Ever increasing faith

Luke 18:14

“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” 

Adoration

I love you, adore you, worship you, magnify your name.  You are great, good, wonderful, majestic.  You are a great great God.

Scripture

mark 9: 23-24, 29

Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”

He said to them, “This kind cannot come out except by prayer and fasting.” 

Observation

1. Jesus declared there is nothing impossible with God.

All things are possible.

2. The father realizes he lacked that kind of faith.

3. The solution was to pray that God would increase his faith.

4. Jesus delivered the boy from the demon.

When I lack faith, I need to go to the one who can impart and develop faith in me.  Faith is a fruit o the spirit.  It can grow.  How do I develop faith?

Application

1. Hearing the word of God.

2. Abiding in Jesus

3. Spend time with people of faith

4. Read biographies of people of faith.

Prayer

Please increase my faith

Worship that is from the heart

Mark 7: 6-7, 15, 20-23

He answered, “Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. In vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’

There is nothing from outside a man that by entering him can defile him. But the things which come out of the man are what defile him.

And He said, “What comes out of a man is what defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adultery, fornication, murder, theft, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

Observation

1. Worship can become a ritual and not from the heart.

I can sing songs and go through the motions but it is from my head not from my heart.  

2. I can look spiritual but be carnal.

3. The heart is the seat of my actions.

Sin flows out of my heart.  Before I say it , is in me.  Before I do it, it is in me.  My actions flow out of my heart.

4. In order to change my actions, I have to change my heart.

I am transformed by the renewing of my mind.  When my thoughts are new, it flows into my heart.  

A. Renew my mind

B. Transform my heart

Application

1. Focus on renewing my mind.

Fill my mind with the things of God.  

2. Allow the word of God and the spirit of God to transform my heart.

I can choose to renew my mind but only God can transform my heart.  It is a work of his spirit.

3. Be genuine in my worship

Guard against my times with God from becoming ritualistic.  

Prayer

Father I apologize for the times when my time with you is ritualistic, where I sing song with my mouth but my heart is far from you. I ask you to transform my heart, may it be pure, holy, and pleasing to you.

Obedience

Scripture

Leviticus 16:34

This shall be a perpetual statute for you to make atonement for the children of Israel for all their sins once a year. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. 

Observation

The most important thing about the law is Moses obeyed.  To be given the law but to reject it and rebel against it is worse than not having the law.  Moses did as God commanded him.  The road of obedience leads to blessing and the road of disobedience leads to destruction.

Application

1. What commands from God am I not obeying?

2. What commands am I partially obeying?

3. How am I excusing my disobedience?

4. Am I critical and judgmental of others when I a living in disobedience myself.?

Prayer

Father, I want to be like Moses.  I want to be a man that obeys, that hears your voice, reads your word, and does, acts.  Give me the faith and courage to obey you.

Self Care

Scripture

Mark 6: 31-32

Then He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest a while,” for many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. So they went into a remote place privately by boat. 

Observation

1. After their ministry tour the disciples were tired.

2. Jesus instructed them to find a place of rest.

3. They went to a remote place.

This passage emphasises the importance of self care.  The need for rest, time away from the crowds, and proper nutrition.  Our bodies are not made to go full steam ahead with no rest.  Lack of self care will affect every area of our lives: the physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, and relational.  

Application

1. Get first class sleep.

2. Keep a sabbath

3. Proper nutrition

4. Exercise

5. Extravagant time with Jesus

6. Time away

Prayer

You gave me this body, sometimes I want to trade it in, but I have to take care of the one you gave me.  I am not always good at this, enable me to honor you with my body.  Enable me to properly care for myself.

Believing for the impossible

Scripture

Mark 5: 27-29, 34-36

When she had heard of Jesus, she came in the crowd behind Him and touched His garment. For she said, “If I may touch His garments, I shall be healed.” And immediately her hemorrhage dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” While He was still speaking, some came from the house of the synagogue ruler and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” 

Observation

These are stories that illustrates the power of faith.

1. Woman sick, spent all her money on doctors, and only got worse.

2. She heard of Jesus

Faith comes by hearing the word.

3. She pursued Jesus

Fought through the crowd to touch the hem of his garment

4.  Immediately she was healed.

5. Jesus said "your faith has made you well"

6.  The ruler receives information that his daughter is dead.

7. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid, only believe."

That is an incredible, amazing, challenging statement.

Application

1. Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.

2. My faith in Jesus will cause me to pursue Jesus.

Both the widow and the ruler went to Jesus.

3. Faith believes before evidence is seen,

4. God rewards my faith in him.

Prayer

Father, increase my faith and trust in you.  Remove all and any doubts.  I want to believe for the impossible to be possible.  I want to place my trust in you.

Good wins over evil

Scripture

Psalm 37:34

Put your hope in the LORD . Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.

Hope in the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it. 

Observation

1. Place my hope in Jesus

No in myself, other people, organizations, or anything else.

2. Keep His way

Walk on the road of obedience.  A wise person will obey His commands and follow his instructions.  His laws are for my good not my harm.  They are to enable me to live an abundant life not to keep from the good life.  

3. He promises that I will inherit the land.

I will receive the inheritance he has for me and the promises he made to me.

4. I will see good win over evil.

The wicked will be cut off and I will live to see it.

Application

1. Place my trust in Jesus.

My hope is in Jesus, my future is secure in Him.

2. Live according to His word

His commands and teachings are for my good and they lead to a life of blessing.

3. Rest in Him.

I will not be anxious or full of worry & fear.  He will give me the land and He will judge the wicked and evil.  I can take comfort in His promises.

Prayer

I do trust you with my future, my family, and with things I cannot control.  You are always in control, you will make things right in the end.

Pray

Scripture

Mark 1: 35-39

Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 36 Later Simon and the others went out to find him. 37 When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out 

demons.

Observation

1. It was Jesus habit to pray.

2. He had a time and a place to pray

3. Jesus discovered his purpose as he was praying.

4. Jesus obeyed the Father's instructions.

Application

1. Abiding in Jesus includes a set time of daily prayer and staying connected to Jesus throughout the day.

2. I need a time, place, and plan for prayer.

3. God reveals his will to me while I pray.

4. I obey God's will.

Prayer

Speak to me today concerning your will.  I love you.

Just as the Lord commanded

Scripture

Exodus 39: 1, 5, 7, 21, 26, 32, 43

Now from the blue, purple, and scarlet they made woven garments for serving in the holy place and made the holy garments for Aaron, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

The skillfully woven waistband of his ephod that was on it was like it, of the same material, of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, and fine twisted linen, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

And he put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, to be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it might be above the waistband of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

There was a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, all around about the hem of the robe to be used in service, just as the Lord commanded Moses.

Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting was finished, and the children of Israel did according to all that the Lord commanded Moses—so they did.

Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord had commanded, so they had done. Then Moses blessed them. 

Observation

1. God commanded Moses concerning the building of the tabernacle.

2. Moses shared those commands to the people.

3. The people obeyed and accomplished the tasks.

4. Then Moses blessed them.

I find it remarkable how the people obeyed Moses. God did not speak to them directly, he spoke to Moses.  The people took Moses at his word that he had heard from God.  They trusted him.  Moses did not have the abilites and skills to complete the task, the people did for Moses what he could not do for himself.  The people enabled Moses to fulfill God's commands.  Moses led the people into relationship with God.  When the task was completed Moses blessed the people.

Application

1. Trust those who God placed in authority over me.

2. Bless and give credit to those who deserve it.

3. It takes everyone doing their part to fulfill God's will.

Prayer

I pray for the transition, I do believe you can speak through the leadership.  May I be quick to give credit to whom credit is due.  May I fulfill my responsibilities in the kingdom of God.

Avoiding Educated Ignorance

Scripture

Proverbs 9:9-10

Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. 10 Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. NLT

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. MEV

Observation

1. Personal growth is like compound interest.  It is not addition but multiplication.

2. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

A person with degrees is not necessarily wise.  Much learning without the fear of God leads to pride and educated ignorance.

3. Knowing God leads to good judgment.

How can a man have good judgment if he rejects God?  That is the ultimate example of bad judgment.

Application

1. Be on a personal growth plan.

My 20 mile mile march is reading at least one chapter every day.

2. Abide in Jesus.

He is the source of all wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  Education without Jesus is learned ignorance.

My 20 mile march is time with Jesus everyday.

Prayer

May I know you, may I seek you first.  Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation.

Relenting wrath

Scripture

Exodus 32: 12-13

Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath and relent of this harm against Your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Yourself, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give to your descendants, and they will inherit it forever.’ ” 

Observation

Moises prayer for the people when they sinned.

1. Turn from your fierce wrath.

God experiences righteous anger, wrath.  The people had sinned and it resulted in wrath.  God is merciful but he is also holy.

2. Relent of this harm against your people.

God would have judged the people for their sins.  God does not wink at or ignore my sins.  

3. Remember your promises.

Moses reminded God of his covenant with  Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God is faithful to his word

4. God is a God of wrath and judgement.

Throughout the Bible we see evidence of this.

5. Intercessory Prayer works.

The good news is that God responded favorably to the prayers of Moses.

Application

1. I will be judged for my sins.

I cannot think that I am above experiencing the wrath of God.

2. Repentance is an everyday thing.

3. I intercede for family, friends, and nations.

God will respond to my intercession as he did Moses'.

Prayer

I ask for mercy for myself, my family, and nations of the world.

The children I saw

Matthew 26:27-28

Then He took the cup, and after He gave thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 

Observation

1. Jesus made a covenant with man.

2. His blood is the seal of the covenant.

3. The result is the remission of sins for many.

Remission- pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offenses.

Application

As I sit on the balcony of my hotel I watched many elementary children go to school.  Not one of them has ever heard the gospel.  Not one of them has ever had an opportunity to receive Christ as their savior.  There is something unfair and unjust about this.  How can these beautiful children spend their whole live with no one ever telling them?  The church must step up and fulfill its responsibility.  We must take the great commission seriously.  We must sacrifice, surrender, and give all.

Prayer

Father, do not allow me to be judgemental of others but enable me to motivate them to give all.  May I set an example, may I lead the way.

For His Glory

Scripture

Matthew 25: 40, 45-46; 26: 13

“The King will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you have done it for Me.’

“He will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you did it not for one of the least of these, you did it not for Me.’ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Truly I say to you, wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.” 

Observation

1. When I help the poor, I am ministering to Jesus.

2. When I neglect the poor, I am neglecting Jesus.

3. Th disciples were indignant when the lady broke the jar and rubbed it on Jesus feet.  They thought the money should have been used to help the poor.  They were responding to the teaching of Jesus.

4. Jesus said you will always have the poor but you will not always have him.

What was Jesus doing?

1.  This is the supremacy of Jesus.  The motive behind all Christian ministry is the glory of God.  We do want to help the poor and we do want to see people saved but we primarily want to see Jesus saved.  

Application

1. Live for the glory of God.

2. Minister for the glory of God

3. Give for the glory of God.

This is a major check on my motives, ambitions, and attitudes.  So many times I do things for me to be praised, self glory, or even to help others.  Jesus is center, primary, supreme.  

It is for his glory.

Prayer

I ask that you search my heart and purify my motives, ambitions, and glory.  

The End will Come

scripture

Matthew 24: 9, 14

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 

Observation

1. Persecution is to be expected.

We do everything we can to avoid persecution.  I don't believe we look for it that would be abnormal but neither are we to run from it.  

I love my comforts and comfort zone.  I don't want to lose them but in order to take the gospel to all nations, I have to be willing.

2. The gospel is to be proclaimed to all nations or peoples.

My main motivation is the glory of God, I glorify him by proclaiming Him to all nations.

We have a long way to go.  There are many people who have never heard.  We cannot see them as our enemy but as the harvest field.

3. The end will come.

The second coming of Jesus is the blessed hope.  It is to be longed for and desired.  Nothing compares to being with Jesus.

Application

1. Accept the fact that persecution is coming.

2. Don't seek it out but don't play it safe either.

3. Tell people about Jesus

4. Look forward to the coming of Jesus

Prayer

Father, I don't want to critisize others, or have an ungodly attitude.  I do want to live for your glory and the expansion of your kingdom.