9/23/2015 The Garments of LifeScriptures: Genesis 37:3, Genesis 39:1-2, Genesis 39:20 & Genesis 41: 39-42
Joseph was a man that wore many different garments in his lifetime. First, he wore the garment of many colors. Israel, Joseph's father, made him a coat of many colors. It was a symbol of favoritism: it was a coat given to Joseph. This was not a garment Joseph earned, yet he wore it with much human pride. The second garment Joseph wore was the "garment of a servant." This was a garment that Joseph never thought he would wear: it was a garment forced upon him. He wore this garment with honor and it was through this garment that he became a man. Then Joseph wore the garment of a prisoner: this was a garment of injustice. He was put into another garment that from a human perspective he did not deserve to ear. This became the garment of spiritual gifting. Finally, Joseph wore the garment of a king. A garment of fine lines and he was given the Pharaoh's signet ring. This was a garment of authority: Joseph would have never received this garment until he wore the garment of a servant and prisoner. Joseph was ready for this garment because he had grown wearing the others. All of us will wear many different garments in this life. Could it be God has purpose for all the stages of our lives? The tough times could be ordained for our growth and spiritual gifting. If we wear the garments well, God has the garments of King for us. 9/12/2015 A BreakthroughScriptures: Joshua 6: 1-6, Joshua 6: 15-16, 20
Do you need to experience a breakthrough? Today is the day to secure an unburdening. Let's look at the steps for a breakthrough: 1) Prepare for a Confrontation: there is no breakthrough without resistance. Jericho was a fortress city: a symbol of the enemy's power. The Bible tells us "resist the devil and he will flee from you." 2) Look beyond your present circumstances: Joshua looked beyond the walls. There was and will always be more to see than just our obstacles. 3) Align yourself with God: Joshua saw a man with a sword drawn: this was the captain of the Lord's host. Joshua was an earthly leader, but he still had a heavenly leader to follow. Sometimes we mistake those who are there to help us, as those who are out to hurt us. 4) Worship always precedes the victory: worship is the doorway to the supernatural. There can be no breakthrough if there is no: worship, praise, prayer or giving. 5) Obedience to God's direction is the key to a breakthrough- God gives commands, not suggestions. Joshua followed God's direction without personal variations. 6) Speak to yourself only what edifies- edify is defined as: "to instruct especially so as to encourage intellectual, moral or spiritual improvement." God instructed the people not to speak. Why? Because He saw their thoughts of doubt. He had them walk around the walls six days before the day of victory. Its time to walk off, pray off, praise off and sign off our doubts! Shout when you have: prepared for resistance, looked beyond your problems, aligned yourself with God's will, worshipped God with all your heart, followed God's direction exactly and filled your mind with words of faith. Then it's time to shout: faith has a voice! Faith calls those things which are not as though they were. Faith spoken makes obstacles crumble. 9/12/2015 The WOW Effect!Scriptures: John 4:19-26
Worship is the expression that encompasses the whole of who God is and who you are. The worship Jesus spoke about in the Bible satisfies our total personality and builds our faith. Worship is truly a fulfilling experience, when it is genuine and true. It is not limited to a physical experience: it is also a spiritual experience. We are told by Jesus to worship "in spirit and in truth." What does that mean? It involves our feelings, but is not controlled by our feelings. It involves our emotions, but is not limited by our emotions. It involves our intellect, but transcends our understanding. The WOW affect happens when we worship God the way He intended us to worship Him. Worship happens when we open our hearts to God: when we take off the mask, We are real and genuine in His presence: completely acknowledging His presence. Worship originates from a true hunger and thirst to know God. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for they will be filled, the Bible tells us. We respond to God's personal call for a deeper relationship. Real worship is guided by the Holy Spirit: we need the Holy Spirit to help us accomplish the worship that God deserves. The Holy Spirit takes our focus off personal agendas and directs us to declare who God is. Worship ignites a true hope in the worshiper. Hope for the present and the future: thanking God for His provisions, celebrating His promises, and rejoicing in his path for life. When we worship in spirit and truth, the Holy Spirit helps us to worship, prays through us, writes God's words on our hearts and reveals to us how much God loves us. When we experience true worship, we leave different. We are not overwhelmed by our problems or feeling condemned. It is the WOW effect! Wow: what a God we serve. 9/5/2015 Adullam's CaveScriptures: 22: 1-2
Adullam: "a cave of refuge," this cave became a place of refuge for David and his men. Men came to this cave in distress, in debt and discontentment. This cave is a type and shadow of the Church. Why did they come to this cave? For protection, for training and for a cause. Each man had his own choices to make. The distressed had to decide to move on to freedom. They were suffering from anxiety, sorrow or pain, but the Word tells us: "Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him, God is a refuge for us." Psalm 62:8 The indebted had to trust God to provide: David had them form a community committed to one another. Psalm 9:9 says: "The Lord also will be refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." The discontented found rest: they came to find a better future and to reunite with their hope. In the cave they found a cause worth fighting for: "But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.:" Psalm 94:23 This church is a place of refuge for you: for those in distress- its a place of freedom from anxiety, sorrow and pain. For those in debt- a refuge in times of trouble. For those feeling discontented- you an find a worthy cause to live for. God turned these men into mighty warriors. God and David took these outcasts and formed an army. God turned them into protectors, encouragers and supporters of others. They found what they needed in Adullum's cave. You can find what you need in God's church: God's protection, spiritual training for life's battles and the cause of Jesus Christ. |
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