Prayer is probably one of the most misunderstood and potentially frustrating topics because many people do not know how to get results when they pray. The simplicity of prayer has been lost in many people’s lives and turned into a religious tradition that has a form but no real power. Prayer is not meant to be a burden or to be used as a badge of holiness. Instead, it is a gift from God that, when used properly, should yield great victory in our lives.

In many cases, the missing element in prayer is confidence. But why do people lack confidence in prayer? Because they do not know the will of God concerning their prayer request. God’s will is simply another way of describing what God wants to have happen. It is what He desires for our lives as outlined in His Word. If we do not know God’s will for our lives, we will tolerate the life we have when it could be so much better.

There are only two places to go to discover what God wants for our lives—the Bible and His presence. When we pray, our prayers must line up with His Word. The only prayer that God will hear and answer is a prayer that is based on what He has said in His Word. If we pray according to the Word of God, then we are praying the will of God. We can only have confidence in our prayers when we know that what we’re praying for is something that God desires to bring to pass.

People often get confused and frustrated because they do not know what God has already said in His Word. How can someone pray for healing when they do not know God wants them to be healed? How can we believe God for an increase in our finances if we do not know God wants us to prosper? The truth is—we cannot. When we do not know what God has said about our situation, our prayers will be fear-based and they will not get results.

The beauty of prayer is its simplicity. Prayer is simply saying to God what He has already said in His Word. This protects us from getting off into areas that are not the will of God. Moreover, the Bible covers every problem that you will ever have. We can read it and find out what God’s Word has to say about our bills, our marriage and our children? When we do, our prayers will be effective.

Many people cancel out their prayers, once they have prayed according to the Word, because they look to their circumstances to see if anything has happened right away. However, just because the problem or situation hasn’t immediately changed, it should not hinder our confidence that God has heard and answered the prayer we prayed according to His Word.

God loves you and gave you His Word so that you can have great results in your prayer life. Pray with confidence in the Word, knowing God loves you and will answer your prayers.

Pastor

Ignaz Semmelweis introduced the practice of hand washing at his Viennese hospital in the mid-1800s as a method of preventing disease, particularly that which caused the deaths of newborn babies.He observed that doctors and medical students often went directly from working on cadavers to assisting with childbirths, sometimes using the same medical instruments.

The death rate of newborns in his hospital was close to 30 percent. After directing his staff members to wash their hands and instruments in a solution of water and chlorine, the death rate dropped below 2 percent. Such a hygienic procedure preceded the discovery of germs as transmitters of diseases by a few decades, yet it was indicated in the Bible (Leviticus) 3,000 years before this Jewish doctor instituted the hand-washing practice.

(Collected)

God is in the process of bringing about transformation in the lives of all of His children. Each of us including others around you are experiencing change—maybe in ways where we cannot imagine a good outcome. Philippians 2:4 says “Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others.” We can look at others as people who may be undergoing change because of Jesus. We don’t need to know what that change is necessarily to encourage them.

What Is “Transformation” ?

Transformation comes when you renew your mind. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Rom 8:6) But be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.   Erwin W. Lutzer: “The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind.”

If you want to see a change in your life – change your beliefs first

• Jesus said, “You will know the truth and it will set you free.” (John 8:32)  We need to change our thoughts about the situation by looking at the Word – reading, listening, studying, meditation, and memorizing it.  When we saturate our minds with God’s word, we are thinking His thoughts.

• It is truly amazing how our feelings no longer control.

• When you know the truth, it sets you free.

 Luke 19:1-10 speaks of a man who had everything but still He was known that lacking something in His life. If there ever was a man whose life was transformed by Jesus, it was Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus lived a less than satisfactory life for many years. He was looking for a change (discovering level) when he met Jesus one day. On that day Zacchaeus was not just changed. His whole life was transformed. Today some of you are here because you want to experience a change in your life.  Today Jesus doesn’t want to change your life. He wants to transform your life forever and you will never be the same. This transformation will make you victorious over your situations.

 We are called to transform living. Ephesians 4:30 reminds us that God himself is present in our life. When we fail to live transformed lives, we not only hurt ourselves, but also those around us and even grieve the heart of God. God made us for a purpose because God doesn’t make anything without a purpose.  God wants you to use them for the purpose, which designed them for.

1. RESURRENDER – Renewal begins by offering up our whole body, soul, mind and spirit to the Lord. It takes a conscious effort to present oneself to the Lord by disciplining ourselves for godliness. Paul urges us to be present our bodies as a living sacrifice. Every day we are required to re-surrender, re-submit and realign our mind, will and emotions with the purposes of God. Set aside at least fifteen minutes every morning to worship, pray and read the Bible to allow the Lord speak to you about how He is worthy of your re-surrendering yourself to Him afresh every day.

RECONSIDER the effects that renewal brings in leading us to the will of God. We will be given greater clarity, hope and fulfillment through the will of God which is good, acceptable and perfect. People who are in the will of God are healthier, more blessed and able to make the best out of the most adverse situations. They are maximizing their contributions for eternity. They will be promoted to positions of great responsibility not only in this life but also in the one to come. (Luke 16:10-12) We will gain a greater sense of God’s favor and of those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

RESIST the conformity to the world. Know that the greatest enemy to renewal is conformity to the patterns of the world with its lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and boastful pride of life. If people provoke us we are not to lose ourselves but defeat by the power of word of God.

RECHARGE your batteries with His grace. Paul writes, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to think but think so as to have sound judgment as God has allotted to each of measure of faith.” (Rom. 12:3) God infuses new energy, vitality and ideas in to our mind when we are renewed by His word, His Spirit and the fellowship of other believers. Do not think you can go very long on self-charging of your spiritual batteries. We need the recharging of God’s grace given through the edification, encouragement and enrichment of other members of Christ’s body and their spiritual gifts.

2. Renewal: means renew your thinking

God transforms a life through redemption act in Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.  Romans chapter 12 brings a picture of a life transformed by God. A roman 12:1 launches the early believers into a rapid-fire understanding of living out their spiritual transformation.

RETHINK the best ways that you synergize your spiritual gifts with others who can best complement your own. Sometimes we need to experiment before we can find the best fit with our spiritual gifts in fellowships, relationships and ministries where God can maximize our usefulness. Some jobs, people or ministries may fit you at one period in your life but there may be a need for a change.  The adventure of new life in Christ begins when the comfortable patterns of the old life are left behind.

Keep believers in community. Romans chapter 12 deals with how believers relate to one another. From verses 13-20, a model is given to us for remaining close to one another. The language of the passage points to the needs we have: sharing, hospitality, blessing, weeping, peace, hunger, thirst. Meeting these needs for one another is where transformation shows itself. But for needs to be met, community must be valued.

Conclusion

a) Influence: Our influence could be seen only one name…Jesus.  Most of the time people love/like Jesus but hate Christianity (setting up wrong examples).  The influence of Jesus in Zacchaeus life itself witness for the society and community for transforming lives.

 b) Impact: The influence should impact not only in us but in everyone (ex: touching the power of electricity…).  In other words, it is very easy to preach but difficult to practice; it is easy to follow but difficult to be productive for the kingdom of God.

The marks of a transformed life are merely the signs of Christ’s presence in us. They are the witness of the Spirit’s work in our lives. When we see these marks, it is because God keeps His covenant to conform us to the image of His Son. It is the place many of us should return in how we lead the church.

Pastor Shalom

People of the world feel helpless as the systems of the world go up and down. They turn on the television and they hear, “This war will plunge the world into a recession.” They open the newspapers and they read that “Unemployment is at an all-time high”.

Beloved, God does not want you to feel helpless because you are not of the world. (John 17:16) You are of God and therefore need not be subject to the world’s systems. Whatever the world’s situation is, fear not because “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

Notice that Philippians 4:19 says that “God shall supply all your need”. It does not say that God may supply some of your needs. It also says that God will do it “according to His riches”. It is not out of His riches. If a millionaire gives you a hundred dollars, it is out of his riches. But if he gives to you according to his riches, it means that he is lining up his millions for you!

Lastly, the verse says that God does it “according to His riches in glory”. It is not according to the riches of your company or how well the economy is doing. No, it is according to God’s riches in glory!

So how do you stop yourself from feeling helpless in uncertain times?

Example:  if you are getting seasick when you were on board a navy ship for the first time usually advice us, “Don’t look at the waves around you. Look at the horizon far away. Look at that stable, stationary line and you will feel better.” When we fixed our eyes on that unshakable, unwavering line, even though the ship bobbed up and down in the rough sea, we did not feel so seasick anymore.

Dear Brother and sister don’t look at your circumstances or the bad things that are happening in the world because you will get “earth-sick”. Instead, look at the unshakable, eternal Word of God. Your heart will become stable and you will see your God supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus! Amen

Have a blessed time with Lord Jesus in Fasting & Praying for His glory and thank Him…!

In His Vineyard

Pastor Shalom

Jesus makes a very powerful statement: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, ‘If any man will come after (opiso) me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow (akoloutheito) me’” (Matt 16:24; cf. Mark 8:34; Luke 9:2).

If we are going to follow Jesus, we are going to have to leave the old life behind . . .

3 principles in the word of God…

• If you really want to be a follower of Jesus, he’s got to be first

• If you really want to be a follower of Jesus, You have to accept him as LORD of your life

• If you really want to be a follower of Jesus, Get rid of the excuses.

Time for introspection:

1. Realize that Jesus is calling you to follow Him.

2. Seize the moment.

3. Recognize which parts of your life need to change.

 I can be a Christ-follower if I will forsake the old life to follow Him.
I can be a Christ-follower if I will spend time getting to know Jesus.
I can be a Christ-follower if I will put Him first.

 Song:

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back

Preacherd @ Hall of Hope

Pastor Samuel Shalom

Deut 8:9-10 A land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.¹⁰ when you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.

This world, according to the book of Deuteronomy, is in fact God’s bountiful buffet. The land of promise toward which He was leading His people was described as a land filled with every good thing they could possibly want.

 “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing…”

But remember: the problem with the buffet is that you think you are getting much for little cost. The problem with the bountiful buffet is always that our greed takes over and all we think about is taking; eating, consuming, and it is an illusion that it costs us nothing.

This passage deals with God’s eternal plan for the world, and the great blessings of God which He pours out upon those who trust in His Son Jesus Christ as both their Lord and their Savior.

The Lord is bringing us into a new season of abundance. We may have experienced many difficult and fearful and dangerous experiences in the wilderness to teach us obedience and faith. We may have gone through a season of lack and mere survival.

 We may have lived in the wilderness experience of having just enough and barely getting through. But the Lord is bringing us out of the wilderness into a season of abundance and overflow where we will have more than enough to meet our needs and have plenty left over to share with others in need.

 The God who we worship is a God of abundance; not a God of scarcity. God miraculously and abundantly provided for the Children of Israel as God led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land. God fed them with manna, brought them water out of solid rock, caused their clothes and shoes to never wear out, and covered them with a cloud to protect them from the sun as they traveled.

God was giving the Children of Israel a land of abundance. In the first part of our Scripture lesson, God described the land as having plenty of water and a great deal of farmable land. It is a land filled was filled with good fruit and grapes for wine. The hills in the Promised Land contained all the minerals that they to produce farm implements (equipments) and armor. In this land the people would lack no good thing. God wanted the very best for his people.

 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)

•  A bountiful eye: Trusts God by Faith (ch 40)
•  A bountiful eye: Looks to the Future with Hope (Ch 41)
•  A bountiful eye: Sees People with Love (45)

There are two principles in this passage…

First: when you don’t have enough, materially, then it’s fairly easy to remember that we are physical creatures; it is therefore time to rediscover how spiritual we are, and to respond to God with gratitude.

Secondly: when you do have enough, materially, then it’s fairly easy to remember that we are spiritual creatures; and then it is time to rediscover how physical and material we are, and to respond to God with responsibility.

#1 the secret of Bountiful blessing is – Exercise kingdom influence

You have a promised land, the place where you are to exercise kingdom influence. A fish can’t swim on the sidewalk (walk path) and even it has no grace there.  Your promised land where your passion lies… It’s where your heart quickens, where you feel supernatural hunger to intervene and improve a situation. Your promised land will always involve meeting other people’s needs.

Your promised land is not about building you or making you comfortable. It’s about making you useful to others comfortable. 

#2 the secret of Bountiful Blessing is ‘to know’/identity (who you are…)

Good Shepherd knows you & you know the Good Shepherd

No matter where you go, can’t be anonymous with God. Jesus says “I know my sheep,” God knows you and that is a blessing. The word “know” in the Bible gives a deep intimate knowledge of everything about you. Greek word Ginasko means ‘I Know’.

Before creation, Jesus knew your name, he knew who your parents would be, what your life would be like, growing up. He knows what are you good at, what are things that make you happy, and what things make you afraid. Jesus knows you. This is bountiful blessing number one.

• What a blessing, that we have Jesus, who knows us. He sees all of our sins. And he knows how to fix it. That’s what he did on Good Friday. And that’s why he rose on Easter Sunday. “I know my sheep,” Jesus says, “and my sheep know me.”

THE LORD IS BRINGING US INTO A NEW SEASON OF BLESSING…in 2012

Are we ready to receive…refresh…to make a fresh start….

Pastor Shalom

Preached @ Hall of Hope

Deuteronomy 8:7-9 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; 8a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing; a land whose stones are iron and out of whose hills you can dig copper.

God is revealing His prophetic message and promising to full fill in 2012 for His Children…

By the Help of Holy Spirit, we could mediate the blessings of God in 2012, in 3 parts…

Part -1: Vs. 7 – To live within the Boundaries

Part -2: Vs.8 – Blessings (7 fold blessings -Food Products)

Part -3:Vs.9 – Bountifulness/prosperity

1. We have to learn to live within the boundaries of God’s 

The passage is talking about a literal piece of land, a land that has specific borders, and a land that the children of Israel were to dwell in (see Exodus 3:8, Numbers 13:27, Joshua 15-17). 

•   Follow God’s principles -Remember the LORD Your God…then we starts to live within out boundaries.   Deut 8:6 “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.

Joshua 1:4-5 ‘From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.’

Result: No one shall able to stand before them….

Deut 1:8 ‘See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them.’

 ¹⁰ The LORD your God has multiplied you, and here you are today, as the stars of heaven in multitude. ¹¹May the LORD God of your fathers make you a thousand times more numerous than you are, and bless you as He has promised you! 

•  By putting God’s principles into practice

Deut 8:1 “Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.

Remember… For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land! It’ not on our ability but His grace/favor…

Today in the name of Jesus we have made prosperous + by the blood of Jesus we have made victorious + by His Spirit made us righteousness & likeness of Jesus…

• Enlarge your vision… Vision brings passion

Deut 1:7-8 Turn and take your journey, and go to the mountains of the Amorites… See, I have set the land before you; go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—to give to them and their descendants after them.’

Example:  1 Chor 4:9-10, Jabez prayed that God would enlarge his borders/territory. Jabez was from the tribe of Judah, which was the ruling class among the Hebrews. To increase his territory meant that his people would have more area to live in and that he would have more people to serve as a leader. He was not thinking of himself, he was thinking about the welfare of others. A leader is a servant of other people.  Jabez wanted to be used by God more than anything else. 

Preached by Ps Shalom

Hall of Hope

]]> http://hallofhope.com/2012/01/14/boundaries/feed/ 0 Pastor shalom Deut http://hallofhope.com/2012/01/05/your-destiny/ http://hallofhope.com/2012/01/05/your-destiny/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:27:44 +0000 Pastor shalom http://hallofhope.com/?p=2931 ]]> Ephesians 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…

Everyone has a destiny to fulfill in Christ, but not everyone fulfills their destiny. You have a God directed purpose in life are you fulfilling it, or are you satisfied back at the life.

David was destined to be King but there was a giant that stood in the way of him reaching his destiny. David had a choice to make, either run away or believe God for a victory. He was not facing Goliath with only a sling but he was marching into battle to obtain his destiny with the power of almighty God.

God has called you to face your giants, but not in your own abilities but in His power…If God is fighting with us victory is already determined

“We don’t want a prayer life; we just want to be healed”

“We don’t want to fight; we just want to enjoy the victory”

“We don’t want to enter the battle; we just want to come to church once a week and feel the o.k.”

Example: Genesis 11:31-32 (Destiny incomplete)… Terah only went half way. You may say that half way is better than no way, but when it comes to your destiny that is not true.   If God is with us and His purpose dwells in us…we could complete the destination.  Today we have so blessed in Jesus we know destiny of life.   He is complete and perfect, able to lead us in the destiny of His Father- He is the only way…in this planet earth.

If today you have question how can we fulfill my destiny? For this question that heaven has answered, and is always answering those that call upon the Lord….

…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

“….and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matt 1:21

3 Steps to Accomplish Your Destiny

1. Imagine it! — God saw the world before He created it. Rely on the creativity of God that has been placed inside of you. This is the ability to see things before they can be seen and must be a component of any vision.

2. Believe it! — Your heart must go with your head/mind. To believe to see the impossible is to partner with God who can do all things. Jesus said nothing is impossible to those who believe… Ex: Giving/restoring life of Lazarus John11:40 (Jesus said to Martha…!)

3. Do it! — This is what separates dreamers from doers.  Ex: “Just Do it” (Nike sports stuff – if you wear it doesn’t happen but get into the field you will do it and achieve it- it is impossible but possible too).  Move into what God has placed before you…walk in and be victorious!

There comes a time to defeat Giants in life; but the one who called and promised is with you! Never forget…

Mission will accomplish! Mission is not impossible but possible in Christ Jesus

Conclusion: Stay focused:

“Visualize His Purpose in Jesus, See it, feel it and believe it…He will make a way to reach the right destiny in time.   Make your mental blue print and begin” Once you have clear picture of your priorities-that is values, goals and high influence – You will reach the promise Land (Eternity with JESUS).

Isaiah 9:6 Prophecies… “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given.  And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…”

Today’ revelation… I am not going to speak about where we are this Christmas season.  But teaching to them who I am in every season!

When God became Human…!

This is not mystery but it is an History! The birth of Jesus is not a mythological story or oral tradition but living witness! John 1:14 testify about it.

Joke: A Sunday school teacher asked her class “What is Christmas – a time for?” She got the usual answers—Jesus’ birthday, a time of joy, a time to worship God… but then one child raised their hand and answered: “a time for sportsmanship, because you don’t always get everything you want.”

The key focus of the Bible is the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. As we head into the season of celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus, prophesies are a reminder that God was indeed in charge and had planned every detail of the birth and life of His Son. He knew the end before the beginning.

The passage in Isaiah 9: 6-7 is one of the spectacular prophecies given in the book of Isaiah about Messiah’s coming. The two words have come alive in my spirit; two little words that change the whole perspective of this prophecy. Those words are “UNTO US.” (namagoskara)

They change this from a vague (unclear) and impersonal word to a powerful personal prediction; they take the merely theoretical and transform it into the practical. Without these two small words, the verses lack personal significance. With them, they offer great hope and individual consolation.

 But Isaiah tells us that this “child”, this “Son” was born and given unto us. What He is in this verse He is in relation to us. He came for us, for our benefit.

When God became Human…!

He is not just abstractly wonderful—He is Wonderful in our lives.

He is not just some counselor—He is our Counselor.

He is not some far removed deity—He is our Mighty God.

He is not just someone’s father—He is our Everlasting Father.

He is not peace in an abstract way—He is our Peace.

Remember…

1. He came for our benefit

2. God give us a child as a gift

He came to where we were—because we could not go where He was.

Personal application – If God could come into the world through Mary, He can also be revealed through our lives. He looks at our simplicity, availability and humility and not at our qualification or ability.

Are you willing to receive JESUS as Savior in your life in this Christmas Season!  Without Him…No meaning to celebrate Christmas!

Have a wonderful and blessed season in Jesus

Pastor Shalom

(Preached @ Annex Hall)

]]> http://hallofhope.com/2011/12/26/for-unto-us-a-son-is-given-isa-96a/feed/ 0 Pastor shalom unto http://hallofhope.com/2011/12/22/rich-through-jesus-poverty/ http://hallofhope.com/2011/12/22/rich-through-jesus-poverty/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:24:36 +0000 Pastor shalom http://hallofhope.com/?p=2915 ]]> Rich Through Jesus’ Poverty

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

When we think of God, we think of the most powerful and richest being in the whole universe. But do you know that our Lord Jesus was actually born into a poor family? We know this from the offering His mother Mary brought to the temple after Jesus was born, according to the Law for purification. (Luke 2:22–24) She brought a pair of turtledoves or young pigeons, which was the only type of offering the poor could afford. (Leviticus 12:2, 8)

But with Jesus in their lives, Mary and her husband Joseph didn’t remain poor. Wise men came to Jesus with treasures — “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11)

Jesus’ presence brought gold, frankincense and myrrh — two of the most expensive spices — to His family. The wise men must have come with quite an entourage for the Bible records how all Jerusalem was fearful when the wise men came to the city. (Matthew 2:3) Can you imagine the amount of gold, frankincense and myrrh which accompanied that entourage, and which was given to Jesus’ parents?

My friend, the moment you are born again, you have Jesus in your life. And when you have Him in your life, get ready to prosper for gold will come to you! But don’t look for the gold, look to Jesus — He is the power to get wealth. (Deuteronomy 8:18) The presence of the Son of the living God in your life attracts prosperity. Because of His grace toward us, Jesus, though He was rich, was made poor at the cross for your sake so that “you through His poverty might become rich”.

Beloved, when you have Jesus in your life and when you know that He has paid the price for your prosperity, you can boldly declare, “Jesus was made poor at the cross for my sake so that through His poverty, I am made rich in all things!”

Pastor Prince

We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now…not later. When it doesn’t happen that way, we are tempted to ask, “When, God, when?” Most of us need to grow in the area of trusting God instead of focusing on the “when” question. If you’re missing joy and peace, you’re not trusting God. If your mind feels worn out all the time, you’re not trusting God.

The tendency to want to know about everything that’s going on can be detrimental to your Christian walk. Sometimes knowing everything can be uncomfortable and can even hurt you.

God wants us to live by discernment—revelation knowledge, not head knowledge. It’s difficult to exercise discernment if you’re always trying to figure out everything. But when you’re willing to say, “God, I can’t figure this out, so I’m going to trust you to give me revelation that will set me free,” then you can be comfortable in spite of not knowing. Trusting God often requires not knowing how God is going to accomplish what needs to be done and not knowing when He will do it. We often say God is never late, but generally He isn’t early either. Why? Because He uses times of waiting  to stretch our faith in Him and to bring about change and growth in our lives

Wait With Patience

We spend a lot of time in our lives waiting because change is a process. Many people want change, but they don’t want to go through the waiting process. But the truth is, waiting is a given—we are going to wait. The question is, are we going to wait the wrong or right way? If we wait the wrong way, we’ll be miserable; but if we decide to wait God’s way, we can become patient and enjoy the wait. It takes practice, but as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the most important Christian virtues. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). It’s developed only under trial, so we must not run from difficult situations. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (James 1:4)

Accept God’s Timing

God gives us hopes and dreams for certain things to happen in our lives, but He doesn’t always allow us to see the exact timing of His plan. Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us in the program. There are times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take, but when we accept God’s timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working on our problems. We know that God’s plan for our lives is good, and when we entrust ourselves to Him, we can experience total peace and happiness.

The book of Genesis tells the story of Joseph, who waited many years for the fulfillment of the dream God had given him. He was falsely accused and imprisoned before the time came for him to do what God had shown him he was to do.

God causes things to happen at exactly the right time! Your job is not to figure out when, but to make up your mind that you won’t give up until you cross the finish line and are living in the radical, outrageous blessings of God! The more you trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on Him, the more life you’ll have. Trusting God brings life. Believing brings rest. So stop trying to figure everything out, and let God be God in your life.

by Joyce Meyer

In Psalm 1 we have a plea for a deeper, more solid, and more productive walk with God. The person who has a close walk with God is called Blessed! So, how can we make the most of our walk with God? How can it become a blessed Walk and have a blessed life?

To make the most of your walk with God, it is essential that you know Christ as your Lord and Savior. Apart from Christ there is no walk with God. Apart from Christ there is no saving relationship with God. To the person who is outside of God’s saving grace, I urge you to go to Jesus. He is ready to receive you.

I. The Ungodly Influence v.1 LOOK AROUND. How are you being influenced? (vv.1, 2)

 There are only two possible ways we can be influenced. Either we are influenced with godly influence, or with ungodly influence. We need to look around and ask ourselves the question: How are we being influenced? We are surrounded by all kinds of influence. What are we allowing to influence us? To shape us? To mold us?

There are 3 categories of people in this Psalms

• Walketh (Take progression):  not in the counsel of the ungodly
• Standeth (Take position): not in the way of sinners
• Sitteth(Take comfort and rest):  not in the seat of the scornful(Mocking)

1.      Walketh (Take progression):  not in the counsel of the ungodly:

a.      We need to progress in the right direction. Our ‘walk’ makes us take a ‘stand’ and our ‘stand’ gives us ‘rest’ in them. Many people progress in the counsel of the ungodly. If you place yourselves in a situation where you do not hear the voice of the godly, you end up hearing the voices of ungodly and progress your life according to the ungodly.

(Start with a step of faith, which leads to a walk)

(1) We should ask God to show us how to walk. Psalm 143:8 says, “….teach me the way in which I should walk; for to You I lift my soul.”

(2) We should walk in truth (Psalm 86:11).

(3) We should walk by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16).

Ask God and He will Counsel you. Holy Spirit will be your teacher.   John 16:24 – Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive.

2.      Standeth (Take position): not in the way of sinners:

a.      Do not stand in the way of sinners. Do not take a position to favor sinners.

b.      Take a decision to walk in the way of righteous

Romans 5:2 – through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. – Stand in the grace of God

Standing in the way of sinners: After we go in the direction of seeking advice from the ungodly, we move from consulting the ungodly to identifying with the ungodly. Standing speaks of how we are now identifying with the way of sinners. We are not opposing their viewpoint; we are embracing what they say. At first we walk to the ungodly to listen to what they say, now we don’t walk back to where we should be, we stand where they stand. We identify with their position. There’s only one position that’s worth having—-that’s God’s position. There’s only one viewpoint that’s worth having—that’s God’s viewpoint. Everything else must go to the TRASH CAN!!! How should we stand?

(1) Psalm 33:8 says, “Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”

(2) We should stand firm in the faith (1 Corinthians 16:13).

(3) We should stand together with one mind and spirit (Phil. 1:27).

3.      Sitteth(Take comfort and rest):  not in the seat of the scornful/mockers:

a.      Don’t take comfort in the company of mockers. It’s very easy to be there in such a place, but that company will destroy your values and future.

b.      Find comfort and rest in the promises of God. Delight in them

A person who is separated from the world will not sit in the seat of mockers. The word “sit” means to dwell, remain, or abide. It emphasizes a settled state or condition. “Mockers” is a word that means “to ridicule.” It refers to one who is actively engaged in putting down the things of God and His Word. Mocking can occur not only by declaration of word but by declaration of a way of life.

2. Godly Influence v.2 The Blessed Man…the Person who makes much of His Walk with God will surround himself with godly influence.

1- Delighting in the Word of God. How do you come to delight in God’s Word? It is because there was a time when you found delight in Jesus.  Your appetite for the Lord and His Word will become dull when you have tasted too much of this world. Get back in God’s Word and keep on allowing the Word of God to speak to you.

2- Meditating on God’s Word. It’s not enough to just read words from the Bible, but there must be some passages that we allow to get into our thinking and to shape our thoughts into the mind of Christ.

Results of following the commandments mentioned in Psalm 1:3

 Psalm 1:3 – And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Have a blessed time in Jesus

Pastor Shalom (preached @ Hall of Hope)

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