In God We Trust

at least 85% of us do!


I received an e-mail from Carlotta Brown telling me NBC was doing an informal survey to see if "In God We Trust" should be removed from U.S. currency. I voted on February 11th, 2009 at approximately 2:00 PM and there were 11,107,521 people who had voted at that time. Seemed to me that there were a large number of people polled.

Below are the results

Should the motto "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. currency?

11107521 responses

Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state. 15%

No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion. 85%

If you'd like your vote to be heard please click here

Jubilee Family Church

Discipleship

If you'd like to watch the video you can also click here.

How God uses people to change lives for the better.

David and his Disciples
The Disciples before they caught David’s Spirit.
1 Samuel 22:1
1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. When his brothers and his father's household heard about it, they went down to him there. 2 All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him.

Who does David’s leadership anointing attract?
People just like him.

David’s background
He’s fleeing from Saul who’s determined to kill him because his family line is going to be cut of from the kingdom and David is in line to inherit the kingship instead of Jonathan, his son.
He just finishes pretending being insane in front of Achish the king of Gath because Achish’s heard about David’s reputation of killing 10’s of thousands.

The 400 “D” people
1. Distress
2. Debt
3. Discontent

The People God’s sending you may be less than desirable in your opinion, however if you have the presence of God in you perhaps God is sending them to you so you can minister life where there had been death? Hope where there had been hopelessness. Courage where there had been fear?

Norman Schwarzkopf
Was known as a man who could go into a dysfunctional army unit and turn it around. He liked the challenge and was successful in his efforts. His record somewhat speaks for itself.

When People Join their hearts with a Godly Leader like David
But what happens to the 400 “D” people if they hook up with David? They listen to him, honor him and submit to his leadership? Sometimes it’s easy to go with someone else’s plan when you’ve come to the end of your own. The 3 D’s can get you to that place.

It’s important that we embrace the 3 “D” people! Don’t turn them away because there is an excellent chance that God is in it. Perfect people might not be interested in submitting to your leadership but people who are struggling and looking for answers are more willing to recognize that they don’t know everything and need some help with life.

Let’s look one book and one chapter ahead to see what is now going on in the life of the 400 “D” people who were attracted to David.

David’s 3 “D” people became mighty!
2 Samuel 23:39
Only 37 Made the journey with David. Of the 400; 363 fell by the wayside but 37 caught the spirit that was on David and began to do the things David did. Around 9% survived David’s discipleship school.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have 37 mighty men though! Especially after we see what these men have done.

Let’s open our Bibles and take a look at the exploits of David’s 37 mighty men.
2 Samuel 23:8-23

Jesus and his Disciples
The Disciples before the caught Jesus Spirit.
Some of the Personality Traits of the Disciples

Some of Jesus Disciples could’ve been momma’s boys.
Matthew 20:20,21
The Sons of Thunder?
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

Jesus Disciples were slow to learn
Matthew 15:15,16
15Peter said, "Explain the parable to us.“ 16"Are you still so dull?" Jesus asked them.

Jesus Disciples didn’t have his Heart
Matthew 19:13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

The Disciples had Political Agendas
Mark 8:33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan!" he said. "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Jesus Disciples Didn’t meet his expectations.
Luke 8:25He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Jesus understood the concept of fruit production
Matthew 13:23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."

The work Jesus Did with his disciples ultimately produced fruit! Even though Jesus didn’t see it with his Earthly eyes his disciples turned the world upside down with His teaching and the Holy Spirit equipped them to do amazing things.

What the disciples were like after they caught Jesus spirit.
Acts 17:6
6But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,

Map of Modern Day Turkey, Greece and part of Syria

The Disciples were effectively delivering the message of the Gospel.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Concentric Rings of Influence
· City
· Region
· Country
· Ends of the Earth

Jesus Disciples were
· Healing the Sick
· Casting out Demons
· Raising the Dead
Sound Familiar? They were doing what Jesus was doing because they caught the spirit that was on Jesus
1. Healing
Acts 5:15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
2. Deliverance
Acts 16:18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
3. Raising the Dead
Acts 20:9-12
9Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

4 Levels of Discipleship
2 Timothy 2:2
2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Paul’s Teaching in a group setting, Timothy in the group.
Timothy understanding and then entrusting the same words to reliable men.
Reliable men are also qualified to teach others.

In Conclusion
However you receive people is what you get out of them.
Matthew 10:41
41Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward.

If you rightly recognize and receive people for who they are you are in line to receive what they have!
If you break away in heart and miss the dimension of God the people around you are carrying you won’t receive what they’ve got.
This is one reason why the Bible tells us to Honor our Father and Mother.

Missing Church?

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jubilee Family Church

Remember, the banana that gets away from the bunch gets skinned.

Congregation Appreciation Day

To watch the video of this sermon CLICK HERE!
Why Jubilee Family Church is a Great Church!

1. I’m supposed to be here, this is where God wants me and I don’t want to be anywhere God doesn’t want me to be.

A friend asked me, “How are you doing?” I said, “I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing; at the right time; I’m doing great. Thanks for asking.”

Knowing the Word of the Lord
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The Rock of Revelation Knowledge. Knowing who Christ is and Knowing the Voice of God for your Specific Situation.
1 Corinthians 14:12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Prophecy is the spiritual gift that builds up the church.
Prophecy is hearing God’s voice and declaring it verbally.

Apostle Clay Nash is hosting a Prophetic Activation Conference
Feb Wed. 4th – Fri. 6th 7:00 PM
Feb Saturday 7th 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

It’s important that we settle this issue in our hearts. If we don’t we’ll be double minded.

James 1:8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

In the book Commitment to Conquer the author describes his lack of commitment to his church. He got the revelation that he needed to commit himself to the people and the land where God had called him instead of having a grass is always greener mentality.
He and his Wife bought grave plots in the city where they pastor and God began to move in their church as a result of their commitment to the area God had given them responsibility for.

If this is the area and church where God’s called me. I have a responsibility to make sure it not only survives but thrives.
It blesses me so much when people come up to me and say, “Pastor, I want to help. What can I do?” I’ve got 3 hours a week I want to put in and get involved in some way.
It also blesses me when people give in offerings. I know where most of us are financially and to still be generous is a testimony to the healthy spiritual climate of our church.

Give like the Macedonians the ultimate Givers
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

Heart felt giving starts with Grace from God. 2 Corinthians 8:1
Grace is the substance of God that hits a persons soul and causes them to do things that put God first over themselves.
I believe we position ourselves to receive Grace by communing with the Father and other Godly people.
If you ask someone to give and they don’t have the grace to do it, it will make them grumpy, angry or whatever. However if they have the grace to give when they are met with a project or a need they are prompt to do it, eager to support and help.

When grace comes and we’re obedient we become illogical givers. Look at the Macedonian situation they found themselves in for giving in verse 2.

1. Severe Trial
2. Extreme Poverty

Let’s brainstorm for a minute and come up with some severe trials.

Extreme Poverty-
This doesn’t mean the food stamps have run low. This means there are no food stamps and there haven’t been any food stamps. No shoes, barely any clothes. Shelter is poor if any. Perhaps the equivalent of a cardboard box or a natural shelter like a cave.

From this natural circumstance came two interesting responses.

1. Overflowing Joy
2. Rich Generosity
Have you ever considered the poor kids who kick around a balled up piece of newspaper as their only toy and have a great time?

I think about how my own children responded to not having any electricity for a couple days. They did pretty good but we had some sticky moments of complaining about boredom. I reminded them that this is what it was like 150 years ago in America and tried to teach them something.

Overflowing Joy is a joy that is too big to hold yourself. It flows over to others with kind words, smiles, and encouragement.

Rich generosity is just a tangible expression of overflowing Joy. Nothing says I love you like a gift. It’s a tangible expression of a heart that is filled with God’s grace and is overflowing with joy.

2. The People of Jubilee Family Church are Friendly and Kind

I have never been around a nicer group of people in my life. Everyone has been so kind to Andrea and I. It’s absolutely precious how you all treat us and others. I can’t say enough how blessed we are to be here with you all.

I wish there were more hours in the day so we could fellowship together more often. I encourage you to get involved as a home group leader or attend a home group. This is the pattern I believe God wants us to use so we can share the Grace we’ve received with others outside of our church body and thus expand the Kingdom of God into other hearts.

Proverbs 21:9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
What price can you put on peace? That’s the environment we have here. It’s priceless.

Your kindness to us is a direct reflection of God working in you. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.


Colossians 3:12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

My experience with the people of Jubilee Family church has been according to Colossians 3:12
1. Compassion
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Gentleness
5. Patience

1. From the moment I arrived on January 15th 2007 we’ve been treated with nothing but compassion. Compassion to us and especially our children. This means a lot to us.

2. No one has ever been mean spirited toward us. We’ve had some issues to work out but everyone has always been redemptive, not condescending, rude or cruel.

3. Humility is the key to greatness and we have yet to run into an arrogant person in this church body. It is truly a good environment for us to minister as well as for new people to feel welcome when they come in.

4. I haven’t heard a harsh word from anyone either. Your gentleness has been evident to me. Thank You

5. Patience-Being a younger pastor you all have put up with my personality and quirks. I very much appreciate your patience toward me. I realize when I first came you didn’t know me and you’ve really embraced us. We feel so welcome here.

3. We have a big vision, and if our vision is God’s vision there will be provision.

All I can do is attempt to hear God’s voice for our church and start walking it out in obedience to his voice.
It’s wonderfully exciting for me actually.
I desire to have a church that is relevant to a lost and dying world and reaching out practically with authenticity at a steady pace causing consistent growth in depth and width.

Depth-Personal growth, loving God more, learning more about him daily, becoming empowered for ministry.

Width-Numbers

I’m very pleased with the way the Holy Spirit has been visiting us in various ways in our services.
I’m also very pleased with the number of people we’ve had the opportunity to water baptize.

God is moving.
A lot of this has to do with His desire and our faith that expresses itself through prayer, and worship.

I’m excited about the literacy council. This is a ministry that we started to help fulfill the vision of the Church by practically helping people. What better way to help someone than to teach them how to read and write. I like hand up ministries much more than hand out ministries.

The Literacy Council represents the beginning of a multi phase learning/equipping center. I desire to practically help people get into the ministry as a vocation. If this is a persons desire I want us to help them by providing an environment that will prepare them spiritually, academically as well as providing a hands on dimension.

We are going to help facilitate anyone who wants to go to Bible College by opening up our computer lab and helping people get enrolled into Oral Roberts University’s distance learning program.
The church can help create accountability, encouragement and synergy for online learners that they wouldn’t have if they went out on their own.

I believe the Voice of Batesville, The Church blog and the 2 radio stations are going to make an impact in the area of media in our region.
As we endeavor to reach people we have the opportunity to reach into their homes and vehicles. I believe this gives us an incredible opportunity to touch lives with the Gospel message.
The stations coupled with the blogs give us a way to hear back from people to really interact with them.

Jubilee Family Church

Keep your Eyes on the Prize

A lesson on effort that flows from focus.

Run to get the prize video
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=5bbe5d9ffceabc46b291
1 : 16

Develop a personal mission statement.
It should be in line with God’s will for your life.

Remember that God’s will is good pleasing and perfect according to Romans 12:2.
You should be passionate about this mission.
The reason you’re alive is to accomplish this mission.

Run to win
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

How do we live?
It’s likened to running for a prize. Running to win.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xZTCzP5_No
YouTube Video
4:38

There is a Soldier aspect to Being a Believer in Jesus!

2 Timothy 2:3,4
3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

1. Endurance of Hardships
2. Focus on the mission, (not civilian affairs)
3. Please the one in authority

1. Endurance
Romans 15:5
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

God gives endurance
If you are a quitter then I encourage you to ask God for endurance.
Endurance
1 Thessalonians 1:3
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Endurance is inspired by hope.
When we lose hope it’s not long until we begin to entertain thoughts of quitting and ultimately we will quit where there is no hope. Endurance will run out.

Endurance
Hebrews 12:3
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

When we see things in the light of what Jesus went through it gives us endurance. Ask yourself, “Is it as bad as hanging on a cross?” Seeing life through this lens puts things in the proper perspective.

2. Focus on the Mission
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Focus on the Mission
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

We put our focus on the eternal realities we read about in the Scriptures. This is wise because the eternal realities will be here forever. However the temporal realities around us need some focus but not our best.
A good understanding
1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Spend a little effort of the temporal things of this life but your focus should be on spiritual things.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


When we prioritize the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and put them first. God takes care of the other issues of our lives.

Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Eternal treasures have a better return than the Earthly treasures.
Focus on Jesus
Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus had Joy in going to the cross because of a heavenly attitude and an understanding of God’s ultimate plan.
How about you? Is your attitude joyful when facing difficulties? Do you have a heavenly perspective toward what’s going on or do you simply squirm under the pressure and get upset.
We’re supposed to fix our eyes on this part of Jesus. The part that endures scorn and shame.

3. Please God
Romans 8:8
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

When sin is reigning in your mortal body you cannot please God.
Please God
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10And in fact, you do love all the brothers throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers, to do so more and more.
11Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, 12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Ways to Please God
1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Be Sanctified v. 3
Avoid Sexual Immorality v. 3
Love your Brother more and more v. 9
Let your daily life win the respect of outsiders by working hard and being self-sufficient. Not dependent on anybody. v. 12

Please God
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Believing in God and believing for things from God pleases him. It’s not carnal to believe that God is going to bless you. It actually is pleasing to God.

Believe for the impossible!

The illustration is a simple one.
Give your best, give your all. Run to win, not just to finish.
When we get into a competition there are various levels of desire in all the athletes. Some people “really want it” while others are less committed in heart.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Fully committed can be understood to mean, their giving their best.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

When Paul speaks about being disqualified for the prize and beating his own body it makes me think that he is practicing the word of God not just preaching it. Just preaching it isn’t enough even though others will benefit from it. It must be practiced by the preacher to keep that prize from being lost.

Can you lose your salvation?
Yes but

Hebrews 6:4-6
4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

If you do lose your salvation you can’t repent and come back according to this verse.
If you think you lost your salvation and yet you sit here today desiring to be closer to God you couldn’t have lost your salvation because God’s grace wouldn’t have drawn you back to a place of repentance.

Philippians 3:14
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jubilee Family Church