Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Submit
Submit – Romans 13:1-2
Vs 1 – Paul says that every Christian must submit to ruler
authorities. It may be national,
provincial or municipal. Each has been
raised up by the Lord. The only time a
Christian must disobey is when the civil authority asks them to do something
contrary to the Bible or conscience.
Vs 2 – When someone rebels against rightful civil authority
they are rebelling against God Himself and they will bring both natural and
divine judgment. Jesus said, “Render to
Caesar the things that are Caesar and unto God the things that are God’s/”
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EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'>A pearl of great price is a saying that
expresses our heart and what God is saying to it at the time.
Proverb of Steel
A pearl of great price is a saying that
expresses our heart and what God is saying to it at the time.
Verse Today
Proverbs 15:8New International Version (NIV)
8 The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Pearl
It is the middle of the week and here is a great thought. A pearl of great price is a saying that which expresses our heart and what God is saying to it at the time. Doing the will of God should be our top priority. His dreams will always have the greatest impact on us and others.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Proverb of Steel
Trials are either opportunities for change or
obstacles to growth. You must embrace them to really reach your potential
in Christ.
Let God fight your battles
Let God fight your battles –
Romans 12:19-21
Vs 19 – Do not take revenge
but let God fight your battles. When you
forgive part of that process is giving up your right for revenge. You let God keep the books and trust Him to avenge
you. His promise is that He will.
Vs 20 – Paul says we are to
walk in an opposite spirit to those around us.
We feed our enemy, we quench their thirst. This way we heap hot coals of love on their
head. This is not a revenge thing but it
is an act of love. The fire of God will
burn away ours and their hatred.
Vs 21 – Do not be overcome by
evil. Overcome evil with good. This whole chapter has been a re-emphasis of
the Sermon on the Mount in one form or another.
We are called to be overcomers.
We do not by resisting the devil and his attacks and we overcome evil by
doing good. You make a choice of
walking in the opposite spirit and choosing God’s way instead of your own
Verse Today
Matthew 26:41New International Version (NIV)
41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Monday, May 29, 2017
Proverb of Steel
God lives in the future reality. He does not see
you as you are right now but as you shall be.
Christians Represent God
Christians Represent God –
Romans 12:17-19
Vs 17 – Do not repay any one
evil for evil. Christians represent God
and we are called to be holy, righteous and good. Evil is associated with the devil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everyone. It is true we live our lives
for an audience of one but we also are ambassadors for Christ. So live your life to show Christ in a
positive way.
Vs 18 - This is such a practical way to live. If it is possible and it does depend on
us. We have the decision. Live in peace with everyone. Paul is saying we have the choice of whether
or not we will live in peace with others.
Love and peace is a choice. So
choose wisely.
Vs 19 – Do not take revenge
but let God fight your battles. When you
forgive part of that process is giving up your right for revenge. You let God keep the books and trust Him to avenge
you. His promise is that He will.
Verse Today
Matthew 6:7King James Version (KJV)
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking
Great Value
It is the beginning of the week and here is a thought for you. God lives in the future reality. He does not see you as you are right now but as you shall be. So today as you go through out this day, remember to see yourself as God does a person of great potential and value.
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Friday, May 26, 2017
Verse Today
Mark 11:24New International Version (NIV)
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Bless
Bless – Romans 12:14-16
Vs 14 – Paul then emphasizes
a command Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and not curse. It is evident that persecution will come in
the Christian life. Our reaction will
determine the outcome. We are to bless
and not curse.
Vs 15 – Paul is listing
practical expressions of faith. Rejoice
with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. We are there for others. Never entertain selfishness because it will
stifle your ability to be a genuine help for those who are either joyful or in
sorrow.
Vs 16 – Live in harmony with
one another. Paul said a similar thing
in the book of Ephesians when he said, “Make every effort to keep the unity of
the faith.” Do not be proud but be
willing to associate with someone in a lower social or economic class. Practical advice because in Rome
Weekend Thought
It is the weekend and here is a simple thought. Ignorance is not an excuse to miss the obvious. So today open your heart to the Lord and you will never be ignorant or miss the obvious. God loves you and has a plan for your life. He will order your steps and use you for His glory. Be open and see both the wonderful and profound.
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Proverb of Steel
When a person does not know what to do
next. Going back to the beginning is not a bad plan.
Verse Today
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Three ways
Three ways – Romans 12:12-13
Vs 12 – Paul then exhorts his
reader in three ways. Be joyful in
hope. Hope is the belief you have a
future. Joy is that deep seat contentment
of knowing your future is secure in the Lord.
Patient in affliction and suffering.
God never promised us an easy life.
He did say He would never leave or forsake us. All things work together for God, it does not
mean all things are good but they will work together for good. Faithful in prayer. Prayer is the key, it gives you joy, hope,
patience and faithfulness.
Vs 13 – Share with God’s
people who are in need. Our time,
talents and resources belong to God.
James says that we are to help if we have the opportunity and ability. To not do so is in direct conflict with the
Lord’s will. We are His hands and feet
of compassion and love. Practice
hospitality. Evidently this is not
something that comes natural to most people.
Paul indicates here that is an acquired skill.
Thursday Thought
It is Thursday and here is your thought for today. When a person does not know what to do next. Going back to the beginning is not a bad plan. Starting over and doing it right the next time with God's help is always wisdom. It is better to turn around and start again then go way out of your way and mark your mark or goal completely.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
How to Really Live!
How to Really Live! – Ezekial
18:9 – April 5, 2009
Intro: Today we are
looking at the book of Ezekial, written by one of the O.T. most unusual and
mystical prophets. I love Ezekial is an
illustrative and creative prophet.
He loved poetry, visual artistic expression, storytelling
and using personal example to communicate his message. He was a son of a priest that was carried
away to Babylon .
1. This book records
the events of the captivity in Babylon . It is a message for all Jews.
The Jews in Palestine and Babylon
were discouraged and even rebellious and Ezekial
Had been given
the task of telling them of a future destruction and exodus of the
People. He tells them that God is going to restore
them and they would tell others
About the Lord’s
salvation. Ezekial’s name meant, “The
God who strengthens.”
a. The book may start
with judgment but it ends with a promise of a new future for
Revealed. He have 179 messages from God. Ezekial task was to be a spiritual
watchman. To warn the people of impeding danger.
b. This is a book of
promise and judgment a combination of threat and promise. The
Key thought of
the book is, “I am the Sovereign Lord.”
c. This book is full
of fantastic scenes of God’s glory. It
shows Gods glory and
Judgment in a
symbolic form,
2. In our scripture
today, Ezekial reveals two conditions to this promise and two results
Of this promise. Ezekial like Jeremiah is primarily a prophet
of hope. He tells his
Audience that their
rebellion did not exhaust God’s mercy.
Like David who said,
“Sorrow may last
for a night but joy comes in the morning.”
God is going to fulfill
His promises very soon. Ezekial wanted to the people to have
a new heart.
. a. The first condition in this promise is, “He
who follows my decrees.” A
decree is
Edict or order given by someone who is in
authority over us. God is sovereign
Ezekial reminds
his audience. The person who submits,
obeys God commands,
follows through
in their lives. Obedience is key to receiving
God’s full provision.
Obedience is
greater than any sacrifice we can offer.
1 Sam 15:23 Obedience means
to submit out of respect, reverence and
love to a higher authority.
1. Ezekial is a man
who was obedient to the call of God. God
told him that if did not tell
The people, he
would be held responsible. He was a
living message and nothing was
Going to keep him from telling it or having
it fulfilled. Ezekial believed in
personal
Responsibility. We have free
choice and with its comes all the responsibilities and
Consequences. One of the hard choices he had to make was
when his wife died God
Told him not to
mourn.
b. And
faithfully keeps my laws. Faithfulness
is a concept that cannot be stressed
Enough
today. It means doing a task with
diligence, patience, without the possibility
Of recognition or reward. It means being in there for the long term. Remember it is
Not how you start
hat matters in the things of God but how you finish. You will be
Rewarded and
commended at the end of life. Ezekial
was a creative, artistic person.
He uses an art
form called pantomime to relay his message.
There are 40 pantomimes
Listed in the
Bible and 25 of them are found in Ezekial.
1. The Lord through
Ezekial is encouraging His people to be faithful in keeps His laws
Some would say
the ten commanded and I believe that is so but I believe the law God
Wants is Matt
22:37-40. Jesus said that the law and
prophets hang on these two
Commandments.
2. The law was the
guidelines or expression of God’s agreement with His people. These
Were measurable
ways in which you could see if you were expressing God’s desires
In your
life. Are you today expressing God’s
will in your words, thoughts, actions
And
attitudes. .
3. Ezekial then makes
two statements on behalf of the Lord. The
man is righteous. The
Two previous
expressions of obedience and faithfulness show a person to be
Righteous. To be righteous means to be in right standing
with God. Declare not
Guilty of sin or
its consequences. The man who is righteous
is obedient and faithful.
Is this your
testimony? Chapter 22 is a chapter
looking for a man of integrity. I
Believe God is
still looking for men like that today. Frank
Thompson calls this
Uprightness. Four biblical promises for this behaviour is
reward, prosperity, provision
And success. Ezekial reminded his readers that God His
promises very soon.
Ezekial highly regarded men like Daniel,
Shadrach, Meshack amd Abednego.
a. He
will surely live, declares the Lord. This
statement was extremely powerful and
Important
considering what was happening at the time.
Death, destruction, famine,
Pain, misery was
part of everyday life. People did not
know how long they would live
Or who would kill
them.
b. This gives his
readers and audience hope and a measuring stick to gauge their life by.
You are obedient
and faithful you will be righteous and live.
The promise to us today
Is that Jesus
came to give us life and abundantly.
(John 10:10)
1. Life
has been described in scripture as a shadow, 1 Chron 29:15
2. Swift runner. Job 9:25
3. A mere handbreadth. Ps 39:5
4. A weaver’s web. Is 38:12
5. A vanishing vapour. James 4:14
c. Paul encourages in
light of the quickness of life to redeem each moment and make
The most of
it. Eph 5.
d. Jesus has been
given the title of The Abundant Life Giver.
He is.
1. The radiant life. Jn 1:4
2. Abundant Life. Jn 10:10
3. Resurrection and the
Life. Jn 11:25
4. The way, truth and the life. Jn 14:6
5. Everlasting life. Rom 5:21
6. Life and immortality. 1 Tim 1:10
7. The only source of life. 1 Jn 5:12
e. You truly want to
live. Live for and through Jesus
Christ. Ezekial today reminds us
That God is still
showing His plan of salvation. That Israel will
again become the
Bearer of the
promises to be fulfilled in the new covenant.
Jesus was the one who
Become the bridge
and nearer of the new covenant. I know this is Palm Sunday.
It is the Day
that Jesus came into Jerusalem
and the beginning of Holy Week. Let us
Today focus on
Jesus a man Ezekial saw clearly as well.
He was waiting, we have
Him. Let us celebrate and experience the full life
He gives.
Love must be sincere
Love must be sincere – Romans
12:9-10
Vs 9 – Love must be sincere
and without selfishness. The Christian
is to hate what is evil and hold onto that which is good. Part of the mission of the church is to act
as a restraining and enlightening force.
Society will know what is expected of them if we tell them. Hating evil and clinging to God will help us
to be holy and righteous.
Vs 10 – Be devoted to one
another in brotherly love. Jesus said
that people will know we are His disciples by the way that we love one another. John said 1 John 4:7-8, that we cannot say we
love God if we hate our brother. Honor
one another above yourself. There is no
room for selfishness in the body of Christ.
When you honor others before yourself you drive selfishness out of your
life and the needs and wishes of others becomes a priority for you.
Verse Today
John 17:15New International Version (NIV)
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Start Again
The beautiful thing about salvation is you can start again. Sometimes before you can go ahead you need to start again. That means to go back to the beginning and make things right with God. He is the beginning and end of all things. With His help you can get things right and with His guidance you will stay on the right path.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Verse Today
Job 22:27New International Version (NIV)
27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
and you will fulfill your vows.
and you will fulfill your vows.
God's grace
Grace of God – Romans 12:6-8
Vs 6 – We all have different
gifts and each one is given by the grace of God. If we are called to prophesy let it be done
in proportion of our faith. Prophesy is
giving a message in the language of the hearers. It is given for exhortation, edification and
comfort.
Vs 7 – If it is serving let
them serve. If it is teaching let them
teach. These are two and three of the
motivational gifts. Servers are the
people who work in the background. Teachers
are people who help educate the church.
Vs 8 – If you are an
encourager, giver, leader or compassion person do all these in the name of the
Lord. The body of Christ needs the
encourager, giver, leader and compassion person. These are done in a spirit of love and joy.
Tuesday Thought
The long weekend and as we start a new eek here is a simple thought. Faith knows something exists when no evidence has proven it yet. Faith waits for God to answer. Today trust God even when you see no evidence. His promise is that the answer is on the way.
Monday, May 22, 2017
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Friday, May 19, 2017
Verse Today
Jeremiah 29:12New International Version (NIV)
12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listento you.
Proverb of Steel
Stupidity and ignorance refuses to believe in
God when there is ample evidence to prove He exists.
Proper View
Proper View – Rom 12:3-5
Vs 3 – Paul then says that we
should not think more highly of ourselves but have a modest estimation of our
own self worth. This is accordance to
the measure of faith you have been given.
You need to know who you are in Christ but measure it in the light of
the word and your faith.
Vs 4 – Paul then uses the
illustration of the body to point out that each person has been given a
specific function in life and we are to do it for the glory of God.
Vs 5 – Paul then begins
setting up his next point. He is about
to teach on the motivational gifts. He
says that a body is made of many members it still is one body and each member
belongs to each other.
Ample Evidence
As we head in the weekend here is a thought for you to ponder. Stupidity and ignorance refuses to believe in God when there is ample evidence to prove He exists. There is the outward voice of creation of the inward voice of conscience. Both stating that there is a God. The Lord is the rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. So today seek Him and all things will be added unto you.
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Verse Today
Ephesians 6:18New International Version (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Living Sacrifice
Romans 12:1-2 – Living Sacrifice
Vs 1 – Paul encourages his
readers to present their bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord. A living sacrifice is a person who desires to
be obedient to the Lord. This
presentation is in view of God’s mercy.
It is the mercy of God that allows us to receive God’s grace. We do not get what we deserve. This life is to be holy and pleasing to the
Lord. John reminded his audience in
Revelation 2-3 that we have an audience of one.
The Lord is watching us. Paul
then says that this choice is what is considered reasonable or a spiritual
service.
Vs 2 – Paul then says to not
be conforming to the patterns of this world.
Do not follow materialism, pride and pleasure. Transform your world by transforming your
mind. Allow the Holy Spirit to take a hold
of your thought life. This is called
walking in the Spirit. When your mind is
renewed then you will know what the pleasing and acceptable will of God is for
you life.
Proverb of Steel
Even if you do not believe in God and what He can do, He
still believes in you and what you can do.
Dream
It is Thursday and what a powerful thought. Even if you do not believe in God and what He can do, He still believes in you and what you can do. God believes in you. So today, rise to the occasion and dream his dream, be His destiny and take your world for Him. Your success and dreams will be done in His will.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Mind of the Lord.
Mind of the Lord. – Romans 11:34-46
Vs 34 – Who has known the
mind of God and who is His counselor.
Isaiah said, “His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts greater
than our thoughts.”
Vs 35 – Who has ever given to
God that He should repay. God owes no
one anything. There is no person or
thing greater than God.
Vs 36 – Here is a
reality. All things came from Him and
through Him. He is the giver and
sustainer of life. All things are to
Him. To Him be the glory forever
Amen. Reality check, God is God. In this doxology Paul showcases the
sovereignty of God.
Verse Today
Proverb of Steel
The beautiful thing about faith is that when all
else fails, you know God will not.
Great Thought
It is the middle of the week and here is a great thought. The beautiful thing about faith is that when all else fails, you know God will not. He will never leave you or forsake you. You will never be alone. All the benefits of heaven are at your disposal. All you have to do is ask and believe. So do that today.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
Proverb of Steel
Right thinking about God brings about right patterns in,
speaking, doing and being.
All Mankind
All Mankind – Romans 11:31-33
Vs 31 – Their disobedience
however can be reversed and they came receive mercy as we have. No one is beyond the reach of God.
Vs 32 – All mankind has been bound
to disobedience by God because of Adam’s rejection. God however through this can extend mercy to
all mankind by His mercy and grace.
Vs 33 – Paul closes off this
chapter with a wonderful doxology. Oh
the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments. You cannot search or fathom His
judgments. His paths are beyond tracing
out. You cannot map or follow God.
Verse Today
2 Chronicles 6:21English Standard Version (ESV)
21 And listen to the pleas of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen from heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.
Right Thinking
It is Tuesday and here is a simple thought. Right thinking about God brings about right patterns in, speaking, doing and being. You live what you think.
Monday, May 15, 2017
Verse Today
1 Chronicles 16:11New International Version (NIV)
11 Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
seek his face always.
Thought for the day
It is the beginning of the week and here is a simple but powerful thought. Before you can truly help set others free you have to free yourself. This is done by giving your life to Christ and when he sets you free you are truly free. Then it becomes your responsibility to tell others so they in turn can be set free.
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Saturday, May 13, 2017
Provision
Provision – Twenty One
The Lord today
has promised you His provision and abundance.
He can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what you are able to ask or
imagine. He told Moses in Lev 26:5, that
the people of God would have plenty to eat and drink. Jesus Himself said, in the Sermon on the
Mount that the people of God did not have to worry about, clothing, shelter or
food for the Lord would provide. He is
Jehovah Jireh which means He is the Lord who provides.
Moses informed
the people of God that the Lord delighted in them and would prosper the land
because of them in Deut 30:9. David
relayed in Psalm 132:15, that the Lord would bring abundant provision. The Lord does everything with abundance. Jesus said in John 10:10. that He had come to
give us life with abundance. Amos had a
wonderful promise that the Lord will bless the land with plenty. Rain at the right time in Amos 9:13. Isaiah told his readers that the Lord would
rain plenty on the earth in due season in Isaiah 30:23.
In all things
the Lord will prosper and keep us in health even as our soul prospers. The Lord has promised us success, health and
abundance. It is time for you to take
your promise and receive it. Remember
prosperity begins from the inside out so today, receive and believe. God is not slack in any of His promises.
On the winning side
2 Kings 6:16 – On the
Winning Side
Intro: It is again a
privilege to share the word of God with you.
Today we will be looking at the book of 2 Kings... Our lessons today are from the life of Elisha,
the double portion prophet and 2 Kings
Don’t be afraid, the prophet answered, “Those that are with us are more
than those who are with them.
Background
- Every plan of the
Arameans against Israel
had failed. They found out Elisha told
the
King of Israel
what was spoken even in the king of Syria bedroom.
- Sent troops to
capture Elisha when found out he was Dothan . Surrounded the city.
- Servant of Elisha
saw the troops and horses and panicked.
- Elisha made this
statement and then prayed the servant’s eyes would be opened. He
Saw the hills
around filled with horses and chariots of fire.
1. With
the Lord on our side we will always win the war. I John 4:4, James 4:7,
Is 41:10
2. We
have divine protection in all aspects of life.
Ps 34:7, tells the angels of the Lord
Camp around those
that fear Him and He delivers them all.
Ps 91:4 tells us the Lord
Is our refuge,
shield and ramparts. Zech 2:5 says He is
a wall of fire around us.
Jesus stated in
Luke 21:8 that not even a hair on our heads will perish.
3. The
Lord has already provided the victory. 1
John 3:8. Daniel found that in the
Lion’s den, the
three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace and Elisha found it here.
4. This
battle is fought through Spiritual means.
2 Cor 10:4. It fought is
with prayer,
Word of God,
binding and loosing, putting on the whole armour of God. Staying
Connected with
God, being obedient, faithful and purity.
5. Examples from this
book are how the famine was lifted off of Samaria
because Lord
Causes the
Syrians hear the sound of a great army.
An angel of the Lord killed
185,000 Assyrian
soldiers.
6. As they came
Elisha struck them with blindness, led them to Samaria , open their eyes
And when the King
of Samaria wanted to kill them, Elisha instructed them to be fed
And then returned
to Syria . Results attacks on Israel stopped for a while.
The book of 2 Kings as we learn this morning covers a time of
Ahaziah to Zedekiah. It talks about the
two nations of Israel and Judah . The four others lessons I want to leave with
you are simple.
In times of great apostasy, God always raises up His spokesman. There was Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Isaiah,
Jeremiah and Amos. God today is
speaking. He is using, David Wilkerson,
John Hagee, John Bevere, and Tommy Tenney to name a few. What is He saying? Return to the Lord, seek His face, don’t
squander this day of grace, His time is very close, keep your oil lamps full,
pray fervently and without ceasing, be diligent in all things and keep your
eyes on Him.
There was the witness of the prophets but the Kings and the
people chose to ignore them and so they reaped the results of their
apostasy.
Pray for our nation that we do not forget about God and end up like Israel and Judah
2 Chron 7:14 is the key.
Prov 14:34, tells us it is righteousness that exalts a nation. When God had given them sufficient time to
repent, He poured out His judgment. This
book teaches us to be people of spiritual discernment. Any nation that forgets God will be put down
unless it turns back to Him.
Rulers often decide the spiritual condition of a nation or show the
spiritual condition of a nation. Canada has had
very few good spiritual leaders.
Mackenzie King was a spiritualist, Pearson, abolished prayer and the
bible from schools, Trudeau allowed, abortion, Chretien allowed homosexual
marriages and some forms of euthanasia. This reflects the moral decay of our
nation. Our current Prime Minister
claims to be a Christian and his support for Israel has proven that. That is why we must pray for Him.
I pray for God’s grace, that we don’t get another leader
like we deserve. Israel and Judah
Are our examples. The
Northern Kingdom never had a godly king... Judah fared
better but ultimately they were destroyed because the kings and people forgot
about God.
Friday, May 12, 2017
How to Overcome Fear
I John 4:17-21 –
Intro: Today we are
going to look at the lessons we can learn from the Apostle John. He is known as the apostle of love, a father
of the church and the evangelist who staked his claim on the person of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
Love is made complete among us so that we may have confidence on the Day
of Judgment because in this world we are like Him.
1. John begins this
morning saying that because the Spirit of God abides or lives in us
And we in Him. Love is made complete among us and through
us. Love is a
Characteristic of
the church and is demonstrated by all who claim Him as Saviour and
Lord
2. This creates two things, confidence and Christ likeness. Confidence because you do
Not fear judgment because there is no sin,
stain, accusation or charge. You have
been
Forgiven and
cleansed by Jesus’ blood. You have
confidence in prayer, the word, in
God’s ability to
provide, guide and keep His promises and agreements.
3. In response you
want to live a life that pleases him. So
each day, you become more
And more like
Him. Your thoughts, attitudes, speech
and actions show Him. Talk
About Chris
Williams.
There is no fear in love. But
perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in
love.
1. There are four
truths in this verse. First, there is no
fear in love. Fear is a spirit. It
Is not from God. As a spirit it has to be overcome by
spiritual means. John says that
Fear cannot stand
or stay in the presence of love. God is
perfect love and His Spirit
Overcomes the
spirit of fear. People today struggle
because fear from childhood has
Exploited,
manipulated, controlled and paralyzed them.
It has created and exploited
Our weaknesses
and failures or used others to cause them.
Talk about Mom’s fear of
Water.
2. John says secondly,
that perfect love casts out all fear.
Fear is cast out when a person
Accepts God’s
perfect love. There are four things God wants you to know this
Morning.
a. His goal for you
is not only to make you happy but do what pleases Him.
b. To receive His
love and pass it on in the service of Him.
c. Through His love
free people to better worship and serve Him.
d. Let Him through
His word, prayer and fellowship help us
to become mature and bring
long term growth
to ourselves and others.
3. John reveals that
fear is based upon, judgment and punishment.
Fear feeds on them.
So fear makes God
out to be harsh, unforgiving and vengenceful.
So instead of
Looking to God we
look to others for acceptance and approval.
4. John has made it
clear that God is love. Yet the person
who lives in fear has not
Allowed God to love them or they won’t. The problem with fear is that it is a
familiar
Friend. You have grown accustomed to it. Instead of seeing as it is a destroyer. You
View it as part
of your makeup, your identity and who you are.
You don’t know yet
That life is so
much better without it. John wants you
to experience fully the next
Statement,
We love because He first loved us.
1. John says, we love
because He first loved us. God gave us
this ability. It is one of His
Attributes He has communicated to us. It is part of His DNA and He made it part of
Ours. We responded to His love. He first loved us.
2. This allows us
first to know that God has already accepted and given us His approval.
Secondly, you know
that you are perfect in His sight because of Jesus. Thirdly,
Because of the
previous two statements you want to follow a path of righteousness.
You want to
please God. Fourthly, because of love
you know you are acceptable to
God and He has
declared it.
If anyone says, “I love God”, but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother,
whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.
1. John had come
across some believers who used the argument I can love God but I
Don’t have to
love you. Or the other, I have to love
you but I don’t have to like you.
2. John says you
cannot love God and hate your brother.
We love God when we love
Each other. It is
the mark of our discipleship. Loving
others is God’s test of
Discipleship. If you don’t love
others, you are a liar. Simple, direct
and succinct...
Remember John
does not mix words. He is not interested
in yours and my theories,
Excuses, justifications
or reasons. You and I are to love all
and we know it is not an
Easy task. In fact it is impossible without God’s help. Read 1771
And He has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1. Right between the
eyes. This love thing is not an option,
a guideline, or an
Exception. It is a command. It came from the lips of Jesus in the upper
room
Discourse. John is only reminded his audience and
us.
2. Church we are to
love one another; It is easy to peg someone because of
Denomination,
traditional, worship style, theological difference or church affiliation.
You can’t refuse
to love someone because they don’t agree with how you see things.
It’s easy to excuse
your lack of love for someone because they don’t believe, worship
Or follow God as
you do. Talk about Sholomo Riskin’s
evaluation of a fanatic or
Liberal. But John says we are to love because it is a
command.
3. Our three themes
today have been about overcoming fear, acceptance and love. If
You are
struggling with these or any other thing will you come to the altar and be set
Free.
Truth
Truth – Rom 11:25-17
Vs 25 – Paul then reveals a
powerful truth here. Israel
Vs 26 – Paul makes it clear
that a time is coming when all Israel Zion Israel
Vs 27 – God will keep His
covenant that He is going to take away their sins. God always keeps His promises and His
agreements. Redemption and salvation is
what the Lord promises to give to His people.
Verse Today
1 John 5:14New International Version (NIV)
14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
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