C3 Church Southwest WA

Pentecost EVERYdayActs 2:1–13 (ESV) When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”Acts 2:41–47 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.God's Presence, Inside UsA constant theme is “God With Us”Deuteronomy 31:8 (ESV) It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.Emmanuel, yet He's leaving….John 14:18 (ESV) “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.John 14:16–17 (ESV) And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for HE DWELLS WITH YOU AND WILL BE IN YOU.God's Power, In UsGod's power, observed in JesusGod's promise, you will function in similar fashionJohn 14:12–14 (ESV)“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.But how?Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”This is available to all.Acts 2:16–19 (ESV) But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;Acts 2:43 (ESV) And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.God's Transformation, Through UsSo often we feel like we have to convince people of the reality of Jesus.Peter was previously ineffective in convincing others because he was all over the map in his own convincing.Acts 2:41 (ESV) So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.The Spirit came upon him… and he simply shared the truth, but that truth is empowered by the Spirit within him.John 12:32 (ESV) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”2 Corinthians 3:17–18 (ESV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Numbers 13:2 (ESV) “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”Moses/12 SpiesMoses killed menMoses FledBurning BushMoses ReturnsPlaguesNight of Death - FleePursuit to the SeaMiraculous Deliverance2 Years of Desert PreppingSeemingly SurvivingSee The Shift From Now To NextEcclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.None of these seasons is a forever seasonRealizing it is not forever is criticalSensing the shift is critical* Shifting seasons* A Change In Circumstances* Defined By A Finish* Change In Fruitfulness* Sometimes Planned* Often Unexpected - Unexpected has a tendency to land us in survival mode. That's OK for a short time, but it can turn into a posture, which is absolutely unacceptable.1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.Ephesians 5:10 (ESV) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.Win The Now Numbers 13:2 (ESV) “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief among them.”Numbers 13:17–20 (ESV) Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.Galatians 6:7 (ESV) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.The NOW determines the NEXTYou are not just serving the seasons, you are planting for the next.The Now Is Not Always PrettyThe grind of a thingThe disappointment of a thing - outcomes vs. faithfulnessThe the failing of a thingThe victory of a thingThe end of a you thing What you do now matters.NOW Sets The Tone For NEXT

Luke 6:20 (ESV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you…Skipping Over…Luke 5:27-31 - Calling of LeviLuke 5:33-39 - Discussion on FastingLuke 6:1-5 - Discussion on Sabbath RulesLuke 6:6-11 - Healing of Withered HandLuke 6:12-16 - Selection of Apostles from DisciplesGreek word that describes representatives in Roman culture who stayed in a conquered territory to establish Roman culture.Looking Ahead…Luke 6:17-19 - Jesus Speaks To A Large CrowdLuke 6:20-49- Sermon on MountLuke 6:20-23 - The BeatitudesNot a term in the BibleEnglish origin around the 15th century, and added to titling of this portion of scripture, most often 20-23State of supreme blessedness and happinessThis portion of scripture is often spoken on with a 70's beatnic, love not war, poetic, passive blend of christianity that welcomes any/all pushbacks that life can bring, because living a life under a mountain of struggle will be rewarded in heaven after we die. That is not the intention of this portion of scripture. Luke 6:20 (ESV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you He lifted up his eyes on his disciplesIt is a gesture of prayerIt is a gesture of blessingIt connects heaven and earth in view and in wordsView - it sees above and beyond the naturalWords - it resources the earth with the bounty of heavenIllus: vacuum transfer at the bank as a kidJesus is not teaching, He is prophesying to his disciplesIt's more than information, it is a deposit with an invitation to accessBLESS(ED): The deposit of tangible deposits from heaven that add increasing value into one's life until they reach full maturity in heaven.The deposit of tangible deposits from heaven that add increasing value into one's life until they reach full maturity in heaven.As disciples we become citizens of Heaven. We have stepped into the Kingdom of God/Heaven as though we still live lives in this world. To be BLESSED, or walking in BLESSING, is the process of accessing heaven's value while living within earth's limitations. Blessing someone else is the process of access and depositing heaven's value into their life.The believer/follower/disciple/citizen who fails to see, access or transfer heaven's value is to needlessly go without those things that have been freely provided.Ephesians 1:3–10 (ESV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.Philippians 3:12 (NIV) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.Luke 6:20–23 (ESV) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.The poor (those lacking anything) can access supplyThe hungry (those lacking anything) can access food Those who weep can access consolation and joyThose who experience hatred, smile, it will be rewarded.

Luke 5:17 (ESV) On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal.This is not “Jesus Power”This is the “Lord's Power”Acts 1:8 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Luke 5:18 (ESV) And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,Paralyzed - what happened?What was the accident/trauma?We all have experienced accident/traumaPARALYSIS is the state of being stuckPhysicalEmotionalSpiritualBED is symbolic of where you are stuck.Some beds are visibleSome beds are invisibleAll beds have an impact.FRIENDS who were “seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus,” Luke 5:19 (ESV) but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus.Solutions take workMinistry will cost you something - this was Jesus' house.Mark 2:1–2 (ESV) And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.Illus: sacrifice for being in ministry“God is not limited by my sacrifice, or my circumstance.”Luke 5:20 (ESV) And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”Your miracle is not contingent upon just your faith!Why does he need to be forgiven… what about the people who caused his paralysisThe greatest paralysis is not what was inflicted upon us, but our reaction too often becomes our sin.The man did not ask for forgiveness.Jesus/We can offer forgiveness without people askingJohn 20:23 (ESV) If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”The greatest form of paralysis is our own sense of unforgiveness.Declare forgiveness over peopleLuke 5:23–25 (ESV) Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, ‘Rise and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God.We get excited about supernatural answers to prayerForgiveness is something we really grapple with to believePick up your matYou will always carry with you the memory, but it doesn't have to debilitate you.Isaiah 1:18 (ESV) “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

Luke 5:1–11 (ESV) On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken, and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.Jesus: “Follow Me.”He Is Always Inviting, Drawing (body, soul & spirit)helkuo - to tug, draw or drag, metaphorically by an inward powerTo His DisciplesTo Everyone He MetThrough His Disciples To OthersAfter His ResurrectionHis Disciples After His AscensionThrough His ChurchInto Modern DayIt's The Defining Mark Of ChristianityMore Than LikingMore than AttendingMore Than BelievingFOLLOWINGHe Is Always Drawing, In General:John 12:32 (ESV) And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will DRAW all people to myself.”John 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.Matthew 11:28 (ESV) Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.The Crowd:Jesus is speaking, Lake of GennesaretFisherman, merchants and customersPeople who have come to hear JesusBUT Individually:Matthew 11:27 (ESV) All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.John 6:44 (ESV) No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.John 6:65 (ESV) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”Peter:Night fishing, nothing caught, washing nets, end of shiftJesus requested to get into Peter's boat, requests that he push outJesus teaches the crowd but Peter is trapped to listen.Jesus does what He always does - “trust me” - “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Requires obedienceMake no sense - “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! Obedience unlocks the miracle - But at your word I will let down the nets.” And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. That moment is the miracle that DRAWSThat moment REQUIRES a RESPONSERejectionLikeabilityBeliefFollowFOLLOW: they left everything and followed him.This is not a natural encounter, interaction and decision.It unlocks everythingLeave everything and follow.

Luke 4:31–37 (ESV) And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.Where are all the demons today? Why don't we see them being cast out as in Biblical times?They Are Common And All Around Us.We Identify Them In Scientific, Medical And Sociological Terms.Mark 9:17–18 (ESV) “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. Luke 13:11 (ESV) And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.Mark 9:17–18 (ESV) “And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.Matthew 17:15 (ESV) For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.Mark 5:4–5 (ESV) for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.Luke 8:27 (ESV) For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he had not lived in a house but among the tombs.Supernatural Activity (voices) - Acts 16:16–17 (ESV) As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”Addicts, Crazy, Homeless, Suicidal, Out Of Control, EvilInstead Of Evicting Them, We Treat Their Host. Counseling. Drugs. Incarceration.We Don't Recognize Our Authority And Lack Power.Luke 4:36 (ESV) And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”AUTHORITY: the legal right to give ordersEx: wedding officiant, property title, law enforcementFailure to take authority allows presencePOWER: the strength to enforce obedienceSome things are simple to enforce, others harderA persona can gain in power or call in reinforcementsJob 1:9–10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.Job 1:1–5 (ESV) Jobwas blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. His sons and daughters used to “feast and drink”Job would consecrate them, rise early and offer burnt offerings. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.

Luke 4:31–33 (ESV) And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority2. And in the synagogue1 there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice3,Jesus ministry is often viewed taking place in a field or at a lake but it was daily in the synagogue or templeLuke 19:47 (ESV) And he was teaching daily in the temple. This is important as Jesus/disciples presence and emphasized the importanceActs 2:46–47 (ESV) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.Hebrews 10:24–25 (ESV) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.Jesus teaching included the unique ingredients, authority and power (see next week)Jesus came in contact with a man, in the synagogue who had the spirit of an unclean demonThe spirit was active in the life of a follower of Biblical Judaism, in the synagogue, the early version of the churchThe spirit was triggered by Jesus' presence, teaching with authority causing an extreme response.Luke 4:34–35 (ESV) “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus1 of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?2 I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!”3 And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.4Demons/spirits recognized Jesus. No other names of recognition were mentioned.Demons/spirits recognized Jesus' role in a future judgement or destruction they would face.Matthew 8:29 (ESV) And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”Jesus was demonstrating and implementing an unexpected judgement by kicking them out of peoples lives.Jesus typically told demons/spirits what to do; and refused to allow them to speak.He did not ask the Father to do it, nor did He ask the demon to comply. He commanded.Anti-sensational approach. One time he asked question, “what is your name” but allowing them to speak was atypical.The demon did not harm the man him but did throw him downTypically demons/spirits function was focused on individual limitation or harmMark 9:25 (ESV) And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”Matthew 17:15 (ESV) said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.Mark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.This encounter was minimized.Luke 4:36–37 (ESV) And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power1 he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” And reports about him went out into every place2 in the surrounding region.Authority and power defined Jesus ministry, the ministry of his disciples, and the function of the New Testament Church.Auhtoirty/Power at work generates good news. I believe that there is deficiency in fact based evangelism that is not partnered with power and authority. This is the Church of America's biggest problem.Key Facts About Demons/SpiritsSpiritual Beings With Unknown OriginsThey Oppose God - demons are spiritual entities aligned against God's authority. They are often associated with Satan, the adversary.Matthew 12:24-26 – “But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.' … If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself.”They Negatively Impact People To The Level They Are AllowedMark 5:3–4 (ESV) He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.Their Presence Is Marked By Self HarmMark 5:5 (ESV) Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.They Cause Physical AilmentsMatthew 9:32–33 (ESV) As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel.”They Lie & DeceiveThey don't just deceive others, they deceive you about them.Most subtle - they are not realEven more subtle - Rosemary's BabyJohn 8:44 (ESV) You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.They Impact Adults & ChildrenMark 7:25 (ESV) But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.They Gain Access By Invitation, Proximity & AttackInvitation - partnering with the spirit world, sex with many peopleProximity - around you and allowed to stay, family tree, things you've agreed withAttack - most ofJob 1:8–10 (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold.1 Corinthians 6:15–18 (ESV) Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.They Are Alive And Well TodayDemons tend to be a fringe topic for the modern American church and personal recognition tend to be even more so. They are alive and well. We give them medical and genetic assignments and live with them often medicating them. They are present during Night tremorsAddictionsSelf Destructive BehaviorsDiseaseSuicideSelf Harm/Mutilation1 John 3:8 (ESV) The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.Mark 3:14–15 (ESV) And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.Mark 16:17–18 (ESV) And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Luke 4:14–15 (ESV) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. The Affirmation Journey Of Jesus…Luke 2:40 (ESV) And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.Luke 2:52 (ESV) And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.Luke 3:22 (ESV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”Luke 4:14–15 (ESV) And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.glorified: 1) to believe, to hold, to give praise, to laud, to value, to honour, 2) to be famousLuke 4:22 (ESV) And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?”And Then It All Changed…Luke 4:23–27 (ESV) And he said to them, “Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, ‘ “Physician, heal yourself.” What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well.' ” And he said, “Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”Luke 4:28–30 (ESV) When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away.THE FOUNDATIONS OF IDENTITY/VALUE:CONCEIVED - What God Thinks/SaysBELIEVED - What You ThinkPROJECTED - What You SayPERCEIVED - What Others Think/SayJESUS' FOUNDATION REVEALEDCONCEIVED - What God Thinks/SaysLuke 3:22 (ESV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”BELIEVED - What You ThinkJohn 8:58 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.PROJECTED - What You SayLuke 8:56 (ESV) And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.PERCEIVED - What Others Think/SayJohn 2:24–25 (ESV) But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.WHICH FOUNDATION ARE YOU BUILDING ON?CONCEIVED - What God Thinks/SaysBELIEVED - What You ThinkPROJECTED - What You SayPERCEIVED - What Others Think/SayProverbs 23:7 (KJV) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.Psalm 139:13–18 (ESV) For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Luke 4:3 (ESV) The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God…TITLE: Identity Crisis SecurityLuke 4:1–2 (ESV) And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.THE Attack (TEMPTING) ON Jesus...Luke 4:3 (ESV) The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”Luke 4:5–7 (ESV) And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.”Luke 4:9-11 (ESV) And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,' and “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.' ”THE Attack (TEMPTING) ON MANKIND…Genesis 3:4–6 (ESV) But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.EVERY ATTACK (TEMPTATION) YOU EXPERIENCE WILL BE FOCUSED ON YOUR IDENTITY.THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR IDENTITY:CONCEIVED - What God Thinks/SaysBELIEVED - What You ThinkPROJECTED - What You SayPERCEIVED - What Others Think/SayJESUS: IDENTITY SECURITYCONCEIVED - What God Thinks/SaysLuke 3:22 (ESV) and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”BELIEVED - What You ThinkJohn 8:58 (ESV) Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.PROJECTED - What You SayLuke 8:56 (ESV) And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.PERCEIVED - What Others Think/SayJohn 2:24–25 (ESV) But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.WHO ARE YOU?CONCEIVED - What God Thinks/SaysBELIEVED - What You ThinkPROJECTED - What You SayPERCEIVED - What Others Think/SayProverbs 23:7 (KJV) For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV) But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.John 12:46 (ESV) I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Luke 3:16 (ESV) John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.Jesus Became JESUS After His Holy Spirit BaptismHe Was Limited As A Man - Philippians 2:5–7 (ESV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.He Could Not Raise Himself From The Dead - Romans 8:11 (ESV) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.Jesus Baptizes Us For Similar Purpose & FunctionJoel 2:28–29 (ESV) “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.Ezekiel 36:27–28 (ESV) And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.He Concentrates Our RelationshipHe Leads/Guides UsHe Reveals TruthHe Activates & Empowers Supernatural Spiritual FunctionHe Creates Next-Level Anything/EverythingEngage The Holy Spirit For Similar Experience/OutcomesGalatians 5:16 (ESV) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.Daily Invitation/DeclarationSituational RequestSeasonal Engagements

Luke 3:2 (ESV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.The Word Of The Lord - Divine communication and guidance delivered to man.The Word Of The Lord Is Common. Hearing The Word Of The Lord Is Not.Few are aware of the realityFew are listening to hear Him speakFew listen when He speaksYou Are Listening. You Will Hear. You Will Respond.The Word Of The Lord In Action:Abraham: Genesis 15 - a son in his old age who will inherit a land of promiseSamuel: 1 Samuel 15 - God had rejected Saul as King for his disobedience.Elijah: 1 Kings 17 - God was bringing a drought over Israel but would supply for Elijah in the wilderness.John The Baptist: Luke 3:2 (ESV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.There are a bunch of different ways to hear from GodBiblical principleCircumstantial affirmationA sense of confirmation in your spiritProphetic wordThe Word of the Lord is higher.7 Nuances Of The Word Of The LordIt Comes Unexpectedly At Times, But Can Be Sought.Abraham was not seeking - Gen 15Daniel was seeking - Daniel 10 - more frequentFrequency in life for the general person is lowIt Is Guidance For The Macro.A true Word for you is not just for you. It is a word, through you, beyond you. You are simply a catalyst to activate the Word. There are life Words and seasonal Words.It is change oriented, but doesn't always require change.Samuel: Saul is not kingDon't make major life changes without thisIt Is The Revelation Of God's Truth1 Kings 17:24 (ESV) And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”Psalm 119:160 (ESV) The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.John 17:17 (ESV) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.Delivered so that you will know for sureKey details that you need to knowSometimes it confirms, often cuts against the grainIt Requires Your Yes To Receive ItLuke 1:38 (ESV) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.Your amen is required.You must embrace it as God's Word to you.You must put it on like a coatOtherwise it will become a testimony against you.Ongoing Action Is Required For Its Fulfillment. It Will Be Tested Psalm 105:19 (ESV) until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.Temptation for substitutes or to quitEverything in this world will oppose God's Best in your life.Authority and Power Are Embedded Within.The word comes with authority and power woven into the fabric.Luke 4:32 (ESV) and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.Joseph - Genesis 41:38–40 (ESV) And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”It Transforms As It Rests Upon You.Jacob the Deceiver became Israel, he who struggles with God and overcomes.1 Samuel 10:6 (ESV) Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Luke 3:2 (ESV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.The Word Of The Lord - Divine communication and guidance delivered to man.The Word Of The Lord Is Common. Hearing The Word Of The Lord Is Not.Few are aware of the realityFew are listening to hear Him speakFew listen when He speaksYou Are Listening. You Will Hear. You Will Respond.The Word Of The Lord In Action:Abraham: Genesis 15 - a son in his old age who will inherit a land of promiseSamuel: 1 Samuel 15 - God had rejected Saul as King for his disobedience.Elijah: 1 Kings 17 - God was bringing a drought over Israel but would supply for Elijah in the wilderness.John The Baptist: Luke 3:2 (ESV) during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.There are a bunch of different ways to hear from GodBiblical principleCircumstantial affirmationA sense of confirmation in your spiritProphetic wordThe Word of the Lord is higher.7 Nuances Of The Word Of The LordIt Comes Unexpectedly At Times, But Can Be Sought.Abraham was not seeking - Gen 15Daniel was seeking - Daniel 10 - more frequentFrequency in life for the general person is lowIt Is Guidance For The Macro.A true Word for you is not just for you. It is a word, through you, beyond you. You are simply a catalyst to activate the Word. There are life Words and seasonal Words.It is change oriented, but doesn't always require change.Samuel: Saul is not kingDon't make major life changes without thisIt Is The Revelation Of God's Truth1 Kings 17:24 (ESV) And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.”Psalm 119:160 (ESV) The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.John 17:17 (ESV) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.Delivered so that you will know for sureKey details that you need to knowSometimes it confirms, often cuts against the grainIt Requires Your Yes To Receive ItLuke 1:38 (ESV) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.Your amen is required.You must embrace it as God's Word to you.You must put it on like a coatOtherwise it will become a testimony against you.Ongoing Action Is Required For Its Fulfillment. It Will Be Tested Psalm 105:19 (ESV) until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.Temptation for substitutes or to quitEverything in this world will oppose God's Best in your life.Authority and Power Are Embedded Within.The word comes with authority and power woven into the fabric.Luke 4:32 (ESV) and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority.Joseph - Genesis 41:38–40 (ESV) And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”It Transforms As It Rests Upon You.Jacob the Deceiver became Israel, he who struggles with God and overcomes.1 Samuel 10:6 (ESV) Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Luke 2:7 (ESV) And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.Life will reveal vulnerability, fragility, weakness:HealthSuccessFinancesBusiness (2-3 best years, suddenly lay off 15 people)RelationshipsFinances (Longview, mill shuts down, whole town reels)The wellbeing of a childLifeWeakness, fragility, vulnerability is a FACT of life. It is a reality that will settle upon you often.It will often feel like “this thing is hanging by a thread.”For some:This is the moment to give in and quitFor people of faith, this is the moment where God shows upNever more weakness in God's plan to save man than is Luke 2!A babyIn a woman's wombBorn in a world 2000 years agoDuring Roman occupationDuring a censusPeople who had to travelNo hospital, no hotelA manger in a stableWrapped in a blanket???Announcement of a King when there's no King but CaesarThe decree to exterminate all male childrenI would not have forged this plan - it is as fragile as they getYou will live in this tension more often than not.It can be one of the best places to live.Weakness Reveals Our Need For HimI don't like to feel weak or appear weak.Especially as a ChristianToo often we live in the power of our own strengthWe do strive to do our part, be the best we can beIn limitations, we try to compensate, muscle throughRecognizing our limitations identifies our need for GodThis works best when it is formal.Mark 6:34–44 (ESV) When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” What do you have? “NOT ENOUGHT”Recognizing my “not enough” invites God to fill that gapDeclaring Weakness Invites His StrengthJesus could have just performed a miracleDefining how little they had was a formal declaration“How bad is it” is importantMatthew 14:18–21 (ESV) And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. He Protects What We Trust Him WithLuke 1:34–38 (ESV) And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.The Discomfort Of Weakness Builds Faith If We Lean In“It's been great, I haven't had to trust God for anything lately” might be the worst admission you could ever make.Trusting doesn't make you strongerTrusting strengthens your confidence in HimThe need to trust is a gift

Christmas Up CloseRomantic, sanitary Christmas cardsA closer look, and it's messierA close up look is more practical because your life is messySCRIPTURE: Luke 2:6–7 (ESV) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.Resourced By HeavenAs we see Jesus in the manger we see:God's eternal plan unfoldingLess than ideal timingRoman occupiers imposing their willCensusTransportation and housing issuesGod's plan for our lives takes place amidst OBSTACLESResources will be neededThey are practicalJesus talked about resources more than any other topicResourced With “Left Overs”Luke 2:6–7 (ESV) And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.There is a beauty in these momentsQuiet desperation seeking the bare minimumNo amount of planning could have provided hereThere is value in grinding out these situationsThe durability built is remarkableIt prepares you for the journey aheadResourced By Hard WorkMatthew 13:55 (ESV) Is not this the carpenter's son? Mark 6:3 (ESV) Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary…Tekton - building and construction of items ranging from furniture to municipal buildings and in mediums ranging from wood to stone. The economy of Rome during the New Testament was strong and their occupation of Israel was in full swing. A skilled tradesman would have been lucratively compensated In 1st century Jewish culture, fathers taught their sons their trade at by age 12, This was a hard working family. While he was born in a manger, the family had a home. By the time the Maji arrived to present gift to Jesus, they were no longer staying in a barn as a result of the census, but living in a home - Matthew 2:11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. While they moved several times, one would assume that home ownership would have continued. After Joseph passed away, Jesus would have inherited the property and responsibility for the family. Jesus was likely a homeowner:Mark 2:1–4 (ESV) And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.Mark 2:13–15 (ESV) He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.Resourced By Earned FavorLuke 8:1 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.Jesus worked hard and had an impact in the lives of those he served. Good, hard work for others produces a favor.Resourced By Unexpected FavorMatthew 2:11 (ESV) …and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.Magi (magician) a blurry line between occult experiments and legitimate scienceAstrologist, studying the stars and likely the zodiac. After discovering the star identifying the birth of “the King of the Jews,” they left their home to find Him, a journey likely to nearly two years, based on Herod's resulting decision to kill all male Israeli children two years and younger (Matthew 2:16Men of means, travelling in a caravan large enough to be noticed by the general population and stir up commoner and politician alike with their mission (Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him)The Magi came bearing treasures for the King of the Jews. These gifts were appropriate in substance, and no doubt quantity. They included:gold, the appropriate gift for a King. frankincense, the gift for Deity. myrrh, a valued spice, especially for those who suffer

Be The Strong ManScripture: Luke 11:20–22 (ESV) But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil.A Non-Resister Is An Open DoorEcclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.Unbelievers Are UnawareThe Vulnerable Are Overrun - Mark 9:17–18 (ESV) And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”Participators Are Captured - 1 Samuel 16:14–23 (ESV) Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him. And Saul's servants said to him, “Behold now, a harmful spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord now command your servants who are before you to seek out a man who is skillful in playing the lyre, and when the harmful spirit from God is upon you, he will play it, and you will be well.” So Saul said to his servants, “Provide for me a man who can play well and bring him to me.” One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the LORD is with him.” Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread and a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them by David his son to Saul. And David came to Saul and entered his service. And Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight.” And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.A Weak Man Is Easy To OverpowerLuke 4:13 (ESV) And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.Genesis 4:7 (ESV) If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”Luke 22:31–32 (ESV) “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”Strength mattersWe can grow our strengthWe are stronger in numbersKingdom momentum is hard to disruptA Strong Man Can Be Outmaneuvered And Overcome2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.Job 1:8–10 (ESV) And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.A Vigilant Strong Man Is A Locked Door1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.2025 Strategic Response2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.What Are Three Repeated Effective Strategies Of The Enemy In My Life In 2024?What Are Three Simple Effective Strategic Responses To Thwart His Efforts?What Would 2025 Look Like If I Enforce Those Strategic Responses?

2 Corinthians 2:11 (NIV) in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.2025 Strategic ResponseMy Concerns:We don't respect the reality of our adversaryWe reconcile less than best situations as, “that's just life”We learn to live with the limitations our adversary enforcesWe don't recognize our enemies repeated effective strategy in our livesWe don't recognize how our wins/losses impact the experience of othersYou Have An Active Adversary1 Peter 5:8–9 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.This is universal a universal truthThere is no bufferNot even spirituality.He is continually prowling looking for weaknessesHe functions in many different formsWhispers, circumstances, peopleHe is looking to devour Resistance requires standing firm (strength) in faithStrength has levelsIt can be increased.Your Adversary Takes TopographyEphesians 4:27 (NIV) and do not give the devil a foothold.Give - didomi - give vs surrenderFoothold - Topos - topography, groundYou Can Strategically Overcome Your Adversary - Job 1:6–12 (ESV) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.This can be done spiritually - Job 1:5 (ESV) And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.This can be done practically - What Are Three Repeated Effective Strategies Of The Enemy In My LifeWhat Are Three Simple Effective Strategic Responses To Respond In AdvanceWhat Would 2025 Look Like If You Enforced That Response?

Participating IN Novemberfast 2024Tune In More ClearlyRealign With The LordGet A Sense Of What God Has For 2025Personally/FamilyChurch/MinistryCareer/BusinessJeremiah 33:1–3 (NKJV) Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, “Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'Title: Finders KeepersMatthew 13:44–46 (ESV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.This Parable Reveals That Treasure/PearlsExistsIs HiddenIs DiscoverableThis is one of the most incredible/exciting parts of following Jesus.Every day, every season is a treasure hunt.A follower of Jesus takes dominion over the life God intends by searching, discovering and taking possession of the treasure that would otherwise go unnoticed.Novemberfast = Discovery2 Kings 6:15–17 (ESV) When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.The young man had eyes to see the naturalThe natural reveals the facts, but not the truth.The Spirit reveals Truth.There are things I can't see and I know it.These are undiscoverable in the natural.But I am not limited to the naturalHidden Things Are Exposed BySLIDE Divine Revelation - 1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (ESV) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.SLIDE Prophetic Utterance - Isaiah 42:9 (ESV) Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”SLIDE Devotional Pursuit - Jeremiah 29:11–14 (ESV) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD…

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVENIn Matthew 6 we see Jesus demonstrate for his disciples (both those with him at the time and for those to come like us) how to pray…Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come, your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven…ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning OurselvesStarts with RepentanceBefore we can align anything around us with heaven, we must first make sure we're aligned!Isaiah 59:1-2 (ESV) Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.The work of redemption was completed by Christ Jesus but His offer of grace must be accepted by faith.Those already following Christ still live with a sin nature in a sinful world. As such, sin will always be a threat to prayer's effectiveness and must be addressed. ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning Ourselves…Prioritizes Kingdom Over ComfortIsaiah 58:3-11 (ESV) Behold, in the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and oppress all your workers. Behold, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to hit with a wicked fist. Fasting like yours this day will not make your voice to be heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day for a person to humble himself? Is it to bow down his head like a reed, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Will you call this a fast, and a day acceptable to the LORD? "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.Fasting is NOT…Asceticism: self-denial or self-punishment for the purpose of attaining status or favor with God.Strategic leverage to persuade or force God into action (i.e. hunger strike)Religious ritual or hypocritical showmanshipFasting is…An exercise of control over our mental, emotional, and physical craving to chase one self-gratification after another.A time of concentrated, intentional engagement with the Holy Spirit through prayer, meditation on scripture, and praise.A refocus on the priorities that God has called us to rather in lieu of self-fulfillment.ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning CircumstancesAccurately identifying what SHOULD BE compared to what currently IS.Does scripture support the need for change?What change will bring the most glory to God?What's in the way of that happening?ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN: Aligning CircumstancesDeclare WarEph 6:12 (ESV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.Spiritual warfare is not optional. God's best on this earth is under attack so we can choose to fight and win or we can choose to give territory to the enemy.“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing” - unknownIgnoring the gap between what is and what should be is a dereliction of The Great Commision that Jesus gave us.Matthew 28:18-20 “...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”Luke 10:9,17-20 Jesus sends out the 72John 17:18-20 Jesus prays for all believersWe fight from a place of victory, but we must still fight.Anticipate Resistance:Luke 8:28b-29a (ESV) "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.Other Biblical examples of pushback: Mark 8:23-25 Jesus lays hands on blind man twiceMark 9:17-29 Disciples unable to cast out demonThe enemy will try to convince us to accept “what is” whenever we don't see results.Don't give in to, “I guess that's just the way it's supposed to be”, “maybe this is God's plan”, or “This doesn't work”.Surround yourself with faith filled people who will join your fight - Who you're around matters!Mark 6:4-6 Jesus unable to perform many miracles in his home town due to unbeliefReturn to the Lord for clarity to identify what's “off” and adjust Fight with Expectation:1 John 5:14-15 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him Mark 9:17-29 (ESV) “‘If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes.”Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”We may be unclear on when or how, but the question is never, “If?”Approach the King with confidence. We're fighting for His will to be done, so like a general that's been given an objective:We can ask for the resources neededIdentify the battle fronts we need support onPresent our plan to the King for approval or revisionWe will relentlessly pursue God's best until we see His will done on earth as it is in heaven.

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,No such thing as:Nihilism - Job 19:25–27 (ESV) For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!Soul Sleep - 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.Returning As Ghosts - Leviticus 19:31 (ESV) “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers (familiar spirits); do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the LORD your God.Reincarnation - Buddhism/Hinduism - Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,The Soul Departs From The BodyGenesis 35:18 (ESV) And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.Luke 16:22–23 (NLT) “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. Believers Are Judged2 Corinthians 5:10 (NLT) For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.1 Corinthians 3:13–15 (ESV) each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.Non-Believers Are JudgedRevelation 20:11–12 (ESV) Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. Believers Enter Into Heaven John 14:2–3 (ESV) In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.Non-Believers Enter Hell, Lake Of FireMatthew 25:41 (ESV) “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.Revelation 20:14–15 (ESV) Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.New Heaven & Earth, New JerusalemRevelation 21:1–4 (ESV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (ESV) But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Matthew 24:3 (ESV) As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”The End Told From The BeginningGenesis 3:15 (ESV) I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”Acts 2:16–21 (ESV) But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “ ‘And in the last days…John 6:40 (ESV)…and I will raise him up on the last day.” (x3)2 Timothy 3:1 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days…2 Peter 3:3 (ESV) …scoffers will come in the last days…SIGNS: False Saviors - Matthew 24:5 (ESV) For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,' and they will lead many astray.More than spiritual, this is also politicalSIGNS: Increased Wars - Matthew 24:6–7 (ESV) And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom,SIGNS: Increased Natural Disasters: Matthew 24:7 (ESV) …and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.SIGNS: Increased Persecution For Believers - Matthew 24:9 (ESV) “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake.SIGNS: Departure From Faith Matthew 24:10 (ESV) And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.2 Timothy 3:1–5 (ESV) But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.SIGNS: Increased Deception - Matthew 24:11-13 (ESV) And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.This is not just the churchProphets OT delivered the news on behalf of GodModern Day - news SIGNS: Increased Knowledge - Daniel 12:4 (ESV) But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”SIGNS: Gospel Preached Worldwide - Matthew 24:14 (ESV) And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.SIGNS: Restoration, Regathering of Israel, Rebuilding of Temple Ezekiel 38-39; Zechariah 12-14, Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 11:1-2SIGNS: Mark of the Beast - Revelation 13:16–18 (ESV) Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.SIGNS: One World Government - Revelation 13:6–8 (ESV) It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.1 Corinthians 15:24 (ESV) Then comes the end…

Matthew 28:1–7 (ESV) Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” Jesus Wasn't The Only Or The First ResurrectionThe Shunammite's Son - 2 Kings 4:33–35 (ESV) So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.The Unnamed Man & Elisha's Grave - 2 Kings 13:20–21 (ESV) So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.Jairus' Daughter - Mark 5:41–42 (ESV) Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.Lazarus - John 11:43–44 (ESV) When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”The Graveyard Near Golgotha - Matthew 27:50–53 (ESV) And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.Dorcas (Tabitha) - Acts 9:40–41 (ESV) But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.ONE DIFFERENCE: Every one of these went on to die again.Jesus' Resurrection Was DifferentHe Wasn't Easily Recognized - John 20:14–16 (ESV) Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).He Was Able To Appear/Disappear - Luke 24:36 (ESV) As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”He Maintained His Scars - John 20:27–28 (ESV) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”He Didn't Die But Ascended Into Heaven - Acts 1:9 (ESV) And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. He Promised To Return By Descending - Acts 1:10–11 (ESV) And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”Our Future:Resurrection or… - 1 Corinthians 15:21–23, 47-49 (ESV) For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.Transformation - 1 Corinthians 15:51–52 (ESV) Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.

John 19:29–30 (ESV) A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Jesus WAS before He was BORNHe Existed Before He Was Born - John 8:53–59 (ESV) Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.' But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.He Died Before He Was Born - Revelation 13:8 (KJV) And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.Christophanies/Theophanies In The Old Testament - The Angel of The Lord // The Angel, The Lord, allows himself to be worshiped.He Is Credited For Creation - Colossians 1:15–17 (ESV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.He Walked With Adam - Genesis 3:8 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.He Appeared To Abraham (several times) - Genesis 18:1–3 (ESV) And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.He Wrestled Jacob - Genesis 32:30 (ESV) So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”He Spoke Out Of The Burning Bush To Moses - Exodus 3:4 (ESV) When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”He Appeared to Joshua - Joshua 5:13-15 as the commander of the army of the Lord before the battle of Jericho.He Appeared to Gideon in Judges 6:11-24 as an angel, speaking on behalf of God.He Appeared to King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3:25 as one like a son of God, walking with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace.He Appeared To Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1-8 when he saw a vision of God on his throne.He Appeared To Ezekiel - el throughout his book through various visions and encounters with God's glory.JESUS Was Born Fully MAN*Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.Set divinity asideHe had access but refrained.Limitations of all menBaby, vulnerableGrew in status with menTired, weary, hungry, frustrated, angryJesus' Power Came From The Holy SpiritIf Jesus was just a man, where did his power come from?Luke 3:21–22 (ESV) Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”When Jesus Did Miracles, He Wasn't “Proving Who He Was” Or “Showing Off.” He Simply Recognized Things Out Of Alignment With Heaven And Demonstrated “How To!”Your Power Comes From The Same Spirit - Romans 8:11 (ESV) If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.Was Tempted, Suffered And Crucified In Every Way By/For Sin.We are tempted/sin in every way - Body, Soul SpiritWe SIN on all Levels Jesus Suffered On All Levels, For Our SinBody - John 19:16–18 (ESV) So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.Soul - Luke 22:41–44 (ESV) And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.Spirit - Matthew 27:46 (ESV) And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”He Suffered During Temptation - Hebrews 2:18 (ESV) For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.He Did Not Sin - Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.He Became Sin - 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.He Died* John 19:29–30 (ESV) A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.John 3:14–15 (NLT) And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

Mark 13:1–5 (ESV) And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Mark 13, Matthew 24, Luke 21When will the temple be torn down?What are the signs the temple will be torn down?What will be the sign of your coming (Mt 24:2)What will be the sign of the end of the age (Mt 24:2)They are asking about MANY ENDINGSEnd of Jesus' lifeEnd of following Jesus aroundEnd of their templeEnd of their nationEnd of all nationsEnd of separation from JesusEnd of this ageAnticipate The End.Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (ESV) For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.We tend to look forward to specific moments as if they are fixed destinations in life, but they are not.We tend to try to hold on to them beyond their expiration date.Reality: you are going to experience The End, over and overSome can be seen a long way off Some are abrupt and sudden like the end of a jobSome will make senseSome will make no senseSeasons Are Multi-LayeredPersonal SeasonsFamily SeasonsCareer/Business/Economy SeasonsSocial SeasonsCommunity/NationalKingdom/EcclesiasticalSometimes a change in one category impacts all categories.God's purposes will prevail overall.His purposes are experienced by those who follow Him.Be On Guard During The End.Mark 13:5–9 (ESV) And Jesus began to say to them, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!' and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These are but the beginning of the birth pains. “But be on your guard.THE ENDS are key times with much at stakeAn attempt to deceiveAn attempt to react emotionallyAn attempt to take something for youCollateral damage impacts everyone, including you.You always carry how you end a thing into the next thing.Follow Jesus Through The End.Matthew 9:9 (ESV) As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.He is not going to stop leading.Following must be active.Matthew 11:15 (ESV) He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (x13)Galatians 5:16 (ESV) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

James 5:16(NIV) The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.(NKJV) The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.(NASB95) The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.(MSG) The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.(ESV) The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.(NLT) The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.Effective Prayer: Begins With The Spoken WordGod speaksMan speaksUnlimited audiences:GodManSpiritual/natural realmFirst Words - Genesis 1:3 (ESV) And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.Key Words - Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. God didn't just speak, he fashioned with His hands.Genesis 2:18 (ESV) Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”Genesis 2:21–23 (ESV) So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”Normative Words - Genesis 3:8 (ESV) And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…Heaven and earth is connected, alignedContested Words - Genesis 3:23–24 (ESV) therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.From that moment on, prayer was no longer easy communication. It became lost, difficult, skewed, perverted, unsuccessful, questionable, illegal, contested, punished, ineffectiveCombat Ineffective Prayer: PRAY/READ OUT LOUD!Personal prayer timePraying for othersTalking to circumstancesEffective Prayer Reconnects Heaven And EarthThe Reality Of Disconnection: a byproduct of sin, a strategy of the enemy, a condition you will experience your entire life, regardless of your spiritual condition.Daniel 10:12–13 (ESV) “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days…Matthew 4:1–3 (ESV) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness.... And after fasting forty days and forty nights… the tempter came and said to him, “If..”Deuteronomy 28:23 (ESV) And the heavens over your head shall be bronze…Psalm 22:1–2 (ESV) My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.Isaiah 59:1–2 (ESV) Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.Prayer ReconnectsGenesis 4:26 (ESV) To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD.Genesis 28:16–17 (ESV) Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”Jeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD, Acts 4:31 (ESV) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.Combat Ineffective Prayer: PRAY INTO PRESENCEEffective Prayer Realigns Heaven And EarthThis step is contingent upon the last step.God's Presence Catalyzes Alignment.Stop Praying For Alignment Without Presence!Matthew 6:9–10 (ESV) Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.1 John 5:14–15 (ESV) And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.Mark 9:28–29 (KJV) And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.Bringing Alignment In More Than Just The Area Prayer ForPersonal alignmentInternal kingdom alignmentExternal kingdom alignmentCombat Ineffective Prayer: Fast For Power(NIV) ...prayer... is powerful (MSG) ...prayer... is something powerful to be reckoned with.(ESV) ...prayer... has great power as it is working.(NLT) ...prayer... has great power and produces wonderful results

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spiritsare being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long.Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!! So we don't look atthe troubles we can see right now, rather we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For thetroubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever!!Hannah - A dream follower1st Samuel 1-2Opposition to the Dream - NO control elementsroad-block to the dream in place - God closed Hannah's womb (1 Sam 1:6)made fun of by family members for inabilities (1 Sam 1:6) well Intentioned but unsupportive loved ones (1 Sam 1:8)wrongly accused of poor behavior - by a well respected authority (1 Sam 1:12-14)Hannah's Control Elementsshowing great emotion (1 Sam 1:10, 11) -Pslams 34:17 & 18defends herself (1 Sam 1:15-16) & DOES NOT lean in to offense (vs.18) Eph 4:32 Prov 15:1 Luke 6:27immediate agreement and belief in promise (vs 18) Romans 5:8-10 - Tim 4:10 John 14:10

Mark 4:35-41 NIRVWhen evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let's go over to the other side of the lake.” They left the crowd behind. And they took him along in a boat, just as he was. There were also other boats with him. A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink. Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, “Teacher! Don't you care if we drown?” “Yes, I care. I gave you the authority to take care of it.” He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Don't you have any faith at all yet?” They were terrified. They asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”Mark 3:13-15 (NIRV)Jesus went up on a mountainside. He called for certain people to come to him, and they came. He appointed 12 of them so that they would be with him. He would also send them out to preach. And he gave them authority to drive out demons.Could this have been a test for the disciples? An opportunity to flex their authority? Jesus selected 12 to go out to preach and gave them authority to cast out demons.38… “Yes, I care. I gave you the authority to take care of it.” - to resist opposing circumstancesEphesians 6:10-12 CEV10 Let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil's tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world.Revelation 12 - War In Heaven - authority from GodGenesis 3 - The Fall Of Mankind - authority God gave to manMatthew 4:1-11 - Temptation of Jesus - authority from JesusRevelation 12:12b - “But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”3 Steps To Resisting Opposing Circumstances1. Pray As You Align Your Thoughts (With Heaven)37 A wild storm came up. Waves crashed over the boat. It was about to sink. 38 Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him up. They said, “Teacher! Don't you care if we drown?”Our circumstances show up and that's all we see - emotions - see truthMatthew 6:9-10 NIV “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”Mark 11:22-24 CEVesus told his disciples: Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and don't doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.Post on Psycology Today, “...some sources suggest that the average person makes an eye-popping 35,000 choices per day. Assuming that most people spend around seven hours per day sleeping and thus blissfully choice-free, that makes roughly 2,000 decisions per hour or one decision every two seconds.2. Pray As You Respond And Move38… “Yes, I care. I gave you the authority to take care of it.” Israel was delivered - they saw their circumstance - panicked - Moses reminds them:Exodus 14:14-18 CEVhe Lord will fight for you, and you won't have to do a thing.” The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you keep calling out to me for help? Tell the Israelites to move forward. Then hold your walking stick over the sea. The water will open up and make a road where they can walk through on dry ground.James 2:26 CEV“Anyone who doesn't breathe is dead, and faith that doesn't do anything is just as dead!”Hebrews 11:2- Faith chapter (Noah, Gideon, Rahab, etc.) “It was their faith that made our ancestors pleasing to God.” 3. Pray As You Declare God's TruthMark 4:39, “He got up and ordered the wind to stop. He said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down. And it was completely calm.”Genesis 1:27 NIRV“So God created human beings in his own likeness. He created them to be like himself.”Quote from Randy Clark, Authority From God, How and Why You Can Kick the Devil Out of Your Life, “When God speaks a word of command He also supplies the power to accomplish what He said to do.” Psalm 119:89 NKJV, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” Settled has the Hebrew meaning as when an army takes land or territory and sets guards to protect it.Matthew 18:18 CEV, “I promise you God in heaven will allow whatever you allow on earth, but God will not allow anything you don't allow.”“We're gonna see the strongholds bow. We're gonna see the things of Heaven here, right now”“Light of the world, Lamb that was slain. Lion who roars, mighty to save. The fullness of God won't be kept in a grave. Darkness, your hour is over.”“This is our hope; the cross it has spoken. Death is no more, Christ is the Lord, this is our hope.” Ephesians 6:10 NLT“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

Luke 4:16–21 (ESV) And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, TO PROCLAIM THE YEAR OF THE LORD'S FAVOR.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”FAVOR: Pleasure, Presence, HelpGOD FAVORS YOULuke 4:19 (ESV) to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”Genesis 37:3 (ESV) Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.This World Will Do Everything To Destroy Your Sense Of His FavorTime/imperfections led to deception: I am tolerated by God.This world will attempt to rob you of His Favor.Genesis 37:4, 23-24 (ESV) But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.Leaning Into His Favor Releases His FavorAssuming God's displeasure/disfavor impacts you powerfullyHow you see yourselfYour Posture in all thingsFlavors every experienceMatthew 9:28–30 (ESV) When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”but…Luke 15:17–24 (NIV) “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.His favor in your best moments, but not because of your bestHis favor in your worst moments, in spite of the worst.Put your coat on.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Submission To God Unlocks Access & ResourcesThere are some things that God has for you that you will never experience until you say yes to him.Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ForgivenessPeaceSelf worthPurposeLoveYour macro submission will leads to micro opportunitiesProverbs 3:5–6 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your pathsWhere He leads He will resource.Can't afford to get marriedCan't afford to titheCan't afford to go on a mission tripMatthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to youDiscipleship Will Focus Your AimSaying YES to Jesus will place you in the right zip-code, but engaging in discipleship will help you find the right neighborhood and the right address. Discipleship: Actively Following JesusPrayerJeremiah 29:12–14 (ESV) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the LORD“Have your way in me.”Bible reading/studyPsalm 119:103–105 (ESV) How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.ObedienceActive in church familyServingGivingSubmittingIt allows all of your spiritual senses to be attuned:Hear clear commandsDiscern dangersRecognize liesTake Advantage Of The Reset ButtonSometimes we find ourselves in the wrong place.Adjustments lead us farther away.Decisions that have lead you off trackOpposition you have yielded toAttacks that you have surrendered toBad attitudes that are sin (complaining)Unbelief: I can't/Your cant do thisThe supernatural reset: 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. It Is Embedded In Who You Are Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” ○ These generalities are true of every person○ You are not a windup toy released to see what happens○ There is design Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ○ Intelligent design reveals purpose ○ Like a tool on the shelf, a closer look reveals purpose. We tend to look outward for His will to be revealed when so often it can be discovered by looking more closely at who we are. Not all of it, but the shadows are there. It Can Be General, Permissive Or Specific Romans 12:2 that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Good - General - Zip Code Everyone Saved Everyone Involved In Discipleship Everyone Builds His Kingdom Everyone Walks In Kingdom Favor/Provision - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Acceptable - Permissive - Neighborhood CareerSpouse Car Specific Church Perfect - Specific - Address Micro moments of right wrong Micro decisions that unlock destiny Widow who gave prophet last of oil and flour Woman who anointed Jesus for burial Region vs opportunity Micro Calling So which one is it? Testing Over Time Will Enable You To Discern Which Applies You will make poor decisions. Some you will have to live with. Others you can launch from. It Can Go Unfulfilled 1 Timothy 2:3–4 (ESV) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Mark 16:16 (ESV) Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.Reasons: ignorance Rebellion Desire Things Outside Of It Failure To Discern It Failure to seek Get Pushed From it ○ Outside influences ○ Lack strength/understanding ○ Fall victim ○ Submit Wrong decision for “right” reason Failure To Enforce It ○ Lack the understanding ○ Lack the strength/faith ○ Submission to “less-than”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭8‬, ‭13‬ ‭(NIV‬‬) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”4 Greek Words For LoveStorge - familial love or natural affections, especially between parents and childrenPhileo - deep friendship or brotherly loveJohn 11:34–36 (ESV) And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”Eros - (not in the NT) - romantic or passionate loveAgape - highest form of love referring to sacrificial love seeking the well-being of others (referring to God's love for us and the love Christians are called to have for one another)Experiencing The Love Of God Equips You To Give/Receive True Love1 John 4:19 (ESV) We love because he first loved us.Parents, children, spouse, friends, neighbors and enemiesTrue love for God is possible in response to His loveReligion is created when we try to love God without the revelation of his love.“God grant me a revelation of your love for me.”The revelation of God's love is something we walk in. It is a status, It is something we wear. It is like a superpowerRomans 8:35, 38-39 (ESV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Self love is a poor substitute for the revelation of God's love.The revelation of God's loves enables us to love correctlyThe love you have experienced prior to that is incomplete, possibly even poisoned.Loving others out of a broken experience will be limited.In choosing a potential spouse, choose someone who loves God firstMatthew 10:37 (ESV) Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.LOVE: The Sacrificial DECISION To Seek The Well-Being Of Others1 Peter 2:4 (ESV) As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.God chose to love you.God would not command you to do something that you could not chooseMatthew 22:39 (ESV) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.Matthew 5:44–46 (ESV) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?Falling into love leads to falling out of loveThat type of love is emotionThat type of love is attraction“You can't help who you love” is not a true statement. “You can't help who you are attracted to” is the correct response.Attraction is often impacted by brokenness and traumatic experiencesChildhood traumaBroken relationshipsGroomingIn marriage, attraction is important, but the decision to love is paramount.Fall in love means you can fall out of love.At moments it will feel like being trapped.The decision will unlock the emotion LOVE: The SACRIFICIAL Decision To Seek The Well-Being Of OthersJohn 3:16 (ESV) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.John 15:13 (ESV) Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.LOVE empties its vault to increase the value of someone else.Anyone who demands things under the umbrella of love is likely manipulation.If you loved me then you would….God will deal with your narcissism through others.“Oh, this is how you feel God…”LOVE: The Sacrificial Decision To Seek The WELL-BEING Of Others1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.“Well Being: God's BestSome forms of love are out of alignment with AGAPECare for feelingsCare for comfortCare about being likedCare about being acceptedEx: During the pandemic, riots, and current woke agendas “how will that show the world the love of God?”Love in spite of sin, but we can never affirm sinIllus: the man sinking because of the concrete block he is holding needs someone to love him without affirming the block.True love does not pull people out of the boundaries of God's Word. True love seeks to center others within God's Word, sometimes at the expense of:Their feelingsTheir comfortTheir cultural There are more important things than how people feelRejoices with the truthEphesians 4:15 (ESV) Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

Patriot - a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”America: 1776 AD - 246 Years OldIran 3200 BC - 5224Egypt 3100 BC - 5124Vietnam 2879 BC - 4903Armenia 2492 BC - 4516North Korea 2333 BC - 4357China 2070 BC - 4094Immigration - everyone wants to come here.America 50.6 million foreign born peopleGermany 15.8Saudi Arabia 13.5 Russia 11.6United Kingdom 92.6 people legally immigrate to the US per year, with close to the same number entering illegally every year.Largest economy in the world - Gross domestic productUS 25 trillionChina 18.5 trillionGermany 4.5 trillionJapan 4.11 trillionIndia 3.9Pull China out and our GDP is higher than the following 8 nations combined.Per capita, we are #7 but the 6 above us are tiny nations.We are facing an election like none other ever seenElection between two who have already been presidentTwo who are in their 80'sOne with a lifetime in politics and the other who the only office he held was the one he wonWealthWhen Joe biden left the vice presidency his net worth was essentially zero but has surged to 8 million with book dealsTrumps value dropped by 700 million to 2.3 billionOne who is facing 88 criminal charges and 54 felonies.We Are EXILES - Kingdom First!Jeremiah 29:1 (ESV) These are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders of the exiles, and to the priests, the prophets, and all the people, whom Nebuchadnezzar had taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon.While we live here, we are exiles!!!This is not our home, this is not our destination.There has been an beginning and ending to every earthly kingdomJohn 18:36 (ESV) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.This is the Kingdom He resides overThis is the Kingdom we prioritizeThis is the Kingdom we are buildingThere is a future government comingIsaiah 9:6–7 (ESV) For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.We Are Here, Now, On Mission For Our KingJeremiah 29:4 (ESV) “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:Acts 17:26–27 (ESV) And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,Here and now is different for many other believers in the world. But it's the same mission. We Are To Thrive While HereJeremiah 29:5 (ESV) Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.Jeremiah 29:6 (ESV) Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease.Jeremiah 29:11 - …plans to prosper you…As crazy as that sounds, we are to thrive.We are not to:Live in defense modeLive in fear of this world getting on usNot get involved in anythingMultiply, not only in number but in culture/values3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.We Are To Help Here & Now To ThriveJeremiah 29:7 (ESV) But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.Seek the welfareHealthHappinessFortunesGreek wordCompletenessSoundness PeaceWe have to participate in that.Never at the expense of our homelandLiveVoteParticipateGive voice“God doesn't have a guy, you have a choice”Often its the best of two bad choicesBiblical policy over Biblical lifestyle“I like where the ball lands” on other issues

Here AgainReleased in 2018 by the band, Elevation Worship who are the music leaders for Elevation Church in NC. It provides opportunities for us to do several things:To acknowledge the hard place we often find ourselves, in-between where we've been and what God has said will be… and then, to lay that struggle, our emotions, our plans, our effort at the feet of the Lord as an offering of trust.For us to glorify the faithfulness of God, recognizing that regardless of how we feel or whether or not we sense His presence, and no matter what happens, He has pursued us our whole lives, has not abandoned us in our place of discomfort, and WILL see us through to the very best He has for us.For us to establish and pursue our relationship with Jesus as the most important thing. Above our comfort, above our desired outcomes, above any godly pursuit, this is our declaration to pursue God Himself first.Submission Facilitates VictoryCan't go back to the beginning, Can't control what tomorrow will bring, Let your love rise above every fear, In my weakness your glory appearsLife is full of difficult spotsLoss of idyllic pastInability to control envisioned futureLamenting failures or sinDealing with trauma from the sin of othersThese places in between “what was” and “what will be” are spiritual battlefields.Enemy will sow everything from bitterness, resentment, fear, discontentment, pride… all things that will rob us of the abundant life Jesus bought for us.James 4:7 (ESV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.Submission means both “yielding control of” AND “presenting or offering”Acknowledge the hard place we often find ourselves, in-between where we've been and what God has said will be… and then, lay that struggle; our emotions, our plans, our effort at the feet of the Lord as an offering of trust.Submit yourself to God and the enemy will retreat.When we sing these words, offer to the Lord everything weighing you down. Every pain, scar, fear, hope, and plan.Surrender to God's plans for your future and redemption of your past.Commit to stop looking in the rear view mirror and start looking forward.Thank the Lord for breakthroughs that are coming.Never Alone in the ProcessAs I walk now through the valley, Not for a minute was I forsaken, Dry bones awaken, The Lord is in this placeRegardless of how we feel, whether we sense His presence or not, and no matter what happens, He has not abandoned us and WILL see us through to His very best for us.2 Sam 14:14 (NLT) All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.God has always been, and always will be working to draw us closer to Himself.Doesn't depend on our awarenessExtends beyond our acknowledgementIs a result of His character and the value He's placed on us: the life of His only sonLike David, encourage yourself in the Lord when you feel alone.Acknowledge and give thanks for the ways He's been faithful in the past.Evaluate the following and respond to the Lord accordingly:Facts: You don't FEEL Him, SEE Him working, or UNDERSTAND His plan. Maybe you're even struggling to believe He cares or is even there.Lies: He's abandoned you. You're too broken. He was never really there at all.Truth: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He demonstrated His love for you in that while you were still embracing sin, He died to justify you in the presence of God the Father and for the CHANCE that you might choose to trust Him for that. There is nothing outside of you or inside of you that can separate you from His love.When we sing these words, praise God for His character of faithfulness and love.Reject the lies the enemy has told you,Embrace the truth of what God says,Regardless of the facts of your circumstance.King First, Kingdom SecondAll I want is all you are, Come Holy Spirit, I'm not enough unless you come, Will you meet me here againThe Kingdom of God is built around and for the glory of God. He is central to all aspects of it.Declaration that we want Him over anything elseInvitation for Him to take His rightful place as the King of our livesDaniel 3:17-18 (NLT) “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”It's easy to develop a relationship with Jesus where we pursue the things He's promised as a priority over pursuing Him.Establish (or reestablish) and pursue our relationship with Jesus as the most important thing. Above our comfort, above desired outcomes, above any godly pursuit; this is our declaration to pursue God Himself first.When we sing these words make them a personal expression from you to Jesus.Invite Him to meet you right where you're atAsk Him to change your heartAsk Him to heal your unbelief

shachah (hebrew) - to bow down.proskuneo (greek) - to kiss, to show reverence, to bow downWorship is an issue of priority, affection, reverence, elevation, honor, submission.GENERAL WORSHIP - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.INTENTIONAL WORSHIP: 2 Samuel 6:12–15 (ESV) So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing. And when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six steps, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened animal. And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.Intentional worship is the combination of words and actions intended to bring praise, honor and glory to God.Singing - Psalm 9:2 (ESV) I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.Shouting - Psalm 47:1 (ESV) Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!Lifting Hands - Psalm 63:4 (ESV) So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.Bowing/Kneeling - Psalm 95:6 (ESV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!Clapping - Psalm 47:1 (ESV) Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!Praising - Psalm 9:11 (ESV) Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!Dancing - Psalm 149:3 (ESV) Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:4 (ESV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!Music - Psalm 150:3–5 (ESV) Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!Intentional worship is catalytic in nature. As we participate, powerful outcomes are unlocked.Intentional: DeclarationDeclaration: a formal announcement, binding when made by an authoritative representative.God declared: Genesis 22:16–18 (ESV) and said, “By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”Psalm 51:15 (ESV) O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.Psalm 92:1–3 (ESV) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.Your declaration informs:GodYourselfThose listeningYour circumstancesThe spiritual realm around you.Your declaration is bindingIntentional: MagnificationGod is already big, but He shrinks in our eyes. Intentional worship brings our focus on God causing everything else to be reduced in His Presence.Psalm 34:3 (ESV) Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!Psalm 69:30 (ESV) I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.Luke 1:46–47 (ESV) And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,Intentional: InvitationIntentional worship is the acceptance of God's invitation to come close and enjoy the benefits of His Presence. James 4:8 (ESV) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Psalm 100:4 (ESV) Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!1 Samuel 16:23 (ESV) And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.Acts 16:25–34 (ESV) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open…, he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.Just Because We Call It Worship Doesn't Mean It IsJust because we gather,Just because a song is played,Just because people sing,Just because we sit, stand, bow our heads,Just because we raise our hands,Without INTENTION, it is not worship. In fact, being around the components of focused worship without actually participating in focused worship can actually immunize you from experiencing.

THE TRUTH ABOUT: WORSHIPSCRIPTURE: Luke 4:5–8 (ESV) And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.' ”Worship was not something I recognized growing up.Sadly, attended church for 6+ years, never observing worshipIllus: Gilligan and tiki god seemed like worshipTHE TRUTH ABOUT WORSHIP1. Worship Establishes FIRST; FIRST Demands WorshipHB shachah - to bow down; GK proskuneō - to kiss (embrace), to show reverence, to bow down.Worship is an issue of priority, affection, reverence, elevation, honor, submission.2.Everyone Worships; Everyone Has A FIRSTAdam/Eve, GOD as FIRST was by design - Genesis 1:31 (ESV) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.Adam/Eve chose another FIRST, impacting designGenesis 3:6 (ESV) So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.Genesis 3:24 (ESV) He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.Psalm 51:5 (ESV) Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.Everyone is worshipingIgnorant worshippersIntentional worshippersPeopleObjectsPositionsIdeas, Truths, ConceptsIdeologiesFIRST is impacted by influences followed by decisions.So important to influence othersBecause of Design, when GOD is FIRST, life is in sync3.FIRST Impacts Experiences & OutcomesFirst Impacts This Life - Matthew 6:33 (ESV) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.First Impacts Eternal Life -Hebrews 9:27 (ESV) And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,2 Corinthians 5:9–10 (ESV) So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.4.Everything We Do Can Be Worship1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV) So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

SLIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT: COVERING SCRIPTURE: Job 1:9-10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.Coverings Protect, Amenitize and ExposeSun glasses; polarization; harmful plasticClothing; fashion; poor constructionHome; air conditioning; breach in roofMilitary; confidence; bought by an interestMatthew 23:37–39 (ESV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. Psalm 17:8–9 (ESV) …hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.Psalm 27:5 (ESV) For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.Psalm 61:4 (ESV) Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! SelahProverbs 18:10 (ESV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.Psalm 32:7 (ESV) You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah.4 Critical CoveringsImpacting Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Financial, Social Family Job 1:9-10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.“Church” or religionChurch is your most influential social group that worships somethingChristian ChurchesPeople treat churches like they are stores they shop from, when in reality they are covenantal families that bring covering, amenities and breachesPhiladelphia: Revelation 3:8–10 (ESV) “ ‘I know your works… I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.Ephesus: Revelation 2:4,5 (ESV) …you have abandoned the love you had at first…. Repent… If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place…State/Nation Psalm 33:12 (ESV) Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!Jeremiah 29:7 (ESV) But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.KingdomThe World/Kingdom of HeavenJohn 10:9–11 (ESV) I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.Review Your Current Coverings & AdjustAre you fully engaged in coverings?Are you strengthening your coverings?Get involved in your school district, local city council. Do you have an unintended or unhealthy coveringsCertain negative atmospheres that I can't impact, I limit.Some coverings you tradeYou Are A Covering: Recognize And Adjust As NeededJob 1:9-10 (ESV) Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.Protect, amenities and exposeYou build your coverings strength with spiritual disciplines and obedienceYou weaken/create breaches by your ignorance, lack of discipline and sinBe blessed so they can be blessed

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:4–7 (ESV) And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.Compromise: Good: to settle a dispute by mutual concessionBad: to accept standards that are lower than desirableVery Bad: to embrace standards below God's expressed willCOMPROMISE IS MORE THAN A SIN. SIN IS AN ACTION, WHILE COMPROMISE IS A COURSE OF ACTION.Daniel 3,4 - Babylon lead by Nebuchadnezzar Spiritually dark time. Like America, the King's world was influenced by corrupt politicians, business leaders, social elites, judges, dark priests, and people from academia with a few godly people in the mix.In Babylon were people of Israel, human trafficked into Babylon by the government. Some of their finest were elevated to political prominence Daniel 2:49 (ESV) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king's court.God will promote you and use you to influence your world in spite of the evil around you!Their presence made influential people jealous, but more likely, agitated the demons that influenced the people of influence.Neb set up an image ninety feet tallDaniel 3:4 Gathered the nation so when the music kicked on, everyone was to bow down and worship the image.People participated on various levels:As a group, everyone participated wholeheartedly.Internally, people participated for various reasonsAll in on idolatryAfraid of losing jobDesire for promotionMeet the expectations of their sub-groupCrowd pressureVirtue signaling - good people do thisAfraid of the furnaceThere were hold-outs, and hold-outs were dealt with.Daniel 3:8 (ESV) Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.Daniel 3:12 (ESV) There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”Brought before NebDaniel 3:13 (ESV) Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.Daniel 3:15 (ESV) Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”The Furnace: A Place Of DecisionA demand for compromise leading to safety from destructionAnd invitation for obedience the leads to promotionCommon Furnaces Of Compromise:Individuals, groups, organizations and communities.Instead of influencing them, they influence you Require ongoing compromiseThey strip you bare. You may survive but you will not thrive.Activities contrary to scriptureAddictionsAnger UnforgivenessCultural attitudes, values and practicesThings our culture embraces that occasionally demand our participation and celebration.I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone committing suicideI would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone having an abortionI would not attend a ceremony to celebrate two men getting married.I would not attend Circumstances Miserable marriagePoverty financesPoor healthFamily TormentGenerational sinCompromise WillProvide escape from the furnace, offer quick rewards that will not lastInvite and permit unforeseen trappings to reside in your lifedamage your relationship with God, micro at first, macro when it is in full bloomCorrupt, over time, things He's already done/given youLimit future experiences/promotions Camouflage the touch of God on your lifeHis touch, his presence makes you different than othersIt makes you attractive to othersIt makes people want what you haveCompromise causes you to blend in Things That Will Not Break The Stronghold Of Compromise:Wishing for something differentPraying for things to be differentAdmission of MistakesSorrow For SinAsking For ForgivenessFacing Compromise: DECLARE // RENOUNCEDaniel 3:16–18 (ESV) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV) But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

THE TRUTH ABOUT: TRIALSJohn 16:33 (ESV) …In the world you will have tribulation.John 16:33 (NIV) …In this world you will have trouble. John 16:33 (MSG) …In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.The Facts About TrialsTRIAL - a person, situation or thing that tests, reveals, proves anotherTRIALS were not intended for our origin story.We were made in the image of God, in His likeness, with his logo and nothing was needed to test, reveal or prove because we were established perfectly.Genesis 1:31 (ESV) And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.Very - meod - muchness, force, abundanceGood - tob - pleasing, agreeable, goodWith God's authority, we tested all things, but needed not be tested ourselves. In fact, nothing could test us.Genesis 1:26 (ESV) And let them have dominion… over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”TRIALS began when sin cursed our world.Genesis 3:17–19 (ESV) And to Adam he said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground (world) because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”In this world…John 16:33 (ESV) …In the world you will have tribulation.John 16:33 (NIV) …In this world you will have trouble. John 16:33 (MSG) …In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties.TRIALS will permeate our lives until the end.James 1:2 (ESV) Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,James 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial…1 Peter 1:6 (ESV) …you have been grieved by various trials,1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV) The last enemy to be destroyed is death.The Lies About TrialsLIE: God is the source of trials (temptations)“This is happening, it must be meant to be” - NOJames 1:13–15 (ESV) Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.God doesn't start temGod doesn't prolong themGod rarely shortens them. God typically doesn't doesn't end themLIE: Trials are a byproduct of God's displeasureLuke 13:1–4 (ESV) There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?Jesus was speaking against the idea that bad things happen to bad people. Bad things just happen.An absence of trials is not proof of His pleasure.An abundance of trials are not a sign of his displeasure nor a lack of faith.LIE: Trials are predetermined and must be endured until they end. This lie assumes that there is no way to avoid trials and once they begin, there's nothing we can do but ride them out. Trials are not predetermined.We can actually create them. We can lengthen them. We can shorten them. Galatians 6:7–9 (ESV) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.We can do much more than endure! We can grow!James 1:3–4 (ESV) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.We can do much more than endure! We can overcome1 John 5:4–5 (ESV) For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?LIE: Your trials define you.This is to submit to your trial and to be limited by your trial and become its victimGenesis 50:20 (MSG) Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people.The TRUTH About TRIALSDiscerning A Trial's Source Allows You To Navigate A Straight Path ThroughTrials can be caused by you, others, the devil, and life circumstances in general. Knowing the source determines your posture and methodology to navigate through. Job 2:7 (ESV) So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.Matthew 26:14–16 (ESV) Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.Jeremiah 2:14–17 (ESV) “Is Israel a slave? Is he a homeborn servant? Why then has he become a prey? The lions have roared against him; they have roared loudly. They have made his land a waste; his cities are in ruins, without inhabitant. Moreover, the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes have shaved the crown of your head. Have you not brought this upon yourself by forsaking the LORD your God, when he led you in the way?Your Attitude During Trials Will Impact Their Length, Next Steps & Destination.Numbers 11:1–3 (ESV) And the people complained in the hearing of the LORD about their misfortunes, and when the LORD heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.Trials Have A Secondary Purpose - Your MaturityThe primary purpose of the trial is to derail you.The secondary purpose (God's allowance) is to prepare you for His best.James 1:3–4 (ESV) for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.Our Greatest Trials Are Launching Points Into His BestGod is a god of justice, so he makes up for the trouble we experience:Romans 12:19–20 (ESV) Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”He will add 1/5Leviticus 5:16 (ESV) He shall also make restitution for what he has done amiss in the holy thing and shall add a fifth to it and give it to the priest. And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering, and he shall be forgiven.He launches you into destinyGenesis 41:39–40 (ESV) Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.”James 1:12 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.