Changing Lives, Making Disciples, Reaching the World!
There are many that start life well, very few end well
During these times of quarantine, lets use what we have to our advantage, our homes
Despite us being vocal about the real God that we serve, there are still aspects of God that we really don't comprehend. That aspect of God is compassion. How can a perfect God care and move on behalf of people that can continually disappoint Him? Our scripture reveals our God is full of compassion, that's who he is.
In everyone of us is the desire to be seen and recognised. That was the motivating mindset behind the construction of the tower of Babel. The fact is, its God who promotes, God who elevates, we were created to follow. For those who are willing to submit to that reality, become great instruments for the kingdom of heaven.
Have you ever felt like, there is a piece of a puzzle in your life that is missing? We have all felt that at some point in our lives, in fact missing something is very common everyday. The hope we find in Jesus, is that he completes every part of our lives.
Our lives are all impacted by the people who have gone before us, laying down their lives for our freedom. It's one thing to do it for people and a place that you love but what if those people don't reciprocate the same feelings. Our Lord Jesus Christ was a willing sacrifice His life for all mankind, including those who despised him. That love!
Human beings are not designed to carry toxic emotions in their lives. Bitterness is an emotion that seeks to destroy the one it comes in contact with. The God that we serve can heal the bitter waters.
We are living in a generation of connection. Very rarely are we disconnected. Yet the same isn't true about our spiritual state. Many times we can fall into the habit of doing things, with out any thought process behind it. Our challenge is to stay connected so we don't miss out on what God wants us to hear.
What or who do you turn to when faced with a trial in life. The word holdfast carries a profound imagery and meaning. What we have to recognise is that God is always moving and its our responsibility to actively pursue God. If we are ever going to experience all the blessings and miracles that only God can provide it will take us striving to be where He is, never the other way around.
With the vast growth in our population, there has been a rapid growth in different of beliefs. The question that can be brought up regularly is, who is right? What separates our God from any other is the reality that he is omnipresent. All places at all times. What makes Him worthy of continual praise is His ability to answer our prayers. Our challenge comes when we, instead of working towards accomplishing His will, we try to force the hand of God to accomplish our selfish will. Those who try this do this to their own peril. David, through his actions attracted the presence of God, allowing him to continue to live in Gods perfect will.
We serve a God that loves it when His people place priority on Him. Our life of dedication and being surrendered is what brings God pleasure. When we understand the gravity of compromise, we do everything in our power to prevent ourselves from ever going down that path.
One of the greatest misconceptions is that God only hands out his favour, dominion and anointing to a few select people. Truth is when we position ourselves to receive from God, He is faithful to pour it out. When we put Him first in our lives, make Him the focus we come to realise we become perfect candidates for His anointing.
Faced with the possibility of self isolation, many fear the very thought. Yet could it be turned to being a time of growing the closest we have ever been to our lord Jesus Christ. What we see is Jesus when faced with isolation and being tempted in the wilderness, turned his weakest moment into our greatest hope.
Anxiety is at an all time high, with people reacting in all manners of ways. One of the side affects of this anxiety is involving our hearing, it seems as though the more anxious we are the harder of hearing we get. We have to learn once again to settle our anxieties in order to be able to hear what Jesus is asking us to do.
The devil likes nothing more than to confuse and disrupt the rational minds. He thrives in confusion and double mindedness. As Christians we must strive for right thinking, especially in times of crisis. As we seek Gods wisdom and direction, with things our minds can't comprehend, he gives us revelation.
The most hopeful statement we can receive from our saviour is, your sins are forgiven. Many of us spend our entire lives holding on to things that end up destroying our lives. This is the hope of the gospel. Come to Jesus and He will heal you.
With the on going pandemic, fear is at an all time high. Yet what is the right response of Christ like Christians of today. Our scripture reveals fear brings torment and torment is not of God. There is a hope and it's not found in a medicine man can provide.
Many fail to understand that we are multi dimensional creatures. Our inability to be able to check and deal with each dimension causes a breakdown in our lives. The gospel brings this to life and highlights the correlation between all. If we choose to obey and apply this principle we will inherently be blessed.
Most people base their human existence on the mere hope that luck will fall on them. This mythical mindset has been the cause for much heart ache but also because of its effects on us personally. We can't allow the mindset of luck to bleed into our Christian thinking process. Understand God knows and orchestrates all things, it's for us to submit and obey, this experiencing His blessing and protection.
Many of us go through life trying our best to achieve all that we desire. We can transfer this mentality into our spiritual walk with Jesus. The fact is that we can not do anything to achieve salvation. What we find is that because God seeks an atonement between us and Him. It's only through Jesus that we can achieve and accomplishing anything desirable.
Many are paralysed by indecisiveness paralysis. The power that caused the mind to become overwhelmed and therefore prefers to run away rather than want to fight. Our hope is knowing we have Heavenly Father that is fighting for us.
Worry is an emotion that can cloud our judgment and consume our days. Jesus challenges us to live for the day. In other words, not to allow our worry's of yesterday to come into today. This may seem impossible but there are some strategies we can apply in order to be able to not become overwhelmed by worry.
We all can grow impatient at times, especially when waiting for promises from God. Yet the path to the promise land is always one that involves us following His guidance and refusing to race ahead. The consequences far outweigh the hardships we face while waiting.
Gratitude is an attitude that we all must exercise. If we are not careful we will no longer appreciate the things Jesus has done in our lives. Truth is we are for ever in debt to our Heavenly Father and many times all he asks of is our loyalty.
There are so many things in life that cause us to want to love life always looking down. But if we only look downwards, we will miss out on everything God has for us in the future. The challenge is to remember who God is, what he has done in the past he can do in our future.
There are many illustrations in the word of God regarding flames or fires. A flame can also describe a drive or passion inside of us. One thing we learn in this sermon is that when ever selfish desires overpower Godly desires the flame dies. It's striving for godliness that ensures the flame stays alive and we achieve what God has for us
We have all fallen into the trap of starting something but never fully completing it. When it comes to our Christian walk we can do the same, the challenge for us to stay focused on the will of God is one we all have to face. Yet the rewards far outweigh the sacrifice.
With the current climate the world is faced with today, it's getting harder not to worry. Yet Jesus makes a bold statement that many question, look over or despise. Don't worry! Will you trust Jesus and rely that what he says is true?
There has been a sudden change in the perception of the church today. Seen by people as a half way house, motel and social gathering. Truth is there is a greater power and profound meaning to the church and if obtained becomes the source to establishing Gods kingdom on this earth.
Staying pure is not automatic, it takes a conscience decision everyday. The temptation of allowing yourself to fall into our previous life of carnality can be a constant battle. But purity is at root of Jesus' resurrection, Jesus overcame sin and death now we have a hope of a new life of purity.
The moment we get saved our spirit comes to life and it's filled with the supernatural power of God. What lies there is an incredible potential, the ability to accomplish the work of God. If you truely desire to be used by God, you can be, everyone is a potential candidate. All you have to be willing to pray is “Lord, help me to be your hands and feet.” Watch as how God can inspire and help you to accomplish His will on this earth through your life.
Something we all struggle with is being able to see the bigger picture. Many times we neglect to understand that the big picture is linked to those who have gone before us. Our ability to take council from those wise elders helps us in discovering our destiny in the kingdom of heaven.
With all the uncertainties we face in our every day life, mans search for stability becomes a priority. Yet there are still things that we will all have to face, the good news is that with Gods help there is a way of escape. What we have to do is honour Him and God will do what he does best, provide.
The biggest challenge we can all face as servants of the Lord, is being willing to serve with a right heart in obscurity. Joseph had to endure this reality, and his conduct would be the deciding factor. Favour is something difficult to obtain but when obtained can be a great asset for the kingdom of God.
There is a gripping reality that we can't escape, that is, someone is always watching. One thing that challenged me as a father is the reality of my children being a product of who I am. The principle is you teach what you know, you disciple who you are. Who are your disciples? What do they do? How do they act?
Gods ways are not our ways that's for sure. There are so many things that we allow to go unnoticed. Yet the same isn't true about our God. There isn't one cry that falls on deaf ears. Even when that cry comes from someone that doesn't seem like a possible candidate for a miracle. Yet we serve a good God that shows no partiality and is willing and able to bring answers when we cry out to him.
Life has its challenges, these challenges if negative can cause us to recoil, become withdraw and hesitant to take risks. We see the disciples all where in a time of crisis, thinking they were going to die but Jesus was there with them. The difference was he was outside the boat. What are you willing to do to be closer to Jesus? This requires faith.
2020 is upon us and it's another year to be able to learn and grow into all that God has for us. Our years challenge is to not leave one month where it would go to waste. This year I feel led by God to focus on four areas in our lives; 1. A life skill 2. A life lesson from Jesus 3. Memory verse 4. A word study. As we apply ourselves this year I believe God will help us grow and we will be able to achieve all that God has for us individually and as a church.
A lot can happen in one year, for good or bad. There are things that we have learned and there are things we are trying to unlearn. Despite where life may have taken you, the good news is that God is in the business of rebuilding. There is nothing too impossible for God, if we let him in to our lives.
One thing we know is to be true about God, he is a God of structure and order. We all are governed by the power of time, yet God lives outside of it. Yet despite that being true, God chose to confine himself to time in order to bring to salvation all of mankind.
Self control is an area in our lives we all need help in. Unfortunately the world disregards self control as a major priority. Focusing only on the immediate and not on the eternal. The good news is there is a way we can prepare ourselves and not allow the temptations that come to overwhelm us.
Motivation is a multi billion dollar industry, why? Because we are all very lazy. God uses those who are willing to get their hands dirty and aren't afraid of hard work. There is a a lot of work to be done for the kingdom of God. Are you willing to help?
There are people living under a sentence of rejection, abandonment, anger. Yet Jesus' purpose was to set us free from all physical and emotional bondages. The answer is found in Jesus.
Lying is a sin, lying to yourself is destructive. This is why the bible requires us to be speakers of truth, this is the path to maintaining a stable mind.
There is great revelation we can draw from when it comes to the story of eutychus. The important principle we must all learn is; it's never wise to be sitting on the fence. Eutychus was half in church half out, the challenge is to fully immerse ourselves in the presence of God.
Circumstance in life and people can draw the worst in us. When we get hurt we are prone to want to hurt back. Truth is as Christians we are challenged not to react the way the world would react, but act as the father in heaven would. This is the greatest challenge but the most rewarding.
More effort needs to be put on the state of our spirit but for us to do this we must grasp the significant roles our soul and body play. A biblical principle has always been feed the spirit and starve the flesh. The more directed by the spirit the less influence our lower nature has. Which means the little the devil has to accuse you of.
Security is something we all seek. The problem is that many times we look in all the wrong places. If we are ever going to be able to dwell in safety and experience pure joy, it has to be submitted to the one true God.
Rarely do we consider the effect the things we do will have on our soul. Generally the things that happen have a long lasting effect on our soul. Caring for the soul is something we all want but fail to understand how to go about it. Thank God we can go to Jesus who can deliver the tormented soul.
Wouldn't it be great if when we heard something the first time we instantly got it. How many jokes would we get and laugh at the right time, how many friends would we have, how much more would we actually know. Yet the older we get the more we have to be told time and time again. This is also true in our Christian walk. What we will learn is that god is a patient teacher, waiting for his students to receive his teaching and ready to pick up from where they dropped off.
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