Calm down and look up to God
Everyday we come across situations which seem impossible to overcome. All of us have two common responses. The first response is to panic. The second and very rare response will be to calm down and look up to God. This is what David did.
Text: 1 Samuel 17:26-50
1. David had a different point of view v.26b
A. David did not see the crisis as crisis
David asked “Who is this Philistine?”
Saul and everyone else in his army saw a giant only. They did not see anything beyond his height, his weapons and his strength. But David was not so. All that David saw was a Dog ready to be killed and a Philistine, who will become a carcass very soon.
Often Christians panic at times of crisis thinking what will happen next? They see how big the problem is? They see how powerful the problem is? And they become under the control of the problem. God expects us to control the problem together with Him. So the first step in overcoming crisis is to look at it in a different way like David did.
B. David remembered that God is alive
David inquired the men of Saul “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine defying the armies of living God?”
Frankly speaking king Saul and his mighty warriors including David’s brothers had forgotten that they are serving the living and almighty God. The enemy had made cowardly dogs out of them. However David the shepherd boy was aware that God is alive and strong enough to deliver him out of the hands of the Philistine.
God wants us to remember that He is alive in every situation, and that He can deliver us. Don’t forget that.
C. David remembered his identity
David identifies the giant “as the uncircumcised Philistine”. David knew that Goliath doesn’t belong to God’s chosen people. But David remembered that he is chosen by God. The awareness of his own identity gave him strength to stand against the Philistine. Never forget that God is your master and heavenly father.
2. David took the challenge v. 32-33
David said to Saul “Let no one loose his heart because of this Philistine, your servant will go and fight with him”.
Someone said “We are not living in a world of excuses, but in a world of opportunities and challenges”.
Saul told David that Goliath is an experienced warrior who has been fighting for his entire life. But for David this was not a problem. For him Goliath was a living challenge which he needed to overcome very badly.
3. David used the training he had received v. 34-36
God trained David for battle daily. Some people take the life of a shepherd boy for granted. David told Saul how he protected his father’s flock from wild beasts like Bears and Lions. These situations of the past enabled David to master the art of using his lethal weapon called the “sling shot”.
Our Christian life is training for the future. When you face crisis in the present remember how God delivered you in the past. Use the experience you received in the past. Utilize the lesson you learned from the past. Stand on God’s word.
4. David put his trust in God and in His power v. 37
David said to Saul “the God who delivered me from the paw of the Lion and the Bear will deliver me from the hands of this Philistine too”.
Your training and the willingness to take challenge will be of no use if you plan to depend on your skills and knowledge. David was smart, well trained and bold but still his to trust was upon God.
Today Christians attempt to do things on their own strength. I want to urge them to rather trust in God. God said
“Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit”. (Zechariah 4:6)
5. David did not react in flesh v. 45-47
A. David’s strength was in the name of the Lord
Goliath was well armed but David was armed in the name of the Lord almighty. David said to the Philistine,
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
We have to know that there is authority in the name of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to use that name which is far above every name on the surface of the earth. Exercise the authority you have found in the name of the savior Lord Jesus Christ. When you stop acting in flesh and start acting in the Spirit you start to control the situation. David had gained control over the Philistine even before he attacked him. This is clear in the words he spoke against the Philistine. He said “This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:46)
B. David believed that the battle belongs to God
David said to Goliath
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
David had realized that he is just a vessel intended for God’s use. So he simply allowed God to use him.
If you are in crisis let God handle it through you. Do not tell God how to do or what to do?
Are you ready to take down the giants you meet in your life?
Enemies of the cross of Christ:
Enemies of the cross of Christ:
Good examples are important aren’t they? Good examples are powerful as well. Mark Twain once said that “few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.” Doesn’t it bug you when you aren’t quite doing something as well or with as much dedication as you ought to and you look over at the next person who’s giving their all?
Philippians 3:17. “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”
We saw the importance of following good examples and Paul clearly is an example that is good to follow. In contrast to Paul’s good example and others like him, Paul paints a much different picture in Philippians 3:18-19. Here we will see the enemies of the cross of Christ described. We see their bad example which is opposite of the way a believer should live. Let’s look at Philippians 3:18 and 19 together.
18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame; who set their mind on earthly things.
Just as there are good and Godly examples for us to follow there are examples that we need to avoid. Paul talks about the enemies of the cross of Christ in verses 18-19. We see the enemy described in verse 18.
1. The Enemy Described
Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Notice that Paul says that many walk this way. Many are the enemies of the cross of Christ. He doesn’t say there are a few who walk this way. He says that there are many that walk this way. Paul is referring to professing Christians whose lifestyle betrays the cross of Christ. There were people like this around in Paul’s day and unfortunately there are people like this around in our day. MacArthur describes them this way.
“…these are people who say they are the friends of Christ and the cross of Christ, who advocate Christ, who identify with Christ, whose names are on the church roll, who want spiritual leadership, but they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. They’re very subtle. It takes discernment to recognize them.” (John MacArthur)
There are those who profess Christ but are spiritual counterfeits. There are false teachers out there. Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ and we need to be aware that not everyone who professes the name of Christ actually belongs to Him. Jesus warned us about false prophets in Matthew 7:15.
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
They may appear harmless at first but they are destructive and deadly. Jesus told us to beware of false prophets. We need to watch out and not be deceived by them. Peter also warns about false teachers in 2 Peter 2:1.
But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
Paul had often warned the Philippians believers about enemies of the cross of Christ. He makes that clear in our passage. He warns in other places about false teachers. Listen to the warning Paul issued in Acts 20:28-30.
28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
If someone recites the sinner’s prayer and continues to live the same old sinful way and no change or transformation takes place, it’s likely there was never a genuine profession of faith.
Listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
He says that a true follower will deny himself, take up his cross and follow Christ. What did Jesus say in Matthew 7:21?
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Be careful of those who claim to know Christ but don’t live a life that honors Him.
a. Entertainment, lewdness: Preoccupied with sex and sexual desire; lustful. b. Obscene; indecent. 2. Obsolete Wicked. b. Imitators of God’s power c. Traitors spirit. II Timothy 3:6
We are told to examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says that we are to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith. II Cor. 6:17
Those who truly know Christ are going to be walking far differently than those who are enemies of the cross of Christ.
2. The Enemy’s Destiny
Paul tells us that the end of the enemies of the cross of Christ is destruction. The word used here is the opposite of salvation. They are headed for destruction. Their future is not a happy one. Eternal destruction awaits the enemy of the cross of Christ. They may seem to be enjoying life on earth but destruction in Hell is what they face in the future.
Instead of eternal life that is given to those who trust in Christ, the enemies of the cross of Christ face death and destruction. The end they face is described in 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
An unpleasant future is in store for the enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction and Paul did not announce this with a smug attitude but with a broken heart.
3. The Enemy’s Deity
The idea is that instead of serving God they are consumed with gratifying their own physical desires. They serve themselves. They make idols out of their own fleshly desires. Their philosophy is “if it feels good do it.” “If it brings me pleasure that’s what I’ll do and pursue in my life.”
The enemies of the cross of Christ live to please themselves, not God. Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Paul’s passion was to know Christ. He lived to please and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. But the enemies of the cross of Christ live to please self. Their god is their belly. This brings us to the enemy’s disgrace.
4. The Enemy’s Disgrace
We also see it in verse 19—the enemy’s disgrace. Look at what Paul says about the enemies of the cross of Christ. He says their glory is in their shame.
It means that they are proud of things they should be ashamed of. Does that sound familiar? We see that attitude today don’t we? Instead of being ashamed of immorality and immoral acts, the enemies of the cross glory in it.
Let’s look for a moment at Ephesians 5:11-12.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.
And listen to Isaiah 5:20.
20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
That is what the enemies of the cross of Christ do. They call evil good. They glory in things that should bring shame.
Note also the final thing that Paul tells us about the enemies of the cross of Christ is about what they delight in.
5. The Enemy’s Delight
They set their mind on earthly things. Their delight is found in the things of this world. God’s Word tells us in James 4:4;
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
The enemies of the cross of Christ are friends of the world. They set their mind on earthly things. Their focus is on the things of this earth instead of the matters of eternity. They pursue material prizes and possessions that will one day be gone. They are consumed with the here and now instead of living a life that will count for eternity. They are living according to the flesh.
Listen to Romans 8:5-8.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
The enemies of the cross are carnally minded. Their mind is set on earthly things not spiritual.
And I hope that no one here this morning could be described as an enemy of the cross of Christ. Hopefully each one here today knows the Lord Jesus Christ and has the deepest desire to live a life that honors Him. Hopefully the destiny you face this morning is one of eternal life not destruction. Because as Romans 6:23 clearly states;
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If you realize today that you have never trusted Christ eternal life can be yours if you will repent of your sin and place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
The Importance of the Resurrection
The Importance of the Resurrection
It reminds us that we are victorious against death the wage of sin, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and savior. In today’s sermon we are going to evaluate the nature of this victory in detail.
1. Resurrection is the source of our authority in Christ
“Which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:20-21)
Every time the Bible say that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God it means that he is of same power and authority as God the father. Secondly Paul says, “in the heavenly realms”.
Heavenly realms (Greek: epouranios – means above the sky, celestial, heavenly, high) is a busy area where both demons and angels of God exercise their power. They fight against each other as demons attempt to bring chaos on earth and it’s inhabitants while God’s angels protect the earth and it’s inhabitants. Jesus has power over these powerful spirit beings.
Then Ephesians 2:6 says,
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”
Every Christian who genuinely believes and voluntarily offers Lordship of his own life unto Christ has access to God’s power and authority which gives them control over demonic powers who occupy heavenly places as well as the earth.
2. Resurrection perfects our redemption, (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)
Jesus’ dissension to this world was only the first step of a multi level process that demanded our salvation. His suffering and death were the second and thirds steps in the redemption plan. But the process was completed only after God resurrected Jesus in the third day followed by crucifixion which is the fifth level. The body is essential to the total human personality; humans are incomplete without a body. Thus the redemption of Christ offers to the whole person, including the body.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:23)
Resurrection isn’t the same thing as simply raising the dead. Jesus brought many dead people back to life (Lazarus for example…) while walking the earth ministering to people in need. But these people whom he raised were brought back to the same perishable weak and corrupted bodies – in which they aged and died.
What really happens in the resurrection is all saints who died in Christ will be raised back to a brand new, incorruptible, imperishable, strong second life and a glorified body that doesn’t know sickness and can’t die or put to death (1 Corinthians 15:52). This is guaranteed because God resurrected Jesus in the first place.
3. Resurrection is our hope for the future
The resurrection sustains our hope for an eternal life in God’s presence. Man was created to last forever. The Bible says that God created him and placed eternity in his heart.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
This is why man is so curious about what happens after death. A person who doesn’t know God and his word has a fearful uncertainty in their hearts about life after life. It’s the reason why almost any religion has something to say about life after death. However none of their theories and teachings have been practically proved by history. But history of Christianity proves that all who die in Christ will be resurrected back to enjoy eternal life.
King David prophesied Jesus’ death and much about His resurrection.
“For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.” (Psalms 16:10 – ESV)
God will not let the believer to see decay. God will not abandon the believer’s soul at the grave. This hope is further extended in the New Testament.
“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.” (1 Corinthians 15:52 – ESV)
4. Resurrection is the foundation of our faith
Resurrection makes Christianity a much different belief in comparison to other dead religions. Every one who believes in Christianity and its author Jesus Christ is not simply following a religious teaching. Rather they enjoy a relationship with almighty and living God, through Jesus Christ the savior.
“Now if Christ is being preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty. Also, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified against God that he raised Christ from the dead, when in reality he did not raise him, if indeed the dead are not raised.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-15)
Resurrection is the foundation of our Christian faith. Remove it and there will be nothing to hold onto. Throughout the history there have been many efforts to prove that Christ was never resurrected and the teaching is a mere hoax.
Not only do we have hope for future because of the resurrection. We can also invite others unto Christ and to become co sharer’s of this hope.
Conclusion
God planned Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection even before the foundations of the earth were laid. God in His wisdom foresaw man’s fall and the need for a redemptive process and a redeemer to carry it out. Easter is the celebration of that loving redeemer who died for our sins and yet rose back to life, so that we will have eternal life.
Stuck Between Seasons
Stuck Between Seasons
James 5:7
Be patient, therefore, beloved until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains.
Waiting for your breakthrough can be one of the most trying things for a believer, especially when you have sown seed and nothing seems to be coming up. Even though we know the scripture Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
…It’s the waiting part that can get to you. This has been a difficult season watching the people of God struggle through this recession. Yes, we have been believing God for our breakthrough. Yes, we have been preaching through the storms. Eyes we have been giving but we are stuck it seems, between two seasons.
When you are stuck between seasons waiting on the Precious crop there is a quiet panic that tries to creep in. Imagine a farmer looking out at his seeds he’s planted depending upon what he or she hopes to grow. The first rain gave him/her some hope as the plants started growing, but when the first rain stopped, there is nothing but heat. The plants on the outer fringes are scorched, some of them even die off while the farmer is hoping for the late rains to hurry up and come. For some of us this month feels like we are stuck between seasons waiting on your precious crop.
The Thing that you have to do between seasons is:
1. Don’t panic but Pray. James 5:17-18 (New International Version)
17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
2. Be Patient. Good things come to those that wait. Waiting is not being idle it’s being productive while you wait on God to do His part.
3. Endure till you mature. James 1:2-4 (New International Version)
Trials and Temptations
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Dear God, thank you for my precious crop! I know that when it comes in it will be worth the wait. The weight will be worth the wait. I know this dry spell is almost over. Sometimes, I felt like giving up but I know you will come through! I’m going to pray until you come. I’m going to pray until the late rain comes. I ain’t giving up until you show up. Thank you for the 100 fold Return.
In Jesus Name!
Amen.
EXPECTATION
Expectation is a thing looked forward to, anticipation, or hope. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”.
Many have an expectation to receiving a miracle which is “an event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws”.
When we ask God for a miracle, He will give us an instruction. Again Hope is Expectation.
Expectation of favor, finances, Wisdom, miracles, success, abundance. God is the God of Hope. He is the God of expectation and He wants us to enjoy it in abundance, “through the power of the Holy Spirit!” “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost,” (Romans 15:13). “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him,” (Psalm 62:5).
Seed-Faith is sowing a specific Seed in faith that it will grow a Harvest throughout your life. It is deciding what kind of Harvest you want to grow and sowing a Seed to make it happen.
Faith is confidence in God. Expectation is the evidence of your faith. God said it is impossible to please or pleasure Him unless you expect something from Him. When you strip expectation from your Seed is it like stealing the only pleasure God knows.
1. You cannot be saved unless you expect God to receive you.
2. You cannot be healed unless you expect God to heal you.
3. You cannot be changed unless you expect God to change you.
God is not pleasured by streets of gold or clouds of angels, but every time you expect a miracle, you create a river of pleasure through the heart of God. Every time you doubt, you create waves of pain.
4 facts you need to know about expectation:
1). Expectation Is The Powerful Current That Makes The Seed Work For You. (Hebrews 11:6)
2). Expectation Is Only Possible When A Seed Has Been Planted. You have to plant a seed before you can ever begin to expect anything from God. (Example of a pregnant woman who is expecting but she wouldn’t be expecting had there not first been a seed planted.)
While you are withholding from God, it is impossible for your faith to work and expectations to occur. When God speaks to your heart to sow any kind of Seed…time, finances, talent etc. you cannot expect a Harvest until you have obeyed His instruction. Your obedience in sowing immediately positions you to be able to expect.
3). Expectation Is Produced By Obedience. Obedience is proof of faith. It is the only thing God will require of us. When we ask God for a miracle, He will always give you instructions. Our obedience is the only proof that we truly believe His instructions to us.
Expect God to bless you for every act of Obedience. (Deut. 28:1-2).
4). Expectation Is The Testimony of Your Faith and Confidence That Your Seed Will Stand Before God. When you start looking and expecting God to fulfill His promise, the Harvest you have needed so long will come more quickly and bountifully than you have ever dreamed. Sow expecting God to respond favorably to every act of confidence in Him. Sow from every paycheck. Sow expectantly, generously and faithfully.
1. Expectation is the only pleasure man can generate in the heart of God.
2. Expect ideas and wisdom from God.
3. Expect a Financial Harvest
4. Expect a Hundrefold return.
5. Expect favor from someone close to you.
6. Expect your miracle.
Confidence is what plugs you into the anointing
Confidence is what plugs you into the anointing
Even in hard times, you must have confidence in God’s love for you. It is this revelation of His love for you that will produce the might you need to win every battle. When you are confident of His love, that love will manifest everything you need to be victorious in this life.
Battles in life are real, but victory is even more real to the believer because of the spirit of might
(2 Corinthians 2:14).
The anointing of might is necessary to win every battle and enables you to do exploits for God.
Might is “the ability to do anything.”
Revelation knowledge of God’s Word and confidence are the keys to turning on might.
Revelation knowledge of God induces might and gives you the strength that you need to win.
You must have the revelation that God loves you.
It is one thing to have head knowledge of the Word of God, but it’s better to hear a rhema Word from Him.
There will never be any breakthrough in the lives of people who don’t hear a Word from God.
Until you spend enough time fellowshipping in the Word to hear the voice behind the Word, you’ll never be a candidate for breakthrough.
Don’t be satisfied with a mental assent of the Word, because you’ll never be successful if you can’t hear from God.
None of the miracles in the Bible took place without someone having first heard a word from God.
When you hear a word from God, no devil in hell can stop you. You are made strong and mighty, and you will not quit.
Every believer should hear God say to him or her, “I love you.”
Your confidence and trust in the fact that God loves you is the first area the Enemy will attack.
If you don’t believe that God loves you, you don’t have a leg to stand on when an attack comes.
When you understand and have confidence in the love God has for you, then you will trust everything His Word says concerning you.
You must meditate on the truth that God loves you, because Satan will try to bring guilt and condemnation to defeat you.
God knew you would always come up short, so He sent Jesus to make up the difference.
Every time you doubt God, you doubt His love.
Don’t allow past sins to escort you into your future.
Satan, not God, is the accuser of the brethren. God won’t mention past sins or even recall them (Zephaniah 3:16-17, AMP).
God rejoices and sings over you because He sees what you will become through the blood of Jesus. Whenever disappointment comes your way, say, “I cannot be defeated, and I will not quit.”
Your trust and confidence in the truth that God loves you is your strength, and that’s what Satan is after (Isaiah 30:15, AMP). Condemnation and guilt are indicators that you have lost confidence in God (1 John 3:21, AMP).
God did not start loving you when you became born again; He loved you while you were in sin. It was that love that drew you to Him.
How much more does God love you now that you are born again? He’s in love with you!
Your confidence should be in God and in His love for you, not in yourself.
You must trust and have confidence in God with all your heart, instead of relying on your own insight and understanding (Proverbs 3:5, AMP).
Don’t allow what you know or don’t know in the natural to overshadow the all-knowing God; there is nothing He can’t do. He’ll work things out in your favor.
When you trust in God you exude confidence, because you know He “has your back.”
Confidence in God’s love, not your prayer technique, will produce manifestation in your life (1 John 5:14).
Prayer isn’t like casting a spell. You must have confidence in the One to Whom you pray.
Biblical principles won’t work if you don’t know that God loves you.
Manifestation is a result of God’s love for you (John 14:21).
If you want manifestation in your life, you must have confidence in His love for you. If you doubt His love, you hinder your manifestation. You can’t walk around expecting manifestation when you don’t believe He loves you.
Manifestation is attached to love.
You must do more than say, “I love you.” You must manifest actions that show your love.
Example: Husbands should manifest gifts, time, romantic vacations and so on to show love to their wives.
Example: Parents should manifest gifts, time, affection and so on to show their children that they are loved.
Hard times will hit the earth, but those who are confident in God’s love for them won’t even know it.
God’s kingdom will always supply what you need, regardless of what’s going on in the world’s system.
When you know God’s love, you know He’ll supply whatever you need; therefore, you won’t be stressed when situations come up.
Be careful of how you respond to circumstances, because your response indicates your level of confidence.
Even when you don’t see how things will work, know that God loves you and that He will manifest Himself on your behalf.
You must hold fast to your confidence until you see the end of your faith (Hebrews 3:6, 14).
Payday will come because of the confidence you have in God (Hebrews 10:35).
When you trust in the Lord, you are like a mountain that cannot be moved (Psalm 125:1, AMP).
Satan will try to do everything he can to demonstrate to you that God doesn’t love you so that you’ll blame God for the mess in your life
Do You Know Him?
Do You Know Him?
During His ministry on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. The Gospels are full of the accounts of His miraculous feats: He opened blinded eyes, raised the dead, cast out demons and healed people with leprosy and other diseases (Matthew 4:24; Matthew 15:30; Mark 8:23; Luke 7:21; John 12:9). But what does all of this mean for you? If you are a born-again Believer, the same power that enabled Jesus to perform miracles is also available to you!
In John 14:12 (AMP), Jesus said, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.” This power, which is the ability to get results, is available to you by way of the Holy Spirit. He is the third Person of the Godhead (or Trinity). He is a gift from God and is your eternal companion (Acts 2:38; John 14:16). Part of His ministry is to help Believers to operate in God’s capacity on the earth.
When you become born again, the Holy Spirit is poured into your heart, planting a “power seed.” As a result, you become the evidence of the Word and can demonstrate God’s power to others (Acts 1:8).
You must have God’s power to live a successful Christian life. You need His ability, efficiency and might in order to perform miracles. Even Jesus needed to be infused with power. Luke 3:21-22 says:
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
It was only after the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus that He was able to get results in His ministry (Luke 4:14-15). Miracles, signs and wonders followed Him everywhere He went!
The life of the Apostle Peter is another example of how crucial it is to have the Holy Spirit with you. During Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied Jesus three times. But after the Holy Spirit came on Peter, he boldly preached about Jesus—even when He was told not to (Acts 4:10, 19-20). When it comes to living a fruitful Christian life, following the Holy Spirit is not optional; it is a necessity.
If you don’t know the Holy Spirit, now is the time to make His acquaintance. The only prerequisite to establishing a relationship with Him is being born again. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. Then, receive the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and become a living testimony of God’s glory and power.
Pray this salvation prayer. I want to personally invite you to call upon God, by faith, to save you. Ask Him to save you and believe that He will do it. Do not hesitate. The Scripture urges us, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6) Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith, I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
So if you want to receive your Baptism in the Holy Spirit, take a
moment to ask Him now and speak the prayer below.
“Heavenly Father,
“I am a believer. I am Your child and You are my Father.
Jesus is my Lord. I believe with all my heart that Your
Word is true.
How to Receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
“Your Word says if I will ask, I will receive the Holy Spirit.
So in the Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, I am asking You
to fill me to overflowing with Your precious Holy Spirit.
Jesus, baptize me in the Holy Spirit.
“Because of Your Word, I believe that I now receive and I
thank You for it. I believe the Holy Spirit is within me and,
by faith, I accept it.
“Now, Holy Spirit, rise up within me as I praise God. I
fully expect to speak with other tongues, as You give me the
utterance.
“In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen”*
Now begin giving sound to the expressions in your heart.
Speak and hear the Holy Spirit speaking through you.
Rejoice! You’ve just been baptized in the Holy Spirit! You’ve
been endued with power—hallelujah!
