Lions, Golaiths, and Bears oh my!!!

Teacher: Mark Williams

 So often we find ourselves limiting the God we serve when we’re in the midst of the problems we face. So often we think “God won’t bring me through this I have done too much”, or “I am the one who put myself in this situation so why would he save me?” The list could go on and on, but the reality is the strength of the Lord can help you through any obstacle you may face.
 

 Tuesday we revisited the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. I encourage you to read the whole chapter, but during the study we focused on verses 34-37.
 

 The first task we were asked to do is write down a problem that appears to be a big issue currently to you in your academic/professional, personal, and spiritual area. Some of mine were grades, wondering if I am truly obeying, and is God still listening? Everyone spoke from the heart about this one. The nest task was to write down a situation that God brought you through that appears to be a small problem now. For me it was financial, and praying in public.
 

 “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God. Moreover David said, The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear. He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. And Sal said to David, Go, and the Lord be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:36-37

 Your testimony should be a template. We need to be reminded that with God we have already conquered so many lions and bears. If the Lord is with us always why are we not treating our Goliath as a lion and a bear?
 

  Your problems look/feel bigger than they are because…

1.       The place you are in

2.       Perception of your problem

3.       People

The reality of the situation is….

1.       Your problems are puny

2.       Your prepared for present problems because of your past experiences

3.       Your faith will lead to plenty of prosperity

No matter what you have done or problems you are facing now do not let them be bigger than God. Utilize your faith and let God get the glory out of your life.

Questions to ponder?
1. What is the hardest part about trusting God with your problems?

2. Why do we try and fight our battles with our own strength?

Wall Up!

Wall Up!

Sharon Griffin

Nehemiah 1-6

Nehemiah is the cupbearer of the king, he tasted everything for the king, so he would not be poisoned. His job was about loyalty and God granted him favor with the king, because he lived a lavish lifestyle and that he was not poisoned yet.

Nehemiah 1:1-4à Nehemiah asked his friend how was Jerusalem, and the wall was burnt down and broken into. The security of the city was gone it was like leaving the door open. Sadly, we all have had a terrible report from home. Nehemiah of course was disturbed but he took his emotions to God, he fasted and prayed. Do we let our emotions overtake us, and even more so God expects us to pray and fast?

Jesus has “Some things only work through fasting and prayer.” For we know every chain can be broken, but we need to serious and committed.

Nehemiah 1:5-11à Nehemiah starts his adoration of God, acknowledging and recognizing who He is, and what God has done. The special and essential part in the prayer is that Nehemiah took upon the sins and transgressions of his nation, and confessed them unto God. Nehemiah prayed for his nation, and how we should also need to pray for America.

Nehemiah 2:1à What does your face say to those around you? Nehemiah came towards the king with a sad face and the king read it, and asked him what was wrong with it. We must watch how we deal with our problems of break ups, deaths, broken friendships, and if us Christians are not coping in a godly manner, we steer people away from Christ. Because people watch us and they want to know and see our movements.

God’s plan is not always going to a better plan, but it is going to be a great plan. A different plan that does not align with what we had in mind.

Nehemiah 2:3-9à The king offered to help and Nehemiah walked out on faith, he wanted to leave the king’s side, even though it was job to drink and eat food for the king’s protection. The king who was moved by the grace of God, the king let him go with horseman and protection.

“The WORD of GOD won’t take you where the GRACE of GOD can’t keep you,” (author unknown). When situations like these occur, we must understand that it is moving in your life, so God can get the glory, so we know nothing comes from us. We get the degrees that God wants us to work in, but He opens the door, so we can get where He wants us to be.

HATERSà Every time you do something God wants you to do, remember people will doubt you or hate you.

Nehemiah 2:10à Nehemiah went to go help someone and they did not like it. God will place something on your heart, which will motivate you to move. Because with that comes haters, doubters, liars, deceivers, those who will tell lies, harass you, mistreat you, and do anything to harm you. Satan puts these thrones in your life to detour you or discourage you from following God.

Be careful sharing your vision/dream. Not everyone is on your team. Be patient and counted the cost.

·      What is a good idea versus a God idea?

·      What is good right now that could be keeping you from what God has in store.

·      A good idea is not always a godly idea.

·      Sometimes God will require for us to shut a door on us, so He can use us.

Nehemiah 2:12-16à Nehemiah goes to the leaders, to rebuild the wall. He built his ministry team, knowing he could not do it by himself. Always pray about it—let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Nehemiah 2:20à Nehemiah talked to the haters. He spoke God’s Word against them speak the truth and not the facts, do not deny the fact. Keep praying and keep working do not the distractions, distract.

            Ex: Fact: Mary unmarried. Truth: Mary was a virgin.

Nehemiah 4:1-3à His enemies harassed him, enemies trying to kill him, and ruin him.

Nehemiah 6:3à They want you to come down, certain people in your life do not want your to continue your walk with God. Do not meet in the middle and do not compromise.

People will often use the lines of meeting you “halfway” do not compromise.

Be like Nehemiah pray, fight for your families, fight for one you love, who cannot fight for themselves.

FIGHT! Because Satan is seeking to kill them.

When the Lord God is using, your ministry will grow and there will be issues you have to overcome. Nehemiah’s people tried to oppress the lower class, be careful not to become the enemy, rewrite wrongs.

Highland ex: to stop the evil you must cut off the hand. Kill at its source Satan will always try to attack the head.

Complete the work! Complete whatever God has given you work.

Nehemiah 6:16à God will make the enemies see, so He gets the glory. Once God gets the glory, people shall see and you will be on the winning side. Never change who you are do what God says for you to do.

God will broadcast your victory everywhere remember always give God the glory.

Who Gets Your Vote?

Valencia Moses

9-4-14

Who gets your vote?

Valencia begins this wonderful bible study about who or what in our lives get our votes in our decision-making and especially our obedience. Valencia speaks from experience about the struggles she had in her life, and as the Lord uses her as a tool, so that we  recognize that these things such as:

§  Flesh (Galatians 5:16-18)à Flesh vs. the Spirit. The flesh is more than just our physical, sexual desires, but more so about our desires, hearts, and our ways.

Learn to discern between the voices within you, is it the flesh or spirit? If the flesh is tempting you to give in, try asking yourself if you can live without the object of your desire or place a waiting period upon it. Learn to endure through temptation because that is what builds our faith in God, and make sure to call upon his grace through prayer.

SN: Sometimes the ways of the Spirit can be an inconvenience, but that is how our flesh wants us to see the Spirit as no fun, and painful.

§  Feelingsà (Philippians 4:6-7)à Placing our feelings like confusion, anxiety, frustrations unto God, take it to Him in prayer. When we choose to go to God’s place in spite of our feelings, He responds to our moment and gives us peace. Learn to respond to your feelings in prayer, praise, journaling, though it may not feel good, God is faithful and loving and He responds to us when we are honest with him.

o   What is your trigger that lets you know, God is not in your situation? Is it when your health is out of order? Is it when your room is out of order? Are you not finishing because your not focused? What are you paying attention to more?

§  Fearà (2 Timothy 1:7) The Enemy tries to trick us to believe that God will not come through. Satan does not play fair, he is willing to do anything to knock us off our feet. Fear does not find its origin within our Lord God. While Satan deals his illegal blows, we must persist and endure to keep fighting. Jesus Christ has overcome this world, and we are his children, so we are more than capable to overcome our fears. Not that it is sometimes the closest people to us, who do not want us to conqueror our fears, though they mean well, God wants us to surpass them. He is always our greatest supporter, even in the threshold of pain. So to make way for the large things in our lives we must answer this question: Do we trust God to lead us through the little things or do we allow them to break us or make us?

§  Faithà (Isaiah 43:2) Through water, earth, and fire, by the world’s standards life can be pretty crazy, but God is faithful. He is the King of Possibilities, The Sovereign God, All-Powerful God we must practice to place in our faith in God in the everyday things of life. Fear is one step away from faith take that leap because God always has your best interest at heart. Though God’s way is not always easy, His way is always worth it.

Which candidate usually gets your vote and why? How can you make an intentional decision to constantly vote for faith everyday?

Extra Tips For Evangelizing

Teachers: Pastor Stan Parker and Mark Williams

I hope you all read the post on Evangelistic Training; these are just a few extra pointers to help bring the message home.

Come as you are with your spirit and not your mind. It is not about knowledge, but the essence of faith. You have to see yourself as worthy, capable, and valuable, because you are so special he sees worth in you just as you are to build up HIS kingdom. Despite our messes he chooses us. Evangelism may seem hard because God will send us places where we may feel like we don't belong, but we must remember that whatever place God sends us, he has already prepared us to do his work. Lets be honest; you are already signed up if you are saved.

If you are saved you have a testimony; you have a story. Share it. People will not change unless they see it, and show them the difference in you. Identify the important triggers in your testimony, and identify any emotional significant event. What event changed you? What brought you closer to Christ? Once you have it write it down and take every opportunity you can to share with the people around you.

One last evangelistic tool I want to share is relational. Relational is composed of relationships and time. And of course there are a few P's that come with this one as well.

• Presence-In any great relationship there is a presence. How can you call someone a friend if you don't see them? I am not saying everyday, but make your presence known. Be intentional, and place yourself as a part of their life.
• Problem-once people see a friend in you they will bring you their problems no doubt. Use those times to evangelize. Advise with the wisdom of the word.
• Plant seeds-we always have an opportunity to plant seeds, and it can be in the simplest of forms. How are you serving your friends? Are you dependable?
• Persistent-you have to be persistent. It is so easy give up when things are not going the way we want them to, but in any relationship you should never give up.
• Praise-once you take an active role in people's lives you will see a change, and when that happens all you can do is praise God.

Have the courage to know who you are in Christ and take that power and use it. Never be ashamed of where God has brought you from, because he is working in all of us. Share your story today!

Questions to ponder?
1. What is your testimony?
2.How easy or hard is to realize that God can use you?