New Years Resolutions-Wisdom from Noah

Posted: January 17, 2012 in Fathers, Plans, Prayer, Vision
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New Years Resolutions-Wisdom from Noah

Crazy new years resolutions

  • Start looking after neglected children-mine
  • Change my password from “password” to username and my username to password
  • Last years was to grow my hair long which failed so will change resolution to keep short. I think I can keep that one

New Years resolution is all about making a change.

It’s a distinct time to draw a line in the sand and start something new.

It’s a time to “re-focus” to “re align” previous plans that may have gone off course.

Was God the first person to make a new years resolution?

  • Things aren’t working the way I’d like
  • I had this great plan for man but things have gone way off course.
  • Time to make a few changes around the place.

So God looked at the planet and decided to clean house.

Everything that was bad and evil was to be chucked out and everything that was good was to be kept. Spring cleaning.

The only one He could find who was good and righteous was Noah.

Everything else was in chaos.

So God literally cleaned House or cleaned up the planet with a good wash!

A new start, a new day, a new way of living.

Jesus did the same thing by shedding His blood to give us a new start.

Imagine many years after the flood a news crew doing a documentary on Noah’s experience on the Ark and asked him what would be his top ten resolutions he would pass onto people.

1.Don’t miss the Boat

Time and chance happen to everyone. Ecc 9:11

We all have the same number of days left in 2012. 

How will you use them?

Where do you want to be at the end of this year?

Do you want any change?

If you do then get on the boat!

2.Remember we are all in the same boat.

Make a decision to be a nice person and be nice to others

Who will you look out for this year?

Think about others

Make room for others in your life.

“I” life or “we” life

Lay down your life for others.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15 13

3.  Plan Ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

Time for everything.

Are you in time of sowing or harvesting?

Go the Ant

Proverbs 6-11 “look at an ant.

Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.

Nobody has to tell it what to do.

All summer it stores up food;

at harvest it stockpiles provisions.

So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?

How long before you get out of bed?

A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,

sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?

Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,

poverty your permanent houseguest!

4. Stay Fit.

When your 600 0r 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big that’s never been done before.

  • Ark was 140m long. Nearly 1.5 rugby fields.
  • Three stories high and 22 meters wide. Bus length
  • Life isn’t slowing down so nether should you!
  • As I get older I am getting busier not bored.

If you’re bored with life?-Get busy!!

5. Don’t listen to the critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.

People would have called Noah a fool

Proverbs 26:4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

  • Noah could have spent all day trying to explain it all and what was happening and argued to the cows came home-but that wouldn’t get the boat built!!
  • There are times when we just have to get on & persue our dreams regardless of what people say.

6. Build your future on the right ground.

What Noah was building was not only going to save his life but that of his family as well.

Make a fresh commitment in 2012 to be in the Word, Prayer & Church

“Jesus said that on this Rock I would build my Church”

We must build our future on stable ground

How do we do that-we learn more about the “Rock” Jesus!

Start a Bible reading plan.

7. Travel in pairs for safety sake.

Connect Groups

  • Maybe you’d like to start one
  • Maybe you need to join one.

Don’t do the journey alone. Life’s too short

God isn’t doing the journey alone

Jesus sent His disciples out in twos.

Ecc 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 
10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. 
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Connection is life! Connection will save your life!

8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Don’t blow a valve. Slow and steady wins the race

Ecc 9:11 “The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong”

Wisdom to know what to do is the key.

An article on time management

Regarding 100% of your time:

85% of what you do anyone can do…sending an email, attending a meeting, etc…

10% of what you do someone with a little training could do…teach a study, lead a meeting, etc…

5% of what you do only you can do.

  • Only you can be a companion to your spouse.
  • Only you can be a parent to your kids.
  • Only you can exercise your body.
  • Only you can keep yourself spiritually fit and engage in activities that bring you closer to God.
  • Only you can choose to enjoy life in community with others.

On these points there is no delegating.

9. When your stressed……… float awhile.

Remember to brrrreeeaaattthhhh…………………………..

Do you ever have those times when your like Noah?

Worked really hard for a long time, built, gathered supplies spent time with your family and you’ve shut the door and all of a sudden everyone starts knocking? Phone keeps ringing, txts keep coming

Jesus said “Get away, Shut the door and Pray”

Wait on the Lord”? Those that do will renew their strength

Are you planning your next holiday?

Are you planning your first holiday?

Bible over and over stresses the Sabbath day and keeping it Holy.

Exodus 20:8-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

What’s God saying to us in 2012?

Take a day off. Rest and Relax and you will be blessed.

10. Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.

Noah didn’t even know what an Ark was.

Like God calling you to build a thingamajig!

It’s a thingy, doodad, thingamabob, gizmo or a doodacky!

Remember your calling, your dreams.

Don’t say it cant be done!

Did Noah say “Nah cant be done” No! he started nailing!!

Eat the elephant one bite at a time but start eating!!!!!

11. No matter the storm,

No matter how big the waves of life crash around you

No matter how hard the winds of change try to blow you off course

When your following Gods direction there is always a Rainbow.

Don’t abandon ship in the storm

Don’t give up hope in the valleys of life

Children of Israel gave up hope in a valley.

They became dry brittle bones. Why? Because they stopped and gave up.

Keep going through the valley because there is always a mountain at the other end of the valley.

It’s at the mountain top you get to see that the valley was a time of stretching & growth.

Without the valley experience you wouldn’t have the strength, capacity or tenacity to climb the mountain of reward.

It’s on the Mountain of reward that you get to see the best rainbows.

Rainbows are the reminders that God keeps His promises

Noah was on the ark 370 days- That’s a long time at sea.

Long time wondering if God had forgotten him.

Maybe your wondering if God has forgotten you?

Get ready to send out your Doves

There’s a Rainbow coming.

 

 

 

Hey-Gods Speaking to Me!

Posted: December 4, 2011 in Believe, Dreams, Faith, Holy Spirit, Prayer, Uncategorized, Vision
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Hey-Gods Speaking to Me!

What do you do when you get a word, prompting, vision from God?

If we are people of faith who believe in the Holy Spirit then we should be believing the Scripture in

Acts 2:17 (NKJV)

17 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
 Your young men shall see visions,
 Your old men shall dream dreams.

God is still speaking to people through His Word, Dreams, Pictures & Visions and

Through other people

Don’t be surprised if the Lord speaks/calls at an unusual time or when you least expect it.

  • Samuel was called at night
  • David was tending sheep
  • Joseph was playing with his brand new coat
  • Disciples were busy fishing “Hey follow me”

There is no set time. God calls when He’s ready

  • Moses was hanging out on a mountain grazing sheep 40 years
  • Jesus was 30yrs old before God called
  • I was 37 before God Called me

So what do we do?

1. Write the vision down

Write it down immediately, as much as you can but keep it clear

Habakkuk 2:2

You will be challenged over time and you can respond “It is Written”

2. Trust someone with it

Entrust a close friend or Faith filled follower with what God is saying

Prov 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

I told my Wife, Pastor and my closest friend.

Trusted people will help you facilitate vision.

Help you stay the course.

3. Don’t tell Everyone

Not everyone will get it. Tell almost everyone.

Proverbs 23:9 (NKJV)

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Matthew 7:6 (NKJV)

6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Josephs tells his family about his visions

My experience of vision being trampled

Even Jesus only entrusted Himself to a few-He knew the hearts of men.

4. Get Wisdom on it

Proverbs 4

Your Life Is at Stake!

1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.

I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.

3-9 When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

He would sit me down and drill me: ”Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!

Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!

Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you.

Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!

Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.

5. Be prepared to wait

Rick Warren explains in surfing you have to wait for the right wave-then paddle

Waiting is draining, exhausting, feel like giving up.

That’s why the word says ‘that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength”

6. Be prepared for the Desert

Jesus spent 40 days of trial in the desert before starting His ministry

Moses spent 40 years in the desert minding someone else’s sheep

Joseph in prison before running the nation

7. Be Prepared to say “Yes Lord-Here I am”

Isaiah 6

He saw the Lord seated on the throne-high and lifted up.

Here I am send me

Jesus called the disciples and immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

He didn’t tell them where they were going, what there 3 year plan would be.

He just said “Follow Me”

Follow Me and I will change your life

Follow me and I will give you a real life

Follow Me and I will give meaning to your life.

Matthew 22:14 “Many are Called few are Chosen”

Make an active faith filled step and say “Yes I’m going

Fan the Flame-Hearts Ablaze!

Posted: December 4, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Fan the Flame-Hearts Ablaze!

Jesus is doing something in our midst.

He is positioning people in places ready to used by the Holy Spirit to see an amazing move of God in this city, region and beyond.

Luke 24:13 The Road to Emmaus

“Two of them were travelling”

  • Two guys are on a journey
  • I’m on a journey, Your on a journey, Church is on a journey

I Love catching up with people in our church and hearing about their journey with Christ

As we talk I can feel and sense this excitement in your hearts.

Jesus said where two or more are gathered I am there also.

Sadly many churches around the world aren’t talking about Jesus and what He’s doing.

Its 5 points on how to get ahead with sometimes no reference to the Bible or testimony

Its while the two of them are talking about Jesus that He turns up!

Asks them why they are so sad?

They respond with “Don’t you know Man?” “Where have you been? Don’t you know what’s been happening”

Jesus responds with “What things?”

Jesus loves to hear us talk about Him

“He was suppose to be our King and free us”

Turned out to be an epic fail

Jesus wants to hear us talk about Him.

He’s given us “His Story” so we can.

Its when we talk about Him to each other He turns up

When we talk about Him to others…..He turns up

He sets our hearts ablaze.

He walks with them and talks them through the bible from Moses to the Prophets showing them it’s all about Jesus. Its all about Him

Get to the village and he is keen to just keep on going but they ask him to stay. As they are having communion he reveals himself to them and then disappears.

They reflect, “ Didn’t our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

What has this story got to do with the building?

The building is a place where people can come and have Jesus walk alongside them and at the right time

  • Reveal Himself to them
  • Cleanse peoples hearts
  • Set people a blaze with life changing story’s all about Jesus and what He has done for them

Jesus disappears

These guys jump to their feet and immediately go off to tell others about experiencing the risen Christ.

33 They rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem

They have just walked 7 miles 14 kms Inv-Wallacetown.

What do they do?

“Hey its true!!! Jesus is alive!!!”

And while they are talking about Jesus guess what?

He turns up!!!!

We are building a church where people can gather together, talk about Jesus and experience Him turning up.

Fathers Day 2011. Prayer-Diversions and Distractions

Posted: September 8, 2011 in Fathers, Men, Prayer
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Fathers Day

Prayer-Communication with the Father

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray He said do it like this….

“Our Father”

Call to fathers to be men of prayer. Fathers who are full of Faith. Men who Move mountains

Call to fathers to communicate with the Father-

Our father who is in Heaven!

Why

To focus on the prize of winning our race and seeing our kids grow up and remain in the House of God.

Calling fathers-To grow, deepen and enrich this river of prayer.

To stand in their lives against Di-versions and Distractions

What are your diversions?

If the River can be diverted it will flow away from the source and eventually dry up.

If we can be diverted away from prayer our faith can also dry up!

It takes blockages, di-versions in the River to cause it to divert.

As a kid I loved going to the beach and there would be little streams of storm water flowing out of pipes and carving little rivulets down the sandy beach to the surf.

The idea was to try and dam the water if possible or divert it to form another river in the direction I wanted it to go.

Slowly but surly, handful after handful I would start to build a wall of sand to divert the water and slowly the stream would change direction and start to carve a course in the opposite sand bank to now go in a new direction.

When it comes to prayer and our connection to the Father the devil and or we will do the same thing. Slowly but surly place or allow hindrances, blockages, walls into our lives to divert us away from our true course and the intended path for our lives.

-to be in a close and loving relationship with our Father in Heaven

And that happens, is fostered, grows in a prayer connection.

So how do we lose our direction, our focus, our flow of prayer.

Its not like I’m walking down the street and a big dump truck comes along and dumps a huge load of sand on the footpath causing us to cross to the other side.

No it’s more subtle than that!

It’s the oldest trick in the book. Goes back to Adam and Eve.

They should have been tending the garden but allowed themselves to stop and be distracted by the serpent.

Distraction!

The Devil will feed us anything if he can keep us distracted.

I can feed Jordan if I can keep him distracted.

Satan distracted Eve (got her thinking something else) with

  1. Doubt-“Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the Garden?”
  2. Lie-“you will not die”

Doubt and lies turn our direction off course and change the plan for our lives. We become Distracted and then we are Di-verted.

God says He has plans for our lives, plans for good, to prosper us.

Satan says I’ve got plans for your life too. If I can distract you I can change Gods plan and divert you to my plan.

Eves plan was to help Adam work the garden but she got distracted and diverted.

So, What distracts us from Prayer?

Busyness is a rock of distraction from prayer.

  • Busyness says I will pray when I’ve got a few spare minutes
  • Busyness says ill pray before I hit the hay
  • Busyness says there must be someone else in the church praying about stuff.
  • I’m just to busy keeping my head above water juggling life to stop and pray.

Bill Hybels

“From birth we have been learning the rules of self-reliance as we strain and struggle to achieve self-sufficiency. Prayer flies in the face of those deep-seated values. It is an assault on human autonomy, an indictment of independent living. To people in the fast lane, determined to make it on their own, prayer is an embarrassing interruption. Prayer is alien to our proud human nature.”

So many of us are just too busy to pray! Instead we worry…

The Bible says…..

Matt 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. NIV

Same verse from the Message Bible

What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

34“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray then I will hear from heaven and heal their land

Does “People” included Fathers???

What if Fathers would humble themselves and pray?

God would have to hear from heaven and heal their…..

  • land.
  • Family’s
  • Marriages
  • Business’s
  • Finances

If you want things to go well, to go right….PRAY FIRST

If you’re a Father who’s to busy to pray for your kids, family….

Your to busy!!

Don’t allow busyness to DISTRACT you from doing business!

Prayer is the Priority!

There’s no business like prayer business.

Nothing greater we need to do in our day than connect with Jesus.

Busyness-Martha was to busy to spend time at Jesus feet.

  • Jesus comes to visit
  • Martha was “Distracted” by all the preparations.
  • Mary is at Jesus feet and Martha complains
  • Jesus rebukes her and tells her that Mary has chosen the better thing.

There is no better thing that you and I can be doing than to be at Jesus feet in an attitude of prayer

When we are on our knees at the feet of Jesus we can only look up!

What I love about church is that church and coming into the presence of God is a supernatural dam buster.

Show em the Door!

Posted: July 5, 2011 in Holy Spirit, Jesus, Uncategorized
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Show em the Door

Phil Pringle inspired message, mediating on it want to share it and break it down.

Ezekiel 47:1-12

Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.

7 When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. 8 Then he said to me: “This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. 9 And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. 10 It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. 12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.” NKJV

“He brought me back to the Door of the temple”

To come back means he must have been away. He was once at the door but for whatever reason he has left it.

Christ is the Door (or Gate in some versions)

We can be like Ezekiel -we can be away from the Door, away from Jesus.

· We know people who are away from the Door, away from Jesus.

· The door is located in the temple and from under the door flows the River.

· The River is the River of Life and when we move away from it we move away from our life source.

We use to sing this old benediction as I was growing up “Praise Him from whom all blessings flow”

Blessing flows from the Door-Jesus!

When we leave the river we leave our true life source and we start to dry out and get all wrinkly.

We don’t want to be wrinkly, prickly Christians.

The river comes out from the Door that leads to the temple.

Our path is directed to the door and we enter into the temple through the door-Jesus

The temple is where we meet with God. We commune, worship, Pray, Praise, cry, laugh and sing to God.

When Jesus died He bridged the gap for us to enter Gods presence.

The curtain that separated us from the Holy of Holy’s was torn top to bottom so we can enter.

We enter Gods presence via the Door-Jesus

Only one way to get to God-Jesus

People say there are many ways to God. Being a good person, helping the poor.

· There is only one way and that’s Jesus

· There’s not a sampler box for us to “try before we buy”

· There’s not a selection of doors for us to have a look before we enter or have to gamble on. 1, 2 or 3?

As the old bumper sticker declares its”One Way Jesus”

Acts 4:12Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

His name is Jesus and He is the Door

To get to God we go through the Door, to be saved we go through the Door-that’s Jesus!!

· “No one comes to the Father except by me”

Everyone has access to the door yet so many choose to stand afar.

Jesus can be like an insurance policy-He is only needed when in a time of need or crisis.

Got me thinking about our walk with Jesus and Doors.

What sort of Door is Jesus to you and I?

1. Emergency Door Jesus-like on an aircraft. Nice to know where it is if needed and hope that there will be a lighted path to find Him if there’s smoke.

2. Shower Door Jesus-Just a place to go and clean up but head out and just get dirty all over again.

3. Taxi Door Jesus- Climb in, take me where I want to go but let out again.

4. Trap Door Jesus-Scary, Dark, unsure what’s down there

5. Pet Door Jesus-its just a little door. Just ”for small or weak people”

6. Glass Door Jesus-Happy to window shop only

7. False Door Jesus-slid in and out so no-one would know Jesus is a part of your life.

8. Revolving Door Jesus-Continually hot and cold for Jesus. Love Him but dont ask me to do anything for Him or His Kingdom.

9. Saloon Door Jesus- whoever is following is smashed by you’re bursting through the doors making it really hard to follow

10. Barn Door Jesus-Large, Open, protective, full of feed

I have 2 questions for you

1. So, what sort of Door is Jesus to you? How do you relate to Jesus?

2. What sort of Door are you showing to people? Are you encouraging or discouraging?

People are watching you and your relationship to the Door?

Our greatest calling is to bring people to and/or back to the door. Back to Jesus

Back to our first Love. People try to find Him in all the wrong places.

We sing the Song “The greatest Love ever known you are”

The greatest and most effective way to show people the Door is here at church.

Matthew 18:19 Jesus said “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

· Every week Jesus turns up and His Door is open.

· Every week we expect Jesus to turn up!

We sing to Jesus, Worship Jesus, Give to Jesus, Pray to Jesus, Preach about Jesus.

Our job is to talk the “Cringe Factor” out so we don’t turn people away from the Door but showing them the Door is vital.

We are all Shepherds. Shepherds show sheep where to get feed. To get to the feed you have to go through the Gate/Door.

Shepherds help keep sheep in the fold and kick out the wolves.

You and I can show people to the Door.

Testimony-“Jesus knocks at the door of our heart”

John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Spurgeon Lists 5 privileges to any person who chooses to enter the Door

1. Salvation-enter by Jesus and you will be saved. Immediately and forever

Romans 10:9” That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

· It’s why we have altar calls most weeks.

2. Liberty- “In and out”. Life of freedom not a jail term or probation with restrictions.

3. Access-“Shall go in” Spend time in Gods presence praying, pleading, hiding, enjoying, fellowshipping, instruction.

4. Egress-“Shall go out” reach out to others. Not inward focus its outwards focused.

5. Nourishment-“and find pasture” Spiritual food is found in Jesus.

Number one reason anyone comes to faith in Christ is because someone showed them the Door.

Do you know someone who needs to be shown the Door?

Show em the Door-His Name is Jesus!

Dream Sunday 2011

Posted: December 14, 2010 in 2011, Believe, Faith, Plans
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Don’t be afraid to take Mary Home

Gods got a plan! Gods got a plan for you!

Will you make a decision to step out in faith and pursue it or will you sit on the sidelines of life and be a spectator?

Matt 1:18-19

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

Jewish civil law meant he had two choices he could make

  • Divorce her. Being pledged in marriage/engaged was as good as being already married but still not living together.
  • Public Disgrace—Have her stoned to death

The Law said to kill Mary!

The law was the way to death

The Spirit is the way to Life

The Law was written on Paper and ruled the natural world

The Spirit came to live in and write on our Hearts. To rule the supernatural world

2 Cor 3:6

He is the one who has enabled us to represent his new covenant. This is a covenant, not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life. NLT

All of history and the future redemption of the world came down to one man-Joseph

One Decision-To divorce her or not

Planting of C3 Invercargill came down to man-Me

Pursue the future vision or not? That one decision comes down to you!

1. Your future comes down to one person-You!

  • Pursue what God has prepared for you
  • Eph 2:10

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Divorce or Stone?

  • When the pressures on we feel we have little or few choices
  • World screams “forget tomorrow-live for now!” “Give up your job” “Get out of that relationship”

Spirit whispers “Wait for me” “Work with me” “Come away with me”

Matthew 11:30 (The Message)

28-30“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

God always has another plan! He is a Redeemer of bad situations.

  • Joseph wasn’t left stuck in a prison-He was part of Gods plan to save millions of people
  • Moses wasn’t left cornered by Pharaoh at the edge of the Red Sea.
  • Shadrach Meshach and Abednego didn’t burn. Nebuchadnezzar turned praised God
  • Even a thief dying on a cross got a last chance

1 Cor 2:9

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” NLT

2011 is going to be a year of opportunity for those who seize it. Ca pe dium

What’s on your heart for 2011?

He has Gifts this Christmas/New Year that will be out of the ordinary.

He’s an extraordinary God!

He doesn’t make ordinary!

You’re not ordinary! Made in the image of God!

Don’t be afraid to take Mary Home! Don’t be afraid to step out in faith in 2011

Choice is to run in fear or walk by Faith

Matt 1:20

“But after he had considered this”

  • Joseph had made up his mind
  • He was going to slink away and divorce her on the quiet

You might be feeling its time to pull away from your dreams

Feeling it’s all too hard

The Lord may bring you a present this year you don’t really want?

Socks………Again………….ummm……………..Great:(

Theres always a Chance to redeem a situation that’s gone wrong.

  • Turn your marriage around
  • Upgrade the job your thinking of leaving
  • Forgive that person whose wronged you

Joseph could have said it’s all over. Our plans, our future all ruined.

  • Just thought of himself

Wait-Here comes the B plan!

An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

2. Get married to the Vision

  • Don’t be afraid to take Mary home!
  • Get Committed-Stay Committed. New Years resolution
  • Joseph was a Real Man! A man of Honor

Pregnant with the Holy Spirit

3. Your mission may lie pregnant/growing/locked up in someone else

  • Be nice to people- You don’t know who you may be talking to

Heb 13:2

Continue to love each other with true Christian love. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! NLT

Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean its not about to happen

  • Our baby grew Jordan grew unseen. Babies grow without us seeing a thing until one day it’s birthed.
  • Vision grows unseen until it’s birthed.
  • Jesus grew in wisdom and stature with men. Growing behind the scenes

Mary carried the Spirits seed inside her womb

  • Growing, Unseen
  • Josephs greatest call in life to be a father grew unseen
  • Your greatest leaps forward may be in the hands of someone else.

Love your neighbor

Gal 5:14

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Greatest Gift you may receive this Christmas is the seed of a dream that becomes deposited within you and/or those around you.

When it happens-Don’t be afraid to take it home

Don’t divorce yourself from Gods plan for eternity and risk forever in obscurity….

Dont blend in with the spectators-Get out on the field!

Take a hold of the promises of God for you this coming year and let them make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you!

See you at C3 Church

Wake Up!

Posted: December 1, 2010 in Believe, Dreams, Faith, Plans
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Wake UP!

From Malachi to Matthew is a period of Quiet

Its 400 years since we hear from anyone. No prophets, miracles, stories

  • Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean Gods not up to something
  • Just because you haven’t heard from God, seen a miracle, had a prayer answered
  • Don’t stop believing!

“Don’t stop believing” a great song by Journey in 1981

We Make Plans But Prov 16:9 Man makes plans but the Lord orders his steps

1. First step to plan is to dream, fast and pray

Get away; shut the door, Pray and “Believe”and then Wait

Sometimes we have to endure quiet times before our breakthrough comes.

If you’ve been waiting—hang in there……..breakthrough is on the way

  • Might think your dreams are dead
  • Do you think Heavens on holiday?
  • Gods not talking to you?
  • Keep going. Don’t stop
  • You may have fallen- Get up.

“Though a righteous man falls 7 times he gets back up again” Pr 24:16

Wait for the Lord

Ps 27:13

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed, That I would see the goodness of the LORD, In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Takes Faith to wait!

What the Bible says for those who wait. Here are some promises….

Ps 37:9

“ For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait and hope and look for the Lord [in the end] shall inherit the earth. “AMP

Isa 30:18

But the LORD still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for him to help them.NLT

Isa 40:31

But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. NLT

Isa 49:23

Those who wait for me will never be put to shame.”NLT

Isa 64:4-5

For since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! (Piercing) NLT

Lam 3:25

The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him.

NLT ( Hebrew-Tarry, gather together)

Waiting is Proactive not Passive!

  • Maybe you’re tired of waiting?
  • Maybe given up believing that God wants to use you, answer your prayers
  • Maybe you feel like the connections dead

Lord brings life to dead things!

Classic example is the story of Lazarus

John 11:1-45

“Now a man named Lazarus was sick.”

  • Have you ever felt like your dreams have fallen flat
  • Not going anywhere, makes you feel sick, disappointed?
  • Its time to wake them up!

“He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

2 This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

  • Step one to resurrect a dream is to tell Him about it!
  • Have you opened your heart and dreams up to Jesus
  • We don’t have because we don’t ask-James 4:2b

4 When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”

5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

  • John 3:16 “for God so loved the world”
  • If you’re living it’s a guarantee that He loves you!

6 Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

  • Ever felt you’ve been to the Lord in prayer and left wondering if He even heard you?
  • No reply, just quiet, no answer, no response?
  • Don’t panic-He’s getting ready for action

7 Then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

8 “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?”

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light.

10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”

11 After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

  • Step Two is Repentance!
  • Christ is a restorer of Life
  • When we Repent-He Restores
  • He cares for His friends
  • Are you a friend of His?
  • He wants to wake up the plans, dreams ,desires of your heart that seem to have fallen asleep

He knows the desires of our hearts,

Jer 17:10 “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind”

12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

13 Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

14 So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,

  • Sometimes our dreams have to die
  • John 12:24 “I tell you the truth, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
  • Sometimes our dream is to small. “I just want to do this”
  • He has ‘Plans” not just a Plan!
  • Sometimes we have to lay down our “plan” to release “Plans”

Lazarus is dead and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

  • Gods not always into easy.
  • Israelites could have just walked into the Promised Land if God had whipped all their enemies out.
  • We have to use Faith and Believe
  • We have to fight for what we believe for.

Don’t stop believing!

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