Thanksgiving Message
Psalm 100
MAKE a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
2. Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!
3. Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is 4. He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
5. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
6. For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations. (AMP)
In a few days families all over America will gather together to celebrate a holiday we call "Thanksgiving." While the men indulge on lots of food, watch football, and talk about the current economic situation in America the women will wash dishes, serve desserts and plan their strategy for a successful shopping outing on Black Friday. Somewhere in process of time most of us either have or will shortly pause to think about the goodness and blessings we each have been granted this year.
The sad part is that for most, once the celebration is over the spirit of thankfulness disappears and within a few days discontent returns. In fact I believe this is the most discontent generation of all time. We have more than any generation or society has ever had and yet we are unfulfilled, unthankful and unappreciative. If you don't believe me walk the halls of the mall and listen to the children talk to their parents about what they want for Christmas. I hear things such as "All my friends have it…" "If I don't get it I won't talk to you again…" "If you really love me, you'll get it for me." We have become a society that craves things we cannot afford but must have anyway. We have abandoned financial responsibility and the idea of rewarding hard work with a consumer mentality that demands that we have the right to purchase what we cannot afford but somehow think we deserve.
This year I would like to suggest a simple return to a spirit of thankfulness and gratitude for what we have instead of a discontent with what we don't! You see, in a real sense "giving thanks" is what one does when he realizes that what he has he does not deserve; it is the gift of God's goodness and grace! It has nothing to do with the present circumstances of your life. Despite where you are in you life's journey, there is something to be thankful for, if only the oxygen you breathe!
Thanksgiving should not be a day, but a way of living. It is something we should do year around; in the good times and bad. It is a matter of the heart. It is a choice to appreciate the good that God has caused to manifest in my life.
This doesn't mean I am advocating an attitude of complacency, but rather one of contentment, which means that you are enjoying where you are on the way to where you're going. It means you are not stressed about what you don't have; you are enjoying what you do!
I Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Notice it doesn't say "for everything" it says, "In everything." Fortunately, He doesn't require us to be thankful FOR ALL THINGS: because all things are not good and pleasing in His sight. The idea is that we thank Him in all things good or bad and for all things He is the source of. This doesn't mean that if you are facing sickness that you offer praise to God for the sickness, because it doesn't originate from Him. It means that you offer thanks "IN SICKNESS" because He is the Lord our healer! In the midst of crisis we find a way to say, "Thank you Lord," not for the problem but because we are still alive, because our God is a way maker, He is our hope and salvation there are still good things happening. It is a determination to focus on the good and positive, not the negative.
The Amplified reads like this: "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."
"No matter what the circumstance may be…be thankful." Thanksgiving is ALWAYS AN Appropriate RESPONSE TO CIRCUMSTANCES whether they are good or bad!
Allow me to make a few observations:
- Thanksgiving does not come automatically in my life; I must choose to express it.
- Negative circumstances are never reasons for negative living. They may be excuses but not reasons.
- In order to move in into the fullness God has prepared for my life I but learn to appreciate and be thankful for what He has already done. It is a stewardship issue. God will not promote me or entrust me with more than what I can be a proper manger of.
God is paying close notice to how well I practice the giving thanks. He is aware of what we DON'T DO AS MUCH AS WHAT WE DO! [Woman with Alabaster Box- 10 Lepers-"Where there not 10 cured? Where are the other 9?"]
The word thanksgiving in Psalms 100 means to "confess your appreciation; to praise or acknowledge verbally your gratitude." God knows our heart but He wants to hear our mouths express praise and appreciation for all He has given us. In fact in the Hebrew language there is no particular word for "Thank you." The word is always used as explanation-meaning offer praise as your verbal expression of gratitude.
In the Greek the word is charis and is directly related to the word "grace," meaning it is the appropriate response to God's grace in our lives. So "offering thanks" is essentially "offering praises" to God because He has given us things we don't deserve and could never earn.
In the 100 Psalm we are told to give thanks because: The Lord is good; secondly His mercy is everlasting and finally, His truth endures to all generations.
More than 25 times we are told to give thanks because He is good and His mercy endures forever.
How is thanksgiving expressed in real terms?
1. First, gratitude can and must be expressed verbally.
It is most commonly expressed through praise and worship.
Remember the word thanksgiving in Psalms 100 means to "confess your appreciation; to praise or acknowledge verbally your gratitude." When Solomon dedicated the Temple the Bible says that the people shouted and praised God with a voice of thanksgiving and praise. There was something so attractive to God about their praise and worship that as they were showing appreciation to Him for the building of the Temple, He responded by filling the House with His glory until the ministers couldn't even stand to minister because the cloud of glory filled the place. God manifested His presence in a mighty way. We have a better Covenant and have the ability to experience the glory of the Lord in an even more profound manner then them.
Thanksgiving is a sound to be heard or verbalized! Something we are to do verbally; whether you say it, sing it or shout it, let it be heard! Some people say, "I have praise in my heart, I am grateful in my heart, but I am not emotional". It never comes out of their mouth. I would have to disagree with that idea. If it doesn't find a way out of the mouth, it isn't in the heart. Jesus said, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…" If it's in there it must come out!
Thanksgiving isn't thanks until it is vocalized. If it isn't coming out of the mouth, either it isn't really there, or you have been, misinformed as how to best express it!
It is very important that we verbally declare our gratitude to God and to each other! Gratitude must be demonstrated vertically to God and horizontally to other people. You may have warm and deeply loving feelings towards your family, and truly appreciate who they are and what they mean to you, but unless you tell them they will never know! They will grow up feeling unloved and unappreciated. It is not enough to feel it, you have to say it!
I heard the story about a man whose wife was about to leave him. Stunned, he asked her why. She replied, "I have washed your clothes, cooked your meals, kept your home and raised your children but not once have you ever said, "I love you!"
His response was, "I told you when I married you that I loved you, if it changes I'll let you know."
Love isn't really love it is only emotions of fondness unless it is communicated! Faith without works is dead-real emotions and values must be expressed!
2. Secondly, gratitude can be shown through acts of kindness or service.
"Serve the Lord with gladness." Serve- "Labor; do work; offer sacrifice." This word covers everything from pulpit ministry to living a consecrated life unto the Lord.
In Luke chapter 18 there is a story about a blind man named Bartimaeus who received his sight. The Bible says, "He followed Jesus in the way." His response to God's goodness was to follow Jesus. According to Early Church history he became a church leader and traveled the world sharing his testimony of miraculous healing.
When God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to release His people from Egypt's bondage, "God said let my people go that they may serve me…" The natural expression of a heart that has been freed is to serve God and others with gladness
Near the end of his life Joshua called Israel together in Joshua 24 and reminded them of the goodness of God and then says in verse 14-18 "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." So the people answered and said: "Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God."
However, in the next few years in the first chapters Judges, 2:10-11 "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord's sight and worshiped the images of Baal."
They forgot-and when they forgot the goodness of the Lord, they began to follow other Gods. You don't forget what you appreciate!
Joshua reminded them of the blessings they had received and then told them to serve the Lord. One of the greatest motivations to serve the Lord is thankfulness for His goodness! Once He is good to us, we own Him a debt of service!
In fact, each of us have been granted particular gifts and talents that are intended to show that grace and love of God by serving others. Only way to serve God is to serve people. {Jesus-"I was hungry and you didn't feed me, cold and you gave me no heat, in prison and you didn't visit me…'} ["This is pure religion undefiled… James 1: 27]
Gratitude is expressed through loving service.
v Many want to serve God but only in an advisory capacity.
v Some are willing to serve as long as it is in a glamorous position-they have the need to be seen. Many can't just be part of the team, they always have to be the captain, they won't sit on the bench, they have to start! It isn't about serving God or other people; it is about them and their need to be recognized. To them ministry is about privilege and position. Jesus said, "Whoever is greatest among you is the servant of all." Sadly, they have their reward-true gratitude is willing to serve in obscurity when nobody but God is looking-for Him!
Some of you have lost your passion, vitality and spark. I want to submit that it just might be because you are not serving. It is only as we serve, that we stay spiritually healthy. As we offer ourselves to God for service, God's light shines through us to others and they are blessed but we are refreshed and renewed as well!
It is impossible to maintain your zeal for God without serving others. The moment we stop serving, we dry up. Serve God, and serve others as an expression of gratitude-"Lord you have been so good to me I have to help some one else!"
3. Gratitude can be shown through gifts and material support.
Even when it comes to tithing or honoring God with the first-fruits of all of our increase, it is and must always be an expression of gratitude.
The very first mention of tithing is in Genesis 14 where Abraham brings tithes to Melchizedek it was an act of appreciation for God's deliverance of his enemies into his hand. This wasn't a debt being paid or an obligation being fulfilled, but rather an expression of thankfulness to God.
In Acts 28, Paul and his companions were shipwrecked and stranded on the Isle of Melita. The indigenous people had shown kindness to them and helped them. The Chief leader on the Island had a named Publius who was sick with dysentery. Paul prayed for him and he was healed and others who were sick came and were healed as well. The very next verse says,
"They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." 28:10
They brought gifts to show appreciation for the grace of God revealed through Paul. I realize some have exploited people's emotions, used something God did as an act of His grace, and prostituted the anointing to raise money and get people to give. We have all seen the manipulation and deception that has been used in the name of God to raise money. I know it sickens God more than me. But remember DON'T ONE BAD CLOWN SPOIL THE WHOLE PARADE! Don't allow one Bozo to ruin the joy of Christian generosity and the joy giving brings! It really is more blessed to give then it is to receive!
It ought to be natural to be a giver. Does any one here like to receive gifts? I love to receive gift, but I love to give more…it really is more blessed to give than it is to receive!
This year Church Alive provided complete Thanksgiving dinners for 6 families and gave food vouchers and grocery bags to many, many more! There is joy each time you watch someone's eyes light up as you show up at their house unannounced with a car load of groceries.
Last week I gave a car away to a brother in our congregation before the service. The tears that flowed down his cheeks are a reward that can never be measured by simple words alone. Giving releases a spirit of generosity which is one of the most Christ-like spirits a Christian can express.
4. Gratitude can be shown through prayer.
II Timothy 1:16. This is a prayer overflowing out of Paul's heart to Timothy for the house of Onesiphorus.
"The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus."
Many were ashamed of Paul's suffering - They came to Rome and searched him out and blessed him. He was praying God's blessing upon them for their acts of kindness and love. It was the natural expression from a grateful heart to pray for the blessing to be returned to them.
Look at what Paul said in Ephesians Chapter 1 "15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding F3 being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…"
A heart of gratitude does not forget the acts of kindness and love it has been shown! One of the best ways to show appreciation is to pray for God to bless their sock off! Bless their kids, give them health, etc. Pray for those who bless you!
In closing, I love to watch Western movies, especially the old ones. There was an Indian tradition that was repeated very often in the John Wayne movies. When someone saved an Indian's life, the Indian was supposed to offer lifetime devotion to that person. That person, in a sense, owned the other person's life.
As Christians, we recognize that because of Jesus our lives have been spared. We were domed for hell, but God loved us and forgave us and gave us a fresh start at life. The proper response should be to spend the rest of our lives, not just one day, showing our thankfulness, appreciation and gratitude. So, I challenge you this year, be thankful and remember, that what we do when we know we have been given what we don't deserve.
Let's pray…
The Blessing of The Lord
TEXT: Numbers 6:22-27
22 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’
27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
INTRODUCTION:
In the Hebrew tradition the birthright referred "to the extra rights that normally go to the eldest son; leadership of the family and a double share of the inheritance" (NRSV Genesis 25:31-34). The blessing was only a gift of words, but it was thought to be much more valuable and any other inheritance that a parent could leave their children. The Hebrews believed that a blessing was prophetic in nature. A man, once blessed by his father, carried the blessing within him until the day he passed the blessing on to his chosen son. It could only be given once, and seems to have been a mystical transfer of divine favor from one person to another.
The blessing passed down through Abraham to Isaac was a particularly powerful one because Abraham had received his directly from the Lord. He knew that if he was “blessed” no matter what he had or where he was God’s favor and presence would cause things to go right and he would prosper.
The word blessing means, “empowered to prosper or succeed; to become an instrument of God through whom divine favor flows; the ability to prevent misfortune in the lives of others; the impartation of the supernatural power of God into a human life resulting in the divine ability to prosper and succeed; it means for things to turn out right; it is also the idea of bowing before God and accepting His presence and favor upon all you do as a way of praising and honoring Him.”
In the Hebrew, blessing is a state of being that is totally separate from temporal situations or circumstances. It is a position that is independent from the immediate environment.
It included, authority, dominion, influence, wealth and whatever else is necessary for success. The implications from scriptural references also indicate that blessing is essentially the abiding presence of God upon a person’s life resulting in good things to happening. There was always a clear indication that the blessing was the empowerment to flourish where you would otherwise struggle…
A great example is in Luke 5. Peter and the disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. Jesus used their boat to preach to the multitudes and them told them to let down their nets for a catch. Peter said “…nevertheless at thy word we will…” Let’s read verse 6
6 “…And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" 9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken…”
The blessing gave him the ability to accomplish or achieve dramatically at what he had failed at previously. When you know you are blessed you have the confidence to go back where you have failed and succeed!
Just a brief overview of the Biblical perspective on blessing makes it abundantly clear that it brings honor and pleasure to God for us to be fruitful in life.
The Bible says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity or success of His servants! PSALM 35:27-28 –“27 Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Allow me to make a few comments on the blessing before I address my main thought today;
- From the beginning when God created Adam and Eve the Bible says,
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.
30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. (Genesis 1:28)
This was His original plan for mankind; to be blessed, walk in divine favor, prosper, be fruitful in life and career choices, to be successful and not fail, to be in charge, or have dominion over the earth’s resources and for that blessing to continue to his seed. This wasn’t just for them but for their children, and offspring. It was to continue to each generation, revealing the true nature of God for all His children to be blessed.
In God’s original design mankind was to live with His favor on their lives, prospering and succeeding in all that he did. He was to be the caretaker of God’s inheritance and a manager over the earth. He was given all he needed to live life at the possible level. He was to enjoy the best quality of life. This is the blessing!
- Secondly, the Father promised that His blessings would be manifested in every area of life, spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, and relational. In fact Psalm promises “wealth and riches…” and Proverbs 10:22 says, “…The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it…” (NLT)
However, always remember it is not the success, money, houses, cars, wealth, but the presence and favor of God that empowers one to become successful and prosperous. Blessing is not money or position or success…these are the monetary RESULTS OF THE BLESSING. Blessing means you will experience success in every area of life. Why is this distinction so important? Because houses can burn, cars break down, money lose value, but if I am blessed and have God’s favor and presence, you can put me in a jail like Joseph and I’ll rise to the top!
Also, blessing is the assurance that no matter where I begin I will rise to the top. You can put a blessed man in a prison but he’ll end up in the palace. Put a blessed man in a lion’s den and he’ll end up next to the king…fire can’t burn him, floods can’t drown, famine can’t make him go broke…in a drought ravens will bring him food, when others are starving a blessed person will have meal in the barrel and oil in the cruise. He is blessed regardless of his surroundings. Knock him down and he gets back up…put him in prison and angels set him free…cause his ship to sink and he’ll ride a plank of wood to safety. He is blessed!
This is why Esau was so angry at Jacob. It was not the “Father’s Portion” of the wealth, represented by the staff he wanted, it was the blessing symbolized by the mantle. It was more than symbols…it was divine decree that could cause a person to bring forth harvests in the time of famine. IT IS A SPIRITUAL TRANSACTION THAT PRODUCES NATURAL RESULTS.
Let me explain a foundational Bible principle to you for a moment…
God is a spirit and operates and functions out of the realm of the spirit. (John verse 4:24 “God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth…”) Now if I’m going to properly relate with God I have to do it in the spirit based on truth. What is truth? A Person…Jesus. (John 14:6) But remember it is impossible to separate the living Word from the written word. So we can define truth as “what His word says about anything.” (“They word is truth…” John 17:17)
The spirit realm is invisible. Look at Colossians 1:16.
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
Notice the terms “visible and invisible…” So, God created two realms…the visible (natural) which I see and feel and then there is the invisible (spirit) realm. Both are real! Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist…it could be just as real. (The radio and television waves in this building are real even though you can’t see them).
The spirit realm contains the raw materials out of which the natural realm was and is created. Go to Hebrews 11 and let’s look at verse 3.
“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”
Notice the “worlds were framed by the word of God…” (The visible was made from the invisible). So, the invisible or the spirit realm contains the raw materials out of which the natural is made.
(Explain raw materials…) this pulpit was produced from a raw material…it first existed as a seed, then a tree in the forest and looked nothing like it does not. But, someone saw the potential. They could see what others could not and with the proper transformational techniques it became what it is today.
God does everything in the invisible realm first and then causes it to manifest in the natural once the process is complete. In the invisible realm God is working stuff you can’t see…
Remember in Genesis chapter 1 when God created man? In verse 27 God created man and blessed them and talked with them and gave them dominion…however, it’s not until you get to chapter 2:7 that God formed them. In chapter 1 God creates and blesses but doesn’t form them until chapter 2. What’s going on with that? God does everything first in the spirit and then it manifest in the natural…that’s why Jeremiah could say, “before you formed me in my mothers womb you knew me…”
Everything I need in life is a provision set aside in the realm of the spirit realm in the form of a promise. Look at Ephesians 1:3 referring to the provisions of the New Covenant Paul writes, “…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has (already) blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…” Everything I need is already mine in the spirit realm…it is already considered mine!
“But I can’t see it, or feel it…in the spirit it’s already done…”
You are ALREADY BLESSED WITH ALL YOU NEED TO LIVE LIFE AT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL… It’s already yours! You are already given everything you need to prosper, have a good family, marriage, ministry…your miracle or healing is already yours… you are already blessed with all the raw materials necessary to release the natural substance of a quality life!
In Psalm 31:19 the writer says to God, "Your goodness is so great, You have stored up great blessings for those who honor You. You have done so much for me, those who come to You for protection, blessing them while the whole world watches."
He picks that up in Psalm 139:5 where he says, "You both proceed and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing over my head."
Psalm 112 defines the term “blessing” a little more clearly for us in natural terms;
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty [leaders] on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. 9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Notice how the blessing of the Lord affects every part of his life. He is steadfast, he walks in holiness, he has money, he is generous, his children are blessed, his decisions are directed by God, his enemies can’t touch him, he effects the lives of others by giving to them out of his abundance. His children continue the legacy by becoming mighty-“leaders” in marketplace, in raising children, world changer, influencers, etc.
Psalm 1 says a blessed man prosper in whatever he does-real estate, farming, ministry, etc.
In 3 John the Apostle declares, “…I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
¨ In your spiritual life, he wants you to be filled with the Holy Ghost, walking in the love of God, overflowing with the joy of the Lord, flowing I the gifts of the Spirit, demonstrating the power of God, radiating the life and nature of God.
¨ In your family, He wants your entire household to serve Him.
¨ In your body, He wants you well and healthy.
¨ In your finances He wants you to have super-abundance!
- Every time God cut covenant He included a promise of blessing to those who followed the conditions.
Look at Noah, in Genesis 9:1 God enters into covenant with him and the Bible says, “So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…”
In Genesis 12 God chooses Abram to establish a lineage through which the Messiah will come. Look at Genesis 12:3
3 And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].
[Genesis 12: 1-3 “land’ refers to the place of designation, a place where they would thrive, a place perfectly suited for what they did best.
They were an agrarian people and were promised OWNERSHIP OF A LAND - “Land of milk and honey.” - “Milk,” a place where their herds of cows and goats would increase and “honey,” a place where their crops would flourish.
Milk-for the multiplication of their goats and cattle. Honey- a place suited for them to grow their crops. It was a place where they would thrive doing what they did best. It was perfectly suited for them.
However, there is more. Milk is what you need to survive. [Baby-symbolizes your basic needs] Honey is what you desire. You can live without it but sure makes life more comfortable. It was a luxury item in ancient times reserved for the wealthy. God is promising them extras. [“You don’t need that house; nice car, fine clothes, etc.] God gives us things to enjoy because He takes pleasure in blessing you. He wants to teach you how to do for other what He has done for you! You are blessed with nice things so that you can bless others. There will always be resistance. Giants- represent the false ideas that keep us from embracing the provisions of God. John 10:10 Jesus addresses the teaching of the Pharisees that was robbing people of eternal life.
For us, it would refer to a place of purpose, a destiny, which will be good land abundant with all of the resources needed to flourish in every good work! You can have what you want and what you need!
Amplified verse 2- “…I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you with abundant increase of favors…”
God is saying to us “If you will obey Me and follow My plan for your life I will cause your life to abound with abundant favors!”
Favors-“idea of good will with other people (make enemies to be at peace)” Open doors no man can shut! World thinks we are just lucky-“Right place at the right time!” EXACTLY – CALLED FAVOR!
Favor- “to impart or endow another with advantage for success.”
² God says, “I will bless you with an advantage for success.” You will have an unfair advantage over the heathen.
² God wants His people to have increase, churches to have plenty, His kingdom to be established!
Verse 2b “make your name famous and distinguished…” (autograph) Part of your covenant is that you will be distinguished above others around you because of the approval of God. {Joseph-in Potapher’s house, Prison, Pharaoh’s house-everywhere he went-“The Lord was with him!}
Verse 12-14 No one else was reaping, But He had a covenant with God! Increased during famine and became wealthy! The blessing caused him to succeed where other failed! It brought money and position.
When the Mosaic Covenant was given at Sinai God promised the same thing to Israel. Look at Deuteronomy 28:1-6
1 “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the Lord your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. 6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
In the New Covenant God promises the same thing. Look at Ephesians 1:3 referring to the provisions of the New Covenant Paul writes, “…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…”
13 Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);
14 To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.
Verse 27-29:
27 For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ.
28 There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.
- This blessing was generational and was passed down from generation to generation…
Psalm 115:9-16
O Israel, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield. 12 The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us; He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron. 13 He will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great. 14 May the LORD give you increase more and more, You and your children. 15 May you be blessed by the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. 16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
[Verse 14] This is for everyone. Regardless of how the world sees you as “small or great!” This promise of blessing is for everybody who trusts in the Lord! Race, educational opportunity, talent or any other outside factor becomes irrelevant when the Owner of heaven and earth decides He is going to bless you!
“More and more…” Hebrew tense- continual sense- more and more and more into infinity! Notice this is promised to you and your children! It is the promise of an ongoing processes of increase until you possess superabundance. Increase– “add, multiply expand, stretch, acceleration of accumulation, enlarge.” It is the idea of having significantly more than before! It describes the process of Biblical prosperity!
How did we ever get the idea that it is the will of God for His covenant people to be poor and struggling to survive? This is absolutely contrary to the teaching of the Word of God! HE WANTS US TO INCREASE MORE AND MORE AND MORE!
This truth is consistent throughout all of God’s workings with mankind! He is always trying to take us into greater things! This is true in every area: spiritually, in family relationships, in effectiveness in all arenas of life! You never see God desiring to take something good away from his people. He is always trying to add to them! [Gifts, blessings, joy, love, power, etc.]
You see, ultimately God’s plan is for every FAMILY in the earth to be blessed. So this couldn’t just be for a select few. It didn’t end with Abraham. He passed it on to his seed, Isaac, who passed it on to Jacob, who passed it on to his 11 sons just the 2 sons of Joseph. Throughout the Scriptures the phrase “the God, Isaac and Jacob” is mentioned at least 16 times. There is a reason. It establishes a trend, pattern, sequence or a model.
Let me give you an example: If I give you the numbers 5 and 10 and then ask you to guess the next number in the sequence, it would be impossible. Why? Because without the third number it doesn’t establish a sequence or pattern. It could be 15 or 20 depending on whether you add 5 or double it. But, if I give you 5,10, & 15, and then ask you to continue the sequence you can easily determine the numbers to be 20, 25, and 30,35 and so forth into infinity.
This is the reason that according the Law there had to be 2 or 3 witnesses and 3 was almost always required. Even Jesus said, “Where 2 or 3 are gathered in my name…”Matthew 18:20. If there are 2 He makes 3.
In the New Testament Paul writes to the Pastor of the church at Ephesus, the strongest church of the first-century. It had more than 35,000 members. However, Timothy was discouraged and Paul is trying to encourage him to press on.
In II Timothy 1:5 Paul writes, Timothy, “… I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.”
Now notice this faith was first in the grandmother, then the mother and in Timothy as well. This is generational blessing.
Why is this so important?
His will has never changed. In fact in the New Testament, the Bible clearly states that we are ordained for blessing.
Look at Acts 3:26,
“To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
So, it is clearly the desire of God to bless His people, to empower them to succeed and prosper and flourish in life. Failure, pain, heartache and misfortune were the consequences of sin, not the original purpose of the Father.
Now go back to Galatians 3 and let’s look at verse 13 in the Amplified Bible.
13Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);
14To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.
Verse 27-29:
27For as many [of you] as were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union and communion with Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah] have put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ.
28There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.
Paul is telling us that everyone who is in Christ, is Abraham’s seed and an heir of the promises and covenant of blessing God made to him. We have the right to access the promises given to Abraham.
So how do we release it? More next week…
March 2, 2008
Become a Better You Part VI
"Peace Your Life Together"
“… These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
---John 16:33
INTRODUCTION:
Today I want to continue our series on “Becoming a Better You.” This is part five in our series. I want to subtitle it, “Peace Your Life Together.” God is putting your life back together piece by piece so that you have peace. It is my firm belief that in order to become a better you, you must learn to cultivate peace in your life! Otherwise, no matter where you are or what you have, it will never be enough to satisfy. Think about it for a moment. What good does wealth, fame, success and prosperity do if you can’t sleep at night? Material things, status, success don’t guarantee peace?
Look at the wealthy people, professional wrestlers who commit suicide, superstars like Brittany Spears who’s life is a soap-opera, look at the athletes on drugs, movie stars who are miserable. It is because they have bought into the lie that says “money, power, success, fine things or achievements” cures all of life’s ailments. Money is nice, but it cannot buy love, happiness or peace. The entire world is searching for peace. I never cease to be amazed at the millions who sacrifice peace and contentment for the sake of a career or a certain status in life, failing to realize that God is able to bring blessing that will bring success without emotional destruction! Doesn’t the writer of Proverbs say the blessing of the Lord makes one rich without the heartache and sorrow of life?
It seems as though the foundations of security have been shaken until even the strong are uncertain as where to find refuge. We have never seen so many people seeking counseling, taking medications, and trying every crazy fad there is to relieve pressure and find peace of mind. This generation is stressed out and is experiencing the greatest physical and emotional breakdown in modern human history.
We need to remember that as believers we have a source of peace that is totally exclusive from situations and circumstances. We have a peace that world knows nothing about. We have a success manual for life that when followed brings true peace, prosperity and fulfillment without having to be medicated to go to bed and to get up!
The Bible has a lot to say about peace. Let’s look at a few passages.
John 14:1 Setting-“ Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me…” Verse 27 “…Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid…”
Isaiah spoke of this supernatural peace that He would give and even declared His name to be the Prince of Peace.
Zacharius prophesied concerning the coming Messiah in Luke 1:79 “To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
On the event of His birth the angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14)
Paul called the message we preach the “gospel of peace” and in Romans 14:17 declared that the “Kingdom of God is not meat or drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Hold Ghost…”
Generally, when you say the word “peace”, some people will think of a cessation of war, an end of conflict.
What does this word peace mean? Well, remember that the Bible was written in two basic languages. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Koine (or “common”) Greek. It is mixed with what is referred to as “Hebraisms,” which are the Greek attempts to explain or translate the Hebrew word or culture. These languages are so much richer that the English that often times the original meaning gets lost in the translation. For example, we have one word for “love” while the Greek has at least 5. We have one or two words for “peace,” while the Greek and Hebrew have about 15. So, often times we lose the original intent of the writers.
The primary word translated as “peace” is the word “Shalom” or the Greek equivalent. It is a greeting, but also so much more. It is a wish encompassing wholeness, health, well-being, integrity, healing, nothing lacking nothing broken. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, the word shalom is also translated as “prosperity, safety, wellness, welfare and health.”
One Hebrew dictionary defined shalom as “everything that makes for man’s highest good.” The Hebrew root word from which shalom comes means “to be complete, in harmony, restful, perfect and full”—in other words: “Nothing missing. Nothing broken, spirit, mind and body”
This word that has to do with peace of mind, peace of heart, inward tranquility, the cessation of anxiety, freedom from worry.
Literally, “Inner calm; at rest, tranquility, contentment; to be free from outside disturbances…”
In a real sense shalom wish means having a desire for completeness, peace, health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, fullness, rest and harmony with the God of the universe. Never forget that true prosperity stems from your spirit and soul.
Remember the passage in III John verse 2? “…Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” John is saying, “Your physical health and financial prosperity are as progressive as the renewing of your mind.” As your mind is renewed and learns to think the thoughts of God, it will affect you body, finances, and every other area of life as well.
Before I go on I need to make a couple of observations:
o In this world we are going to have problems [“In this world you will have tribulation…”]. We are not immune to trouble. We are going to face persecution, adversity, trials, uncertain situations and problematic circumstances. At times you may feel as though you are being tossed like a ship caught in the teeth of a storm. It is during these moments that you must learn how to cultivate the peace of God in your heart and mind. Otherwise, you will be torn apart spiritually and emotionally!
o The enemy is after your faith because according to I John 5:4[ “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.”]
o We must make a decision to walk in peace. It is an option that we must make. And, IT MUST BE CULTIVATED- nurtured and fed in order to grow. There is a resting place for every Believer where he can rise above the pressures and problems of this world and not allow it to affect his performance in life. Storms are going to come, but don’t allow the storm to get inside you!
In our text Jesus is getting ready to go to the cross to give His life for our sins. He is sharing some last minute thoughts with His disciples before the journey into the Garden of Gethsemane. Notice what He says in verse 33
“… These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Jesus promised an “in spite of “type of peace. Even if nothing immediately changes in your environment, circumstances or situations, if you learn the secret of peace you’ll be able to remain calm and restful until your help manifest. In fact, I believe that it is when we are truly at peace within that we are able to believe God to change what is without. Peace is the ingredient that will either create a better you not a bitter you!
Peace brings our life into harmony. Some of us are out of tune with life. Life keeps hitting a sharp note that pierces the ear. We seem to be out of sync. Always, a little out of step! The problem, is peace is missing in our lives. Cultivating peace will help you get in harmony with the will and purpose of God for your life, so you can focus on your future and not be so distraught about your past or current condition. Peace is like bringing heaven and earth together. Isn’t that what Jesus prayed? “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Peace is bringing it all together!
Peace is the GPS of the spirit. It will guide you. It will warn you or confirm to you that you are on the right track. Peace will keep you from focusing on the negative things in life. Whatever you do, don’t become a “negaholic.”
Peace will give you the strength to keep external pressures from crushing your internal spirit! It gives you the ability to withstand opposition, go through difficulty, and outlast life’s stormy weather! Peace!
Peace will keep your relationships strong. You can’t relate well to others until you are at peace within yourself. Without it, you’ll find one conflict after another. You can change friends, partners, or even spouses, but until you learn to deal with your own inner issues you find strife and conflict in every relationship because you will create it or contribute to it! You’ll be fighting with your parents, friends, co-workers, anyone and everyone! If you don’t know how to seek peace, you will never have long, healthy friendships. You will offend, hurt and push people away!
Relational conflict tares your heart in pieces. Remember the old Janice Joplin song, “Take it, take another little piece of my heart now baby, break it, break another little bit of my heart now darling; Yeah, have a, have another little piece of my heart now baby, Cus you know you got it and it makes you feel good…”
“Take it-boss, take it-take another piece of my heart… ex-wife, father, kids…etc. See, we give pieces of our hearts to those whom we care about and they have the power to break it in pieces. There is a long list of people who own pieces of your heart and until you come to peace with them and with the circumstances surrounding the missing pieces you will never have peace! There will be confusion and inner strife until you’ll feel like the man who said, “I am schizophrenic and so am I.”
What else did Jesus say about peace? Lets look at a few additional things. Matthew 5. These are called the Beatitudes because they express the attitude the follower of Jesus should live with. Look at verse 9;
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
This one of the distinguishing marks of the child of God-you become a peacemaker. This is a witness to the world that we have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. The world is looking at you. You are the light of the world! You let it shine by walking in peace and love.
These “cities sat on a hill” that Jesus talked about in Matthew 5:14 referred to the Cities of Refuge. There were 7 of them situated on high mountains so that when a person was in trouble needed refuge he could look out through the darkness of the night and find a place of hope and acceptance. He knew if he could just get to one of these cities everything would be OK. This is what peace will do in your life. It will be a beacon of hope to those in need.
They will know where to come when they are in turmoil. But if you are in conflict and strife what signal are you sending out? This is why we have to better ourselves. The world is looking for Jesus! He must be seen in us!
Peace or the lack of it keeps the promises of God from being fulfilled in our lives. Galatians 5 says, “Whatever you sow you will reap…” If you sow apple seeds, you get apples. If you give money to God you’ll receive money back. Right? God is teaching us that if we give it will be given. This is a spiritual law that works every time! Unless, you bring your gift and there is unresolved issues with others. Resentment and strife will keep the process from working for you. Remember the Scriptures also tell us that faith works by love. When we are not in love, it hinders our faith from working. God says, “Go resolve things with your brother and then bring your gifts and I’ll receive them.” WOW! Many are expecting harvest from seeds that are sitting on the hardened grounds of offended hearts.
Free yourself from the need to always be right! You may have to learn to keep your well thought of opinions to yourself. You don’t have to debate every issue. Others can see things differently and not be wrong, just different! Dialog is possible without debate. Disarm the hostile environment that exist in our world! Learn to let God fight your battles! He is the just judge! If you’ll give up the need to be right, you may find peace! Learn to say, “You may be right…I can see your perspective…that’s another way of looking at thing…” Agree with your adversary! You want a short list of enemies and a long list of friends. Friends are tools God uses to bring good into your life! Give Him a great quantity!
1. Peace begins with making peace with God!
THIS IS THE FIRST & FOREMOST ASPECT OF PEACE! There will never be inner peace until there is fellowship with the Prince of Peace. When we are born-again, we are placed in harmony with the Father and are no longer enemies of God!
However, for the believer, it is about accepting His love and learning to love Him in return.
Look at Matthew 22:37-40 in the Message Bible;
37-40Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."
In other words, everything we know about God hangs on these two things. Remove these pegs and everything else falls. WOW! There are three aspects of these two things. The entire Bible must be filtered through these verses. You cannot love God, and others as yourself without peace! It is impossible!
First of all there is peace towards God. In order to truly connect with God you have to love Him with all of you heart.
2. Secondly we come to peace with ourselves. Too many people dislike themselves. They don’t like the way they look, or talk. They resent their past, they judge themselves so harshly, that they never allow opportunity for celebration even when they get it right. It is never enough! They talk to themselves in ways they would never talk to others. Why? No peace. We all make mistakes, but don’t abuse yourself. You cannot love others unless you learn to love yourself.
You say, “But Pastor, I’ve failed, had an abortion, cheated on my wife, messed up really bad, I’m embarrassed, ashamed and humiliated because of what I’ve done…” Welcome to life! All have sinned. That’s why we all need a savior! Come to the cross, cast your burdens on him and allow Him to put His peace in your heart so you can learn to live again! There is still hope. He will give you another chance! Accept His peace today! Come to peace today! When you come to peace with God, you can have peace with yourself.
The peace of God can cover your past, your present, and your future. I want to talk to you about those three things.
A. The Past: We can have peace concerning our past because as far as God is concerned, it does not exist. Hebrews 8:12, the Lord is speaking, and He says, “I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” God doesn’t remember our sins or our lawless deeds, anymore.
The Apostle Paul said, “My old man was crucified with Christ, and I have a new life that is hidden with Christ in God.”
This is Colossians 2:13-14. It says, “When you were stuck in your old sin-dead life, you were incapable of responding to God. God brought you alive -- right along with Christ! Think of it! All sins forgiven, the slate wiped clean, that old arrest warrant canceled and nailed to Christ’s Cross.” It’s gone! (The Message)
Some of you may have horrendous pasts, may have done or had to deal with some gut wrenching, unspeakable things. And though people may not forget, God forgives and forgets.
Regardless of what has been your past, when you open your heart to Jesus Christ, there is a severing from the past, spiritually speaking. God remembers your sins against you no more.
Nothing will sever you from the past like a revelation of God’s love for you, whether you were the one who sinned or someone sinned against you. You can have peace about your past once you have peace with God.
B The Present: What about peace in the present? Philippians, chapter 4:6-8 “Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you…”
Regardless of my surroundings I have the assurance that He cares and is working all things out for my good and so I choose to rest! (“freedom from outside disturbance that only God can give…”)
“Be anxious for nothing...” Don’t worry about anything. “...but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
This not some sort of denial, or self induced numbness to your surroundings. You can have peace in the present if you will talk to God about the situations and circumstances that confront you. He will give you peace. You can enjoy where you are on the way to where you’re going!
C. The Future: You can even have peace concerning your future. (Phil. 1:21-23). I want you to notice what he says: “To live is Christ, but to die is gain. And to depart, talking about to die and to leave this place and to be with Christ, is not a little better. It is far better.” Far better.
For a Christian to die is graduation day. It is a whole lot easier to do a funeral for a Christian than it is for a non-Christian. Here a Christian: To die, you’ve gained. Don’t feel sorry for Christians who have died. If they could come back, they wouldn’t. They’ve gained. They are far better off.
3. Then you can have peace with others.
Proverbs 16:7 “When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him….” When we have peace with God then we can have peace through God. Even our enemies are affected by God’s grace and favor. It sooths the heart of the most savage beast.
Most of our turmoil with others is the result of the absence of peace within our own hearts. We condemn others because we doubt our own righteousness. We judge because we are insecure in our relationship. Hurting people hurt people. Once you come to peace with God and yourself it won’t be difficult to get along with others!
How do we maintain it?
Accept His peace as yours.
Choose peace.
Watch you thoughts- Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You. (NLV)
Monitor your words -Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.” (Message)
Trust God Put your life in His care! Allow Him to be your protector and defender. He will never allow you to fall! Isaiah 26:3 “…Because he trust in you(God)…”
Determine your actions. Isaiah 32:17 “The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever…”
Do you have peace with God? Do you have peace with Him? Do you have a relationship with God? The Bible says the whole human race is separated from Him because of sin, and there is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to bridge that gap. Not our good works, not our religious ritual, not our personal sacrifice, nothing. God, Himself, bridged the gap to man by sending His Son, Jesus Christ. And peace with God comes through Jesus Christ. And it is only when we embrace Jesus that we come into a relationship with God. There is no other way into a relationship with your Creator except by embracing His Son Jesus. That is why Jesus came to the earth.
The Bible says whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Call upon His name today, friend, and you will be saved.
February 24th, 2008
Become A Better You Part V
Creating Better Habits
TEXT: Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
----Ephesians 5:1-11
INTRODUCION: Today we are continuing our series on Become A Better You. In part five I want to look at the key of developing good habits. Simply put the habits we develop will control the level at which we live our lives. Psychologists claim that 90% of our daily routine is determined by habits! Think about that for a moment. From the time we get up in the morning until we go to bed at night, 90 percent of what we do is habitual behavior. That means how we treat people, how we react to problems and stressful situations, how we spend our money, our attitude, what we watch, how we eat, - 90% of our lives are lived on autopilot! WOW! Habits control our lives!
What is a habit? A habit is an acquired, learned behavior or thought pattern, followed frequently, automatically, and almost involuntarily. In other words, habits are largely unconscious patterns of thought or behavior. It is something we do some much it becomes almost second nature. They are simply the things that we do that we are not consciously aware of. They are what we do over and over either by design or by default. When you do something repetitively your mind develops a pattern until you do it instinctively without deliberate forethought. Have you ever driven somewhere and not even thought about it until you arrived and then wondered, “How did I get here?” You have done it so many times, it has become second nature.
EXAMPLE: Remember as a kid riding your bicycle when you came to a sharp corner, you would just cut across the corner of the lawn? It didn’t take very long until there was a pattern there. You had created an alternate path. Your mind has patterns that are developed in much the same way. The more often you do something the more entrenched the pattern or path becomes, until it can at times become something you do without even thinking about it!
Your character comes from your habits and your habits come from what you do everyday.
Habits can be either good or bad. They can empower and enable a person to succeed or they can be yokes around his neck keeping him from his goals and aspirations.
Try for a moment to imagine what your life would be like without habits. Every morning, you would need to have a reminder to get up, take a shower, comb your hair, put on make-up, etc. Nothing you did would be automatic. Without habits, you would spend your entire day needing hundreds of reminders. Good habits help us get through our daily lives.
When we drive, we use a number of habits – behaviors that are acquired and done automatically. Stopping at red lights, slowing down when going through a school zone, buckling seat belts. These are all good habits that protect us when we drive. Of course, we can also develop some pretty bad habits, ones that can be harmful to us, and to other people. Speeding through red lights and school zones and driving without a seat belt are examples of bad habits.
Habits affect the manner in which our lives are lived both naturally and spiritually. The difference between knowing what God has prepared for us and experiencing it generally has to do with habits. They are either bringing us closer to the fullness God has planned or taking us further away.
Now remember that habits are learned. Many of the habits we have developed stem from the culture in which we were raised. Whatever qualities or behavioral traits are most common and most celebrated are the ones children gravitate to during their most impressionable years. It is a kind of “Monkey see, monkey do…” If you grew up in a home where people were disorganized, sloppy, undisciplined, constant procrastinators, or perpetually late, then you probably developed some of those habits in your own life. If your parents were cruel, critical, mean spirited, judgmental, or sarcastic don’t be surprised if some of those same character traits are a part of your personality. The same is true in most every area of life.
Now, when we begin to talk about habits, most of us think about things such as drug addiction, alcoholism, smoking, overeating or some of the other obviously destructive patterns people get stuck in. Yet the habits that are the most likely to make or break your life are the little things we do every day. It is the “little foxes that spoil the vine.” This is why developing good habits are essential to living a quality life.
It is important that the right habits be created because they affect our children as well If disrespect, laziness, complaining, negative speaking, slothfulness or disobedience is modeled or even allowed in the home, kids have the tendency to develop these patterns that will severely limit the quality of their lives. They must be taught to do the right thing because it is the right thing! Everyone does the “right thing” some of the time, but those who maximize the potential God has created within their lives learn to do the right things habitually. What we do consistently, everyday, determines the type of person we will become.
Habits affect your life! Think about just a few for a second. If you allow yourself to be unorganized, late, sloppy and undependable at work, don’t be surprised if you are passed over when promotion times comes. It doesn’t matter how much you pray and confess blessing you probably are going to be passed over! Why should you be promoted when you are not giving your best?
What about they way we interact with other people in relationships? If you are judgmental, arrogant, critical, and pompous, in dealing with people, don’t be surprised if no one wants to be your friend. The Bible even say, to have friends you must show yourself friendly.
What about our in our spiritual lives? If you don’t pray or study the Word, if your not faithful to the house of the Lord, if you aren’t a worshipper or a giver, don’t be surprised if you are unstable and walk in your walk with God! Bad habits lead to negative consequences and good habits produce positive results. If children are taught at an early age to pray, read their Bibles, go to church, give their tithes and offerings to God, and trust God with their lives, they develop the habit and it is easier for them to continue later on in life.
Let’s consider finances. It is so easy to get into the habit of spending what we don’t have that most of the time we don’t even realize it. It is easy to be like the Calvary running through the mall shouting “Charge, charge…!” However, eventually the loaner wants his money back, with interest! This is when we become aware of the effects of bad habits!
Habits can also be ways of thinking. It is called a paradigm. We can develop negative or positive habits of thinking. How many know someone who every time the slightest thing goes wrong they panic? It’s like the woman who called Onstar to report she had locked herself in her car! [play video]
It took them 25 minutes to convince her that everything was OK. This is why in Proverbs 3:21-26 in the Message Bible says,
“Dear friend, guard clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely; you’ll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry; you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because GOD will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.”
The Original KJV says, “Be not afraid of sudden fear…when it cometh.”
Delayed Consequences
One of the things we have to be most careful about is buying into the idea that bad habits aren’t affecting us in a detrimental way because we aren’t immediately feeling the impact. Take the use of alcohol or tobacco or drugs for instance. It may take years for lung cancer, emphysema, and cirrhosis of the liver or hepatitis C to develop. Just because you aren’t seeing the effects does not mean they aren’t there! They are just hidden waiting for the moment of emergence. If you eat poorly (McDonalds every day, cake, red meat, fatback) or don’t get sufficient rest it may take time but it will affect the quality of your life! Now, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God can heal and restore but why wait until you need a miracle to survive to make changes in your life? If you know these bad habits are having a negative effect-change them!
The same can be true in relationships, finances, or in our spiritual lives. Just because God in His mercy has not allowed us to reap the consequences of our poor choices, does not mean we won’t, if we fail to take advantage of the opportunity to change! In fact it is often difficult to BE WHAT WE OUGHT TO BE UNTIL WE HAVE TO BE IT! The sad truth is, most of us won’t change until we are force by the consequences of bad habits to replace them with good ones.
Notice what the Apostle Paul say in I Corinthians 6:12 in the NIV,
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Then in I Corinthians 10:23 he adds,
"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.
Paul is saying in effect, “I am going to rid myself of anything that is not profitable, productive or constructive in my life. I refuse to allow bad habits to control my life. I will not be a slave to dysfunctional patterns of thinking or living” WOW! Each of us has the power to choose whether we will give in to the negative, destructive, or limiting habits or thinking and acting or whether we will replace them with habits that will enable us to walk in victory and success in life. We have the power to choose!
Now, do you see how choosing better habits enables us to live a better life? It isn’t only about you. Do you see realize that others are watching. The only Jesus they may see is what they see in you. You are God’s representative on earth. The life you live will either be a positive or a negative influence on everyone you have influence over. So, to become a better you, you have to break bad habits and make good ones!
Everyone say, “Break and Make!” This is the secret to changing your life.
How do we develop good habits?
1. Feed your good habits.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, 'My son, the battle is between two 'wolves' inside us all…One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.'
The grand son thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee simply replied, 'The one you feed.'
We’ve all heard this in one form or the other. But, the truth is profound. Inside each of us is a good dog. (German Shepherd) and a bad dog (Bijon Frise). Whichever one you feed will grow! The one you feed will be the one who will lead!
Whichever thought pattern or lifestyle pattern we nurture will set the course of our lives! You have to decide what you want and then create the pattern of behavior that produces it.
The good news is, you can change! You are not stuck in the situation or condition you’re in. If you want out, it will cost you but you can break those old habits and develop new ones.
Feeding un-forgiveness, impatience, anger, laziness, low self esteem, lust, slothfulness or any other negative trait will only make them stronger. If you are given to worrying every time something goes wrong, and you’re always focusing on the worse case scenario, or talking doubt, fear or despair you are feeding the bad wolf. Ask yourself, “Is this what I want to flourish in my life?” Or, “Do I want to starve this negative spirit and move up in faith?”
If you begin to feed love, joy, grace, kindness, forgiveness, thankfulness, a positive outlook on life they will grow as well. Remember, Benjamin Franklin said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Essentially when you look at your marriage, career, spiritual life, finances, you cant different results if you keep doing the same thing. You have to make new patterns. You not only have to do new things, you have to do them long enough to develop the habit. Psychologists tell us it takes about 21 days to create new patterns. In other words, you can’t do something a couple of times and expect it to come naturally from then on. It takes time! You have to make a conscious and deliberate choice to do things a different way. Anytime you find yourself reverting to the old way of doing things, repent and start over again until it becomes the natural thing to do.
Have you ever called your old phone number? You feel kinda stupid right? But after a while it becomes automatic.
Now I want to show you a spiritual principle at work here. I want you show you the course and the curse behind every habit. Look at Ephesians 2:2-3
“…In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”
Here’s how it works. You take a thought or an action, and you set that course in action. But behind habits are spiritual forces. Everything you do either gathers or scatters. There is a curse attached to many of our habits. Sin is not a problem in that just the act is wrong. Every deed carries a seed! It opens the door for other things called a cluster that invites other related actions with it. This is why our world is in such bad shape. We have opened the door and let the dog out so to speak.
Young men, when you date remember that your girlfriend is someone’s future wife or mother. Don’t just look at how hot she looks in that skirt; remember you are marrying the mother of your kids. She is the other half of your children! How she acts is so much more important than how she looks. Looks will change. Get past the shake and the shimmy! You’re marrying your children’s momma!
Bad behavior opens the door for the devil to visit our future generations. They reproduce what they know.
Someone said, “Bad habits are easy to develop but difficult to live with…” It is easy to be smart-mouthed, cruel with your words, uncaring and insensitive but it is difficult to life with a marriage full of strife, conflict and bitterness. (Same with money, career, God) Feed the right things and stop the curse today!
When we were lost, the habits of sin controlled us. There were some things we were able to control but the force of sin dominated our lives. Thank God for the new birth! When Jesus became Lord of our lives, He broke the power of sin! Satan does not have the ability to control your life any longer. You are free!
Now let me address the course. God breaks the power of sin, but we have to accept that finished work and adjust to break the pattern of sin in order to banish the presence of sin.
EXAMPLE: They tell me that if a limb is amputated that the nerve still receive signals from the mind to care for the limb.
You are saved, but the mind has to be renewed. You are born again but you still have the same mind and thoughts sending signals and you have to determine that even if you fall you won’t allow that sin to control your life. Break that habit and feed you spirit by prayer, reading and meditating in the word, worshipping the Lord, memorizing scripture, fellowshipping with other believers, making right decisions. Every time you do, your good wolf gets stronger and stronger! Decide, “I will not do that anymore!” It is really a struggle between the flesh and the spirit. Whichever one you feed will dominate your life.
EXAMPLE: One of the ways they used to tell if a man was crazy was to put him in room with a running faucet flooding the floor and give him a mop. They would tell him to mop up the water. If they cam back and the water was still running they sent him to a nut-ward, but if the guy had turned off the water and mopped the floor they told him to go home and get some rest, he was OK.
God has saved you! Now turn off the faucet. Put no the new man! Put on Christ! You are a believer-learn to be one! Allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to overcome!
The curse is broken. Now we must change the course. It requires commitment! This is where you replace the bad with the good. Read Ephesians 4:20-24
20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
It is not enough to put off, but you must also put on…
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,”[e] for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
2. Secondly, press past the discomfort at the beginning.
Even as it took years to develop bad habits, it will take time to establish good ones, but you can if you are willing to press through. Your mind has to be renewed to think the thoughts of God. Then you body has to learn to respond to your renewed mind instead of your flesh. It will require discipline and sacrifice but it is worth it.
Larry Bird was making a commercial when he was asked to miss one of his famous jump shots. He had to shot 9 times before he missed the shot. Why? He had shot 1000 jump-shots everyday for years until it was difficult for him to miss! At first it was difficult to make them but after a while it became difficult to miss them!
EXAMPLE: A runner when he first beings, finds it painful to get in shape. His stomach and calf muscles hurt and it is difficult to breath. But if he will push himself just a little more every day, he will increase his endurance. Soon he is faster and less fatigued because he pressed through! The most difficult thing is getting started!
Too many quit when they mess up or get tired or when things don’t change as quickly as they had hoped. Keep on. Every day you are a little closer to developing a new habit that will release God’s best in your life.
3. Finally, replace bad habits with good ones.
A. Learn to be happy. Choose joy. Look for the positive things in life. Smell the roses don’t focus on the thorns. Look at Philippians 4:4
“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!”
The NJKV says, Rejoice in the Lord always…” or as one translation says, “Be happy all the time…”
The word “blessed” translated in the New Testament means to be “happy.” It also means to prosper, to have divine favor, to flourish, but it also means to be happy. God wants you to choose to be happy! Get up every day and declare, “This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it…”
Regardless of my circumstances or situations, I make it a habit to look for the good, accentuate the positive and be happy! I can’t control everything that happens to me, but I can control my behavior, my response to it.
How can you do that? Trust in the Lord. Psalm 5:11 tells us,
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.”
Psalm 34:8 tells us, “O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.” (AMP)
God hold us accountable for our own happiness, not someone else. In fact there is an amazing Bible principle in I Corinthians 9:9-12
“For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?
In ancient Israel you could be imprisoned for muzzling the oz while it is working. Only the most greedy farmer would do this. It was done in order to spare every little bit of wheat. The oxen gets hungry while working and eating is the reward of his labor. God is saying to the preacher when you plow the fields, do not allow yourself to be “muzzled” by the fear of lack of material support. Don’t fail to allow the church to support you for the sake of the ministry. Enjoy the fruit of your labor.
God is saying to us, “If you’re happy, you’ll make others happy, if your needs are met you’ll be able to minister to the needs of others without thinking about your own.”
Take care of yourself, or it will limit your ability to help others. Choose joy and happiness! You are responsible before God for your own spiritual, mental and physical well-being. Then, and only then can you minister to others!
B. Learn how to handle criticism-gossip takes a tongue and an ear! If you wont listen they won’t talk. Once you begin to criticize others it creates a cycle that will come back on you like a whirlwind. Don’t open the door on it! Understand that everyone is not going to love you-get used to it! Don’t allow it to rob you of your joy and peace. Do the right thing and let God be your defender! How do we do this?
Celebrate other people’s strengths. Look at 2 Corinthians 13:5 in the Message Bible.
We're rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn't possibly do otherwise. We don't just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.
Celebrate the differences in other people. Learn to value their opinion and viewpoint. In a church like this there is a vast resource of goodness that is filtered through the different cultures and experiences of everyone here. Don’t be so narrow minded that you miss it because it didn’t originate with you!
Celebrate other people’s victories. Help them win victories. Remember that even as you help them, God will send someone who will help you! Look at: Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, every man also on the things of others.” Ephesians 6:8 “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord…”
The greatest secret of blessed and fulfilled life is sowing what you have received from God into the life of someone else. When you give others what they need to fulfill their dreams, God will give you what you need to fulfill yours! Your contribution to others is the measuring cup God uses to pour into your life.
As you watch others succeed at what you want to do, it gives you a chance to see your heart, to question what your motives are, what are the true reasons you want it!
February 17th, 2008
Becoming a Better You Part IV
Ecclesiastes4: 9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Introduction: People are important! They represent the potential for good or evil. If our relationships are strained it tremendously hinders what God is able to bring into our lives. The truth is, most of the answers to our prayer are brought through people. Most of our problems are caused by people are most are solved by people. People represent relationships, resources and responsibilities. Some make the mistake of going after resources without realizing that most resources are directly connected to relationships. It’s like the Pastor who said, “I love the ministry; it’s the people I can stand!”
This is part 4 in our series on “Become a Better You,” taken from Joel Osteen’s awesome book of the same title. Today we look at key number three: In order to become a better you, you need better relationships.
One day I asked my kids, “What would you rather have, a million friends or a million dollars?” They said, “$1,000,000.” I told them, “No, a millions friends! You can always borrow a dollar from each friend, and have both!” Healthy relationships are essential to a healthy life! You will never become all that God has created you to be by yourself! You need others! You need friendships and partners who will walk with you through life. You need people to fight for you during life’s struggles, people to celebrate with you during the victories, to correct you you’re your wrong, and to encourage you when you’re down! You need people!
It is important to pick the right people and then it is important to relate to them in the proper manner.
There are really 5 types of people in your life:
Contacts-They network us…
Friends-They affirm us and are committed to us…
Partners-They share a common goal or interest and may work together with us…
Mentors-The produce change in us…
Protégées-They learn from us…
While each of these relationships is important, there are three, which are essential and basic to all success and deserve the most of our time and attention. The Apostle Paul models this for us. Everyone needs a Barnabas, a Timothy and a Silas. A mentor-someone above you pulling you up, a peer-someone on your level that relates with your situations, and a Timothy-a son-one you are pulling up!
Now, it is also very important to know where the people in your life fit. The more accurately you identify the role of the people God brings into your life the greater the efficiency of the relationship. Wellington Boone wrote a book entitled, “Your Wife Is Not Your Momma.” When we get the roles right, we will experience the purpose for which God has brought them into our lives. Failure to properly recognize roles can greatly limit our ability to maximize the potential in the relationship. For example, when God sends a mentor, be willing to be a student. When God sends a son, be a father!
For some relationships come easily. But for others who may be more introverted it has to be driven by deliberate actions and decisions. It becomes a greater challenge to have good, healthy relationships. It is easier for them to put all of their energy into just a few close friends-“I have my friends and it is all I can do to keep up with them.” But when this happens, people end up with a limited perspective and unhealthy attachments. Any relationship that causes or requires the exclusion of other potentially beneficial relationships is unhealthy. It is important to be friendly and courteous to everyone, but also choose wisely whom you allow to have influence over your life! When you “consciously choose” you are qualifying people for an influential role in your future. If you don’t do this you’ll end up with the wrong people influencing you. A perfect example is family. Often times family members become the driving influence by default, because we fail to separate the roles we allow people to play. Just because someone can teach us a trade or help us build a career, doesn’t mean they can help us build a good marriage. Know where people belong in your life and keep them there!
The right friends can be a blessing and the wrong friends can be a curse. Everyone you associate with is affecting your life either for the bad or for the good. If they are not going where you are going the best thing you can hope for is that they’ll slow you down. The most likely thing that will happen is they will pull you in the wrong direction. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself where you would be if you had different friends?
Example-Mayor and wife-met a garbage man-“He would be the mayor.”
Ecclesiastes4: 9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
This passage tells us four things about friends: First, friends partner with you for growth and success-they improve your success rate; then, they pick you up when you fall-they don’t leave you when you’re down, or take advantage of you-they encourage and comfort you during times of pain, need or loss; next, they preserve-they use their position, resources and power to preserve you. This may require correction or comfort, but they will do whatever is necessary to help you make it! Finally, they protect you! They will go into battle with you and help you win!
You need a variety of people in your life. You don’t want to be surrounded by people who are clones…just like you in everyone, because you won’t grow! It always…”Me to, me too, me too…Ya that’s what I think too…”
Now, allow me to take this a little deeper! Do you realize that God is trying to use others to help you grow? This is one of the purposes for communion. When we take communion we are acknowledging the Physical Body of the Lord Jesus, but we are also recognizing and expressing value on the Spiritual Body of Christ-our brothers and sister in Christ. We are literally acknowledging the expression of Jesus in others.
1. In order to become a better you, you must learn to bring out the best in others.
It is important to realize that you are a mirror. You reflect beck to people with your words and actions who they are and can be or what you think they are or can be. Consider for a moment the purpose of a natural mirror. Mirrors tell us what we look like. They reflect an image that may or may not be true depending on the effect! I not just talking about the mirrors in your bathroom or compact, but there are mirrors in the television, magazines, movies, etc. that reflect an image. They define what is beautiful, important, acceptable, popular, and hot. They reflect what they think we should be…they put tremendous pressure on people to conform to a certain stereotype. This especially true for women but becoming more commonplace for men as well. It is easy to loose sight of who you really are! They are not real…plastic surgeons, hair, nails, and clothing experts at their beckon call, special lighting, personal trainers, touch up-air brushed pictures! When you see them in person, they don’t look a thing like they do on TV.
We too are supposed to be mirrors to others. Imagine for a moment if there were no mirrors and you had to depend on your family to tell you what you look like. “A little too much lipstick…. your hair is sticking up back here…spot on your shirt…there, you look good!” Imagine the family feuds that would occur…husbands critiquing their wives clothes! (Commercial-“Does this dress make me look fat?”)
Proverbs 27:19 says, “Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.” (Message)
Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt like you looked good? It affects your entire day! You reflect with your personality what you see in the mirror. You’re happy, confident, excited, and ready to take on the day! Other times, your dad shows up! Feel fat, wrinkled…irregular. You reflect that as well. Add to it the opinions of others and it really affects the manner in which you approach life. Our words are mirrors.
Look at James 1:22-25 in the Amplified Bible;
But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
23For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
The Word of God shows us what God created us to be and where we are deficient so we can make adjustments. This is the way we need to be with other people. We need to show them their potential; we need to reflect the best they can become in order to bring it out of them! You must learn that your words mean something! They are powerful! They form the image that you need in order to be your best. One compliment can brighten up a saddened face.
Have you ever given a compliment and the person doesn’t want to accept it? “No, you don’t really mean that, do you?” They have been looking at the wrong mirror and struggle believing that you see something they don’t or are afraid to recognize! They could have done a wonderful job, but believe they did terrible. Why? Too many wrong mirrors!
This is how you attract good relationships. Everybody wants to be around people who make him or her feel good! Everybody wants to be celebrated no just tolerated! In conversations, how you make the other person feel is as important as what you say! They want to feel accepted, loved valuable and important.
Some of you are a relationship away from a breakthrough! Learn how to draw out the best in people. When we get this right, there is growth. Remember Ephesians 4:11-16
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
As we are joined together, we should bring out the best that each body part has to offer. There is something unique that each person has to contribute. Value it and they will expose it!
The Bible calls us the Bride of Christ. In Ephesians 5:27-28 The Scriptures tell us that Christ is perfecting and preparing His bride and removing all of her flaws and blemishes and then tells husband to love their wives in the same manner. As men, we have the power to prepare our bride. In fact, she is probably what we have made her. If she is mean, insecure, negative, unhappy, it may just be that our words have created the environment we live in. She may be reflecting the words we’ve spoken or NOT spoken, or maybe she is showing lack of time, priority, care, or attention we have shown! Our words are powerful-we may be creating things by default-You didn’t say she was fat, ugly, stupid, unimportant, but by NOT saying what you need to say, you have said a mouth full!
We should be taking our cues from the Bible. Look at the measures God goes to, in order to build us up…“you are accepted in the beloved, you are more than a conqueror, you are the righteousness of God, you are healed, the head and not the tail…I have loved you with an everlasting love…you are strong in the Lord… you are the apple of my eye…you are me bride…” When you get done looking into God’s mirror, you feel like Superman! It’s good news! What are you reflecting? He has to fill us with words because it creates our image. Words either bless or break! Build others up, give them opportunities, and encourage them-bring out their best! Describe and define the good that you see. Make them feel loved, accepted and valuable!
2. In order to have better relationships you must keep strife out of your life.
Be quick to detect areas of potential conflict that may lead to criticism or possibly even bitterness. There is a tremendous amount of strife in our world. The devil is the accuser of the brethren. He constantly stirs the pot of strife. He doesn’t just accuse us; he tries to bring the spirit of accusation into relationships as well. It seems as though there must be a debate about everything! There is even a fight right now over who could bring more cohesiveness to our country… The Bible says, “…But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.” (Proverbs 2:23)
Proverbs 8:25 adds; “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.”
Strife, slander, and accusation are terrible things. They destroy lives. If we are going to be better people, we must keep strife out of our lives. This may require us to repent, forgive, give someone the benefit of the doubt, apologize, keep our mouths shut, keep our highly esteemed opinion to ourselves, but it is a necessity for the child of God! Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God…”(Matthew 5:9)
Strife-is ruining marriages, as couples fight over the ridiculous. Divorce hurts! It is a “forceful division.” In families, in churches as folks fight over stuff that won’t even be remembered in 5 years, etc.
James 3:16 warns us “…where envying and strife is, there is confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and every evil (vile) work (practice).” The word translated strife, means “contention, selfishness, rivalry, self serving ambition.”
The church should be a community of people bound together in relationships to advance the cause of the Kingdom of God. It is a struggle to manage it at times…keeping people in the nursery, keeping kids in the right place without angering the parents, giving opportunities, overseeing gifting, and resources. It requires the decision to keep strife out because everyone has an opinion.
Remember when I spoke about equity? There is equity in a marriage, a church, a friendship, and a career. Don’t allow the devil to bring strife and force you to give up your equity for an argument about the non-eternal!
Reba Mc Entire and Kenny Chesney have a country song called “Every Other Weekend” which describes the horror of divorce!
Every other Friday
It's toys and clothes and backpacks
Is everybody in,
Okay, let's go see dad
Same time in the same spot
corner of the same old parking lot
Half the hugs and kisses there are always sad
We trade a couple words and looks and kids again
Every Other weekend
Every other weekend
Very few exceptions,
I pick up the love we made in both my arms
It's movies on the sofa, grilled cheese and cut the crust off
"That's not the way mom makes it, daddy," always breaks my heart
I miss everything I use to have with her again,
Every other weekend
I cant tell her I love her
I can't tell him I love him
'Cause there's too many questions and ears in the car
So I don't tell him I miss him
I don't tell her I need her
She's (He's) over me, that's where we are
So we're as close as we may ever be again
Every other weekend
Every other Saturday
First thing in the morning
I turn the TV on to make the quiet go away
I know why, but I don't know why
We ever let this happen
Fallin' for forever was a big mistake
There's so much not to do and all day not to do with him
Every other weekend
Every other Sunday
I empty out my backseat
While my children hug their mother
In the parking lot
We don't touch,
We don't talk much,
Maybe goodbye to each other
As she drives away with every piece of heart I got,
I re-convince myself we did the right thing,
Every other weekend
Yeah, for fifteen minutes,
We're a family again
God, I wish that he was still with me again
Every other weekend
During times of stress, anguish, pain, refuse to cash in your equity. Don’t let go of relationships! They are too valuable to lose! You’ll get over the problems, but you may never get over the failure to deal with strife. I am amazed at how quickly people leave churches, marriages, jobs, and friendships! When they do, they lose the equity. If there is a problem can’t God work it out? Do we believe in prayer or not? (“The heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord…”) Before you allow strife to ruin your family, career, or ministry-pray it through and give God the opportunity to turn things around!
Example: The equity we have in this building is amazing! But there are times I get frustrated and think, It’s not worth it! Have you ever felt that way about your house? You would be a fool to walk away from your home for a $5,000.00 repair and lose the $100,000.00 in equity! There is too much at stake!
Allow me to talk to you about stress for a moment. When you are stressed, one of the first things you begin to look for is something to make you feel good about yourself! You look for a release valve-food, cursing, sleep, or maybe being right. Often times we use this opportunity to exploit our spouse’s weakness-makes you feel good! It is easiest to hurt the people closest to us! We know them-their strengths and their weaknesses. It is easy to exploit them! But our job as husbands is to make them look good. You are the steward over her weaknesses. You must learn to cover he and protect her! Make her feel secure in your presence even when you need a “right-fix.”
We need to get rid of the strife. Parents and children-get rid of it! In a perfect world, you should have accountability in a home. Get over the strife. Once they are gone, you will realize how important they are!
3. Take a Stand for your family
Joel uses a passage in Nehemiah 4 to describe what our attitude should be towards our families. They were rebuilding the walls and the enemies of Israel, afraid of a rebuilt city come against them. Sanballat leads a war of accusations against them and then threatens to attack them while they are vulnerable. The situation gets so bad that Nehemiah instructs the men to work with a hammer in one hand and a sword in the other. He told them in verse 14 "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes…
Then he adds in verse 20, “…If you will fight, then God will fight for us…” When we do our part, God will do His!
Men, pray for your wives and children! Don’t just allow the devil to take them-fight!
4. You must invest in others
Always remember that the law of seedtime and harvest controls every facet of life. Whenever you sow you will reap! Always sow, or leave more in a relationship than you take out. It is an investment! Relationships are about deposits and withdraw. If you want a good marriage, make a lot of deposits. That way when you want to make a withdrawal, your check won’t bounce!
The best thing to see is a balance not a deficit!
Now, the thing that complicates it is the fact that everyone uses different currency. What is valuable to you may not be to her! Your money may have been devaluated! [Football game- “Could have been with the guys!”]
Take some time to find out what they value and always leave more than you take out!
Even if you don’t withdrawal it your children will.
February 10th, 2008
Becoming a Better You Part III
“Therefore, my beloved, as you 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 who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
--- Philippians 2:12-13
This is part three in out series on becoming a better you. So far we have addressed the elementary truth that God intends for the believer to enjoy abundant life, a life that is enjoyable, lived full, overflowing, and with all of it’s potential realized. Mike Murdock calls this “the uncommon life.” It is a life that flourishes in every area. You see, life is a process of growing and developing. It is meant to be a never-ending education, a constant journey of discovery, an exciting adventure, and an exploration into our God-given potential that must be developed for His glory.
This gift of salvation isn’t just about making heaven our home, it is about overcoming in every day life as well! As we develop that which the Lord has deposited within us, through the born-again experience, it should bring improvement in our spiritual, physical, social, professional, financial, emotional, and relational lives as we pursue God’s best!
In Joel Osteen's book, "Become A Better You" the first key was “Keep Pressing Forward.” Don’t stop! Realize there is more and approach every day with the mentality that says, “This day is a gift from God that I must make the most of. Today, I will learn, grow, and improve in some area of my life!” I addressed that idea as an introduction and then added my own commentary of how it is achieved.
So, our first key was the power of what you believe. Matthew 9:29 says, “ according to your faith will it be done to you…” We found that what you believe will determine how every aspect of your life is lived. It will either be your ladder or your lid depending on whether is it in accordance with the Word of God which lifts and empowers for success or the in accordance with the philosophies of this world which only limit and restrain. Our belief system will affect the way we relate to God, how we feel about ourselves, how we interact with other people, and how we approach life in general.
We also learned that something doesn’t have to be true to impact your life, just believed and it will affect you as through it were true. It is important what you believe! This is why we must renew our minds to think and believe in line with God’s word!
Last week I continued that thought as we explored the idea that becoming a better you is really about working out what He has worked within. That is where I want to pick up this week in part three. Look with me at Philippians 2:12-13 again
“Therefore, my beloved, as you 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 who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
Paul is writing from a prison cell where he has been for about 2 years. He exhorts the church to “work out your salvation…” Now again, Paul is not making an argument for salvation through works, he was been extremely clear that salvation is by grace alone. He is instead teaching that works are the outward evidences of the inward transformation that comes from being born again.
Go back for another moment to Ephesians 2:8-10 which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eternal Bible truth!
However, let’s read on into verse 10 so we can establish the context of 8 & 9.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Thank God we are saved by grace, we don’t have to try to work our way into the Kingdom of God! However, it is also essential to realize that you are saved unto a purpose greater than yourself. God saved you, now there is something God wants to establish in your life. He wants to mold and shape you into His image so that you can represent Him and establish His will in the earth. You are the extension and expression of God’s life in the world.
Back in our passage in Philippians chapter 2 and Verse 13 the Scriptures say, “…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure,.” which means God has worked something into you that you work out of you!
We are partners with God. He does His part first, and then He requires us to do our part. Remember He never asks from us what He hasn’t first given to us in abundance. What we work out is a portion of what He has deposited within. He has deposited His life within us. The Holy Spirit has taken up His abode within our human spirit. The full potential of the life of God resides in. Which means He has given character, grace, faith, mercy, love, forgiveness, power, gifts, talents, desires, peace, joy, etc. all of the things that are reflected in the life of God. You and I have the divine potential to manifest on the outside everything He has deposited on the inside. But, it must be desired and developed.
Look at it in the natural for a moment. I wonder how many people possess great abilities, talents, (musical gifts, literary skills, athletic abilities, speaking abilities, artistry, or any number of other hidden talents that would have improved their lives and the world around them. But they were never honed and developed. As a result they never discover the potential of what lies within. We all know people who could have, should have, would have, but didn’t!
This is true in the natural as well as the spiritual. As a child of God you have been born of the incorruptible seed of the word of God. You have the very nature and presence of God abiding inside your heart. You have the bloodline of a champion. You were created to win and succeed. Now, you have to draw that out and allow it to affect the manner in which your life is lived. WOW!
It isn’t automatic. There has to be desire, passion, effort and discipline developed in our lives. We have to co-operate with God to maximize our opportunity. Many are just saying, “God have you way in me, do whatever you want…” and expecting Him to do all the work. There are some things required of us…there are decisions and acts of obedience that are demanded of us that will open the floodgates of His goodness. However, failure to do our part will close the doors and limit the degree to which He is able to work in our lives. You cannot just bye saying, “One of these days…” Get busy NOW! Or this treasure called life will slip past and be gone!
Again let me state that Christianity is about becoming. It is about allowing Him to mature and develop us into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. It is about growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. After all, we confessed Him as Lord, now there must be the process of submitting to His Lordship. It is about understanding His pattern of living and following it. It is about discovering the promises and blessing of the New Covenant and possessing them. It is about fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to express Himself through us by virtue of His gifts and fruits.
It is about deeping our relationship with Him, and displaying His life through our lives. It is about becoming a better man, woman, husband, wife, parent, business partner, neighbor, student, church member, Christian. IT IS ABOUT WORKING OUT WHAT HE HAS WORKED WITHIN!
I showed you last Sunday, that there will always be impediments to abundant living. But, we have to learn to press through. We may have to press through rejection, betrayal, distraction, compliancy, pain and loss. But, we must press through our mess in order to get to His yes! (“…all the promises of God are in Him yes…” 2 Corinthians 1:20)
Next I told you that you must press through your history into your destiny. That you must confront the dysfunctional areas of your life that have been passed down through your lineage and determine to create new cycles of generation blessing! Each of you can change the history of your family but making Godly choices and decisions.
You can break the stronghold of anger, depression, low self-esteem, inclination toward destructive lifestyle choices, addictions, suicidal tendencies, and other limiting behavioral patterns that can be traced back through a person’s family history. You can create a fresh a new chapter in your family history book and change what “runs in the family.”
In every deed there is a seed. This is why it is so important that you improve. You are passing something on to the next generation. God has a generational plan. He wants every generation to improve spiritually, financially, and relationally. Each generation becomes more intelligent, better educated, healthier, better financially, and spiritually. They learn to think right, make good choices, and position themselves for greater success and victory.
This is also why to doctrine of the born-again experience is so vital. True and lasting change has to be a heart transformation, something at the core of our being has to change! The blood of Jesus washes away the iniquity in our natural blood and gives us the life of God. The curse is broken. The course or the habits have to then be changed and new habits developed so that the things of the past don’t rob us of the potential of the future.
He works this in us but then He expects us to work it out of us.
Next, we press through the pain to get the gain. Anything worth having is going to cost us something. We are going to have to say no to the flesh and yes to the spirit.
Let’s examine the term “work out.” It denotes effort, discipline, consistency, and most of all progression.
When you join the gym and decide to “get in shape” you have to exercise! It takes work! The potential is there but there has to be a demand put on it.
Let’s go back to this term salvation. It is the Greek word sozo “to save, keep safe and sound, make whole, completely restore, to rescue from danger or destruction; to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health; to preserve one who is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue.”
This is the finished work of the Cross. In fact the word is translated in what is referred to as the “perfect tense” which means it is past, present and future.
Now go to Romans 1:16-17; "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to (into) salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Before I go deeper into this thought I want to make a few comments on this passage. First of all notice the statement “the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto or literally into salvation.” The word Gospel is the declaration of good news. The Gospel, when presented properly will bring hope, joy, excitement and encouragement.
The word power is the Greek word “dunamis” or “supernatural, miracle working power” (of the Holy Spirit- Acts 1:8; Acts 10:38) the word salvation is “soteria” a form of the familiar word “sozo” which means “to rescue until the process is complete, past present and future-spirit, soul and body.” It is the idea of wholeness and wellness in area of life until you are not deficient in any area or you are lacking nothing! It is the all-inclusive word of the Covenant!
So salvation is when God rescues us and finishes what He begins in our lives. The writer of Hebrews calls Him “…the author and finisher of our faith…” Now, there is a definite time where the act of salvation occurs-when we are born again. However, the process continues until consummation at the resurrection! Every day until then, He is working with in us and trying to get us to work out of us His will and pleasure. We are becoming what He has redeemed us to be.
Does anyone want Him to finish the work? Do you want more joy? Do you desire more power, victory, sensitivity to the Holy Spirit? Do you want to fulfill destiny? Do you want to work out what He has worked in you?
How does this occur?
1. Through the word of God. The word of God must become our primary point of reference. Notice we are brought into not just unto this all-inclusive salvation by the power of the Gospel. It is important to understand that the Word of God holds the secrets to release the power of God to transform our lives and circumstances. WOW!
In Hebrews 4:12 Paul tells us “…the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Greek says, “alive, active and filled with life transforming energy or power…” It is an Active energy that is at work. There is active energy in the word of God. (life-transforming power)
How many have been healed, delivered, blessed, received a financial blessing? How did it happen? Through the word. God spoke it, you believed it and it happened.
Look at I Thessalonians 2:13 from the Amplified Bible:
“And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].”
It is our foundation. In Luke 6 we have the story of two builders; one built on rock the other on sand. When the storm came the house built on the rock, which is later revealed, as the Logos-the entire word or the full council of God stood strong. So we are to build our lives upon the precepts of the entire word of God, not just a portion of it. It is the foundation of a fulfilled life. In fact, any portion of your life that is not built on the Word is vulnerable to collapse when the storm comes. The word must be FIRST, FORMOST & FINAL in our lives.
James 1:21-25 is the key,
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks (intently) into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, (continue to do it-NIV) and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
James calls the Word a mirror that we look into to examine where we are verses where we need to be. As we receive it, it has the power to perform itself in our lives. He promises that if we relate properly to the Word of God it will bring “blessing” or the “empowerment to succeed.”
I must receive it, reflect on it (meditate on it day and night), and respond to it(do it). James promises that if we do this we will succeed in life! Jesus said John 13:17, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
The word is also called a map. Psalm 119:19
“I am a pilgrim here on earth [that means you’re just passing through; you’re not going to stay here] I need a map and Your commands are my chart and my guide.”
Everything you need is right here – the principles to build your life on and to live by. They’re right here. God has given us directions that if followed will lead us to victory and success in life.
2. Through Fellowship with the Holy Spirit. We must develop Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
Look at Romans 8:1-
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
Paul is saying that if we are in Christ, and walk according to the Spirit rather than the flesh, we will not be shackled by guilt and condemnation. He goes on to talk about the working of the law of the spirit of life in Christ that sets us free from the law of sin and death. He tells us that there is a struggle between the flesh, or the carnal mindset and the spirit, or the life of God working in our human spirit seeking manifestation. He adds that if we walk in the spirit we will become better-life, peace, pleasing to God, etc.
Then he adds verses 13 & 14
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”
As we walk in the Spirit we walk in line with the Word of God because they are in agreement. Walking in the flesh is the result of a mindset that opposes the Word of God and the things of God. Paul tells us if we are going to walk in the spirit, or according to the word of God, we must learn to be led by the Spirit.
Why is this important? The Holy Spirit works the works of righteousness in our lives. In order to become better we must submit to the work of the Holy Spirit and to His leading. Jesus told us that the Holy Spirit would lead us into all truth. He will show us when we need to make adjustments or changes.
Most of us want the Holy Spirit to use us to change nations. But He may want you to change your attitude towards your husband, or wife, or kids first. Learn to be sensitive.
EXAMPLE: Man led to build a friendship with a loner at work that everyone else mocked and made fun of…his father died and left him a fortune and he became the owner of the company…promoted the man who was kind to him to the executive level making his a millionaire.
3. Begin to see yourself the way God sees you.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
------Ephesians 3:14-21
You must develop a proper view of yourself in order to have a better life. You need a positive view of your life. When I say that I realize there will generally be three responses; those who thank me for helping them see the value God has created within them, those who realize others need to hear this but minimize its value in their life and then those who think this is not “deep” or “spiritual enough” and those (even revelation can be a liability if it is not mixed with love and grace). However, Proverbs 23:7 reminds us “as a man thinks so is he…” However you see yourself will dictate how you live your life. If you think you can then you can. If you think you can’t your already defeated before the battle begins.
Remember the story in Numbers 13? The spies were sent to search out the land and return with their reports. Look at verse 33;
“There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”
What a powerful statement. However you see yourself, is the same way the enemy sees you. Your view of yourself becomes the filter through which you perceive life. The devil has mastered the art of condemnation. He will use any thing he can to make you feel bad about yourself. He is called “the accuser of the brethren.” He will take situations of failure, hurt, rejection, disappointment or shortcoming and throw it up again and again in his attempt to make you feel worthless, guilty, weak or insignificant. We have seen this “spirit of accusation” ravish our society. The slander and hatred that permeates our culture is unparalleled.
People accuse Pastors, Presidents, parents, spouses, employers other people, and there is almost no end to the things they are willing to say about others, as if there is no accountability for their words…as one politician said, “Sling a lot of mud and see what sticks.” Most us fail to realize that words are powerful…they can build up or tare down. They can heal or hurt, build up or tare down, make or break. When we fall into this trap we join forces with the devil-“accuser” in his agenda to bring hurt and pain. I wonder how many marriages have been destroyed, churches split, and lives decimated because of someone’s accusations…”I heard this… or I think this…”
You see none of us are perfect, that’s why we need a savior! We will need His love and grace as long as we live. This spirit can cause us to open our heart to self-condemnation and accusation.
Look at Proverbs 23:6-7
Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; 7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “ Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
Don't accept an invitation to eat a selfish person's food, no matter how good it is.
7People like that take note of how much you eat. They say, "Take all you want!" But they don't mean it. (Contemporary English Version)
He is literally describing a selfish person who puts on a front to impress others but has not made adjustment to his thinking. His negative thoughts may be camouflaged by his unselfish words, but until his way of thinking changes he is still a selfish person! Outwardly, he is saying all the right things, but inwardly he is still the miser!
This is what is called “internal dialogue.” Whether you realize it or not, you are having a conversation within yourself every waking moment. The negatives that you fixate on and internalize; the self-criticism; the distorted views of yourself and the world: All of that is expressed in this internal dialogue.
Internal dialogue is the real-time conversation that you have with yourself about everything that's going on in your life. It encompasses all of your self-talk, whether positive and rational or self-destructive and negative. Internal dialogue is what you are saying to yourself, about yourself and about the world. It's a portion of your overall thinking, and nobody can control it but you. IT IS HOW YOU REALLY FEEL OR THINK-not what you allow others to see or believe.
Your internal dialogue powerfully programs and shapes your self-concept. If you believe you are worthy and strong, you will live up to that truth. If you believe you are weak and frail you will live down to that lie.
[“You’re a failure; Nobody loves you; You’re fat, stupid, unattractive, worthless, unspiritual, unable to succeed…you have sinned, you didn’t read your Bible today…” etc.]
The simple truth is, all of us have missed the mark! If you haven’t, you haven’t shot the bow. We have all fallen short, but thankfully God’s love is not determined by our righteousness or lack there of, but His love is unconditional! He promises that if we just confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive. He loves us in spite of our falling shorts! We have to learn how to love ourselves and believe that greater is He in us…we are up to the challenge.
EXAMPLE: I heard the story about the boy who got an archery set for his birthday. After just a few days the father came to see how much his son had learned about shooting the bow. As he examined the barn he noticed that the boy had painted both sides with targets. Dead center in the bull’s eye of each target was one of the boy’s arrows. Amazed the father asked him how he had managed to become a Robin Hood in such a short time. The boy replied, “Simple: I just shot the arrow first and then painted the target around it.”
The devil will even use religion to beat you down and make you feel unworthy. So many preach a gospel of guilt…“how dare you try to be successful,” “turn or burn…”…there has to be a balance.
You wouldn’t go dump trash in the Grand Canyon because it is too beautiful, or tare apart a rose and say, “how dare you spell so fragrant… you are stealing God’s glory.” Of course not! God gets glory from the splendor of the canyons and the fragrance of the rose. And, God says you are His masterpiece, created for good works…He gets glory when your life flourishes. When you have good families, happy marriages, long life, health, blessing, and when you have a positive effect on the world around you! He is good and wants good for you!
You have to begin to see yourself the way God sees you. Until your view of yourself changes, your life will not experience lasting change. It is time to go to the Word and discover what God has to say about you and then develop a Biblical viewpoint of yourself…
What does God say…your righteous, important, loved, accepted, forgiven, whole, capable of anything you want to do, healed, successful, up to life’s challenges, His son, an heir of God, a winner, He is pleased with you, He is not mad, He approves you! Your life has value and distinction, you are fearfully and wonderfully made for His purposes and desires, you are not a cheap copy mass produced…you are a designer’s original…now live like it!
It is time to shut out the voices of the enemy that challenge your true identity in Christ! Put on the breastplate of righteousness-God’s approval and tell the devil to flee!
EXAMPLE: A father saw his young son throwing the ball up, swinging and missing. “Strike One, Two and Three!” After about 15 minutes of observing, the father came up and said, “Son, I’m so sorry! I don’t want you to feel bad about striking out. I’ll work with you and show you how to hit the ball.” “Why?” The boy replied, “I wasn’t the batter I was the pitcher.”
4. Nurture the power of consistency.
James 1:2-4
“ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
This word comes from two Greek words which when combined means "to exercise or to work out" The idea is that during difficult times, when we respond right, we have the ability to work out what God has deposited inside of us. The idea of this passage is that during trials, our true character is revealed. If we follow the principles outlined in this text, then patience will be developed in our lives and we will come out of the adversity stronger than we were when we entered it.
Now he adds, don’t allow inconsistency in you lives. Otherwise you will waver back and forth and never receive anything from God. Be steadfast, patient, and unmovable. The NIV uses the word “perseverance.” This word patience means, that someone is under a heavy load, but has resolved to remain in that spot regardless of how heavy the load my be or how long he has to wait! He is determined, nothing can sway, or move him and he won't change his mind. He will not relinquish his position.
Keep doing the right thing. Each time you get stronger and stronger. It is like the workout in the gym-each time you build more muscle. Keep giving, praising, loving, blessing, confessing, working, forgiving, serving, smiling, praying, believing, God is working out what He has deposited within you!
Ephesians 1:3-14 in the Message Bible
3-6How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.
7-10Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
11-12It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.
13-14It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.
Let’s pray!
November 11th 2008
Thankfulness Part I
Psalm 100
MAKE A joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
2. Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!
3. Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is 4. He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
5. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
6. For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations. (AMP)
I Thessalonians 5:18 " In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you…"
Bible historians tell us that the 100 Psalm was sung when the thanksgiving sacrifice was offered in the Temple. It was written for the purpose of addressing the attitude of ingratitude. It was to remind the people that whether they had much or little they still had reason to be thankful because everything they possessed was the result of the blessing of the Lord. It was kind of like a "count your blessings" sort of song.
Each of us has a reason to be thankful. In fact I think it might be advisable from time to time to make a list of the good things God has done for us as a point of reference to remember just how blessed we really are. I also believe that such a list could prove valuable through out the remainder of the year for there will be times of adversity, troubles, problems and heartaches that we will face and it wouldn't hurt to periodically pull out our list and review all the things for which we are thankful.
One of the chief dangers to our spirituality is that of being ungrateful and unthankful. Ingratitude is something that affects the rich and the poor. I've seen those who don't have much respond resentfully towards those who do, and complain because "they don't have anything to be thankful for." I have also seen those who have much, feel as though their resources and assets are the results of their "hard work" and have even heard them wine and complain that they don't have enough. To be honest, it seem that the more we are blessed, the greater the danger of becoming unthankful. The more we get, generally, the less thankful we become, the less mindful of God we become, and the more we want. That may be one of the greatest danger the American Church faces in the 21st Century. God has blessed us so much, that we may loose sight of all that He has done.
This was what Israel faced as they entered into the land of promise. Therefore eight times the book of Deuteronomy warns the Israelites to not forget the Lord, once they became established in Canaan. Yet those of you who know your Bible history, know that is exactly what happened, they forgot all that God had done for them and begin to serve other gods.
Thanksgiving must be more than a holiday, celebrated once a year it must become a lifestyle. It is a command from God, as we will see in a moment. Which means we can choose either to be thankful or unthankful. It has nothing to do with our current condition, situations or circumstances. It is a matter of the heart. It is a choice to appreciate the good that God has caused to manifest in my life. In spite of the fact that we are most blessed generation and society in history, it seems we are also the most unfulfilled, unthankful and unappreciative. Watch the commercials and walk the malls listening to the children. This should not be the case for the child of God! We must learn to be thankful for the blessings we so often take for granted.
I believe it is necessary for everyone who desires to possess New Covenant Promises. Before God can promote me and lead me on into greater things, I must develop an appreciation for the things He has already done. When I have a thankful heart for that which I have received in the past and present He can direct me into the things He has already prepared for my future.
This doesn't mean I am complacent, but rather content. I am enjoying where I am on the way to where I'm going. I'm not stressed about what I don't have; I'm enjoying what I do! The spirit of thanksgiving keeps me walking toward my destiny, the place of complete manifestation, until I am as James says, "Lacking or wanting nothing."
Let's look at I Thessalonians 5:18 "…Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (NLT)
Notice it doesn't say "for everything" it says, "In everything." In Ephesians it says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…"
In Ephesians 5:20 Paul says, "Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…"The Message Bible best translates this verse:
"…Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ…
The Greek projects the idea of; "…give thanks for all things that come from God to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ…"
Fortunately, He doesn't require us to be thankful FOR ALL THINGS: because all things are not good and pleasing in His sight. The idea is that we thank Him in all things good or bad and for all things He is the source of. This doesn't mean we face sickness that we offer praise to God for the sickness, because it doesn't originate from Him ("Every good and perfect gift…"). It means that we offer thanks "IN SICKNESS" because He is the Lord our healer! In the midst of crisis, "Thank you Lord," not for the problem but because we are still alive, because He is a way maker, there are still good things happening. It is a determination to focus on the good and positive not the negative.
The Amplified reads like this: "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."
"No matter what the circumstance may be…be thankful." Thanksgiving is ALWAYS AN APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO CIRCUMSTANCES whether they are good or bad!
You see, if you are a child of God, you have something to be thankful for no matter what your current condition is…even on your worse day, you are still born-again, cleansed by the blood, surrounded by angels, sealed by the Holy Spirit, on your way to heaven, held in the Father's hand, triumphant over the devil, filled with the peace of God, an heir to the covenant and a child of the King!
What Does It Mean To Be Thankful?
The word thanksgiving means to "confess your appreciation; to praise or acknowledge verbally your gratitude." God knows our heart but He wants to hear our mouths express praise and appreciation for all He has given us. In fact in the Hebrew language there is no particular word for "Thank you." The word is always used as explanation-meaning offer praise as your expression of thanks. In the Greek the word is charis and is directly related to the word for grace, meaning it is the appropriate response to God's grace in our lives.
Thanksgiving is an acknowledgement that everything good thing comes from God that results in an attitude of gratitude and appreciation, which is expressed by actions.
So "offering thanks" is essentially "offering sacrifices of praises and service" to God as an expression of appreciation for the gifts of His grace." We are told to give thanks because 1. He is good (Psalm 100). 2. His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever (I Chronicles 16:41) 3. His truth endures to all generations. 4. His deliverance (vs.16:7). 5. He answers prayer (Psalm 116:1) 6. Because He reigns in great power (Rev. 11:17)
More than 25 times we are told to give thanks because He is good and His mercy endures forever.
You see real thankfulness is the expression of the one who realizes that everything he has is a gift from God, because He is good! It acknowledges that the mercy of the Lord has been extended and that the promises of God are unchanging and will never fail! If you really believe these things, you'll rejoice because you realize that you have the guarantee of victory in every situation, and there is no reason to accept failure or defeat!
How is Thankfulness expressed?
1. First, thankfulness is expressed by an attitude. Notice that the phrase "…in everything give thanks" is in the Greek imperative tense which makes it a command. Then He adds for it is the will of God for your life. How many want to be in the will of God? By this statement it implies that to neglect thankfulness is to be out of the will of God.
IMPORTANT: Remember God notices not only what we do, but what we don't do. [10-lepers "Where are the other 9?" "The woman with the Alabaster Box-"I was your guest and you didn't pay me the common courtesy of washing my feet…but she has not ceased to wash my feet and anoint my head…"]
Thankfulness begins with an attitude of appreciation that is expressed before others. Attitude is defined as a position as indicating action, feeling, or mood. Psychologist define attitude as a "set of beliefs that predispose us to act and feel in certain ways". This is why attitude is important. Your mental position or attitude will indicate your actions, feelings, or mood. When you know that the Lord is good, when you know that the Lord is merciful, and when you know that the Lord's truth is real to you, I firmly believe you will have a grateful heart. Your attitude will express this by being joyful and thankful. Some people get face-lifts, and some need faith lifts.
What is your attitude reflecting this thanksgiving? Are you rejoicing? Are you serving the Lord with gladness? Remember: Gratitude attracts while ingratitude repels! True both with God and with people! In our text, their praises drew the presence of God to the house. [Psalm 22 God enthrones Himself on the singing praises of His people."] When>
Gratitude is also an expression of dependence, remembrance and humility-"I know I don't deserve it but I sure appreciate it."
Ingratitude is an expression of self-reliance and pride.
Psalm 138:6 "Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar."
I Peter 5:5 "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble"
People are repelled as well. People are attracted to people who are kind and appreciative.
2. Thankfulness can and must be expressed verbally. It is most commonly expressed through praise and worship.
The word thanksgiving in the Psalms means to "confess your appreciation; to praise or acknowledge verbally your gratitude." When Solomon dedicated the Temple the Bible says that the people shouted and praise God with a voice of thanksgiving and praise. There was something very attractive to God about their praise and worship. As they were showing appreciation to Him for the building of the Temple, God responded by filling the House with His glory until the ministers couldn't even stand to minister because the cloud of glory filled the place. God showed up in a big way. We have a better Covenant and have the ability to experience the glory of the Lord in an even more profound manner then them.
Thanksgiving is a sound to be heard or verbalized! Something we are to do verbally; whether you say it, sing it or shout it, let it be heard! Some people say, "I have praise in my heart, I am grateful in my heart, but I am not emotional". It never comes out of their mouth. I would have to disagree with that idea. If it doesn't find a way out of the mouth, it isn't in the heart. ["Out of the abundance of the mouth…"] Thanksgiving isn't thanks until it is vocalized. If it isn't coming out of the mouth, either it isn't really there, or you have been, misinformed as how to best express it!
It is very important that we verbally declare our gratitude to God and to each other! Gratitude must be demonstrated vertically to God and horizontally to other people. You may have warm feeling about your family, and truly appreciate who they are and what they mean to you, but unless you tell them they will never know! [Will grow up feeling unloved.]
[Man to his wife-"I told you I loved you, if it changes I'll let you know."] Love isn't really love it is only emotions of fondness unless it is communicated! This is why flowers are not as important as words of kindness and candy can never replace kisses.
Faith without works is dead-real emotions and values must be expressed!
3. Next, Thankfulness can be expressed by our acknowledgement or testimony.
In Psalms 100:3, the Bible says to "Know ye that the Lord, He is God". The Hebrew word used here for know means not only to know, but to acknowledge and show. We have that assurance that the Lord is God, therefore we make the acknowledgement that the Lord, He is God.
I heard the story of a man who was a medical missionary for many years in India. He served in a region where there was progressive blindness. People were born with healthy vision, but there was something in that area that caused people to lose their sight as they matured." But this missionary had developed a process which would arrest progressive blindness. So people came to him & he performed his operation, & they would leave realizing that they would have become blind, but now they were going to be able to see for the rest of their lives. He said that they never said, "Thank you," because that phrase was not in their dialect. Instead, they spoke a word that meant, "I will tell your name." Wherever they went, they would tell the name of the missionary who had cured their blindness. They had received something so wonderful that they eagerly proclaimed it.
EXAMPLE: Remember the 10 lepers who were healed. Only one returned to give Jesus thanks. The Bible says that this one begin to glorify God and fell at the feet of Jesus to thank Him.
The Greek word for glorify means to "make glorious". He began to make the Lord glorious. That's what we should do, in our homes, on our jobs, and in our communities. Make the Lord glorious. This Thanksgiving, tell the name of the Lord, acknowledge what He has done in your life, and be thankful. Remember that God is good, remember that He is merciful and remember that God's truth endures.
4. Secondly, gratitude can be shown through acts of kindness or service.
Read Hebrews 13:15-16
15Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.
16Do not forget or neglect to do kindness and good, to be generous and distribute and contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (AMP)
Look at Psalm 100:2
"…Serve the LORD with gladness…"
"Serve the Lord with gladness." Serve-"Labor; do work; offer sacrifice." Covers everything from pulpit ministry to living a consecrated life unto the Lord.
Bartemaeus- when he was healed, the Bible says, "He followed Jesus in the way."
When God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh to release His people from Egypt's bondage, "God said let my people go that they may serve me…" The natural expression of a heart that has been freed is to serve God and others with gladness.
Joshua to Israel- Joshua 24-Reminds them of the goodness of God to them and then says in verse 14-18 "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." So the people answered and said: "Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for the Lord our God is He who brought us and our fathers up out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, who did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way that we went and among all the people through whom we passed. And the Lord drove out from before us all the people, including the Amorites who dwelt in the land. We also will serve the Lord, for He is our God."
However, in the next few years in the first chapters Judges, 2:10-11 "After that generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did what was evil in the Lord's sight and worshiped the images of Baal."
They forgot-you don't forget what you appreciate! When you are truly thankful you recall it and relive it over and over again. It is marked indelibly in your consciousness and memory!
In fact, each of us have been granted particular gifts and talents that are intended to show that grace and love of God by serving others. Only way to serve God is to serve people. {Jesus-"I was hungry and you didn't feed me, cold and you gave me no heat, in prison and you didn't visit me…'} ["This is pure religion undefiled… James 1: 27]
Gratitude is expressed through loving service.
Many want to serve God but only in an advisory capacity.
Some are willing to serve as long as it is in a glamorous position-need to be seen. Many can't just be part of the team, they always have to be the captain, they won't sit on the bench, they have to start! It isn't about serving God or other people; it is about them and their need to be recognized.
To them ministry is about privilege and position. Jesus said, "Whoever is greatest among you is the servant of all."
They have their reward-true gratitude is willing to serve in obscurity when nobody but God is looking-for Him!
Some of you have lost your passion, vitality and spark. I want to submit that it just might be because you are not serving. It is only as we serve, that we stay spiritually healthy. As we offer ourselves to God for service, God's light shines through us to others and they are blessed but we are refreshed and renewed as well!
It is impossible to maintain your zeal for God without serving others.
The moment we stop serving, we dry up. Serve God serve others as an expression of gratitude-"Lord you have been so good to me I have to help some one else!"
5. Gratitude can be shown through gifts and material support.
One of the most practical ways we can show thankfulness is by giving back a portion of what has been given to us. Even when it comes to tithing or honoring God with the first-fruits of all of our increase, it is and must always be an expression of gratitude.
The very first mention of tithing is in Genesis 14 where Abraham brings tithes to Melchizedek it was an act of appreciation for God's deliverance of his enemies into his hand. This wasn't a debt being paid or an obligation being fulfilled, but rather an expression of thankfulness to God.
In Acts 28, Paul and his companions were shipwrecked and stranded on the Isle of Melita. The indigenous people had shown kindness to them and helped them. The Chief leader on the Island had a named Publius who was sick with dysentery. Paul prayed for him and he was healed and others who were sick came and were healed as well. The very next verse says,
"They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." 28:10
They brought gifts to show appreciation for the grace of God revealed through Paul.
I realize some have exploited people's emotions, used something God did as an act of His grace, and prostituted the anointing to raise money and get people to give. We have all seen the manipulation and deception that has been used in the name of God to raise money. I know it sickens God more than me. But remember DON'T ONE BAD CLOWN SPOIL THE WHOLE PARADE! Don't allow one Bozo to ruin the joy of Christian generosity and the joy giving brings! It really is more blessed to give then it is to receive!
It ought to be natural to be a giver. Does any one here like to receive gifts? I love to!
6. Gratitude can be shown through prayer. II Timothy 1:16. This is a prayer overflowing out of Paul's heart to Timothy for the house of Onesiphorus. (Own a swif fer us)
"The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. 18 The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day--and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus."
Many were ashamed of Paul's suffering - They came to Rome and searched him out and blessed him. He was praying God's blessing upon them for their acts of kindness and love. It was the natural expression from a grateful heart to pray for the blessing to be returned to them.
Look at what Paul said in Ephesians Chapter 1 "15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…"
A heart of gratitude does not forget the acts of kindness and love it has been shown! One of the best ways to show appreciation is to pray for God to bless their sock off! Bless their kids, give them health, etc. Pray for those who bless you!
American Indian tradition seen in the western movies as a kid-if you save someone's life-they spend the rest of their life showing appreciation to you. How much appreciation does He deserve who has redeemed us from the power of sin and saved us from the penalty of hell. To Him be glory and honor and praises forever and forever
November 18th 2008
Thanksgiving Part II
Psalm 100
MAKE A joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
2. Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!
3. Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is 4. He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
5. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
6. For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations. (AMP)
I Thessalonians 5:18 "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Bible historians tell us that the 100 Psalm was sung when the thanksgiving sacrifice was offered in the Temple. It was written for the purpose of addressing the attitude of ingratitude. It was to remind the people that whether they had little or much they still had reasons to be thankful because everything they possessed was the result of the blessing of the Lord. It was kinda of like a "count your blessings" sort of song.
Each of us has a reason to be thankful. In fact I think it might be advisable from time to time to make a list of the good things God has done for us as a point of reference to remember just how blessed we really are. I also believe that such a list could prove valuable through out the remainder of the year for there will be times of adversity, troubles, problems and heartaches that we will face and it wouldn't hurt to periodically pull out our list and review all the things for which we are thankful.
The phrases "…enter His gates with thanksgiving…be thankful unto Him and bless His name…" are in what is referred to as the imperative sense, meaning it is a command, not an option. The same is true of the passage in I Thessalonians 5. Which means we can choose either to be thankful or unthankful. It has nothing to do with our current condition, situations or circumstances. It is a matter of the heart. It is a choice to appreciate the good that God has caused to manifest in my life. We can either be unappreciative, and ungrateful or we can choose to honor God and be appreciative and grateful. THE CHOICE IS OURS!
Last week we talked about what Thanksgiving means. The word thanksgiving means to "confess your appreciation; to praise or acknowledge verbally your gratitude." God knows our heart but He wants to hear our mouths express praise and appreciation for all He has given us. In fact in the Hebrew language there is no particular word for "Thank you." The word is always used as explanation-meaning offer praise as your expression of thanks. In the Greek the word is charis and is directly related to the word for grace, meaning it is the appropriate response to God's grace in our lives.
Thanksgiving is an acknowledgement that everything good in my life thing comes from God that results in an attitude of gratitude and appreciation, which is expressed by actions.
The actions are: Praises- Thanksgiving is a sound to be heard or verbalized! Something we are to do verbally; whether you say it, sing it or shout it, let it be heard! You see our verbal praise is also a declaration to others of the wonderful works of God. In Psalms 100:3, the Bible says to "Know ye that the Lord, He is God". The Hebrew word used here for know means not only to know for yourself, but to also acknowledge and show. Because we who have bee redeemed have that assurance that the Lord is the only true and living God acknowledge it and make sure others know as well!
I heard the story of a man who was a medical missionary for many years in India. He served in a region where there was progressive blindness. People were born with healthy vision, but there was something in that area that caused people to lose their sight as they matured." But this missionary had developed a process which would arrest progressive blindness. So people came to him & he performed his operation, & they would leave realizing that they would have become blind, but now they were going to be able to see for the rest of their lives. He said that they never said, "Thank you," because that phrase was not in their dialect. Instead, they spoke a word that meant, "I will tell your name." Wherever they went, they would tell the name of the missionary who had cured their blindness. They had received something so wonderful that they eagerly proclaimed it.
EXAMPLE: remember the 10 lepers who were cleansed? One realizing he was healed returned to give thanks and to"glorify God."
Your testimony is the greatest witness of His love, power and goodness. The Greek word translated as glorify means to "make glorious." He began to make the Lord glorious. That's what we should do, in our homes, on our jobs, and in our communities. Make the Lord glorious. This Thanksgiving, tell the name of the Lord, acknowledge what He has done in your life, and be thankful. Remember that God is good, remember that He is merciful and remember that God's truth endures. YOU DON'T KNOW WHO IS LISTENING AND WHO NEEDS TO KOW HOW GOOD HE IS!
Four times in this short psalm, the Lord is mentioned. Just scan the Psalm. In vs. 1 you'll find the name of the Lord. In vs. 2 you'll find the name of the Lord. In vs. 3 you'll find the name of the Lord. And in vs. 5 you'll find the name of the Lord. David wanted it clear that God was the source of his help and the one deserving of the glory and praise.
The next action of thanksgiving is service: Psalm 100:2 "…Serve the LORD with gladness…"
"Serve the Lord with gladness." Serve-"Labor; do work; offer sacrifice." Covers everything from pulpit ministry to living a consecrated life unto the Lord. Only way to serve God is to serve people. {Jesus-"I was hungry and you didn't feed me, cold and you gave me no heat, in prison and you didn't visit me…'} ["This is pure religion undefiled… James 1: 27]
Gratitude is expressed through loving service. Some are willing to serve as long as it is in a glamorous position-they have the need to be seen. Many can't just be part of the team, they always have to be the captain, they won't sit on the bench, they have to start! It isn't about serving God or other people; it is about them and their need to be recognized.
To them ministry is about privilege and position. Jesus said, "Whoever is greatest among you is the servant of all." They have their reward but true gratitude is willing to serve in obscurity when nobody but God is looking-for Him!
The third action of thankfulness is shown through the giving of gifts and material support.
One of the most practical ways we can show thankfulness is by giving back a portion of what has been given to us. Even when it comes to tithing or honoring God with the first-fruits of all of our increase, it is and must always be an expression of gratitude.
The very first mention of tithing is in Genesis 14 where Abraham brings tithes to Melchizedek it was an act of appreciation for God's deliverance of his enemies into his hand. This wasn't a debt being paid or an obligation being fulfilled, but rather an expression of thankfulness to God.
In Acts 28, Paul and his companions were shipwrecked and stranded on the Isle of Melita. The indigenous people had shown kindness to them and helped them. The Chief leader on the Island had a named Publius who was sick with dysentery. Paul prayed for him and he was healed and others who were sick came and were healed as well. The very next verse says,
"They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary." 28:10
They brought gifts to show appreciation for the grace of God revealed through Paul.
I realize some have exploited people's emotions, used something God did as an act of His grace, and prostituted the anointing to raise money and get people to give. We have all seen the manipulation and deception that has been used in the name of God to raise money. I know it sickens God more than me. But remember DON'T ONE BAD CLOWN SPOIL THE WHOLE PARADE! Don't allow one Bozo to ruin the joy of Christian generosity and the joy giving brings! It really is more blessed to give then it is to receive!
It ought to be natural to be a giver. Does any one here like to receive gifts? I love to!
The Psalmist gives us 3 incentives or RASONS to be thankful: Because the Lord is good; secondly His mercy is everlasting and finally, His truth endures to all generations.
A. David the psalmist states very clearly, the Lord is good. There are a lot of things that I don't know about God. I can't tell you what He looks like, but I do know that God is good. The very nature of God's character is good. The way He deals with mankind and especially His children is good! In fact Psalm 103:13 tells us "…As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him…"
The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him…" (NLT)
If you will note at the beginning of this psalm, you will see that it is addressed to not just the nation of Israel, but to all lands. All lands, and all people, need to be reminded of the Lord's goodness. Every person here today, saved or lost has been touched by the goodness of almighty God and owe Him thanksgiving.
The Hebrew word translated good is "friendly, pleasant, gracious, wealthy, prosperous, generous, becoming (revealing Himself as) better;" The idea is that God is easily approached, quick to forgive, kind and loving, full of resources and willing to extend them to those who are in His favor. It also indicates that as one walks with Him God progressively revels Himself as better and better. Not that God changes, for He does not, but our understanding of His goodness increases as well as our capacity to receive His goodness.
You might say, "Well pastor, you just don't know what I'm going through right now!" That's why its important to see what the author of this psalm is stating. He did not say that the Lord feels good today, he did not say that the Lord is acting good, or behaving good or in a good mood. It said the Lord is good, stating that God's nature is good. This is important, because life is filled with changes, our plans change, our circumstances change, but we know that God does not change in His nature. If He was good yesterday, He is good today, and if He is good today, He will be good tomorrow as well. God's goodness is completely independent of my circumstances. Even when life is bad God is good!
I recently read of a great missionary, Allen Gardiner, who experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service to the Lord. Despite his troubles, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, "I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God."
He understood this great truth, God is good. We should be thankful for the Lord is good, always good to us.
This means we must learn to be joyful and thankful whether we feel like it or not. Otherwise, the door is opened for more problems then we can deal with. Negative circumstances are not acceptable reasons for ingratitude. They are excuses but not reasons!
Remember what I said last week…even on the worst day of your life-you are still saved, healed, blessed, on your way to heaven…rejoice because God is good! Regardless of where you are living, or wearing…if you came here on the bus, or drove a BMW give God thanks. Most people take for granted what they have excess of…Food, car, clothes, family, home, job, etc. We have sufficient reasons to be thankful! It has nothing to do with our current condition, situations or circumstances. It is a matter of the heart. It is a choice to appreciate the good that God has caused to manifest in my life.
B. Next, give thanks because His mercy is everlasting. How many times have we failed God and yet God is still good to us? Why? Because of His mercy!
Mercy-"loving-kindness-covenant love, to get inside someone's skin, to look at where they view life and feel what they are experiencing. But it also meant to move in and act on behalf of the one whose hurting." Mercy is not simply the withholding of punishment, but it is the act of giving help or having compassion on someone who is afflicted. Does God get so angry when we fail Him that the heavens shake and the ground opens up and shallows us? Of course not! Why doesn't that happen? Simply because the Lord is also merciful. A "being" who dispenses justice may well be feared and even worshipped, but he will also be dreaded and unloved. If we are to have security and happiness in the Lord, we must know Him as being more than a God of justice, we must also know Him as a God of mercy. His fountain of mercy never runs dry. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)
The Hebrew word used here is the word "checed" mercy, loving-kindness, or faithful. Many Bible scholars see in this word, not only God's mercy, but the reason for His mercy, simply this fact, God loves you and me. It is the word that describes the love extended towards those involved in COVENANT!
Psalm 107:8 declares… "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
At least five times in Psalm 107 alone, we are exhorted to give thanks, and to praise God for His GOODNESS. There are primarily two Hebrew words translated "goodness", in the Old Testament. One of them is "tuwb" (pronounced toob), and it refers to gladness, joy, welfare, or beauty, i.e. ("He is good…") The other word is this word "checed" (pronounced kheh'sed). This is the word in Psalm 107... "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his 'goodness".
God is the source of both. As a matter-of-fact, both words are in one very familiar line of scripture... "Surely goodness (tuwb) and mercy (checed) shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." (Psalm 23:6)
It is this goodness (mercy), for which we come "boldly unto the throne of grace" to obtain (along with grace), to help us in a time of need. God wants to help you out of your trial. He is not the giver of trials, He is the giver of mercy and grace — goodness, in other words. And His expressed intention is to deliver you in your time of need. This beloved is reason enough to be thankful. There is a place of refuge and help in the time of trouble. No matter how bad things seem-His mercy is holding back the forces of judgment and His grace and goodness is extending blessing and aid! WOW!
EXPLAIN! Even when you tried to fail He wouldn't let you-we ran He chased us; hid-He found us; He found a vagabond and a beggar and made a son out of him. [My personal testimoney-He found me-stuttered so badly I couldn't be understood, shy and introverted, full of rejection and low self esteem-loved me into His purpose-I owe it all to Him]
C. Finally the psalmist mentions one other enduring reason for giving God thanks and that is for His enduring, unchanging truth. His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 119:160 states, "…the entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever."
I Peter 1:24 adds, "The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the LORD endures forever."
Why is that important and why should we be thankful for that? Simply for this reason; His truth that was so real to the early Christians and gave them solutions to life's struggles and infused them with the power to overcome is the same truth that exists today and will help us in our walk with the Lord. His promises are dependable and trustworthy. HIS WORD DOES NOT CHANGE! He promises to give provision for us and so He will, He promises to keep us in His care and so He does, He promises to forgive me and so He does, and He promises to be with me and so He is. What He did He does and what He does He always will do!
This is why Paul told us in II Corinthains 4:18 "…do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." What are those things? One of them is the Word of the Lord!
The good news is you can go the Word and find a promise that is truth regardless of what the circumstance are. When you make the decision to believe it, because the truth endures, or does not change then my contrary situations must come in line with the word of the Lord.
What a security to know that you can build your marriage, family, finances, and future on the word of the Lord which abides forever unshaken and unmoved. It endures the winds of change, outlast opposing circumstances and situations, stands the test of time and will forever endure for it is settled in heaven!
Lets read Romans 4:17(as it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations") in the presence of Him whom he believed--God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform…"
To walk in the miraculous, you must agree with God. Verse 17, "(As it is written, 'I have made you a father of many nations') in the presence of Him whom he believed – God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." When God called this barren man the "father of many nations," he had a choice. He could either agree with God, begin to call himself "Abraham-father of many" and keep walking with God, even though it contradicted his current experience or he could evaluate his situation, consider what he could understand with his five physical senses, and reply, "God, I don't see how that could happen and until I see children, It's not logical to me. I can't agree with you." Had he done that he would have missed out on the promise.
However, the Bible says, in verse 18; "…who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, 'So shall your descendants be.'"
Notice the statement… "Who contrary to hope, in hope…" He had no hope in the natural, but he still had hope. He had supernatural hope, because Abraham's hope wasn't founded on an empty wish, it was founded on the promise of a God who cannot lie! Read the rest of the passage…"Who contrary to hope, in hope believed so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." His hope was based upon what was "spoken" not what was seen!
Verse 19, "And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body already dead, (since he was about a hundred years old) and the deadness of Sarah's womb."
Abraham was not weak in faith because he did not consider the circumstances. Now, you already know the circumstances; that's why you have to look at the truth which endures!
Don't meditate on the negative situation. Don't focus on your problems. Now, I'm not saying that we deny the circumstances; what I'm saying is, we don't have to focus on them.
You don't have to focus on the disease. You don't have to focus on the lack. Focus on the word of the Lord!
He did not consider the situation that he was a hundred years old and his wife was barren. Think about this for a moment…
He was married to an old woman who couldn't have kids even when she was young. He knew that; but he didn't focus on that. He didn't deny it; but he didn't focus on that. He instead decided to allow the promise of God to give him a "joyful expectation" of a son! When doubt, fear and unbelief tried to sway him and cause him to weaver, he maintained his position of faith; "…He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith giving glory to God."(verse 20) Here's the key… the key to remaining strong in faith, the key to not wavering… the key to not considering the circumstances is to meditate on God as He is revealed in His Word and give glory to God. Offer praise to God regardless of what you see.
Abraham was named father before he became a father. He allowed his hope to become faith and received the fulfillment. I ask you this question, "What has God named you?" Has He named you prosperous? And yet you're just trying to hold on to Whopper Tuesday and kids eat free on Thursday, because you just don't hardly have enough to survive? Hear me friend… He's named you prosperous. Has He named you healed, though your body be wracked with pain? See, you're going to have to decide whether you're going to agree with God or with the circumstances and situation.
They key to becoming what the truth declares you to be is thanksgiving…I thank you Lord that I am what you say I am. This is how you become it!
JUNE 16th
Due to the request of so many I am re-posting my sermons notes from June 16th as requested. Please understand that there are typos and grammatical eTH errors.
The Generational Blessing
Let's look at Deuteronomy 30:19;
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
Open your Bibles to Deuteronomy 30 and allow me to make a few comments before I read.
Have you ever sneezed and someone said, "God bless you?" The answer of course is a resounding, "Yes!" And yet most of the people who say it don't even know what it means. A little history on this may help. According to the most accurate accounts, Pope Gregory I, who became Pope in 590 AD as an outbreak of the bubonic plague was reaching Rome, ordered unending prayer and parades of chanters through the streets. At the time, sneezing was thought to be an early symptom of the plague. The blessing ("God bless you!") became a common effort to halt the disease. Also, during the Dark Ages, there was a superstition that claimed that when one sneezed, they were very close to death and demons could enter them at that time and the blessing as a shield of protection. So, to protect their friends and family members from death, disease and demons, they would say, "God bless you!" Today I want to continue my thought from last week on breaking the cycle of dysfunction and releasing the generational blessing.
Today I want to talk about the blessing. The word blessing means, "empower to prosper or succeed; to become an instrument of God through whom divine favor flows; being placed in a position which allows you to prevent misfortune in the lives of other; to receive as a gift the power to be successful."
When the blessing is pronounced, it means, "the impartation of the supernatural power of God into a human life resulting in the power to prosper and succeed; it means for things to turn out right even when they don't go right; it is also the idea of bowing before God and accepting His presence and favor upon all you do as a way of praising and honoring Him." It includes, authority, dominion, influence, wealth and whatever else is necessary for success. The implications from scriptural references also indicate that blessing is essentially the abiding presence of God upon a person's life resulting in good things to happening. The Bible says that God takes pleasure in the prosperity or success of His servants!
From the beginning when God created Adam and Eve the Bible says,
"Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
29 And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.
30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. (Genesis 1:28)
This was His original plan for man; to be blessed, to walk in divine favor, to prosper, to be fruitful in life and career choices, to be successful and not fail, to be in charge, or have dominion over the earth's resources and for that blessing to continue to his seed. This wasn't just for them but for their children, and offspring. It was to continue to each generation, revealing the true nature of God for all His children to be blessed.
However when Adam sinned the Bible tells us in Romans 5:12; "…Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned…"
Adam, as the fountainhead of mankind passed a curse down to all men. To sin is natural. A child doesn't have to be taught to lie or steal or to be selfish; they are born with the natural instinct to be sinners. [Just take away the cookie and you'll see] One of the basics tenets of reformed theology is the belief that "all human beings are born with a sinful nature and upon reaching the age of moral responsibility became aware they are sinners in thought, word and deed." There is no depth that mankind will not sink to except for the intervention of God's amazing grace. Just this past week in Kansas City a beautiful 18-year-old girl, who loved God and had a great future ahead of her, went to Target to buy a gift for her boyfriend and was brutally murdered for no reason other than human depravity. History has proven that a man will sacrifice his own children upon an altar of a pagan god, eat another person's flesh, brutally kill and pillage without remorse or restraint. There is no end to human decadence without the safety net of God's love.
Man cannot be reformed until his nature is transformed by the power of the seed of God's Word. This is what we call being "born-again." When a person is born-again, they are given a fresh start, a clean slate and power to overcome the power of sin. This doesn't mean that the presence of sin is gone, but that the power of sin to dominate and control is broken and mankind is free to choose to follow God and not practice sin!
There is not only the curse of sin in the earth but as we learned last week there are certain types of sin that may tend to be more common in certain family-lines because of something called "Generational Curses."
Last week we looked at a passage in Exodus 34:4-7, today I want to read a similar passage from Exodus 20:4-6 out of the Amplified Bible
4You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 6But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Last week we learned that a generational curse could be passed down because of the iniquities committed by the fathers. Those who "hate God"- or literally "reject and disregard the godly principles for life"" can pass down harmful traits to their children and future generations.
Explain iniquity. Iniquity is "to twist, bend or distort; to do perversely; a sin committed until it becomes a habit (stronghold)." The idea is that this sin is committed over and over again until it becomes a force of control creating a weakness toward a particular act" -The consequences are generational curses. Remember that whatever we fail to conquer will conquer us. Saul-told to kill the Amalekites. He failed to do so and he and his sons were all killed by Philistines and Amalekites.
A generational curse is a cycle of dysfunction that comes on a family and continues from generation to generation. Misfortunes of the same kind or another keep happening repeatedly. It can include destructive personality traits and behavior patterns, addictions, suicidal tendencies, such as multiple premature deaths, mental disorders, infertility, depression, anger and other limiting behavior patterns that can be traced back through a person's family history. How often have we heard the saying, "It runs in the family?"
Once these doors are opened the devil is given an opportunity to work within a family bloodline and to visit these bondages generation after generation often times with great success. This is why many sins and dysfunctions continue in families for many decades.
Let me talk to you about the difference between a blessing and a curse. A curse is really a malediction. Malediction. M-A-L, mal, means bad. And diction is something spoken in a certain style or tone. So, a curse really is a malediction. It is bad words spoken towards you. A generational curse is literally when evil clings to you and just won't let go.
I do not believe that the devil has the power or ability to force ANY BEHAVIOR PATTERN ON ANYONE WITHOUT THEIR CO-OPERATION! I believe "Generational curses" are tendencies, predispositions, inclinations, bents, or susceptibilities. They are propensities but not prophecies over a person's life. I believe God gives each of us the power to choose which way we are going to live, after the curse or the blessing.
v These "propensities" are passed on three ways:
1. Physiological- genetically passed down-heart disease, weight problems, high blood pressure, etc.
2. Paranormal-Spiritual-"supernatural"- ministering spirits drawn to person-good and bad! Satan is a master of illusions. His entire plan depends upon his ability to deceive-get us to believe a lie. His aggression is carefully planned and strategically thought out, based upon his exhaustive knowledge of our "family history." He knows your weaknesses, strengths, propensities, and "secret sins"
Peter-"Satan has desired to have you." [Scouted you, evaluated your strengths and weaknesses and thinks he can take you, so he has officially requested permission for the opportunity to try.]
Mark 9:14-21 as an example. In that passage we are told of a child who was demonized since his earliest years. I submit that since this child did not, by his direct disobedience to God, or participation in occultic activities, open his life to demonic influence, there must have been some kind of a generational transfer. This is the exception not the rule.
3. Psychological-mind set; philosophy of life, a paradigm. A way of thinking is developed that controls causes the failures of past family member to be repeated.
Most of the time it is "learned behavior." People repeat what is modeled for them. They develop a mentality that controls their life. It is a curse, or a cycle of dysfunction that is the result of "bad thinking."
Look at Israel- Numbers 11:5-6 An entire generation died in the wilderness because they couldn't break the victim mentality. Their bodies were free but their minds were still bound. They were never able to bring closure to their past. They remembered fondly the hand of the slave master to the point that they were willing to leave the border of the Promised Land for garlic.
It is easy to get stuck in a "welfare system" where a person isn't trying to get out, but is just looking for support systems to sustain it. God tried to close the door-Red Sea- Pharaoh and his army dead-did miracles, signs and wonders, water, manna, heal their sick, their clothes lasted 40 years, shoes didn't wear out, and etc. but He couldn't get Egypt out of their minds. They had a mindset of co-dependency to the point that even when they were independent and couldn't cope. The result was they complained during the most miraculous period in history!
Generational dysfunction causes a person to live as though he is trapped in a repetition of negative circumstances that he cannot break.
Movie-"Groundhog Day" - Bill Murray- 1993 movie about a weatherman caught in a personal time warp on the worst day of his life. He wakes to find it is Groundhog Day over and over again until he gets it right
Most of us can, to some degree or other relate. We are stuck in a Groundhog Day situation. Marriages-divorce, then remarry same type of person; make the same bad job or career choices; weekly practice poor money management, etc. When you have accepted the label of a victim, a special needs person, or a failure you begin to perceive life through eyes of defeat. You see things and interpret events through the filter of your past pain and respond today to something that happened years ago. You send out a signal that you are a victim and so don't be surprised of you draw people who specialize in capitalizing on your victimization.
EXAMPLES: Business, relationships, etc.-"help me syndrome"-beg, borrow, steal, win lottery- always find their way back into the same situation. Like a pig looking for mud!]
o Most people in this situation think it's because they don't make enough money. But as soon as they begin to make more they soon realize they are still broke. They go from $35,000-$50,000 one year-still broke. It is not the lack of money, it is the poor management. There are people who make same or less and live better!
What ends up happening is people create their own hell and then scream in the flames of their personal torment!
The 21-century has become the era of the victim! Everyone is a victim! Race, gender, economic status, education, sexual ordination, over weight fighting for bigger seats. Has become an epidemic in our society. Our society trains people to become powerless to overcome the challenges of life. We have produced a generation who wants everything for nothing. They think just because they get out of bed in the morning and breathe oxygen they deserve the "finer things in life." They want, and think they deserve at 20 what their mom and dad had to work 40 years to have. If they don't get it, they scream and pout and find someone who will console them and help them spew hate upon those who have what they want. After all, if they have it and I don't' they must have done something wrong to get it. Therefore someone should take it from them and give it to me!
This has produced an entire political philosophy. This is called the politics of "class-envy," the rich against the poor and poor against the rich. John Edwards-"Two Americas Campaign Theme" all the while he is living in a 9 million dollar home!
It can be cultural-"I'm like this because you won't help me. They won't give me the loan"-Mad because you can't borrow money yet you owe your mother and the last 15 people you talked to. "They won't hire me because I'm black, a white male, Hispanic, from the south…" No its probably because you're either lazy, late for the interview, can't speak the language, your hair is uncombed, you're improperly dressed or just unqualified! I've had businessmen in our church tell me they have folks come for job interviews looking like they just got out of bed.
It destroys relationships. Marriage, which is meant to be a covenant of sharing becomes a means of selfish indulgence- "ALL ABOUT ME." One of the worse sins is selfishness. It is the root of all types evil. It destroys all everything it touches. The kids watch and learn to repeat the same pattern"I'm like this because Dad didn't come to my football games," etc. The cycle continues.
Come to church-only role you know how to play is the role of the victim-first time something goes wrong-"Here we go again; Everyone in this church is talking about me! (everyone?) I'm leaving this church" They always seem to focus on the negative-"The music is too loud; that woman dances too much; preaching too long."
RESULTS: won't trust; won't give; won't serve-just complain! I am surprised at how quickly they forget about Word, the miracles, the blessings, etc. they are now the victim and so nothing is right!
Remember we can either part of the problem or part of the solution depending upon where we are in our journey out of the victim mentality. When we grow up, mature and get healed, when God comforts us and empowers us, things that used to bother us won't bother us anymore! We will begin to see things differently!
Each of us is passing something along to our future Either be a blessing or a curse. We will either leave our world better or worse but we won't leave it unaffected!
We must face generational strongholds head-on. If we don't, they can remain almost unrecognizable—but they don't remain benign. Family strongholds continue to be the seedbed for all sorts of destructive behavior. Oftentimes we've grown up with these chains and they feel completely natural. We consider them part of our personality rather than a strangling yoke. Thankfully we have the option of accepting them or rejecting them.
Thank God, as we learned last week Jesus redeemed us from the curse by dying on the cross. We now have the power to live free! The Bible gives us numerous accounts of people like Jabez, Rahab, and Ruth who said "Enough!" and stopped the cures and established a lineage of blessing! The blood of the Lamb has broken the power of sin and we can walk in liberty! So, in reality, there are NO REASONS FOR REMAINING IN A CYCLE OF DYSFUNCTION-ONLY EXCUSES!
Today, I want to spend the rest of our time focusing on the blessing.
Let's look at Deuteronomy 30:19;
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 20 that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them."
Our choices will not only affect us but they will also affect our children and our future generations. The choices we make to come to church, read our Bibles, serve God, pray, be faithful, tithe, forgive and so forth, affect our children and have a residual effect upon our bloodline as well. Certainly, if bad choices, habits, and lifestyle decisions affect out future generation, then good ones do as well. This is called the "anti-type." The question is, what will we pass down? The blessing or the curse? Will my seed be withdraw from my deposit of goodness or sinfulness? Will we make it easier or more difficult for our children to serve God? This is the decision we each must make.
Deuteronomy 5:9
9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
In all three places where God addresses this idea of generational curses, He also, contrasts the visitation of curses with the availability of more than sufficient grace. Notice sin is passed down 3-4 generations, while mercy is to 1000's of generations. We can cause God to be merciful to our bloodline by loving Him and serving Him with our whole heart.
Romans 5:20 tells us, "...but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound…" The Amplified says, "But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and super abounded…"
Norvel Hayes once said, "When sin shows up in a Volkswagen, grace shows up in a Greyhound Bus."
Now let's highlight a few points here:
1. To be blessed is "to receive as a gift the power of God to be successful; for things to turn out right; even when things go wrong, they turn out right…"
2. Secondly, the Father promised that His blessings would be manifested in every area of life, spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, and relational. In fact Psalm promises "wealth and riches…" and Proverbs 10:22 says, "…The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and He adds no sorrow with it…" (NLT)
In Psalm 31:19 the writer says to God, "Your goodness is so great, You have stored up great blessings for those who honor You. You have done so much for me, those who come to You for protection, blessing them while the whole world watches."
In 3 John the Apostle declares, "…I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
Psalm 112 defines the term "blessing" a little more clearly for us;
Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. 2 His descendants will be mighty [leaders] on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. 3 Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. 4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5 A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. 7 He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 8 His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. 9 He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. 10 The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Notice how the blessing of the Lord affects every part of his life. He is steadfast, he walks in holiness, he has money, he is generous, his children are blessed, his decisions are directed by God, his enemies can't touch him, he effects the lives of others by giving to them out of his abundance. His children continue the legacy by becoming mighty-"leaders" in marketplace, in business, marriage, culture and society; they are world changers, influencers, etc.
3. Next, notice that this is generational. God's desire has always been for it to increase from generation to generation.
In fact every time God ever entered into covenant with a person or nation He repeated His promise of blessing to the children and descendants.
Look at Noah, in Genesis 9:1 God enters into covenant with him and the Bible says, "So God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them: "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…" In Genesis 12 God chooses Abram to establish a lineage through which the Messiah will come. Look at Genesis 12:3
3And I will bless those who bless you [who confer prosperity or happiness upon you] and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed [and by you they will bless themselves].
When the Mosaic Covenant was given at Sinai God promised the same thing to Israel. Look at Deuteronomy 28:1-6
1"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2 You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God: 3 Your towns and your fields will be blessed. 4 Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. 5 Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed.
6 Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
In the New Covenant God promises the same thing. Look at Ephesians 1:3 referring to the provisions of the New Covenant Paul writes, "…Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…"
You see, ultimately God's plan is for every FAMILY in the earth to be blessed. So this couldn't just be for a select few. It didn't end with Abraham. He passed it on to his seed, Isaac, who passed it on to Jacob, who passed it on to his 11 sons just the 2 sons of Joseph.
Throughout the Scriptures the phrase "the God, Isaac and Jacob" is mentioned at least 16 times. There is a reason. It establishes a trend, pattern, sequence or a model.
Let me give you an example: If I give you the numbers 5 and 10 and then ask you to guess the next number in the sequence, it would be impossible. Why? Because without the third number it doesn't establish a sequence or pattern. It could be 15 or 20 depending on whether you add 5 or double it. But, if I give you 5,10, & 15, and then ask you to continue the sequence you can easily determine the numbers to be 20, 25, and 30,35 and so forth into infinity. So, when Paul says the "blessing of Abraham" he is referring to the blessing of Genesis 12 that was passed to Isaac, to Jacob to his 10 sons plus the sons of Joseph and then on to us. Wherever you are in the sequence, the blessing is the same as it was in the beginning!
In the New Testament Paul writes to the Pastor of the church at Ephesus, the strongest church of the first-century. It had more than 35,000 members. However, Timothy was discouraged and Paul is trying to encourage him to press on. In II Timothy 1:5 Paul writes, Timothy, "… I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."
Now notice this faith was first in the grandmother, then the mother and in Timothy as well. This is generational blessing.
Why is this so important?
His will has never changed. In fact in the New Testament, the Bible clearly states that we are ordained for blessing.
Look at Acts 3:26,
"To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."
So, it is clearly the desire of God to bless His people, to empower them to succeed and prosper and flourish in life. Failure, pain, heartache and misfortune were the consequences of sin, not the original purpose of the Father.
Now go to Galatians 3 and let's look at verse 13 in the Amplified Bible.
13Christ purchased our freedom [redeeming us] from the curse (doom) of the Law [and its condemnation] by [Himself] becoming a curse for us, for it is written [in the Scriptures], Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified);
14To the end that through [their receiving] Christ Jesus, the blessing [promised] to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might [all] receive [the realization of] the promise of the [Holy] Spirit.
Verse 28:
28There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ [are in Him Who is Abraham's Seed], then you are Abraham's offspring and [spiritual] heirs according to promise.
Paul is telling us that everyone who is in Christ, is Abraham's seed and an heir of the promises and covenant of blessing God made to him.
Every one of us has the promise of blessing upon our seed. So how do we release it?
1. Choose it. Remember the passage in Deuteronomy 30:19? God gives us the choice to either choose life or death, blessing or cursing. Regardless of your past, you have the power to undue the bad and start a new trend of blessing. Be like Joshua who boldly said, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord…" Today determine that you will break the cycle of bitterness, pain, sin and dysfunction and establish cycle of kindness, joy, righteousness and success. Choose it!
My parents are prime examples of making a choice to end the pain and establish a blessing.
2. Do it. Ephesians 5:1-2 in the Message says, "Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that…" He then goes on to instruct them to walk in holiness and purity. The point is-your children are watching. They learn proper and I might add improper behavior from their parents. Whatever you value, demonstrate it. WHAT YOU DESIRE TO SEE IN THEM, ALLOW THEM TO SEE IN YOU. Do you desire to see Strength, diligence, discipline, kindness, a servant's heart, a love for the things of God, consistency, patience, generosity, faithfulness and such in them? Then let them see it in you.
One of the real problems is, most of us want them to be what we are not. Far too many want to model destructive habits and expect good lifestyles. As much as your children are influenced by their peers, they are more influenced by their parents. It does matter where you go to church, whether you tithe, what you say about others, how loyal and dependable you are, because they are learning. What you are is being passed down.
3. Speak it. Jacob spoke blessing to His children. [Benoni-"Son of my sorrow; Benjamin-"Son of my right hand-favor and pleasure." Genesis 35:16-20] Words spoken by God or someone in spiritual authority set in motion a force of blessing or cursing that will continue from generation to generation until it is supernaturally interrupted.
Words have power, and power has effect. Words are containers. They either contain life-giving power, or death bringing power. Positive words have the capacity to convey God's blessing, healing, joy, confidence, and peace. Negative words have the capability of bringing emotional, spiritual, and even physical pain and even death. Parent, you need to lay your hands on your children and speak healing into their mind and body. Speak confidence, success, love, joy, and peace. Shape their lives through the power of the blessing!
Look at this passage in Psalm 109 for a moment: "He loved to pronounce a curse may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing may it be far from him. He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil (Ps 109:1718)."
This verse is referring to the time King David was fleeing for his life and Shimei threw stones at him and cursed him. (2 Sam. 16:512.) In this Psalm David shows us that there is power released in words. He suggests to us that those who curse usually suffer the same fate as their curses. Parents who bless tend to enjoy the same results as the blessing they give. CURSING is the opposite of BLESSING.
We have all heard and felt Degrading, Derisive, Derogatory, Destructive, Displeasing and Disapproving words and looks. That's cursing. I have had men say to me, "I never measured up to Dad's standard. I can't remember ever hearing my dad praise me." All they ever got was the deadly dose of curse words. Your child's future is influenced by the praise you give today.
The opposite of curse means to bless. I Peter 3:8
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
9Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection]. (AMP)
We need to bless our children with the words of Acceptance, Affection, Appreciation, Approval and Attention. "Bless and curse not." What does that mean? When you curse, you tear down, speak negatively and critically. When you bless you speak pleasing, pleasant and profitable words.
If you speak curse, curse shall come. "You are snared by the words coming out of your mouth (Proverbs. 6:2)." If you speak blessing, blessing will come. We can see that words play a dominant role in shaping the character and destiny of human beings. Words are the most powerful, potent force on the face of the earth. Everything that is came into being from nothing that was except His words-"...and God said..." The entire universe changed. It is time to speak into the darkness in your marriage and command light, into the brokenness and call forth wholeness, into the chaos and call order, into the barrenness
and call forth fruitfulness!
Our children need to hear: "Jimmy, I thank God that you are part of our family" Those are wonderful words of ACCEPTANCE to my son. "Gabby, I love you," sincere words of AFFECTION that give my baby security. "Andrew, thank you so much for bringing me the remote." Words of APPRECIATION ascribe value and worth to your child. "Joy, you handled that difficult situation with wisdom." Encouraging words of APPROVAL that give your child confidence and credibility. "Kids, I've been noticing your positive attitude about redoing the yard (Ya right!)." words that tell them you've been paying ATTENTION.
Fight for your children-Keep depression, lust, and addictions off them. They belong to God, so don't let the devil have them.
4. Continue it. Remember that when you choose righteousness you make a deposit that your children can withdraw from. Look at Psalm 89:28-36
28I will love him and be kind to him forever;
my covenant with him will never end.
29 I will preserve an heir for him;
his throne will be as endless as the days of heaven.
30 But if his descendants forsake my instructions
and fail to obey my regulations,
31 if they do not obey my decrees
and fail to keep my commands,
32 then I will punish their sin with the rod,
and their disobedience with beating.
33 But I will never stop loving him
nor fail to keep my promise to him.
34 No, I will not break my covenant;
I will not take back a single word I said.
35 I have sworn an oath to David,
and in my holiness I cannot lie:
36 His dynasty will go on forever;
his kingdom will endure as the sun.
Later on this proved to be the protection of the seed of David. Read II Kings 8:18-19 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as did the house of Ahab: for the daughter of Ahab was his wife: and he did evil in the sight of the LORD. 19Yet the LORD would not destroy Judah for David his servant's sake, as he promised him to give him always a light, and to his children.
II Kings 19:34 Hezekiah was in trouble and called on God. God replied, 34 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.'"
Every time I choose to remain faithful, refuse to church hop, work through problems, read my Bible, pray, give, serve, love, bridle my tongue, do what is right, I am depositing mercy in my children's account and one day when they are in trouble they can call and God will deliver them because I passed on generational blessing!