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Subjects
We Have Access Into the Kingdom!
Favor
Trusting God: Part I
Can God Trust Us? Part II
Perseverance
How to Stand Against the Enemy
The Truth
Life After Death
Making a Difference
The Words of Our Mouth:
Hindrances to Answered
Prayers
Giving Thanks
We Have Access Into the Kingdom!
Access is defined as a means of entering in.
Are you facing any trials that seem
overwhelming? Do you need a healing in your body? Have you
ever felt like your finances were in dire lack? Did you know
that whatever you need, that you have access into the
kingdom? As long as you keep the commandments of God and
follow after His precepts, you can have access into the kingdom
of God to get whatever you need! “I know thy works: Behold I
set before thee an open door and no man can shut it: for
thou hast a little strength, and has kept my word and hast
not denied my name,” (Revelation 3:8).
Take cheer in knowing that whatever
we need, we have access to it!! We have access to the promises
of God, to obtain the things that we need! No matter what’s
going on in our lives, we can trust that we have access! “With
such access, no weapon that is formed against us will prosper!”
Therefore, no one can prohibit us from obtaining access to that
which we need from God. WE HAVE ACCESS INTO THE KINGDOM!
Reference Scriptures:
| St. John
14 |
St. John 10: 9 |
| Psalms 24:
3-5 |
Psalms 15: 1-5 |
| Revelation 3:
8 |
Isaiah 54:17 |
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Favor
Everyone should conduct themselves in such a manner, that we
could call on someone and just because of who we are they will
grant whatever favor we need. We can safely trust that if
we live a life that's pleasing to God, we will obtain
favor with God & man!
Reference Scriptures:
Luke 2:52
Proverbs 8:34-35
Exodus 3:21
Daniel 6 :16
Proverbs 12:2
Psalms 89:17
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Trusting God:
Part I
“Who
is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of
his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?
Let him trust in the name of
the Lord, and stay upon his God,” (Isaiah 50:10).
Sometimes, one of the most challenging
things to do is to trust God in moments of disconsolation,
uncertainty, or hardship. (This is especially true when you are
obeying the voice of God and keeping His word). There are times
when we can’t sense God’s presence or feel His hand, but we must
be assured that He is there. In fact, Isaiah 50:10
charges us to trust God in the midst of our darkness.
Be fully assured that if you keep God’s
word and walk in His way that He will always work things out for
you! (Joshua 1:8, Psalms 37:3) God promised to never
leave you or forsake you. You don’t have to crack or give way to
the pressures of life or sin itself. Simply cleave to God’s
promises in His word and He will make a way. In order for you
cleave to God’s word to uphold you in dark times, you must know
God’s word. In order for you to know God’s word, you must study
God’s word for yourself. When you KNOW God’s word for yourself,
you can use that to stand against the enemy and every obstacle
that stands in your way. Knowing God’s word causes you to trust
Him, no matter what!
Study Scriptures:
Isaiah 50:10
Psalms 37:3
Joshua 1:8
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Can God Trust Us?
Part II
Believe it or not, God has expectations of us. He expects us to
keep His word and walk in his way. In fact, God tells us to be
perfect, which is defined as complete and mature. Furthermore,
God told Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect (Genesis
17:1) Know that perfection (completion or maturity) takes
work and personal sacrifice. You must make the commitment to
keep God’s word. You must keep His whole law. Unfortunately,
keeping God’s word is not like taking a test where you may omit
a question and still pass. God’s word and His law is an “all or
none” (James 2:10).
This may seem unreasonable or even
impossible, but if God sets that expectation of us, we can rest
assure that He will keep us and sustain us (II Timothy 1:12,
Jude 1:24). He will never set an expectation of us or give
a commandment to us that He, himself will not make it possible
for us to fulfill! God is, no doubt, a promise keeper! He
will always keep His word, but can God trust us to keep
His word, even in frustration, temptation, hardship, or
uncertainty? We can trust God, no matter what, but can God
trust us?
Study Scriptures:
Genesis 17:1
Deuteronomy 32:4
Deuteronomy 18:13
I Kings 8:61
Psalms 18:30
Ecclesiastes 3:14
James 2:10
James 4:17
Matthew 5:48
II Timothy 1:12
Jude 1:24
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Perseverance
To persevere is to continue doing despite
difficulty. It is also the continuance in grace of the people
of God, elected to eternal salvation. Note that the enemy’s
desire is to break us. He desires to weigh us down and strain
us. However, we must be aware of his tactics. Furthermore, we
must evaluate our own lives and lay aside anything that serves
as an obstacle or a heavy weight that keeps us from living
according to the word of God. Paul admonished us in Romans
12:1 to lay aside every weight and sin that so easily
besets us!
Even the trials of life can serve as a
heavy weight, but we must hold on to God’s word and not succumb
to the pressures of life. Job, no doubt, served as a living
testament of this. He was able to maintain a state of
righteousness and integrity (Job 2:3 & Job 17:9). Trust
and know that even at your weakest point, God will sustain you
and cause your weakness to manifest great strength (II
Corinthians 2:9)!!!!
Study Scriptures:
Hebrews 12:9
Job 17:9
Galatians 6:9
Luke 9:62
Proverbs 24:21
Philippians 2:5
II Corinthians 12:9
Job 2:3
Psalms 25:21
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How
to Stand Against the Enemy
3 Ways The enemy comes against
the Body of Christ:
1)
Seduction- being disloyal to God & disobedient to His
Word
2) Intimidation
3) Attack
Reference Scriptures below:
James 10:
13-16 (the enemy's seduction)
Matthew
10:28 (the enemy's intimidation)
John 10: 10
(the enemy's attack)
Please be fully assured the enemy came to do
nothing but steal, kill, and destroy. If he can't seduce
you, he will intimidate you. If he can't intimidate you,
he will attack you. Sometimes this may be a physical
attack. The purpose of the attack is to discourage you or
overwhelm you to get you to give up. You see, the enemy knows
all of you weaknesses. He knows every weak area. Thus, he will
focus on those areas. The devil is relentless. He roams to and
fro to seek whom he may devour. Nonetheless, we've got to be
like Job, who stood regardless of the circumstances. Job said,
"I know that my redeemer liveth and He shall stand in the latter
day!" (Job 19:25) Therefore, you've got to know that
God will faithfully see you through (I
Corinthians 10:13). While Job was a strong witness of
overcoming the devil in the Old Testament, the Apostle Paul
encouraged us in the New Testament. He was fully persuaded to
not allow anyone or anything to separate him from God (Romans
8:38-39). Just as these biblical patriarchs remained
victorious against the enemy, we can stand as well. Let us be
persuaded by the hope given to us in His word!
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The Truth
The
Truth can described in 2
ways:
1)
It is absolute (no deviation) 2)
It is complete
God stated
in His word that He is the way, the truth & the light
(St. John 8:32). Also, St. John 1:1 states that "the word was
with God and the word was God. Therefore, if God is
interchangeable with His word and He is the truth, then
His word is truth. Furthermore, God is always clear with
His instructions in His word. He is clear on His expectations
of us in His word. In addition, don't entertain, listen to,
or abide by anything that deviates from the truth. If we
chose to entertain anything that deviates from the absolute,
complete truth, you will be as Eve, who was beguiled
(deceived) by Satan in the Garden of Eden.
Each
individual is responsible for discovering the truth of God's
word for themselves. This goes beyond taking the "preacher's
word." You must study the word of God on your own, outside of
Sunday morning or other scheduled services. The bible declares
that we should "study to show ourselves approved unto God,"
(II
Timothy 2:15). In addition to being responsible for knowing
the truth, we are responsible for walking and living in the
truth......the absolute complete truth! If you deviate in
the slightest way, you become guilty of all offenses.
This is referenced in
James 2:10 that states "For
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in
one point, he is guilty of all."
In summary,
it is important that we should know the truth, believe the
truth, and walk therein. The truth will cause you to stand
in the mist of adversity, persecution, or lies
(Proverbs 12:19. It causes you to walk in liberty................freedom! No one
who walks in the truth can be bound by anything!! Take cheer in
knowing that the truth of God's word, yields total victory,
total freedom! "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall
set you free!"
(St. John 8:32)
Reference Scriptures
St. John
8:32 James
2:10
II Timothy
2:15
Zechariah
8:16
Proverbs
2:19
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Life After Death
We will, no doubt, leave this earth one
day. Our mortal bodies will be transformed to immortality.
While this human body returns to the dust, the soul of the man
belongs to God. Your soul will reside in heaven or hell after
this life is over, as we will face judgment for how we lived
this life. Therefore, as we live, we should be preparing for
eternity. While life on earth is only temporary, death is
eternal….forever. Not preparing for life after death
(taking time for granted), is like playing the lottery. Once
you’ve lost, you can’t redeem your money, as it too is lost.
Therefore, we must redeem the time that we have and use it to
prepare for life after death. Our soul will live forever
somewhere!! Where are you preparing to spend eternity?
Reference Scriptures:
Psalms 89: 48
Ecclesiastes 3:20
Hebrews 9:27
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
John 10:10
Luke 18:18-22
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Making a Difference
Have you ever made a difference in
someone’s life? Are you able to look back on your life and
see where you had a significant impact on your surroundings?
How many of you have been a part of an organization for a number
of years? Can you see that at some point and time that you were
instrumental in making a positive impact…or were you a source of
grief to others? Have you ever made yourself available to be
used by God to be a great blessing to others? This is
definitely a thought worth pondering upon. What a shame it
would be to look back and reflect on your days and note that you
never made a difference………..in a good way? Have you made a
difference?
Biblical References & Patriarchs that made a difference:
| Exodus 17:8-12 |
(Moses & Joshua) |
| Matthew 16:18 |
(Peter) |
| Ephesians 2:20 |
(Jesus Christ) |
| Mark 9:40 |
(You---Are you with God? Which side are
you leaning on?) |
| Psalms 133:1 |
(Christian fellowship……what a difference
it makes!) |
Have you made a difference?
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The
Words of Our Mouth:
Let
us be watchful of the words that come out of our mouth.
When we speak, we ought to speak as oracles of Christ.
Sometimes the things that we say leaves an impression about us
(good or bad) and yields a harvest that we will one day reap.
Be mindful that the devil has a way of turning our own mouths
against us by tempting us to say the wrong words. These
words alone can bring death, as death and life lie in the power
of the tongue. One of the strongest examples is that of
the Shumanite woman! Even though her child was dead, she
stated that "it is well!" Her words of life and confidence
in the Lord, the God of Elijah, resulted in the restored life of
her son! Let us follow her example and cease not to speak
God's word in our lives.......and watch the manifold greatness
unfold!
Reference Scriptures
Psalms 19:14
I Peter 5: 8 <Being watchful of what we say>
Job 1:7
Matthew 26:41
Psalms 141: 3
Job 1:8-10, 21 <Job chose to bless the Lord in the mist of
his loss>
Job 2:3, 9, 10
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Hindrances to Answered Prayers
There are many
reasons why our prayers go unanswered. If you are
experiencing unanswered prayers, consider the
following. Take heed unto yourselves lest should be
overtaken, with any of the following:
1)
Disobedience
I Kings 5
2) Indifference / Failure to comply
Proverbs 1: 24-30
Luke 14:16
Mathew 22:3-14
Romans 10: 18-21
3) Instability
James 1:6-7
Proverbs 24:21
4) Stubbornness
Zachariah 7:8-14
I Samuel 8: 19
Acts 7:51
5) Neglect of Mercy
Proverbs 21:13
Luke 16:20
6) Despising the Law
Proverbs 28:9
Luke 16:20
7) Secret Sins
Isaiah 59: 1-3
Isaiah 64: 7
Psalms 130: 3
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Giving Thanks:
It is so important to always give thanks
unto the Lord! No matter what you are going through, you must
always give thanks. Everyone, regardless of your Christian
status has something to be thankful. Let us each find
ourselves with a heart filled with gratitude towards God.
Reference Scriptures:
I Thessalonians 5:18
Philippians 4:19 (Reasons to give thanks)
Psalms 103: 1-6
St. John 8:1-11 (Thankful for mercy &
redemption)
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