Winning with the Hand You're Dealt

Notes: WINNING WITH THE HAND YOU’RE DEALT

Rick Warren

Saddleback Church 

September 14, 2014

When people are hurting, they need simple truth. Not simplistic truth. You need to say more than Jesus is the answer. Yes, Jesus is the answer, but why He is the answer is what you need to let them know.

It's not just enough to say pray and go to church. We are all complex people and need to know why we are to pray and go to church.

Psalm 139:14 NLT—Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

To have a relationship with Jesus every facet of our lives needs to be looked at and we are all very complex.

Eccl 7:18 NLT—Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.

If you are going to be who God wants you to be then you need to deal with every part of your life. 

There are 5 factors in your life that identify who you are.

Pastor Rick tells us to remember the parable of the talents: Matt 25:29 NLT—To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.

Pastor Rick says we are not going to be judged for what we don’t have and don’t know. But God will judge you on what you did with what you were given.

None of us have the same talents and will be judged different.

Rick asked how many people in the audience played poker? (He made a joke noticing that he was in the company of many sinners.) He says in 5 card stud you are only playing the 5 cards you are dealt. This message is about the hand you were dealt.

Rick says the Bible tells us 4 things about this hand we were dealt.

1. The Bible says nothing is perfect on this planet except Gods word.

Two imperfect people can not make a perfect relationship. If you expect things to be perfect on earth, then you expect Heaven on earth and that is not happening.

2. Jesus was sent to save us
3. One day you will give an account to God for the hand you were dealt in life
4. The Bible tells us how to win the game with the hand we are dealt.

There are factors that make you who you are.

1. My Chemistry Influences my Identity
1. This is all the chemicals that make you and your body.
1. Some for example are hypersensitive to pain, that is the way they are born.
2. Some were born with very low energy and some with very high energy.
2. This can create emotion and physical problems.
1. It all can effect us.
1. He is talking about oxytocin, how it effects people.
1. They discovered how oxytocin is the chemical that bonds a mother to a nursing baby.
2. They discovered it is what is happening when you make love.
1. That is a chemical that bonds us together.

No flaw in me is shameful or sinful!

It is just the way we are wired, it is part of who we are and it is the chemistry in our body. Your genes have flaws in them that make you unique.

Your flaws are a part of your custom design. Paul calls his, “thorn in his flesh”. 

Gal 4:13 NLT—Surely you remember that I was sick when I first brought you the Good News.

The Galatians are happy for what ever the thorn in the flesh of Paul's was because they got to hear the good news and they learned about Heaven.

2. My Connections Influence my Identity
1. This is relationships (especially your early years relationships)
1. Studies show that how you see yourself is largely determined how the most important people in your early life saw you.
1. That is why it is so important that you know how Jesus feels about you at a very young age.
1. Jesus says to love God with all your heart and to love your neighbors as yourself.
1. If you don’t understand that then you are lacking meaning
2. If we are all imperfect then we all have imperfect relationships.
3. Sin disconnects us from God and it disconnects us from one another.
1. Just like Adam and Eve in the Garden.
1. God told them not to do just one thing, yet they did it. 
1. Adam handled it like a man, Adam blamed his wife….haha
1. Adam blamed Eve, and we have been that way ever since.
1. Accusing and excusing
1. We hide our faults and hurl at others
2. They felt disconnected from God and then they disconnected from each other.
1. We have hidden and covered up our vulnerabilities ever since.
1. The more disconnected I am the more fearful I become. 
1. Disconnection causes fear.
4. We crave connections but we fear the vulnerability
3. My Circumstances Influence my Identity
1. These are the things that happened to you and around you.
1. None of these things are in your control
1. Your are a product of the traumas and troubles in your life
1. Pain, troubles, abuse, rejection, failures, crisis, catastrophe are all factors of who you are.
4. My Consciousness Influences my Identity
1. This is how you talk to yourself, how you think about you.
1. Rick says how people have thought that John 17 is strange, how God is talking to Himself. Rick says we all do that all the time, we are doing it right now.
1. There is never a time in your life you are not talking to yourself.
1. Rick says if you talked to your friends the way you talk to yourself then you would have no friends. We are our own toughest critics.
2. We lie to ourselves all the time
1. Jer 17:9 NLT—“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
2. This influences our identity, we hear what people say and then we say it to ourselves. Our habitual thoughts are our identity.
1. Prov 23:7 NKJV—For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.
2. What you think about you is the way it is, if it is true or not.
3. Prov 4:23 NCV—Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
1. If you want your life to go into a different direction then you have to send your thoughts in a different direction.
1. When you think a thought, it does not have to be true to hurt you. You just have to believe it.
1. If someone says you will never amount to anything and you believe it, then you will not amount to anything.
1. If you think if long enough you will believe it.
2. Our fears are self fulling.
2. Job 3:25 NLT—What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.
1. This is self fulfilling prophecy.
3. Feeling are not facts.
1. Just feeling something does not mean it is true
2. Feelings lie all the time.
5. My Choices Influences my Identity.
1. The Bible says we are created in the image of God.
1. We have the choice to chose because we are made in God’s image.
1. God has choices and so do we.
2. The freedom of choice is our greatest blessing and our greatest curse.
3. Angels don’t have a choice, neither do animals or anything else, but we do.

The good news about your Choice Card you were dealt is that it is the Wild Card. It can change all the other cards.

We didn’t choose our chemistry, or our bodies, or my circumstances but I can choose how I respond to them.

I don’t choose everything that goes on around me.

I am "response able” that means I am responsible for what I choose.

We can change our destiny with our choices.

There are 5 winning choices we can make with the hand we are dealt.

1. I can choose to get healthier as a winning choice.
1. No matter where you are right now, you can be healthier.
1. We can choose to make the better decisions.
1. We can choose to make the most with our bodies.

Ps 119:73 NLT—You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

The pain is in my brain!

The pain actually may start in another part of your body, but it sends signals to your brain.

Improving the controllable things reduces the impact of the uncontrollable things in your life.

You will never be an inch taller, but you can be in better shape.

2. I can choose to deepen my relationships as a winning choice.
1. We can strengthen healthy relationships.
2. We can end unhealthy relationships.

The fear of rejection prevents connections.

Pastor Rick speaks of marriage. Many tell themselves that they can never get married, or no one wants to marry them. Those are all feelings, not facts.

Awkward won’t kill me!

1John 4:18 NIV—There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

There is no fear in love!

Why is there no fear in love? Love takes the focus off of me and puts it on someone else. 

We are worried about how we look to everyone else, but it doesn’t matter. Other people aren’t thinking about you because they are too busy thinking about themselves.

Self-centerdeness says what is everyone else thinking about me.

Love walks into a room and thinks who in here needs a little help. 

Humility is not thinking less of yourself, humility is thinking of yourself less often. Thinking about others needs, perfect love cast out all fear.

F.E.A.R. - False Evidence Appearing Real

There is only one way to get rid of fear, to do the thing that you fear the most. Fear does not respond to emotion, fear responds to action.

Fear is always worse than the reality.

1Cor 14:1a NLT—Let love be your highest goal!

You are not allowed to not love!

That means risking connections, it means stepping out. If you try to love someone and they reject your love, then redirect your love. Billions of people need your love right now. 

You can not say I am not going to love because I got hurt once.

Eph 3:17 NCV—I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. 

3. I can choose to trust God as a winning choice.
1. No matter what happens, I can trust God.
2. Regardless of what happens.

Rom 8:27-Rom 8:29 NKJV—Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.  For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

The Message of Romans 8:27-29 says “God knows us far better than we know ourselves…That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what He was doing from the very beginning….”

God decided from the beginning to shape the lives of the ones that love Him to be more like Jesus.

Ps 34:1 TLB—I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. 

That will give you the confidence that no one else has.

When the world can hit you with their best shot and you can praise the Lord, that will make you an amazing person. It is an identity you can not get anywhere else.

I am a product of my past but I am not a prisoner of it.

I can be different!

4. I can choose what I think about as a winning choice.
1. Others can not tell me what to think about.

Shame, guilt, anger and embarrassment are stored in one part of your brain. You can not make them go away but you can overwrite them. You think a thought a thousand times, it creates a rut. Some have a grand canyon of depression in their mind. In the 20th century it was thought that the adult brain could not be changed. But, there was a Noble Prize winner that showed you can change the brain, it is elastic, not concrete.

You can change!

Pastor Rick says jokingly that it is just great that science caught up to the Bible. 

Rom 12:2 NLT—Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Let God transform the way you think. Change your brain, change your life. Garbage in puts garbage out

Feed your brain with truth!

When the truth of Gods word is, less than the negative and sinful thoughts of life, are in your brain that is called depression.

You must feed your brain with God’s word, go to church, read the Bible, speak with friends, meditate on God’s word. Every time you feed yourself more of the positive, the depression goes away. As you feed it more, that creates happiness and that is a choice.

Phil 4:8 NLT—And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Pastor Rick says that scripture does not sound like it is talking about television, to emphasize his point, he said 50 Shades of Gray may be popular but it is pornography, its poison and you shouldn’t fill your mind with it.

You don’t watch junk TV, skip some movies and there is a lot you shouldn’t read.

Surround yourself with good memories reminding yourself of who you are and what you are.

Combining a beautiful memory with the Word of God is a beautiful thing.

5. I can choose Jesus as my Savior as a winning choice.
1. Rick says let Jesus be your savior everyday, not just the difference between Heaven and hell.

I need Jesus to save me from myself, my defects, my memories, my circumstances, my pressures, my trauma, my troubles.

Jesus can put on your helmet of Salvation.

Jesus don’t just save me from sin, save me from myself.

2Cor 5:17 TLB—When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!

It is like being born again, it is a whole new identity.

If you are waiting on God, then God is waiting on you!

When you choose to get healthier, you choose risking healthy connections, you choose to trust God, you choose to change the way you think, and you choose God as your savior then God will give you a winning hand!

What Jesus Taught About Anger, Hatred, and Lust

Notes: What Jesus Taught About Anger, Hatred, and Lust 
Harvest OC
September 14, 2014
Pastor Greg's Sunday morning
Matthew 5

Pastor Greg is talking about ISIS and Muslim terrorism. Says how we mainly learned about jihad on 9/11. Obama recently said we will destroy ISIS. What does Jesus say about all of this. Read Jesus' Sermon on the Mount to learn

Matthew 5:1-2 NKJV
[1] And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. [2] Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

Pastor Greg says it is harder to live by the Sermon on the Mount then the Ten Commandments. It deals with matters of the heart. You have to see that your heart is morally bankrupt before God.

Matthew 5:21-30 NKJV
[21] "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' [22] But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. [23] Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [25] Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. [26] Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. [27] "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. [30] And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Pastor Greg's says he told us it is hard.

Sin deceives me that the actual sin you did was alright.

Jesus deals now with three areas of sin that are very widespread in our culture: anger, hatred, and lust.

Anger is murder in the heart. Lust is adultery in the heart.

Matthew 5:22 NKJV
[22] But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

There is a time to be angry, and you can be. You are just not suppose to throw gasoline on the fire of anger.

Ephesians 4:26 NKJV
[26] "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

1 John 3:15 NKJV
[15] Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 2:9 NKJV
[9] He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.

The word hate, means to habitually despise.

Many times anger is rooted in envy. Hatred towards other peoples good fortune. They have done and got you what you wanted.

"Envy shoots at another and wounds itself." –Thomas Fuller

The only person hurt by your envy is you.

Matthew 5:22 NKJV
[22] But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire.

Rocka - has no midterm day equivalent.

Matthew 5:28 NKJV
[28] But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

"Looking" at others with lust is the continual act of staring in this verse. What David did staring at Bathsheba is a good example of "looking" with lust.

Bathsheba played a part in this by bathing in public like she did. So women or girls should not dress in a fashion to want me to lust after them.

David looked and then he took dramatic action.

You are to guide your mind!

Do not put yourself in that position, look away.

Job 31:1 NKJV
[1] "I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?

2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV
[5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

How do we fix it:
Matthew 5:29 NKJV
[29] If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Jesus is not being literal, His point is to make sure you give up what ever is necessary to keep from falling further into that sin.

If it is porn on the internet, then don't have a computer in your house. If it is alcohol, then don't go to sports bars.

Take action to guard yourself.

Hebrews 12:1 NKJV
[1] Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Matthew 5:38-45 NKJV
[38] "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' [39] But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. [40] If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. [41] And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. [42] Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44] But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, [45] that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Those are all very hard commandments, these are very high standards.

Leo Tolstoy wrote that he didn't believe Christians should be in the military. Tolstoy was wrong.

The Sermon on the Mount was not given to govern a society.

Matthew 5:38 NKJV
[38] "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

Deuteronomy 19:20 NKJV
[20] And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you.

Criminals don't love good and hate evil, no body loves good and hates evil, that is a matter of the heart.

Romans 13:1-3 NKJV
[1] Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

Obey the law, you don't have to agree with it. If the law try's to stop Gods word, then there is a problem.

2 Timothy 2:3-4 NKJV
[3] You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

God has established human government to administer justice.

God would never choose a dishonorable profession as an illustration for His people.

Luke 22:36-38 NKJV
[36] Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. [37] For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'And He was numbered with the transgressors.' For the things concerning Me have an end." [38] So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

A Christian can defend himself.

The Sermon on the Mount are rules for evangelizing. You need to go the extra mile, and tell others about Jesus.

A slap in the face was an insult back in those days. Like someone flipping you off when your are driving. So turning the other cheek would be to not retaliate with an insult.

We have all been cheated or wronged, we should not be a doormat.

Matthew 5:44 NKJV
[44] But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

"The best way to destroy an enemy is to make him a friend." –Abraham Lincoln

When you believe in and follow Jesus, you will have enemies!

Hatred will bring your prayer life to a halt. Hatred is unconfessed sin.

Greg talked about Corrie ten Boom
Author - Cornelia "Corrie" ten Boom was a Dutch Christian who, along with her father and other family members, helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust during World War II and was imprisoned for it. She wrote the book "The Hiding Place."

Corrie, could not forgive the Nazi, but when she did pray for that, she did forgive them.

When you forgive someone, you set a prisoner free. You set yourself free!

Jesus himself forgave. Jesus called Judas friend even as he came to get Him arrested.

We need forgiveness and need to extend that forgiveness to others.

Essentials: The Church is Not About Me, it's about We

Notes: Essentials: The Church is Not About Me, it's about We
Pastor Adam Eaton
Harvest OC
September 11, 2014
Acts 2

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Today is 9/11 - Pastor Greg is talking about what today means to us. He thinks we as Christians need to fight fire with fire. He says to evangelize to the Muslims in our community. We are in a free country and can speak to them about it.

Next Thursday Don Stewart will be here with Pastor Greg speaking about Bible prophecy.

Pastor Adam is talking about taking the Jr. High group river rafting. How they had to jump in the river and float. Ethan jumped in and decided to float past where they were suppose to. Adam freaked out and thought the worst case scenario was going to happen. Pastor Adam said he was completely worried and freaked out.

Pastor Adam is now talking about, what if everyone felt that way about the church. That we need to get everyone out of the river before they forget killed in the rapids.

Three reasons why the church exist.

1. To Exalt God
Ephesians 1:12 NKJV
[12] that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

At all times we are worshiping God. Worship is not just singing songs to God. 

It is what is most important to you.

It's not if you worship, it's who or what are you worshipping.

We praise God for pulling us out if the deadly river.

2. To edify the saints
Colossians 1:28-29 NKJV
[28] Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. [29] To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.

We are to be mature in the word.

We are to build and help one another.

3. Evangelize the wold
Matthew 28:19-20 NKJV
[19] Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

This is our job! 

This is what we are here for.

This is the Great Commission

Matthew 24:13 NKJV
[13] But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:14 NKJV
[14] And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

It's saying when the great commission has been fulfilled, then Jesus will come back.

What does the church look like;

Acts 2:42-47 NKJV
[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. [43] Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. [44] Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, [45] and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. [46] So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

The early church had the attitude that we must get back too. It's not about me, it's about we.

We as Americans don't like when people tell us what to do. 

Children don't have to be taught the word "mine"

We have brought this individualism into the church. We have made it about me, and not about us.

We absolutely need a personal relationship with Christ.

There is major power in the church when it is all about we. 

We need Bible teaching, we need each other. He Holy Spirit guides us alone, but others can help teach us the true meaning.

Me thinking, let's people think that personal sin, is not affecting others. That hurts others, not just you.

1 Corinthians 5:6 NKJV
[6] Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?

Us together moving forward, how do we get there.

1. Commitment to the local church.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV
[24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Motivate one another!

Like a little brother can irritate you into doing something.

Don't stop going to church.

Be a part of what God is doing all the time. Not just when it is convenient.

2. We need Gospel-centered community.

We need to understand that we are all in this together.

We need small group community. Access and a voice in our lives.

3. Loyalty to the local church
Acts 2:42 NKJV
[42] And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The early church was seeing it through till the end. They were willing to do these things.

They didn't ditch or leave because of small things.

Too many people church hop....always looking for the right church for "me"

Be loyal to the church and the people in the church.

The people sitting next to you are the ones that will be there when the bottom drops out on you.

Pastor Adam said about 5 years ago, his ex-wife divorced him. It was the church that was there for him. 

9/11 was a horrible day for everyone, it was also a day the church shined for all the people.

Christian community is an amazing thing. Not just your church, but the global church. We have Christ in common.

This Christian community is hard work. We are with people that at best, annoy us a little. We have to get past that.

We can complain about everything, music, sound, smell, each other, looks, it's all an excuse to complain.

Here is what matters; Christ has saved us and we are called to go and help save others.

We are here to help pull each other out of that river that leads to death and destruction.

Even when people treat that river like a lazy river, and they are floating right down it. They need to be saved too!

Will you help try to save them all?

Ordinary Men And A Great God

Notes: Ordinary Men And A Great God
Wednesday, September 10, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.
2 Samuel 23:8-17

Guest Speaker: Pastor Tom Hughes

Watched Message online at Harvest

Pastor Tom says we are going to be looking at ordinary men that work mightily for the Lord.

Pastor Tom was showing a really old Porsche and a new Porsche and was saying a long time and a really lot of hard work was put in to make the new Porsche what it is today.

He said God takes ordinary men or wrecks or men and do marvelous things in our lives. We have to be willing to surrender to Him first.

We are going to look at three of them in this study. These men are known as “the three”, this passage is encouraging and enlightening.

2 Samuel 23:8-17 (NKJV)

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth[a] the Tachmonite, chief among the captains.[b] He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo,[c] the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. 11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. 13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. 17 And he said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

David was nothing without his mighty men and they were nothing without him.

If you studied the life of David then you would recall, that his men came to him even 5 years before he was king. That was for over 40 years that they came for him. They came to him when he was powerful and when he was hiding.

When they were disappointed, disillusioned, depressed for all these things.

Psalm 34

I will bless the Lord at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;

The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,

And let us exalt His name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,

And delivered me from all my fears.

5 They looked to Him and were radiant,

And their faces were not ashamed.

6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,

And saved him out of all his troubles.

Psalm 34 was written when he was in the caves of Adullam.

These men were loyal to David and he was loyal to his men.

We can be discouraged and beaten down, but if we haven’t let God come up to bat then how can we know if we have lost. 

God will be victorious, you just have to put Him in the game.

God takes ordinary things and does extraordinary work with them. It takes time, hard work and you have to be in the right hands.

Men can fight against all odds 

(2 Samuel 23:8-17 (NKJV)

8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth[a] the Tachmonite, chief among the captains.[b] He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time.)

Is it possible for one man to kill 800 men? One of David’s men did.

It also says Jashobeam killed 300 Philistines at one time (11 And this is the number of the mighty men whom David had: Jashobeam the son of a Hachmonite, chief of the captains; he had lifted up his spear against three hundred, killed by him at one time.)

How could they defeat such enormous numbers of men at one time? We don’t know exactly, the Bible doesn’t tell us. Pastor Tom says concludes that it is by the strength of the Lord.

In American history it is documented that small groups of 4 to 5 men have killed 50 to 300 men.

2 Kings 19: 35 Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead.

One Angel killed 185,000 men, we don’t know how. God did it for them.

If you have a problem, you get on your knees and pray to God. You have to lay out your request to God. You give God your ordinary life and He can do extraordinary things.

These men submitted to God and great things were done. It is true for them and it is true for us.

John 5: 6-9 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

The answer is simple to problems, give Jesus a chance to get involved in your situations. The hard part is submitting to Jesus so that He can take over.

Victory against overwhelming odds. 

Making a difference 

(2 Samuel 23: 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo,[c] the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

1 Chronicles 27:4 (NKJV) 4 Over the division of the second month was Dodai[a] an Ahohite, and of his division Mikloth also was the leader; in his division were twenty-four thousand.) 

Eleazar means “God has helped”. The people had retreated but Eleazar stayed and fought with David. When they had one, the other men came back to plunder.

Victory in the face of utter exhaustion.

1 Chronicles 11 (NKJV)

12 After him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, who was one of the three mighty men. 13 He was with David at Pasdammim. Now there the Philistines were gathered for battle, and there was a piece of ground full of barley. So the people fled from the Philistines. 14 But they stationed themselves in the middle of that field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

The Lord gave them a victory, retreat is not an option for God’s people.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Eleazar had no armor for his back, so it was more dangerous to retreat and turn around. 

Like us Christians, we can not turn and go back. What would we go back to? 

Remember where you were before you came to Christ, so why would you go back to it?

If you are discouraged or beaten down, do not go back!

Standing Alone

(2 Samuel 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.)

Shammah was all alone fighting, the Lord brought victory to him.

Sometimes you choose your battles. Sometimes your battles choose you.

David chose Shammah as one of his 3 mighty men.

Pastor Tom believes that Shammah knew if he retreated then he would just have to fight the Philistines later anyhow.

Sooner or later you’ve got to join the battle. Why not here? Why not now?

Are you in the battle? Are you pressing forward for the kingdom of Christ?

Pastor Tom is talking about all the effort we put into getting “stuff”. All that stuff ends up going to others or to the trash. Why build up treasure here?

Focus on the spiritual battle and build up your treasures in Heaven.

Pastor Tom is talking about how there is all kinds of sin. We are sinners in a world of sinners and we all die. We all can only be saved by God’s grace.

When we get saved, we can not turn our backs on others. We all need to be saved and we need to help with the kingdom of God. We are to be light in a dark world.

God sends us to dark places, that is a good thing. God is using us to share the Light! Get out of your box and be a light!

Always go forward, the enemy of our souls is not nice but we can not retreat.

Courage: He took his stand in the middle of the field.

Faithfulness: He defended it

Are you involved in the spiritual fight?

Nothing a pastor needs more than a church that says lets go forward, we are in the fight together.

 

A Genuine Sacrifice

(2 Samuel 23:13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. 17 And he said, “Far be it from me, O Lord, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.)

These three men risked their lives for David, then David poured the water out as a sacrifice to the Lord.

All things go back to sacrifices for the Lord. We should all think back to the sacrifice that Jesus did for us.

A Person Who Protects His Mind

Notes: A Person Who Protects His Mind
Raul Ries
9/9/2014

Next week we will start in the book of Matthew and go chapter by chapter. He suggest reading it before we come next week.

What are we thinking about?

The mind controls the good and the evil.

When we come to Christ, we are to reckon the old man to be dead. 

We are to be in the word, in prayer, in churches of fellowship.

It was said: The church today is a 1000 mikes long but only 3 feet deep. 

Church is not like a movie theater, it is a place to develop. 

The word of God cleanses our minds and hearts. You have to put on the whole armor of God, the mind is the helmet.

God took Ezekiel's wife from him. In 722 BC, Syria took Judah. 

God used an evil nation to come and chasten the people of Israel. Could America be being chastened by our own government today?

In Babylon people were in captivity for 70 years.

Daniel was around in these times. 

Ezekiel 8:1-2 NKJV
[1] And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I sat in my house with the elders of Judah sitting before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell upon me there. [2] Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire-from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber.


This was the appearance of God, no one has seen the front side of God.

Ezekiel 8:3 NKJV
[3] He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court, where the seat of the image of jealousy was, which provokes to jealousy.

When he was taken to the temple, he saw jealousy.

God was with them, God warned them, God moved away, then God left them.

God took Ezekiel into the peoples minds.

Ezekiel 8:5 NKJV
[5] Then He said to me, "Son of man, lift your eyes now toward the north." So I lifted my eyes toward the north, and there, north of the altar gate, was this image of jealousy in the entrance.

Jealousy was a god to the people those days. Today many people now to jealousy as a god.

Could it be possible today that we could have a nation invade us? Iran, Turkey, Russia, those country's don't fear us like they were in the past.

Like in the 7th century, Islam is trying to take the world over again today. Like how Revelation 13 describes.

Muslims all around the world are trying to take over. Raul says he sees this more and more each day. Like Ezekiel 39 describes.

Raul is talking about how 9 jets are currently missing.

Ezekiel 8:6 NKJV
[6] Furthermore He said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations."

The house of Israel would be the church, such as Christians are today.

Raul says he counsels a lot of people and he really gets to see how sick people are inside the church today. 

Ezekiel 8:7 NKJV
[7] So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall.

God is going to take him into the minds of the people.

Ezekiel 8:9-10 NKJV
[9] And He said to me, "Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there." [10] So I went in and saw, and there-every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls.

Everywhere he looked he saw how polluted and damaged all of these peoples minds are.

Raul hears what people are watching and doing in their own homes and says that is what is what is going in in their minds.

So God can dwell in your home, or mind, it needs to be clean.

Ezekiel 8:11 NKJV
[11] And there stood before them seventy men of the elders of the house of Israel, and in their midst stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan. Each man had a censer in his hand, and a thick cloud of incense went up.

This is the pastors, saying prayers. Like the incense the prayers were going no where.

Ezekiel 8:12 NKJV
[12] Then He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, 'The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.'"

In the light of Jesus in your life, that can affect and add the light into other's lives. You need to have a place for God to have that light showing from your life.

If we stumble people as Christians we are held more accountable. The more we have the more we are responsible for.

The Holy Spirit convicts us, if we don't listen then the Holy Spirit will chasten. Like spanking your child for walking into a street, it is so they remember not to do it again.

Like in Revelation 20, God will not hold us accountable for every sin, but for the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. That sin will get you thrown into the lake of fire.

Raul admits when he reads about Heaven, or the end of Revelation he doesn't clearly understand it. 

God is everywhere, people have to worship God in spirit and in truth. God sees, He hears and then he touches our lives.

Ezekiel 8:13-14 NKJV
[13] And He said to me, "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing." [14] So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz.

Tammuz, is a person in the Old Testament, she was the god of fertility. Babies were sacrificed to this false gods. Raul speaks of abortions and how many of them have taken place today.

Ezekiel 8:15-16 NKJV
[15] Then He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these." [16] So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

The priest were worshipping the sun, not God.

Ezekiel 8:17 NKJV
[17] And He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.

A cult was doing that with branches in their noses.

Ezekiel 8:18 NKJV
[18] Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."

Maybe there in no response in America by God to the church because of these same things. Individuals are having prayers answered but the church is not getting a revival or prayers answered as God helps individuals.

The word of God is what keeps us moving as individual Christians. Imagine what we could do to the darkness, if as a whole church we stayed in God's word.

You need to pray to God so that He can speak to your heart.

If you spend time in the word of God every morning, when you have trials throughout the day, God will be there for you.

When you raise your hands to God during worship time, that is a small sign of surrender to God.

God does not have to continue to speak to us, we must pray that He continues too.

Keep your eyes and ears on Jesus!

The Parable of Spiritual Growth

Notes: The Parable of Spiritual Growth

Pastor Greg Laurie

Matthew 13

Harvest OC 

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Series: God Came Near

A parable can be defined as an "earthly story with a heavenly lesson." In this message from Pastor Greg, we explore an important parable in the Word of God that reveals the secret to spiritual growth.

Greg says summer is officially over, kids are back in school now.

Fellowship groups are a great way to make a big church a small church. Groups are starting up later this month.

You can sign up:

Women: http://virtue.harvest.org/

Men: http://valor.harvest.org

We are watching a video about the this years Crusade.

Video was great, had a lot of testimonies on it.

He is talking about needing to give thanks to God. These new believers have have come forward and now he prays they Go forward. 

The great commission says:

Mark 16:15 NIV

[15] He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

He says we want to see people to grow spiritually. We hope they are all rockets and not only bottle-rockets!

Some grow faster than others in their spiritual growth.

The Bible says a lot about that in the Parable of the Sower. 

1 Peter 1:5 NIV

[5] who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

God will keep you and you need to keep God.

It is your thousands of decisions over your life that decides your beliefs for you.

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meeting, Jesus used it t connect to his people.

Matthew 13:3-8 KJV

[3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; [4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: [5] Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: [6] And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. [7] And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: [8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

The interpretation is this:

Matthew 13:18-23 KJV

[18] Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. [19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one , and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. [20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. [22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. [23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it ; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.

Back in theses days of the first century seeds were sowed different than they are today. Back then it was just thrown out and it landed all over the place where it was tossed.

Chris G's phone rang in church...naughty naughty.

Greg is talking about how Roosevelt said something random to his guest because no one was listening. 

He said many in church do the same things.

1. Highway Hearers

Matthew 13:19 KJV

[19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one , and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

These are the people that don't respond or are aggressive against the Word.

People with a hard heart. Sin hardens your heart.

2 Corinthians 4:4-5 KJV

[4] In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. [5] For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Satan, Lindsay them, the he grinds them  and then grinds them.

10 times in Exodus it says that Pharaoh hardens his heart and then ten more times it says God hardened Pharaohs heart. 

2. Rocky Road Hearers

Matthew 13:20-21 KJV

[20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; [21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

These are the ones that hear it and then over flow with joy. Then they go over board. 

Then things get hard and they give up on God and walk right away.

They sign up out of impulse.

They didn't lose their salvation after they walked away, they were never a Christian in the first place.

It's where you end as a Christian, bot where you start.

Jesus says because if the Word, you will face tribulation and persecution.

Paul says all believers will face persecution.

People have did for their faith in Christ since the beginning! Stephen died mad people today are still getting killed.

If you can't take persecution then you might not be able to take it.

This may be someone who put their faith in a church, a friend or something else.

1 Corinthians 3:11 KJV

[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

If any person falls that you know or watch, that should not stumble you.

3. Thorny Hearers.

Matthew 13:22 KJV

[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Weeds can choke out the seeds growth.

Luke 8:14 KJV

[14] And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection

God knows the quantity of our life, but we need to determine the quality.

4. The Fertile Ground

Luke 8:15 NKJV

[15] But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Matthew 13:23 NKJV

[23] But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."

You need to abide in God and you will bring forth fruit.

We all can hear it, but we decide to follow it.

Which of these hearers are you?

Essentials: What Every Christian Needs to Know About Prayer

Notes: Essentials: What Every Christian Needs to Know About Prayer
Harvest OC
9-4-2014
Pastor Greg Laurie
Ephesians 6/Luke 11

September 22, 2014 Greg will be on TBN, we can go see it live if we want to go. Need to sign up online.

Pastor Greg came out to a standing ovation. He told us all the stats of the Crusade. Over 12,000 people came to faith.

Sunday there will be a short film about the Crusades and people who's lives were changed.

Greg is talking about you can't walk forward and not go forward.

Job 17:9 NKJV
[9] Yet the righteous will hold to his way, And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.

We make choices and then our choices make us.

If you want to be a strong Christian you need Discipline!

God changes us and then works through us. You workout your salvation, and then God works through you.

Discipline is the key to success in all fields.

2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV
[22] Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Run from anything that causes youthful lust.

To grow spiritually you must read study and love the Word of God. 

Joshua 1:8NKJV
[8]This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

1. Every growing believer will take time each day to read, study and love the Word of God.

Greg says you can't outgrow those things, it would be like saying you have outgrown eating or breathing.

2. To be a growing Christian, you must have a prayer life.

Ephesians 6:18 NKJV praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

You can pray any way you want, just pray!

Daniel prayed in a lions den, Peter prayed on top of the water or under the water.

God will hear your prayer wherever you are.

Pray without ceasing, for this is the will of God.

Daniel prayed, regardless of the law.

Daniel 6:10 NKJV
[10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Do your enemies know that you pray?

1 Timothy 2:8 NKJV
[8] I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Daniel gave thanks in his prayer, even though the laws were against it. Give thanks, not because you feel good. Give thanks because God is good.

Greg said he thinks it is great to see a family bow their heads and give thanks to God before a meal in a restaurant.

Nehemiah 2:4 NKJV
[4] Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven.

Nehemiah 2:5 NKJV
[5] And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it."

Where ever you go, you are with God and God is with you. If you kneel before God you can stand before any man.

1. You should pray because Jesus said to!

Luke 18:1
[1] Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

John 11:41-42 NKJV
[41] Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. [42] And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

2. Prayer is Gods way for obtaining things.

James 4:2 NKJV
[2] You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

You won't get things just because you ask.

3. Prayer is the way by which God helps is to overcome our anxiety and worry.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV
[6] 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.

Greg said a joke about paying someone to worry for you.

Don't worry, but pray!  God will guard your heart and mind.

Prayer is the way we make ourselves ready for the return of Christ.

Luke 21:34-36 NKJV
[34] "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. [35] For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

Prayer is not an option for a Christian, it is a requirement.

Yes, No and Go! Are all answers to prayer.

The Lords Prayer, is not called that, by put we all know it as that. It is a great prayer, it can be your prayer or use it as a template for our prayer.

Luke 11:2-4 NKJV
[2] So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. [3] Give us day by day our daily bread. [4] And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one."

Worship music is prayer set to song!

When you have a big God you have small problems!

Secrets to Answered Prayer:

Secret to Answered Prayer #1. If you want your prayer answered in the affirmative, then pray according to the will of God.

Prayer does not change God's mind, it changes my mind.

When you are in a boat and you throw a rope to the dock, you don't pull the dock to you, you pull yourself to the dock.

1 John 5:14-15 NKJV
[14] Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. [15] And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Nothing lies outside the power of God, it may lie outside the WILL of God!

You Father knows better than you!

Secret to Answered Prayer #2. Bring your petitions to God after you acknowledge the greatness of God.

Job 7:17 NKJV
[17] "What is man, that You should exalt him, That You should set Your heart on him,

God loves you! Why He loves you, we don't know.

Matthew 7:9-11 NKJV
[9] Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Secret to Answered Prayer #3. You must confess your sin. 

There are sins of omission! 

1 John 1:8-10 NKJV
[8] If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

There is no greater sin then sin left within.

Psalm 66:18 NKJV
[18] If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

We need willful obedience.

Secret to Answered Prayer #4. As much as possible, stay out of the place of temptation.

Isn't it easier to pick out others sin than your own?

1. A test: Pray about it in the clear light of The Lord.

2. A test: How would it look if you saw another Christian doing it?

5. Don't give up!

Luke 11:5-9 NKJV
[5] And He said to them, "Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; [6] for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; [7] and he will answer from within and say, 'Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you'? [8] I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs. [9] "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

You must not give up on your prayers!

Keep praying!

Persistence gets people things from you, what will persistence get you from God.

Ask. Seek. Knock.

1. Ask implies requesting assistance.
2. Seek denotes asking but adds action.
3. Knock includes asking, seeking and persevering.

Greg prayed for his mom for over 40 years! Some people respond quickly.

Some prayer has no power in it because there is no heart in it!

You can have your prayers go nowhere or go to God. You have to confess your sin and they go to God!

We are all adopted into God's family when we ask to be.

Spending Time in the Word

Notes: Spending Time in the Word
Cornerstone Community Church
Pastor Raul Ries
9-2-2014

Pastor Raul is speaking about the Old Testament and sacrifices.

Pastor Raul is saying the Christian way is not for everyone, the road to Heaven is narrow.

When your spiritual house is not built on the rock of Jesus Christ then it can be washed away. Like a sand castle on the beach, you wouldn't build your actual house on the sand.

If Christ is your rock then you should not be moved in any way.

Pastor Raul is talking about how they killed lambs and cleaned them as sacrifice. They would blow a rams horn and the people would know the sacrifice would be made.

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV
[21] "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. [22] Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' [23] And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

Jesus wants these people to understand that the entrance to Heaven is hard to reach that you don't get there by what you do. It's the grace of God that gets you into Heaven and we must recognize that.

Pastor Raul says if you don't have Jesus Christ and don't know God, then where you spend the most time is your God. He says to get a piece of paper and track what you do for a week and you will be shocked to find the truth about yourself. What do you do with all your time in a week? The answer to that is who your God really is.

Pastor Raul says he starts and ends his days in the word of God. You should not spend time with people who only spend time in this world, we need to focus on Heaven. Eternity is where we should look to.

If you trip in this world, the Holy Spirit will convict you. That is a way that you know God is working in your life.

Hebrews 12:7-8 NKJV
[7] If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? [8] But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.

You need to know the word of God, if you need three meals a day to be physically healthy, then how much spiritual food do you need? Your are the temple of the living God. God says he will destroy the person that defiles His temple. Spending time in the word of God is the only way to feed yourself spiritually.

If you take Gods permissive will and abuse it, He gives you freedom but He makes you pay for what you do.

If God can trust you, then He will give you more to do. If you don't live the gospel then you can make others stumble. You are the only gospel many people may see.

Salt in the days of Jesus was a preservative. If the salt is no longer any good, then they would throw it away. As a Christian, we are called the salt of the earth.

Raul is speaking of tithing. Today you are to give out of your heart, you don't have to give ten percent. You have to give what you are happy giving God. We need Gods help He doesn't need our help.

The NIV bible has had 5000 words deleted from it. Raul prefers the New King James. He suggest the NKJV for reading.

Genesis 22:8 NKJV
[8] And Abraham said, "My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering." So the two of them went together.

Genesis 22:8 NIV
[8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.

Raul is talking about the different versions of the Bible. He used the verse above to show differences.

John the Baptist says Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

Every time Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus rebuked by saying it is written. You don't  have to yell at the devil, you use Gods word. Know your Bible verses.

God said to the devil, have you tried my servant Job. The devil killed a Jobs children. Job did not curse God, he even rebuked his wife for telling him to curse God. God taught us in the book of Job what patience is and to keep your eyes focused on God.

When you keep your eyes on The Lord, things happen. Like when Moses parted the Red Sea, it was when he looked up is when God gave him the power to part it.

Matthew 7:21 NKJV
[21] "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Pray without ceasing, keep your eyes on Jesus when you do everything. Faithful in the little things. Are you listening to The Lord?

In Revelation "has an ear to hear" is used seven times in two chapters.

Revelation 2:7,11,17 NKJV
[7] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."' [11] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."' [17] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."'

Revelation 3:13,22 NKJV
[13] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' [22] "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"

Is the world listening? Do you have "ears to hear".

Is God affecting my life? Do I hear God, am I noticing His work?

Why did God work with Moses, Noah and Abraham? Because they submitted to God.

The world was ruling me before I came to Jesus. Now the Holy Spirit is in my life, the Holy Spirit provides you Peace!

You know you are in the good will of God when you experience peace in your life.

Even Jesus prayed to be spared by His Father, but always finished with "Your will be done!"

Matthew 12:31 NKJV
[31] "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

This is the only sin that is not forgiven! The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! All other sins can be forgiven.

Only the Holy Spirit can convert someone! The best way to witness is with your life!

Don't push yourself on people, just throw the seeds out. Jesus is the only one who can make those seeds grow.

Stay faithful.

Matthew 16:24 NKJV
[24] Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

You want Jesus in your life then do two things:
1. Deny yourself.
2. Follow Jesus

Raul reads the word of God before he goes to bed, to protect himself.

Pastor Raul ask God every night before he goes to bed if he will wake up in the morning.

We are all only one breath away from death!

2 Corinthians 5:8 NKJV
[8] We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

If you take your last breath will you be in the presence of God?