The Hatred of Mind Tricks of an Addiction

Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. — John 8:34 NKJV

As a freedom fighter from slavery to sin, I have put these words on paper before I get so far removed from them that I will not be able to remember them any more.

It was not long ago I was a slave to a master that I could not see but always followed, that I could not hear but always listened to, that could not speak but would not stop commanding me, had no teeth but was chewing me up alive.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

560 days ago I had stopped drinking for the last time. Prior to that I had never been able to stop for more than three to six months using all my greatest efforts. The reason I would go back to drinking is because I truly felt like I enjoyed drinking, I thought it relaxed me; I would say that it was “my off switch”. I was a workaholic and “it was the only way that I could truly stop thinking about work and relax”. These statements were all lies that I told everyone just to protect my abusive master.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV

My freedom came when a hero came in and exposed my addiction of all its lies and sins and evil ways. I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and He filled me with the Holy Spirit and He did not let any other abusive master tell me what to do.

Sin will not be your master. Law does not rule you. God’s grace has set you free. Romans 6:14 NIRV

The power of the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the tricks that sin had been playing on me. There are so many different ways for me to describe it; I could say it was like having the curtain pulled back or being shown how a magic trick works. It was worse than that though, it was more like seeing a graphic scene, it was like witnessing a crime, seeing a bully, or a child abuser... it was horrible to see that I was being abused by a substance.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 NKJV

Once it was shown to me, I could look back at my life and see how it has manipulated and abused me for years. It was so clear to me: I was being abused, and I don’t let people abuse me, and I sure was not going to let a substance abuse me any more.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. Romans 8:5 NLT

The exposure was to the manipulation of my thought process. It was just a short ten days after I had truly submitted to Jesus Christ and had not had a drink of alcohol in that time. But then, the Holy Spirit exposed my old master and abuser to me so clearly that I still remember it like it was yesterday.

      And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.1 John 5:20 NKJV

Here is the thought process that I had, like I had so many times before and never really paid attention to it: Only ten days had gone by since I had my last drink, my wife was happy with me and I was feeling pretty great about it too. But then just as always, the sin decided to creep back in my life. It was a Saturday and there was a pay per view professional fight that night. There was also a birthday party for my wife’s friend and then we were going to do something the following morning after we went to church. We were supposed to go out to dinner with them and a few of their friends. They pretty much all drank. That gave my sinful nature the great idea of how I was going to start drinking again.

It just came to me like a great idea, and the Holy Spirit exposed it as the horrible idea it really was. Sin and addiction took all those things and said to me, lets drink tonight! I thought, no way, I can’t! I am doing so good. God loves me, my wife is happy with me and no way would she let me get away with it. Unless I could blame someone else!

                                          I am watching them closely, and I see every sin. They cannot hope to hide from me. 

Jeremiah 16:17 NLT

I had a great idea: I would blame her. She wanted to go to dinner with her friend for her birthday, they would all be drinking, and I would order a drink and tell her that I felt pressured to drink. She would be okay with just one, and then I would order another one. When she said something I would tell her that she knows I can’t have just one. Then I would order a third one, that would really make her mad and then I would tell her that it was all her fault, that I didn’t even know these people, it was her fault for letting me be around them when she knew I was trying to stop.

After that, she would really be mad at me and I would have reason to take off. I would go drop her off at home with the kids because we were fighting and she wouldn’t want to see me anyhow. Then I would go meet up with my buddies who didn't know I was not drinking any more and watch the professional fight with them and get drunk again for the first time. Then I would get really drunk so that I couldn’t drive, and then I would stay out till the bar closes, because I would not be able to drive. I would then take a cab home. When she wakes me in the morning I would tell her I am sleeping in because I was out so late because she made me mad and I had no way home after I drank because I would not drink and drive. That would get her mad again; she would leave for church and go to the event afterwards. I would get to watch the daytime basketball game and drink again without her seeing.

It all seemed so brilliant at the time. What a great well thought out plan. Except for the fact that it was all a horrible idea with one goal in mind, to get drunk! 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NLT

The Holy Spirit being inside me was not going to let that happen. That plan sat in my head for hours in the morning and into the day. Then I decided to tell my wife I wasn’t going. I let her know that I was feeling tempted and did not want to be around alcohol that night. Then the next day I had told her some more details of my plans so I could go get drunk. She was amazed at how far I would have taken it. Quite frankly, so was I!

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:9-11 NKJV

It has put hatred in me towards alcohol and addiction to sin. The biggest thing that the Holy Spirit has given me the power to understand is that I was not in control of me. Sin was controlling my thought processes. That is the truth or I would not have been debating myself over what I should be doing. While I knew my wife and family were happy with me and I was not out making myself look like a fool on a regular basis, I still wanted to do it. That made no sense; it still makes no sense, if you don’t want to do something then why would you be doing it?

The Bible says in Romans 7:13-25 ESV — Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.  For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

The fact is, that we all serve a master that no one sees.  It can be Jesus Christ or it can be some other sin, an addiction, a hobby, a “passion”, pride, power, money, food, they are all false gods or idols. God has put that void and desire in us in the hopes that we find Him. When we are lost and don’t know God we fill it with something else. 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

Only the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit, also known as the Living Water. If we are not believers then we will fill it with something else. That is because deep down we need it. I was once told, true or not, that a source of obesity for many people is that we don’t know how to read our own bodies. That so many people eat when they are actually only thirsty and they have trained themselves that when their body is telling them it needs water that they mistakenly seek food. That is why it is important to always drink water, not just because we need so much but because we can’t intelligently decide to only drink and not eat when that signal is sent out.

I believe the water concept is the same thing with our need for Jesus Christ; if we don’t know Him, we don’t seek Him, so we seek other things to fill that void. The Bible teaches about the woman at the well in John 4:13-14 NKJV—Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6:24 NKJV

Just like always drinking water when you are trying to retrain your body to become healthy. As a sinner you need to always seek Jesus Christ’s Living Water when you are trying to retrain your mind not to sin. For a new believer that could be going to church daily, reading the Bible constantly, praying several times a day, serving in a church, being around other Christians, or something else Christ centered. The basic idea is that you will eventually get your mind to understand it is Living Water that the signal is being sent out of your head looking for, not sin.

As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. 
Proverbs 26:11 NLT

We all know water takes care of physical thirst immediately; you are replacing the water you have already used and need more of it. In sin you may be dying from dehydration. Replacing deep-rooted sin and addiction may require a great amount of Living Water, but once that thirst is quenched it is immediate relief with Jesus Christ. Do not let your mind tell you that you are hungry for your sin when you are thirsting for Living Water. Just like drinking extra water when you are becoming physically healthy, you need to spend more time with Jesus Christ because your mind is not able to intelligently decide if you need the Living Water or sin.

Christ has set us free. He wants us to enjoy freedom. So stand firm. Don’t let the chains of slavery hold you again. — Galatians 5:1 NIRV

What Jesus Taught about Prayer

Notes: What Jesus Taught about Prayer
Harvest
October 19, 2014
Pastor Greg
Sunday morning
Ephesians 6 / Matthew 6

Pastor Greg is telling a funny story or joke, about a pilot calling to the air controller in a panic. After all the checks the air controller decided to lead the pilot in the Lord's Prayer.

He says that the Lords Prayer is a template for how we should pray.

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

We should pray always. “All prayer.”

We can pray publicly, privately, on our knees, while driving, in bed, we can pray anywhere.

Many think the best place to pray is in the church, which is a great place to pray, but God doesn't live in the church He lives in you.

Daniel was a man of God and prayer, the king's other advisors did not like him. So they tried to take him down by attacking his prayer life.

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? They may try to attack you but they know there is power in prayer.

Rule of thumb from the Bible, prayers in public should be short and prayers in private should be long.

Daniel gave thanks to God just as usual after the law was made that he could not pray.

Give thanks to the Lord because he is good. He is sovereign and we should acknowledge that.

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

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."

To pray at all times does not only mean to bow your head and pray; it means you are to simply be conscious of the fact that God is with you wherever you go.

1. We should pray because Jesus told us to!
(Luke 18:1 NKJV
[1] Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,)

Jesus on earth was fully God and fully man. The only time in history that God has done that. Even Jesus prayed to God His Father.

John 11:41-43 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." [43] Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!"

When Jesus fed the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.

Matthew 19:13 NKJV
[13] Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

2. We should pray because prayer is God’s appointed 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 may be facing difficulty right now because you have not prayed about it.

The Bible says you have not because you ask not.

Greg is not suggesting that God will always answer your prayer as you ask for it. He will however listen to your prayer. You can then sit and listen to Gods response.

John 14:3-4 NKJV
[3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. [4] And where I go you know, and the way you know."


3. Prayer is the way by which God helps us to overcome our anxiety and worry.
(Philippians 4:6 NKJV
[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;)

It's been said if your knees are shaking then kneel on them.

What do we do for anxiety? Turn your worries into prayers. Offer it right to the Lord and move on.

4. Prayer is one of the ways in which we make ourselves ready for Christ’s return.
(Luke 21:34 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.)

Mark 13:32-33 NKJV
[32] "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

Greg says many say, "I did pray and God didn't answer my prayer!". Greg says that isn't true, He just didn't say yes to you

If you want God to speak to you, provide for you, help you not to worry, and be ready for His return, you must pray!

If the request is wrong, God says, “No.”
If the timing is wrong, God says, “Slow.”
If you are wrong, God says, “Grow.”

But if the request is right, the timing is right, and you are right, God says, “Go!”

Is there a secret to prayer? Yes and no

Matthew 6:5-13 NKJV
[5] "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. [6] But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [7] And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. [8] "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. [9] In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. [13] And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Jesus refers to the Pharisees as hypocrites, originally the base of the word hypocrite means an actor.

It is not hypocritical to sin as a Christian, we are all sinners. You should repent of your sin and turn from it after, we will sin again in the future because we human.

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, they didn't ask Him to teach them a prayer.

Don't teach your children a prayer, teach them how to pray.

Matthew 6:7 NKJV
[7] And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their man

The objective of prayer is not to change God; it’s to change you.

Align your will with God's will, not God's will with your will.

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.

The value of prayer is that it keeps me in touch with God.

True praying is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.

The first three (hallowed, kingdom come, will be done) deal with God’s glory.

The second three (daily bread, forgive debts, lead not into temptation) deal with man’s needs.

The God of the Bible can not be contained. If you have a big God then you have small problems. Not that your problems are serious but it gives you the correct perspective. Our Father in Heaven loves us.

Jews kept God in great reverence, almost to a point of fear. Jesus taught us that God is like a Father to us. We should treat Him as that caring Father.

Greg is talking about his experience as a child, how his mom had 7 husbands. Greg was adopted by Oscar Laurie, that is where he got his last name. That is the only father that treated Greg as if he was Greg's father. Greg loved him.

Greg is now talking about all the different types of fathers, good and bad.

Greg says he doesn't know how your father in earth is, but he knows that your Father in Heaven loves you.

We are sinners and God still loves us, just like as if we are with a loving father on earth.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 NKJV
[2] Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.

Romans 8:15 NKJV
[15] For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

John 14:9 NKJV
[9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

John 8:19 NKJV
[19] Then they said to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also."

Hallowed means, “set apart.”

Matthew 6:10 NKJV
[10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.

1. This is a request for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth.

2.This is a personal request.

3. This is a request for the salvation of those that don’t know the Lord.

Isaiah 53:12 NKJV
[12] Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And He shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And He was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.

Acts 7:59-60 NKJV
[59] And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." [60] Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Do you have a relationship with your Heavenly Father?

Essentials: Antichrist, Armageddon, and America

Notes: Essentials: Antichrist, Armageddon, and America
Thursday, October 16, 2014 — 7:00 p.m.
Revelation 13 and 16
Pastor Greg Laurie

Dominic Bali played and he was awesome.

Greg is talking about America, says he is happy to be an American.

Patrick Henry said it can't be denied that this country was found on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Greg is talking about how we had wars to get where we are now. He is saying through those wars we became a super power. That without America that the Nazis probably would of won. Then we had the Cold War. He is talking about how horrible Stalin was in Russia. How America stood up against Russians. How America has been the worlds police.

Now he's asking the question can you imagine the world without America? He says that there is no mention of America in the end times events of the Bible.

The Anti-Christ will be sent by the devil himself. He is saying we have real and fakes in everything. That the devil is going to hand us his fake version of Jesus Christ, he will be found to be the Anti-Christ.

The Anti-Christ will bring peace to the Middle East. A historian wrote, that by forcing us into fighting with such super weapons we are all going to be looking at a new Caesar.

If the anti-Christ is close, then the return of Jesus Christ is even closer.
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 NKJV
[17] Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Revelation 13:1-4 NKJV
[1] Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. [2] Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. [3] And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. [4] So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

To understand the book of Revelation it is good to study the book of Daniel.

The dragon is clearly defined as the devil.

The devil is the god of this world. God is God of this universe, but has let the devil be the god of this world.

The devil will give the anti-Christ all the powers that the devil offered Jesus in the wilderness. The anti-Christ will be against Christ and instead of Christ.

Greg is talking about how Stephen had set up a fake Facebook page about Greg.

1. He is coming to deify Satan.

Revelation 20:2 NKJV
[2] He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;

It was Satan's desire for worship that got him thrown out of Heaven in the first place. God tells us satan was an angel.

Isaiah 14:13-16 NKJV
[13] For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' [15] Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit. [16] "Those who see you will gaze at you, And consider you, saying: 'Is this the man who made the earth tremble, Who shook kingdoms,

2. He has come to take the place of Jesus.

Revelation 13:5-6 NKJV
[5] And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. [6] Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.


3. He comes to kill Christians.

Revelation 13:7 NKJV
[7] It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.

Instead of trying to figure out who is the anti-Christ figure out if you are anti-Christ

1 John 2:18-19 NKJV
[18] Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. [19] They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

4. Anti-Christ is coming to dominate the globe.

Through peace he will deceive many. He will bring world peace. With that he will be grabbing power.

The Tribulation will not start violently but will start peacefully.

He will succeed where others have failed in peace.

Revelation 13:2 NKJV
[2] Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.

History teaches that man learns nothing from history.

It was said that all new news is old news happening to new people.

Revelation 16:12-16 NKJV
[12] Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. [13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. [15] "Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame." [16] And they gathered them together to the place called in Hebrew, Armageddon.

We hear Armageddon a lot these days. Always describing the last battle.

Reagan once wrote in a diary asking if he was destined to witness Armageddon.

Armageddon is not a battle but the place of a battle.

King Saul was slain there, in Judges 4-6 there was a battle there.

Napoleon said that Megiddo is the most natural battle ground on earth.

Revelation 16:13 NKJV
[13] And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

Satan came to steal, kill and destroy.

Satanic things are happening all around us. Without the power of America policing and the church around there will be killing everywhere around the world.

If God is not, then everything is permitted.

Moral absolutes come from the Bible. With e absence of it then you have chaos.

Greg was talking about the Euphrates, and how continents several continents meet there.

The Bible states the Kings of the East will march through the river Euphrates.

Now talking about America. Where is America in this scenario?

Some possibilities. We could be devastated in a nuclear attack. He is not saying probable, but possible. We simply may decline as a world power.

Rome lasted for nine centuries

Isaiah 40:15 NKJV
[15] Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.

Greg says he loves that in America that when a crisis hits we know where to go. We turn to the church! Such as 9/11.

Lastly, we might not be in the scenario because of a great revival. The rapture could happen and the Christians could disappear.

Greg is praying that we experience at least one more revival.

Greg says register and vote from a Biblical world view.

The only thing that can turn this world around is to turn to God.

If the rapture occurred tonight would you be with the Lord or left here?

The Miracle and the Message

Notes: Valor-The Miracle and the Message
October 14, 2014
Harvest OC - Valor Mens Study
Jonathan Laurie
Acts 3

Jonathan Laurie speaking about going up to Skid Row. Handing out water bottles, the people swarm to get water. They invite everyone back to the Mission for a meal and to hear the Gospel. He is talking about how they always feed a great meal, that attracts people so they feed them the Word and then the food.

He is talking about leveraging what they have to help spread the Word.

Acts 3:1-11-26 NKJV
[1] Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. [2] And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; [3] who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. [4] And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." [5] So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. [6] Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." [7] And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. [8] So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them-walking, leaping, and praising God. [9] And all the people saw him walking and praising God. [10] Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. [11] Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. [11] Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly amazed. [12] So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? [13] The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. [14] But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. [16] And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. [17] "Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. [18] But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. [19] Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, [20] and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, [21] whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. [22] For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. [23] And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' [24] Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. [25] You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' [26] To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities."

This man healed was described in the verse below.
Acts 4:22 NKJV
[22] For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

This was a man that was there for 40 years.

We can often decide not to share the Gospel with people. We don't know when we can spread Gods loving Word and heal someone with their struggles.

In these verses, this was a miracle sent from God that everyone could witness. Peter didn't know that he was going to heal that man, but Peter put his faith in Christ and a miracle occurred through Him.

Jonathan is talking about the time the apostles were on the Sea of Galilee and when Peter got out and walked on the water when Jesus called him.

That was a miracle, Jesus did the miracle but it was channeled through Peter.

Healing Miracles from God seem to have these factors:
1. You always want to make sure it is Gods sovereign choice.

2. It is done so Jesus is glorified.

3. It is instantaneous.

4. It is complete.

John 15:11 NKJV
[11] "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Peter used this miracle and leveraged it. It was a miracle done to spread Jesus' name.

There are fake miracles done today, magic done by others to promote themselves. You must be cautious of these fakes.

Matthew 9:37 NKJV
[37] Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

Becoming a pastor at Harvest is simply a recognition of what the pastors here are already doing.

We should all be spreading Gods word and helping others.

Acts 3:14-15 NKJV
[14] But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, [15] and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Peter called out these sins, but then he gives them the answer to make up for what they have done.

Acts 3:19 NKJV
[19] Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

Forgiveness of sin comes by confessing it and asking for forgiveness!

Jonathan is talking about he couldn't easily confess his sins and was stuck in them for years. He talks about all the guilt he felt from those things. Once he owned his sin and asked for forgiveness, he then was released by that bondage.

Acts 3:20 NKJV
[20] and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

Jonathan says whenever we have the opportunity to let others know that they can be freed from sin we should take it!

God Keeps His Promises

Notes: Essentials: God Keeps His Promises
October 9, 2014
Pastor Jason Powell
Harvest OC

We are going to be getting into a heavy subject tonight.

We have been looking at the topic of the last days, eschatology. The Biblical perspective of the last days.

Pastor Jason is talking about getting directions and an over view from his smartphone. How we have been looking at the last days like that in our Bible studies lately.

That tonight we are going to zoom in on some of those subjects topics.

Jason is saying how all we have have is what we can see like being in fog, and God is looking at it above the fog.

Snapshots in the Bible are prophecies. 

It's been said promises are like babies, they are easy to make and hard to deliver.

Skeptics say that all promises are meant to broken. 

God does not just make promises, when he says something is going to happen, then it will.

For the believer, God's promises are comforting. For the nonbelievers His promises are not a comfortable thought.

Many Bible scholars believe we are in the last days.

The signs that we are to be looking for concern Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 NKJV
[6] "For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. [7] The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; [8] but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. [9] "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;

The Jews have had their highs and their lows all through history. They have turned their backs and God has punished them. Other times they have had great revivals. God has always loved the Jews in-spite of themselves.

Just like the Jews,  God loves us in spite of us.

God disciplines his children. Famine, wars and conquering nations have disciplined the Jews.

These things happen to us as His children as well. Gods discipline may be harsh, but it is not meant to tear you down, but to build you up.

Ezekiel was written during Babylonian captivity. Chapters 1 to 32 deal with the punishments. Chapters 33 and beyond are his promises.

1. God promises to reunite the land of Israel with the people of Israel.

Ezekiel 36:10-14 NKJV
[10] I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. [11] I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young; I will make you inhabited as in former times, and do better for you than at your beginnings. Then you shall know that I am the LORD. [12] Yes, I will cause men to walk on you, My people Israel; they shall take possession of you, and you shall be their inheritance; no more shall you bereave them of children." [13] 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Because they say to you, 'You devour men and bereave your nation of children,' [14] therefore you shall devour men no more, nor bereave your nation anymore," says the Lord GOD.

God tells us, that the land of Israel will have inhabitants that will worship Him.

2. God promises His people the land

Ezekiel 36:23-24 NKJV
[23] And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. [24] For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.

Ezekiel 36:28 NKJV
[28] Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

God describes the land like dry bones.

Ezekiel 37:11-14 NKJV
[11] Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' [12] Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. [13] Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. [14] I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.'"

God makes the promise, that though they may be gone, He will bring them back.

3. He will multiply and unify his people.

Ezekiel 37:21-22 NKJV
[21] "Then say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Surely I will take the children of Israel from among the nations, wherever they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land; [22] and I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again.

Ezekiel in his day there were two kingdoms. We have never seen this promise in history. 

Today this promise has been fulfilled.

This is a promise that has been waiting to be fulfilled since 70 A.D.

This is 1900 years later that this prophecy has been fulfilled.

No people group on the planet have ever been brought back together like they were on May 14, 1948.

That is when the clock started ticking for the end time events. Pastor Jason said he would argue this point with anyone, because the Bible is so clear about this prophecy. He said there is no word play on this, God said it would happen and it has, 2500 years later.

Every Bible prophecy assumes that the Jews have their own land. So their return was a super-sign.

1. Recall the past.

Isaiah 46:9 NKJV
[9] Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,

God will not let you down. Keep seeking the Lord, He is faithful. 

God has been faithful to His people and He will be faithful to you.

Think back to a time when God has been faithful to you. Use those past praise reports, to comfort your heart for current prayer request.

2. Realize the future.

The next big event will be the rapture of the church.

Jesus and the rapture is a real event, 

John 14:1-4 NKJV
[1] "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. [4] And where I go you know, and the way you know."

John 14:18 NKJV
[18] I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

God has made a promise to us and He will keep.

God loves His kids and He disciplines us for our good.

If you are playing with sin, He will discipline you. It may be a painful punishment, but it is for our good.

God gives us what we do not deserve.

Ezekiel 38:18-23 NKJV
[18] "And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel," says the Lord GOD, "that My fury will show in My face. [19] For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: 'Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel, [20] so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.' [21] I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains," says the Lord GOD. "Every man's sword will be against his brother. [22] And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone. [23] Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the LORD."'

God keeps His Word. When He says it, it is going to happen.

That means we can trust Him now and in the future.

2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
[9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

He has waited for me, and He has patience to wait for others. We should be thankful for that. 

Who in your life do you not want left behind? 

God is waiting for them too!

The Holy Spirit the Good News and the Church

Notes: The Holy Spirit the Good News and the Church
Pastor Mike Jonker
Week 3 - Valor
October 7, 2014

The continuing work of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit in the new church.

Mike is talking about in Endless Summer, they travel and get waves. But in Acts these people are traveling and gaining believers ins Jesus Christ.

Three epic events in Acts.
1. The out pour of the Holy Spirit.
2. The first Gospel message.
3. The birth of the church

Acts 2:1-6 NLT
[1] On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. [2] Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. [3] Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. [4] And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. [5] At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. [6] When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

The disciples bore witness for Christ till their deaths.

John 15:26 NLT
[26] "But I will send you the Advocate-the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.

John the Baptist spoke of the Holy Spirit and being baptized by it and with fire.

We read how the Holy Spirit comes upon the believers. Pastor Mike says he thinks the 120 people were in the upper room.

Back in that time it was Pentecost but they didn't celebrate that day back then. They were probably celebrating the feast of the Harvest.

There was the feast of First Fruits after Passover. It was a picture of thanksgiving for the harvest that was coming from Christ.

50 days later is the Feast of Harvest after the First Fruits. Spoken of in Leviticus 22.

Mike loves the thought of being baptized with fire. Fire is important for many things, like light.

Matthew 5:14-17 NLT
[14] "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. [15] No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. [17] "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

Fire of the Holy Spirit, gives us heat. Which is there for comfort. Jesus Christ gives us warmth. He doesn't intend us to live this life without the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

Fire of the Holy Spirit gives us power. God wants us to have the horsepower he provides.

Ephesians 5:18 NLT
[18] Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

We need to have the Holy Spirit filling our sails and keeping us going.

There was only one Pentecost. That came with rushing wind and tongues of fire. This has not happened since, it was a very unique experience and we don't need another one. The Holy Spirit has already been given to us.

Acts 2:5-12 NLT
[5] At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. [6] When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. [7] They were completely amazed. "How can this be?" they exclaimed. "These people are all from Galilee, [8] and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! [9] Here we are-Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, [10] Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome [11] (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!" [12] They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other.

In modern day, this covers people of Iran, Iraq, Asia, Europe, Turkey. The believers were speaking in languages that they didn't even know.

The people were speaking and getting to hear the wonderful works of God.

Our God tells us to take His Word and just Go With It!

Mike believes not only people should be Spirit filled but also every church needs to be Spirit filled. We shouldn't compare, critique and complain.

We should be talking about how God is working in our lives and the wonderful works of God.

News flash, if you are not speaking the wonderful works of God, the. You are not filled with the Holy Spirit. You need to be asking to be filled with the Spirit, not grumbling.

Psalm 103:1-22 NLT
[1] Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. [2] Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. [3] He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. [4] He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. [5] He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle's! [6] The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly. [7] He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. [8] The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. [9] He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. [10] He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. [11] For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. [12] He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. [13] The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. [14] For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. [15] Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. [16] The wind blows, and we are gone- as though we had never been here. [17] But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children's children [18] of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! [19] The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. [20] Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. [21] Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! [22] Praise the Lord, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the Lord.

We all need to have a heart that is filled with the Spirit of God.

Tongues are not messages from God to man. It is praises of Gods work in man.

Acts 2:12-13 NLT
[12] They stood there amazed and perplexed. "What can this mean?" they asked each other. [13] But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, "They're just drunk, that's all!"

It's amazing the miracles of God are explained by non-believers as being drunk.

There are so many powerful testimonies that have come from people. Originally so many testimonies are dismissed by others because they don't believe.

When we have the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will make such an impact.