Fight The Good Fight Of Faith
Greetings and a pleasant morning to all of you here in the J and L Ministries Paltalk room. Before we get started with this brand new sermon series, I just want each of you to know how much we love and appreciate those who have been continually coming back week after week. In the past couple months, we’ve been recording the messages that are delivered here in this room and also messages that I share in the Zero Hour Ministry room on Wednesday nights at 8:30 PM EST. Glory to God. You can find these messages on u-tube by searching for J and L Ministries. They are also shared on many, many Christian websites and there have been brothers and sisters sharing them on Facebook and Twitter. Today, we’re going to start a brand new series called “Faith.” We’re going to look at all types of areas we need to have faith in and how to get that faith. Faith is something that I hear many say they have, but I often wonder if we all truly grasp the faith we need. So in this series, and it may be many weeks long, I hope when we are finished, our faith will be so strong that each of us will never want to look back to where each of us is right here in the present. Glory to God. Please turn to 1 Timothy 6:12 and we’ll get started with what I believe will be a life changing message. As we go through this series, I think many will be freed from wrong ideas and confusion that’s been in many people's minds. There have been so many wrong ideas that have been preached and believed on the message of faith. I’m in hopes that any misconceptions of faith will be far from your minds. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Church, there are so many ignorant theories on the subject of faith, and because of this there are many who are left confused. There are those who are disappointed and discouraged because of some teachings on living by faith. I know, Leanna and I have witnessed it. And then you have those who are mad at God and even turn away from Him. Brethren, listen very carefully. For those hwo proclaim that God let them down, or that He just doesn't care, God has never let you down. He’s never failed to keep His Word. Church, get this. If you think these things have happened, there’s something wrong with your thinking. I know that someone may not like this and it may sound like I’m being harsh, but scripture needs to be rightly divided and that’s what we’re going to do, starting today. Amen? Are we ready to dive right in? Church, for those who have been in the word, they’ve studied the word and even tried to live the word as best they could, I think once we get to heaven we’ll be in for a big surprise. I think for the first few years many of us are going to shake our heads and say to each other, “That's what that scripture meant. Oh wow, I finally get that.” Brethren, we live in such a dark world. The enemy has twisted things being taught in many places of worship. And what really bugs me is that so many of the ones attending these churches don't take the time to follow up on scriptures for themselves. Brothers and sisters in Christ, this is why I urge you week after week to read at least a chapter a day and then double up on your spiritual food intake. Amen? God is faithful. His Word is trustworthy. It’s food to the soul and medicine to the flesh. 1 Peter 2:1-3 KJV Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. I pray that each of us when we are through with this series and the series in the Zero Hour Ministry room, we’ll have our faith so strong. Can I hear a Hallelujah ? Church, it takes a listening ear. It will take a repented heart. It will take each of us putting away all distractions. With God all things are possible. Glory to God. Friends, like last Wednesday night, I’m excited. Glory to God! And I may get a bit loud this morning. Is that okay? For those wearing headphones, this is a warning, because I am getting excited and I don't want to hold back. Glory to God! Church, I want to ask you this. When you go through a storm (and right now I’m thinking about all that Job went through and the arguing between him and his 3 closest friends). In fact, I would love to one day do a sermon on Job. I think it’s such a fascinating book. When you go through a storm and you don't have the answers, what do you do? You’re going through the toughest season of your life and you start questioning God and you start asking Him "Why?" Anyone been there? My hand’s raised. I've been there. And do you know what my friend? I learned from that mistake and it made me stronger. My dear friends, if you need to know the reason why that mountain is in front of you before you put your trust in God and before you believe in His promises, you never trusted Him to begin with. Ouch, that hurt. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we’re going to learn how to get through the toughest thing that you may go through. It's a faith fight. We just read it. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. A faith fight is when you’re going through those dark times and you look up into heaven. When all the confusion is all around you and you don't have the answers. You look up with tears in your eyes through all the unanswered questions and you say, “God, I don't know why these things, but I trust You Lord. You’re a good God! You’re Real! I trust You Lord! And I will trust in Your promises. Hallelujah! Church, are you getting this? “Lord God, I will trust You till my dying day, because I know You’ll never leave me nor forsake me.” And then church, you carry out that promise. Friends, get this in your minds and in your hearts. When you do this God will see you through anything. Praise the Lord. He’ll uphold you with the righteousness of His right hand. Isaiah 41:10, in case that sounded familiar to someone. Praise the Mighty God! Church, He’ll set your feet on the solid rock and bring you through. Psalm 40:2 Glory to God! Are we getting this, friends? My dear friends, so many times being a Christian isn’t being a religion, but having a relationship with Jesus. It is, but more than that, it’s having a personal relationship with Christ. It’s about having unshakable trust in Him. Praise Jesus! Brethren, we don't need to know all the answers. Get this! There are going to be many things we won't know. There will be many questions that we’ll have until the day we take our last breath. But the important thing is that we have faith in God. Church, everyone with a loud voice say “Lord, I trust You! No matter what, I trust You!” Friends, now you said it. That was easy, wasn't it? Church, I tell you what, saying it is easy, carrying through with it is a fight. The enemy will come to try to shake your faith. Sow doubt in your life. As Leanna and I were discussing the other night about the things she feels and the things that she doesn't feel, she and I need to fight to hold on. God has promises that He’s made to each of us. I trust Him. I trust and have faith in those promises. Church, we’re not to fight against flesh and blood. In fact, let's go there. Please turn to Ephesians 6:12. Ephesians 6:12 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Church, so many believers would rather argue scriptures and meaning of scriptures and who can quote the most scriptures. Get over yourselves. Church, we’re not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world. We fight against the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. Stop fighting with other brothers and sisters. The world does a great job at that. Do we get this? I shared this passage Wednesday night and church, every one of us needs to get this. Please turn to 2 Timothy chapter 4. Here we’ll see where Apostle Paul shares his concern to Timothy in his last days and wasn't' sure he would ever see him again. Listen to what his concerns were. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 KJV I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Pastors listening to this, listen up. Why did Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, say this? I think it’s because we can preach everything under the sun other than the truth and this is what’s happening today. Preaching on experience. Preaching on feelings. What needs to be preached? The Word. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Not everyone wants to hear the truth. I've seen it. I’ve been there in my early walk with God. Are you hearing me church? I have a comic picture that I sometimes use in the prayers that I post on various websites. Some of you may have seen it. I’ll somehow include it in the video if you want to see it. Someone might look at that cartoon and say, “Well that isn't really what people mean.” Well I beg to differ. You forget I have conversations often with pastors from all over the world. It is happening and what’s worse than that is some pastors are told what they can preach on and some of this nonsense is part of the outline. There are some who want to hear fables rather than the truth. We just read it church, but not us, right brethren? Friends, something that I hope each of you will start to do from today forward is when someone starts saying something about how they believe, about God, the Word, ask them what verse. Where does scripture say that? I had someone mention a few weeks ago that Jesus only preached love and acceptance. Think about that. Many people would believe that. Sounds about right. What about you brethren? That phrase just didn't line up with my spirit. What did Jesus preach? Ready for this? Jesus preached the Kingdom and repentance. There’s a huge difference between the two and is the perfect reason why when you're in the Word of God, building up your faith and getting that discernment. Let me put the two phrases together so you can hear it again. Love and acceptance or Kingdom and Repentance. Do you see a big difference? Here’s something that’s really frustrated me for the past few years. Here we have the Bible (Jesus), and yet there are so many who have made life changing commitments over man’s books. The Shack being one of those books and I'm not even going to get myself all fired up over that evil trash. If we want to live our lives in a way that pleases God, read and study the Word of God. Meditate on the good Book. There are so many who are making these fictional books that could, or might sound like it might line up with the Bible. Friends, what did we read to do? Preach the word! 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. Church, we’re all going to die at some point, and here we see Paul knowing he was nearing that point. Death for the believer isn't termination, but a transition. Glory to God. It means to be with Christ. To be absent from the body and be present with the Lord. What was Paul saying to Timothy and us? It is far better. Amen someone? Please turn to 2 Corinthians 11:24. Church, here’s what we need to understand. We know from reading the Bible that Paul went thru some awful times. We know that Paul traveled to many places planting churches, training up pastors. Revivals and riots and sometimes the very same day. 2 Corinthians 11:24-31 KJV 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. Paul knew Christ. He lived his life for Christ. He knew all the false things that were entering into the churches that went against the teachings of Jesus and he warned them. Is this a warning to you my friend? Are you going to believe the Bible, or mans teachings and ideas? I tell you the enemy will bring to you some twisted beliefs. He’ll do it even through well known pastors. Where will your faith lie? Church, we all have a mission. We’re to fight the good fight. 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Church, we need to fight the good fight of faith. We need to finish the course that God leads us to do. Keeping our faith and not wavering in Jesus. How do we fight the good fight of faith? For those who have followed this ministry for some time will remember me saying often, that when a preacher or teacher asks the congregation to turn to a particular verse, most of the time, I’ll read 2 verses before the referenced verse and also a couple verses after. Ask Leanna. I’ve trained myself to do that. It’s almost, in my mind, a necessity. “Why would you do that brother Jim?” I want to be sure that what’s being taught isn’t being taken out of context. Many times I’ve heard the first part of a verse used and without the second part, it has a whole different meaning. Church, here are some examples. You have not because you ask not. I’ve heard this in sermons so many times. Ye ask, and receive not. Here’s what the verse really says, and catch the difference in its meaning. James 4:3 KJV Ye ask, and receive not, (Why) because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Here’s one that I’ve heard for many years. Even before I was born again and thought it was biblical. Judge not. The Bible says don't judge. It does say that, but that's not the end of the sentence. Jesus was saying: Matthew 7:1-2 KJV Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Totally different meaning when you read all the way through. We need to be careful my friends. As we’ve just seen with these two verses, things can change. Church, say this with me. Fight the good fight of faith. Now live it friends. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Did you notice these two words here saints, profession and confession? Should we do likewise? I think so. Are you ashamed of Jesus? I hope not. So should we be speaking the truth of the Gospel message to all people? Again, I think so. Will you? Ok, this is something that I pick up from people all the time. We can say a word and paint a picture if you will, to make it sound completely different. Let's use the word hello. The definition is a common greeting . (Pick up the phone) “Hello.” (Surprised to see someone) “Helllllooooo,” (could care less) “Hello.” Friends, notice the way I said that little word changed the whole meaning. You can do the same thing in your speech. People are so caught up on yakking, motor mouthing and they’re meaningless. Lifeless. Are you getting this friends? The Bible calls them idle words. What about you, friends? You can say something and put fear in it. You can put doubt in it. Unbelief. Confusion. Depression. Is that how we should be speaking? No. We can and should be speaking life-filled words. Glory to God. Power filled words. Healing filled words. Are you getting this, saints? We need to speak victory and faith filled words. Halleluiah! How did Jesus deal with Satan? How did He fight the good faith? With His Word. Amen, Church? 1 John 5:4-5 KJV For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? Are we over comers of the world? Friends, there is some overcoming to be done. We can do this. How do we do it? Faith! 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. Notice where it says lay hold. What does it mean? Some of the translations use take hold, catch, and claim, win and take for yourself. What’s the fight that we’re fighting? That Jesus already won. Satan is going to try his hardest to twist the word, to sow doubt into what the word says. My Bible says resist the devil and he will flee. Praise Jesus. 1 Timothy 6:13 KJV I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Church, do you suppose God’s watching as we fight the good fight? Of course He is. Do you suppose that Jesus already and continues to show us how to fight the good fight? We’ve been seeing His ways since we started this message. Glory to God. And now He’s watching and hearing us. Do you suppose He guides us also? Glory!! Revelation 1:16 KJV And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And what came out of His mouth? A sharp two-edged sword. Revelation 2:16 KJV Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. So does that mean we should be ready to get into the boxing ring with the next guy who insults us? No. Turn the other cheek. Forgive 70 times 7. Church, flesh and blood are not our problem. 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 KJV 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. 7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. Church, because I see so many carnal ways and beliefs, I want to share with you the God's Word Translation. 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 GW 3 Of course we are human, but we don't fight like humans. 4 The weapons we use in our fight are not made by humans. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. With them we destroy people's defenses, that is, their arguments 5 and all their intellectual arrogance that oppose the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. 6 We are ready to punish every act of disobedience when you have become completely obedient. 7 Look at the plain facts! If anyone is confident he belongs to Christ, he should take note that we also belong to Christ. How do we fight the good fight of faith? It takes mind renewal, saints. It takes believing in the Word. Reading it. Studying it. Meditating on it. Then acting upon it. I love the Word of God. Do you? Speaking against the powers of darkness. How do most people deal with problems? Listen to me friends. They don't speak with things of the Bible. They don't act the way the Bible says. No, they would rather spew words of hate. Act in a way of retaliation. I'm talking about some Christian friends that you........... may know. They would rather gossip. Come on someone. They would rather slander others’ names. Why? Because of what we looked at in the beginning of this message. They’ve gotten away from the truth of the Bible. They’re content with ear tickling messages. I'll tell you what church, I won’t belong to any 501c3 church. I won’t belong to any church where I was told I wasn’t able to teach on the blood of Jesus. No way will I belong to a church that I can’t mention and preach on the tree that Jesus hung on and died to free me from my sins. I won't belong to a church where someone who might have sown in to this ministry reminded me and bribed me with what to teach. No, my friends. No one is going to tell me that I can't mention sin because it makes them feel uncomfortable. If you want that kind church, look elsewhere. My dear friends, Leanna and I love you and we care about your souls. We care about your well-being. I’ll share the gospel wherever the Lord leads me, but I won't water His Word down for anyone. Preach in love? Yes. Teach about sin issues that some deal with? I have to. Friends, when those issues come up, how are you going to fight? Are you going to load your mouth with faith-filled words? I hope so. The good faith fight is not with fists, or guns, or knifes. What is it friends? It’s a word fight. It's not throwing four-letter words of hate fight, but faith-filled word fight. Glory to God. Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Does everyone believe it’s important to have faith and to strengthen our faith? How many believe that Paul was a faith teacher? Romans 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Have we noticed in this teaching this morning that several times the scriptures mentioned profess, confess and with your mouth speak? Can you now understand why I often times ask you to say out loud certain things? Is it all coming together now, saints? I know of many churches that I’ve attended, if I was to share a message like this and ask the congregation to say with me, I would never be asked to speak again. Why’s that? Why are some denominations so against the congregation speaking? Church, we just read that we are to speak. Now, does that mean being disruptive? No. Does it mean just talking to be heard? No. Seriously church, why don't you hear faith-based words being spoken in many churches, or like I do, have you repeat scriptures after me? Because the enemy has crept in. We have so many silent believers. There may be some here who feel a bit shy and unsure of speaking and professing God's Word out loud. That's what the enemy wants. So now I hope those who’ve been sitting behind your computers wanting to shout powerful words that I’ve asked you to say, know now that God's Word says to do so. Go up on your roof tops and proclaim just how good God is. Dance in the street singing praises to God like King David, but make sure you’re fully dressed. I'm about to close, friends. I want to see each of your lives lived to the fullest according to God's will. When we were born again, we believed in our hearts and we opened our mouths and spoke with our mouths. Romans 10:10 KJV For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 1 Timothy 6:13 KJV I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; Jesus is our example and we see here, He gives us a good example of speaking a good confession. Leanna if you could post John 18: 33. Here’s Jesus. I want you all to see what kind of faith Jesus had. He’s been arrested. He already knows what’s going to happen and here He stands before Pilate. Not a nice man. He had the power to have almost anyone who wasn’t a Roman to be put to death. John 18:33-34 KJV Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? John 18:35-36 KJV Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 KJV Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Right here friends is where most people would choke. This is where most would give in. Listen to what the King of kings, Lord of lords, the Beginning and the End said. Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Are you hearing the confidence and the strength of Jesus? Let’s skip to 19. This is after Jesus was beaten. This is after Pilate’s wife had the dream and tried to get her husband to go easy on Him. And we see Jesus wouldn't talk to Him and now Pilate is scared. John 19:10-11 KJV Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? 11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. Do we hear the faith Jesus has? What about most Christians today? Could you say that to a man like Pilate who’s so powerful and had many people put to death? Jesus was looking Pilate in the face. He was looking at death in the face and He was looking sin and hell in the face and what did He say? “You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God.” Here’s our example. Fight the good fight of faith. Church, the message in all of this to you and me is the next time the enemy comes to tell you and sows doubt and tells you, “Yea, I know what you did.” You come at Him with the Word. “Satan, you have no power over me. My sins have been washed by the blood of the Lamb of God.” How do you fight depression and cancer, or any other mountain that comes against you? Are you going to lay down and sob? Are you going to be like a sheep when it’s scared? It either runs itself to death, or it drops to the ground and gives up. Church, we have so much power in the name of Jesus. There’s power in His Word, but we need to know how to use it. We have to have unwavering faith. Get this, church. Are you going to start speaking to those issues? Are you going to tell those problems just how big your God is? My Bible tells me that “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. You, Satan have no power over me at all.” Tell him who lives in you. Tell that problem who you belong to. “Addiction, you have no power over me. Depression, you have no power over me.” You can speak to that medical issue and say, “You have no power over me. MS, leave my body, you have no power over me. I belong to the King of kings.” Friends, if you do that in faith, power will come unto you. Glory to God. Church, understand the principles and you’ll see your life change. For a long time, I’ve been suggesting to write out, or type out scriptures and pin them in places where you’ll see them throughout the day. Every time you go by them, read them. Speak them out loud and clear. Proclaim scriptures in faith with boldness. Glory to God. Church, we serve an awesome, loving God worthy to be praised. We have an awesome Savior in Jesus who is the only way to God the Father, regardless of what any religion may say. He is the life and He is the truth. How many of you trust in Jesus? Glory to God. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we thank you again this week for allowing us into your homes. We want to thank all of you who are new here and hope that you do add this room to your list and also I want to thank my wife Leanna for doing such a great job posting scriptures each week, and also to all the admins who look after the room, keeping it safe. But most of all, I thank My God for bringing all of you into my circle of friends and the work He’s done in my life and yours. We love you and may the Lord bless you throughout the week.
0 Comments
God's Love
Good evening, friends. What an awesome day to be alive. Amen, saints? To see God's perfect plan come to pass. Halleluiah! To see lives changed. How great is the Lord God and how worthy to be praised. I just feel like praising Him tonight. How about you, our dear friends? So much is happening here at J and L Ministries. For those who have been following this ministry, we’ve seen people's lives changed. I’ve been in touch with those who’ve been following Leanna and me, and some of the notes that have come in about how God is blessing them in their time of need blesses my socks off. To see the love from brothers and sister towards others often brings tears to my eyes. Yes, a 6 foot 1, 220 pound man can have tears and admit it and not be ashamed. Glory to God. I just feel like praising God tonight. I’m so thankful for all you who have come to be part of the Zero Hour Ministry room tonight. I used to say brother Rich's room, as he was the one who started this room, but as we all concurred last week, this is all our room. Actually, when God gets the glory, isn't it His room? Praise be to God. For those who may not be aware, the sermons that I deliver here in the Zero Hour Ministry room and the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk are recorded, including the chat box, and I share them on the J and L Ministries u-tube channel and also many other Christian websites. Please, please, please don't let that make you shy in posting scriptures that line up with what we’re learning about. Please don't let that discourage you to type in words that encourage and edify other men and women of God. There are those who can't go to church, and this is a source for them to learn what God has planned for their lives and for them to get an understanding of God's ways. I praise God for the internet tool to reach out to the shut-ins. I thank Him that we can reach people even in other countries who are hungry for more of Him and have a hard time finding the truth. Holy, holy, holy we want to see You Lord and we welcome You into this room tonight. We welcome Your presence in each person's dwelling place who’s in this room and for those watching this video. Great are You, Lord and greatly to be praised. Father God, you’re bigger than any problem that anyone of us can ever go through. Lord, we say You’re greater than any problem we can ever go through. Greater than any sickness or disease. Lord, we don't glorify sin or our mistakes or any of our problems. Church, raise Your hands and give thanks to the Lord and lay all the junk in your life at the cross of Jesus right now before we get into this message. Prepare your hearts before Him. Give Him your doubts right now. God is great and worthy to be praised. Glory to God! Church, open your mouths and read with me one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. A couple of the scriptures within this were the first scriptures that I memorized and hold dear to my heart. Read with me saints. Psalms 34:1-22 I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him. 2 I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad! 3 Proclaim with me the LORD's greatness; let us praise his name together! 4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears. 5 The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed. 6 The helpless call to him, and he answers; he saves them from all their troubles. 7 His angel guards those who honor the LORD and rescues them from danger. 8 Find out for yourself how good the LORD is. Happy are those who find safety with him. 9 Honor the LORD, all his people; those who obey him have all they need. 10 Even lions go hungry for lack of food, but those who obey the LORD lack nothing good. 11 Come, my young friends, and listen to me, and I will teach you to honor the LORD. 12 Would you like to enjoy life? Do you want long life and happiness? 13 Then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies. 14 Turn away from evil and do good; strive for peace with all your heart. 15 The LORD watches over the righteous and listens to their cries; 16 but he opposes those who do evil, so that when they die, they are soon forgotten. 17 The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. 18 The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. 19 Good people suffer many troubles, but the LORD saves them from them all; 20 the LORD preserves them completely; not one of their bones is broken. 21 Evil will kill the wicked; those who hate the righteous will be punished. 22 The LORD will save his people; those who go to him for protection will be spared. Brothers and sister in Christ, I do hope you have the joy of the Lord in your hearts. I do hope each of you realizes just how much God loves you and really does care for your lives and has a plan that far outweighs any plans you could ever imagine. It took me so long to get a revelation of this. Lord, we give You glory. Lord, You’re greater than any trial or test we’ll ever go through, in Jesus’ name. Church, the more we give God glory, the more He works in our lives. The more we trust Him, the more we see Him move in situations we go through. Will you trust Him today with every situation that comes up? When those who might come into this room to bring strife, to stir up distractions and hate, will we get our dander up, or will we praise God and leave the situation in His hands? Glory to God. When God comes in the front door, the enemy goes out the back door. When God comes into your hearts, the problems leave. Do you believe that, church? This is going to be a good evening. Praise Yeshua. If God be for us, who can be against us. Proclaim that, friends. There is none that comes before You, Lord. Lord, we’re Your people and this is Your room here tonight. We love Your presence and we invite You here tonight. What God has done for others, He’ll do for me and He’ll do for you and greater things He’ll do for me and you. His Word says it, and I proclaim it. Teach us Lord, from Your scriptures tonight and let them be written on our hearts. We give You all the glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, and all the saints said, “Amen.” I’m excited tonight, are you, friends? We’re going to start a new series. I'm not sure how long it’ll be, but God has a word for us and I pray that each of us will be blessed as we go through it. The title of tonight's message is: Love. I know, the girls here are getting all tingly inside. The men are thinking, “Oh brother Jim, don't do this to me. Not the love thing.” We’re going to look at many things that love is and how we find it. We’re going to look at how we express it, and the list goes on. Please turn, if you will, to the book of Acts chapter 20 and we’ll start with verse 32. I highly encourage each of you to look at these scriptures for yourselves. Mark them down as we go and study them as you have time. Leanna will be posting them as we go for those who don't have a Bible near them and for those who may not be quick at finding scriptures, but again, please write down the verses and don't just trust what I say. Acts 20:32-33 KJV And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Notice what Apostle Paul, being led by the Holy Spirit, is saying here. Paul’s saying, “All the time I was with you, I wasn't money hungry. In fact, I provided my own means and for those who were with me. They covered all their own expenses.” Hmm... I don't need to say anything here. Church, notice what he says in verse 35. Quoting Jesus’ words. "It is more blessed to give than to receive." There are two types of people. Givers and takers. There are so many who’ll try to buddy up to you if you receive a lump sum of money and see what they can get from you. You know the type, they try to tug on your heart strings. That’s an ungodly selfish person, but what about the giver? And that kind of person can be wrong too, depending on if there’s an agenda behind the giving. Church, what about you? Are you happier to receive, or to give? Leanna and I love to give. but the people who are unchurched, the ones who haven’t had a renewing of the minds, think they’re happier to receive. They don't believe what we just read from Jesus. What about you, brethren? Would you be happier to receive, or to give? In fact, let's all say this. “It is more blessed to give than to receive. I am happier to give than to receive.” Is this true, friends? When you give with the right heart, it brings joy to your heart. I know when Leanna and I give, we have so much joy. It's exciting. It brings joy. I know a few in here who’ve given. I know some who’ve given and it was a sacrifice. But those who get what I’m saying, it brought joy to your heart, didn't it? Now don't get me wrong and think that we’re not supposed to receive. No friends, that’s not what I’m saying. Turn please to Ephesians 4: 28. Ephesians 4:28 KJV Let him that stole steal no more. Let me stop there. Many people would look at this verse and think it’s speaking to those who rob banks or hold up a convenience store. I don't think so. I think this includes sneaking things out of places at work that don't belong to them. Many think that oh, it really isn't much, but what did we just read? If you've been stealing, steal no more. Quit it. Don't just cut back on what you take. No more stealing. None! Amen, someone? So many think a few office supplies from the company they work for doesn't matter. Or, like when Leanna and I helped out at a food cupboard, there were volunteers who would sneak food into their cars while we were setting up. This is stealing. If your heart knows it isn't right, then you know it isn't right, whether you admit it or not. No matter whether you admit it, your heart is going to condemn it. 1 John 3:20-22 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I'm not sure about you, but in a time of need, I want God on my side, how about you? So if you’re stealing, what do you do? Steal no more. Church, do Christians steal? Come on, someone. Man, it got quiet in here. Friends, I think they do, because we see Paul’s writing to the church in Ephesus. Ephesians 4:28 KJV Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Now there are going to be ones who won't like the tail end of this verse. What did it say? Let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good. That means we work. Working is good, but so you can what? (that he may have to give to him that needeth.) “But brother Jim, if I work and then I give it away, I’ll have nothing.” Ye of little faith. Friends, these aren't my words. In fact, I struggled big time on giving. That was my mentality for many years. I worked hard for my money and I am supposed to give it to someone else? No way. Church, what did we read? What did Jesus say? It is more blessed to give than to receive. Friends, when you give, you’re overriding the selfishness of your flesh. You’re going against the natural mans way and abiding in the ways of God. When you give, you’re sharing the love of God because you’re giving from your heart. Glory to God. And friends, many times it won't be a huge gift the Lord asks you to give. Especially when you first yield to Him. I say that and yet, oh wow. The first time we knew that the Lord wanted us to give, other than tithes, or small giving that we did in a church that we attended, was a $1500 dollar gift. Remember that, Leanna? We bought a church a new soundboard and a drum shield. Church, what I’m trying to say here is this. Handing someone a $5.00 bill could really help someone for the day. A $20.00 bill might really help someone get by for the week. And church, please get this. If God can trust you with a five dollar bill or a twenty dollar bill, it won't be long that He can trust you with hundreds. It's not yours to begin with. It is all God's. “Brother Jim, I just can't understand what you’ve said has anything to do with love.” Keep listening and I think everything will fall into place for you. Glory to God. Let's turn to 1John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. How do we know if someone’s born again? The love of God. 1 John 4:8 KJV He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. Church, hear me out on this. I don't care who you are, if you don't love, you don't know God. I don't care what ministry you have, or if you’re a pastor, if you don't have love, you don't know God. You can't know God if you don't know love. 1 John 4:9 KJV In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. God has proved His love in so many ways, yet we hear those who question God's love. To me it’s very disrespectful toward God. God loved you and me before any of us were born. Even though we did things totally against His will. 1 John 4:10-11 KJV Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Do we owe it to other people to love them? Most don't think so. I think some of you may be surprised to read this. I know when I first saw it, I was. Romans 13:8 Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Now this is referring to other believers. John 13: 34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 1 John 4:12 KJV No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Friends, this is very exciting to me and I hope to you also. Though we haven’t seen God face to face, we can experience God's love through the love of others. Do we see that? Praise God. 1 John 4:13 KJV Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 1 John 4:14-16 KJV And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Church, everyone say this after me. “We've known and believe.” These are two different things, get this. You can know about the love of God without believing. You can hear that God loves you, but not believe. I know many people like this and as I’ve grown in my faith walk, I witness it more and more. Friends, I’m sure each of you have heard this statement from even those professing to be Christians. “With the things I’ve done, how can God love me?” Then you have those who say, “I wish I could believe He loves me.” Church, that’s the wrong statement. You can believe it if you want to. Faith is a choice. These statements tell me you haven't decided to believe it. God loves you. Have you all heard that and read that from your Bible? I want each of you to think about what I’m about to say. God is love. Because God is love and is the biggest part of what He’s all about, the devil has worked long and hard to confuse people as to what God is and what he is. The enemy twists the whole meaning of love. Think about it. You hear, “I love football and I love shopping. I love, love, love.” Are all those feelings really about love? What is love? God is love. Most think love is all about feelings. Mushy, mushy. Friends, I hope throughout what’s going to have to be a series, that we have a renewing of our minds. Glory to God! 1 John 4:16 KJV And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. I have known and believed. Say this, church. “I have known and believed. The Creator of the universe, loves me.” Glory to God. Friends, not only have we heard about God's love, but we believe it. Friends I’m about to close and this will have to be part 1 of what I think will be a longer series than I usually do, because of so many scriptures that are coming up in my spirit putting this together, but I think there are many things that we need to get in us to strengthen our faith. Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. Church, how many times have we heard that God is love and that He loves us and the enemy whispers in your ear, "God loves you, but what about what you did? God might love you but what about this?" He is the accuser of the brethren and he’ll accuse you, too. Hear me. “God loves you, but He knows what you did. How can He love you after you did that?” Come on church, you've been there. What is love? Who is love? 1 John 4:16 (AMP) We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. Church, I hope our minds are being renewed. We need to get out of our mindsets that love is a feeling. Who is love? What is love? 1 John 4:17 KJV Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. We as true believers are supposed to be God's witness to the world. We’re His representatives. So when the world sees us, who should they see? They’re not just seeing Joanne, Chuck, Leanna and ..... They’re supposed to be seeing Christ living in us. Think about so many Christians today that get so involved in the world. They’re at the bars, not witnessing but tipping up with the rest of the world. They’re toking on their joints, just like the rest of the world. Their gossiping with the best of them. Stealing office supplies, merchandise from places they work, watching porn, so-called pastors coming into paltalk rooms sowing hate and distractions and confusion among the saints. But we in this room won't belong to that group. Friends, I said, “We won't belong to that group no more.” Can I get an amen? We’re different, because we know and we believe. Glory to God! For those who may be watching this video and you profess to be an atheist or whatever kind of theist, and yes saints in this room, I have them following me, too. For those who claim that there is no God, I know that you know, whether you admit it or not, you know that there is a God and your soul is longing, no, aching for the love that God is. Glory to God. But He gives us a choice. God wishes no man perish, but He gives us a choice. Our dear friends, I know that I’ve had you read a lot of scripture. I know we’ve looked at some things that some of you may not have ever noticed before and I think it’s time to wrap this up. Sometimes too much information all at once is not a good thing. Leanna and I thank you Rich, Bernie, Chuck, Joanne and Tim, as the originals in this room for inviting us to teach. We thank each of you who took the time away from time you could have been doing other things to visit here, and we hope that each of you were blessed and come away with a stronger knowledge of scripture and the love of God. Friends, we love you and we do hope that you’ll join Leanna and me in the J and L Ministries room here in Paltalk Sunday morning at 11:00AM EST. Rich, if you could post your times for the week for any new people who’ve joined. Thanks again. Have a blessed week in the Lord. Good morning everyone and welcome to part 4 of "The Seeds We Sow." For many, they think of sowing seeds as gardening. You know, planting seeds in the flower garden or vegetable garden. As we've seen in the past three studies, sowing seeds can be much more than planting flower and vegetable seeds.
We want to thank each of you who are joining us here on Paltalk in the J and L Ministries room. I'm recording this message, as I have been for the past few months and that includes recording what's been typed in the chat box and I share it on u-tube and many Christian sites, along with a few secular sites. Some of you may be a little shy of that, but please be comfortable. Many times when those who share scriptures that go along with what we're studying, it helps me. It helps those who are watching to get a further understanding of what's being taught. Here we are in December and probably most of you have gardens out of your minds for a while. Actually, for me, I've had some seed catalogs come and I've been planting the garden in my mind. I know some of you may think I'm strange, but I do enjoy spending time watching plants grow. "Brother Jim, for four weeks now, you've talked about seed. Why all this talk about gardens?" Maybe some of you are like my wife and want no part of working in a vegetable garden. I like to watch things grow. I also like the taste of fresh picked veggies. Also, because I know that I use no chemicals in the garden for herbicides or pesticides, I know what I'm eating. To me that makes it well worth the bother. Last week I mentioned this and I think it's important for us to understand just how important seeds sown are. All through the Bible it talks about seed. When we take the time to study and meditate on the Bible, we find that seed is mentioned in the natural realm, but also in the spiritual realm. In fact, in the King James Version, seed is mentioned 280 times and used in 254 verses. Just a little trivia for you. In the past three weeks we looked into some of how we sow seeds, whether good or bad from our mouth. Blessings and cursings. Today, we'll go in a different direction. I want us to look at some verses that Jesus taught on seeds. I do hope that each of you will follow along in your Bibles and take notes on what we study, but for those who don't have a Bible close by, or maybe are slower at finding the verses, no worries. My beautiful bride Leanna will post scriptures in the room as we go. If everyone could turn to Matthew 13:1-9. We will start here, and I do hope that what we learn today will be a blessing to each of you. We all need to pay close attention to what we're going to learn today. Matthew 13:1-9 KJV The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. As I've farmed for most of my life, I understand these principles that Jesus spoke on in the natural realm. It should be simple for most everyone to understand. We have a farmer, and let’s say he was planting corn. I've planted and chopped thousands of acres of corn, so I have an understanding of this. While he was planting (verse 4) some of the corn seed fell by the wayside. Now if we look back to how farmers planted back in those days, they didn’t have nice big fancy tractors and fancy planters like I used to run, where the corn is placed in secure hoppers along with fertilizer and it's set to sow the seed at an adjustable depth (I planted 2 inches deep). They didn’t have all the plows, harrows and rock rakes that are available today. No, no my friends. They sowed seeds by hand, or possibly oxen. I would imagine whatever they used to carry the seed was primitive. Possibly with no cover. When you carry seeds not covered and you haul it by oxen, maybe donkeys with carts that were probably made with stone wheels that had nothing to absorb the shock going over rough terrain and stuff would get spilled. This seed that would have been spilled on the dirt roads or paths, wouldn't be able to set root on the very hard packed soil. It would get crushed by others walking on it, or birds would have a feast with it. Are you all following along with me so far? Matthew 13:5-6 KJV Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. A farmer hates stony ground, because it's rough to get over and it doesn’t allow the seeds to get water and nutrition to grow well. For the seeds that are able to germinate, they wouldn’t last long once the hot sun would shine and they would wither up and dry out and eventually die. Matthew 13:7 KJV And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: For those who've not worked on farms, maybe you've had your own garden. Maybe a flower garden or a vegetable garden. For those who have, you understand weeds. I can grow a great crop of weeds without even trying. In this case Jesus is talking about thorns. Like weeds, they grow quickly and steal from the soil what the seeds need to eat and drink and they shade the sunshine from getting to these tender plants. Eventually, again they either are very weak, or they die. Matthew 13:8-9 KJV But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Praise the Lord!! When I plant my gardens, I till the soil fairly deep. I hill most of my rows so that when I plant whatever type of seed I'm planting, it's easy for me to work in and side dress with rotted manure so that the plants will get much of the nutrients they need while they're growing, it holds the water into the soil and it keeps the weeds down. Has this got anyone’s attention? Has it sparked an interest? Does it cause you to want to know more about what I, or should I say what Jesus wants you to know? This is what Jesus was trying to say to the listener in verse 9. Some may be saying, "Brother Jim, I know all about gardening," or they might be ready to totally tune me out because they don’t have any clue about what all this gardening has to do with the word of God. Well my friends, before you shut me out, please listen as we'll see the importance of what Jesus was saying. This was part of what I believe Jesus was getting to. Jesus spoke often in parables. Those who wanted to know about the Kingdom of God would listen intently to His teachings. Others, and especially the religious leaders, thought they knew it all, and because it would cut into many of the laws of Moses, and (this is the big part) it spoke about their man-made laws and lifestyles, wouldn't listen but instead got very angry and is why they searched for ways of having Jesus put to death. Let’s continue by reading. Matthew 13:10-53 KJV And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Wow!! Did these verses speak volumes to anyone? When one really reads and meditates on this whole entire chapter of Matthew 13, you learn much about the kingdom of God. I'd love to go over the whole chapter, but because of times sake, we won’t be able to. I hope that everyone can really get a full understanding of what this parable is saying as it speaks to you and me. When we study this parable from Jesus about the sower, to me it has this explanation. His message highlights four different responses to His message, the Gospel. The seed He's referring to is the Word of God. Who's the Word? John 1:1-5 gives us the answer. John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Praise God!! So we see the Word was Jesus. Let’s keep reading. John 1:14, 17-18 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known. Who is the Word of God? Jesus Christ, the Messiah is the Word of God. The Greek word for the Word of God is Logos. Back to the parable. And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: The hard ground in verse 4 represents the person who is hardened by sin; he hears but doesn't understand "the word". Satan plucks the message away, keeping the heart dull and preventing "the word" from making an impression. That's why when we try to witness to some they won't hear us. Satan has them right where he wants them, but when we continue to pray for them and tell God to do with them what He wants, the possibility of seeing them saved is greater. Does anyone have unsaved loved ones? 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I had to understand this verse when I first started witnessing to atheists and evolutionists on u-tube starting in 2008. It was a battle. I couldn’t understand why they couldn’t understand the Jesus I knew and loved. I couldn’t understand why the whole Bible didn’t make sense to them. Their hearts were so hard, and it isn’t me that was going to save them. I couldn’t force what I knew on them. Church, that's what we all need to understand about our unsaved loved ones. We can't force the Bible on them. We can't force Jesus on them. We need to continually pray for them and hand them over to God so that He can soften their hearts and keep sowing good seeds into their lives. Amen? 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: The stony or rocky ground: This was me for so many years. It represents a person who professes delight with "the word". However, this person's heart isn't changed. When troubles come into his life, his so-called faith quickly disappears. Back when I was a junior in high school, I went to a teen retreat up in Canada and heard a message that scared me. It was a message on hell and I knew that I didn’t want to go there. There was an alter call and I went forward and repeated a prayer that someone said to repeat, and that was the end of that. Later in life, while I was in the army, I went to a chapel and heard a message that was similar to the one in Canada. Again, there was an alter call and I went forward yet again. Even then, there was no change in my life. Mat 13:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: The thorny ground depicts the person who seems to receive "the word," but whose heart is full of riches, pleasures, and lusts. He ends up having no time for it. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they're choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they don't mature. I was at this place also. These are the ones sown among thorns; they're the ones who hear God’s word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in chokes the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Thorny ground soil is represented by those who haven't matured, they've moved from babies to teenagers, but haven't made it into adulthood. Church, some Christians have mixed up priorities because their lives are tangled up in things they shouldn't be messing with. Jesus says there are two things that are choking them. Anyone have any idea? We just read it. Worries and riches. Matthew 13:8 KJV But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. The good ground represents the person who hears. He or she understands and receives "the word" and then allows it to bring results into his life. The person represented by the “good soil” is the only one of the four that we've looked at this morning who is truly saved, because salvation’s proof is good fruit. Brothers and sisters in Christ, here's where we stand. The present age will be marked to its end by the presence of both professors of religion and possessors—sinners and saints. The believer’s work (you and I who are Followers of Jesus, not fans) is to sow the Word of God in faith, not expecting thereby to convert the whole world, but in expectation of Him, who at the end of the age, will come with His angels to separate the good and the bad—to make an end of sinners and set up His glorious Kingdom. My prayer for each and every person who's in this Paltalk room today who hears these sermons or reads them will understand the importance of being in God’s Word daily. To be in prayer daily. I pray that we all understand the importance of sowing good seed. I pray that we're all more careful with that little thing in our mouth that can get us into so much trouble. I hope and pray that each will get to the place where God's calling you to be in your actions, your words, your beliefs and with the spiritual gifts that the Lord has blessed you with. In closing today, I want to take you to a passage that the Lord has laid on my heart the whole time I've been putting this together. Please turn to Romans 16:24-27. Romans 16:24-27 KJV The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Notice Apostle Paul said the Gospel was able to establish you. How are you going to become an established Christian? It’s through the gospel. Let me say it this way. Just coming to church will not cause you to be established. Working in the church will not cause you to be established. Doing good deeds will not cause you to be established. Playing instruments and singing in the choir will not cause you to be established. Even you buying one of those beautiful stained glass windows for the church building will not cause you to be established. It's the gospel that will cause you to be established. You can become so established that you can be unshakeable. It said that He would be able to establish you through His Gospel. Where is the Kingdom of God? It's in you. If you're born again, the Kingdom of God is in you. Do you know where He's going to establish you? He's going to establish you in your heart. And friends, those of you who think that it's that mass of muscle that pumps the blood throughout your body being the heart being referenced here, think again. It is your soul. Brethren, religion does it from the outside. Jesus changes you from the inside. The incorruptible seed of God's Word when you read it and believe in faith, it changes you. But my dear friends, first you have to read it. You need to study it. Don't just take what I read to you two days a week to be the truth. Don't just listen to the Bible studies that you hear other nights of the week as the only spiritual food that you need. Read a chapter a day a least. Double up on your spiritual intake. Read the Gospel of Matthew for dinner and then read the book of Ephesians for dessert. Church, we need to diligently get into the Word of God. It's medicine for your soul. For those who may have trouble reading, there are great alternatives to hear the gospel. Most homes have CD players. There are CDs you can purchase with the whole Bible recorded. Make that a Christmas wish item. For those who are members of either of the Cross Roads Fellowship sites, there's a dramatized version of the KJV of the bible you can listen to whenever you're signed on. You can make files in MP3 format so you can add to your mp3 players, or cell phones and listen to it during work, play, or even when you go to bed. Do you need power in your life? Plant the seed of the Word in your heart. It'll produce life. It'll produce more than you could ever think or imagine. Ephesians 3:19-20 KJV And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. We thank each of you for allowing us into your homes. We thank each of you who might be listening to this video that was created and posted where you're watching right now. I praise God for the awesome tools He's blessed us with to be able to use in this ministry. Leanna and I thank God for the circle of friends that He's drawn to us. Glory to God. We love you and may the Lord bless you this week. The Seeds You Sow
Good morning everyone and welcome to part 3 of: The Seeds You Sow. I've been blessed to hear from some of you throughout this week sharing on this series of sowing seeds. I've also heard from some who've been commenting about the series we've been doing in the Zero Hour Ministry room Paltalk room on Wednesday nights called Having the Compassion Of Jesus. Both parts of these series the past couple weeks have been discussing the power of our tongue. Things we should say or not say. I've had those who've claimed that because of what they've learned has caused them to be more careful with the choice of words they use. Glory to God. Well, all through the Bible it talks about seed. When we take the time to study and meditate on the Bible, we find that seed is mentioned in the natural realm, but also in the spiritual realm. In fact, in the King James Version, seed is mentioned 280 times and used in 254 verses. In the past two weeks we looked into how we sow seeds. We either speak good or bad from our mouths. We either speak blessings or we speak curses. What's coming out of your mouth? Now for those who've been following along in both the studies, we saw that to speak both ways is like a double minded person and that should not be. Let's start this morning with scriptures starting in Psalms, chapter 2. Church, we're commonly tempted to think that because trouble has lasted long, it'll last always, but when we bring the cares and griefs to the throne of grace, we come away with praise, being assured that all will be well at last. Can I hear you shout Halleluiah? Psalms 12:1-6 KJV To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. 2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. 3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: 4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? 5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. 6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. I don't want to hurry through scriptures today, because there's much I'm in hopes for us to see today. Let's look at a couple verses in Proverbs that we've looked at a few times. Proverbs 18:20-21 KJV A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Verse 21 should be enough for us to understand that we need to guard out little member. We could take this study and go with it for weeks and weeks, but that's up to the Lord. If this has stirred something up in your spirit and you want your life to change by the things you say, start by writing the verses we've been reading and post them around the house, your car and areas that you'll see them often as a reminder. For those who work in an office, pin them on your monitor so the next time you feel that urgency to blast a co-worker or someone who calls on the phone, you'll have that quick reminder to ask God to calm your tongue. To bridle your mouth. That and others who might see those scripture may ask about them. Praise God! Death and life are in the power if the tongue. We all believe this, yes? Someone might be chomping at the bit right now wanting to say, "Well brother Jim, I just believe what I believe. I have the right to believe what I want to believe ." No you don't. Nor do I have the right to believe what I believe. Not if you're a Christian. Brethren, listen up. If you're a follower of Jesus you're to believe what God says to believe. For those who have a problem with this statement, your problem isn't with me, but with God and His Word. Looking back at verse 21. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. There may be someone saying, "Brother Jim, you just don't understand. It's just so hard to not speak that way." If you say so. You could say something else and it would be so. Brothers and sisters, get this. Change what you profess. "But brother Jim, I'm just a man. I make mistakes." If you say so. Friends, you and I need to stop being so religious. Jesus is my Lord. I trust in Him and His Word. He is the Word. Can I get an amen! Friends, this really isn't that difficult to understand. There are key words that we need to look for and change. The enemy's going to try to make you speak fear and death so he can come and mess up your life. Don't listen to that. Example. Listen up friends. "I get migraines." What's wrong with this statement? Anyone? When you make that claim, you're prophesying faith for death for the future. Do we get this? "Brother Jim, how do I talk about it? How do I change the words?" Very simple. "I have had... migraines." Everyone understand this? Now you're not speaking this into existence. We need to learn not to say things like, "This happens to me." Stop saying things like, "That causes me problems." "I can't take this anymore." "This always does this to me." See what I'm trying to get across, church? Stop speaking these things to happen in your life. If we believe in the Bible, we need to change our speech. The power of life and death is in the power of our words. Let me give you an example of a story that we can find in the book of Dr. Luke. Everyone knows that Luke was a physician, right? Leanna, if you could please post Luke chapter 8,verse 49. Now let me give you an idea of what's happening here in this chapter prior to what we're going to look at. So much happens in this chapter. Jesus is preaching and healing in Galilee. The parable of the sower, the lighted candle, stilling of the waves, demons cast out of a man of Gadara, the healing of a woman, the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Just prior to the verses we're about to read, we can see that Jesus was heading to Jairus' house to heal his daughter when the woman with the issue of blood touched His garment and was healed. And then bingo. Like in this whole chapter, immediately we go to the next agenda. Luke 8:49-56 KJV While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. (50) But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. (51) And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. (52) And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. (53) And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. (54) And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. (55) And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. (56) And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. I need to take you back to the beginning of when this all took place. I need you to see the power of the words spoken here so you can see for yourselves. Luke 8:40-42 KJV And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. (41) And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: (42) For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. When I read this, I see that Jairus believed that Jesus could heal this 12 year old girl. If not, he wouldn't have come and barged through this huge crowd excited to see Jesus. He had faith. And then....then church, even after seeing the woman with the issue of blood healed by her faith, what happened? Luke 8:49 KJV While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. Friends, this is a make or break situation. Jairus had already come in faith and then this man comes and says, "Don't worry anymore. She's dead. It's over." What did Jesus say? And I think He was a bit on the perturbed side. Luke 8:50 KJV But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. Mark 5:22-23 KJV And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, (23) And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. When we read this, Jairus spoke the right words, and then we see the enemy comes to sow doubt and death. Is that happening in your life, friends? Why did Jesus turn abruptly to Jairus? I believe Jesus knew that this man would start letting his faith go toward what he'd just heard. Do we do the same things, friends? Most of us here in this room know the verse that says by His stripes we are, or were healed. Amen everyone? But then we get a report that doesn't sound like what God's Word says and we fall back into the worldly thoughts. Come on, I know I'm speaking to someone today. What did Jesus say? Jairus said to Jesus, "You can heal her Master. I know You can." Mark 5:35-36 KJV While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? (36) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Glory to God! Friends, He's saying the same thing to you and me today. "Don't be afraid, only believe." Don't let words start our doubting. Don't let words become fear. Be victorious in Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:13 KJV We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Friends, that's where each of us needs to be. They believed and they spoke. You and I believe and we speak. What you're going to speak is the key here. Speak truth. Speak victory. Only speak positive outcomes. And church, this is where most fail because they don't know what to speak. We're so programmed to the worlds ways. Brothers and sisters in Christ, my Bible tells me that God will never leave me nor forsake me. His Word says He's not a respecter of persons. He's the same today as He was thousands of years ago and I know you've heard me quote these scriptures many, many times, but do you get it? Do you believe it? Is your 100% faith in them? You go to the doctor tomorrow and the doctor says, "Well Rich, well Miss Donna, well Mr. Harold, I have some bad news." You look at your bank statement and it's in the red. Are you going to cry out, "Oh God, I can't take this anymore. Why me Lord? Lord, why don't You love me anymore?" Brethren, that's what the world does. That's what the lost do. We're not like the world. My Bible tells me that we're a peculiar people. Matthew 17:20 KJV And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Friends, what mountain do you have in front of you? What we need to do is thank God for dealing with these matters. We speak in faith, "Lord, I thank You that You're preparing the way that I go. I thank You Jesus for healing me, because You said in Your Word in 2 Peter 2:24: 1 Peter 2:24 KJV Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. Praise Jesus! But friends, so often we hear other believers when they go through storms start using God's name in vain. "Oh my God. Oh my God." Stop, my friends and stop right now. There are ones who aren't going to like this, but when you're doing this you're using God's name in vain. Hear me out church. I've wanted to say this for a while and didn't have the guts. When you start, "Oh my God, Oh my God," you're not talking to God, and you're not talking about God. You're actually using His name in vain. You're violating one of the commandments. I know many of you have probably never heard this. Brothers and sisters, when you're going through a storm, when your family member is going through a storm and you're saying, "Oh my God, I knew I shouldn't have. Oh God, I knew this terrible thing would happen." Church, when you do this, you're yielding to the devil. Is that speaking in faith? No, and what's the opposite of faith? Fear and death. Church, are you getting this? Church, you have a family member and they just got news that a storm has come. Maybe sickness, maybe the loss of a job. This is where they need you. This is where you need to be strong in your faith. Maybe a spouse just got some devastating news. This is where your faith can pull them through. I hope God's speaking to someone today. When you're running around, "Oh my God, Oh my God," you're letting the devil have a playground in your mind. So many think it's a godly thing to do, and yet it's ungodly and most don't have a clue as to the danger. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Actually lets go there. Matthew 5"13. Matthew 5:13-16 KJV Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. (14) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. My brothers and sisters in Christ, don't be the gloom and doom speakers. That's the world. Let the world have its own. Let us be those who speak the things of God. When people come to talk about all the negative stuff that's going on, lead their talk in the opposite direction. Or, and this is probably what will happen, leave the conversation. Yes it may take time, but with God all things are possible. Just the other evening there was a room where talk about shooting cops and all this awful stuff was being discussed. Yes, this stuff is happening, I get that, but my Bible says: Fear not for tomorrow. I left the room. The spirit of God was not there at that time and I had to leave. Friends, this is a place where each of us have to get it. For some it won't be easy. Trust in the Lord. Seek the things of God. Don't get involved in discussions where God's out of the picture. Stay away from conversations where God isn't getting glory, and that means even among those who are believers. Does it matter what comes out of our mouths? How important is it? What kind of seed will you sow from this day forward? Friends, the Lord's speaking to me, too. This isn't brother Jim trying to say he's holier than thou. If it feels like there's a finger pointed at you, remember there three more pointing back at me. In my journey with the Lord, I have and continue to learn these things. Brothers and sisters in Christ when we were saved, born again, we surrendered our lives to Jesus. We turned our lives over to Him. We surrendered our will to His and that includes our lips and our tongue. So do we need to be careful of what we say? Philippians 2:3-16 KJV Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14) Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Romans 10:6 KJV But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Church, as true believers we should be lowly-minded and like-minded, in conformity to the example of Jesus. Jesus was the great pattern of humility and love in service to man. Praise His name! Jesus humbled Himself in suffering and death for You and me, not only to satisfy God’s justice, but to set us an example that we might follow His steps bearing a resemblance to His life, since we have profited by His death. Church, act like it and sow that same kind of seed to other believers, and most importantly, to this lost world. Do we get this? Brethren, we just celebrated Thanksgiving. A time to be thankful for the things that God has provided for us. Now we enter into Christmas, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus. I know that Jesus wasn't born on December 25, but it should be a time where all people come together in unity. Jesus came to earth 100 percent God, yet absolutely human. In coming into the world, He did not empty Himself of His divine nature or attributes, but only of the outward and visible manifestation of the Godhead. Glory to God. Friends, we have to realize when Jesus came, He had to empty Himself of His glory or He would have paralyzed the men He came to save. Although equal with God, He took upon Himself the form of a servant for our sake, that He might meet, as God manifest in the flesh, the death of the cross. Let's continue with verse 7. I love faith, what about you? Romans 10:7 KJV Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) What's being spoken here? Verses 6 and 7? Come on church, it's so close to you? Someone? It's right under your nose. Leanna, post verse 8 please. Romans 10:8 KJV But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Paul being led by the Holy spirit is talking about your faith. You have to speak it. You have to sow that seed. Are we getting this church? How does one become saved? (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Glory to God! You have to open our mouth. You need to believe in your heart. Jesus is Lord and you believe that He was raised from death and then you become saved. Has everyone made that decision here this morning? Praise His mighty name. If not, I really would like to talk with you after this message. Romans 10:10 KJV For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Church, when you look up the Greek word for saved and salvation, Oh my, my, my. When you look up these words, you're saying a mouthful. It doesn't just save you from hell. No, no, no. I'm going to go quickly with this, but I want you to see this for yourself. Glory to God! Saved: the Greek word is: sōzō to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole. Do we see this church? Copy this down so you have it when you want to see what Jesus did in you when He came into your life. Let's look at salvation: sōtēria so-tay-ree'-ah noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving. We could go so much more on these two words, but maybe another time, God willing. Brothers and sisters in Christ, when you thank God that He saved you, when you thank Him for your salvation, you're saying thank you for much more than saving you from eternity in hell. Church, understand this. You're thanking Him for so much more in your life. You're sowing so many wonderful things into your life. The problem is, most aren't even aware, so their faith isn't into these other things. Protection over your life is one of the things He did when you became born again. Health. Of course most denominations think that healing is something that only happened while Jesus was on earth. What did we just see, though? Health. What about preserve? Oh we could so a whole message on these two words, saved and salvation. Glory to God. I'm about to close. Brethren, what seeds are you sowing? Are they good seeds? Are they seeds that will manifest into good fruit? I do hope so. Are we blessing others by the way we speak, or are we cursing? So many of us have been taught from man's dumb religion rather than what the Bible truths say. In closing, I want to share with you a story that Kerry Kirkwood tells about a pastor and a palm-reading place. For those hwo have been following this series the past couple weeks, you might remember his book, The Power of Blessing. In this book he tells about a pastor who everyday would drive by this palm-reading place and it was always busy. This pastor did what I'd been taught to do. Curse it by the root and have it dry up and whither. Months went by and this pastor questioned God what was going on. He said, "Lord, I've been cursing this place and it gets busier and busier. What am I doing wrong, Lord?" Right then and there, the Lord reminded him of a verse in the Bible. Anyone want to take a guess at what verse? God asked this pastor why he was cursing the people who owned it and went there. Church get this. 1 Peter 3:9 KJV Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. Right off this pastor started changing his words towards this place. Instead of cursing it, he spoke blessings over it and within 3 days, there was a for sale sign on the building. Beloved, where I want to see each of us is where we stop cursing those places that go against God's word. Bars, palm reading places, strip clubs and whatever the case might be, and speak blessings over them. I believe you'll see a difference. Those who come against you, speak blessings (God's full intension for their life). Is it natural to do? No. Does praying to a God that you can't see feel natural? For those who pray in faith, yes it is. Glory to God. I know we covered a lot of ground today and I do hope that you wrote these scriptures down so you can study them on your own. Next week as we continue, we'll look at words that Jesus spoke on sowing seed. Friends, we thank you all for taking time to spend with us. I do hope that each of you are getting a better understanding about what's being taught, as when we get these concepts I think our lives will change so much. I know in the past couple years, because of words I don't use, because of words I do use, my life has changed. It's all about a renewing of the mind and I praise God He's doing that in me. Friends, thank you again and thank all of you who watch on u-tube and all the sites these videos are posted. We love you and may the Lord bless you. Good morning to all who are joining us here in the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk. We're on part two of a series that we started last week called "The Seeds We Sow." What we say or don't say has consequences. Those words can either bless or curse. I choose blessing, how about you? We read last week in the book of James that no man can tame the tongue. No one can make you talk right. Except you. Does everyone want to speak in the manner that's pleasing to God? Well my friends, the first step is you wanting to. If you say that you don't want to, or you don't care, then your tongue will never be tamed. And church, it will cost you. I'm speaking in faith, because I believe the words I say, that some of you will be enlightened during this series. I'm believing some of you who may be struggling with words you use will desire to change the way you talk. I believe that there will be those who will find grace and strength and watch their mouth and change their words. Last week, we looked at words spoken being seeds that can sow good fruit or bad fruit. During that message we looked at many verses in the book of James chapter 3 on how our little member (the tongue) can be such a dangerous thing. This week as we continue, I want to look at positive things our tongues say. Amen? We read two verses last week that I want to look at again. Proverbs 18:21 KJV Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. James 3:2 KJV For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. This week I want to look at the positive words we need to speak and starting from these two verses. I want everyone to think back in this past week and think back to positive words that you may have spoken to a co-worker, fellow student, maybe a family member, someone at church, or maybe a neighbor. Remember the phrase I mentioned last week? "If you say so?" Anyone remember? If you say so, it is so. Brethren, we need to watch what comes out of our mouths. When we do this it will absolutely change our lives. This isn't my idea, but we can find it in scripture after scripture after scripture and that's what we'll do in the next few weeks. Praise God. What should come out of our mouths? Blessings. Not blessings and cursing. Church, you may be hearing other things, feeling other things, you may be experiencing unpleasant things, but we should never speak those things. Does anyone remember what it means when we speak blessings over someone, or say God bless you? Anyone? It doesn’t have to be word for word as I know it's a mouthful. What it means is this: I bless you means I declare over you that God’s full intention that He has for your life would come into fullness. Amen? How many want God’s full intentions in your spouse’s life? How many want to speak God’s intentions that He has purposed for your children or grandchildren's lives? What about over your own life? It should be one of our greatest desires. When we learn these principles, we can speak to things that are not pleasant, or those things that are against God’s will and then expect and watch things change. Faith and works, Amen? John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. Brothers and sisters, what you and I need to get a firm understanding of is that the devil is the tempter. He'll bait you and do all he can to lure you in. Satan is about darkness and death, and guess what he wants you to speak? Darkness, death and curses, and when we fall for that he earns the right to enter in. Church, there are spiritual forces going on all around us who are saved. The enemy wants so badly to get into our lives. Ephesians 4:27 KJV Neither give place to the devil. Did we catch this, friends? Actually, let's look more at that passage starting with verse 17. Ephesians 4:17-27 KJV This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, (18) Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: (19) Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (20) But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (26) Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: (27) Neither give place to the devil. Something I don't think a lot of believers understand is this. The devil needs you to say negative things to gain access. Does everyone understand this? The same as God needs us to speak of uplifting and edifying words. "I am a conqueror. The Greater One lives in me." "Brother Jim, you're saying that God needs me to say those things?" Yes, so that He can do things in your life. To give you full access in your life to do it. Glory to God! He needs you to say, "I'm the righteousness of Christ." For those who are suffering from medical issues, He needs you to say, "By His stripes I am healed." Then He can do those things. Church, are we getting this? All around us in the world, we hear about death. The world talks about death and darkness. Brethren, we being in Christ are about eternal life. We're from another family. Praise Jesus! That's what we need to be speaking. We talk life only. We talk blessings only. My brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope from this day forward when people come griping about this and that they'll be wasting their time around you, because you won't even know that language. That you my friends will and can change the topic to positive. That you can start telling them of the goodness of God. That you start telling them how powerful and great He is and that there's nothing too hard for Him. You tell those who bring this negativity on that God's the one who directs your path and your life's getting brighter and brighter. Glory to God! What I want to try to encourage everyone to do when you're going through storms in your life or a family member is to speak differently. We need to be aware of the things we say. Church, what we need to realize is there's power in our words. We have the power in our words to bless or curse. Power in our words. Better yet, there's power in the name of Jesus. I think many forget this when they go through storms, and I have my hand raised also, as there are times I jump and act on my own when I might be struggling with an issue. I, as I hope all of you are, am a child of God. I learn from His word. I read and I study what His word says for my life, my family’s lives and for you who come to our house, join in live via Paltalk, phone, or for those who read or watch this on the many sites they're posted. Take the Gospel to the world is what Jesus commanded us to do in Mark 16:15. That's what I try to do each week and also for those I meet throughout the week. Let’s look at some of the verses discussing Jesus' name and the power in His name. Friends, there's only one Jesus that stands as a mediator between the Father God and humanity. There's only one Jesus who died on the cross and rose victoriously who said all power in heaven and in earth now belongs to Me. There have been messages that I've done where I've asked you to write them down and post them in places you'll see and be able to speak them out. I hope that you've been doing that. When you and I use the name of Jesus in faith, it means knowing WHO it is that stands behind that name, knowing the wealth and the power that is invested in that name. Amen? This is one of the greatest weapons that you and I have in our arsenal to use against the enemy. Let’s turn to Philippians 2:9-11. Philippians 2:9-11 KJV Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Praise God!! Friends, the enemy's going to try so many ways to throw you off the path that God has chosen for you. There have been many times that I knew that I knew, I was supposed to ask someone if I could pray with them. It's one thing to pray for someone in your own prayer closet. What I mean is in a place where you're alone, or with your spouse or a close friend, but to pray with someone you barely know? That takes leaning on God’s strength. Don’t allow Satan to make you think, "I tried this before brother Jim, it just doesn’t work for me." This is not a trick, this is the Word of God. You've got to plant the Word inside your heart and mind and not move off of it. Get this! No matter what you see or hear or feel. Church, for this reason I asked you to memorize verses. God tells us in His word, that every word is true and every man (who denies it) is a liar. God's trying to work some miracles out in your life and Satan's trying to block it. But you can be victorious by using the name of Jesus and having faith and confidence in His name and His Word. You can trust God’s Word. Amen? We can speak blessings and cursing. How often I see or hear brothers and sisters in Christ who seem to be full of joy one day and just the opposite the next. Want to know a big reason why? They bless one day and curse the next. What did James say about this man? He's double minded. Church, we're to only speak life. Will you be tempted to speak differently? Oh yes you will. There will be times you'll want to put your hand over your mouth and say, "Shut up." Why does this happen if you're following Christ? Because spiritual forces are at work. The enemy will do all he can to get those ungodly words out of your mouth. It's very important that we go to the Word of God, the Bible, for ALL our priorities in life. And all of our understanding about who Jesus is, what the Gospel is, how a person becomes reconciled with God, how a person gets to heaven, how we should live as Christians, what the Church is, how the Church should function. Who should lead in the body of Christ, what's our calling in society on this earth, what should our message be to the world? If I was to ask everyone, what has God called you to do? You don’t have to answer out loud for those listening live, but do you have an answer from God? Do you know what your gifts are? I'm not trying to attack anyone, but these are things that we should know. We find these things as we spend time in His Word, in prayer and when we're in obedience. He has a perfect plan for each of us. The first night, I should say in the wee hours of the morning, when I came home a couple years ago after bringing Leanna to the ER, I spent an hour crying out to God on the drive home after hearing one symptom after another that the doctors discussed could be wrong with my wife. We went because of a sore on her ankle. In that prayer, I asked God "Why, Lord? I know that You blessed us with this part of J and L Ministries. Why these symptoms? I can’t do this ministry on my own. You blessed me with her and because of her, I have a purpose in my life now. Because of her and what You've done through the both of us, why take her away?" Church, I was hurting and when I was almost home, I realized what was going on. We had gotten to a higher place with God. We were studying things that I guarantee the enemy didn’t want us to learn about. In many ways we were coming to a higher level with God. Then, 4 days later, my dad passed away. In fact the same day I brought Leanna home from the hospital. Again I went through stuff, and again I had many hours of traveling and much alone time during that week. Because of that alone time and in prayer, I wrote a salvation message to read at my dad’s funeral. Praise God. I know I've gone totally off what I thought I was supposed to teach on today, but there must be something that someone needed to hear. If that was you, I'd like to hear after this service. If you're reading this and it spoke to your heart, please drop me a message. Back to words being seed. If everyone can please turn to Matthew 12:32. Whatever's in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. Matthew 12:33-37 KJV Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. (34) O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (35) A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (36) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. (37) For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Good things as well as bad things come into being, why? Because of the words we speak. Let’s turn to Matthew 15:10-20. I want us to see what Jesus says in this parable. Matthew 15:10-20 KJV And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: (11) Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. (12) Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? (13) But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. (14) Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (15) Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. (16) And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? (17) Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? (18) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. These words from Jesus are to the bad or evil treasure in our hearts that comes out as negative and perverse speech. We've seen in other studies that all through the entire Bible we're given very explicit and detailed instructions about speaking right words. Does what we say matter? Proverbs 18:20-21 KJV A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. My friends, I've met great people, Christian men and women who work hard. Some even work all the overtime they can, yet the struggle. Why? I believe much has to do with their words. The words that come out of their mouth is unbelief. "Well, I guess I'll work as long as I can. It won't be too much longer and this mill will close." If you say so. If you say it won't be much longer it won't be much longer. Then you have this. "Well brother Jim, I just don't know how I'm going to make it another year. I work all the hours I can and the IRS takes so much money and I am tired and just feel like giving up." And church, to the world this sounds natural. And worse than that, most Christians are right there with this same bunch. I know, I was right there too. This is speaking absolute death. What did we read in verse 22? A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Someone say glory to God! Death and life are in the power of the tongue: (Is that true church? Does it matter what we say? How much does it matter?) and they who love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Friends, you'll find those who will say we don't have to worry about these kinds of verses. I disagree. I said I disagree, and why I disagree is Jesus, who is the Word of God has it there for a reason. Man's dumb religion and traditions say that we don't have to take this verse seriously. This is going to get someone upset, but hear me out. There are those who will say, "Well I just believe. I have the right to my beliefs." No you don't. Nor do I. If you are a Christian...f you're a believer, you're supposed to believe what God tells you to believe. There are folks who'll have a problem with me saying this, but their problem is with the Bible. I'm showing biblical truths here. Thank you Jesus. My dear friends, when the Bible shows you something different than that of what we've been taught, it's time to change. That is the renewing of the mind. And church, we're responsible for what we learn from this Holy book. We're to be witnesses to the world. If we're cursing others, and I don’t mean just swearing, but saying hateful things that down others, is that being a good witness? If others are around us hearing us constantly speaking negative things about others, are they going to be learning the ways of God? I think not. Let's turn to a verse we've looked at before. Proverbs 4: 20-24. Proverbs 4:18-27 KJV But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. 24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. 25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. 26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Powerful words here. Friends, I think the message God's trying to get across to us today is this. We need to be careful with our words. I remember a saying that my mom used to say to my brother, sister and I and I am sure most of you have heard it too. "If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it." Amen? Do we want to say things that are going to harm people and then come back to harm us? Think about that for a moment. Remember, there's power in our words. We can curse or bless with what we say. Including ourselves. Romans 12:2 tells us to be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Once you prove God’s word to be true to yourself, the gates of hell will not be able to prevail against it. You'll know that you know that it's the truth and no one will be able to steal it from you if you continually guard your heart. Friends in closing, most of you know I don’t usually get into healing messages and had no intentions, but that's where I felt led to go in the final part of this message. There's a reason, and I trust the Holy Spirit to minister this morning. Whether for Leanna’s or my sake, or someone else going through stuff, speak against it in Jesus' name. Sickness is not of God, but from the devil himself. Yes, there will be those who go against me on this and those who'll claim that Jesus only healed while He walked on earth, but I ask you my friends. Can you show me scriptures showing that Jesus didn't heal anyone who came asking to be healed? You won't find it. The Bible shows me that all who came to Jesus were healed. And what did He say to His disciples? "These things and more will you do." Praise Jesus! He's the same yesterday, today and forever. My Bible also says that He's not a respecter of persons. So, if Jesus healed everyone that came to Him, then He'll do it for you and He'll do it for me. If He won't do it for you, or for me, then He is a respecter of persons, or He has changed. Neither of these things can be so. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't God who made Job sick, it was the devil. Sickness does not come from God, it comes from the devil! In Acts 10:38 it says, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all WHO WERE OPPRESSED BY THE DEVIL.” This scripture tells us that every person that Jesus healed was made sick by the devil. Not one time during His earthly ministry did Jesus ever tell a sick person that it was not His will to heal them. We can’t even find one scripture that says it was God who made them sick. From Genesis to Revelation the Word of God is clear, sickness does not come from God, it comes from the devil. In Acts 10:38 sickness is called “oppression of the devil”. In Job 42:10 it's called “captivity”. Psalm 41:8 calls sickness an “evil disease”. In Psalm 107:20, sickness is called “destruction”. And we know that Satan is the one who kills, steals and DESTROYS, not God. Lastly, in Luke 13:16 Jesus calls it “bondage from Satan”. One of the main tactics of the enemy is to get God’s people to believe that it's God’s will for them to be sick; that God is somehow using their sickness to teach them something. However, nothing could be further from the truth! In the light of all the scriptures that I've just quoted, I’d like you to now consider 1 John 3:8. 1 John 3:8 KJV He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. The latter part of that verse says, “For this purpose was the Son of God manifested; that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus didn't come to USE the works of the devil, He came to destroy them! God will never teach us by using something that Jesus died to redeem us from! This verse says that Jesus came to destroy the “works” (plural) of the devil. There's more than one work of the devil. Yes, sin is the work of the devil. But according to the scriptures, sickness is also the work of the devil. This is why Jesus spent so much time during His earthly ministry healing the sick. His purpose was to deliver people from the works of the devil! Referring to the woman that as hunched backed. Let's see where that came from. Luke 13:16 KJV And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? Another thing church that's important. Regardless of how you feel, act in faith as if you're healed, much like you did when you forced yourself to go to work even though you didn't feel so good. Only this time resist the symptoms of the sickness or disease knowing that without a doubt it's the devil that's seeking to devour you by bringing these symptoms upon you. Remember that these are only symptoms as yet and only false evidence appearing real unless you give in and accept them. Here's another clincher. Refuse to be double-minded by giving in and saying how bad you feel. Galatians 3:13 KJV Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: For those who aren't sure what the blessings and curses are, read the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 28. I want to leave you with two last scriptures. Proverbs 21:23 KJV Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 1 John 5:18 KJV We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. With these two verses, should we not want to live our lives for God the best we can? When we totally surrender to Jesus, we can. Glory to God. Our friends, I believe that as we continue digging into God's truths and they're written on our hearts and we then act upon what we've learned, our lives will change. We thank all of you for joining us here in the J and L Ministries room. We do hope that you'll share these videos with your friends and family. If you haven't subscribed to the J and L Ministries page on u-tube, please do, as we'll be adding many videos of teachings that we do. Leanna and I love you and please study this verse through this week. Romans 15:4 KJV For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. "The Seeds We Sow
Good morning friends and family and welcome to the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk. I thank God for the opportunity to share messages through the internet with people from all over the world. I also thank Him for the awesome fellowship we can have after these messages are delivered. Today we're going to go in a different direction than we have been. Again, I think this will be a series, but a much needed word that we all must get. Are you glad to be saved? For those who are truly born again, there's nothing better than to live a Christian life. Glory to God! A true, born again Christian believer has joy. Even through the trials and temptations, you still have joy in your heart. A true follower of Christ is blessed and they are a blessing to others. Glory to God! Church are you listening? So praise God. Is everyone excited to hear from the word of God? Today’s message is “The Seeds We Sow." Now I know when some hear the word sowing they get antsy because they think the message is going to be on tithing. "Brother Jim is going to teach on tithing, why did I come this morning? He hardly ever brings up money issues." Even though I think it's very important that we tithe and that our tithes and offerings also need to be sown into good ground, and I will do a message on that when I feel led to, but this isn’t a message on God’s money. No my friends, this message has to do with a different type of sowing, and through this message we'll look at how we spend our time…what we say and what we do, what our reaction is to people when they wrong us. Here's one that some don’t like me to discuss, but it's important... sharing our faith with others. This topic about sharing the good news of Jesus with non-believers seems to be the least thing on many people’s agenda, yet Jesus our Savior told us to share the Gospel with the world. Amen? I love to talk about my faith. I love sharing the love of Christ with others. I get all teary eyed hearing testimony of how God worked in people's lives. To hear how people were delivered from things that you know that you know only God could have done. These are a few of the things we'll look at today. Is everyone excited? I said is everyone excited to hear from the Word of God this morning? Praise the Lord. God is so good. God's love never fails. His word never fails. His perfect will is always perfect for you and me. Amen? Prayer. I've shared before that Leanna and I have either the dramatized version of the King James Bible or sermons from different preachers playing each night when we go to bed. They play all night either on a CD or on an MP3. I've encouraged many to do the same. Recently we listened to a series that we haven’t heard for a bit and we both wanted to refresh our minds. Some of you may have heard it, maybe even read some of this man’s books. The series is called The Power of Blessing by Kerry Kirkwood. If you could turn in your Bibles to 1st Peter 3:8-10. Brothers and sisters in Christ, Leanna will be posting the scriptures as we go through today's message, but please friends, mark these verses down and study them for yourselves. For those who have Bibles of your own with you, follow along. Let your eyes see these words for yourself. It shows respect to the Lord and I believe that it gets into you better and feeds the spirit within you. That, and also to make sure I'm teaching you right. Lately I have those who say some really twisted stuff and they claim it comes from the Bible, and something you and I both need to start doing is when these things happen to ask, "Where's the scripture?" I know that there will be a time very soon that what I'll be sharing in another teaching, I'll have scriptures to prove the message and when the doubt comes, I'll have to ask those who attack to show me scriptures to show me otherwise. Amen someone? There's power in these words when we truly grasp the meaning and act on it. I mentioned last week, or maybe the week before, but when Leanna and I are asked from anyone how we are, we say we're blessed. Many times I'll say "I'm blessed and highly favored." Praise the Lord. There's power in those words. I did a message a while back on the importance of what we say or don’t say. We discussed the power of our words. Friends, we need to get this. 1 Peter 3:8-10 KJV Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: James 3:8-10 KJV But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Church, when we speak blessings out, we're declaring a prophetic message. Kerry, in this message, says when we speak blessings over someone we're saying, “May the Lord Grant you all of His intentions that He has purposed for you.” Is this awesome or what? This little phrase has all this inside when we speak it out. I bless you means I declare over you that God’s full intention that He has for your life would come into fullness. Amen? I would really urge everyone to get this CD set or the book. If you'd like to read the first chapter, here's a link. Enjoy. http://files.destinyimage.com/PowerofBlessing_freechap.pdf We started by reading these verses on the power of our tongue. We see that we can sow good seed or rotten seed. I wonder how many listening to this or who may reading or watching this video later have had good or bad seed sown into their lives? "Brother Jim, you act like words are a vegetable." I hope by the time we're done with this message, those who doubt will have a new perspective on the words they use towards others and the words we use about ourselves. How many times have we been to a store and we see a parent speaking ill words towards a child? Here in Maine it's a common occurrence. Why? I think a lot has to do with Maine’s poor economy. Maine is the second poorest state in America, and the county we live in is the poorest county within the state of Maine. I think maybe because to survive here, many have to work multiple jobs. Winters can be harsh and expensive to heat our homes during the winter. Many of the old-timers didn’t have a great education. Whatever the case, I see verbal abuse often. I'm not saying that we shouldn’t correct our children and grandchildren, but we need to be careful of the words we use. If everyone can turn to the book of James. I want to focus on verses in chapter 3 and starting with verse 1. Many of you know that I use this verse often. James 3:1 KJV My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James 3:1 ASV Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment. Who wants to lead this service today now? Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture, and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers. I've shared in many messages that when Leanna and I knew it was time for us to leave a church that we helped start and we prayed where God would have us go to church, and after 2 months of hearing, “Right here and let Me guide you,” we finally did. This is one of the verses that kept going through my mind. James warned that although it's good to aspire to teach, the teacher’s responsibility is great because their words and examples affect others' spiritual lives. If you're in a teaching or leadership role, how are you affecting those you lead? I hope I'm doing okay in this area. My greatest passion in life is to sow seeds into the lives of those who are lost, not knowing Christ as their Savior and to teach those who have heard a watered down message for so long that might keep them from being a King’s kid. Amen? I've found especially in the last couple months that there are those who are so caught up on tradition. Everything has to be as what they learned in the church that they attended for the past few decades. Didn't Jesus rebuke those religious leaders for their persistence of keeping traditions? People get all caught up on what type of music should be played. Should we shake hands and greet one another before the service starts? This very thing causes division within a church. Do the men need to wear a 3 piece suit? Women have to wear a dresses to their ankles and they have to have uncut hair and their hair needs to be in a bun and if not, they're not welcomed into a church. "Look at that couple, they're wearing jeans. What a disgrace." Oh my friends, if this is you, get over yourselves. James 3:2-3 KJV For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. In the past few months I've had many tests. I've been in several situations where I almost let the flesh get the best of me. I've been in many positions where I really needed to bite my tongue and do that counting to 10 thing. Walking away, knowing that Satan was defeated, I did much praising to Jesus. Friends, what we say and what we don’t say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it's also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn’t. And just to go a bit further with this, what we type is the same as speaking these things out of our mouths. In the past 5 to 10 years, it seems that instead of using the little member that dangles under our nose to communicate, we tickle our keys on our computers or type on our cell phones. Those same words, spoken out-loud or typed, can either curse or bless others. When we look at these two verses in James, it speaks volumes, or should. A few examples of an untamed tongue, (ready for this?) include gossiping (many don’t realize this), putting others down (oops, did that talk to someone?), bragging (that's something that I've had to really work on at different times in my life), manipulating, false teachings, exaggerating (again, me), complaining (at times), flattering and lying. Before you speak, ask , “Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?” How many did these two verses speak to? James 3:4 KJV Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. In Gill’s Commentary, he says this. "A small helm," as the apostle here does, and accounts for it how large ships should be moved and steered by it. And so, though the tongue is to the rest of the body as a small helm to a large ship, yet like that, it has great influence over the whole body, to check it when it's carrying away with the force of its appetites and passions; and so churches, societies, and bodies of Christians, which are large and numerous, and are like ships upon the ocean, tossed to and fro with tempests, driven by Satan's temptations and the world's persecution, and ready to be carried away with the wind of false doctrine, yet are influenced and directed aright by those who are at the helm, the faithful ministers of the word, who say to them, "This is the way, walk in it." Friends, this is speaking about us right now. We're in that age. James wrote this verse about 45 AD. And John Gill, who was a great theologian and pastor was born November 23, 1697 and died October 14, 1771. We see these things still being a problem in 2015. James 3:6 KJV And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire. Catch and understand this friends. The tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. We just read that the uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and put them against one another. How many have seen this happen within the past 6 months? Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they're spoken. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire and you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do. Couples, do we hear this? Moms and dads, grandparents? Business men and women, did we hear this? Friends at school, did you hear this? Words can scar. Oh…church groups, praise and worship leaders, you were being spoken to also. No one is exempt here. It happens, but it shouldn’t. And then what does James say? James 3:8 KJV But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. What kinds of seeds does the tongue sow? No cunning, persuasion, or influence has ever been able to silence it. Nothing but the grace of God, excision (cutting it out), or death, can bring it under subjection. Someone might be thinking, "If no human being can control the tongue, why bother trying?" Even if we may not achieve perfect control of our tongues, we can still learn enough control to reduce the damage our words can do. It's better to fight a fire than go around setting new ones. Church, one thing we need to remember is that we're not fighting the tongue’s fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say so that when we're offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s love, and we won’t react in a hateful manner. When we're criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt, and we won't lash out. Am I speaking to someone? My hand is raised. Let's look at a few more verses in James chapter 3. James 3:9-12 KJV Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. What should come out of our mouths? Blessings and cursing? Blessings is speaking good, encouraging words to uplift others. To bless has the power to cause success, to multiply and to prosper. What about cursing? Many think this has to do with 4 letter words that we know better than to say. No my friends, it goes much deeper than that. Cursing is the opposite of blessing. Instead of speaking increase, when you speak curses, you speak decrease. Instead of speaking success, you're speaking failure. Are we getting this brethren? Instead of speaking health, you're speaking sickness. And what did James say about cursing? "These things should not be." At times our words are right and pleasing to God. Some of us have memorized verses that please God, but then at other times our words are violent and destructive to others. Which of these two speech patterns reflects our true identity? The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human sin. God works to change us from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, he gives us self-control so that the person will speak words that please God. We also should be speaking words that are kind to others, uplifting and edifying to others. In the series I mentioned, The Power of Blessing, you'll find some of these keys. Friends, as I've been preparing this message, I think we'll call this an introduction of this series "The Seeds We Sow. " There are so many things that I believe God wants us to look at, and in a week or two, I don't think we can even scratch the surface. Church, in closing, what you and I need to understand from today's message, and we will look more into this as we go, is we need to be careful of the things we speak. We're to speak blessing and...... blessing. Amen, friends? Should we speak cursing? So another words, we don't speak failure. We don't talk death. We don't talk doubt. We don't talk worry. Are you seeing this church? We don't talk fear. Church, we're all going to have what many call off-days. You know those days that it seems like the whole world comes against you? Days that distractions come and come? Days when everything you touch seems to break, or go wrong? What do we do about it? We can speak blessings, or we can curse. What will you do from this day on? Let's for a moment hear some of the things that people say that might be curses. "I'm so tired of being sick and tired." "Errr, that blankity-blank-blank." I heard a pastor a while back who kept using this phrase and I'll be using it a lot throughout this series, because it fits. For those who I fellowship with on other sites, you're going to hear this. "If you say so." "Oh, my head aches so bad I just want to die." "If you say so." "Every time I get ahead, something else breaks and has to be replaced." "If you say so." "Every time I get something paid off, something else come up." "If you say so." If you say so, it will be so. "I just feel like I'm in bondage all the time." "If you say so." My dear friends, I know there are ones that don't like what I am saying right now. There are ones who may be listening right now that this irritates you and the reason why it irritates you is because you don't get it. You're not refraining from cursing. You and I have to realize that this isn't about irritating, it's about being free. This is about realizing one of the most powerful things that God has put at our disposal. Glory to God! Friends, when you want to see your life change....Church get this. If you get anything today in your heart today, get this. If you want to see a life change, watch what comes out of your mouth. When you change from cursings to blessings you'll see your life change. Friends, this is not my words. As we continue in this series, I'll show you scripture after scripture after scripture. Praise God! Brothers and sisters, you may be feeling some things, you may be hearing some things. You might be right in the middle of things that aren't good. Oh church understand this. Don't speak those negative words. This is where spiritual discipline comes in. Yes, I have to be reminded too. Friends, as we look into this more next week I'm going to show you proof of what I'm referring to. Satan hates everything about you. Satan is the tempter and we learn from God's Word that he's the god (little g) of this world. Satan is about death and darkness. Now is anyone getting a revelation of where that negative speech comes from? He wants you to speak negative. Satan wants you to speak of things against your good health and your life, because when he gets you to do that, it allows him in. Satan comes so subtly. Just like the snake that he is. He can make things sound so good, so inviting, but there's always a catch. Something's always twisted and perverted, because the truth isn't in him. Church, I choose life. What about you? I choose speaking blessings over others and myself. What about you? Praise be to Jesus. We only started looking into the seeds we sow, and that was only in our speech. For parents hearing or reading this, children pick up on what we say and do. Oh, do I know this from our grandson Ashton. I've mentioned this before, but it's so worth saying again, as a parent or grandparent may pick up on this. Leanna and I took care of Ashton our 10 year old grandson most of his infant life because of his parent’s jobs, then separation, to divorce. Ashton had many health issues, his mom was dealing with cancer and they lived about 3 hours away, so it was easier for Leanna and I to have him live with us for the first few months of his life . We made a commitment to God saying that we'd bring him up as Godly as we could. He's heard God’s Word. He praises and worships God with us. He's memorized parts of the Bible. He asks questions about Jesus often. Even when he was 8 years old he witnessed as best as an 8 year old can to his friends. Is it important that we sow good seed into our youngster’s lives? Absolutely! If this had been going on in the majority of the families here in the US for the last couple of decades, we wouldn’t be hearing about all the violence, sexual crimes and all the things that are an abomination to God at the alarming rate that we hear of now. One thing I want to say today, and I hope everyone hearing this or reading this will think about all week long… sow the seed of love to everyone you meet. Thank you so much for allowing J and L Ministries into your homes. Please, share these teachings with family and friends. Let's do all we can to educate and remind others of the things of our Savior. Let me leave you each with this verse. Proverbs 4:22 KJV For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. We love you and look forward to sharing with you next time. May the Lord bless you. Good morning family. Thank God we can meet again this week. Thank God that we have the freedom to share our faith here in person and through the internet. It blesses my heart that I can do this, but I keep in my mind always that God gets the glory and that I am responsible for everything I teach.
Leanna and I want to welcome each of you to the J and L Ministries room here in Paltalk. We thank you for being here this morning and we also thank you our friends who watch these videos that we share on many Christian networks and also secular websites. Today, we'll be looking at part 3 of this series titled "Those Trials Will Come." For those who've been following along you know that the first week we looked at some of the things that Moses went through and compared it to what we might face in our life. Last week we looked at the passage found in Mark 4: 35-41 about Jesus rebuking the storm that He and His disciples were going through and again comparing those things with our lives and how Jesus spoke to the storms as we should. This week I want to look into some of the storms that King David went through and how he overcame some of them. You know... the man who God said was after His heart? Before we start, I want each of you to think back t9 a storm that you've gone through. Maybe you're still in it. How are you dealing with that trial that's come your way? Are you trying to deal with it in your own knowledge and understanding? Are you dealing with it in your own strength? Then I ask, "How is that working for you?" I used to be in that very same place. So as we go through these next few weeks, when these messages start start looking like there's a finger being pointed at you, know that much of what we are learning I had to go through myself. At times I'm still going through them. I had a friend share something a couple years ago that took me by complete surprise and hurt me at the same time. It didn't hurt me physically, but it was although I felt their pain, yet I couldn't fathom what was done, nor why. This person went on about how things had gotten so bad in her life, that to ease the pain, cutting was the solution. For those not familiar with what cutting is, it's where one will take a knife or razor blade and actually cut their flesh. Brethren, I've gone through some horrible things in my life, but I never thought of cutting my arm or any other part of my body to ease the pain. This isn’t to make fun of those who are reading this that have or still are doing this act. I hear about this often and I just want to hug them and let them know that there's a God who'll break this bondage and ease the pain they're going through. I can’t imagine the pain someone could have to want to cause themselves more pain. Please turn to 1st Samuel 16 and that's where we'll begin this morning. What I want to point out in this chapter is this. While I say these things, I want you to be praying to have God do the same for you and be listening to God (and He'll do it if you listen and stay in obedience). Who God appoints He anoints, and who He anoints is truly qualified for service. Amen? From what you know of David, was he anointed? Was he qualified? I think he was, though, like we often do, he made mistakes. He was a great man of God but made some choices that weren't good. David means “beloved” for he was a type of the Beloved Son. As he was called from the place of obscurity and contempt, David was first anointed by God and later by the people. 1 Samuel 16:1-7 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. 3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. 4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. So let’s backtrack a bit. If we were to go back and look at Saul’s life, we'd find that though he was a talented king, he stopped obeying God early on. He became selfish and evil. We just read that God told the prophet Samuel he would remove Saul from being the first king of Israel and replace him with a man after his own heart. And we all know because of what the Bible says, and a very common statement, that David was this man after God’s heart. Amen? When you get a chance on your own, read first Samuel chapters 13, 14 and 15, just so you know what was going on. Saul was King at this time but made many stupid mistakes. Saul’s first mistake was that he was very successful and the successes went to his head. As even with us today, humility gives place to pride. He offered sacrifices which was only for the priesthood at that time to do. Then he had a silly order for the Army to abstain from food, and you’ll find that in chapter 14. You'll also see where he tried to have his son Jonathan and his armor bearer foolishly killed, and that's when Saul decided to be a fool to the people. When we turn to chapter 15, we find that Saul's final mistake is that he deliberately disobeyed God because of this final act. You can read that on your own. Saul was told, "Because you have rejected God, God has rejected you from being king." Let’s get back to chapter 16. We read that David was anointed. But that anointing couldn't have been done openly, because at that time Saul would definitely have killed David. And I think the whole purpose was to give David a chance to train himself for the office that he would take and we see in verse 13, that God took David into His care. I love how we can go to Scripture and find that when God had a plan, that plan was carried out. So many times when we look at the situations that are going on throughout the Bible we might think it's impossible. Yet we know that when God speaks, He speaks in faith and with God all things are possible and what He says is done. Praise the Lord!!! We go back to verse two and we see where Samuel starts questioning God. Samuel says, "How can I go? Saul would hear then he would kill me." God tells Samuel to "Take a heifer with thee and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.'" 1Samuel 16:4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 1 Samuel 16:5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. Notice in verse four it said that the elders trembled at his coming. I think what was happening is when the elders saw Jesse...and Jesse being an older man, is.... I’m not sure what the dress was back then, but maybe he was wearing clothing that a prophet would have worn back then, but they were afraid. They probably thought he was bringing some kind of word from God of judgment for their sins. They asked Samuel, "Do you come in peace?" Now we get to where Samuel meets Jesse’s sons. Eliab, who was Jesse’s first son, was the one that Samuel thought that God would choose to be king. Then we find in verse seven, but the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature because I have refused him: for the Lord see if not as man see if; for man look at on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. I wonder how often we do that. How many times do we see somebody who might be applying for a job, or even somebody who signed up for a sport in school when we look at their outward appearance? I think this happens often. In fact, too often. How many times in churches does a family come in and they might not be dressed with suits and ties all neatly pressed or a young lady wearing a nice pretty dress with a pretty bow in their hair and they're automatically shunned? I’ve seen it happen, so I know it does. How many times ones come into the church who may not have had a bath for weeks or maybe months and nobody wants anything to do with them? Too often. Yet here we're supposed to have the compassion of Christ. The mirrored image of Christ, who could reach out and put His hands on a leper whose skin was oozing, stinking and rotting and was highly contagious. "Oh but Brother Jim, Jesus was God in the flesh." Amen!! Yes He was, Praise the Lord. Halleluiah!! And your point? Keep your place in 1st Samuel, but turn to John 14 and 11. Jesus said in John 14:11-13 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Mark 16:16-18 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned. 17 And these signs shall accompany them that believe: body is, Who? In my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Yet we are afraid to get near them? Where's our faith? Church, am I painting a picture? Now, this might not be happening in the church you belong to within the congregation that you belong to, but I guarantee you it is in many. Let's look at David's appearance. David was a short man and he had a fair complexion. He was said to have been handsome. He had immense physical strength and a great personal attractiveness. He was a man of war. Prudent in speech, very brave, musical and said to be religious. That word religious really bothers me. Why? Because there are so many religions out there. Some clinging to some of the truths, while others teach the opposite of what the true living God is. We find in chapter 16 that David's fame as a musician was noticed by King Saul. We also find that King Saul at the time didn’t realize that David had been anointed as his successor even before David became Saul’s armor bearer. Can we see how God was working within David’s life? Keeping Him close to King Saul and all the higher-ups? This was all part of God’s way of training David will for his responsibilities when he would become King. Let’s turn to chapter 17 in first Samuel. Friends, what I want to show here is that David did put his trust in God. Many times throughout the Old Testament you’ll find there were many battles with the Philistines. And we'll also find that after many years David wasn't just a child. His appearance changed and Saul didn’t even recognize him. And here we are at Socoh. We had the Philistines gathered to battle. Saul and his men of Israel are at Elah. Here comes Goliath. We all know the story, yes? Here comes this 6’9" giant with heavy armor protecting almost every part of him. And Goliath yells to (Brother Jim’s translation) God’s chosen people, "Send your best warrior to fight with me one on one. If he can kill big old me, ha ha. The Philistines will be your servants. Now we know that can’t happen because I'm the biggest baddest dude around. Now, if I kill your best warrior, and you know I will, then you will serve us. So I guess you can try to kill me, but for us bad guys, it’s a win, win situation." Church, catch this. I added my own words there for a reason. Israel has and always will be God’s chosen people. Throughout the Bible that has been. Amen? But what do we see in verse 11? 1 Samuel 17:11 KJV When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid. What about you, church? What's the giant you're afraid of? Fear is a spirit that comes from that crooked-legged, slimy, slithering Satan. 1 Samuel 17:17-18 KJV And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; (18) And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge. In verse 17 we find Jesse, David’s dad sendshim to this place where the Israelites and Philistines have been feuding for 40 days to give his brothers a half-bushel of this roasted grain and ten loaves of bread. Verse 18 He also sent ten cheeses to the commanding officer and told David to find out how his brothers were doing and to bring back some kind of evidence that they were well. Skip down to verse 25. 1 Samuel 17:25 KJV And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? Surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel. I love this, and it shows where David’s heart really was. And here we find the Israelites scared because it is seen that Goliath is listening to his threats and they’ve heard King Saul’s promises that the one who kills this giant would receive a giant reward, will be promised Saul’s daughter in marriage, and also that his father’s family wouldn't have to pay taxes. But I love this next verse. David asked the men who were near, "What happens to the man who kills this Philistine and frees Israel from this disgrace?" Then David gets even bolder and he says, "After all, who is this heathen Philistine to defy the Army of the Living God?" If you're following along in your Bible, this is what's going on. We've heard hardly nothing from David, and right here he’s talking about the true living God. Then go a little further. Now we see his brother putting him down, then we have the soldiers telling King Saul what David had said, then David and Saul meet. Catch this in verse 32. David says to the King, "No one should be afraid of this Philistine. I will go and fight him." And here we go with the stature again. Saul says you’re just a boy. This giant has been a soldier all his life. Then David tells Saul his testimonies about rescuing lambs that have been taken away by bears and lions and how he kills these animals and rescues the lamb. Here's where David’s faith is. David tells Saul, "I've killed lions and bears and I'll do the same to this heathen Philistine who's defiled the Army of the living God." Catch this church. Tell me you can’t see were David’s heart is. Let’s see where his faith is. "The Lord has saved me from lions and bears and he'll save me from this Philistine." So when Saul agrees to this, he gives David his own armor and bronze helmet to wear. David will soon, unknowingly to Saul, takeover his position as king. Look what happens. David's used to carrying all this weight. He’s a shepherd boy. This next part really shows what God does when you put your trust in Him. David strips off all this heavy metal and picks up what he is used to, his shepherd stick and five smooth stones and goes out to meet this giant. Now let’s look at Goliath’s response. When Goliath gets close enough to see David, the king James says that he disdained him for he was but a youth, and ruddy and of a fair countenance. The good news Bible says and when he got a good look at David he was filled with scorn for him because he was just a nice, good looking boy. We read earlier that when Samuel went to see Jesse to find the one who God would make king, we know that God had already anointed David. This reminds me of when I used to tease a pastor a few years back. I knew I would always hear, "Don’t mess with God’s anointed." Now I want you to think about these next verses. Some of you who are out there sharing God’s word, whether it be in school, work, home, or even out in your community, have any of you gotten a tongue-lashing from those who don’t believe in Jesus? 1 Samuel 17:43-46 KJV And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field. 45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Again my friends, where is David putting his faith? Church, this is where you and I need to be. When these storms come, whatever they may be, we have God’s word that tells us what we need to believe. The Bible tells us what we need to put our faith in during the good times and during the bad. And what about praising God? What we read, especially from the book of Psalms, David praised God all the time. A man after God’s own heart. And that's what's so great about reading about this great man. Trials? Did David have trials? You bet he did. And we'll look into some of those trials next week. But we'll also look at how God’s anointed king overcame those trials because of his trust in God. 1 Samuel 17:47 KJV And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. What faith this David has. Here this young man, this young shepherd, up against this fierce giant. What faith. What trust in an all-knowing, all-powerful, invisible God. We all know that Goliath was hit in the head with one small stone and fell to the ground where David beheaded him. Brothers and sisters, the battle is God’s battle. Amen? If our confidence is purely in the power of God, rather than in any armor or sufficiency of our own, we may be certain the world’s utmost might cannot withstand. Friends, God resists the proud and pours contempt upon those who bid defiance to His people, humiliating them by a defeat with the meanest of instruments. David was anointed to be king and then this soon to be king defeats this boastful champion who he overcomes in the name of God. When Jesus comes as Lord of Hosts, the anti-Christ will be destroyed by the brightness of His coming. Praise the name of Jesus. The day of the Lord. So I ask you my friends, as I'm about to close this message. What will you do when you face that giant? Or like last week, when those storms come. Will you hide? Will you lay down and and be swept away by the storm or crushed by the giant? Or will you stand in faith in the all powerful God who loves you and cares for you and who will protect you? Storms are going to come. There'll be Giants that we'll face. There will be mountains that'll be in our way. Do we look at that mountain and just give up, or do we say to that mountain, "Mountain, you may be huge. You may be magnificent, but my God is bigger and when He opens up a door and tells me that this is what He's called me to do, you' Mr. Mountain need to get out of my way. You, problem are not going to stop me from doing God's will for my life. You, 20-foot wave that's about to come crashing down on me, I say peace be still. Church, I believe in what the Bible tells me for my life. I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. Acts 13:39 And by Him (Jesus) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. Do we believe, church? I believe in miracles, do you? I believe a young woman who was a virgin gave birth to the Savior of the world. I believe that God spoke to a man who wandered in the desert for 40 years through a bush that was engulfed by flames. I believe that a raven brought bread and meat to a man in the morning and evening. I believe a Holy God made the earth and all that's in it in 6 days. I believe that the red sea was parted and over a million people crossed over to the other side. I believe miracles happen to those who believe. I believe that Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, was beaten, and by His stripes I am healed. I believe this same Jesus died for my sins and was resurrected on the third day and now sits at he right hand of God. I believe that a rod was struck against a rock and water gushed out. I believe a young boy flung a stone and killed a giant. I believe that when you and I have storms that come against what God calls us to do, if we believe, God will see us through. What about you, my dear friends? It's time for us to put our complete trust in God and His Word for our lives and for the lives of our families. Friends, it's been a blessing being here with you today here in the J and L Ministries room on this Paltalk platform. We thank God for each of you and for the hungry souls who view these messages on U-tube, Cross Roads Fellowship, Mylook online, Lokey Sisters, Zero Hour Ministry and wherever others share these videos. Brothers and sisters in Christ, we love you and I ask you to live your life by this verse found in Galatians 2:20 KJV I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Have a blessed week in the Lord. Those Trials Will Come
Good morning friends and family and welcome to part two of this message "Those Trials Will Come." Leanna and I want to welcome you to the J and L Ministries Paltalk room, and I also thank all those who have been viewing these messages on other sites across internet land. Also thank you to those who have been sharing these videos. Glory to God! Today we'll be basing this message around Mark chapter 4, if you want to please turn there. Also, I would encourage each of you to take notes on the scriptures that we'll be looking at and also encourage you to dissect these verses on your own. I've heard so many people this week giving the devil way too much credit for things going on in this world and in their lives. I think we give that slime-bag too much credit. We have choices, and sometimes our free-will choices get us into trouble. When we know what God’s Word says and we purposely go about things that we should or shouldn't do according to what it says, how can we blame the enemy for that? Not that I want to brag any of his doings up or try to convince you to let up your guard when it comes to Satan. Let's start today by looking at some situations that we might need to overcome. Amen? I feel with all my being that things are going to change drastically here in the US and it's going to happen very soon. I've had many conversations this week from those who say that gay life-style is okay and who cares that our children and grandchildren are going to be taught that it's okay for Tom to marry Bruce, or that Cindy is marrying Mary. That it's okay to murder babies. It's okay to smoke weed in many states (catch this), for recreational purposes. Wow!!! As I said many times, God is in control. The things that are happening in the world He already knows about. He knew centuries ago. When we look at the things that will happen in the last days, it isn’t pretty. Now, I'm not trying to scare people into thinking that tomorrow will be the battle of Armageddon, but we do need to prepare ourselves. We need to prepare our hearts and learn how to overcome some of the storms that may have been going on in our lives and those storms and trials that are about to come. I believe this message is from the Lord and if we get this into our hearts and act on it, it will make a big difference in our lives. Where I'm trying to go with all these messages is to build our faith. Amen? This week I want to look at trials that may keep you from God’s promises, blessings, and maybe even your destiny. Have I got everyone’s attention now? Please turn to the book of Mark, chapter 4. Leanna will be posting the scriptures as we go through this study. Thank you love for being so helpful. Mark 4:35-41 KJV And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. (36) And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. (37) And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? (41) And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? How many of you have been through a major storm or trial in your life? Do you remember how that storm ended? Maybe for some of you it's still going on today. We're going to look at many verses that I hope prepares each of us when those storms come. Church, I want you to know that Satan hates you. He hates your spouse, your children, grandchildren, finances, home, and everything that you have. Satan wants to destroy everything you have, including your life. Satan will do everything he can to steer you away from God’s promises. Does everyone get that? That's the Gospel truth my friends, and I could show you these facts starting from Genesis all the way through. The enemy hates everything about you. For those who are, baby Christians as I call them. Ones who have just recently called upon Jesus to be Lord and Savior of their life. This is when Satan starts his lies with you. This is when he tries to force you into believing that the Bible is false. This is when he'll try to make you doubt your salvation and even that Christ existed. Let's get back to these verses. Notice the disciples were obeying the Lord and yet they were in a storm. Jesus said, "Let’s cross over to the other side,” and they gladly and promptly obeyed. They were doing what the Lord had requested, and they were in a storm. Just because you're experiencing a storm in your life doesn't mean you're somehow out of the will of God. If that was true, the Apostle Paul was never in the will of God, because he experienced storm after storm. Amen? Do we all have a remembrance of some of the things Paul went through? You can be doing exactly what God told you to do and it can seem like everything's going wrong and everything is against you. The circumstances that attack you from every direction, or the winds and waves that come into your life are not a sign that you're out of the will or the plan of God. For those who were with us last week, I shared that many believe that because you sinned against God, that is why you maybe going through a trial. It just occurred to me that I should have shown you all in scripture that's not always the case. I'm not going to go deep into this, but want to show you an example and show you what Jesus said. John 9:1-3 KJV And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. (2) And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? (3) Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I felt led to share that with you just in case someone might have raised an eyebrow when I mentioned that last week. Just because you're smack dab in the middle of a fierce storm doesn't mean that you're going through it because of being in disobedience. Back to Mark. We read that a great windstorm arose. It literally means a furious gale. It wasn't a normal storm that they were in. Some of Jesus' disciples were fishermen who had spent their lives on the Sea of Galilee. They were certain they were going to die. It was beyond their skill or ability to handle. I've used this story so many times because it's a life lesson for all of us. What did the King of kings say to them before they got into the boat? He didn't say, "Let’s go halfway across the lake and sink." He said, "Let us pass over to the other side." That was the word of the Lord to them. Brothers and sisters in Christ, when God gives us a promise, it's never at the mercy of a storm. Friends, I struggle with this at times. Storms or awful circumstances can't overpower the potential of His promises. When God gives a promise, it's, "Let’s pass over from lack into ample supply, from sickness into health, and from instability into stability and soundness." Amen? Glory to God! God’s word to you will always be challenged. Even as I'm preparing this message and now delivering it, I have many challenging things coming. I, as some of you hear in this room have had a very challenging couple of months. But even though those challenges have come and when we left those things in the past and put our focus back of Jesus and the mission He has called you and me to do, we notice doors spring open. Thank You Jesus. Between receiving a promise from God and the fulfillment of that promise, there are usually storms. The Holy Spirit may have spoken something to your heart at some time or another, or a promise from the Word had come alive to you. Your heart was encouraged, and then you found yourself in a storm. That's normal. Been there. Done that!! And I'll be there again and so will you. We see in the passage of Mark that we've been reading from that Jesus was tired. Before this He had been dealing with the multitudes for some time. How many times does the Bible say he was being thronged? How many times does it say that there were great multitudes of people? That's thousands of people wanting Jesus and wanting healing. Wanting to be near the Messiah. Wanting to see miracles, because that's how we are. Amen? They'd been crowding around Him and pressing Him. Finally Jesus and the disciples had gotten away from the multitudes for a bit. Church, picture this..... Jesus was tired. He fell asleep on a cushion in the back of a boat. He wasn't awakened by the storm. The waves, pounding against the side of their boat, lifting them up and crashing them down, and it didn't wake Him up. The howling winds and the creaking timbers didn't awaken Him. As soon as they touched Him and said, "Teacher," He was aroused. It shows you something of the heart of the Lord. It's like a mother. She can sleep through noisy traffic sounds and train wrecks; but the moment her baby sighs, she's aroused. For the mothers hearing this, or reading, do you get this? Some dads, too? You know where I am coming from? Jesus said in Luke 13:34 KJV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! The Lord Jesus not only has the heart of a father, He also has the heart of a mother. He does hear your cry, and He does know what's going on with you. Praise Jesus! Do we understand this my friends? Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. In the Greek language what He said was, "Shut up and be nuzzled". I can't imagine Jesus getting angry at the wind, but when you study that phrase and those words, it's the exact same statement Jesus would make to demons. I'm also reminded of a verse in Matthew. Matthew 21:13 KJV And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. Friends,I think it's a revelation as to the source of the storm in this passage. The Bible refers in one place to our adversary, the devil, as the prince of the power of the air. In the Book of Job, a great storm came and caused the house to cave in and all of Job’s children were killed, and raiders came and stole his wealth and killed his servants. We read in the beginning of the Book of Job that Satan was behind it all. We read this last week. Here in Mark, Jesus was angry because of the source of the storm, and He rebuked the wind as He would a demon. Then He turned, and to me it was like He scolded His disciples, asking, Mark 4:40 KJV And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? He asked them, "Why are you such cowards? Why are you so frightened? Don't you have any faith yet?" It may be easier for God to calm a storm on the sea than it is for Him to calm a storm in a person’s soul. I think God has a far greater challenge with us in our interior worlds than He does dealing with the elements of the exterior world. Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? They feared exceedingly. Literally, they feared with a great fear. That fear wasn't produced by the storm, but by the calm. They only greatly feared after the storm ceased, and they said, "Who can this be? Even the elements obey Him." They asked, "Lord, aren’t You concerned?" Jesus was not. Jesus knew they would get to the other side. When they said, "Teacher, don’t You care? Aren’t You concerned?" It wasn't a request for help. They were actually astonished that He was able to stop the storm. They didn't know at this point that He could do things like that. Then suddenly He rebuked the wind and the waves stopped. Here's what we all need to understand. When God has given you a promise that you'll pass over to the other side (whatever the promise is), you may go through a storm. The enemy may send all things against you. He may stir up the elements, circumstances, the evil hearts of men and women, or the passions of the world to stop the promises and plans God has given you. Be encouraged, my friends. They can't stop the program of God. They can't nullify the promise of God. It doesn't matter what happens. When these hearts of ours get all panicky, we need to remember that. That was why Jesus reproved the disciples and asked, "Why are you so fearful? Why don’t you have any faith?" We need to remember, even in the midst of a storm, Who gave us the promise and Who is in our boat. Jesus was the Son of God, yet by choice He had become Himself to a body of flesh. The Book of Philippians says that He emptied Himself of His divine rights and privileges and was found in the fashion of a man. Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (6) Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: (7) But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (8) And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (9) Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10) That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (11) And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Friends, this is such a great reminder to me and should be to you also. In your boat with you, you have the One who rolls the heavens out like a scroll and measures it with the palm of His hand, and He calls the stars by name. He measures the dust of the hills in His balance. He's the Creator of heaven and earth, the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He's the One who parts the Red Sea and causes water to come out of a rock to quench the thirst of millions. He's the Prince of peace, the everlasting Father, the King of glory, and the captain of our salvation. He's the One who defeated principalities and powers, triumphing over them through the cross. He's the One who poured out His own precious blood on the cross and was raised from the dead on the third day, who ascended into heaven, and who sat down at the right hand of God on high. He's the Savior, the Healer, and the Deliverer. He's the Son of the living God. Glory be to Jesus!! Praise His Holy name. The disciples had Jesus in their boat as a man. We have Him in our boat as the Savior of the world. The next time your little heart wants to panic in the middle of a storm, you need to say, "Wait a minute. Who told me I was going over to the other side? Who is in this boat? Who is it that lives in me and dwells in me by His Spirit? I am not going to go halfway and sink. Jesus is along for the ride and He is faithful. Praise You Jesus!!!" The disciples asked, "Who can this be?" I think that's so important for us to grasp. The more we get to know who Jesus is, the more our hearts will come to rest, and the less we will be inclined to panic in times of stress and difficulties. Draw close to the Savior. Find out who He is through prayer, reading His Word, and getting to know others who love Him, as you become acquainted with this wonderful Savior, who laid down His life for you and me and was raised from death, and who's going to return to bring us home. Friends, as we continue to dig into His Word and persistently be in prayer, you'll find you'll increase in faith. Please turn to John 6:16-21. Let's look at a totally different storm in the Bible. John 6:16-21 KJV And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, (17) And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. (18) And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. (19) So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. (20) But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (21) Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. Perhaps things are dark for you. You're in the middle of a storm and you're thinking, "Where are You, Lord?" Anyone been there? They had rowed for three to four miles. I've been there before. In fact, thinking back, often. We need to realize there are some storms that we can't row our way out of. We can't escape them through human effort. I've found when I try to rely on myself to overcome some situations I struggle. Sometimes I fail. In fact I usually fail miserably. Trusting others in some situations, again, not always a good choice. Trusting the King of kings? Trusting Jesus is always the right choice. Jeremiah 17:5 Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord. Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. Here's where I try to teach people. We don’t have to accept bad news that we may receive. Leanna has a testimony that proves this. There are times when no amount of human intelligence, understanding, or skill can help you, such as when the doctor says, "Nothing more can be done. Get your house in order. There is no hope." Perhaps your financial advisers have said, “You're done. It's over." The circumstances scream out. Your flesh may even scream out. Things will never, ever change for you. You've been rowing and rowing, doing everything you can, and fighting against the wind and it seems like you're getting nowhere. Jesus says He'll never leave us nor forsake us. Friends, Jesus loves you. He wants what's best for you. He wants us to make right choices and is willing to guide us if we heed His voice. We read in John 6: 21 John 6:21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land. If we want divine help, we must willingly receive it. We have to get to the place where we admit that merely rowing in our own strength isn't enough, we need to invite the Lord into our boat, and we need to receive help from God. Amen? Apostle Paul shared his struggles and his difficulties. 2 Corinthians 1:8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. Paul was saying that he didn't have the wisdom or strength to cope with the difficulties. He despaired even of life. 1 Corinthians 1:9-10 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us. They put their trust in God. Paul writes his thoughts behind many of the difficulties that he experienced. 2 Corinthians 12:7, And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. There are so many lessons to be learned from the truths God shared with Paul which became our New Testament. The message of salvation by grace, through faith, and not of works lest any man should boast. Paul was planting churches and sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. People wanted to kill him, he got shipwrecked, he was beaten with rods, he was harassed and many other things came against him. The thorn in his side. Mark 11:22 Jesus answered and said to them, Have faith in God. Faith is not faith in a principle, faith in yourself, or faith in faith. It's about faith in God. Only God is the One who can make things happen. Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Friends, the mountain represents a difficulty in your life that you can't cope with on your own. It's too high to climb and too wide to go around it. God is the One who removes it, but we need to do our part in order for God to do His part. Faith has to do with cooperation with God. Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. When you pray, believe you receive, and you will have. How many people are at the point in their lives who say, "When I have it, then I will believe I received it." Jesus says you have to believe you receive it, and then God will see that you have it. The Amplified Bible says "Believe it’s been granted to you when you pray, and you’ll get it." Hebrews 11:1 So faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Things may not look different, but that doesn't have anything to do with it. This is about faith in God, the evidence of things not seen. I receive when I pray, and He will see that I get it. Perhaps it's time for you to stop rowing and time to start receiving. Whatever your mountain is, it may be with your health, your kids, your marriage, your finances, oppression, a situation at work, or something else. God knows, and He cares. Remember, Jesus got a little bit angry because He knew the source of the storm. The Apostle Paul talked about the source behind many of his difficulties. Jesus was harsh when He dealt with it. Why don’t you speak to that mountain and tell it to be moved right now? Admit you can't row yourself out of this one. Invite Jesus into your boat. Talk to Him, and receive some help from God right now. Receive His help by faith. Believe it’s granted to you. You will see it. God is faithful. Amen? Friends and family here in the J and L Ministries Paltalk room, for those watching this video from u-tube or the many other sites that it's posted, we love you and want to see storms that may be going on in your life to be calmed. Let's be an encouragement to one another. Pray for one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 KJV (11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. James 5:16 KJV Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. As I close, I want to leave you with this. Our Lord Jesus purchased you and me with His blood that He might set us apart a peculiar people zealous of good works. Friends, let us therefore seek to excel in those duties becoming to Christians, such as brotherly love, generosity, contentment, obedience to those over us, steadfast in the faith, patient suffering with Him and continual praise. Our Lord Jesus was the perfect anti-type of the sin offering, being offered “without the gate,” a striking illustration of His humiliation as a sin bearer. We as believers are therefore exhorted to go forth from the ceremonial law, from sin, from the world, and identify ourselves with Christ, being willing to bear His reproach in gratitude for the salvation He has provided. Praise You Jesus. What a blessing to spend time with all of you today. It's always joy to be in God's word with fellow believers. We love you all and thank you for allowing us to be part of your family today, sharing God's Word to His family. I'm going to stop the recording, but I'm going to keep this room open for questions and comments. Remember: The Lord is your helper, and you should not nor will not fear what man shall do unto you. Praise God! Those Trials Will Come part 1
message delivered November 1, 2015 Good morning Friends and family and welcome to the J and L Ministries paltalk room. For the past few weeks there have been more and more joining in with us in this room and I believe it's because of the hunger that some have to know Christ in a more intimate way. I believe that there are those who have been joining us here who have seen from sermon messages shared that we do rightly divide scripture with other scriptures and we don't base everything around one passage and leave it there. Thank You Jesus for Your beautiful, powerful Word. Today friends, we'll be starting the first part of a multi-part series called Those Trials Will Come. Throughout this week I had been thinking and praying on what topic God would use for today's message. Well, Friday morning I was reading in Psalms and I think He gave me a clear direction. I also think that this is going to have to be a series, as there have been many thoughts as to where this is going to lead to. I'm believing that as this study speaks to me, it will speak to you also. As I sat down to put this message together, I had a brother in the Lord call and was very persistent to look into a situation. Right off the bat I felt that this was going to be a day that the distractions would come as they've been coming from every direction in the past few months. As I investigated this matter, I knew that I knew that what I felt led to teach on was right on target. Then as I started putting my notes together and collecting scriptures that I would use for today's message, the power went out. Praise the Lord, Microsoft Word saved what I had. Many of you might think, "Well of course it saved them." Church, more than once have I been in this predicament and lost everything that I had that was typed out. Again, I praise God for helping me out with this. Last week, for those who joined us, saw firsthand the attacks from the enemy that came strong. And what happened church? We pressed on and Satan lost. Glory to God. So as we go about today's message, whatever attack might come, again we need to press in and press on. The same goes for our everyday walk with God. Brothers and sister, we can't be just hearers of the Word and not doers. And we can't look at one scripture and think that's what God is saying. I hope someone gets a revelation of this. Brethren, every living being is going to go through some kind of situation. Amen? Whether it be a physical problem, emotional problem, spiritual, financial problem, each and every one of us is going to go through a hardship. Maybe some of you hearing this message or reading at another time are going through something right now. Friends, when we come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the enemy comes to start his attacks. You see, before we're saved, the enemy had us right where he needed us to be. Think back to the day you were saved. All the thoughts about "Is Christ really God? Does He really love me like the Bible says? Is the Bible really true?" Here 's a typical thought or emotion that Satan uses often. "Am I really saved?" Come on, church. How many have had those thoughts come to mind? I ask you friends, has the enemy brought his lies and then twisted things around to make you think that God isn't faithful to His promises that we find in the Bible? Satan tries to tell us that God doesn’t love us or He wouldn’t have allowed this or that to happen to you or your family if He really loved you. You all know where I'm going with this. So buckle up, take notes, and let’s tell that slimy devil where he can go. Let’s learn through scriptures from the Old and New Testaments how we can overcome these attacks from whatever the source might be. For some, these attacks may be coming from a family member. For some, it may be coming from your job. Maybe for those who are watching this video on u-tube, it may be from a classmate. Church, and listen up. It may be from a pastor or religious leader. Whatever the case, there are ways to deal with those attacks and often, for us, it's better for us to be quiet. I know that isn't the natural thing to do, but at times that's where God will lead us. From conversations with friends on the many sites that I'm part of and conversations with others on the phone, there have been attacks on so many Christians. Church, we all need to know what to do when those attacks come. We do have that power, and Jesus is the name that demons tremble from. Amen? Saints, we need to get this now like never before. Praise the name of Jesus! Are we ready? I mean....are we truly ready to better our journey with Jesus? I hope so, and that's my prayer for you and me today. I've used this example that I'm about to share in other teachings, but it fits perfectly in this lesson. I want us to look at adversity. It may come to you like a nagging pebble in your shoe or like an overwhelming rock slide. No matter how adversity crashes into your life, the question is how will you respond? How does the Bible tell us to respond when attacked? Let’s take a few minutes and think of some adversities that people might go through. Hurtful words spoken to or about us? No money, or lack of it? Here are the big ones that most share with me. Sickness? Maybe for those reading this it's the loss of a job. We can let these things bother us. We can shrug it off knowing that adversity is bound to be a part of everyone's lives. Or, and this is where need to come to a point in our walk with God, we can put our total trust in God like the Bible tells us to. Things are going to happen. Church, we need to be prepared. God's Word prepares you by showing what adversity is and how you can live through it in faith. Unwavering, persistent faith. Today we're going to look at the life of Moses. Later in this series, God willing, we'll look into King David’s life. I don't know that there's anybody in the Bible who shows us the kinds of explosions that can come into our lives better than the character of Moses in the Old Testament. Amen someone? If everyone could turn to Deuteronomy chapter 4, and while you're doing that, think of a time that you may have had a pebble in your shoe and when you took your shoe off to find it, you couldn’t? You put it back on and continued to walk and you could still feel it and figured it must have been just your sock. I'm going through a similar problem right now. Many know that I'm an amputee. Because of the type of artificial leg that I wear, there's a rubbery material that I put on first, then the artificial leg fits over that. A few days ago...maybe a week ago, I stood up and my knee hurt. In fact, it hurt bad. It was like someone stuck me with a pin. What had happened is that there was a little pimple that formed and it's infected. It's in a place where when I stand up, most of the pressure is between my stump and the prosthesis. It hurts. That's what I want to talk with you about today. Not the pimple, or about artificial legs, but when things happen in your life that you don't understand, when trouble comes into your life, what are you going to do about those troubles? I think as we look at scriptures today and we spend time in the Word of God, we'll have a better understanding about what happens when adversity comes to our life. Deuteronomy 4:27-31 KJV (27) And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. (28) And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. (29) But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (30) When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (31) (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them. I find this passage to be extremely comforting, and I hope all of you do also. Praise God!! When I'm in tribulation (we saw this in verse 31), some versions use distress...that's the word he uses there... when I'm in distress, I know the Lord's not going to forget me. If you think about the life of Moses and the children of Israel, their lives are like ours in many ways. Think about life in this way: When you learn how to deal with adversity, one of the conclusions you come to almost automatically is that everyone has adversity. Everyone has some sort of trouble. I think we have to all expect adversity to come into our lives. Brothers and sisters in Christ, sometimes adversity is associated with sin. It comes because of things we've done. I want to take a quick peek at how Kind David was tempted and then the result of his choice. Many are thinking , "Oh boy, Jim's going to take us to where David lusted after Bathsheba." Nope, but another huge mistake that King David made. And what I really want you to notice is where that thought came from. 1 Chronicles 21:1 KJV And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. David numbered the people. He took a census and then notice it wasn't what God told him to do. If we were to continue to read, we'd notice that was a piece of pride on David's behalf. The end result of that was significant trouble in his life. It came because of sin. Sometimes adversity is the result of simple disobedience. Remember Jonah who ran from God? His disobedience brought all the troubles that came into his life. You might be saying to yourself, "Okay Brother Jim, does that mean when I have trouble in my life that automatically there's sin in my life?" The answer is no, and I hate hearing preachers saying this. For those who have read the book of Job, Job's best friends tried that on him. I know there are a lot of people who feel this. They've been told and believe that if you just had faith enough, if you confessed your sins, there would be no difficulties in your life. But brethren I ask you, for those who have read the book of Job, remember Job? Job is a perfect example of a man who was obedient to God. He didn't do the things that other people were doing, and yet adversity came into his life just like everyone else. I may do a message on the book of Job soon, because I think there's much to learn from it and I find many things being taught about the book of Job that don't line up with my Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 5:45 Matthew 5:45 KJV That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. God makes His sun to shine on good and bad people alike, and gives rain to those who do good and to those who do evil. The saved and the unsaved. Adversity comes to the righteous and the unrighteous. The just and the unjust, just like the rain does. Just because you're alive means you're going to have trouble. If you haven't found it yet, it's going to happen pretty quickly. You're not exempt because you may be a Christian. There are lots of people who teach and believe that because you're a Christian no trouble will ever come to you. God will never let you be sick or be poor. There are a lot of sick, poor Christians who don't understand why people are teaching this. There are lots of sick and poor Christians in the Bible, but they were godly people. When Paul wanted to encourage the believers of Asia Minor, this is what he said: "We must go through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." Listen up church and I hope each of you understands this. Tribulation--for those who are living rightly before God--is a good thing, because it proves you can still live righteously before God. You can be right before God and still face difficulty in your life. Adversity comes to everybody and you should expect it. Right living people are not at all exempt from adversity. Do we get this church? Someone might be thinking, "Brother Jim, you've completely lost your marbles." I think maybe the reason Apostle Paul understood that principle so well is he had so much trouble in his life. If you ever want to read about the difficulties Paul had, go to 2 Corinthians, chapter 11. In this chapter, you're going to see a whole list of problems faced by the apostle Paul. And do you know what? When you read that chapter you're not going to know when almost any one of these occurred. But I think Paul understood that adversity will come to every person. Adversity will come to you regardless of who you are. If you're a Christian today, don't expect God not to allow adversity to come into your life. Going through these situations, when we handle them by trusting in God, it makes us stronger. We can't understand that, and I don't claim to understand fully. Church, remember Job? This is my translation of some of the things that went on there. He was the man who lived a life that was good before God and before men. When Satan came to God and said, “You know why Job loves You? You know why Job is living a righteous life? It's because Job is rich. Life's easy for him. You take away those easy things, and Job isn't going to love You so long." God said, "Well, consider my servant, Job. He's yours. You can do anything you want to him, but you can't touch his life. You can't kill him." Here's a man who is a great example of the fact that God will sometimes actually allow adversity to come into your life. Sometimes God allows adversity to come into our lives because the lack of adversity can be a problem for us. Think about that for a moment. A selah moment. I think sometimes when you don't have adversity, that can be a problem in your life. I want you to fully grasp this friends. There's something about all of us that needs a challenge. Those who need some adversity to rise above. If there was no adversity into your life, you may not be able to enjoy life. God sometimes allows adversity to come to your life. It's also how we build up our faith in God. For some, me included, adversity can make you stronger...when you learn to trust in God to help you through that tempest. Amen someone? Sometimes God uses adversity as an opportunity to help you in your own life. Sometimes God will use adversity simply to bring you to the point where He can bless you. It's evident too, that sometimes God allows adversity in our lives simply because He wants to strengthen our character. Amen? Can anyone relate to this? Is anyone getting a revelation of what's being taught here? My brothers and sisters, I've had conversations with some of you and I know that there have been things that have been shared and I've seen the results of some of the right choices made. Praise God. There are things in your life that God will allow to come into your life because He knows the end from the beginning, and He knows what's good for you. In fact, He knows what's best for you. So if God allows adversity in your life, He does so because.... open up those ear gates. He knows it will only lead to good for you. Romans 8:28 KJV And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Praise Jesus!!! I'm going to say something that might not be taken well, but I hope you hear me out with an open mind. I'm being spoken to as I type this out. I think if we look back at a situation that seemed devastating to us in our lives, whatever that might be… cancer, bankruptcy, loss of a family member. Maybe harsh words spoken unjustly by someone we felt close to? Whatever the case might be, this message might be hard to accept. We shouldn't seek trials, but expect them and accept them when they come. That's hard to say, yes? Regardless of what some teach about whether or not we should pray or not, I know that we have the privilege to pray and I pray often. What I want us to get and really the point I want to get across is that we almost have to, and this next thing I say is very tough to say, but hear me out, “Embrace it”. And that's not your only option. Lots of people get mad at God. They become bitter about their difficulties. But if you do embrace it, if you open yourself up to invite God's grace into your life, you can actually gain from adversity, not lose from it. Does this make sense to everyone? I hope so, because I know there are some who are dealing with trials that might be here this morning in this paltalk room, or watching on the J and L Ministries u-tube channel , or who will hear this on the various sites that I share these messages. There are some who are right in the middle of adversity, so I hope that will be an encouragement to them. Whatever you're going through in life today, I want you to know that it's not necessarily because of sin in your life. That's not always true. I want you to know whatever you're going through today, that God sometimes allows you to go through it because He has a plan for you that's better than what you have in mind for your life right now. I want you to remember this passage in Hebrews 13. In fact, let's all turn there. Hebrews 13:5-8 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. :6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. :7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. :8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Here's part of the scripture that I was reading and studying this morning. Psalms 94:11-14 KJV The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. (12) Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; (13) That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. (14) For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. Church, what I say next, I urge you to dwell on the rest of your life. God is very interested in you, and He will never let you go through adversity all by yourself. Get this! Truly grasp and get a full understanding of what I just said. It's not until we learn the lessons of adversity that we understand that adversity indeed is necessary in our lives. It's not a necessary evil; it's a necessary thing in our lives. Not long ago, I saw a post somewhere that had a picture of a caterpillar and it said: And like the cocoon, you can't have the butterfly without the cocoon. Friends, you and I can't really have maturity in our Christian life without the adversity of life. But you know what? Some of us, even those who may be more mature in the Christian faith, sometimes we're about to crack under our adversity. It's good if you have a little hangnail, but if you're really hurting, then you need to know that God hasn't abandoned you during your adversity. We're reminded that in Psalm 23. The promise is, Psalms 23:4 KJV Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. It's not that God says you won't go through the valley; He says, "I'll go through the valley with you." Amen? Glory to God!! Thank You Father for never leaving us nor forsaking us. I think the great strength that comes through understanding adversity that leads to maturity, that leads to our understanding that you can't do certain things, is that you can't take adversity away from life and expect life to be as good as it would have been. I think one of the great understandings that comes to us is that when we watch God walk with us through the adversities of life, it draws us closer to Him. Don’t hear me wrong. I'm not crazy; I'm not asking God to give me adversity just so I can understand this or so I can walk closer to Him. I say, "Lord, if there's an easier way for me to walk with You, hey, give me that easier way." I also learn that adversity will teach me something about myself. I learn a lot about my character when things are tough in my life (I don't learn much about me when things are going well), I learn that I'm not sufficient in myself to overcome the adversities of my life. It's through God's strength that I'm strong. Philippians 4:13 KJV I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. This verse doesn't say (I can do all things alone). This verse tells me I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me. And church, that includes facing the adversity of life. I also learn that adversity teaches me something about my adversaries. It teaches me something about those who would do harm to me. Glory to God! Let's read what Jesus told His followers: Mark 13:9 KJV But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. What Jesus was telling his followers is, "Be on your guard! You will be taken to courts and beaten with whips in their meeting places. And because of me, you will have to stand before rulers and kings to tell about your faith." And brothers and sisters in Christ He is saying, "This will be your opportunity to tell them about Me." Sometimes I don't want adversity to come to my life. At times it might make us feel weak. At times it may mean separating ourselves from those we love. But as I mature in my faith, I understand that God allows adversity to come to my life. I also learn that no one is exempt from adversity. You're going to face it, and so am I. The thing that encourages me the most is (and this is the key right here) I learn that nobody has to face adversity alone, that God always says, "I will go with you through the adversity. I'll hold your hand during this adversity. In fact, I'll help take this adversity and make something good of it when all you can see is the difficulty of your trials." When someone hurts us, how do we become compassionate toward them? I struggle sometimes here. They are the adversities in our lives. The easiest thing in the world is to just write them off, or some might say, "Satan, they belong to you. You can have them." But it isn’t the person, but the enemy. The fact of the matter is, as our adversary, or as the adversity in our life, they may be God's tool in our lives and we don't even know it. That doesn't mean they're right. What they're doing to us may be entirely wrong, but what was done to Job was entirely wrong, too. They may be God's instrument of bringing compassion to us or God's instrument of maturing us, molding us, shaping us. How do we deal compassionately with people who don't deal compassionately with us? When someone is our adversary, when they hurt us, how do we become compassionate toward them? The answer is that we can't--unless we learn how to forgive. Amen? And forgiveness may be one of the hardest things for us to learn to do. The real problem, and we're going to see this later on in this study, is when people hurt us we will either become better or bitter. Most of us, frankly become bitter. We don't want to forgive them because they hurt us so deeply. Compassion, I think, follows forgiveness. Until we get a handle on how to forgive people that hurt us, hurt us deeply, I don't think we'll ever be compassionate toward them. We're going to learn later in our study about Joseph in the Old Testament. What a wonderful example of a person who had adversity in his life. None of it was his fault, but he had to learn how deal with brothers. He had to learn how to deal with false accusations in his life. There were so many things he had to learn in order to become compassionate, but he had to first learn how to forgive. I think that's the secret to dealing with people who hurt us. We have to learn how to forgive and that's not an easy lesson. Forgiveness tends to be, “Well, if you confess your sins, I'll forgive you," but that's not the biblical definition of forgiveness. Forgiveness means we turn over to God the hurt that's been done to us. We say, “I don't like this. I don't understand it, but I'm not going to retaliate for it. I'm going to simply give it to You, and let You deal with it in my life." And then, and here's where so many mess up. You leave it alone. Stop bringing it up the next time you have a chance. I see this so often. I have ones who pour their hearts out to me. And of course I have to share that there needs to be forgiveness. "But brother Jim, I forgave them." And they're sobbing like crazy and then sometimes in the next breath they start wailing again and carrying on about how much this other person hurt them. That is not forgiveness. I'm about to close this message. Let’s think about someone who may be physically alone. Someone who's in a nursing home, shut in for health reasons. Maybe someone who's in prison, or whatever the circumstance might be. Is that promise for them too? What would we say to those who might be struggling? I would say no one is ever really alone as long as you have someone to talk to. And for the person who follows the Lord Jesus, He's always there for us to talk with Him. That's exactly what prayer is all about. You don't have to talk out loud, but you do have to be intimate in your conversation with Jesus. And, our prayers need to line up with God's Character. So throughout the day, throughout the night, keep your conversation going. Keep it going in your mind with the Lord Jesus. Let Him in on your life. Tell Him what's on your mind. Tell the Master Jesus what worries you. Then tell the King of kings and Lord of lords to take your fears and your concerns and your worries away from you. Praise You Jesus. Now let's kind of turn the tables. You're not physically alone, but emotionally you're struggling. Maybe some of you are feeling isolated. Maybe feeling disconnected and alone….what then? I would suggest to them the same thing. When we feel disconnected, when we feel isolated, it's probably because we are. And that means we're not staying in constant and quality contact with the Savior. Again, I think prayer can change all that. Prayer isn't always asking something of God. Sometimes it's just talking with Him. It's asking Him to help us know His presence and to understand just how deeply He loves us. There have been times when I felt alone like this and prayer is a help, but just opening His Word and reading God's instructions to me is a huge help. It's amazing how you find yourself feeling His compassion and all of these things open the door to our intimacy with God. Rather than saying, “God, You don't care. You're not out there. You don't really care at all what's happening to me," suddenly we find ourselves talking with Him. We find ourselves reading His Word and discovering He really does love us. Friends, in closing I want to make this point. We don't have to go through the trials alone. Jesus is right here and I think sometimes instead of calling out to Him, we hold onto the issues in our lives. I want you to know that when the attacks come, don't let people try to convince you that it's because of something wrong you did. Can you think of someone who may be hurting that you might be able to share this with, or invite them to join us next week? That's the whole purpose of what J and L Ministries is all about…learning and sharing what we learn with others to help them with their walk with God. Friends, for those that have been with us here in the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk, we thank you and after I stop this recording, I will open the room for questions and discussions. For those who've been watching on u-tube, or any of the Christian and secular sites, we thank you for supporting this ministry. We do ask that you please share these videos. Please help get the Word out that people don't have to deal with life alone. There's a friend that will be more of a friend than any man or woman on earth could ever be. He's willing to walk through the storms with you and carry you through them. We love you and may the Lord bless you. Jesus Said, "For It Is Written"
Good morning friends and family and it’s a blessings to have you join us this morning here in the J and L Ministries room here on Paltalk. We're continuing on last week's message, Jesus Said, "For It Is Written."We didn't even start to get into this title as I thought we might, but this is a new week. A new day. And God created it. Amen, someone? I'm excited. I know that someone's going to get a revelation today. Praise God! Last week I asked you, like I often do, if you believe the Bible to be true. I asked if you believe that every word was from God. I asked if you believe God is the same yesterday, today and forever and if you believe that He's not a respecter of persons. Amen? Those who were here last Sunday, or watched this from the u-tube channel remember that? Does everyone who is here today all agree with this? I hear so many contradicting the Bibles truths. I hear many who will say we don't have to worry about what's written in the Old Testament. Oh, really? I'm telling the truth. Come on folks, I'm sure somebody here has heard that too. Do we believe that the God who created the universe and everything in it is capable of writing a book? And the God who is perfect is capable of writing a perfect book? The issue isn't simply does the Bible have a mistake, but can God make a mistake? If the Bible contains factual errors, then God is not omniscient (having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight). Does anyone believe that God is capable of making errors Himself? Church, if the Bible contains misinformation, then God isn't truthful but is instead a liar. If the Bible contains contradictions, then God is the author of confusion. In other words, if the Bible isn't true, then God is not God. How many of you believe that God is the author of confusion? Apostle Paul told us this in 1 Corinthians 14:33 1 Corinthians 14:33 KJV (33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Friends, the Bible is true. God is true. God sent His only begotten Son to die on a cross. He who knew no sin came to die on a cross to save you and me from an eternity separated from God. That innocent blood that was shed from Jesus that day at Calvary some 2000 years ago was shed to wash your sins and mine away when we came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Thank You Jesus! Praise the Mighty name of Jesus. There's power in the name of Jesus. Amen, someone? Someone, I believe is going to feel His power today. Hallelujah. Turn if you will to Hebrews 4 and starting with verse 11. Each message, each week and for almost 3 years, I've shared the importance of all of us reading God's Word daily. I would again ask that each one of you spend time in the Bible and read at least a chapter a day. But I would ask you to read it not because I ask, but because you want to, because you want to seek God's heart. For those who were with us a few weeks ago, I showed you in God's Word where we find it's medicine to the flesh. Do you remember that? Hebrews 4:11-16 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (13) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (14) Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (15) For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Brothers and sisters in Christ, notice the relationship between the heart and the Word. Notice what's said here. The Word examines and the heart is being examined. When we read in the Bible about our hearts, many times it's not a good prognosis. Someone might say, “Brother Jim, what on earth are you talking about? The doctor says my heart is in great shape.” Well, let's see what the Bible says about heart issues. After all, that's where I feel led to teach on. I find even in many Christians, a stony heart. Let's start by reading from the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 11:19-20 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (20) That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. (27) And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Let's see what the Bible says about our hearts in the book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (10) I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Friends, from just these few scriptures that we've read, we find that it’s impossible to save ourselves. Do you each see this? Those who trust in their own righteousness and strength, thinking to get salvation without the merit and grace of Christ, to them are doomed. We'll see this when we tap into some of the verses in the New Testament. Let's continue. I love this next scripture and should be each and every one of our goals. Praise God! Proverbs 4:20-27 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. (22) For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (24) Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. (25) Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. (26) Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. (27) Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Friends, true wisdom from God is the principle thing. It is that which recommends us to God, which beautifies the soul, which enables us to answer the ends of our creation, to live to some good purpose in the world, and which makes our path brighter and brighter until we get to heaven. Praise the Lord!! Church, we're nothing without God and we need to get a complete intellectual understanding of this. We were created in His likeness. We were created to have fellowship with Him. He loves us and wants what's good for our lives, yet we turn away from Him every day. Is God speaking to someone? Let's look at a few more verses from the Old Testament, then we'll go into the New Testament. Glory to God!! Everyone, please turn to Psalms 34:18. Has anyone listening today, or reading or watching this on the u-tube video had a broken heart? Maybe a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife left you? Maybe the loss of a family member or close friend? Maybe out of work, or just plain discouraged? God loves you and me so much to even help us through those times and it's recorded in His Word. Psalms 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. One translation says it like this: Psalms 34:18 The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope. I want us to pay attention to Psalms 147. I think it's important for us to see God's heart on what He created. Psalms 147:1-20 Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. (2) The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. (3) He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. (4) He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. (5) Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. (6) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. (7) Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: (8) Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. (9) He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. (10) He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. (11) The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. (12) Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. (13) For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. (14) He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. (15) He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. (16) He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. (17) He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? (18) He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. (19) He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. (20) He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD. God’s people who share His special favor should concur in His praises and magnify His name together. Upon every fresh occurrence of His mercies, let us renew our praises, thus encouraging others to trust Him. The true and only way to happiness is to walk in the love and favor of God. Are each of us waking in His love? Even in the tough times? Are you walking in God's love even when your neighbor verbally attacks you? Are we walking in God's love when the guy at work hurls insults at you? One of my favorite passages since I was in high school is found in Psalms. Psalms 34:3-8 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. (4) I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (5) They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. (6) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (7) The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (8) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. "Brother Jim, you've read many scriptures the last two weeks, but what does that have to do with the title "Jesus Said, For It Is Written"? It has everything to do with the title. Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God. Who is the Word of God? Jesus! We see this in the gospel of John. John 1:1-5 KJV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) The same was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. (4) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (5) And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. The Son of God became the Son of Man that the sons of men through Him might become the sons of God. Does that excite everyone here? Please turn to Matthew 5:8 and let us look in the New Testament at some heart issues and I hope that everyone sees where I'm going with this. Praise Jesus! Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. From these few words in this verse, we could do a whole sermon. "How can you do a whole study on this verse, Brother Jim?" It's easy when you study His Word. And again I ask, who is the Word? Jesus. And look at how the whole Bible is threaded together. Brethren, have you all noticed how many seem to judge people on their outward appearance? Those who are smart are the ones that many cling to. Amen? Think about back when you were in school. For me that was a long time ago. But I want you think back at what it was like then. For the girls, those who were pretty, everyone wanted to cling to them. Same as the guys, everyone wanted to be with them. Same as the smart ones, the ones that were good in sports. Am I painting a picture? I ask you friends, what does the Bible say about what God sees? What is He interested in? 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Church, those whose minds, motives, and principles are pure, who seek not only to have the external actions correct, but who desire to be holy in heart, they are the ones that Jesus is talking about, that are pure in heart. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart. Matthew 15:18-20 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. (19) For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (20) These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. You may be saying, "Those are pretty harsh words, Brother Jim." I say to you those are not my words, but the words of Jesus Himself. I don't know your heart, but Jesus does. Let's look at Jeremiah again. Jeremiah 17:9-10 "Who can understand the human heart? There is nothing else so deceitful; it is too sick to be healed. (10) I, the LORD, search the minds and test the hearts of people. I treat each of them according to the way they live, according to what they do. Heart issues. Why would the Bible point out that our hearts can be deceitfully wicked? Without Christ being the most important thing in your life, without a renewed mind, which is what happens to all men and women who truly come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and us being filled and led by the Holy Spirit. When this happens, there is no room for lust, greed, idolatry, hatred and so many other things. There is no desire to be part of these things. When our minds are renewed and we surrender all to Jesus, we allow Him to break us, we change. Our talk is different. Our whole way of thinking is different. Our attitude about things is changed. Our hearts are softened. It isn't stony anymore. Church, think about this. For those who know the story about Jeremiah. Wouldn't be awesome if we saw brothers and sisters like Jeremiah moving around our communities weeping day and night for this world to come back to God? To be out in the public praying in anguish for people to turn from their wickedness? What about the cup-bearer for the King Artaxerxes. But he also was a praying man. Are you getting this church? How often do we pray? How often are we on our knees praying for our families, communities, states, country or the world? Is God is speaking to someone right now? I want you to listen to a video of one of my favorite pastors. This is what's called a sermon jam. It's a little over 7 minutes s long and a clip from a very powerful message called: A Call To Anguish. Powerful? Friends, wherever you are, Jesus needs to be your master. Because I've talked to some of you throughout this week, I know there are those who are struggling with your journey with God. The message Jesus wants you to hear is that time is running out. Some of you may have been thinking that you're hiding things from the world. There may be some of you hearing or reading this message that are shackled so tightly in bondage that you think God can never forgive you or could never free you. Maybe there's someone reading this message who's been battling a disease and have spent every dime they have and are no better, like the woman with the issue of blood that we looked at few weeks ago. I tell you Jesus can free you. Come on church. I said Jesus can free you from all these things. Jesus can heal you, but it starts with you having a renewed mind. It takes you putting your complete trust in God. When's the last time you spent time with God? When's the last time that you honestly read your Bible and meditated on its truths? When's the last time you spent time with God in prayer? When's the last time you asked God to search your heart and point things out that aren't right? Friends, I think God wants to minister today, and the only way He can do that is if we ask and allow Him to. I would ask that everyone close their eyes and bow their heads and praise the name of Jesus. I would ask each of you to take time and tell God how much we love Him and ask Him into our lives to work on us. Ask the Lord to reveal the things that need fixing in our hearts. Ask Him to chip away at that stony heart and make it pliable so that we can be the men and women He called us to be. I want to read from a chapter that I very seldom hear anyone reading from. It's Hebrews 3. Hebrews 3:1-19 KJV Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; (2) Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. (3) For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. (4) For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. (5) And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; (6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (7) Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, (8) Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: (9) When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. (10) Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. (11) So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) (12) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (16) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. (17) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. My dear friends, I ask you now. Are you one with a stony heart? Maybe you were so on fire once upon a time for God and your desire was to love Him, praise Him, worship Him and live your life for Him, but as time passed, that intimacy is now just an ember, already to go out. Maybe you're at that point of running and distancing yourself from God. Church, now's the time to get right with God. I've said this so many times. We're never promised tomorrow. In this uncertain world anything can happen. We could be hit by a car or shot at. Not one of us knows tomorrow. With countries all over the world with a finger ready to push the button to release World War 3, you're not promised tomorrow. Now is the time my friends to get right with God. Don't put it off one day longer. This world has lost the fear of God. Don't you be one of them. I want us to look at a few verses in the book of proverbs, but friends, don't let this go in our eye gates and then get lost somewhere. Get it in your hearts. Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. (8) It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. another passage from Proverbs and please get this. In fact, I urge you all to make it a point to read this whole chapter at some point today. Proverbs 14:9-22 KJV Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour. (10) The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy. (11) The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish. (12) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (13) Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. (14) The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (15) The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (16) A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (17) He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. (18) The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (19) The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. (20) The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. (21) He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. (22) Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. Brethren, the fear of the Lord is to hate evil and what bothers me is so many professing Christ as Lord don't even know what evil is. Here it is time where so many that even say that they're true Christians will be celebrating an evil holiday. Halloween. I'm not going into a long message about how wicked it is, as you can do the research yourself and for some who maybe watching this on u-tube, it may be a good idea for you to do just that. Then you'll know and then I hope you turn away from it. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged and church, then by the fear of the Lord they depart from evil. I'm getting ready to close my friends, but I ask you to spend some time with the Lord today. Time spent alone. Maybe you will have to go for a drive to get alone, but get alone and talk to the Lord. Ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal the things that aren't right. Trust in Him. I've brought this up often in the past year. There are those who have heard from the pulpit that the same sex marriage really isn't that bad. There are those who believe abortion isn't that bad. It's okay to party on the weekends and get so high you don't have a clue, yet all you have to do is tell God your sorry and you're okay. Wrong, church. So many of today's churches refrain from preaching about sin. They won't speak of the precious blood of Jesus. The old wooden cross where my Savior bled to death for you and me. A few months ago you had those telling all that was going to happen in September. Blood moons, asteroids, Jade Helm, Cern. Christ would be here then. This was taught from behind the pulpits. The end is here. It's all we heard. That tells me one thing brothers and sisters. They didn't know their Bibles. They got all caught up in the moment. They say they love Jesus with all their heart, mind, soul and strength, but they failed to get Jesus words right. Jesus Himself said in Mark: Mark 13:31-32 KJV Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. (32) But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. When you search through this chapter in Mark, you find that the very things that are happening are only the beginnings. If you continue to read on you find that these things happening right now in this dying world, and more must happen. My brothers and sisters, when you spend time in His Word, you find that so many have been deceived in the teachings of many denominations. I know that there are ones that will probably unfriend me now on many sites and stop following this ministry, but before you go that far, I ask you to look up each and every scripture that I've shared with you today. I ask you to not just read a chapter or two a day, but study them. I leave you all with this passage today to think very seriously about this week. It's a passage that I've been sharing from Timothy often throughout the past year. 2 Peter 3:16-18 KJV As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. (17) Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. I urge you again our friends, spend time alone with God today. Someone might be saying, "I just don't have time brother Jim." Make time. Ask the Lord to reveal those things in your life that need to change. Ask Him to see you through those changes. We love you and we do hope that you'll share this message with friends and family. I'll be stopping the recording now, but for those in the paltalk room, I'll be leaving the room open for a while so that you can ask questions or discuss what we've learned today. |
Author
|