STRANGERS AND PILGRAMS, ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS (DESIRES) WHICH WAR AGAINST THE SOUL;
STUDIES SHOW THAT MALES TEND TO BE MORE VISUALLY ORIENTED THAN FEMALES WHEN IT COMES TO SEXUAL AROUSAL. CHRISTIAN WOMEN, THEREFORE, HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY NOT TO TEMPT MEN BY THE WAY THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES. WE MUST KEEP THAT IN MIND WHEN WE EXAMINE PAUL’S INSTRUCTION TO TIMOTHY THAT WOMEN’S CLOTHING SHOULD BE MODEST, DECENT, AND PROPER. I TIMOTHY 2:9a,10 – IN LIKE MANNER ALSO, THAT WOMEN ADORN THEMSELVES IN MODEST APPAREL, WITH SHAMEFACEDNESS (REVERENCE TOWARD GOD, AND DECENCY; RESPECT) AND SOBRIETY (OR SELF CONTROL, SOUNDNESS OF MIND) …WHICH BECOMETH WOMEN PROFESSING GODLINESS) WITH GOOD WORKS.
THIS IS NOT THE DO’S AND DON’T”S—-IT IS ABOUT POWERFULLY COMMUNICATING OUR INDIVIDUAL VALUE AS WOMEN AND RESPECTING THE VALUE OF MEN. JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE KINGDOM, MODESTY ISN’T ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS—-IT IS BORN IN THE REALM OF MOTIVES OR ISSUES OF THE HEART.
1 SAMUEL 3:1-14 AND THE CHILD SAMUEL MINISTERED UNTO THE LORD BEFORE ELI. AND THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS PRECIOUS IN THOSE DAYS: THERE WAS NO OPEN VISION.
AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, WHEN ELI WAS LAID DOWN IN HIS PLACE, AND HIS EYES BEGAN TO WAX DIM, THAT HE COULD NOT SEE.
AND ERE THE LAMP OF GOD WENT OUT IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD, WHERE THE ARK OF GOD WAS, AND SAMUEL WAS LAID DOWN TO SLEEP.
AND THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL: AND HE ANSWERED, HERE I AM.
AND HE RAN UNTO ELI, AND SAID, HERE AM I; FOR THOU CALLEST ME, AND HE SAID, I CALLED NOT: LIE DOWN AGAIN, AND HE WENT AND LAY DOWN.
AND THE LORD CALLED YET AGAIN, SAMUEL AND SAMUEL AROSE AND WENT TO ELI, AND SAID, HERE AM I; FOR THOU DIDST CALL ME. AND HE ANSWERED, I CALLED NOT, MY SON; LIE DOWN AGAIN.
NOW SAMUEL DID NOT YET KNOW THE LORD, NEITHER WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD YET REVEALED UNTO HIM.
AND THE LORD CALLED SAMUEL AGAIN THE THIRD TIME, AND HE AROSE AND WENT TO ELI, AND SAID HERE AM I, FOR THOU DIDST CALL ME, AND ELI PERCEIVED THAT THE LORD HAD CALLED THE CHILD.
THEREFORE ELI SAID UNTO SAMUEL, GO, LIE DOWN: AND IT SHALL BE, IF HE CALL THEE, THAT THOU SHALT SAY, SPEAK, LORD; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH, SO SAMUEL WENT AND LAY DOWN IN HIS PLACE.
AND THE LORD CAME, AND STOOD, AND CALLED AS AT OTHER TIMES, SAMUEL, SAMUEL, THEN SAMUEL ANSWERED, SPEAK; FOR THY SERVANT HEARETH.
AND THE LORD SAID TO SAMUEL, BEHOLD, I WILL DO A THING IN ISRAEL, AT WHICH BOTH THE EARS OF EVERY ONE THAT HEARETH IT SHALL TINGLE.
IN THAT DAY I WILL PERFORM AGAINEST ELI ALL THINGS WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN CONCERNING HIS HOUSE: WHEN I BEGIN, I WILL ALSO, MAKE AND END.
FOR I HAVE TOLD HIM THAT I WILL JUDGE HIS HOUSE FOR EVER FOR THE INQUITY WHICH HE KNOWETH; BECAUSE HIS SONS MADE THEMSELVES VILE, AND HE RESTRAINED THEM NOT.
AND THEREFORE I HAVE SWORN UNTO THE HOUSE OF ELI, THAT THE INQUITY OF ELI’S HOUSE SHALL NOT BE PURGED WITH SACRIFICE NOR OFFERING FOR EVER.
THIS LOOK’S LIKE THE CHURCH IN AMERICA, THERE IS ANOTHER GOSPEL BEING PREACHED IN AMERICA. IT IS A SOFT GOSPEL OF NO REPENTANCE.
JOHN THE BAPTIST PREACHED REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND.
JESUS PREACHED REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PRESENT.
JESUS PREACHED TO MOST OF THE CHURCHS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION REPENT.
JESUS SAID HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHS.
TODAY MANY LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF THE FLESH, AND THE FALSE PROPHETS SAY OF THE CHURCH TODAY, I AM RICH AND INCREASED WHIT GOODS AND ARE IN NEED OF NOTHING.
AMERICA NEEDS A REVIVAL OF REPENTANCE, WE LOOK FOR PREACHERS WITHOUT THE ANOINTING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO KNOWS HOW TO PLAY GOLF AND TALK SPORTS.
THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD ANOINTED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RARE TODAY EVEN ON TELEVISION.
WE ENJOY MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS TO STIRR OUR FLESH.
IN ELI’S DAY THE WORD OF GOD WAS RARE, VISIONS WERE INFREQUENT.
ELI WAS IN HIS PLACE, BUT HE WAS LYING DOWN.
HIS SPIRITUAL EYES HAD GROWN DIM.
ELI HAD LAID DOWN THE WORD, HIS EYES WERE DIM, WHEN GOD TRIED TO SPEAK, HE SPOKE TO SAMUEL NOT ELI.
ELI HAD TRAINED SAMUEL RELIGIOUS CERMONY BUT NOT HOW TO HEAR GOD.
THATS WHAT PREACHERS WHO COME OUT OF UNIVERSITYS, AND DONT KNOW HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD, THEY DONT KNOW HOW TO TRAIN OTHERS HOW TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD.
WHEN YOU LAY DOWN THAT WHICH IS PRECIOUS, YOUR SPIRITUAL SIGHT GROWS DIM. YOUR VISION IS BLURRED, THEY BECOME FLESH PEOPLE WITH RELIGIOUS MIND SET.
THE LAMP GOES OUT, THERE IS NO ANOINTING, JESUS REDEEMS US, WITH THIS COMES RESPONABILITY TO KEEP THE LAMP BURNING. THE LAMP IS NOT SUPPOSE TO GO OUT. WE ARE TO KEEP OIL IN OUR LAMP.
ELI WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE VISION AND REVELATION, BUT HE WAS DISOBEDIENT, AND SPIRITUALLY LAZY. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY NOT RELATIONSHIP OR OBEDIENCE.
THINGS OF GOD HAD BECOME COMMON TO ELI.
DAVID ALSO GOT TO THIS PLACE. HE TRIED TO MOVE THE ARK WITH A PRAISE AND WORSHIP TEAM, MUSIC AND SHOUTING. DAVID DIDNT SEEK GOD’S WAY BUT MOVED THE ARK ON A NEW CART. DEATH CAME TO HIS EFFORT, CONFUSION AND FEAR, STOPPED DAVID.
THEN DAVID SOUGHT THE LORD, DAVID HAD TO GO TO THE WORD TO GET IT RIGHT.
NUMBERS AND NOISE DOESNT MEAN GOD APPROVES OF WHAT PEOPLE ARE DOING.
I LIKE NUMBERS AND I LIKE NOISE, BUT I WANT A PASSION FOR THE ONE I AM PRAISING, I MUST LEARN HIS WAYS , DEVELOPE HIS NATURE AND CHARACTER IN ME, FIND HIS PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE AND OBEY HIM IN HOLY LIVING.
ELI’S FIRE HAD GONE OUT, NO ATTENTION TO THE NEED OF OIL.
NO MORE SPEAKING FOR GOD, BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SPEAKING TO GOD.
ELI DIDNT EVEN UNDERSTAND THE ANOINTING ON HANNAH, HE THOUGHT SHE WAS DRUNK.
SAMUEL DON’T KNOW GOD, AND GOD TRIES TO SPEAK TO HIM, ITS LIKE THE BLIND LEADING THE BLIND.
YOU CAN’T GIVE TO OTHERS WHAT YOU DON’T POSSESS. GOD SPOKE TO SAMUEL THREE TIMES.
FINALLY ELI REALIZED IT WAS GOD SPEAKING TO SAMUEL.
GOD TOLD SAMUEL I’M GOING TO DO A NEW THING IN ISRAEL.
WHEN GOD DOES A NEW THING HE JUDGES THE OLD.
GOD JUDGED EGYPT BEFORE HE MOVED ISRAEL TOWARD THE PROMISED LAND.
GOD JUDGED SAUL WHEN HE RAISED UP DAVID.
GOD JUDGED THE PHARISEES WHEN HE RAISED UP JESUS.
SOMETIMES WE WANT SOMETHING NEW FROM THE LORD, BUT WE HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL IN OUR PRESENT ASSIGNMENT.
THE CHURCH WANTS A NEW MOVE OF GOD, BUT THEY HAVEN’T BEEN FAITHFUL IN THEIR PRESENT ASSIGNMENT. WE ARE SUPPOSE TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, BUT WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE DISCIPLES OF OUR SUPER STAR PREACHERS. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE THE CHARACTER OF THEIR PREACHERS, INSTEAD OF THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST OUR KING.
I AM NOT A PROPHET, BUT WHEN GOD BEGANS TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT OUR SINS LIKE HE DID ELI, JUDGEMENT IS ABOUT TO COME.
IT GOT TO THE PLACE WITH ELI HE WAS NOT LISTENING, GOD RAISED UP A SAMUEL. GOD TOLD SAMUEL WHAT HE HAD SPOKEN TO ELI ABOUT AND HOW HE WAS GOING TO JUDGE HIM AND HIS HOUSE.
HE TOLD SAMUEL ABOUT ELI’S SINS, HIS REBELLION AND THE JUDGEMENT COMING.
THE AXE IS ABOUT TO FALL ON AMERICA, AND IT IS BECAUSE WE AS CHRISTIANS HAVE GONE TO SLEEP CONCERNING RIGHTEOUSNESS AND RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS.
ITS NOT THE JUDGES FAULT NOR THE POLITICIAN, ALLTHOUGH GOD WILL JUDGE THEM FOR THEIR DECISIONS, ITS OUR FAULT FOR LACK OF PRAYER AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO STOP SATAN.
REVIVAL IS AMERICA’S ONLY HOPE.
RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY HAS TAKE OVER MAINLINE DENOMINATIONS. SIN RULES IN THEIR LEADERSHIP. LEADERS WHO DONT’ KNOW CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR. THEY RULE THROUGH SATANIC AUTHORITY AND DENY THE AUTHORITY OF THE WORD OF GOD.
THEY CALL GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD, THEY DO SOCIAL WORK BUT NO WORK OF THE CROSS.
I THANK THE LORD FOR THE REVIVAL GOING ON IN MOBILE ,ALABAMA. I HOPE THIS REVIVAL SPREADS AROUND THE WORLD.
2CHRONICLES 7:14 IF MY PEOPLE WHICH IS CALLED BY MY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.
HOW AMERICA NEEDS A HEALING IN OUR LAND. AFTER 9-11 OUR LEADERS PRAYED ON THE CAPITOL STEPS AND YET WE CAN’T PRAY IN OUR SCHOOLS IN JESUS NAME. THEY SANG GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD HAS ALREADY BLESSED AMERICA, AMERICA NEEDS TO BLESS GOD WHIT REPENTANCE.
I THOUGHT AFTER 9-11 WE WOULD HAVE REVIVAL, BUT THE CHURCHS FILLED UP FOR ABOUT THIRTY DAYS AND THEN IT WAS BACK TO NORMAL. I THOUGHT IF THERE IS A RECESSION, PEOPLE WILL COME BACK TO GOD. BUT THAT DIDN’T WORK EITHER.
AMERICA WHAT WILL IT TAKE?
HOW CAN WE BE THE CHRISTIAN AND MINISTER GOD WANTS US TO BE, IF THERE IS NO PEACE WITHIN?
IN MY TIME WITH THE LORD, HE SPOKE TO MY HEART, “I AM GOING TO BRING PEACE TO THIS HOUSE.”
I THOUGHT, THERE IS NO TROUBLE IN MY HOUSE. MY HUSBAND HAVE BEEN MARRIED OVER 4O YEARS, AND WE GET ALONG GREAT. THERE IS NO ONE ELSE IN THE HOUSE BUT THE TWO OF US.
THEN I REALIZED, OUR LORD WAS TALKIING ABOUT HIS TEMPLE WITHIN ME.
WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I CORINTHIANS 6:19 – WHAT? KNOW YE NOT THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YE HAVE OF GOD, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN?
IF HE WAS GOING TO BRING PEACE TO MY HOUSE THERE MUST BE A LACK OF IT. I WAS TROUBLED ABOUT TOO MANY THINGS: MINISTRY, PEOPLE.
I KNEW I NEEDED TO HAVE PEACE WITHIN, SO I COULD BE MY BEST FOR GOD AND HIS KINGDOM.
WORRY IS NOT JUST A LACK OF FAITH, IT IS SIN. IT CAUSES A LACK OF PEACE OF MIND AND HEART.
PHILIPPIANS 4:5-7 – LET YOUR MODERATION (SELF CONTROL) BE KNOWN UNTO ALL MEN, THE LORD IS AT HAND (THE LORD IS COMING; THE LORD IS IN CONTROL).
BE CAREFUL FOR NOTHING (DO NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING; OR DO NOT BE ANXIOUS); BUT IN EVERTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD.
AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP (GUARD LIKE A WARRIOR ON DUTY) YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS.
GOD GIVES US PEACE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. JESUS IS CALLED THE PRINCE OF PEACEIN ISAIAH 9:6 – FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN: AND THE GOVERNMENTSHALL BE UPON HIS SHOULDER: AND HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE PRINCE OF PEACE.
MANY HAVE INTERRUPTED SLEEP, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PEACE: PSALM 4:8 – I WILL BOTH LAY ME DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP: FOR THOU, LORD, ONLY MAKEST ME DWELL IN SAFETY.
WE SEE IN THIS VERSE, ONLY THE PRINCE OF PEACE CAN BRING PEACE.
YOU MAY BE THE ONE WHO IS NOT SLEEPING WELL BECAUSE YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT SEPARATES YOU FROM GOD’S BEST FOR YOU. YOU LIE AWAKE, KNOWING, JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON, AND YOU ARE NOT READY. YOU CALL IT THE END OF THE WORLD, BUT FOR A BELIEVER IT IS OUR REAL LIFE, AND NEW GLORIOUS BEGINNING.
THOSE DREAMS YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING, TROUBLE YOU. YOU WAKE UP IN A COLD SWEAT, SAYING, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME?”
THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT BORN AGAIN, WILL NEVER FIND PEACE UNTIL YOU GIVE YOUR LIVES TO JESUS CHRIST , AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
GIVE YOUR HEART AND LIFE TO JESUS, HE IS CALLING YOU TO HIS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS.
SOME NEED TO GIVE UP THAT THING THAT IS COMING BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR LORD: OF YOU DON’T, YOU WILL END UP LOOSING THAT THING, AND ALSO THE ONE WHO DIED FOR YOU.
YOUR CHILDREN NEED PEACE OPERATING IN YOUR LIFE. THIS WILL HELP THEM TO FIND PEACE IN THEIR LIVES.
YOU MIGHT SAY, “I’M DOING THE BEST I CAN, BUT MY CHILDREN A DRIVING ME CRAZY.”
TAKE INVENTORY, DO YOU HAVE PEACE WITH GOD?
DOES YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCE PEACE AND LOVE AT HOME? OR IS THERE ALWAYS TERMOIL, AND A LOT OF YELLING AND SOMETIMES, EVEN FIGHTS BREAK OUT?
SOMETIMES CHILDREN CULTIVATE THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IN THEIR LIVES, AND BECOME ANGRY AND REBELLIOUS; AND DON’T EVEN UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ACT THAT WAY, AND FEEL THE STRESS OF LIFE.
IF YOU CULTIVATE A TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING, AND YOU DO YOUR BEST, GOD WILL SEE AND HEAR FROM HEAVEN AND HEAL YOUR LIFE.
WHEN WE AS BELIEVERS DON’T HAVE PEACE, I BELIEVE WE ARE NOT REALLY ABIDING IN HIM. I KNOW HOW THE BALLTES COME TO TRY AND STOP US FROM TRUSTING GOD WITH EVEYTHING THAT COMES OUR WAY, BUT I ALSO KNOW GOD DECLARES THAT THE BATTLE IS HIS.
I HAVE PRAISED MYSELF OUT OF MANY SITUATIONS, WITH PRAYER AND SUPPLICATIONS (SUGGESTS PRAYER TO AVOID ALL EVIL) I LET MY REQUEST BE KNOWN UNTO GOD.
HE ALREADY KNOWS, HE JUST WANTS YOU TO INTIMATELY SHARE IT WITH HIM.
AND ONCE YOU GIVE IT TO HIM, IT’S HIS.
IF WE ASK GOD TO HELP US WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND NOT IN THE FLESH, WE WILL SEE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR DAILY WALK WITH HIM.
THE PEACE THAT GOD GIVES, FLOWS FROM THE SENCING OF HIS MOST GRACIOUS PRESENCE, AND CONSISTS IN CHILD LIKE CONFIDENCE AND TRUSTFUL LOVE.
THIS PEACE PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING; IT’S CALM BLESSEDNESS GOSES FARTHER THAN THE REACH OF HUMAN THOUGHT; IT CAN BE ONLY KNOWN BY THYE INNER EXPERIENCE OF THE BELIEVER.
HE IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK (EPHESIANS 3:20).
PHILIPPIANS 4:7b – …SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS… THE PEACE OF GOD IN THE HEART IS A SURE AND RELIABLE MILITARY FORCE, GUARDING IT SO THAT THE EVIL SPIRIT, ONCE CAST OUT, CANNOT RETURN.
HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THE FREEDOM YOU FEEL WHEN SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU KEAVES?
IN CHRIST JESUS, TRUE ABIDING BELIEVERS, UNDERSTAND HIS PROMISE, PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU, LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID (JOHN 14). WE SEE HERE, JESUS GIVES US PEACE, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ALSO GIVES US PEACE: GALATIANS 5:22 – BUT THE FRUIT OF THE (HOLY) SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH…
SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT PEACE COMES FROM THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT
