"Abide in the Lord and Trust Him"
Pastor Walt -- December 9, 2007
ECCLECIASTICS 3
Humor is universal. In every language, "ha ha" is understood. It is inate. It is something that God created. Studies show that laughter lowers blood sugar, helps your heart and immune system.
The Bible tells us that there is a season to laugh. It's been shown to strengthen your face, legs, abdomen and improves your health, well being and overall life expectancy.
There are even laughter clubs in different parts of the world because of the health benefits of laughter. Laughter brings pleasure, has the power to heal and can also humiliate and disrespect.
70 % of male ego comes from the wife. When she uses laughter against her husband to humiliate and disrespect he can be destroyed.
Water and rain is another necessity needed for life, cleansing and even power that help produce electricity. But it can also destroy in storms, tsunamis and erosion.
God is omnipotent, all powerful. He calmed the seas. He can do everything but sin and lie. We can't hide from God. He knows every thought. He is omnipresent, everywhere. He can't be deceived. He knows your heart.
God loves us. God is love. That's the reason He sent Jesus. God wants love from us. Its a huge thing to God to receive love from us. He yearns for us. But we must surrender all to Him and go to Him as a child; believing.
God's way is through Jesus. There is no other way. Surrender and trust Him. Expect that God will do what He says He will do.
MATTHEW 6:30-33
Don't worry. Seek first His Kingdom and all these other things will be added to us. Follow God. There is more pleasure, more blessing and more power in the Lord.
Obedience will help us enter into worship. Submit to Him. God wants you to live a life of abundance and joy.
"Christian Maturity"
Pastor Walt -- July 27, 2007
In Genesis, the Israelites went through the desert. There was a cloud by day to protect them and a pillar of fire by night for warmth and light. There were about one million people. They received manna from heaven; fresh food for 40 days. They received meat. They were God's people.Today, we are God's people.
They were to possess the land. The worshippers went first. This put fear in their foes.
Christian maturity is not about age. It means we have what we need to be what God wants us to be. For example: a baby has everything to be an adult. As a Christian, we are complete in Christ's image.
Sin damages that image. When we are in sin we don't appropriate what God has given us to be mature.
God uses time to bring about maturity. We are to spend that time in obedience; Bible reading and growth. This will enable us to make godly decisions with the Lord, have concern for others, be Christ-like and do a job without a supervisor, bare an injustice without vengence.
For every action there is an equal reaction. We react to others. Without a plan, rulers will react to the world. So keep the Word of God in mind and don't react. Think things via the Word of God.
God is a good God. He loves us and wants to bless us. But, we have to be more like Jesus. Give obedience. Jesus only did what the Father did.
I Samuel 15:1-23
Saul didn't do what he was supposed to do. Avoid procrastination and correct your attitude. Saul set up a monument for himself. He didn't destroy all the amalikites. He took the spoils which he was to destroy for the Lord. But to obey is better than sacrifice. God rejected Saul. Obedience is the first thing.
Don't postpone to do what has to be done when it is to be done. Get a good attitude.
Philipians 2:1-8
Our attitude should be like minded, in one accord, not selfish. We are to esteem others better and put the interests of others first. God wants us to be humble and to give cheerfully.
Be obedient cheerfull to receive a blessing. Make good and quality decisions in accordance to God's perfect will.
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Choose life and blessings. You can't hide your attitude. Faith will bring about confidence.
"Run the Race With Eternity in View"
Pastor Walt -- July 17, 2007
Ephesians 4:11-15
We are assembled together like the different parts are assembled together to make a vehicle. All the parts are important. There are no extra parts. And every part has a role.
Psalm 15, Isaiah 33:14-15, Micah 6:8, Habaca 2:4
The just shall live by faith; beyond any reasonable doubt. We should do what God says we should be doing.
Matthew 11:28, 1 Peter 5:6-7
This is what to do when you are burdened. Cast your care on the Lord and smile. Get rid of worry and cares. God wants to bless us. How do we receive a blessing? We read God's Word and do what He says.
Philipians 4:8-9
This is what we are to meditate on. When something stirs fear, worry, anxiety, etc... Think on these things. Pray in faith and think about what you are thinking about.
Faith moves the heart and hand of God. Living for Christ is imperative.
Galatians 2:20
We are crucified with Christ. Live by faith.
Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38
The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:26
We are sons and daughters of God by faith.
Galatians 3:17
Abraham obeyed by faith. Without faith we cannot do what God wants us to do.
Ephesians 6:16
The shield of faith deflects the firey darts of satan. Without faith we will have fear, worry and doubt. God's plan cannot be accomplished. Faith moves God to action and gives us confidence.
"God Wants You"
Pastor Walt -- May 27, 2007
God wants you.
Jeremiah 29:10-13
God has good plans for our future and hope.
Numbers 23:19
God doesn't lie or change His mind. He promises and carries them out.
Philipians 2:13
God gives us the desire to please Him.
Paul was put in a dungeon. He'd pray to go to Rome and to minister. He didn't know he'd go as a prisoner. It was a blessing for him to go and God used him mightily.
Philipians 1:12
Paul said everthing that happened to him was good because many were saved.
Genesis 45:4-8
Joseph was sold into slavery, but it was for good. In the end he saved Israel from dying of hunger. He acknowledged this.
We need to STOP and know God (Psalm 46:10) for direction.
LOOK to God . (Genesis 1:1) God spoke and things happened. Speak God's praises. God created the world for us. There was a purpose for man; to tend to God's things. Look at what He's given us. God said it was good.
Matthew 6:6
Don't worry about your needs. We can't add to anything.
Acts 10:34
God doesn't show partiality. What He does for one, He does for another. if God delivered Paul, He will deliver you.
"Purpose"
Pastor Walt -- May 6, 2007 (p.m.)
Genesis 2:7
There is purpose for our lives. Man became a breathing creature.
(1:26) Man was given dominion over all the earth. If you see God's Word, you see His Will.
Joel Osteen says that each day we preach a message to others with our face, our demeaner, our acts, our speach and looks. It takes four seconds to make a first impression. We can be a thermometer or a thermastat. We are to be thermastats and bring others up.
A high attitude will bring others up. A low attitude will bring others down. When people are the most unlovable, they need more love. Bless another. Set an example. If you want a friend, be a friend. Witness without hosing others down. But be a "sprinkler" and shower others with love and blessing. This is the message of hope and love.
God loves all. But it's harder for us to lover others. God loves us just as we are. Be an example of Jesus.
Joshua 1:8
Meditate on the Word day and night. This will bring prosperity. The New Testament epistles tell us the promises that we have in Jesus. This is our covenant.
Find the Scripture of a prmise and believe. Don't doubt and have faith that you can have what the Bible says you can have and you can do what it says you can do.
Meditate on the Word day and night and receive those thing God wants us to have. Meditate means to mutter and speak softly. Meditate and do the Word and then you will make your way prosperous.
Matthew 4
Jesus defeated satan with the Word of God. We can do the same. Quote the Word of God. Jesus didn't curse the devil like He did the fig tree.
"Prayer"
Pastor Walt -- April 29, 2007 (p.m.)
When someone comes to your mind, pray for them. When a person prays interceeds at that time, mercy and grace goes out to them
Abraham was counted righteous for his obedience. Jesus gave us righteousness for His obedience. Jesus is our righteousness. Accept this righteousness through obedience.
Obedience requires repentence. That means turning from doing things our way. Develop an abhorance to sin. Then you will have truly repented. When you cringe at temptation to sin, this indicates true repentence. That is what God wants us to have.
The just live by faith. Step out in faith. God's Word is the only thing that fights the devil. Get God's Word to fight the devil. Jesus quoted the Word each time He was tempted by the devil by saying, "It is written..." This is how the devil was defeated; with God's Word.
This happens not because we deserve it. We have the authority to use God's Word and His Name because of Jesus. Satan is nothing compared to the power of Jesus in us. How much Word you know will effect the amount of success you have in this area. Cover yourself with the shield of faith everyday. Do something in obedience, in faith.
Romans 14:17, Colossians 2:16, John 13:12-17
There is controversy that divides the body of Christ. In the area of eating and drinking. Know and do what Jesus said to do. Jesus set the example.
Acts 11:3, 1 Corinthians 5:9-11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15, 1 Corinthians 4
The Word tells us with whom to eat and associate with. It tells us where to eat. It tells us that all things are lawful, but don't put a stumbling block up for anyone.
"Come to the Lord"
Pastor Walt -- April 15, 2007
Selfishness and arrogance leaves when we come to the Lord. When we are low, Jesus is our only chance. The Word will build you up and strengthen you.
Words of doubt and disbelief will attach themselves to you after you receive the Word in order to make it null and void, but not if you believe in your heart and not doubt. Thoughts come from the devil.
Do only what you can do. Step beyond what you can't do with the Lord. It buids faith. Stand on the Word. But, get ready for ridicule and persecution from every side. God will help you. Speak God's Word to yourself and to each other.
Fear hinders us from doing what God want us to do. But love is the opposite. Love each other. Step out on His Word and take the consequences. See things from God's point of view. Be more like Jesus. God blesses obedience which is better than sacrifice.
"Faith"
Pastor Walt -- March 21, 2007
God is God. We need to trust God.
God wants to bless us, but we need to trust Him. In the flesh we try and try to do it ourselves, figure things out instead of letting God.
The truth is not always what we want or easy to hear.
Galatians 3:26
We are the sons of God by Christ Jesus. This is where our blessings, prayers are answered. We may miss the boat or have unforgiveness or may hurt another. We may ned to look at ourselves and our relationship and examine ourselves and see if there is any envy, murmuring or accussing of God and implying that He blesses others and not us.
Confession without conversion is confession without the Lord. There will be no change.
Jesus showed us the most important thing is to serve and not be be served. We are to be servants and pray of others and isnterceed. We can see people in need. We need to pray for them. In our daily rountine, we may get minded of someone. We should stop and pray for them.
The Lord tells us, "Fear not." Don't worry. Worry can cause many and all kinds of physical problems. Worry is the opposite of faith.
In prayer you can receive forgiveness.
Be careful of repeating or besetting sins. Sin can harden your heart. The Lord says, "Be angry and sin not." We are to be more like Jesus who could nsot be offended except for unrighteousness (He was angry at the money changers in the temple.).
If we're holding on to weaknesses, ther's no room for blessings. "His yoke is easy and His burden is light." When we don't know what to do, bring them to the cross in faith. Then you won't panic.
When you're not joyful, praise God for His many blessings. These may be physical, relational, financial, spiritual.
Turn to God and confess your sin.
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the substance of God's promises and the evidence of things not seen. Accept God's Truth. Believe without doubt that what God says is true. Every Word of God is true. "Fear not" is a commandment. It's not easy to do.
James 2:14-22
We're justified by Jesus. We not only blessed by doing the things that we can do, but when we do the things only God can do. Then God get the glory.
Step out. You are not alone. You have Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
"God Wants to Bless Us"
Pastor Walt - March 15, 2007
Genesis 1:27-28
God made man and woman and blessed them. That's what God wants to do; bless us.
We want to obey God's Word. Do it! How do you know what God wants? You can hear Him. He speaks in many different ways; through a sermon, the Bible, others, prayer. We can pray, "Reveal Your Word and Your Will." Don't have an agenda. Wait for the Holy Spirit to reveal it.
The Word may be simple. You must write it down and meditate on it. Go to the concordance to look up the Word. Look in the Bible to see what God is saying. Write notes on it.
When hearing from God, it may hurt. The Holy Spirit may reveal something that you had hidden deep in your heart and it may hurt. Write it down. Meditate n it and see what God is saying. The Holy Spirit can heal the wound that He brings to the surface.
Romans 8:28
The flesh and the Spirit are at war. Your flesh and feelings are following your thoughts. That's why the Bible tells us what to think on (Phil. 4:8).
Some people are fearful about tomorrow. They are worried about things. But think on your blessings. Don't go on your feelings. Stop and think on those things that are godly, not on things that bring you down. Count your blessings and those things you're worried about will become small.
Write your goals. Read them aloud. Listen to see if the Holy Spirit what the Holy Spirit has to say. Look in God's Word everyday. In one year, you will accomplish 80% of your objective. Writing and praying about your goals, keep them in focus and you'll accomplish them.
"Head vs Heart Knowledge"
Pastor Walt - January 17, 2007
God is soverign, but we have a free will. We need to know God's will and do it. He knows what is better for us. He wants what is best for us and He want us to be blessed.
God's plan is obedience. We can't pick and choose what we'll obey. We must accept His will. We can't argue with it. We need to et revelation form the Holy Spirit. He is always right. We need to read the Word so we can know who we are, what we have and what we can do.
Faith can change the facts in our lives. When something conflicts with the Word, it's wrong. The Word is always right.
Seek first the kingdom of God... Christ redeemed what Adam lost. If we do things God's way, we can live like Adam, provided by God. Blessed.
The Lord is seeking worship and praise. In worship and praise we acknowledge His Lorship. True worship is seeing God as He is with a heart of love for the Lord, a heart without idols. It is because of what He did for us.
Christ tells us to destroy idols, to repent. That means seeking forgiveness and change. Forgiveness without change is meaningless. Deep repentance is a contrite heart with regret and sorrow. (Exodus 34:12-14)
Christ is the healer, the Good Shepherd. He is whatever we need. He is the answer. He saved us for Himself. The idols in our lives enslave us. It may be lust, fear, rebellion, pride (justifying ourselves and self importance). An idol is anything that challenges Jesus. It is from the enemy. We are to destroy those idols. We are to tear down strongholds, those idols. We are not to harbor them secretly.
2 Thessalonians 2:4
Anything that exalts itself against God is a spiritual enemy.
1 John 2:18
When we refuse to be corrected by the Word and we resist it. That is pride, an idol. We have to be obedient to the Word. Then we can look for the blessing.
Pastor Walt
"Are We Willing To Minister"
December 27, 2006
John 11:39
Are we willing to minister to anyone?
John 11:44
Jesus said, "Free him..." Whom are we will ing to "free." There are those who are reeking with the sink of death and sin, physically and spiritually. What would you do if you met a person like that?
John 14:12
If we are willing, we will be able to do "greater works." God wants us to do this for the glory of the Father.
Matthew 4:23-24
Jesus ministered to the worse cases. This is His will for us. We are not to pick and choose whom we will minister to. Others should be drawn to us by the Holy Spirit. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit. And others should bring people to us.
Matthew 8:1-3
Jesus' love is compassion. Without compassion there is no power. Jesus didn't shun the leper, but healed him. And greater works we can do.
Luke 10:19, 4:18-19
Jesus delivered the demon possessed. We hae authority over all power of the enemy. We can set others free when we are led by the Holy Spirit.
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