Believe in God's Promises

Bible Study Topic: Believe in God's Promises

Date: January 28, 2015

Scriptures: John 10:10, John 6:63, 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:3, Genesis 1, John 17:8, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:22, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Peter 1:3, Psalm 84:11 – 12, 2 Corinthians 1:20, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 34:9, Ephesians 3:9, 2 Chronicles 4:7, Romans 8:12

Bible Study Notes:

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper. This is a promise from God. When our lives line up with the word of God we can access and receive prosperity and health.

God has called us to holiness and righteousness. Above all things God heals us of our sickness and diseases. Even as our soul prosper our inner mind, thoughts and hearts must be transformed.

In order to prosper we must obey God’s will. Whatever it takes, I must obey God without full understanding.

Walk by faith not by sight. When I walk by faith and not by sight, I’m not distracted by the negative going on around me. I must obey God.

Changes will occur in our lives but we can’t move away from the word. Faith is important because we are a people of faith.

We can’t talk about faith without talking about spiritual warfare. Everything to leading a life of Godliness is in the word of God. God has given me his best. I’m not going to accept second best.

John 10:10 – The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Whatever level of life we are at; there is another level out there for us because Christ came so we could have abundant life. We become more loving and more spiritual. We are able to withstand more. When we are in places where we are under pressure we must remember that we are victorious.
Keep the mindset that you are victorious.

John 6:63 – It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. God’s words are spirit and life. We take God’s words and speak those words into whatever situation we are in.

Depending on the situation, take the scripture and put it on your life. When you are studying the word of God, read it so you can hear it because faith comes by hearing.

When I speak the word into the spirit man takes control over the carnal man.
Speak the word boldly.

We are blessed right now. Every resource needed for Godly living we have right now – because God gave us his life.

2 Peter 1:3 – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Don’t become discouraged when you are dealing with a situation that won’t seem to change. Speak the word of God into the situation and believe it will change.

The word of God will not fail. In order to receive what God has given to us, we need the knowledge of God.

Since the mouth of the righteous is a well of life, we must train our speech so we don’t contradict what God has said. You can’t say that it won’t get better. This contaminates your faith.

We walk by faith and not by sight, so it doesn’t matter how it looks. Situations and circumstances create pressure. You will have to endure pressure. How can you handle the alone times?

The best time to meditate and speak the word into your situation is when you’re alone.

Genesis 1 – God gave us the key to operate in a spiritual life. God said, God said then God saw. We must keep saying it until we see it.

We have the assurance that we will prosper and be in health, but the assurance comes from God.

We must pay careful attention to what we say because your words are spirit and life. Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

We have the assurance because of God’s word. John 17:8 – For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. This is the faith part. We believe that the word of God is true. We believe that we are blessed.

My belief in being blessed isn’t predicated on me having stuff. I believe it by what I know, not by what I see. I have the assurance because of God’s oath and his promises to us.

The words know, known and knowledge are written 1400 times, in the bible. The idea is centered around knowing God. Knowing God, I have the assurance.
Mark 9:23 – Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.All you have to do is believe. Take the verse literally. All things are possible to them that believe. No matter the situation, if I believe with unwavering faith, God will supply my needs. We must not allow doubt to creep in. Mark 11:22 – And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. Have faith in God. Don’t doubt believe.

The words that I speak out of my mouth, I will have. Words are powerful.
Hebrews 11:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Without faith it is impossible to please God. When I approach circumstances I must speak faith filled words.

When God says whosoever he meant any and everyone.

I believe what I say will come to pass.

It is already in place in the heavenly realm.

2 Peter 1:3 – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. We already have the good things. We must control our speech, flesh and minds. God shows us what’s good in the word so we can’t get caught up in the world.

Psalm 84:11 – 12 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. If I’m trusting in God, I’m blessed. He’s not going to withhold anything good. He love us so much that some things that we want aren’t good for us and he withholds it. He protects us because of his covenant with us. God guides and protects us from bad things.

There are times when we don’t fulfill the love of the spirit, we follow our flesh, so God withholds it from us.

We should be grateful. God does more than give to us. He’s our keeper, protector and guide. We must stay in faith. All things are given to those who believe.

2 Corinthians 1:20 – For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. All of the promises of God are yes and Amen.

There must be reception and application Joshua 1:8 – This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. We must meditate on the word of God day and night. Psalm 34:9 – O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. We need to have reverence for God. God already said that there is no want to them who fear the Lord.

There will be times where you may not have the bible in your hands but you must meditate on the word in your heart.

That’s why it’s important to be lead by the spirit so you don’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

There are things that look pleasing to the eyes but aren’t good for us. God loves us to much that he protects us from our own wants and decisions. The aim of the Lord isn’t short so he cannot save. God saves us everyday. There are situations that he saves us from that would’ve otherwise been devastating. Have the spirit of faith.

Ephesians 3:9 – And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ. God has opened it up so that the body of Christ will know God.

We must stay in Christ – no matter what happens in the world. We have the ability to bring about change. 2 Chronicles 4:7 – And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. We have it, we must remain faithful to the calling.

Romans 8:12 – Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. We don’t owe this flesh anything. Brethren – saints he’s talking to the saints. We must remember that not everyone in the church will be lead by the spirit.

That’s why when Christ returns he will start with the church. When people don’t walk by the word we show forth the love of Christ.

We have the assignment to save those who are loss.

You don’t have to be a preacher to share the good news. We have to share the word.

It’s not our performance, it’s what God does thru us.

The Grace of Giving

Sermon Topic: The Grace of Giving

Sermon Date: January 25, 2015

Scriptures: 2 Corinthians 9:6, 1 Corinthians 2:19, Psalm 16:4, 1 Chronicles 29, Jeremiah 17:7, Luke 6:38, 2 Chronicles 31, Galatians 6:7-8, Proverbs 3, Ecclesiastes 11:1, Proverbs 19:17

Sermon Notes:

2 Corinthians 9:6 - But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. We are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ. With discipleship comes responsibilities. We have an assignment with the kingdom of God, so there must be a commitment.

Time, talent and treasure should be given. We own nothing. We are managers but not owners. We are only stewards. We don’t own anything. God owns everything. Even with our children we give them back to God. We train them in the way to go so when they are old they will not depart.

Giving is a command. Your giving is required to prosper in God’s kingdom. We as God’s people are under God’s rule.

Our mind must be transformed. The carnal mind won’t allow you to give. The carnal mind sees everything as if it belongs to you. “I worked for this money. It belongs to me.” But it really belongs to God.

We must move away from the world’s system of mine, mine, mine.
When we became Christians we left the world and came to God.

Reception and Appreciation – we must receive the word by faith and then apply it to all areas of our lives. When I do that I become a doer of the word, not just a hearer.

1 Corinthians 6:19 – What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? Your body is a temple. You are not your own; you’ve been bought with a price.

Our possessions are not ours. 1 Chronicles 29 – All things come of thee and of thine own. God of yours, we give back to you.

The kingdom of God must be my first priority. If the kingdom of God isn’t first, I become carnal in my thinking. I become selfish and selfish-serving. Success becomes another form of failure. We’re never satisfied.

Your tithe is your seed. It does you no good in your pocket. You can’t reap the harvest because you have not planted the seed.

We must walk in the word or we will end up somewhere we shouldn’t be. I must trust God with my possessions as I do with my salvation.

All to Jesus, I surrender. All to him I freely give. Jeremiah 17:7 – Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Happy is he who trust in the Lord.

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Benefits come through obedience. If you obey and serve him; you will eat the good of the land. There should be no struggling, lacking or poor saints. If you follow in his word. Let God be truth and every man, a lie. What is your attitude when you give to the kingdom?

Trust in the Lord and do good; don’t give grudgingly.
If God loves a cheerful giver, what of those who grudgingly give?

2 Chronicles 31:
Once you release what’s in your hands, what’s in heaven will be released to you.

Galatians 6:7-8 – Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. You will reap what you sow. You must sow bountifully. Giving should be a persistent joy to give.

Every opposition against giving should be cast down.

Don’t become prideful about materials. When you become prideful about your possessions they become your God.

Your abilities aren’t responsible for what you have.

Every check given to you is from God. It must come into his storehouse.
You can’t give your tithes to anyone. When you do something else with your tithes, you’re stealing from God. Proverbs 3 – trust in the Lord. Your seed is the only influence you have over your future.

Ecclesiastes 11:1- The seed that leaves you hand, never leaves your life. It enters your future and it multiplies.

When we sow a seed we agree with God’s word that it will increase in our life.
We must wait for it to grow.

When God blesses us we must remember the poor.
Our outward circumstances shouldn’t inhibit our giving.
When pleasing God is our goal, God will flood our lives with the blessing.

Obedience and Discipline

Date: January 21, 2015

Scriptures: 1 John 2 4:5, Proverbs 12:22, 1 Timothy 2:4, Matthew 14:18, Matthew 22, Isaiah 5:14, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 104, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, 1 Peter 1:15, 1 Peter 2:15, 1 Peter 3:17, Peter 4:19

Bible Study Notes:

God’s will is revealed in his word. 1 John 2 4:5 – When we obey God’s word we know that we are in him. The fulfillment of the word comes from Christ. 

We must be obedient to the word of God. God’s will for the world is justice and righteousness. He desires honesty and truth. We can’t lie or verbalize untruth with each other or with God.

Proverbs 12:22 – God desires honesty and truth. God delights in our honesty and when we are truthful with each other. Sometimes we withhold truth because we don’t want to hurt feelings but by not verbalize the truth we end up hurting them more in the end. 

Especially, neighbors, friends and relatives who aren’t saved. It’s God will for the world to be saved.

We must be a witness to others so they will know the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4 – God wants everyone to be saved. Even the worst of us. 

Matthew 14:18 – God doesn’t want anyone to be lost. God’s will for us loving obedience. Matthew 22 – I must obey God without full understanding.

I must be obedient to God even if it causes opposition with  my closest associates. We must obey. Joshua – as for me and my house, it’s my responsibility to bring it in line to the will of God. The man is the head of the house.

Not only do we have instruction, our husbands do too. Husbands shouldn’t go outside of God’s will, wives don’t go beyond their husbands. 

Scripture makes obeying God the highest priority over performing religious acts. Obeying God takes precedence over serving on church boards.

God desires us to be willing and obedient. Isaiah 5:14 – There are situations where you are willing but not obedient.

God grants us mercy so we must in turn show mercy. God forgives us so we must forgive others because one time or another we’ll need God’s forgiveness.

There should never be a time when you are in the midst of worship and not be ready to bless the name of the Lord.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 – in everything give thanks, not for everything give thanks. 

It could’ve been worse – thank you Lord for saving/keeping me. Even in the worse of situations you said that all things would work for the good. Even when we don’t see it, we must know that it’s working for our good. All we have to do is discipline ourselves to wait on when it will manifest.

We also can’t set time limits. We must know that he promised it and he will keep us until it comes to pass. Psalm 104 – Now with this knowledge I can bless his name. You need to praise him, just because you are still alive. Whatever you are dealing with there is someone else worse off than you. He wont put more on you than you can bear.

God desires us to worship him – He inhabits the praise of his people. The more you praise him, the better you’ll feel. You can praise your way through and out of situations. 

We know what he promised. He desires us to worship and be holy. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 – He called us to be holy. We must walk upright before him and be holy.

We must discipline ourselves to be holy. We need this lifestyle so we may let our light shine. When people see you they must see a Godly person. People want to know Jesus. 1 Peter 1:15 – In everything we do we must watch our speech. We must watch the conversations that we’re involve in. Don’t join in unholy conversations. You’re adding fuel to the fire.

You must discipline yourself not to listen to gossip. God calls us to love each other. God didn’t say, that the person we’re supposed to love should behave a certain way. We must still show love. 

John 15 - We must be willing to give the ultimate sacrifice. God desires that we have a high moral standard. Some things we shouldn’t be involved in 1 Peter 2:15 – People will try to involve you in their foolishness. We must do what God tells us to do.

Sometimes abiding by God’s will involves suffering. We are not in this life to be free from suffering. God doesn’t give you anything to get your attention. He can get your attention if he wants to. 

There are times where it involves suffering. 1 Peter 3:17 – The will of God. If you suffer for well doing, Christ is glorified (1 Peter 3:17) Don’t despise the chastening of the Lord. Don’t get bent out of shape when we’re chastened. 1 Peter 4:19 – If I suffer according to his will, I commit my soul to God.

Understanding the Real You

Date: January 11, 2015

Sermon Topic: Understand the Real You

Scriptures: Galatians 5:23, 2 Peter 1:3, Hosea 3:6, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, Jeremiah 15:16, 2 Corinthians 6:3, 2 Peter 1 6:8

Sermon Notes:

Worry leads to stress which leads to diseases. A lot of people are in the hospital and sick because they are worried about what they can’t change.

Worry is a sin! You can’t worry and believe God or pray a prayer of faith and worry. We must understand who we really are.

We are spirit beings – living in this body – we have a soul.

The soulless areas are: your mind, your will, imagination, intellect

Worry is caused by a lack of information or misinformation. Unless you’re grounded in God’s word, you receive untruths as truth. There are some things that may be a fact, but it isn’t necessarily the truth. You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. If you don’t know the truth you’re still in bondage. When you’re in bondage you’re unaware of what you already have.

Galatians 5:23 – Gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Peace is a fruit of the spirit.

Perfect peace is the only peace that comes from God. You can get a semblance of peace but if it’s not from God it’s only a semblance of peace, not perfect peace.

If you’re not aware of your peace it causes us to worry. 2 Peter 1:3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. He gave us all these things. Once we get to know God – We’ll understand. We must have knowledge.

2 Corinthians 2:11 – In order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. The enemy has been doing this from the beginning. Unless you know the truth you’ll believe a lie.

We have the spirit of man and the spirit of God. We must first present our body as a living sacrifice and our minds must be transformed.

There are 3 Type of People

-        The Natural Man – has no relationships with Christ. The things of God are foolish to him.

-        Spirit Man – Living under the control of the holy spirit and minds the things of the spirit. Led by the spirit – lower animal passions have been crucified. Galatians 2 – Not I but Christ lives in me.

-        Carnal Man – The carnal man is the immature Christian. Operates at a childhood level.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 – Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly – mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? When you are always involved in something negative – there’s a problem.

To know what’s been given to us. We must desire the sincere milk of the word.

Early will I seek thee. Early when I rise – give me Jesus.

The instructions you follow, will determine the future you create.

Develop new thought patterns.

Your thoughts will determine your decisions, your decisions determine your action, your actions determine your habits, your habits develop your character, your character determines your destiny.

Don’t work on anything else – work on your character.

The knowledge of God brings peace, prosperity and promotion.

Jeremiah 15:16 – When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty. We stand on the word. The word is a solid foundation that won’t change.

Don’t get anxious, concerned or tied up with the world. God is our strength and refuge.

God has promised that he won’t hold back anything if we walk upright.

2 Corinthians 6:3 – We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Nothing can upset me. I’m not offended!

You can’t be offended. Get your feelings off your sleeve. You can do anything, if you’re not offended.

2 Peter 1 6:8 – and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t be offended by everything.

Get virtue and knowledge. 

Get temperance.

Discipline yourself.

You must have self-control.

Bible Study - January 15, 2015

Bible Study January 15, 2015

         

Date: January 14, 2015

Scriptures: Psalm 56:13, Isaiah 43:19, Psalms 1, Isaiah 48:17, 1 Kings 8:35-36, Jeremiah 6:16, Isaiah 1:19, Galatians 5:22-23 – 22, John 1:17, Isaiah 53:6, Philippians 4:19, Galatians 2:3, Matthew 7:13-14, Hebrews 11:6, Romans 8:28, Job 42-10, Psalm 75:6-7, Job 5:17, Philippians 4:12, 2 Corinthians 1:4, Philippians 1:12, 2 Timothy 2:10, Philippians 4:12

Bible Study Notes:

We travel through the world with God. Psalm 56:13 – For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. When God delivered us from sin, he didn’t just leave us. He keeps us, watches and guides us as we go from day to day.

Isaiah 43:19 – See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. God is telling us that changes will occur in our lives. Changes occur throughout our life span. There are things that we look at and we see it as an impossibility, but God will make a way. He will put rivers in the desert. We walk in God’s way. We walk as he instructs us to walk. We should live our lives according to scripture in order to obtain blessings.

Psalms 1 – Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither – whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. We are constantly following God’s commands and being obedient to his word. This may put you in opposition with others. God teaches us his way – he teaches us what to do and how to do.

Isaiah 48:17 – This is what the Lord says your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” God teaches us to prophet.

In the workforce we do Professional Development but God teaches us to prophet – This is how we gain wisdom. God leads us in the way we should go. We must be obedient – but he won’t make us go.

There’s always the temptation to do something other than what God tells you to do.

1 Kings 8:35-36 – When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your  name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance. Another key to living a holy lifestyle. Everything we need is in place we must live up to the standards and the word of God. Holiness, humility, joy, trust, peace, and obedience.

Jeremiah 6:16 – This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, “We will not walk in it.” It isn’t an absolute must to follow God. We have free will. God tells us how to walk but he doesn’t make us. God will allow you to go against him. Isaiah 1:19 – If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; Having these promises – we shouldn’t allow anything to worry us.

Don’t allow your fears about  your future to distract you from what you know. When we hold on to the word – we have the fruit of the spirit – love, peace, meekness and temperance.

Read, Galatians 5:22-23 – 22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law, every time you think those thoughts.

Saints are encouraged by repetition, revelation and studying the word. We get the answer from the word of God then verbalize the word. Put the word of the Bible into your prayers.

The unfaithful refuse to follow God’s way because they don’t know. Throughout 2015, you will come into contact with people who don’t know God, but are looking for the opportunity to know him. John 1:17 – For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:6 - We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. We were once there ourselves. It’s nothing we haven’t experienced in our lives. Jesus took on the sins of the world and the opportunity to be saved is open to us all.

God will put you in the  midst of those who need to hear. You can’t keep silent during these times. This year will be a blessing. We are blessed. We don’t need to look for blessings. We don’t need to manufacture our blessings. We are blessed.

Thank you father for supplying all of my needs. Philippians 4:19 – And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. We must pray this every morning.

Galatians 2:3 – Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. Everything that we need for this life is in Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ. This is where we get our knowledge.

We don’t need to do anything devious to be promoted. All of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in Christ.

We don’t have to do anything under-handed to get ahead.

We must obey God.

We must live the life that Christ has laid out for us. Matthew 7:13-14- Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it. There are a lot of people on the wide gate that leads to destruction.

Faith carries us there – we walk by faith and not by sight.

Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. We must have faith. We must diligently seek Christ. We can’t just seek him for the reward. Although he is the rewarder, we seek him because he’s our shepherd not because we want gifts.

Everything that we experience in life, there’s a purpose. I don’t lose the fruits of the spirit, while I’m going through my situation. Just know that God’s will is working.

There will be times this year when we go through something we must ask God to let his will be done.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. It’s working for our good. We walk by faith because our natural understanding doesn’t realize that it’s working for our good. Especially when we’ve been obedient. When you have no ill thoughts for anyone, you know that it’s working for our good.

Consider Job – there are times when we are dealing with something that we should never wonder why something is happening to us, a child of God. Job had to pray for his friends. Job 42-10 – After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. He had to pray for those who misunderstood him. You have to pray for those who don’t understand you.

That’s when Job’s life turned around. The blessings is in your prayers for others.

Psalm 75:6-7 – No one from the east or west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Promotion comes from God. There are times when we will encounter things but Romans 8 reminds us that we are more than conquerors.

You’re not going to go through life with no problems – but you must study God’s word and develop a deeper relationship with God. He uses every experience in our life for good. He uses them to warn us or to correct us.

Psalm 119:67 – Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. God uses every experience for our good.

We get warning from God. We just need to listen to God’s direction. God uses our afflictions and negative experiences to make us obey his word.

Job 5:17 – Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. God corrects us. We can’t worry about why he corrects us. Blessed is the man whom God corrects. God uses our experiences to test and exercise our trust. We must trust him. He uses situations to test us to get us to trust him.

Philippians 4:12 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  When we suffer a loss, we aren’t utterly cast down. We may lose something but we aren’t cast down.

God exercises our trust – he wants us to trust him more. He uses these experiences to purify us and to prepare us for glory.

I’m coming out of this because I have continued to do all that which is pleasing to his sight.

There’s a purpose for everything. Nothing happens in our lives without purpose. Sometimes we experience things that benefit other people.

Our minds can’t fathom God’s plan. 2 Corinthians 1:4- who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  In our situations we are able to comfort others with the same comfort that we experienced from God. This is the life of faith.

Philippians 1:12 – Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. When things happen in our lives it’s not for us – it’s to help someone else. Someone else will experience the same thing that we experienced. It happened to me so that I can share with others.

God is preparing us for the assignment that he has for us in our future.

Remember in our sharing it must all point to Christ.

We know the way to bring peace to someone who may not know the way.

2 Timothy 2:10 – Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. We should be thankful and trusting in all life experiences.

Philippians 4:12 – For I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Don’t worry about anything. God controls it all. Be careful for nothing. Don’t allow contrary thoughts to come in to your mind, telling you not to ask God for something.

Praise God in the midst of your request.

2014 New Years Eve Service

Date: December 31, 2014

Sermon Topic: New Years Eve

Scriptures: Hebrews 12:1-2, Proverbs 3:5, Peter 5:10

Sermon Notes:

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

As we come to the close of the year we are evaluating our state at the moment. What would I do differently? What changes have to be made to get to a point of change and success?

Determination = Commitment

I must take an inventory of my life. What did I have in 2014 that I could do without in 2015?

Who do I rely on in 2015? Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Trust in the Lord - some of the things in 2014 will rob you of your joy in 2015.

To everything there is a season. I must make radical changes. We must put on a fresh covenant. Intolerance of your presence invokes change.

Examine Yourself - What needs improvement?

Let us cleanse ourselves. Don't let stuff bog you down because time is precious. This moment right here you won't get back.

You can't make up for yesterday. Change the set points in your mind. If you apply worldly principles to your life, you won't ever get to where God wants you to be.

When others talk negative about you - remember who made you. We are his workmanship. He made us.

You are capable of more than others expect, dream or imagine you to be.

Your purpose will protect you from being busy but not effective. You need a plan for next year. A lot of people miss their potential because they lack a plan.

Knowledge without action will overpower you.

Be determined to be where God wants you to be.

Stop figuring out for yourself where you should go. Let God lead you to where you need to be.

God wants you out of your comfort zone in 2015.

Of all the things you have to with in 2015, you must first deal with yourself.

Examine yourself. Prune yourself. It's hard to admit that we are the problem.

Your past will keep you from where God wants you to be.

What didn't you accomplish in 2014?

Permit unexciting dreams to die.

Lay aside every wake - every sin - look at Jesus.

Don't put your trust in man. Our desires are created by whatever we turn to most.

Attend to God's word.

The future isn't uncertain for saints of God. Peter 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. After you suffer for a little while. You will deal with disappointment and sufferings. God never said that you wouldn't.

Enjoy where you are on the way to where you're going.

Enjoying life is not based on enjoyable circumstances. That's why James said to count it all joy. We must make the decision to enjoy everything. Even the little things matter.

Spend quality time with God.

Discipline yourself.

Turn off the Television. Television is someone telling you their vision.

Once you see that the world won't change, change your reaction.

Life is a journey and everything in it is a process.

Think outside the box.

The potential to produce fruit doesn't determine if you will bear fruit or the quality of the fruit.

Your assignment is not your decision. Your assignment is your discovery.

Lay aside anything that robs you of your joy, peace and time.