AWAKEN LOVE!

God gave us a sure way to know if we have been born again or not. He said you know that you have passed from death to life when you love the brethren. But love has become so over used, in fact most people don't even know what it means. People claim daily to love God but Jesus said if you love me then you will keep my commandments. Husbands and wives claim to love one another until something greater comes along or if they hit a rough patch in their marriage. Look, even our kids are falling in love at such a rapid rate that they're ready to get married by the time they get out of 5th grade.
We need to awaken the true love of God and allow God to do something so great in our life that we can't help to share it with every person coming by. We need to awaken the love of God that people can and will understand that this is a love that is never ending, never failing, and a love that will never hurt but always bring healing. We need to let God show us what true love is so we can lead by example. God told us that he loved us so much that he sent his only begotten son to die upon a cross for all of our sins. Jesus loved you so much that he was willing to lay down his life for you and I because no man can take his life, he had to lay down his life.
Just stop for a moment and come to the realization that you will never know true love until you know God. Love is much more than a emotion, it's more than a feeling you get when you're around someone. Love is a choice, and you make that choice everyday with how you treat someone. Show the love of God in this world and let's get some things in order to see God reach another lost soul out there. He loves through us but will you awaken the love inside and let him love through you?

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4)

This is probably one of the most quoted scriptures besides John 3:16. The Psalmist David began to give us what I like to call the Valley Factor. The Valley Factor is simple, we will face valleys in our life but just understand that you were created to walk through them and not take up residence. The valley was created to begin to show us just who God is. The valley was created to show us how to appreciate the mountain top experience that we are so blessed to have. But the valley is nothing more than a transition from one mountain top to the next. I was created to walk through the valley and you were too. Just keep walking and enjoy the view as you take the hand of Christ and he begins to give you comfort while guiding your through. You will walk right out of this valley one more time with the help of the Lord. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13 KJV)

The greatest decision I have ever made in my life was to make Jesus Christ my personal savior. The Spirit of the Lord drew me to a place of repentance and that is something that I will never forget. I was never perfect at that moment but I can tell you I was changed. There have been many moments that I missed the mark but I’m thankful to have an advocate with the Father that when I mess up I can ask for forgiveness and walk away from my sin cleaned and made whole.

But what’s your excuse for not being saved, what’s holding you back from making this great decision? Just maybe it’s your past and current conditions but all that takes is you making a choice to leave it all behind and choose Christ. Just maybe you’ve made it more complicated than God ever intended. All you have to do is admit you are a sinner in need of a savior, believe in your heart that Christ is Lord and that God had not only sent him to this world but to die upon a cross to pay the debt for your sin and was buried in a tomb for three days and night but then rose again and today sets at the right hand of the Father praying for us. Then confess it from your mouth, believe it in your heart, and choose to make Jesus Christ your personal savior. You don’t have to wait till your in church or until you have it all together, just make that call and ask Jesus Christ to save you!

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  (John 17:21 KJV)

We read tonight where Jesus wanted us all to one with Him as He was with the Father. The very desire of His heart is to be with us and have us with him at all times. But how many times do we that claim to be children of God hold on to the stuff of this world harder than God is trying to hold on to us? Its just stuff!

What kind of stuff are you holding on to? My mamaw had bills that her mother and father paid for back in the 50’s and 60’s. You can say why? Why would she hold on to that when it’s just stuff? It’s because she saw some kind of value you in it that someone else didn’t. But what has greater value? The temporal things or the eternal things? You will find if you search hard enough that what you’re holding close to is nothing more than just stuff!
We read tonight where Jesus wanted us all to one with Him as He was with the Father. The very desire of His heart is to be with us and have us with him at all times. But how many times do we that claim to be children of God hold on to the stuff of this world harder than God is trying to hold on to us? Its just stuff!

What kind of stuff are you holding on to? My mamaw had bills that her mother and father paid for back in the 50’s and 60’s. You can say why? Why would she hold on to that when it’s just stuff? It’s because she saw some kind of value you in it that someone else didn’t. But what has greater value? The temporal things or the eternal things? You will find if you search hard enough that what you’re holding close to is nothing more than just stuff!

We read tonight where Jesus wanted us all to one with Him as He was with the Father. The very desire of His heart is to be with us and have us with him at all times. But how many times do we that claim to be children of God hold on to the stuff of this world harder than God is trying to hold on to us? Its just stuff!

What kind of stuff are you holding on to? My mamaw had bills that her mother and father paid for back in the 50’s and 60’s. You can say why? Why would she hold on to that when it’s just stuff? It’s because she saw some kind of value you in it that someone else didn’t. But what has greater value? The temporal things or the eternal things? You will find if you search hard enough that what you’re holding close to is nothing more than just stuff!

And let our“s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. (Titus 3:14 KJV)

If you want to be the best Christian you can be you must read your Bible, pray, and do your best to get planted in a house of God somewhere for His use. All these things are important and I understand so many people say you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian, however it sure is nice to be connected to other believers when you need help. But out of all these things, reading the Word, praying, and attending church and being faithful to his work, don’t forget to do good works.

I know good works won’t save you but it is through grace by faith that you are saved by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. Now, being the light you are suppose to be is lending a helping hand when you have the ability to do so. We can’t forget our duty of being a good person or treating others how we would want to be treated. Have you forgot that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength AND love our neighbor as we do ourself? All I’m saying is this, if you’re doing all that represent Christ in this world today then you are doing works that are good for you and others. I’ve never regretted doing something kind of generous for someone else even when they might not have cared as much as I did. But the truth is I just don’t want to forget to do good works!

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.(2 Corinthians 6:18)

I could see us going up to a stranger and begging for something that we have need of not knowing whether or not we will get it. But I can't see us going up to our Heavenly Father and begging Him for anything because the truth is what kind of Father do you have to beg for anything? We are the children of God and because we belong to Him, we have access to everything that He has because we are heirs to the promises of almighty God. Whatever you have need of is in His reach and every good and perfect gift comes from above, that is where your Father begins to send it on down.

So tonight, I encourage you to not pray like you have no access but pray knowing that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or even think because we are the Children of God. You need to stop looking at God as your genie in a bottle, Santa on Christmas eve night, Siri, or even Alexa, but begin to treat Him as your Father. You have access many don't have tonight because you belong to God. Just know this He is your Father, and you are His Child, now proclaim we are the children of God.    

But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5)

We have marked the third Evangelist Sunday at our church and although all three services have been different they were all needed. Some were messages on being saved, others on being filled with the Holy Ghost, there were messages on finding a love for the Word of God, but today was all about Evangelism. We have work to do and that is exactly what Glen Wilson preached tonight on making room for the gospel. Whatever it takes, wherever you find yourself, make room for the gospel to be told. It was encouraging to know that we have so many already actively in ministry and working for the cause, however there is always room for more!
But today we look at everything else instead of what our eyes need to be focused upon. What we need to look at is the truth of the Word of God in knowing that if we are true to our calling then we begin to see not through our eyes but the eyes of the Father. If we are being watchful in all things then we are looking for opportunities to share the gospel in some way or form. We might have to endure some things but just know there will be a testimony to share once you come through your afflictions. But in all things do the work of an evangelist. We have a duty to not only work as Evangelist, but to pray, believe, and support all Evangelist to the best of our abilities. If we are not sowing into the ministry then we are not reaping any benefits. Let God be true! Let God do the work in you! Support the Evangelist. 

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

Have you ever had to assemble something that you've purchased, something that came with all kinds of pieces and a book of instructions? How many times have you threw that book of directions away and went with your gut instinct. How many pieces were left over at the end that you made the excuse by saying it all came with extra in case you lost a piece while assembling? You know we come before the Lord with all of our many pieces that make up who we are and who we will become, and God gave us an instruction manual to follow. The only difference is that many of our pieces are broken before him, and He has to fix them before assembling us into the masterpiece He has created us to be.
We would be so much better off by following the direction of the Lord that he has given us through His precious Word. The direction that God has given us is so easy even a child could follow. All we have to do is place our life in the hands of the potter and allow Him to mold us and make us into who He desires us to be. It's like this, we are on an assembly line and there are many pieces that are clear and those that are not so clear to us but each makes sense in His eyes. The pieces like a puzzle will eventually go where they belong and there will be a finished product at the end. The toughest thing about this process is the waiting, but don't worry. At the end of this assembly line you will be better than you started, because of the work of the Hands of the Potter!

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:2)

David knew what it was like to be overwhelmed and I'm sure that if you are reading this today you do too. Now, to be overwhelmed means to be buried beneath a huge mass or defeated completely. There are days where we feel the defeat of this life and then there are days that we have victory over anything that comes our way. The fact that we need to understand today is that the God on the mountain is still the God in the valley, when things go wrong He can always make them right. The God in the good times, is still the God of the bad times, and the God of the day is still God in the night.
All we need to learn to do is run! That's right run to the right source. When you are feeling overwhelmed just go to the rock. The rock is a foundation that you can stand and build upon and a place of shelter from anything that could come at you. David knew what it was like when Saul would chase after him to kill him and all the emotions that would come along with it. But in those moments of uncertainty, when he was at his breaking point, David would go to the rock that He knew was able. David wanted us to understand the same God that was a rock for him would be the same rock for us to rest upon. Are you overwhelmed? Just rest upon the rock! 

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

There is a weapon that has been given to every Christian across this world. It’s the  weapon that Christ himself used against the enemy and defeated him over and over again. This weapon is a must have if you plan on enduring until the end, and making it into the Kingdom of Heaven. This weapon is the Word of God.

My question for you tonight is simple, how much of the Word do you have inside you? Do you have enough Word to get you through a bump in the road? What about a complete road block? Can you survive the collision? I’m sorry but State Farm might be there like a good neighbor but you need one who will stick closer than a brother. You need something that is a shield and a guide. You need the Word of God to help you make it all the way through till the end. But if you don’t have it in you how do you plan on using it? Just my thoughts on the weapon that God has given us all, the more you have the stronger it becomes in you. Let that soak in!

Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.  (1 Kings 10:7 KJV)

It’s hard to have the faith sometimes when things are falling apart right before your eyes. I’ve had times of waiting and watching for something and it never came by my way. There have been moments I have wondered what I done wrong to keep from getting the promise that I’ve waiting on so patiently. But the truth is, even though my eyes had yet to see it, I still chose to believe and that’s just faith.
It’s amazing to think that once the your eyes look upon what you have prayed for and waited for then you realize that it was all worth it. It’s going to exceed all that you expect. It’s going to be greater than you could ever think or imagine. I believe that God is the one who makes ways where there seems to be none and goes above all we ask or think. The wisdom and the prosperity of what God is about to do in you will get exceed the fame! Everyone will be talking about what God has done through you and that’s how we know God will be exceedingly, abundantly, in all that you ask or think. 

And there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. And they said one to another, “Why sit we here until we die? (2 Kings 7:3)

There have been so many times in our lives that we could have easily gave up and quit, some of those times it would have been much easier than pressing through. But we were never created to be the one who threw in the towel, tapped out, gave up, or broke down before we broke through. We were created to be more than conquerors. We have one greater within us than any that is in this world. We need to recognize tonight that the only thing standing between you giving up or pressing on is the decision that you choose to make. The choice is clear, it's not your time to be finished the Lord will let you know when that time comes and you will be standing face to face with him. This is your time to press through and make the decision to rise about your circumstances and choose to live and not die and declare the works of God.

I have watched many come to this place in life where they were facing a cross roads, the decision to fight or to quit before them. Now what do we do? I tell you exactly what to do in this case. As the four leprous men would be sitting at the entrance of the gate. They would begin to talk to one another, knowing they were outcast and not allowed around any society including their friends and family. They said why are we going to sit here until we die, let's get up and doing something and overcome this circumstance before this circumstance overcomes us. They had the mentality of Job, the mentality to know that if you can curse God and die...You can BLESS GOD AND LIVE! What is your choice? Make the choice of life that you and your seed can live. Speak to that enemy surrounding you right now and tell him...I'm not dying here, but you are! 

Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:
(Philemon 1:11)
Have you ever felt as if you lived a life that meant nothing, or even went through a time where you were pouring everything out but nothing was working? When Paul was talking about Onesimus and says that there was a time when he was unprofitable I can relate to that. I can relate to having no fruit, not harvest, and nothing to show for anything because I had bankrupt myself. But thank God that I am no longer that way! Thank God that I can be like Onesimus and have the testimony to know that there was a time that I was useless but when Christ came by my way He made me worth something far more than I could ever create for myself.
But how do you get to a place of Overflow when it seems like you are living life as bankrupt? It's simple, you have to take in much more than you put out, just like a budget if you are spending more than you bring home then you have a major problem. God has a way of showing us a spiritual truth through a physical example. We have all lived carelessly at times and mess up more times than we could ever count. But here is the Truth, God is moving in us and through us and there is more treasure inside these earthen vessels than you can imagine. This is my testimony, I might not be rich in money but I am overflowing in love, mercy, and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. AS the song says I'm rich in faith and hope and love I have more than my share, I'm moving to a mansion over in glory I'm a rightful heir. Turn to Jesus and allow him to take you from a bankrupt life to a life of OVERFLOW!

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Revelation 12:11)

There is something that always brings me strength when I am weak, hope when I'm feeling hopeless, peace when my mind is weary, and assurance when I'm not sure where to turn. It's not something that I have come up with on my own, but it was given to me to help in those times of trouble. You see the Psalmist tells us that God is an ever present help in times of trouble and we know that God know's our needs before we even ask. What God has given to me, He has given to you also. It's called a "Testimony." I do understand in order to have something like this you had to pass a test at some point in time, but after it was over you have something that will sustain you in years to come. But what is your testimony and how have you been using it to overcome other obstacles in your life?
This is my testimony, that I have passed from death to life on the day that Jesus Christ saved my soul. I have never been perfect by any means but I strive daily to be the best version of what He desires for me to be. God has been good to me all my life and proven to be faithful time after time. I've been through car wrecks, accidents, watched family members suffer from sickness and be healed. Why would I tell you this tonight? It's for this reason, I'm using my testimony to touch you while you can do the same and use your testimony to touch others around you. We all overcome by two very important things, ,the blood of the lamb, and the words of our testimony. Now use the power behind your testimony to overcome this test you are facing this moment and press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. I'm nothing without Christ and neither are you but we are everything with him, this is our "Testimony" now lets use what He has given us all for the glory of God.  

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

Something that we all struggle with at times is being confident, but confidence is key in this life. I've had this saying for years, "Fake it till you make it." You might not know your way through but you might be able to bluff your way through most of it. But in the end if you had to bluff your way through life would it be worth it? What would you get out of pretending to be something that you're not. Why would you even attempt to guess at who you were created to be when the truth is it's already started.
You might wonder when it started so it's simple to answer this, God tell's us through the words of Jeremiah that before you were ever formed in your mothers womb he already knew you by name and had plans for your life. Paul tells the Philipian church something that we all need to hear. If you want to find confidence, find it in the fact that God has a plan and a purpose for your life and it's already started. The process could take weeks, months, years,but wait it's a lifetime journey with the greatest friend you could ever have and that is Jesus Christ. But listen, have confidence to not only know that He has a plan and a purpose, but also know that no matter how far you think you have gone there is a path that can lead you right back home.This work has already started but it won't end until He's done working on us and guess when that is? You got it, none of us really know the day or the hour that he will return but one glorious day I know that He will. But until then this is one thing I am confident in, "It's already started."

Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. (Jeremiah 31:16)

Have you ever had a day where you didn't know if you were on the winning side or the losing? What about a day where it seemed everything went wrong and you couldn't find peace anywhere you searched? You know it's time to understand one key that will help you unlock this door you are stuck behind. David once said that man's days are short and even though we might live to be 100, compared to eternity that is no time at all. But David went on to say that not only were they short but they were full of trouble. This is the key! No matter how hard you try there will always be trouble that will surface and get in your way. There will always be a door that will close right before you get to it. There will always be an obstacle that we have to face. But knowing there will be trouble should cause you to begin to search for an answer before the trouble arises.
Jeremiah was one who searched for God with his entire heart, and Jeremiah did a whole lot of weeping before the Lord. This could be the reason that we refer to Jeremiah as a weeping prophet. But through the heartache, tears, pain, and hurt, God always begins to speak to us and give us assurance. God told Jeremiah here, stop weeping, wipe your tears from your eyes, the work that you have labored in will be rewarded. God was letting Him know that the desire of Jeremiahs heart was about to be accomplished, the hardest part is the waiting, the searching, and the hurting. But just know it will all be worth it some day. Just wait till you see the reward that is coming your way! 


 

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12 KJV)

Just recently i was having a conversation with this lady who begin to tell me that she has done so many things in her life that wasn’t right. I began to tell her that we have all messed up more than we would like to admit. The truth is we have all done wrong and the hard thing to understand is that no sin is any greater than the other. Knowing that I have failed so many times I stopped her before she began to tell me what she had done. I said, “the amazing thing about God is that the moment you asked for forgiveness, he forgot what you done and covered you in love because love covers the multitude of sins.

If God can take our sins and cast them as far as the east is from the west and remove them from us. If God can forget all the wrong we have done and look at us through eyes of mercy, grace, and above all love. If God has already forgot my wrong once I repented of it, then why can’t I forget what he has already forgot? The truth is, we need a revelation of this scripture to understand that if He dropped all charges then why should I worry about it any longer. Christ came to die for all our sins, His blood cleanses us and makes us whole. The jury make say guilty, but there is only one judge and when He says not guilty we are free. You have a clean slate once covered by the blood of the lamb so ask God to help you forget what He has already forgot.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40)

While traveling one day I found myself in a home talking with a family that had two young children, this home had no floors but only dirt beneath your feet. You could look at the home and see that at sometime the floors of the home caved in and they didn't have the means to fix the damage. The two young children were playing and having the time of their life without knowing how bad they really had it. I found myself leaving that house and being more grateful for what I had than what I was before I saw that family living in the house in that shape. But the truth is that family was not the least in the eyes of God, that family was the greatest.

The fact is sometimes we look at situations like that and begin to look down on someone or treat them differently because they are lacking in areas that you are abounding in. But one day could change it all, and everything that you have could slowly fade out of existince with no way of stopping it. But how you treat people shows what is really on the inside of your heart. When we give without the thought of getting something in return we find ourselves in a higher place. One day I pray that the seeds that I have sown into those who were less fortunate than me will begin  to flourish into something that will bring God great glory and honor. But until that day I want to see through the eyes of God and understand that those who think they have arrived have actually not started the process, but those who have humbled themselves will be exalted in due time. The least in the Kingdom of God is the greatest,the last will be the first. But even at that what we do for the least of these in this world we are doing for the Lord himself. What that family had was something that could not be purchased with money or even taught in a classroom, but they had the greatest of all, LOVE!