Knowing God
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1. Trials can develop your Character
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
When faced with trials from stupidity, ignorance, God or the Devil your response to them means everything.
Trials will be stepping stones or stumbling blocks, it’s your call. Your attitude will determine the outcome.
When you don’t represent any threat to the enemy it’s likely that his opposition toward you will be small.
When you are taking his territory (the hearts of people are being influenced for Christ’s Kingdom) it’s likely that he’ll try to mount some kind of counter attack against you to silence your effect on others.
2. Our Faith Helps Us Overcome
1 John 5:4,5
4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
In the face of every battle, you must believe that your victory is already at hand.
3. We have an Advantage
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
4. Doing God’s Will Gives us Overcoming Power
The Will of God is Good to You
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
His Delight becomes…
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
If we’ll delight in him, he’ll give us what he’s put into our hearts. Because we delight in him we want what he wants.
…our Delight
1 John 5:14,15
14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
When we are self focused
James 4:2a,3
You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
5. Knowing the Heart of God
It is not enough just to know the Word, however. You must also know God’s heart behind the Word in order to activate the reality of God’s courage in our hearts. The Bible is a written expression of God’s love, and it contains the truth about His character. When you know God’s character, you know His heart. It’s knowing God’s heart—His true intentions and His will for you—that gives you confidence in Him and turns on your ability to do great and courageous things in Christ.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Daniel 11:32b
the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
In every situation that you face, think to yourself, What do I know about God’s character? The first thing you know from God’s Word is that He loves you unconditionally and wants you to triumph in your battles.
2 Corinthians 2:14a
14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,
Next, you know that you have been commanded to love God with all of your heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37). Since God requires this kind of love from you, He is faithful to love you in the same way.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Because He loves you, He will protect you and bring courage to you allowing you to do great exploits. Walking confidently in the knowledge of God’s love keeps you walking in the power of His might.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
I don't know what kind of battles you are facing but if you'll position your heart into the heart of God to receive what he's telling you he will empower you with courage and information that will help you get through the challenges you are facing.
Jubilee Family Church
May 17, 2009
May 16, 2009
T-Bone Steak and Roses
God Never Leaves UsI walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.
He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.
He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on.
Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.
Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blond, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.
She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know.'
I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.
'My husband passed away eight days ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.'
She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away.
I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.
I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile I had ever seen! I would swear a soft halo encircled her blond hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.
As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for.' She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision
I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone.
Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. God was still with me, and this precious woman was His ambassador.
Cherish every day you get to spend with those closest to you. Make sure they have a relationship with Christ so you can be reunited with them again in heaven. Click here to learn more.
Jubilee Family Church
May 15, 2009
Washing Toilets
..."those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled' (Dan 5:19).
Paul desired a career in the building industry. Early in his career, he was working with a large ministry to help direct several of their construction projects.
As the projects were completed, Paul was asked to stay on for future projects. To keep him busy he was given a number of jobs - one of which was cleaning toilets. He recalls getting down on his knees each day and complaining to the Lord, "Lord, I'm a college graduate!"
Discouraged, Paul told the Lord, "I will not leave here until You promote me. Please give me contentment with my circumstance."
Paul felt totally forgotten by God. A few months later, Paul received a phone call from a man in the Midwest who owned five successful businesses who wanted to interview Paul for a job. This came as a total surprise to Paul. As he drove to the interview, he told the Lord, "I only want your will in my life, nothing else. I am content to remain obscure for the rest of my life if I have You. You must override my lack of experience for me to get this job."
The owner of the company asked Paul a surprising question: "If I asked you to clean a toilet, what would you do?" Paul sat there, stunned. He wanted to burst out laughing. Paul assured him that he would simply pick up a sponge and start cleaning.
Amazingly, Paul was hired even though other candidates were more qualified. After several months of success Paul asked his boss why he hired him. His boss replied, "Paul, I still have a large stack of applications from people who wanted this job. Do you remember the first question I asked you in the interview? I asked each one the same question. You were the only one who said he would clean the toilet. Paul, I am a wealthy man, but I grew up dirt poor. I clean my own toilets at home. I can't have people running my businesses who are too proud to clean a toilet."
Sometimes God places us in situations to see if we will be faithful in those before He is willing to promote us to greater things.
Jubilee Family Church
May 13, 2009
Honor your Mother, Lessons from the Book of Ruth
Lessons from the Book of Ruth
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Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
A relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter in law.
The relationship is birthed in joy but solidified in difficulty and sorrow.
1. Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks
We know that difficulties in our lives will either make or break us as individuals. The difficulty that faced Naomi, losing her husband and then her 2 sons in Ruth Chapter 1 has caused Ruth to cling to Naomi.
2. The Defining Moment in Ruth’s Life
Ruth 1:16-18
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
When you honor and cling to someone your destinies become entwined. Their future will very much help determine your future. Be wise in who you cling to because it will have a very powerful impact on you.
You see a similar discourse between Elijah and Elisha before Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind.
3. Bitterness
In Verse 20 of Chapter 1
Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law is having a change in identity. Her name Naomi means pleasant but her new name, she wants everyone to call her is Mara meaning bitterness. She’s had some very real challenges and it’s taken a toll on her personality.
The only way I know to overcome bitterness is through genuine heart forgiveness.
The only way I know how to genuinely forgive is to realize by revelation that I’ve been genuinely forgiven according to the parable of the unmerciful servant.
4. Ruth’s youth get’s Boaz’s Attention her character keeps it.
5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?"
6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.“
This is a lesson on gifts and character. Your gift(s) will open doors for you but your character will allow you to stay.
The foreman noticed she was a determined and steady worker. He noticed her and it get’s communicated on to the land owner.
Leviticus 23:22
" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' "
Ruth’s honorable actions are the subject of Discussion and earn her favor.
Ruth 2:11,12
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.“
5. Ruth’s Heart is Truly Humble
Ruth 2:13
13 "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.“
Luke 18:14b
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
6. The Kinsman Redeemer
Leviticus 25:25
25 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold.
Deuteronomy 25:5
5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her.
7. Another Defining Moment
Ruth Chapter 3
5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
Chapter 3
9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." 10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."
We know that Naomi's words are true when she says, “the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
Boaz calls together the elders and has a legal meeting in the presence of the kinsman who is nearer in kinship and offers the land of Elimelech to redeem.
The kinsman seems excited about the deal until he realizes there is a widow involved also and then he backs out opening the door for Boaz to redeem the land and the widow, Ruth.
Romans 8:2,3
What an awesome picture of this verse.
through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law (the first Kinsman is a type of the Law) was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son (Boaz at type of redeeming Christ)
Boaz and Ruth get married and Naomi is blessed.
Ruth 4
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
Obed the father of Jesse is born from this family. The grandfather of David. Of the lineage of Christ the Messiah.
Jubilee Family Church
To watch this message on video Click Here.
Deuteronomy 5:16
"Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
A relationship between a mother-in-law and a daughter in law.
The relationship is birthed in joy but solidified in difficulty and sorrow.
1. Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks
We know that difficulties in our lives will either make or break us as individuals. The difficulty that faced Naomi, losing her husband and then her 2 sons in Ruth Chapter 1 has caused Ruth to cling to Naomi.
2. The Defining Moment in Ruth’s Life
Ruth 1:16-18
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.
When you honor and cling to someone your destinies become entwined. Their future will very much help determine your future. Be wise in who you cling to because it will have a very powerful impact on you.
You see a similar discourse between Elijah and Elisha before Elijah is taken up in the whirlwind.
3. Bitterness
In Verse 20 of Chapter 1
Naomi, Ruth’s mother in law is having a change in identity. Her name Naomi means pleasant but her new name, she wants everyone to call her is Mara meaning bitterness. She’s had some very real challenges and it’s taken a toll on her personality.
The only way I know to overcome bitterness is through genuine heart forgiveness.
The only way I know how to genuinely forgive is to realize by revelation that I’ve been genuinely forgiven according to the parable of the unmerciful servant.
4. Ruth’s youth get’s Boaz’s Attention her character keeps it.
5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, "Whose young woman is that?"
6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, 'Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.' She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.“
This is a lesson on gifts and character. Your gift(s) will open doors for you but your character will allow you to stay.
The foreman noticed she was a determined and steady worker. He noticed her and it get’s communicated on to the land owner.
Leviticus 23:22
" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.' "
Ruth’s honorable actions are the subject of Discussion and earn her favor.
Ruth 2:11,12
11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.“
5. Ruth’s Heart is Truly Humble
Ruth 2:13
13 "May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls.“
Luke 18:14b
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
6. The Kinsman Redeemer
Leviticus 25:25
25 " 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold.
Deuteronomy 25:5
5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband's brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her.
7. Another Defining Moment
Ruth Chapter 3
5 "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do.
Chapter 3
9 "Who are you?" he asked. "I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." 10 "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor.
11 And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character. 12 Although it is true that I am near of kin, there is a kinsman-redeemer nearer than I. 13 Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning."
We know that Naomi's words are true when she says, “the man will not rest until the matter is settled today.”
Boaz calls together the elders and has a legal meeting in the presence of the kinsman who is nearer in kinship and offers the land of Elimelech to redeem.
The kinsman seems excited about the deal until he realizes there is a widow involved also and then he backs out opening the door for Boaz to redeem the land and the widow, Ruth.
Romans 8:2,3
What an awesome picture of this verse.
through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law (the first Kinsman is a type of the Law) was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son (Boaz at type of redeeming Christ)
Boaz and Ruth get married and Naomi is blessed.
Ruth 4
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."
Obed the father of Jesse is born from this family. The grandfather of David. Of the lineage of Christ the Messiah.
Jubilee Family Church
May 9, 2009
House agrees to muzzle pastors with 'hate crimes' plan
The U.S. House has approved a federal "hate crimes" bill that would provide special protections to homosexuals but leave Christian ministers open to prosecution should their teachings be linked to any subsequent offense, by anyone, against a "gay."
The vote, 249-175, came despite intense opposition from Republicans who argued the measure would create a privileged class.
Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the High Impact Leadership Coalition also condemned the action, offering a warning about the nation's future.
Jackson said the action puts "sexual orientation" in a specially protected class under federal law.
"Based on history, it really isn't something that needs to be protected," he said. "There's a problem that this is going to mark the first time that a protected class status is given to … whatever sexual orientation one has."
He said the experience in other countries has led to prosecution of Christians. In Sweden, for example, a minister was sentenced to 30 days in jail for preaching from Leviticus.
Jubilee Family Church
The vote, 249-175, came despite intense opposition from Republicans who argued the measure would create a privileged class.
Bishop Harry Jackson Jr. of the High Impact Leadership Coalition also condemned the action, offering a warning about the nation's future.
Jackson said the action puts "sexual orientation" in a specially protected class under federal law.
"Based on history, it really isn't something that needs to be protected," he said. "There's a problem that this is going to mark the first time that a protected class status is given to … whatever sexual orientation one has."
He said the experience in other countries has led to prosecution of Christians. In Sweden, for example, a minister was sentenced to 30 days in jail for preaching from Leviticus.
Jubilee Family Church
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