I guess you could say that my message today is for all the folks that don’t want anyone to tell them what to do. The widow woman didn’t want to bake a little cake for the prophet, but she’s glad she did... Peter didn’t want to cast the nets after catching nothing all night, but he was so glad he did....Gideon didn’t want to face 150,000 Assyrians with 300 troops, but he won because he did.... Moses didn’t want to go to Egypt, but every Israelite is glad he went.... Esther didn’t want to go before the king, but the nation was spared because she did.... and on we could go....rightup to the places that we don’t want to hear what God may be telling us to do....
Last week as my son Chris closed his message, he mentioned that intimacy with the lord, will result in CONTENTMENT.... Solet’s take a further look at this truth! Let’s hear from Paul as he addresses the Philippian church...
Philippians 4:11 “I am not speaking out of some personal need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength”.
Contentment is sometimes like playing “Where’s Waldo”.... It’s there somewhere, you just have to look close until you find it.... (sorry but I am not stopping this sermon until you find Waldo)!! The truth is that if you have a redeemed perspective, Waldo is everywhere you look!! Paul says it is a learned or perspective thing!!! It is not a where but a “How”... to see.
The Bible dictionary defines the word contentment as.....”To be free from worry and care because of being satisfied in and with what you already have”.
It actually means “self contained.” And it is a description of the person who has discovered that their true source is within themso that they do not have to depend on other sources for their happiness”
When Paul says, “I have learned to be content in all things”.... He was saying that he was self contained through Christ who always strengthened him, in every situation...
Chasing the rainbow has become many people’s full timeoccupation... (I’m not talking about pursuing your vision, and improving yourself, I’m talking about living with pipe-dreams......
I came across an item that says... “I have always wanted what I didn’t have... I was a child, but I wanted to be an adult, with all the freedom and the respect. I was a teenager, but it was 30 I wanted, to be mature and sophisticated. I was a senior citizen, but it was 20 I wanted, the youth and the free spirit. I was retired, but it was middle age I wanted, the presence of mind without all the limitations. Now My life is over. But I never got what I wanted. It was always somewhere else”.
An airline pilot was flying over the Tennessee mountains and pointed out a lake to his copilot. “See that little lake down there?When I was a kid I used to sit in a rowboat down there, fishing. Every time a plane would fly overhead, I’d look up and wish I was flying it. Now I look out from the cockpit and wish I was in a rowboat down there, fishing.”
1 Timothy 6:6 “Godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing (materially) out of it.”
Karl Barth, was a famous theologian that influenced a lot of Christian thinking. He was asked, what was his deepest theological thought. He responded, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Money can buy you a bed, but not sleep.... It can buy you books, but not wisdom.....it can buy you a wedding, but not a marriage...it can buy a house, but not a home.... it can buy you medicine but not health.... it can buy amusements, but not friends..... It can buy you about anything but peace with Godand contentment.
At the heart of Christian contentment is founded on a strong belief that God is in control and has the answer before there was a problem. He had the cure before Satan came up with the disease. He had a way prepared, when there was no way.
Romans 8:28 still says “All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to his purpose.” God is working everything to accomplish His purpose.
God providentially arranged for Joseph to go through all he went through so he could rise to a high position in Egypt in order to preserve His people. We may not understand God’s purpose for where we’re at, but His plan is much bigger than we can see now...
In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good that many people may be kept alive.”
“If you’re chasing happiness, you’ll never be content.” But...If you learn to be content, then you’ll find happiness will come with it.”
In our opening scripture, Paul is quoted as saying that Contentment is a learned behavior and attitude...
Philippians 4:12 “I have learned in ALL THINGS to be content”... You can choose to be the most contented person you ever met!
There will always be people that make more money than you. There will always be people who are smarter than you. There will always be people who are better looking than you. You will never find contentment by looking around at what others have or don’t have.
I don’t have to have what others have to be happy.
I don’t have to be liked by everyone else in order to be happy.
You don’t need everybody’s approval to be happy.
Even Jesus couldn’t please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what even Jesus could not do, and that’s please everyone!!!
Howard Hughes was asked, "How much money does it take to make a man happy?" He answered in typical Hughes fashion..."Just a little more than you already have." Hughes died alone and miserable...
How well do you handle change, and how well do you adapt to the changes around you? That question could indicate your level of contentment.
Some people get moody. Some people get mad. Some people get frightened. Some people get uptight.
A psychiatrist asked a patient at a mental institution...
"How did you get here? What was the nature of your illness?" He got the following reply.
"Well, it all started when I got married and I guess I should never have done it. I married a widow with a grown daughter who then became my stepdaughter. My dad came to visit us, fell in love with my lovely stepdaughter, then married her. And so my stepdaughter was now my stepmother. Soon, my wife had a son who was, of course, my daddy's brother-in-law since he is the half-brother of my stepdaughter, who is now, of course, my daddy's wife.
So, as I told you, when my stepdaughter married my daddy, she was at once my stepmother! Now, since my new son is brother to my stepmother, he also became my uncle. As you know, my wife is my step-grandmother since she is my stepmother's mother. Don't forget that my stepmother is my stepdaughter. Remember, too, that I am my wife's grandson. But You see, since I'm married to my step-grandmother, I am not only the wife's grandson and her husband, but I am also my own grandfather. Now can you understand how I got put in this place?" So, how do you handle change?
Paul says that one of the secrets of learning to be content in life is the ability to adjust to all kinds of circumstances and change. He says “In all things, I have learned to be content”....If we are going to be successful in life we need to learn to adjust to change in a positive manner. Your happiness in life is largely dependent upon your ability to adapt and to adjust to change. Change is going to happen whether you like it or not. Let’s look at what Paul tells us again in our opening scriptures....
Philippians 4:11 “I have learned in whatever circumstances I find myself, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”
I can live above the problems of this world. I can live above the hurts I have suffered. I can live above the bad memories. I can live in victory rather than live as a victim.
If I don’t like what I’m watching, I switch the channel. If I don’t like the way I am thinking about something – I change the way I think about it. If I am hungry – I get up and eat. If I am thirsty – I go get a drink. Contentment means that I always have options... I’m not stuck in some pit of life. – I understand there are some things I can do to improve my situation – and I can always choose do them....
If contentment is a learned thing.... then we need to learn it, and get it deep down in our soul and spirit.
Learning to be content in life comes from the confidence that God will see you through. That He will give you the power to meet each and every situation and circumstance head on. He will supply the connection you need, the life partner you are looking for, the resources that you are believing for, the healing, the strength, the ability, the faith, the finances, and on we could go......
We may not like the person that says, “That’s not good for you” Or “Why are you doing that”... We want to push them away or tell them to mind their own business... but they are addressing the source of our discontent, and if we will listen, we can change and we can learn to discover contentment in every area of our lives.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:19 Paul says “My God shall supply all my needsaccording to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” That’s contentment with a capital C!!!!!
Those are great scriptures, but how about what Paul says when he addresses our greatest source of discontent.... 2 Timothy 2:24 “And the Lord's servants must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting those who oppose themselves with understanding. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” “Those who oppose themselves” is a perfect description of folks who live with discontentment.
The United States has one of the richest economies in the world.A few years ago, a survey showed that this country had more than 5 million millionaires and 269 billionaires. However, the research indicated that only 20 percent of North Americans were happy, and content. Maybe that is why psychologist Ed Diener of the University of Illinois says, “The focus on Materialism can be toxic to happiness”.
People are discontent, because they have a God shaped hole in them that only He can fill. They try to fill it with...
people, popularity, possessions, politics, position, projects,performance, & earthly power (can anyone think of any other words that start with P....)
Anyway.... An old Chinese Proverb says this…. If you wantcontentment for an hour, take a nap; if you want contentmentfor a day—go fishing, if you want contentment for a year, inherit more money than you could possibly spend... but if you want contentment for a lifetime- help others find contentment.Happy people inspire happiness... But so many look at other people and think …they sure look happy…why do they seem to get all the breaks in life? What are they doing that I am not doing? And sometimes if we really get to a low place we start thinking everybody’s happy and everyone else is content except poor little old me. I’m gonna eat some worms....
Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you”
Let’s look at Philippians 4:8. “Let your mind dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, andthings that are praiseworthy”. Solomon said it this way…. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he”.
Let’s look at 8 CONTRIBUTORS TO CONTMENT AND PEACE OF MIND
Duke University did a study on “peace of mind.” They came up with of list of things that contribute to emotional and mental stability..... 1. The absence of bitterness and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in discontent. 2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression and discontent. 3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Stop trying to run away from it, and do what you can do. 4. Force yourself to stay involved with the world around you. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress. 5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept that you’re not an exception.. that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune. 6. Hold on to and keep the virtues of love, humor, compassion and loyalty.
7. Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goalsyou have set, feelings of inadequacy and discontent are inevitable. 8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest on any test for measuring contentment.
Doctors practice medicine, lawyers practice law, Musicians practice an instrument and we must practice contentment.... I can get through grief, pain, hurt, personal loss, sickness, deep disappointment, and so much more as I keep practicing contentment.... As I realize that all these things are opportunities to keep learning this and find that God truly does supply all I need, as I put Him first!
Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, ask an important question... Why am I here on this earth?.... Every person must identify their purpose in life and decide to live according to that purpose. Too many folks live with the Christopher Columbus syndrome. Christopher Columbus left on a journey without knowing where he was going, when he arrived he did not know where he was, and when he returned home he did not know where he had been.
Too many people only live to work, eat, sleep, and squeeze in a little fun and entertainment in the evenings and week-ends, without any greater purpose. Pay the bills, buy groceries, and just try to break even. When it’s all said and done. None of that can bring contentment.
We as redeemed people, need to Step out of the ordinary...and live the Extraordinary Life Jesus promised.... We can choose to Smile when we don’t feel like smiling, give when you don’t feel like giving, be kind when you don’t feel like it, forgive when you don’t feel like it, help someone when you would rather feel sorry for yourself. Get up, dress up, and show up with a purpose!Believe what you cannot see....
Get beyond your feelings and find your mission....
We need to be more thankful...It is not happy people who are thankful, it is thankful people who are happy!!
Oprah Winfrey was celebrating that her program was being televised to 109 countries, and in appreciation of her success, she decided to give a brand new car to 276 surprised people that showed up to watch the program that day in the studio audience.You would think that all of these people–without exception–would be thankful for receiving a brand new car valued at over $28,000. Instead, many complained because at the end of the year, they would have to pay extra income taxes based on the value car....
God gives us this mandate: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.
I believe God is saying that as we learn contentment, others will see and believe and step into their own freedom, and the chains of their captivity will fall off... The Psalms tell us “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers them out of them all.”
Gratitude makes sense of the past, brings peace for today, and creates a path for the future! If we learn contentment, we need to hit the reset button and start learning from our past instead of letting it beat us up.
Come on! Let’s stand together and take this time just to give thanks, and to give praise unto God. Let’s give Him the glory that all things are working together for our good as we love him and serve him.
Your problem can’t handle your praise. Your prison can’t stand up to your purpose. Your circumstances can’t handle your contentment in Christ!
David said “May the righteous constantly be glad and rejoice before God”
Paul said “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”
Prayer.......Father, It is my desire to give all praise and glory to You. Help me today as I seek contentment in everything I do. No matter what journey I have to travel, I desire to be contented, and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Where I fall short Father, lead me and guide me into Your victory. I choose to walk with you, in all my ways.
As you did with Joseph, and with Paul, let my praise release a breakthrough and bring me to a higher place. Shield my thoughts with your peace and comfort, and my soul with your love as I give thanks in everything. When things do not work out the way I want or expect, help me to be contented. Let my light shine in the midst of adversity as I put my faith and trust in You.
I choose to rise above my feelings, and any situation that I face.My heart, my life, my soul, my all, I give to You, as I live in faith, trust, and hope. I can now speak with confidence, courage, and joy that will cancel out the fear, worry and doubt. Today, I choose to walk in love, peace, happiness, and favor wherever I may go. I choose to delight myself in the Lord, that He may give me the desires of my heart, In Jesus’ name.
Goal for this message: To give a new perspective on God’s Word; So we will be wise, creative and discerning as believers.
I. Nature of LOGOS-Point of Origination Where it all came from.
I have been stuck in the 1st chapter of the gospel of John lately.
I’m not one to blast through chapters at a time. I like to take my time & hang
out with a verse for a while. John chap 1 has got a hold on me and I pray that
it captures your heart as well.
A. IN THE BEGINNING…THE WORD
1. (John 1:1) In begining was the WORD and the WORD was God and with God.
2. (John 1:9-10) The true LIGHT that gives LIGHT to everyone was coming
into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world…
WAS MADE THROUGH HIM, the world did not recognize him.
3. (John 1:14) The WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us.
a. I get in many discussions about some of the stuff we just read.
HONESTLY - The whole concept of the Trinity (the Word that was with
God and is God) is amazing!
Do I REALLY understand it? NO!
If I DID figure out how to comprehend the nature of God, well, I
probably shrunk him to the point that He was no longer God at all.
b. I HAVE HEARD SO many attempts to illustrate the trinity.
Some are worse than others. I am sure y’all have heard some too.
Pie: different slices but all the same pie.. (not too bad actually) Key Lime?
Water: Gas, Liquid, Solid (but not all at the same time right?)
An Orange: Peeling,Seed & Fruit… (Lame)
Pizza: Toppings, Sauce, Crust (that’s a stretch haha! Get it, cheese is stretchy)
B. YOU SEE THE WORD “WORD” ISNT A WORD AT ALL:
The word used here in John 1 is Actually LOGOS (Not LEGGO’S )
1. Note: A Greek philosopher named Heracleetusfirst used the term
Logos about 600 B.C. to designate “the divine
reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe”.
Ya, we’ve been trying to land this concept for thousands of years.
2. We have interpreted Logos to mean WORD (Word up)
BUT not only does it NOT mean writtenword-it doesn’t mean word
as we understand it at all.
A better meaning according to its original intent is God in action"
“God in Action” was made flesh & dwelt among us. God isn’t a
passive observer .But. Active/Creative! Not removed or Distant.
C. ON TO MORE WORDS about WORDS: (II Tim 3:16)
“All scripture is given by ‘inspiration of God’, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness”
1.) THIS POINT IS PRETTY SIMPLE. I AM PROBABLY NOT SHARING ANY HIDDEN MYSTERIES ON THIS. BUT. I AM GOING SOMEWHERE FUN. TRUST ME J
When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, he actually didn’t write it in English. Hahaha! WOW! THAT IS DEEP!!!
a. Where we read Scripture, Paul used the term “Graphe” grrraf-ay'
Meaning “SACRED WRITINGS” Graffe rhymes with Sashe’ hahaha
According to Vines Bible Dictionary; this term refers to the Divine Author
with an indicator or indirect hint, that it remains eternally characterized as
the living voice of God. (REPEAT FOR EMPHASIS!!!)
b. Where we read inspiration of God, Paul used the term: theopneustos
Meaning divinely breathed in (Theos, "God," pneo, "to breathe"),
2. THE WORDS WE READ “IN WRITTEN FORM” ARE THE DIVINE
BREATH, THE ETERNAL LIVING VOICE – OF THE GOD IN ACTION.
BREATHING life into OUR MIND, WILL, EMOTIONS; BODY & SPIRIT.
3. The Same God Who Breathed Life Into A Pile Of Dust & Created Mankind
Desires To Breathe Creative Life Into Our Situation. OR. Struggle.
My conversation with guy deployed on aircraft carrier: “INVITE HIM IN!”
Whatever it may be. We can invite His Breath… RIGHT WHERE WE ARE.
4. My little girl Parker loves to cuddle. We snuggle so close I can feel her
breath on my neck. I can feel the beat of her heart. She knows who she is;
DADDIE’S GIRL. That Only Comes From Such Moments Of Closeness.
She knows she’s REMARKABLE. Because She Has Been That Close.
No matter what any kid at school may tell her. She knows she’s Beautiful
and She Is Loved. She lives everyday knowing she carries a piece of my heart.
There are some things that can only come from drawing close to our heavenly Father’s heart; close enough to feel His breath upon our soul.
It Builds Confidence & Brings Us To Our Final Word.
II.PIETY: This brings me to another frequently misunderstood word.
PIETY: Let’s talk about this shall we J What is it & Why we need it.
A. THE POWER OF PIETY (used to think this meant rigid/over religious BUT...)
1. While In college, I read a sermon The Pleasures of Piety by Dr. J.A.
Broadus. In this timeless message from 1889, he referred to Piety
as: “the quality of the soul that springs forth from continued fellowship with
God. It provides us with confidence to proclaim the gospel to any man”.
2. JESUS HIMSELF, PRAYED FOR US TO EXPERIENCE THIS.
a. Christ prayed that we would walk in the confidence that comes from
intimacy with Him. This is a time when a worldwide discontent is
present in so many lives. It’s purpose is to destroy intimacy with the
Father.
(We need to learn DIVINE CONTENTMENT )PAUL
SAID IT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR....Piety equips us with
contentment as we have faith in the Divine action of the Word within us
and with us...
b. John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in Me through their word; (21) “that they all may be one, as
You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in
Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
B. MOVE OVER POWER RANGERS! “THE PIETY RANGERS ARRIVED”
1. When we draw near to the heart of GOD IN ACTION. LOGOS
When we walk with the “Living Voice Of God” GRAPHE resonating in our soul...
** Our Mind, Will & Emotions***
When HIS “God Breathed” inspiration THEOPNEUSTOS fills OUR spirit...
The Evidence Is DISTINCT.
2. We Don’T Just Carry “GOOD VIBES” Positive Karma (Anyone Been Told That?)
i. According to John 1:4 There Is:
a. LIFE!!! Real and genuine, active vigorous, Full and Blessed!!!
We Are The Life Of This Worlds Party!
When We Walk In A Room – According To John 1:4
b. LIGHT!!! WE LIGHT IT UP!
Like, When Moses Rolled Down The Mountain with 2 stone tablets.
WALK THIS ONE OUT... DEMONSTRATE IT - LIGHT!!! LIGHT!!!
A heavenly light such as surrounds angels when they appear on earth.
We are the light of the world... When This Is IN Us... Its who we are.
c. BECAUSE THE WORD IS IN US – OUR WORDS CARRY POWER!
When HIS Words are in OUR words & His Spirit fills OUR spirit...
THINGS HAPPEN! We can speak to the chaos/emptiness
WE CAN SAY LET THERE BE!!!
Before there was anything, God said “Let There Be”.....
We were at the Butterfly Avery on Duval St. One of the workers pointed out a large moth and informed us that it had a life span of 5 days. This is because it has no mouth and no digestive tract. It is born and dies, having never eaten anything. If we don’t devour the word which is the Divine action within us, we will be powerless and without God’s intended purpose for our lives. We will die having never take in the life which flows from the Spirit of God.
Lets stop & think about the areas where we need to say
– LET THERE BE, through the Divine action of the Word within us!
*.....Closing Prayer..... Lord Jesus we receive the mind of Christ, and we receive the thoughts, the feelings, and the purposes of Your heart. We place our trust in You, that we may not lean on our own understanding, but in all our ways, acknowledge You, so that You are directing our paths. We place ourselves under the influence of Your Word so that our minds may be renewed and our emotions may be transformed. I desire to prove what is You good, and acceptable, and perfect will, for then I shall make my way prosperous and I shall have good success.
*.....Lord, I will not be anxious about anything, becauseYour peace which transcends all understanding is guarding my heart and my mind. I will think on these things that are worthy of praise and whatever I do, I am trusting you with my plans, hopes and desires. Help me to set my mind on things above and not keep records of wrongs as I walk in Your love and forgiveness. Lord, I commitment myself to live what I have heard and seen in Christ and model my way of living according to Your plan for me. Thank You, Lord that my life is the product of Your grace and I am the redeemed of the Lord, in Jesus' name.
*.....Now would you take a moment and speak the blessing of the Lord over those around you before you go today....Let's speak the blessing of Numbers 6:24-26....God said that if we would speak this blessing, His name would be upon us....
" The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace"…. And may the Lord bless you in your going out and yourcoming in, your rising up and your lying down, your labor and your leisure. The Lord bless all that you put forth your hand to do and cause you to abound and to prosper. May you be blessed in the name of the Lord….
Luke 5:1 “On one occasion, while Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret with the crowd pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, 2He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.
Jesus had gotten pretty popular at this time. He’s been wandering around the area of Galilee casting demons out of people, healing folks, teaching and declaring that the kingdom of God is at hand. So, a lot of people have gathered around and want to hear him teach. Well, it’s pretty crowded, and he’s next to a lake. And he sees that there are two boats there on the shore. So he gets into one of the boats and asks Peter to take his boat out a little way in the water. (I am told that this location acted as a natural amplifier so all the people could hear him).... Luke 5:4 And when He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch”.
Well, this is apparently more than Simon bargained for, and he takes exception with Jesus’ request. He says, “Sir, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing.” Which is true. The text told us that the fishermen had been cleaning their nets. They had fished all night long, and they had to clean their nets because if you don’t clean yournets, they will rot. In other words, they had worked a full shift, and done what they needed in order to just go home and rest at the end of their work day. And Jesus is like, “Throw your nets out in the deep water.” I mean, if I had been these guys, I would have hesitated, too. But, Simon decides to obey and says, “If you say so, I will let down the nets.” It turns out Jesus knows something about fishing! And we will find when we give Him a chance, that He is an expert in whatever situation we find ourselves in….They catch so many fish that they have to call their partners over to help haul them in. But! It was so many fish that even with two boats, they were getting so full that they began to sink. Simon Peter could hardly believe it, and he’s filled with the kind of awe-of-God that it’s overwhelming. He’s like, “To God be the glory, there is something bigger than me or any of us that is going on here.” And he falls at Jesus’ feet and says, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” His friends James and John are pretty freaked out by this as well.
In my imagination of this story, at this point, Jesus laughs….and he says, “Simon, do not be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people, , because I’m taking you where you never dreamed you would be, to do things you never thought you would do!.” Have you ever felt like Simon? you’ve been working all day, and all of a sudden God shows up and is like, “Just do this one more thing.” And you’re like “Seriously, God? I’m tired. And besides we tried that before and it didn’t work last time, so let’s not?” But after all, it is Jesus, so you say “Never-the less, since it’s Jesus, I guess I’ll do it even though I don’t really feel like it?” So, for this morning, let’s shift the scene, and it’s not taking place on the shores of Galilee, It’s not happening with those fishermen, but it’s happening where we live, where we work, with our circle of friends, or where we attend church. We’ve been doing what we’ve always done and Jesus shows up and says, “Now that you’ve done what you always do, do what I want you to do, no matter how it feels, or appears like”…. Jesus finishes preaching, and now He turns to each of us and says “launch out into the deep”….Perhaps we echo Peter’s comment, “Master, we have toiled all the night [by our methods, and the best way we know] and have accomplished nothing. In other words, we’ve done it our way and we didn’t get the results we needed, so why should we do it Your way? *.......The children’s pastor was just finishing a lesson on honesty. “Do you know where children go if they don’t put their money in the collection plate?” the teacher asked. No one seemed to know, so she asked again and little Bobby raised his hand. Yes Bobby, where do children go if they don’t put their money in the collection plate. “Well, ma’am, Bobby said, I think “They are able to go to the movies.” All of our attempts to serve the Lord in our strength and on our terms, will yield empty nets every time. His words, “Launch Out”… are calling us into obedience and surrender. After all, we’ve never been here before. 1 Samuel 15:2 says “Obedience is better than all of our sacrifices”…. And what was so powerful about this fishing story, is the simple obedience of these fishermen, that tapped into the supernatural here!!
What has God been telling you deep in your heart and soul, that you have pushed aside, or put on a back burner..? What change has He been calling to you to make, or what thing has He been calling you to do, but you are determined to do it your way or what you’ve always done!! Where is the launching point that He’s calling you to launch from…
The definition of insanity, is to do what you’ve always done and expect different results!
Someone else said, “If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll be what you’ve always been”….
Launching out, means for some folks, releasing the anchor that has been holding them where they’ve always been….the anchor that has prevented them from moving forward and progressing in their walk with the Lord. The anchor that is holding them in the same place they’ve been for years.
This story tells us that the fishermen’s nets were empty even though they had toiled and labored and done everything they knew to do…. Do you have some nets in your life that are still empty, even though you’ve done all you know how to do….. IT’S LAUNCH TIME....it’s time to launch out into some area of obedience which is His call to you to move into that deeper place, beyond what you can do or that you can make happen without Him….
Keep casting the net.....According to the Barna Group, a nationwide research organization, less than one-third of those who say they are Christians, said they personally share the plan of salvation with someone else on a regular basis.. Don’t get discouraged, even though you may see no results, and maybe you feel like you really botched it, or you’re afraid you’ll make a mess of it, keep on casting. Soon it will be second nature. If you are uneasy about sharing your faith, bring them to church and get them under the word. Practice makes perfect....
One day shortly after the birth of their new baby, the mother had to go out for the day. So, the proud papa stayed home to watch his wonderful new son. He was looking forward to it and all was great until the baby *........started to cry. The father did everything he could think of to do but the baby wouldn’t stop crying. Finally, the dad got so worried he decided to take the baby to his mom’s. His mom immediately examine the baby’s diapers. When she undid the diaper, he found that the diaper was full."Here’s your problem", the she said, "He needs a change."
I don’t understand, the dad responded, the package said, “Good for 15 lbs”
Jesus chose a messy boat....When Jesus got in Peter’s boat, it hadn’t been cleaned yet. It was smelly, slimy, and dirty. It was still a mess from the night of fishing. Listen please, Jesus isn’t waiting till we are all cleaned up, and have everything just perfect and in place before He can use us and launch us. The truth is, we will never feel good enough, or holy enough or capable enough to answer the call and launch out in obedience. We will never deserve what He offers freely.
As soon as the demoniac of Gadara was delivered, he went back to his village and told everyone and showed himself to them. The entire village saw and believed….
When the Samaritan woman at the well, who was a prostitute, encountered Jesus, immediately she returned to her village and told them about Jesus, and the entire village believed.
And when Jesus healed the blind man, immediately he went and told his friends and neighbors. “I once was blind but now I see”. And he sent them all to Jesus....
Each of us have something we can do that no one else but us can do! We can tell our story, then tell it again. No one else has our story of what we overcame, and the journey God brought us through….
There is never a perfect time for you to take action. “I don’t have the time. I am not capable. Someone else will do it. It’s too late now. Now is not the right time. I am not talented. I am not ready. I’m too scared. I don’t feel motivated. I’m too tired. Nobody will help me. What if I fail?” And on, and on, and on, and on…… TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!!…..
There is never a perfect time for you to launch that new project, to spend time with your family, to read the book you’ve been meaning to, or change a habit, or develop a new habit. Once we acknowledge this, our lives will become much more meaningful and fulfilling… trust me, I’ve been there.
That’s the problem with waiting for perfect! That perfect person, perfect thing, perfect place, never comes! Studies consistently show that when we look back on our lives the most common regrets are not the risks we took, but the ones we didn’t take. Of the many regrets people describe, regrets of inaction and indecision, outnumber those of any actions that were taken by nearly two to one.
Hebrews 11:6 says it best, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe Him and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him”. Our job is to tell, the Holy Spirit’s job is to convince them of the reality of Christ, as we make ourselves available!
In other words, it’s time to stop arguing with Christ and start trusting Him!
The defining words to this story is when Peter said “Never the less, at your word, I will.” It is that moment when we acknowledge that God’s power is greater than our logic….greater than our messy boat, and our unfinished stuff....If He has chosen us, believe and trust His choice.....
How do we get to that launching point, how do we arrive at that place of obedient faith?..... Launching out, comes in stages for most of us. God knows where we are and He only asks us to do what He knows we can believe for at the level we are at. I think of Ezekiel’s description of this process…
Ezekiel 47:3 “Then He led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?
We don’t expect a baby to walk before it crawls. Ezekiel begins with ankle deep or crawling water....
Nowhere in Scripture do you find Jesus REBUKING His disciples for making MISTAKES. He doesn’t even REBUKE Peter for openly DENYING Him. But on several occasions, we find Jesus rebuking the disciples for their lack of FAITH. Faith is that place where we push past all the other voices that are competing with God’s voice, and believing that we stand at a defining moment, a breakthrough moment, of the very place we have prayed for and believed for. And it’s all waiting on the other side of our obedience! Paul told the church, that transformative Faith comes by hearing (or responding) to the word of God.... The Lord loves us just like we are, but He loves us enough to not let us stay where we are.... So, He reveals Himself to us from level to level, so we won’t be overwhelmed....
“At thy word”—was the launching pad which released the miracle for Peter, and the other fishermen and it will work for our miracle as well!
Ships aren’t built for the safety of the harbor, but for the wind, waves and deeper waters. God didn’t design us for the safe places, or the trouble free life. We were built to experience all that life has to throw at us and declare that “Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world”….
These are the ones who will hear our Lord say on that day “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord forever.”.
In the words of Matthew Kelly, “God of deep waters and infinite riches, challenge me to go where I fear, to do what is difficult and what I thought could never be done. Push me to go to the deep waters of life and cast my net wide, for I put all my hope, trust and faith in you”.
There was no way that Gideon could defeat the 150,000 man Midianite army with 300 men, but “At Thy Word”.....he launched out in faith and obedience, and God gave a miraculous victory….
There is no way that Moses could stand against the entire Egyptian empire, but “At Thy Word”...he launched out in faith and obedienceand God brought that nation to it’s knees….
When Jesus was finished preaching, He said, “Now, launch out”…they probably went out only 50 feet from where they had called it quits! 50 feet from where they were giving up. 50 feet from packing it in and going home…. But even though they were done, they weren’t finished…. YOU MAY BE DONE, BUT GOD’S NOT FINISHED …. You see, your miracle, your answer, your dream fulfilled and your mission accomplished, is closer than you think…
Jesus is telling you that you’re closer than you think to seeing your family saved, closer than you think to your healing, to your financial provision, to your freedom and your dream coming together…. There’s another fishing story In John’s Gospel, and we see one of the post-Resurrection appearances of our Lord. Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, John, James, Zebedee’s sons, and two other unnamed disciples were fishing on the Sea of Tiberias. After an entire night, once again, they haven’t caught a single fish. Then, a figure appears on the shore and said to them….John 21:6 “Children, have you caught anything to eat?” They answered him, “No we haven’.” So he said to them, “Cast the net over the other side of the boat.” So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in because of the number of fish.”
Stop looking for God to do it somewhere else, your miracle is right where you are. Your answer is where you are… Don’t get so convinced that what you need is somewhere else, because you will miss the power of right where you are. You are in the right place for your miracle!
When Elisha showed up at the widow’s house, in the midst of famine, where she and her son were waiting to die. His amazing question to her was “What is in your house”… She had the stuff of miracles right there in her house, but it took the man of God to activate it and release it. All she saw was lack, and insufficiency, but God saw that little was much when it was turned over to Him!Her miracle was right where she was!
All of our effort and pushing and manipulating in the world won’t accomplish what surrender and obedience will accomplish.
Sometimes we have to give away what we’ve got in order to have what He wants to give us. There is some action which we can takethat will be the key to our break through. There is a step of obedience which will begin the process of your blessing. It’s something you can do, that God has been speaking to your spirit,because like the widow woman, her act of faith set everything in motion.
Don’t be like little boy came late for children’s church. He was usually on time or early, so his teacher asked, “Johnny, is there anything wrong?” “No, ma’am, not really,” he said.” I was going to go fishing, but my daddy told me that I needed to get on up and go to church.” The teacher was very impressed and asked Johnny if his father had explained to him why it was more important to go to church than to go fishing. “Yes ma’am, he did,” Johnny said. “My daddy said he didn’t have enough bait for both of us.” God wants to work with us and through us, not in spite of us!
God has instructed me at times to empty out my closet, or give to someone in need, in order to set in motion provision in some other area of the family… Give and it shall be given unto you, full measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, the scripture tells us. I want to share with you a poem by T.H. Allen.... “Leave The Miracles To Him”...
Whatsoever He bids you, do it!' Though you may not understand;
Yield to Him complete obedience, Then you'll see His mighty hand.
`Fill the waterpots with water'—Fill them to the very brim;
He will honor all your trusting—Leave the miracles to Him.
Bring to Christ your loaves and fishes, Though they be but few and small;
He will use the weaker vessels—Give to Him your little all.
Do you ask how many thousands Can be fed with food so slim?
Listen to the Master's blessing—Leave the miracles to Him.
O you Christians, learn the lesson! Are you struggling in the way?
Cease your trying, change to trusting, Then you'll triumph every day.
`Whatsoever He bids you, do it!' Fill the pots up to the brim,
But remember it’s His battle— Leave the miracles to Him.—
I want us to notice that when Elijah showed up for the widow, He also asked her, what God had told him to….. “What can I do for you”…..
I need to tell you that God is constantly asking us that question, if we’re listening, willing and obedient! No matter how it looks, or what the situation, God is right there asking “What can I do for you”.... Please hear Him today....
The Israelites were without food and water in the desert, and God was there asking what can I do for you.... Manna came, quail came, water came.
When Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah, and Samson's motherwere barren, God asked “What can I do for you”.... and He opened their womb.
When Moses had brought the people to the Red Sea, with the chariots of Egypt bearing down on them, and it was flood time.... God asked “What can I do for You”.... and Moses lifted high his shepherd’s staff, commanded the waters and God parted the Red Sea...
At the victory of Jericho, they were required to walk around the city...He anoints our feet as we go.....The bitter waters of Marah were healed by throwing in the hyssop....He anoints our obedience... Goliath was slain when David cast the stone... (His anointing is in our hands) Naaman was healed when he dipped 7 times at the Lord’s command....The Assyrian army was defeated when the people dug ditches at Elisha’s command.... These and so many more, were actions of obedience which released miracles!!When He met lepers, the deaf, the blind, the lame and even dead folks, He was asking “What can I do for you”? He’s asking you “What can I do for you”..... Step out in obedience, do the thing He’s asking, and watch Him move for in your life! `
Prayer.... Father God, we thank you that when you are for us, nothing can be against us. We are believing for miracles, and we know that you have freely given us all things. We thank you, Lord Jesus, that you are continually interceding for us and we thank you that nothing can separate us from your love. Lord, your Holy Spirit at work in me can do far more than I could think or ask or imagine. I rejoice with unspeakable joy, for you are even now moving and working in my situation. You are my living hope and I will not waver in claiming my miracle. I am fully persuaded that as I pass through this storm, and keep my focus on you and not the wind and waves, I can walk on water, and I will rise above the storm. In all things we are more than conquerors by your power and grace. Lord, you said that if we believe you, we would see your greater works, and that nothing would be impossible. We stand on Your Word, that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We pray that every stronghold that has risen up against us shall be demolished in Jesus’ name. We ask that the winds of the Holy Spirit will fall upon us and that the spirit of “true evangelism” will be released. Father, clothe us with power from on high in all that we do for Your Kingdom and for the growth of Your kingdom in the earth. This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A brand new pastor took his first church, which consisted mostly of elderly folks. In four weeks he did eight funerals, so he didn’t have time to write his regular Sunday Sermons. Instead, he used the sermon from the Sunday before - 3 more times. The church council went to the head of the denomination and complained that this new pastor had used the same sermon 4 times in a row. The overseer asked them to give him a overview of the sermon they were referring to. The elderly Council couldn't remember, since most of them had slept through it, and they scratched their heads and hemmed and hawed - but they really couldn't remember. The overseer said, "Let him use it one more time, sounds like you haven’t got it yet."
Well, we’ve heard many sermons about the name of Jesus, but we need to hear it one more time……(can someone say “One more time”)
I’m titling my message today, “The Divine Mix” Today is reformation Sunday, when we celebrate the impact of Martin Luther on the world, as he presented the message of Salvation by grace in Jesus name, with the stamp of heaven upon his efforts…..The proclamation which he nailed to the Catholic Church Door is called “The Sola Gratia” or Salvation by grace alone…..It is a celebration of the difference one believer can make when they continue to walk in surrender and obedience to the Lord…..My text is from… Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. 2 I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers. 3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
You can see that the miracle which took place here was based on God mixing His name with the names of Abraham and Sarah, causing them to not only have new names but supernatural possibilities…..
He created a Divine mix, adding His name to theirs, He added the “H”… which is the breath of God… The same breath He breathed into Adam and Adam became a fully functional being, where before, he was just a form of a man which was made from dust. When He added the “H” of His breath into Abram and Sari, at 100 and 90, their bodies were dead the scripture tells us. But they became a fully functional man and woman, so that they were able to produce something that was not physically possible… Why can’t we believe that this same God, can breathe on His people today, through Holy Spirit unction, and allow them to do things still today that otherwise would just not be possible. Our God is not bound by the forces of nature, He created all that was created and it answers to Him, not the other way around.
When I am asked to do a dedication ceremony, and ask the parents, “What is the Christian name of this child?” I am not only asking, “Who is this child I am dedicating?” but also, “What do you want this child to become? What are your visions for this life?”.. “What are God’s plans for this eternal person, He has placed in your care?”
Don’t settle for an Ishmael When you don’t See the answer
Right away …..Abraham wasn’t so different from us, because he didn’t see it happen quick enough, he took matters in his own hands and did it his way instead of God’s way. He had a child by His hand maid, and named it Ishmael, (the counterfeit, the substitute, the compromise)… How many times have Christians settled for an Ishmael when God had an Isaac planned for them….They settled for less than the best God had for them. but the good news is that it’s never to late for redemption, if we are willing to repent, and Go God’s way and surrender to His plan… One preacher announced from the pulpit," I have good news and bad news. The good news is we are about to reach our entire city, every man, woman and child with the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was a thunderous applause. The preacher continued….The bad news is that the results are up to every man, woman and child in the church”. And the church was totally quite! Acts 11:26"the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch".
This divine mix, when God adds His name to ours, is a picture of the moment we receive the redeemed life of Christ and He adds His name to ours….and we are called “Christian”… I am now Charles “Christian”…. You are your name plus “Christian”….(take a moment and introduce yourself to someone by adding “Christian” after your first name…. (Hello, I am, ---------------- Christian!
When God mixes His name with ours, everything changes!!!Something new is created which is full of potential and loaded with possibilities! Numbers 6:22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 24 “‘The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. 27 In this manner, the priests will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
God was telling the ministers, to remind the people of the potential they have and the possibilities that are theirs when Hisname is mixed with theirs!!!
The prophet Isaiah said, in Isaiah 62:2 "You shall be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall designate".
We have been given the name of redemption, the name of restoration, a name of deliverance, of second chances, of renewal, hope, a way where there is no way, an all things are possible identity, where miracles abound, and where the supernatural is now natural!!
When something is restored by God, it is always better than it was to begin with. God's promise to us is a better way, a better life, a better future for ourselves and our loved ones.
He still says to us who take His name…."The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly." John 10:10. Every thief must bow to God’s higher law, fulfilled and enforced in Jesus Christ.
Back in the day when churches had wood burning stoves to heat the sanctuary, the pastor and his sons would bring in the fire wood for the stove. They discovered that one of the neighbors were stealing fire wood from the church wood pile. The father told his sons not to fetch the fire wood, that he would bring all the wood in for a while. One Sunday during the message, there was a terrible explosion next door to the church. The pastor had embedded dynamite in some of the wood. He informed his sons that it was safe for them to bring in the wood now!!! The preacher caught the thief and so did Jesus….. Jesus’ name is dyn-o-mite!!!
Read the story of Job, of Moses, of Jacob, of Joseph, and Paul, and the disciples of Jesus and marvel at God's miracles ofrestoration.
Psalm 71:20-21 declares, "Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again."
Child of God, listen to Joel 2:25-26 "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten. ... You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed" God is promising us a chance to break generational curses and to have generational blessings in their place through His name!!
WHOSE REPORT WILL YOU BELIEVE!!!! Will you believe your circumstances, or your history, or your fears, or your insecurities, or the report of the Lord…… Naming is a way of hoping and declaring forth. We name a child after someone or some quality that we hope he or she will become—a saint, a hero, an admired ancestor or friend. What greater goal could anyone have for their family, than to be able to call them “Christian”….
If you weren’t worthy, then why would God put His name on you. He puts His name on you because you are worthy through His name! It’s important how you identify. Do you identify from a purely human perspective or from the new name and identity you have in Christ.
Men can identify as women, Girls can identify as boys, I read that one woman identified as a couger….well, well! With all this identifying, we should raise the bar and identify as “Christian”…. Come on!
The Ancient Hebrew word for blessing is “Ber a kah” – and it means….. Anointed to win, Empowered to overcome, Blessed beyond the curse
It’s about His favor, wisdom, protection, abundance, ability, grace, joy, freedom, peace - all resting upon you in His name, inwhatever you put your hand to.
One Christian family decided to let their three-year-old son record the message for their home answering machine. Theyrehearsed it several times…..“Mommy and Daddy can’t come to the phone right now. If you’ll leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”So, he insisted they leave the room and the recording was made,
Then came the test. The father pressed the record button and their son had said sweetly, "Mommy and Daddy can’t come to the phone right now. If you’ll leave your name, phone number, and a brief message, they’ll get back to you as soon as Jesus comes.”
Well, God has a message for us in the here and now, before Jesus comes
There are definitely times of trials, testings and challenges - but with the blessing of the Lord upon us, we have strength, endurance, and favor….
We can declare the Name of the Lord and His truth and blessing and favor over ourselves today and every day. We need to keep on rehearsing it and do it until we get it right…Sometimes I do it with a little song, you may know it….. (I am blessed, I am blessed, every day of my life I am blessed. When I wake up in the morning, and I lay my head to rest, I am blessed, I am blessed)
Believe THAT instead of your fears, believe THAT instead of your worry, believe THAT instead of the news, or the tale bearers and nay sayers!
In the story of the Jewish Passover. The spirit of death was passing through the towns of Egypt and would kill every firstborn of every house...unless there was a substitute sacrifice of a pure lamb. The blood of the lamb on the doorpost would prove that death had already visited that house, so the spirit of death would pass over those who lived there.
The powerful thing about the story was that the spirit of death didn’t go inside the house to investigate what kind of people were in there. When he saw the blood of the lamb, he passed over. What does that mean for us?
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve come from, or what you’ve done - if you’re covered by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, the enemy has to pass on by! If Jesus has qualified you! You are forgiven and washed clean. You are covered. You are now a blessing magnet!!!
Let me tell you something else, if this is true of you, then your name is known and recognized in high places…..
Matthew 10:32 “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven”.
Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" That means to each of us, that when He gives us His name, there is always a way, the truth is available in every situation of life… and we have access to the meaning and purpose of life because we have access to Him….
It’s important what we call ourselves……I have people who know me at many different levels. 4 people call me “Dad” (my 3 kids and Vickie) I have 8 that call me grandpa. Some call me “Pastor” and some call me “Chuck”, Some just say “Hey You”…. But the important name is what I call myself when I look in the mirror….
Even though Abram looked in the mirror and saw a 100 year old man who had no sons by his wife Sari who was barren at 90, he called himself “Abraham”…. It was more than a label, it was who he now was through God… It was who Sarah now was through God’s power.
So he began to call himself “fruitful”… “Father of many sons”…. “Healed and delivered”… “A new man”…. With new potential and new possibilities!
Whatever difficult place, whatever hard place, whatever challenging place you have found yourself in…. Jesus gets excited. He gets excited because He knows the power and authority of His name in all of our situations and circumstances…. And Abraham saw that power more than he saw the condition of his body or Sarah’s…..
Bam! Within 9 months, Isaac was born and Isaac brought forth Jacob, and Jacob had 12 sons who became the 12 tribes which were the nation of Israel… God did what He said He would do!
You see, I look in the mirror and I call that guy in the mirrorwhat God’s word calls him…..(the bible has 721 names that He calls us) for example…
Peacemaker, Faithful Steward, Soul winner, Seed sower, Doer of the word, Faithful one, Lover of God, Believer, Justified, Worshiper, Redeemed, King, The anointed, Salt of the earth, Priesthood, Friend of God, Light of the world, Joint-heir, His dwelling place, His treasure, Overcomer, His chosen, and on and on… 721 amazing names.!!! But it’s only possible when I allow His name to be mixed with mine….
Isaiah 43:1 “But now says the Lord, He who created you, He who formed you, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine”.
Why don’t you start right now today, speaking to the person in the mirror, the redeemed names God is calling you….
That’s why so often we end a statement or a prayer or confession with “In the name of Jesus”!!! We’re declaring the power of the Divine mix! Jesus, or “Yeshua” is interpreted from Hebrew as “Yahweh the Savior or Yahweh our deliverer.” It also means the “anointed one and His anointed”…. There it is, the Divine mix!!!!
In closing, I declare that same power, the power that is released in Jesus name over you today….. I declare that you are, Peacemaker, Faithful Steward, Soul winner, Seed sower, Doer of the word, Faithful one, Lover of God, Believer, Justified, Worshiper, Redeemed, King, The anointed, Salt of the earth, Priesthood, Friend of God, Light of the world, Joint-heir, His dwelling place, His treasure, Overcomer, His chosen, and on and on… 721 amazing names…… In and through the power of Jesus’ name!!!!
That name is the Chief Corner Stone, The Living Bread, The Sure Foundation we can build our lives upon. He is the Great Physician, The Lord of the Harvest, The Rock of Ages. The Pearl of Great Price. He is our Counselor, and heavenly attorney, The Light of the World. The Wisdom of God revealed to us. He is the Word of God, The Author and Finisher of Our Faith, The New and Living Way, The Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.
He is the Son of the Living God, our Savior, our Redeemer and our Lord.—What a beautiful name, what a powerful name, what a super natural, miraculous name it is!!! We do not take it lightly, or slightly, or as just another expression or explicative that we might utter with our mouth…. “Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven”….
Prayer, “Lord, I declare that there is no limit to your miracles. In your hands all things are possible. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit, I render possible every impossible situation in my life for the glory of God. Lord, I am believing for some things that only You can do. I am believing for a miracle. Lord Jesus, heal me, whatever You see in me that needs healing.
Heal me of anything that might separate me from you. Heal my memory, heal my heart, heal my emotions, heal my spirit, heal my body and heal my soul. I believe you have the miraculous power and strength to conquer the darkest enemy, break the strongest barrier, and silence the greatest deceiver. Your name is Worthy, Glorious, Almighty in power and I claim victory today in Your name.
I am waiting, and I am ready to receive my blessing and I receive my breakthrough in the name of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. I know You are aware of my situation and I now walk in your blessing and favor that is upon me. Lord, thank you for blessing me with wisdom and knowledge to do your will and to accomplish my divine purpose of creation. In Your name and for Your glory I pray these things, Amen!
Come on, take a moment and honor the name above all names, in heaven above and in earth beneath. Every knee must bow and every tongue confess that He is Lord. It is the eternal name, which gives us an audience at the throne of Almighty God. Honor Him today, praise Him, exalt the name that brings salvation, healing, deliverance, and every good gift that comes down from the Father…..
