Putting out the darts and arrows that will catch us on fire

Subtitle (wheelbarrow faith)

We have talked about the strength it takes to keep relationships going, the integrity and truth at the core of any great relationship, the righteousness given to us because of Christ and the choices we must make to walk in righteousness to keep us and our relationships alive, and last week we talked about always being ready, prepared to handle any situation so we might remain in peace in all of our relationships.

 

This week I want to talk about being willing to get into the wheelbarrow. I’ll explain that in a moment

 

Ephesians 6:10 – 18

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

 

In 1859, French daredevil Charles Blondin stretched a rope 1,100 feet across Niagara Falls. He then proceeded to walk across the rope, 160 above the falls, while blindfolded. The crowd that had gathered cheered wildly. He then walked over the falls pushing a wheelbarrow. Some accounts of this story claim that he filled the wheelbarrow with 150# of dirt. When he completed this feat, the wildly cheering crowd again greeted him.

 

Blondin then asked the gathered crowd, “Do you believe I can walk over the falls again with the wheelbarrow?” And the crowd responded with a hearty “Yes!”

Blondin then asked the gathered crowd, “Do you believe I can walk over the falls again with the wheelbarrow?” And the crowd responded with a hearty “Yes!”

Blondin asked, “Do you believe I can walk this tightrope with someone in that wheelbarrow?” Again, the crowd responded with a hearty “Yes!”

“Who then, will get into the wheelbarrow?” Blondin asked. And you can guess the response of the crowd. There was not a single volunteer.

The crowd believed firmly that Blondin could take a person across the tightrope in a wheelbarrow. However, believing it wasn’t enough.

You see; there is a difference between “belief” and “faith”.

Today we are going to talk about wheelbarrow riding faith

 

Paul said

16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.

 

Roman shields were rectangular in shape so joined together they could act as a wall against any attackers

 

They also were made out of wood, leather, and metal. The purpose for the mix of materials was to extinguish the fiery arrows of the enemy.

You see when a volley of flaming arrows would be shot; it tended to slow the soldiers down. The shield was designed to take these hits and extinguish the arrows.

The enemy loves to attack relationships with jealousy, division, anger, frustration, and misunderstanding to do his best to destroy relationships.

That is why Paul says hold up the shield of faith to stop the arrows of the devil

What are the ways to build and/or apply our faith?

 

Believe in the word of God

 

I know this may seem simplistic but one of the first challenges after creation was to the validity of God’s word.

 

Genesis 3:1-3

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

 

If we don’t know the word of God and believe it we will fall for anything that sounds like it. I hear all of the time “this is not what a loving God would do” My question is do you define love in the way God defines love and have you read the Bible and how a loving God protects people always.

 

Then there are those who have read parts of the word and add their own to it “nor shall you touch it” why was that a problem? If she believed she would die if she touched it then when she did and did not die she would believe everything is a lie.

 

As a church this is what we believe

 

We believe that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

 

2 Timothy 3:16,17 this is the basis of that tenet of our faith

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

 

John tells us this John 20:31

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

We can not pick and choose what we believe but some things are harder to understand if you do not have someone teaching you. If you have questions do like many others have, send them to me and I will answer them to help you understand better.

 

God’s word is filled with wisdom on building stronger relationships

Handling problems with people

When applied the principles in scripture can cause every relationship to be at its best.

When we know and believe in the Word of God, it doesn’t matter how many arrows the enemy may shoot our way, we know what God’s word says, remember how many times it has kept us focused and defended us and the arrows can’t even burn us because we are protected by the shield that says though every man is a liar God’s word is true

 

Trust in Jesus

 

I say “trust” in Jesus because it must go beyond mental assent to faith in him. It must God from your brain to your heart

 

Remember the illustration about the wheelbarrow faith?

There is a difference between believing in Jesus and putting your faith in him

Belief is mental assent believing that something can be done faith is actually putting your trust in someone or something.

It is not merely enough to believe that the Bible is true you must place your trust in it and the God who created it.

 

James puts it this way

James 2:19,20

You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

 

You have to know that God is going to get you through anything. The demons know God, they believe in Him but they do not have faith in Him that is how they became demons in the first place.

 

Trust in Jesus is more than believing it is saying, “God I am letting go of the steering wheel and giving it to you”

I mentioned this scripture last week but allow me to take a slightly different view of it this morning. The good deeds, I would challenge you with this today are that you are showing you trust in Jesus by what Jesus said

 

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;”

 

John 13:34

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

 

It is easy for us to lash out at people who hurt or offend us, it is easy for us to not like people that think differently than we do. These are all the things that the world does.

 

If Jesus is truly in charge then we allow Him to handle all of these things, we are confident in His leading, plan, purpose for our lives. This helps us see people differently, through His eyes

 

Ladies and gentlemen we are the overcomers, we are empowered by the Spirit of the living God people hate Christians because they are afraid, they persecute real men and women of God because their Father has lied to them. People fear real men and women of God because we are drawing people to a loving, living powerful God the world wants to create a personality cult you see it in Hollywood, entertainment field, athletics and even in the church. Satan hates anyone coming into freedom in Christ so he will do and mask whatever he needs to, to keep you in bondage to a thing or person rather than God. These are fiery darts sent to do sneak attacks because there is not freedom or joy in trusting in people or things only in trusting in God

 

 

Act in obedience to God’s Word

 

Our world is broken in so many ways.

 

They live in unforgiveness, they live in a world of manipulation and control. They live in a world were they are driven to the point of exhaustion and hopelessness.

 

You see the enemy of our soul not only shoots flaming arrows at us but everything made in the image of God.

 

The world is hopeless! We are walking in faith so they can see it.

 

When we believe in God’s Word, trust in Jesus for everything then we will naturally, because of these two things, want to live in obedience not out of a burden or law but knowing that it is the only way for us to be free.

 

Our obedience requires us to walk in forgiveness always as we forgive we bring freedom to ourselves and others.

 

Our obedience causes us to not try to control or manipulate others, guide encourage yes, but the world is full of manipulation we in our security can point them to truth, joy and freedom because we are walking in those things.

 

We begin to study the word more…we begin to spend more time in prayer and sharing our faith

 

We leave a victim mentality which I am afraid is creeping into the church. We are only a victim, if we do not live by God’s Word, trust Jesus, and act in obedience

 

Because with these three keys the shield of faith is up full and every dart of the enemy is extinguished.

 

I know it is work but it is real and the strength, overcoming power, life and anointing that comes with it not only brings freedom to us but to the world around us.

 

If you are willing to climb into the wheelbarrow and allow Jesus to walk you across the high wire you are in for a real adventure of a lifetime.

 

Where is your faith this morning? Are the darts or arrows getting through? Have the gotten through?

 

It takes nothing more than standing on God’s word, trusting the Jesus has the wheelbarrow of your life and you are getting into that wheelbarrow in obedience to Him

 

 

Getting ready to take some ground

Let’s get right into it today!

 

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

 

The Roman soldier had shoes that were made stronger and built for warfare.

 

– The sole was double the thickness of the normal sandal to protect from hot sand and sharp rocks

– they had nails drive through the bottom for better traction and to help them always advance, you don’t win battles by retreating, these types of shoes kept him from slipping or sliding.

– When on duty, a soldier never took his sandals off, even when they slept they were always prepared for battle because their shoes were on!

 

Paul saw all of this and so he wrote “shoes of readiness that comes with the Gospel of peace.

 

We get into most trouble in our relationships when we are weary, worn out, stressed, on our last nerve, in other words when we are not prepared to handle everything coming our way.

 

We need to be prepared with all of our relationships to respond God’s way! We need to be ready to take some ground.

 

Often someone will say something to us that is just not right, they are missing the point or have miss interpreted something we or someone else has said, or worse something the Bible says and we let it go.

 

If we really love someone we can’t allow gossip, slander, misunderstandings or any such thing live in our relationships so what do we do to prepare with peace?

 

Any relationship that is alive will encounter tension it is the nature of living relationships but if we want the relationships to grow deeper we must be willing to speak the right words into a person’s life at the right time

 

Bring the truth

Act in faith

Be prepared to answer

 

If we are going to take ground and advance rather than stagnate or fall backward we have to not allow little things to hurt our relationships

 

2 Timothy 4:2

“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”

 

In order to advance some relationships we have to put things at risk

 

There are times when something is said that sets a person so far away from being Christ-like that we need to “rebuke” them

 

Rebuke – is often a harsh warning to someone that they are headed in the wrong direction, or they are simply out of line. As a Christian it is still spoken out of love and concern for the individual but is direct, to the point because the person is in some kind of danger whether it be spiritual, mental, emotional, or physical.

 

Correction– is similar to a rebuke in that it is a word of correction spoken directly to protect someone but it is followed up with a plan of action that the person speaking the corrective word is willing to help with. Often it is not enough to simply correct someone because many times they are not aware of how to not create the problem so they need someone to lovingly come along side and lead them to the right course.

 

Encouragement – Every word of rebuke or correction should be followed up with encouragement. Just because someone is doing a bad thing or failing in some way does not mean they are all bad. Encouragement is not simply cheerleading but is coming along side someone for comfort and support. It is something we simply do not do enough of we are either too busy, too insecure, or just don’t think about it but everyone welcomes and is in need of some encouragement.

 

As I said a couple of weeks ago, truth is our core and to readily advance and walk in peace we must be ready in these three areas to speak truth, lovingly and with mercy.

 

Next in order to take some ground we must in all readiness, live out our faith before others.

 

James 2:14-18

What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

 

Bringing peace means showing the way, we must always be ready to show our faith to our family.

 

We can’t see someone in genuine need and not do something about it. I say genuine need because we live in a culture of entitlement and there are some that believe they should be always taken care of but God has called them to work.

 

Our love must be seen not only in words but in action if we want our relationship to grow and mature we need to as the adage says “no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care”

Take some ground by bringing peace not in word only but in action, that proves the love you espouse.

 

To bring peace and take ground away from the enemy we need to be prepared to answer the attacks, lies, and misunderstandings of the broken, hurting, angry, and confused as well as the babies, and those that are simply different from you.

 

1 Peter 3:15b

…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

 

Matthew 10:18-20

You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

 

I know we want to believe everyone thinks like us, understands us, and looks at the world through the same prism but that is not true.

 

Our “frames of reference” influence the way we think, act, and react.

 

We need to know what we believe, why we believe it and be saturated by the presence of God. Our readiness can help bring and keep peace if we know what we believe.

 

Part of our defense is simply being able to explain to others what we believe the Bible has to say about certain things

I would encourage you as the quote from Rupertus Meldenius states

“In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, and in all things love”

That is the prepared love we are to walk in, that brings peace but these verses also make a stricter accounting

Both inside and outside of the church we need to have a firm grasp of what we believe, not based on opinion, nor culture but on the word of God

What does God’s word say about?

Abortion

Homosexuality

Marriage

Pornography

Foods that we eat

Medicine we take

Alcohol consumption

Raising children

Treating your spouse

Treating your enemies

Entertainment

Friendships

Work, work ethic

Welfare

Aliens (people from outside of our country, not out of this world)

Fear

Wealth, how to handle money

Integrity

Foul language

Sin

Heaven

Hell

Depression

Talking to the dead

Horoscopes

Psychics

Prophets

Healing

Leadership

Serving

 

Basically, any subject that can be brought up today the Bible has an answer and talks about it in at least general terms.

 

We will be questioned both intensely and inquisitively once people know what we believe.

 

We also know from this past election that there are people who love Jesus just as much as we do that have differing opinions. Some are anti-biblical and need correcting, but only if we truly know what we believe and why and some are simply points of liberty that we must agree to disagree.

 

It is always a blessing to love someone enough to allow them to be heard, it helps us to understand people of differing opinions if we allow them to be heard!

We can take ground and bring peace in our relationships if we love enough to

 

– Speak words or correction, rebuke, and encouragement, in love

 

– Live out our beliefs, love and truth in a way that everyone can see them and it helps them to live in peace

 

– We must know what we believe so well that we can easily defend it

 

If we do these things we will be ready and able to bring and keep peace in our relationships in the church and outside of the church.

 

If you don’t have peace because of some situation in your life come and allow someone to pray with you.

 

If you are having some issue with someone in your life please come let us pray for you and believe the Lord to lead you into peace!

 

Let’s take some ground this morning

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making your life bullet-proof

Making your life bullet proof!

 

Essential exercises to build a better body Part 3

 

Several years ago Officer Cardamon of the Erie police force was on the late night shift. He was sitting at an intersection when a car did not make a complete stop at a stop sign he was concerned at so late at night that the person driving was falling asleep at the wheel. He called to alert everyone he was in pursuit, turned on the lights and the siren.

 

The man driving the car pulled over, as officer Cardamon walked up to the drivers window he found himself face to face with 9mm pistol before he knew it two shots were fired one missed and one hit him in the chest the officer went down. The man had just robbed a local convenience store and thought officer Cardamon was on to him. To the man’s surprise in just a few seconds two shots rang out from the officer both going through the door of the car to hit his leg and arm. The man dropped his gun and surrendered. Officer Cardamon was bruised but OK 3/8” inch of Kevlar a fabric so dense that the bullet was stopped from piercing his skin.

 

Today’s essential is to bullet-proof our walk

 

We have talked about how we need to fight for our relationships and when we don’t have the strength to openly rely on him for that strength and we will win

 

Then we talked about the importance of truth and integrity and learning to lovingly communicate with each other, the truth and to always maintain our integrity even in the littlest things will keep our relationships strong and are the core to everything else being strong.

 

Today I want to define righteousness and the role it plays in healthy and bullet proofed relationships

 

But lets start again with Ephesians 6: 10-18

 

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere

 

On the Roman soldier they wore a vest made out of leather with metal plates sewn on to protect the soldier from blows of a sword or piercings of a spear. Without it the soldier was a dead man the closest thing we have to it today is a Kevlar vest.

 

This breastplate or body armor of God’s righteousness kept the soldier alive and will keep us alive today. Our two biggest adversaries to our become everything God has called us to be and our functioning as a fellowship of believers are the devil and our own flesh and wrapping ourselves in God’s righteousness defeats both of those easily.

 

Righteousness defined is virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting.

 

This is a challenge because what is rightness, correct thinking, feeling, and/or acting?

 

There are so many opinions of what that is and what that means.

 

Here is the challenge, do you believe the Bible was written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and is the Word of God?

 

If you don’t why don’t you?

 

The Bible has errors….my question is where are these errors there have been questions about the differing accounts in the Gospels but we are dealing with eye witnesses giving accounts from different points of view nothing that would steal the accuracy of scripture

 

Historical reliability – many things over the years have been pointed to as fallacy in scripture, King David and the Hittite people to name just two. Archeologist and historians were both convinced that these were myths only to discover them to be true after further archeological digs.

 

That being said righteousness is defined by what God says that it is in the Bible.

 

The first thing we have to understand about righteousness is that we can’t be righteous on our own God has got to do it in us and through us.

 

Romans 3:23 – 26

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

 

Three important points

 

– We all have sinned

– We can not come into God’s presence and be made righteous apart from the grace (unmerited favor) and the blood price (redemption) of Christ

– His purity, righteousness justifies us before a holy God

 

In other words when we recognize we are sinners and accept that Christ paid the price for all of our sin on the cross we receive unmerited favor to become righteous because of him that is how we are righteous

 

But then living righteously is another thing.

 

Receiving God’s righteousness is our get out of hell free card but living righteously is the way we protect ourselves from failure and broken relationships and walk in the blessings of God.

 

Let’s look at the problems a lack of righteousness causes

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

 

I want us to look at the life saving features of righteousness from this list of unrighteousness

 

If unrighteousness is… (with each item relate it to Body relationships)

 

  • Only loving yourself and money then righteous living is laying down your life for others and being generous “we are to prefer one another” and always be willing to give recognizing that everything we have came from God.
  • Is being boastful and proud then righteousness is being humble not a doormat but instead knowing who you are and submitting that to God and others to be a blessing
  • Being disobedient to parents and authority then righteousness is learning to sit and listen to wisdom and want to gain understanding
  • Scoffing at God and nothing being sacred then righteousness is being respectful of people, God and walking always in a way that reflects the love of Christ
  • Being unloving and unforgiving then righteousness is never taking offense, always believing the best in your brothers and sisters in Christ and daily forgiving yourself and them in this they therefore will not slander, speak ill of each other
  • Having no self-control then righteousness is having self control by not responding to people out of anger or one-upmanship, not hurting someone in return for their hurting you
  • Hating what is good then righteousness is loving what is good. The Bible defines a good person as having these qualities

– heart felt devotion to God (Acts 13:2)

– willing obedience (John 14:15)

– accepts peoples imperfections but pushes them on to growth Acts 11:23,24 story of Barnabas encouraging

– enjoys seeing others use and grow in their gifts (most of Paul’s writings)

– generous with time and money Acts 4:36,37, 1 John 3:17

– devotes themselves to reaching the lost Acts 11:21-24

-recognizes the source of all human goodness is submitting to the Holy Spirit Galatians 5: 16,22

 

  • Love pleasure rather than God then righteousness is loving God more than pleasure allow me to give you some signs if you are too busy to read your Bible, pray, come to church, serve, share then you are struggling with loving pleasure rather than God
  • Act religious but reject the power then righteousness is having a real relationship with God and believing in the power that healing, prophecy, and all of the gifts of the spirit and character of God are needed.

 

We can’t maintain any of this apart from Christ. These are not going to hell or going to heaven rules these are the things that if we learn to live them make our lives better, more loving cause us to grow as believers and bullet-proof us from our own flesh and the enemy.

 

I know I stepped on some toes today but the point is these are all key points that will keep you alive in the Body of Christ and as your walk in them you will help to keep others alive as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No Pain No Gain!

No Pain No Gain Part 2 Essential Exercises for Building a Better Body

We have all heard it in order to build a better stronger Body No Pain no gain

It is no different in growing as a Body of believers because we must walk in the truth.

Our focus for this series is Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

 

WE talked last week about the need to be strong to fight for our relationships. In order to grow often times we experience pain but pain in the hands of a surgeon leads to life God’s Word is often just the surgeon he will use to bring life to us

Paul begins his defense of our relationships by stating in verse Ephesians 6:14

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,

 

Truth is not something easy for us to walk in, how many times have we shared little “white lies” in order to protect some one’s feelings or big ones to keep us from getting into trouble

It is hard to always walk in the truth to maintain your integrity. I mention integrity because integrity is truth in not only what we say but what we do.

The belt of truth on a Roman soldier’s uniform is what protected his core…the focus of strength to keep the Body upright and able to function in an optimum way…The kidneys, liver, back are all protected from strong blows by the belt

How many have ever had back pain? All it takes is one time and you never want to go there again. Integrity is pivotal to our having functioning, strong, healthy, relationships.

Integrity goes against the grain of our culture and anytime you go against the culture it will cause you pain but when you stand in truth you stand with Jesus because He is truth.

Pizza business story

It is hard to restore integrity and truth when it has been ruined, it is not impossible just difficult so it is better to never fracture it.

Proverbs 10:9 and 13:6 says this

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

Godliness guards the path of the man of integrity, but the evil are misled by sin.

When people know they can trust your word and your actions then you will always walk in safety.

The Psalmist writes in Chapter 15:4 that the one who can come into the presence of God is one who

“keep their promises even when it hurts.”

When you learn to walk in integrity you can be yourself without worrying about rejection, you know who you are and where you are going.

When you have relationships based on truth you don’t have to walk on eggshells or worry about what people are thinking because they will tell you the truth lovingly and gently.

 

Truth protects our relationships

 

People know with certainty who you are, how you will handle things and what is being spoken is true

It protects from false accusations. It doesn’t mean you won’t go through stuff but your integrity will always win the day

1 Peter 3:16

Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Attorney Generals office

If you routinely lie at work or bend the truth people are going to wonder if you will do it toward them

A mother complained to me about her son being a liar because of a drug problem that he had yet she routinely would tell her son when people called home, “tell them I’m not home”

Those are the “little lies” that begin to tear at our strength

Truth and integrity are a guide for us.

The Holy Spirit is our guide into all truth and He is the spirit of truth

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. John 15:26

Proverbs 11:3 Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

Honesty teaches you to say things in a way that is loving and true

Truth isn’t always truth either….if you are upset you may think you have a truth but in a calmer mode is not really truth

 

So real truth gives you the power to walk away from certain situations so that you can walk in real truth. The Holy Spirit will quicken in your heart what is loving, caring truth versus what may seem like truth at the moment.

See when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth and to walk in all truth God lifts us up, promotes, vindicates and in other ways protects us from the enemy in others and his attempts to use us.

Psalm 41: 11,12

By this I know that You are well pleased with me, Because my enemy does not triumph over me.12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity, And set me before Your face forever

 

Doing what is right and saying what is right is so foreign to our culture. That at times it can be confusing to us. So taking a breath, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide can keep us living in real truth.

This verse also shares the idea of the preserving power of integrity and truth.

Some relationships sour over time, some become broken, I believe if pressed, 99.9% of them are because of a truth or integrity problem

The Psalmist has written that as we live in truth, integrity we will be set before the Lord’s face forever. We have to be lovingly honest with each other, we must walk in truth in in that way we will preserve our relationship, they won’t sour, they won’t fall apart.

Do you see now why truth is our core, how it protects our core?

We don’t have to worry about what others are thinking or saying when we walk in truth together. We can develop real friendships and have a real body of believers moving in love because we are living by the Spirit of truth

But there is a truth I felt the Holy Spirit told me we needed to work on this morning

Many are here this morning living a lie

Here are some of the lies

I am a failure (at work, as a parent, friend)

I am ugly (if people only knew how ugly inside)

I have no value (no ne cares about me, my opinion or who I am)

I will never be anything

I am broken and will always be that way

Nothing will ever change for me

Some here this morning have even had suicidal thoughts because the enemy wants you to end your life because he is afraid of what you will become

The truth is…there are no ordinary people in this room today, because of Jesus you are all extraordinary

The truth is…it is not about your feelings it is about your character and the way God sees you.

Your parents, boss, friends, teachers and others have lied to you. God spoke to me Wednesday as I was wrapping up this teaching that God was going to break every lie and bring truth and freedom and even save someone’s life

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to find real strength

Today, I am starting a series entitled “Essential Exercises for Building a Better Body.”

 

If we all would honest that we could use a little tuning up. We need some body-building. We need to improve our bodies.

 

Now, I’m not simply talking about our physical bodies. Although that is probably true for most of us physically, and although it is unhealthy, even dangerous to be out of shape, flabby and weak, there is a greater danger we face.

 

You may be asking yourself, “If the pastor isn’t talking about the physical body, then what body is he talking about?” I am talking about the body of relationships you are involved in daily.

 

The relationship between you and your family

The relationship between you and your church family

The relationship between you and your friends

The relationship between you and your co-workers

The relationship between you and the other parents at little-league

The relationship between you and the person sitting in the seat next to you this morning.

 

The “body” of relationships that make up our church, which is called “The Body of Christ.”

 

This body of relationships that we all have is the context in which we live life. Now, I don’t know about you, but I tend to think that life can be kind of difficult at times. Life is often hard. But we don’t have to just endure life, we can thoroughly enjoy it and live it to the fullest. Jesus tells us in

 

John 10:10

I came that everyone would have life and have it in it’s fullest.”

 

The full life that Christ came to give us starts in a personal relationship with him, and it is daily lived out in the context of the relationships we have with others, inside the church, inside the home, inside the office, etc.

Jesus wants us to live the full life and he gave his very life so that we can do just that. It is His free gift, offered to us. However, to truly experience all the fullness that he offers to us, we need to make sure that the body of relationships we live in is a healthy body. That’s why we’re going to spend the next few weeks considering the essential exercises for building a better body.

 

These exercises, or principles, for building a better body are found in the Bible, God’s Word to us.

 

The biblical principles I am going to look at over the next few weeks can be applied to our relationship within the local church and they can be applied to our relationships:

– with our families

– at church

– at home

– at work

– on the athletic field

– at school

– wherever.

 

These biblical principles can be applied to every relationship you have.

In fact, they are essential exercises if you want to build healthier, stronger relationships.

 

Now, since these are Biblical principles, or principles based upon what the Bible teaches, then the first thing we need to do is to look at the Bible and see what it says to us regarding these essential exercises.

 

Look with me at Ephesians 6:10-18. We’re going to look at this passage of scripture with an eye toward building a better body

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

.When we look at these verses we see the essential exercises needed to build a better body of relationships.

 

– Allocate Strength

– Act with Integrity

– Attain Righteousness

– Advance Real Peace

– Assert your Faith

– Align Your Thoughts With Christ

– Acknowledge the Word

– Approach Christ in prayer

 

Today Let’s look at the first exercise that is essential to building a better body. If we want to truly have a better body of relationships, then we have to learn to allocate true strength.

 

Let’s face it, maintaining healthy relationships is hard work. It takes a high degree of strength, and most of us don’t feel like we have the strength or energy to do what is necessary to maintain healthy relationships in all areas of our lives.

 

Keeping a relationship healthy involves a high degree of maintenance. And relationship maintenance means using a lot of your strength.

 

It takes mental strength, it takes emotional strength, it takes spiritual strength to keep a relationship happy, and when you have to apply that strength to the relationships you have at home, at work, at church, etc. you quickly begin to run out of strength.

 

The fact is neither you nor I have enough strength to really keep all of the relationships we have in a state of good health. We are just over stretched.

 

However, I have good news for you. There is a source of strength that we can have as strength is needed. Our strength can be supplied from God Himself.

 

Look with me again at Ephesians 6:10

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

 

Paul, the author of this letter, tells us exactly where we can find the strength we need. We find it in the Lord, and in His mighty power. If I don’t have the strength myself to keep things healthy, then I have to turn somewhere else to get the strength I need, and that somewhere else is really a someone else! It is Jesus Christ who gives me the strength I need.

 

Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

 

That “all things” includes maintaining the health of the myriad of relationships I have to exist within.

 

Why is Paul so adamant that we find our strength in God? Because he understands that the struggles we face go beyond just time constraints and personality issues. He knows that the real battle we face comes from a strong enemy.

 

Look at Ephesians 6:12 again, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

 

He knows that the devil loves it when our relationships are in turmoil. Because when our relationships are in turmoil we cannot focus upon God as we should. It is hard to draw close to God when we are having people problems as home at work and at church. Thus since we lack strength on our own and since we are fighting a very strong, very crafty, very dangerous and evil enemy, we must find our strength in God and God alone.

 

So if God has the power and I need it, how do I allocate that power or strength to use in building a better body? I’m glad you asked.

 

There are four steps we need to take to get the strength we need, when we need it, to maintain healthy relationships that honor God. Let’s take just a few minutes and consider those five steps.

 

How do we allocate the strength offered so that we may “Be Strong in the Lord?”

  1. Acknowledge our weakness without His strength.
  2. Affirm His strength and His presence.
  3. Align yourself with His will.
  4. Act in obedience.

 

 

  • Admit That You’re Weak Without God

 

Let’s be honest for just a minute. 99.9% of us don’t like to depend upon other people. We don’t like to depend upon anyone but ourselves. If we have trouble the first thing we do is bare down and try to get through it ourselves.

 

We’re raised that way. Our nation was founded with the ideals of independence and rugged individualism at the center of all that we believe. We view as weak those who have to lean on others to get through it.

 

However, if we are so good at being independent, then why are broken relationships at epidemic levels in our society? If we are so strong and have the power to fix things ourselves, why is the divorce rate as high as the marriage rate in America? Why is the divorce rate as high as the marriage rate in conservative, evangelical churches?

 

Why are we in a relationship crisis in our society? The reason is that we are weak, we simply don’t want to admit it. However, if we are going to allocate strength from God, we must admit that we are weak without Him.

 

As Lee Strobel, the former teaching pastor at Willow Creek Church has said, “We can’t be filled with the power of God until we first empty ourselves of the pretense that we can get by on our own.”

Power is available for all of us. There is no secret chant or special ceremony necessary to access this supernatural power from God. We simply need to acknowledge that we need it.

 

We are weak without His power. Jesus said in John 15:5

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.”

 

That last sentence sums it all up. We cannot do anything without Him!

We cannot build any healthy relationship… …without Him!

Not at home, work, church or anywhere… …without Him!

 

There is a second step we must take to allocate strength. We need to affirm God’s power and presence!

 

  • Affirm God’s Power and Presence

 

Affirm: To assert strongly: declare positively.

Another dictionary put it this way: To put into words positively, with conviction!

 

If we want to allocate strength or power from God, then we need to strongly declare, with conviction that God does indeed have power.

1 Chronicles 16:11-12 says this “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders has had done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. Trust the Lord and his mighty power. Worship him always. Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions.”

If you want to affirm the power and the presence of God, then spend time remembering the times he has worked on your behalf.

If you can’t think of any such times, then open the Word of God and read about his miracles and his wonders.

This book is full of accounts of God working wonders and miracles. It contains true story after true story of his power working on our behalf.

He led Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt and through the Red Sea! That’s power.

He knocked down the wall of the city of Jericho! That’s power.

He enabled weak and frightened Gideon to take 300 men and destroy an enemy army numbering in the 10’s of thousands! That’s power.

He enabled little David to take out big Goliath! That’s power.

He healed the lame, the blind, and the demon possessed! That’s power.

He raised the dead! That’s power.

He raised his only Son, Jesus, to life-never to die again-after he had died for our sins and been in the tomb for three days! That’s power.

The Bible is full of stories of God’s power at work and that power is available to us.

The first step in allocating strength is to admit we are weak without God, the second is to affirm, with conviction his power and his presence. But there is a third step we must take. We must be willing to align ourselves with God’s will.

 

3) Align Yourself With God’s Will

 

The third step in allocating the strength of the Lord is to align yourself with God’s will.

There are few things more dangerous than a person who has power of some sort and yet doesn’t know how to use that power.

 

Give a six year old a power saw and you’ll see what I mean. Either they will destroy something, they will hurt someone or they will hurt themselves. A six-year-old child has no business using power tools.

 

Turn an inexperienced driver loose in a crowded parking lot or on a crowded free-way and you’re asking for trouble. Not because they are inherently bad or because they are evil, but because they have power that they don’t know how to use.

The same applies to the power or strength that we can allocate from God. We shouldn’t think we’ll receive any such strength if we don’t first know how to use that strength. You see, many of us want God’s strength, God’s power, so that we can accomplish what we want in life and so that we can get what we want from our relationships.

 

We often ask for power from God without first asking what God’s will is and then aligning ourselves with that will. That is why we lack power many times.

 

“You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…” James 4:2b-3a

 

Can you relate to that? How many of you have asked God for strength in dealing with “people problems” not so that you could fix the broken relationship or so that you could be a witness to the other person, but so that you could get your way, or at least get comfortable again?

 

If we want to allocate the strength that God make’s available to us then we have take the time to find out what God’s will is and then align ourselves with His will.

 

It says an angel came and strengthened Jesus in the garden after His prayer. Jesus needed strength, not to do his own thing, but to do the will of God. “…yet not my will, but yours be done.”

 

If we want to allocate the strength that God has for us, then we must first of all align ourselves with His will. That means we have to be willing to submit what we want to what he knows is best.

It means giving up our desires, our plans, our designs for our relationships and letting God have his way. That sounds like a scary proposition, but it isn’t. If you think about it, it’s a win.

There is another step we must take if we are going to gain access to the strength that God has for us. We need to ask God for the power we need.

 

4) Act in Obedience to God

Even if we have done all of the above, admitting our weakness, affirming God’s power, and aligning ourselves with his will we may not feel powerful. We may not feel like we have the strength needed. But it’s there.

What we need to do is to step out and act in obedience. We need to move forward, in faith, believing that God has and will give us the strength. And as we obey him the strength we need will be given to us.

God’s strength is not primarily “potential strength.”

He doesn’t have this big battery full of strength and power waiting for us to tap into it. God’s strength for us is primarily “kinetic strength.” Strength in motion, power in action.

After the Israelites had left Egypt and spent 40 years wandering around the Arabian desert, the time had come for them to enter the land God had promised to them. However, there was a major obstacle. The Jordan river, which was the eastern boundary of the Promised Land at that time was at flood stage and they had to cross it. But God had a plan. He promised he would part the waters, like he had done with the Red Sea, but this time he worked just a little bit differently. He told them he would part the waters as they stepped into the river and moved forward. As long as they stood on the river bank waiting for God to part the waters nothing happened. But when they acted in obedience and stepped forward, the water parted. (Story found in Joshua 3)

God wants the same kind of faith to be exhibited in our lives. He wants us to step forward in obedience and as we act in obedience, he gives us the needed strength.

Relationships are hard work. Relationships at home, at work, at church, where-ever take hard work. The body of relationships that we find ourselves existing within must be maintained and built up.

Because of that we’re looking at the essential exercises for building a better body. But to really do the needed exercises we must have strength. We need to have real power and real strength that comes from a source that is bigger than us.

That’s why the Apostle Paul tells us to “be strong in the Lord!” The strength we need to keep our relationships healthy is a strength that we don’t have, but we do have access to it. We need only to allocate it.

How do we allocate the strength offered so that we may “Be Strong in the Lord?”

  1. Acknowledge our weakness without His strength.
  2. Affirm His strength and His presence.
  3. Align yourself with His will.
  4. Act in obedience.

Where do you need strength? What relationship needs a degree of strength that is beyond you? Is it a relationship at home? Is it a relationship at work? Is it a relationship with someone in the church? Is it your relationship with the church or more importantly, is it your relationship with Jesus Christ that needs a special infusion of supernatural strength?

Whatever the relationship, I assure God wants to give the strength you need, real power to make it work. This morning right now, start to take the steps necessary to allocate his strength and he will supply you beyond your wildest dreams! Be Strong in the Lord!

A New Year’s Revolution not resolution

How many here have made resolutions in the past?

How many made a resolution or are considering making one this year?

Change is only necessary if you want to live and if you want to fulfill God’s destiny for you.

Think about the things you wish you could change about yourself or your situation

What are you waiting for?

Here are the top resolutions Americans make

 

 

As Christians we don’t need resolutions we need a revolution against the mindset of this world and the limitations placed upon us through our culture, families, region or whatever it is time for a revolution and we begin with the revolutionary statement from Paul

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Paul is writing that you are a new creation…the Greek here implies that when you came to Christ you were made completely new you were not amended, adapted, and the new you is completely superior to the old you! He also calls you a new creation which is the same word used about the beginning of creation which is to say the new you was not created from parts of the old you but is something totally new.

 

I know you may have never heard that explanation before but it is something you need to grasp and begin to believe. If you are willing, God is willing to make this happen in and through you this year.

 

John put it this way…John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

To make any change takes two things 1) wise choices and 2 self-discipline

Thank God for God who teaches us to make wise choices and who has given us the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into these choices and part of the fruit of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us is self-discipline (control)

 

Let’s take a quick look at this wish list some of which may be on your list

1) Lose weight and get fit/eat healthier, diet – let’s make a distinction this morning being over weight is not necessarily a sin, but gluttony is (Ezekiel 16:49, Proverbs 28:7, Philippians 3:19,20. Gluttony is showing that food is more important to you that your health or life and sometimes even God it is any food or drink in excess. The great things about it is, if God calls it a sin He will help you overcome it if you choose to all Him.

 

I have been going to the gym three days/week since May and at first it was great, then it was a struggle, and now because I know I am accomplishing something it is more often a joy than not.

Excess weight is different for every body type but if you want to change, the Lord is on your side. Diets don’t work for the long term, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you and listening to your own body can help. Find what is healthy for you and live there. It is about being healthy not body shape.

 

The verse that challenged me is from 1 Corinthians 9:26,27

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

I want to be able to accomplish all God has planned and doing my best to stay out of the hospital and have the endurance to do all that I am called to do.

Other verses you can check out Romans 12:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31

Practical advice

 

  • Find out what is driving you to hurt yourself this way and get help to deal with it
  • Get a friend to help you with your eating habits
  • Research to find healthy alternatives to bad choices
  • Walk more and drink more water

2) Learn something new – there is so much to learn, the more I study God’s word and wiser people than I am the more I realize how much more I have to learn.

 

God has given you dreams and the reason most of your dreams have not yet been fulfilled is that there is more you need to learn.

Want to travel the world…learn the language and/or the culture

Want to understand the economy, politics, wise investment or just your kids home work…study

Paul wrote to his young disciple and said this 2 Timothy 2:15

“Study to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

 

Our world is amazing, cultures and people are exciting there is so much to learn and when you are looking at it from God’s perspective it can blow you away and give you new life.

Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit John 14:26

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”

 

God promises, if you are curious and want to know and understand things, He will help you to go deeper if you would like.

Jeremiah 33:3

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

 

BTW this year M-F, I will be posting on the app, facebook, and my blog at timburgan.blogspot.com I will be posting a “thought for the day to help you go deeper in understanding God’s word.

 

Practical advice

 

  • Discover your personal interest and start reading more about it
  • Turn off the TV and send time reading, taking a class, being mentored in an area of interest.
  • Seek out people with different interest and try some new hobby or interest to stretch who you are

3) Get out of debt, save money

Money is one of the big divorce makers. The way we have learned to handle money or not handle money as the case may be will determine our future

Solomon, the second wisest man to every live said this…

Proverbs 22:7 The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

In fact Jesus challenges us that if we can’t learn to handle money and our debt we will never be trusted with the things of God.

Luke 16:11

“If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”

 

Most people have not been taught how to handle finances. Constantly struggling with debt, trying to get ahead, have little to no money saved for your kids college, retirement. The Bible actually has a lot to say about becoming a blessing and successful with your finances.

We are commanded in scripture to financially care for our families, to leave an inheritance for our children and grand children, and to take care of the church

If you want to change how to handle your finances we have the financial peace seminar that shows you how to do this with wisdom and get you far ahead of others.

Think you can’t do it? Think again! God wants you to do it so if you are willing He will show you how and give you what you need if you will be faithful!

Other scriptures about money

Proverbs 6:9;  10:4;  14:23;  20:13

 

Practical advice –

 

  • Cut up your credit cards
  • Design a budget you can live with
  • Start saving
  • Work more if you need to for a short season to get caught up or out of debt
  • Sign up for a Financial Peace seminar and actually go!

 

4) Time – is the topic I place for “less stress, spend more time with family and those you love, and volunteering.

 

Each of us are given the same amount of time in a day. I have found if I don’t control my life others will. Having an out of control life leads to stress, issues with those you love, and robs you of the things you want to do.

 

When I was in college someone shared this statement with me Prior planning prevents poor performance and poor planning permits poor performance.

 

Paul writes these two statements

Colossians 4:5

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”

 

Ephesians 5:15,16

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

 

Running late, always, not prioritizing your time and allowing others to control it places lots of stress on you.

 

Other scriptures about time management

Proverbs 21:5, Proverbs 27:1, Psalm 90:12, James 1:5, James 4:13,14, Matthew 6:33

 

Let’s get you kicked off to fulfill the revolution you are about to undertake

 

 

 

 

Joseph: dreams, obedience and a bigger plan

Those who study and research sleep patterns and dreams suggest a person averages between four and six dreams each night. Each dream typically lasts in the range of five to twenty minutes. Over the average person’s lifespan, that amount of nightly dreaming equates to six years of their life.

Dreams and dream references have been written about and conveyed via art throughout history. Not only are dreams referenced over one hundred times in the pages of the Bible that include how God supernaturally communicated to people through this medium, but also people today convey stories on a regular basis of the same Divine communication. While research suggests 95-99% of a person’s dreams are forgotten after they awake, some dreams both are unforgettable and life changing.

Dr. Jim Denison has written extensively about a global phenomenon that is happening especially among Muslim people that includes the presence of dreams. He notes how statistics and stories suggest more Muslims have come to Christ in the last fifteen years than in the previous fifteen centuries. Many Muslims are responding to visions and dreams.

Denison notes, “God speaks to us in whatever language and ways we can understand. He became one of us that we might be one with Him.” He goes on to say, “Muslim miraculous stories are especially persuasive to me because those who share them have so little to gain and so much to lose. Many Muslim converts are exiled from their families and homes; many are tortured and many are killed. Their courageous faith is testimony to the hope found only in Jesus and the transforming power of “the Spirit.”

One of Dr. Denison’s dear friends is a man named Tom Doyle. Mr. Doyle is a longtime missionary to the Middle East. Denison goes on to write about how across Mr. Doyle’s many years living and serving in the Islamic world, he has witnessed first-hand these great miracles of how Jesus is revealing Himself to Muslims around the globe through dreams. He notes how Doyle’s book Dreams and Visions: Is Jesus Awakening the Muslim World? tells the story of this astounding movement.

From Egypt to Saudi Arabia, from Iran to Jordan, from Syria to Iraq and Afghanistan, his stories read like the pages of the Book of Acts.

He recalls how one chapter tells of an Egyptian evangelist who was rousted from his bed at gunpoint and forced into a room where he was convinced he would be executed. There he met a group of Imams (mosque leaders) who had been converted to Christ through visions and dreams and wanted him to teach them the Bible. Another chapter introduces the reader to a woman in Saudi Arabia who met Jesus in her dreams and now worships in her bathroom as she prays for her husband to come to Christ.

Denison asks a great question. “Why is the Holy Spirit using dreams to reach Muslims today?” His answer: because they are open to such revelation, as their faith began with the visions of the Prophet

Muhammad. Since 60-80% of the Muslim world is illiterate, God would need to speak to them verbally and directly in their lives. He writes, “The God who spoke to patriarchs, prophets and apostles through visions is now speaking to Muslims in the same way. Long ago the Lord did what He continues to do today. As Isaiah the prophet once wrote:

 

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.” Isaiah 65:1

 

God is revealing himself in ways they are radically changes people’s lives because their purpose of plan was too small

That verse certainly summarizes the Call of Christmas for Joseph.

 

Matthew 1:18,19

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

Joseph and Mary had signed a marriage contract. Engagement did not mean the same as it means today. Engagement then, meant they were legally bound to each other. The bride price had been paid. They were 100% committed to each other. Legally if a split occurred it was like a divorce today.

Both of their futures were tied into this marriage they had set all expectations on their future idea.

But then God…God messes with their expectations.

Joseph was disillusioned his expectations where now dashed. Some of you are in that place, some of you will be in that place at Christmas.

It is easy to become disillusioned and have expectation fail when are hope and our eyes are on us or what we want.

BUT…..

If you are choosing to follow the Lord with Heart, Mind, Soul, Strength; he may mess up your plans because your plans are too small. His plans are much bigger.

 

Matthew 1:20-21

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

God messed with Joseph’s plans because he found a man he could trust completely. A man He could trust to be absolutely obedient to Him. A man he could so trust that when Jesus was thinking about a way to describe the love relationship God has with us he remembered Joseph’s example and said “Pray our Father”

What of your plans is God beginning to mess with? What of your plans are way too small?

Can you trust that he has a bigger better plan?

I need you to notice too that God spoke to Joseph in the way he could understand…dreams. God doesn’t need to put up a neon sign to speak clearly to you, he will most likely begin speaking to you in ways you too can understand…through people, through the teachings, through little things happening in your life, through His word… we simply need to learn to expect and pay attention

We see that Joseph has several other dreams later and each time he doesn’t wait, but responds immediately. Some of our struggles are the direct result of delayed obedience or direct disobedience.

Matthew 1:22-23

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

 

God uses people to fulfill His word and plans. Story of the woman and groceries

God’s plan is for people to come to know Him

God’s plan is for the broken and the hurting to be healed

God’s plan is for people to know they are loved

 

And it may be more specific like meeting someone’s very specific need, spending time with someone, doing something special to be Jesus hands extended.

God met our needs through the birth of His Son…Joseph is told to name Him “Jesus” which is the Greek name for Yeshua which is the Hebrew name Joshua.

God used Joshua to deliver Israel from their enemies and into the promised land and God has the second Joshua which means “God saves” to deliver the world from their enemies and into the kingdom of God

Jesus is also called Immanuel which means “God with us”

God has met our need through the birth of his son by letting us know we are never alone, never face any battle or struggle alone, God is always with us

Matthew 1: 24,25

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Immediately Joseph sacrificed his “public view of righteousness” and took Mary to be his wife. They moved in together he put himself at risk through public shame as they saw she was pregnant and his reputation on the line to trust and do what the Lord had told him to do. He kept her pure until Jesus was born. Later we know from scripture they had children together.

God blessed Joseph with a relationship with him no one ever had

God supplied all that Joseph needed

God personally lead him

God blessed him with a wonderful wife and family

 

Joseph was a man that God could trust to not delay in his obedience regardless of the personal cost. Delayed obedience is really disobedience.

When we live our lives in obedience to the Lord we can expect great things. Bigger things than we can imagine to take place.

What are your dreams today?

What has the Lord challenged or called you to do?

Has there been disobedience in your life that you need to correct?

God’s plans for you are far bigger Paul says they are exceeding and abundantly beyond all we could hope or ask.

Dare to dream, dare to trust, dare to be obedient and dare to expect great things, God to give you a bigger dream

 

The beginning of a Christmas miracle for you!

The beginning of a Christmas miracle for you

 

When Zechariah, the aging priest in the video, went to work that day, he did not expect to encounter an angel. He had been a priest for decades and served faithfully in his priestly responsibilities for as

long as he could remember. However, God regularly works through ordinary people doing what they normally do in their life. Although Zechariah was in the midst of a once in a lifetime opportunity to

offer incense inside the Temple, angelic encounters are not as unique as we might expect. From the first chapters of Genesis in the Garden of Eden to the final descriptions in Revelation and all throughout the pages of the Bible, there are hundreds of references where the activities of angels are recorded.

 

A recent Google search of “angel encounters” produces well over one million results in less than one second. Historical reviews of virtually all nations and cultures demonstrate some belief in angels.

 

Many religions talk about the potential of angels

– Egyptians prepared ornate tombs expecting angels to visit them

– the entire focus of Islam depends upon the angel Gabriel

 

Does the Bible speak of angels in our every day lives?

 

Psalm 91:11

For he will order his angels to protect you in all you do.

 

Hebrews 1:14

Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent out to serve those who will inherit salvation?

 

Hebrews 13:2

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

 

Everywhere in the Bible when godly men and women see angels they are overwhelmed that is why they need to keep saying “don’t be afraid”

However as we read in Hebrews God sends His angels at times in ways that we would not recognize so we need to be aware.

The word angel literally means messenger. God created them for worship of God and service to mankind this is why we do not become angels when we die. We will judge and rule over angelic beings.

Part of their service to mankind is to aid in the battle of powers and principalities so if the world is seeing more evil these days you can be assured that angel activity will be on the increase as well

References to angels far out number the references to Satan and demons so we should expect as always that the power of God in our lives can and should easily out weigh any influence the enemy has.

Angels will play a role in all of the teaching that we are going to do leading up to Christmas.

 

I need to ask you, do you believe God’s word to be true? If so, why do you worry, why are you fearful of demonic attacks why is your mind set on the negative rather than Christ? He has given his angels charge over you but we must choose to trust Him and walk in obedience so he can protect us.

Let’s start with the story of Zachariah

 

Luke 1:1-4

Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. 2 They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. 3 Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, 4 so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.

 

Luke is laying a foundation for everything that will follow here. This is the “I’m telling you a story that you already have heard but I’ve written it down so you know it has been verified type of thing”

It would be kind of like this if you had a group of people who have heard the “twas a night before Christmas” poem and you read it like this

Imagine the official storyteller of the family beginning the story

like this:

“‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house. Not a creature was stirring except for a mouse.”

 

Immediately the people listening to the story would stop the storyteller and say: “Wait. Stop. That’s not even a mouse”

 

Because they had heard it enough, the people Luke was writing to had heard all that he is about to share enough times but wants people to know the stories have been verified.

 

Luke begins this part this way…

 

Luke 1:5-7

When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

 

The scripture is very clear one of the blessings of following the Lord is children. In this culture it was a stigma to not have children but obviously Elizabeth had not given up hope and Zachariah had not given up his faithfulness to serving God

 

Luke 1:8,9

8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense.

 

Let’s pause there and talk about God’s impact in the great and the small.

 

  • Elijah, according to biblical prophecy must come before the Messiah the big plan here is that God is doing that through Z and E this tripped up many people because like many today that get a prophetic word they don’t seek God for understanding they run with their own. God Blesses the world
  • God cares about Z and E and all that they have gone through, this becomes a major miracle because of their ages, God’s timing is always perfect to make things happen the question is always will we keep trusting Him. God blesses Z and E
  • God’s timing and purposes will always happen his way he caused the “lot” to fall to Zachariah and the perfect moment in time. God has got you

 

Luke 1:10-13

10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. 11 While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him. 13 But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John.

 

Once again the angelic appearance and don’t be afraid these same fearsome, awesome, powerful angels are watching over you.

God named the baby John which means God is gracious until this time the people of God were under the law now God is prophesying through the name of this child that he will move in grace.

I need to pause here because some of you here tonight are still bound by law. Paul wrote to Timothy and said only the lawless, sinners, homosexuals, liars, the greedy, promise breakers, those who distort the word of God and sound teaching (1 Timothy 1: 8-10) If you are not those things then you need to walk out from under the law into grace. Not sloppy grace when you sin expecting God to just keeping on forgiving but grace motivated by love not to sin when sin grieves your heart.

 

Luke 1:14-17

14 You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great in the eyes of the Lord. He must never touch wine or other alcoholic drinks. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth. 16 And he will turn many Israelites to the Lord their God. 17 He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly.”

 

I want to encourage some of you today with this passage as well. Do you see how much detail there is here about John even before he is conceived?

 

God’s word says he knows you in that much detail about you as well. Read Psalm 139 1-18 for verification

 

Luke 1: 18-20

18 Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19 Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20 But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

 

We know Zachariah was faithful because he kept serving even when others ridiculed him and rejected him because as a priest with no children that was a sign that God was not with him but he remained faithful. WE know the Elizabeth kept hoping because this happened.

 

How quickly have you given up on the promises of God? Don’t grow weary in well doing Galatians 6:9 says for in the end you will reap. Are there things you have given up on, repent and return to trusting God for your future.

 

Luke 1:21,22

21 Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah to come out of the sanctuary, wondering why he was taking so long. 22 When he finally did come out, he couldn’t speak to them. Then they realized from his gestures and his silence that he must have seen a vision in the sanctuary.

 

Charades may not have been Zachariah’s strong suit but eventually they got it. Most of us would be so excited we would run right off with what the Lord had told us but Zachariah proved his faithfulness he waited on God to know how and what to do.

 

How many of us have run right off with something we were told from the Lord or heard from the Lord but did not wait on him to give clarity or discuss with others with wisdom what God was saying?

 

Luke 1:23-25

23 When Zechariah’s week of service in the Temple was over, he returned home. 24 Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant and went into seclusion for five months. 25 “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children.”

 

God spoke and then it happened, now they both understood about God’s timing. They weren’t fertile because of sin or some other failure but instead it was God’s timing. The devil didn’t stop the pregnancy instead God had a plan…if we live in fear we will bear the fruit of fear but if choose to trust God above our circumstances, what people say and hold onto His word we will every time.

 

There is a call tonight to remember what God has called you to. God has an amazing Christmas gift for you. Just as he did with Elizabeth and Zachariah we can restore and rebuild what you have given up on. God knows you knows the doubts and fears you face but like Zachariah and Elizabeth if you will choose to have hope and keep on serving you will see the fulfillment.

 

Please come tonight and ask the Lord to restore what you have surrendered. That will be the beginning of your Christmas miracle