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1. The God of Increase
Daniel 4:3:
3 How great are his signs,
how powerful his wonders!
His kingdom will last forever,
his rule through all generations.
God desires your generation to shine.
God wants each generation to increase. He isnt going to bless you and allow the next generation to fade away.
That’s just the way our God is.
Do you believe that this morning?
2. Get out of the Rut
John 14:12:
12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.
You may not have any money and very little education.
In the natural, the future may not look very bright. Some people around you may try to discourage you and tell you there’s no reason to hope for more.
Others may tell you to stay where it’s safe although it’s really being stuck in a rut of defeat.
Don’t listen to all the naysayers. Get out of the rut.
God is not limited by your environment, family background, or present circumstances.
God is limited only by your lack of faith.
Today step out in faith and you will break through the barriers.
3. Passing on a Legacy
Psalm 78:4:
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
Start expecting more than the generation preceding you.
God wants each generation to go further than the previous generation.
He doesn’t want you to stay where you are.
You can choose to pass on a legacy of godly attitudes, blessings, and success to your children today.
Today I want to tell you a story. It's a special story called a 'parable'. A parable is an earthly story that has a heavenly meaning. In the Bible there are many parables that Jesus told so we could understand His teachings better.
This is a story about a farmer and a pumpkin.
The Farmer lives wa-a-a-a-ay out in the country. On his farm He has a pumpkin patch.
Pumpkins are really special. They start out as small oval seeds that grow into big, orange pumpkins. The farmer plants the seeds, waters, and cares for the pumpkin vines and patiently waits as they grow.
Finally by October there are big, orange pumpkins in his pumpkin patch! Some are tall and lean, some are short and round, and some have bumps and lumps. But they are all pumpkins and all were planted and cared for by the Farmer.
One day the Farmer chose a pumpkin for a special project. He brings it in from the field and washes it off. You have to be careful with pumpkins; they're tough on the outside, but if you drop them, they break into pieces!
The Farmer takes a large knife and cuts a hole in the top of the pumpkin. Inside there is yucky, slimy pulp waiting for Him. That has to go! He cleans it all out and throws it away - never to be seen again.
After that He gives the pumpkin a new face! He cuts two triangles for eyes, a square for a nose, and a big, wide smile!
Then He does something really special. He puts a small white candle down inside the pumpkin and lights the wick.
How that pumpkin glows! As people pass by, they see the smiling pumpkin and smile back. They know that once again the Farmer has taken a simple pumpkin and changed it into a glorious sight!
The Meaning of the Parable:
Just like us, all the pumpkins were different. But there was something the same about every one of them - that yucky, slimy pulp on the inside!
The yucky, slimy pulp is like the sin that's in us. Romans 3:23 says: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." That's every single one of us.
God has made a way that all our sin can be forgiven and washed away. God even says He'll cast them as far as the East is from the West. Romans 5:8 says: "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
John 3:16 goes on to say: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
After cleaning out that pumpkin, the Farmer gave the pumpkin a new face! The Bible says God can make us a new creation too.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
Then came the really special part. The light was placed inside that pumpkin and it glowed for all to see!
2 Corinthians 4:6 says: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
And Matthew 5:16 says: "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
So we can become like that pumpkin in the Christian object lesson - a glorious sight for others to see the love of Jesus!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Change
Change
Definition of change : To cause to be different
Stages of Change
1. Resistance to change
2. Tolerant of change
3. Embrace the change
1. Change Your Family Tree
Judges 6:25-26:
25 That night the Lord said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. 26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.”
We all get comfortable where we are, and we use that as an excuse.
God wants you to break out of your norm; He wants you to break out of that mold.
You can do more, have more, and be more.
You can be the person to change your family tree!
Don’t pass junk down to your children and keep that negative cycle going.
You can break the curse in your family.
You can affect future generations by the decisions you make today.
2. Let Faith Blossom
Psalm 10:17:
17 Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.
Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them
Even though you may spend your days working hard and still just seem to be barely getting by despite your circumstances continue to dream and expand your vision.
Perhaps you need to change your environment. Quit sitting around worrying and feeling sorry for yourself.
Instead, allow the Lord to elevate your faith today.
3. Soar with Eagles
1 Samuel 23:16:
16 Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
It’s amazing what can happen when you get into an atmosphere where people build you up rather than tear you down.
Where people encourage and challenge you to be the best you can be.
If you stay in an atmosphere of victory, you will develop a winning mind-set.
If you hang around people of faith, your own faith will increase.
It’s time for you to soar with eagles rather than pecking around with the chickens.
If you will do your part by thinking continuously about the goodness of God, living with faith and expectancy, God will take you places you’ve never even dreamed of.
Don’t be afraid of change.
As a child grows, you may notice small changes from day to day. But look at pictures from years ago and you will see amazing differences.
So you may not see much change in your service to God today compared to yesterday.
But if you diligently apply the steps taught in God's word, after a period of 5, 10, or 20 years you will see significant changes compared to where you began.
Two men were climbing a steep path up a tall mountain.
One looked to the top and asked, "How will we ever make it?" The other replied, "One step at a time." And that is the only way for you to change yourself.
People sometimes convince themselves, "I just can't change. It's too late.
Besides, I'm only human." They are not just belittling themselves; they are denying God's word. They will fail simply because they will give up instead of persisting in using God's power.
Repeat this: I can do all things, through Christ who gives me Strength. I don’t have to be strong enough. Yes
Definition of change : To cause to be different
Stages of Change
1. Resistance to change
2. Tolerant of change
3. Embrace the change
1. Change Your Family Tree
Judges 6:25-26:
25 That night the Lord said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. 26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God here on this hilltop sanctuary, laying the stones carefully. Sacrifice the bull as a burnt offering on the altar, using as fuel the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down.”
We all get comfortable where we are, and we use that as an excuse.
God wants you to break out of your norm; He wants you to break out of that mold.
You can do more, have more, and be more.
You can be the person to change your family tree!
Don’t pass junk down to your children and keep that negative cycle going.
You can break the curse in your family.
You can affect future generations by the decisions you make today.
2. Let Faith Blossom
Psalm 10:17:
17 Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless.
Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them
Even though you may spend your days working hard and still just seem to be barely getting by despite your circumstances continue to dream and expand your vision.
Perhaps you need to change your environment. Quit sitting around worrying and feeling sorry for yourself.
Instead, allow the Lord to elevate your faith today.
3. Soar with Eagles
1 Samuel 23:16:
16 Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God.
It’s amazing what can happen when you get into an atmosphere where people build you up rather than tear you down.
Where people encourage and challenge you to be the best you can be.
If you stay in an atmosphere of victory, you will develop a winning mind-set.
If you hang around people of faith, your own faith will increase.
It’s time for you to soar with eagles rather than pecking around with the chickens.
If you will do your part by thinking continuously about the goodness of God, living with faith and expectancy, God will take you places you’ve never even dreamed of.
Don’t be afraid of change.
As a child grows, you may notice small changes from day to day. But look at pictures from years ago and you will see amazing differences.
So you may not see much change in your service to God today compared to yesterday.
But if you diligently apply the steps taught in God's word, after a period of 5, 10, or 20 years you will see significant changes compared to where you began.
Two men were climbing a steep path up a tall mountain.
One looked to the top and asked, "How will we ever make it?" The other replied, "One step at a time." And that is the only way for you to change yourself.
People sometimes convince themselves, "I just can't change. It's too late.
Besides, I'm only human." They are not just belittling themselves; they are denying God's word. They will fail simply because they will give up instead of persisting in using God's power.
Repeat this: I can do all things, through Christ who gives me Strength. I don’t have to be strong enough. Yes
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Limitless
Limitless
1. Stop Limiting God
Philippians 3:13-14:
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Paul had a bad past. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become.
Stop dwelling on your past and limiting what God wants to do in you, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now.
What does God have in store for you today?
His dream for your life is so much greater than you can imagine.
It’s time to quit limiting God.
God may give you a dream or an idea for an invention, a book, a song, or a movie.
One idea from God can forever change the course of your life.
God is not limited by what you have or don’t have.
He can do anything, if you simply stop limiting Him in your thinking.
2. Begin Looking Beyond
Hosea 6:3:
3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Many of us miss pivotal opportunities in our lives because we have grown accustomed to the status quo.
We refuse to make room in our own thinking for the new things God wants to do in our lives.
When a great opportunity comes along, rather than launching out in faith, we say “well, that could never happen to me. That’s too good to be true”.
Begin looking beyond where you are to where you want to be.
3. Oceans to Enjoy
Isaiah 17:7:
7 Then at last the people will look to their Creator
and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
Theres an old story about a little frog that was born at the bottom of a small well.
He and his family lived there and he was content to play in the water.
He even thought, life doesn’t get any better than this.
One day, he climbed to the top of the well and peered out over the edge.
The very first thing he saw was a pond a thousand times bigger than the well.
He ventures farther and discovered a huge lake.
Eventually, the little frog hopped all the way to the ocean, where everywhere he looked, all he could see was water.
Are you enclosed in your own little well?
Look over the edge. God has oceans He wants you to enjoy!
Isaiah 43:19
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
1. Stop Limiting God
Philippians 3:13-14:
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Paul had a bad past. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become.
Stop dwelling on your past and limiting what God wants to do in you, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with Him now.
What does God have in store for you today?
His dream for your life is so much greater than you can imagine.
It’s time to quit limiting God.
God may give you a dream or an idea for an invention, a book, a song, or a movie.
One idea from God can forever change the course of your life.
God is not limited by what you have or don’t have.
He can do anything, if you simply stop limiting Him in your thinking.
2. Begin Looking Beyond
Hosea 6:3:
3 Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him.
He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn
or the coming of rains in early spring.”
Many of us miss pivotal opportunities in our lives because we have grown accustomed to the status quo.
We refuse to make room in our own thinking for the new things God wants to do in our lives.
When a great opportunity comes along, rather than launching out in faith, we say “well, that could never happen to me. That’s too good to be true”.
Begin looking beyond where you are to where you want to be.
3. Oceans to Enjoy
Isaiah 17:7:
7 Then at last the people will look to their Creator
and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.
Theres an old story about a little frog that was born at the bottom of a small well.
He and his family lived there and he was content to play in the water.
He even thought, life doesn’t get any better than this.
One day, he climbed to the top of the well and peered out over the edge.
The very first thing he saw was a pond a thousand times bigger than the well.
He ventures farther and discovered a huge lake.
Eventually, the little frog hopped all the way to the ocean, where everywhere he looked, all he could see was water.
Are you enclosed in your own little well?
Look over the edge. God has oceans He wants you to enjoy!
Isaiah 43:19
For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Abundance
Abundance
1. The King of Kings
1 Corinthians 2:9:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity
Years ago, a famous golfer accepted an invitation from the king of Saudi Arabia to play golf together for several days.
They had such a great time that the king asked the golfer what he wanted as a gift “anything you want”
The golfer said he collect golf clubs.
Weeks went by, and the golfer imagined possible receiving a solid gold putter or a diamond-studded sand wedge.
Then one day a certified letter arrived. Inside was a deed to a five hundred acre golf course.
Sometimes kings think differently than you and I think. We serve the King og kings.
Dream accordingly!
2. Good things Coming
Hebrews 11:1:
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
The beginning point of faith believes in Gods character. He is who he says.
The end point believes in Gods promises: He will do what He says.
When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
If you dwell on positive thoughts your life will move in that direction.
If you expect defeat, failure, or mediocrity you are setting yourself up to lose, fail, or even sabotage every attempt to push above average.
You must think positive thoughts of victory, of abundance, of favor, of hope.
Start your day with faith and set your mind in the right direction, then go out expecting the favor of God.
Believe God for a great future.
You have good things coming!
3. Break Out of Prison
Psalm 42:11:
11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Many of us are living behind self- imposed bars, in prisons of our own making.
Today you can choose to break out of that prison!
The door is unlocked.
Start expecting doors of opportunity to open for you, and they will.
John 11:43-44:
43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
Lazarus is brought back to life by responding to the voice of Jesus, yet he still needs those around him to get completely free.
We need each other. People need this church to find all that God has for them.
When you are stuck in a place of difficulty and you are wondering what to do next, this story is a life-giving reminder to have people praying for you as Lazarus’s sisters did, to be actively listening to the voice of God, and to join a group of people who can help you unwrap the tangled places in your life.
Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to seek His abundance.
1. The King of Kings
1 Corinthians 2:9:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined
what God has prepared
for those who love him.”
We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity
Years ago, a famous golfer accepted an invitation from the king of Saudi Arabia to play golf together for several days.
They had such a great time that the king asked the golfer what he wanted as a gift “anything you want”
The golfer said he collect golf clubs.
Weeks went by, and the golfer imagined possible receiving a solid gold putter or a diamond-studded sand wedge.
Then one day a certified letter arrived. Inside was a deed to a five hundred acre golf course.
Sometimes kings think differently than you and I think. We serve the King og kings.
Dream accordingly!
2. Good things Coming
Hebrews 11:1:
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
The beginning point of faith believes in Gods character. He is who he says.
The end point believes in Gods promises: He will do what He says.
When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith.
If you dwell on positive thoughts your life will move in that direction.
If you expect defeat, failure, or mediocrity you are setting yourself up to lose, fail, or even sabotage every attempt to push above average.
You must think positive thoughts of victory, of abundance, of favor, of hope.
Start your day with faith and set your mind in the right direction, then go out expecting the favor of God.
Believe God for a great future.
You have good things coming!
3. Break Out of Prison
Psalm 42:11:
11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Many of us are living behind self- imposed bars, in prisons of our own making.
Today you can choose to break out of that prison!
The door is unlocked.
Start expecting doors of opportunity to open for you, and they will.
John 11:43-44:
43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”
Lazarus is brought back to life by responding to the voice of Jesus, yet he still needs those around him to get completely free.
We need each other. People need this church to find all that God has for them.
When you are stuck in a place of difficulty and you are wondering what to do next, this story is a life-giving reminder to have people praying for you as Lazarus’s sisters did, to be actively listening to the voice of God, and to join a group of people who can help you unwrap the tangled places in your life.
Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to seek His abundance.
Increase
Increase
1. By Gods Power
Matthew 9:29:
29 …., According to your faith be it done unto you.
This is your time for increase.
You may have been sick for a long time, but this is your time to get well. You may be bound by addictions and bad habits, but this is the time to be set free. You may be struggling financially, but this is the time for promotion.
The key is to believe.
What He wants to do in your life is not going to be by your might or power.
It’s going to be by His Spirit.
The power of the Most High God shall come upon you and cause it to happen.
2. You Can Be It
2 Kings 2:9-10:
9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”
And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”
Elijah was saying, if you can see it, you can be it.”
If you can visualize it with your spiritual eyes it can become a reality in your life.
Remember, low expectations trap you in mediocrity: a high expectation motivates and propel you to move forward in life.
This isn’t name it claim it but see it and believe it.
3. Raise Your Level of Expectancy
Colossians 3:2:
2And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
God is extremely interested in what you see through your spiritual eyes.
It is a spiritual as well as a psychological fact: we move towards what we see in our minds.
Your life will follow your expectations.
If you raise your level of expectancy, you will enlarge your vision.
This could be the day you see your miracle and get your increase.
1. By Gods Power
Matthew 9:29:
29 …., According to your faith be it done unto you.
This is your time for increase.
You may have been sick for a long time, but this is your time to get well. You may be bound by addictions and bad habits, but this is the time to be set free. You may be struggling financially, but this is the time for promotion.
The key is to believe.
What He wants to do in your life is not going to be by your might or power.
It’s going to be by His Spirit.
The power of the Most High God shall come upon you and cause it to happen.
2. You Can Be It
2 Kings 2:9-10:
9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”
And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”
10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”
Elijah was saying, if you can see it, you can be it.”
If you can visualize it with your spiritual eyes it can become a reality in your life.
Remember, low expectations trap you in mediocrity: a high expectation motivates and propel you to move forward in life.
This isn’t name it claim it but see it and believe it.
3. Raise Your Level of Expectancy
Colossians 3:2:
2And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
God is extremely interested in what you see through your spiritual eyes.
It is a spiritual as well as a psychological fact: we move towards what we see in our minds.
Your life will follow your expectations.
If you raise your level of expectancy, you will enlarge your vision.
This could be the day you see your miracle and get your increase.
Expectations
Expectations
1. Reach Out by Faith
Matthew 9:21-22:
21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Having a wrong attitude will always keep you from receiving the good things God wants to pour out in your life.
Your life will change when you change your thinking.
If you want to see God’s far and beyond favor, you have to start believing it, seeing it, and speaking it.
We do this by reaching out by faith.
2. Expect God’s Blessings
Ephesians 2:7:
7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
To experience Gods immeasurable favor, you must start expecting His blessings. Start thinking bigger.
Get rid of any old negative mind-set.
If you will make room for increase in your own thinking, God will bring those things to pass.
But God will not pour fresh, creative ideas and blessings into old attitudes.
3. Expect Great Things
Mark 9:23:
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
With God all things are possible! Repeat
Let the seeds God is placing in your life take root so they can grow.
Expect Gods favor to help you break out of the ruts and rise to new heights.
It can happen without a bank loan or having the right education. It can happen in spite of your past and what your friends or family are telling you.
You don’t have to be bound by the barriers of the past.
Expect to excel in whatever you do.
Expect God to do great things in your life today.
1. Reach Out by Faith
Matthew 9:21-22:
21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Having a wrong attitude will always keep you from receiving the good things God wants to pour out in your life.
Your life will change when you change your thinking.
If you want to see God’s far and beyond favor, you have to start believing it, seeing it, and speaking it.
We do this by reaching out by faith.
2. Expect God’s Blessings
Ephesians 2:7:
7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
To experience Gods immeasurable favor, you must start expecting His blessings. Start thinking bigger.
Get rid of any old negative mind-set.
If you will make room for increase in your own thinking, God will bring those things to pass.
But God will not pour fresh, creative ideas and blessings into old attitudes.
3. Expect Great Things
Mark 9:23:
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
With God all things are possible! Repeat
Let the seeds God is placing in your life take root so they can grow.
Expect Gods favor to help you break out of the ruts and rise to new heights.
It can happen without a bank loan or having the right education. It can happen in spite of your past and what your friends or family are telling you.
You don’t have to be bound by the barriers of the past.
Expect to excel in whatever you do.
Expect God to do great things in your life today.
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