Category Archives: Coffee with the Preacher

DOES MY CHURCH ADD VALUE TO MY LIFE?

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I have notice the recent shopping habits of people an attitude of looking more at value shopping.

The question that came across my mind this morning was why are people slow to return to the church building?

Could it be value shopping? Or may I say value added?

Even a less made product becomes valuable when the price is reduced or two for one sale.

Then the question arises, what value does attending church add to my life verses staying home and listening to the word online?

The value of the church is to connect worshippers with God and people of like-mind faith.

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

The cost is giving of time, talent, and money.

In going to church I feel a growing relationship with the creator and with like-minded people.

 What if people no longer feel that the church is connecting them to God, people, and purpose?

What if, instead, people have stop believing that the church has value and lacks spiritual health or that no one befriends them or that there is no place of meaningful service for them in the church?

Do you think people will continue to pay the price of attending with time, tithing, and volunteering?

Should the church be afraid to examine its purpose for existing?

Should the church have this conversation?

Will this value consumer added society where people know value and expect value willing to exchange what they see as value for what the church is offering?

Is the church delivering a Christ that adds value to the lives of people?

After Paul considered everything, he had accomplished in his life, he decided to write it all off as “worthless” when compared with the greatness of knowing Christ.

We should value our relationship with Christ as more important than anything else.

To know Christ should be our ultimate goal.

Yet how do we know him better?

(1) Study the life of Christ in the Gospels. See how Christ lived and responded to people (Matthew 11:29).

(2) Study all the New Testament references to Christ (Colossians 1:15–2:15).

3) As you worship and pray, let the Holy Spirit remind you of Christ’s words (John 14:26).

(4) Take up Christ’s mission to preach the gospel and learn from his sufferings (Matthew 28:19; Philippians 3:10).

To do these things, however, may mean that the church must make major changes in its thinking and what it is doing on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Value Added.

Is the church willing to change its values in order to show forth Christ better?

Could this be why people are not willing to fix or rearrange their crowded schedule in order to set aside a few hours on Sunday?

Could this also be the reason people are not willing to change some plans, goals, and desires in order to conform with what Christ wants from their lives?

Whatever a person changes or give up to gain must have more value than what they are giving up.

Christ to me has greater value than the worldly things but inside the building is not the only way we can gain Christ.

John 18:36 (KJV)
36  Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Summary:

Matthew 13:44–47 (AV)

44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

The Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything else we can have, and a person must be willing to give up everything to obtain it.

The man who discovered the treasure hidden in the field stumbled upon it by accident but knew its value when he found it.

Although the transaction cost the man everything, he paid nothing for the priceless treasure itself. It came free, with the field.

Nothing is more precious than the Kingdom of Heaven; yet God gives it to us as a gift.

“FAILURE COMES TOO OFTEN”

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Because we enter the ring with the lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge,  

Ephesians 6:12

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

We wrestle with Satan, and we fail because of:

1. We want to. The pleasure of sin is hard to resist.

2. We’ve developed bad habits that need to be unlearned. So thinketh a man so is he.

3. We fail to have accountability partners who will ask us the hard questions. The scriptures say encourage one another.

4. Even though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.

5. We fail to recognize that we are in the middle of spiritual warfare.

6. We have not learned to recognize the triggers that trip us.

7. We do not practice daily walking in the fullness and power of the Spirit.

A) God, I hear you.

B) God, I see you.

C) God, I feel your spirit is presence in this situation.

8. We are not practicing spiritual disciplines that help us to put off the old person and put on the new.

9. We typically react out of our pain from past or present experiences rather than respond to God.

10. We are still imperfect and in the process of being made whole and sanctified by God. We have not arrive to the point of being.

A) Saved

B) Sanctified

C) Satisfied in Christ

Ephesians 6:11b–13 The purpose of putting on God’s armor is to be able to stand against the schemes or tricks of the devil or adversary (cf. 4:27).

Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

Ephesians 4:27 (NLT)

27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

The armor is not for warfare of the believer but to enable him/ her to stand in warfare.

Christians are not to attack Satan, or advance against him; they are only to “stand” or hold the territory Christ and His body, the church, have conquered.

When under attack the believer will sing, I won’t go back.

William McDowell had a song:

I’ve been changed (I’ve been changed)

In the presence of the lord, I’ve been (healed)

Freed (freed)

Delivered (delivered)

In your presence, lord (I’ve found joy)

(Peace)

Grace (grace)

And favor (and favor)

And right now (right now is the moment) today

(Today is the day) I’ve been changed (I’ve been changed)

I’ve been changed (I’ve been changed)

And I have waited (I have waited for this moment to come)

(And I won’t let it pass me by) so we say

(I won’t go back, can’t go back, to the way it used to be)

(Before your presence, came and changed me)

Say I won’t, oh, can’t go back (I won’t go back)

(Can’t go back, to the way it used to be) to the way it used to be

Before your presence came and changed me

(All my shame)

(Guilt)

(Sins) they’ve been forgiven

(Forgiven)

(No more chains)

Fear

My past (my past)

Is over (is over)

Say right now (right now is the moment) today

(Today is the day) I’ve been changed (I’ve been changed)

Come on, somebody declare that, I’ve been changed (I’ve been changed)

And I have waited (I have waited for this moment to come) this moment right here, I’ve waited all my life

(And I won’t let it pass me by) so we say

Without God’s armor believers will be defeated by the “schemes” of the devil which have been effective for thousands of years.

The struggle is not physical (against flesh and blood); it is a spiritual conflict against the spiritual “Mafia.”

Though the ranks of satanic forces cannot be fully categorized, the first two (rulers and authorities) have already been mentioned in 1:21 and 3:10.

Paul added the powers of this dark world (cf. 2:2; 4:18; 5:8) and the spiritual forces of evil.

Their sphere of activity is in the heavenly realms,  

Satan, who was in the heavens (2:2) until he will be cast out in the middle of the Tribulation (Rev. 12:9–10), is trying to rob believers of the spiritual blessings God has given them (Eph. 1:3).

Too, the word stand in verse 13 “to withstand or stand against”.

James 4:7 (NLT): So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

1 Peter 5:9 (NLT): Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

Satan thought he had defeated Jesus on the cross at Calvary.

Jesus suffered on the cross.

Jesus submitted to death and the grave on Friday afternoon.

Three days Satan claimed the victory, but Sunday morning came, and Jesus got up.

I need somebody hear me, today. “You got the victory so just stand”.

Your depression will not win.

Your sickness will not win.

Your fear will not win.

That loneliness will not win.

Jesus like Jesus you will suffer but Sunday morning is coming, and you will rise against.

On Sunday morning Jesus rose from the dead.

O death where is your sting?

O grave where is your victory?

Jesus got the victory.

Theme: “We are Stronger Together”

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1 Corinthians 12:18

18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

Value of the Vision

  1. Reach People for the Lord
  2. Teach People about the Lord
  3. Gather People in the name of the Lord
  4. Inspire People in the Lord

Encourage (Urging one another to stay faithful), (Exalt (Overflowing declaration of Christ), Equip (Making disciple with the power of the Spirit) and Evangelize (Fishing for men)

  1. Encourage –Hebrews 3:13
  2. Exalt – Psalm 34:3
  3. Equip – Ephesians 4:11-12
  4. Evangelize – Acts 1:8

The early church was devoted to the Four E’s. 

 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship (EQUIP), to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

And awe came upon every soul (EXALT), and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need (ENCOURAGE).

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.

And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (EVANGELIZE)” Acts 2:42-47

I need a Prophetic word today!

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1 Corinthians 14:3 (NLT)

3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.

A prophetic word is when God gives someone else who is filled with His Holy Spirit a glimpse into your future or your now to encourage you, and it really should be encouraging. 

 It should be calling you into your destiny.

Your destiny is where God sees you in the future and a prophetic word gives you a sense of what & where that is. 

The prophetic word gives you hope about the future.

It gives you hope that one day you’ll be out of the place you’re currently in and some days that hope is what keeps a person going.

A prophetic word should be speaking what is truth and not what is true.   

What is true is where we are now and it might be an absolute empty hole, what is truth is who and where God is calling us to be and it gives hope to get there. 

Even if a person is in sin, a prophetic word calls them out of that place to aa better place.

As you are reading this, I believe the prophetic is speaking to you about your life and your future.

Your present situation is not defining you but building you for your future and next move.

Ask God to send more encourager into your life.

“Is there a word for the Lord?”

A word about marriage, job, ministry, finances, health, and friends who fill my life in the future.

Who is this Jesus?

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Hebrews 1:3

3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The author of Hebrews informs the readers that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and the Son of God.

The Apostle John speaks of Jesus in his writings….

John 1:1 (KJV)
1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:3 (KJV)
3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14 (KJV)
14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Apostle Paul speaks of Jesus this way…

Colossians 1:16 (KJV)
16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

All three describe Jesus as being at the beginning of all that was created.

Therefore, he makes all that was made, keep all together what was made, while ruling all that was made, he could save mankind from sin, sickness, and eternal death.

Well, this Jesus was the brightness of God’s glory.

Where does the brightness of the moon come from?

Unlike a lamp or our sun, the moon doesn’t produce its own light. Moonlight is actually sunlight that shines on the moon and bounces off. The light reflects off old volcanoes, craters, and lava flows on the moon’s surface.

Where does the brightness of the son come from?

The Sun produces light by a nuclear reaction called fusion. As atoms of hydrogen combine to form helium, they produce vast amounts of heat and light.

Fusion occurs in the sun’s innermost core, when two atoms merge, releasing energy and light in the process. Photons of light are first created in the sun’s center. Over tens of thousands of years, the photons travel a “drunken walk,” zigzagging their way from atom to atom until they reach the surface.

The moon does have a true brightness for it is a reflection of light from the sun.

The produce reflection by it very creation.

What does the Bible mean by the glory of God?

Glory (from the Latin gloria, “fame, renown”) is used to describe the manifestation of God’s presence as perceived by humans according to the Abrahamic religions.

The Glory of God The glory of God can be described in two senses: (1) as  attribute,

 (2) referring to particular historical manifestations of his presence.

The glory of God is proclaimed by the Creation.

It is revealed by his mighty acts of salvation and deliverance.

His glory is the theme of the praise.

The glory of God was with Israel in the pillar of fire or the cloud that followed them.

John 17:4

I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do.

God’s glory is displayed in Christ. If God’s glory is the sense of his awesome presence, the more we understand of Jesus’ mission and work on earth, the more we will be aware of God’s glory. For in Christ, God was physically present in this world.

God’s glory is reflected in the lives of his people. What did Jesus mean when he said in verse 10, “They are my glory”? God’s glory is the revelation of his character and presence. The lives of Jesus’ disciples reveal his character, and he is present to the world through them.

Does your life reveal Jesus’ character and presence?

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 Peter 2:12 (KJV)
12  Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Matthew 1:23 (KJV)
23  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

We must not attempt to produce glory but allow the glory of God to come forth just as Jesus did.

Too God be the glory and the honor, and the praise!

Sound Doctrine

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Titus 2:1–8

1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

Sound doctrine is not always what a person wants to hear.

When a church or person is growing in the faith they need sound doctrine.

They will have new people, new problems, new pains, and diversity of ages.

There will be people from everywhere trying to educate you in the faith and sound doctrine can make a difference if you will be able to hold out or give out!

Be careful with your advice to young believers!

Remember they don’t have a faith background.

They come from the street with a totally different understanding of what is right.

Having people of all ages in a church can strengthen it, but it also can bring problems.

Paul gave Titus counsel on how to help various groups of people.

The older people should teach the younger by words and by example.

This is how values are passed on from generation to generation.

Titus was to teach all the new converts to become “sound in the faith” (1:13).

Titus 2:1 (12TT): But as for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. 

Whereas the false teachers were deceivers (1:10), Titus was to teach sound doctrine, the “trustworthy message” of the gospel (1:9).

Believers must be grounded in the truths of the Bible, then they won’t be swayed by the powerful rhetoric of false teachers and heresy, the possible devastation of tragic circumstances, or the pull of emotions.

Knowledge and acceptance of “sound doctrine” should lead to righteous living.

Behavior should match belief; thus, in the following verses, Paul gave Titus examples of the right behavior expected of several types of people in the churches.

SOUND DOCTRINE

Sound doctrine rings true. It combines correct knowledge and understanding with consistent practice.

How do we know if our Christian doctrine is sound?

  1. It is found in the Bible.
  2. It keeps Jesus Christ central.
  3. It results in consistently good behavior and actions.
  4. It promotes spiritual health in ourselves and others.

Those responsible for preaching and teaching must challenge people to understand sound doctrine.

We may become so caught up in relating to felt needs that we ignore their connection to sound biblical knowledge.

Reaching out to people where they are should not result in scriptural ignorance. Most important is what does the bible say about this situation.

1.    Living by faith and not lead by emotions. 

2.    Don’t believe everything you feel.

3.    Feelings are not facts.

Just because I feel useless, hopeless, unlovable, and worthless, doesn’t mean you am. This might seem obvious to some but emotions can be convincing and the evidence seems to abound to confirm said subjective experience.

Recognize feelings for what they are: feelings; not facts, not the Truth, not edicts.

What Does the Bible say about emotions? 

Living by faith and not allowing our emotions to lead us can be complicated to tackle. 

Our feelings can change at the drop of a hat, the tune of a song, or the embrace of a friend.

Can we trust our own feelings, allowing them to guide our decisions if they are so quickly changing?

Are they something to rule our lives? Are they something that should guide our decisions?

Scripture On Managing Our Emotions

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. -Proverbs 16:32

Why did God give us our emotions?

In Proverbs 28:26 it tells us if we trust in our hearts, we are fools. 

Proverbs 12:15 says the way of the fool is right in his own eyes.

God gave us our feelings and emotions for a reason.

Living by faith doesn’t mean we ignore them.

They are not evil by themselves, but what we allow our thoughts to dwell on may be negative and causing an unhealthy overload of negative emotions. 

Our Emotions are a Gauge, Not a Guide

It will be in our best interest if we learn how to handle our feelings by responding well. Let’s try to remember 

2 Corinthians 10:5 when dealing with my feelings and thought process. 

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV 

Sometimes I can’t help the way I feel, but I can help how I react to those feelings.

I can submit them to God and His will for my life.

Choosing to respond in a way that is based on God’s truth for my life and the situation.

By doing that I’m honoring God. Intentionally putting faith over my feelings.

Ephesians 4:26 (AV)

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

Just like handling our business we often have to handle our faith with Sound Doctrine!!!

Living By Faith Not Feelings

Our thoughts are what trigger our feelings.

Our feelings are very real but can be based or triggered by a negative, overthinking, thought process instead of the truth.  

When we find ourselves going through a hard time and the walls are closing in with no light at the end of the tunnel. Anxiety. Fear. Grief. Anger.

All those emotions can be overwhelming.

Crashing in on us.

Those are the moments when God reminds us to not be afraid, focus on His truth, and rest in Him. Sound Doctrine!

Living By Faith

Jesus, God in the flesh, experienced a wide range of emotions during his 33 years on this earth. 

Scripture tells us what He felt and experienced, specifically, during his three-year public ministry.

And while we might tend to think that being unemotional means being more spiritual or Spirit-controlled, Scripture clearly shows that Jesus exercised a healthy amount of emotion and self-control. –Crosswalk

We know that He is “near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). We can cast all our anxieties on Him because we are assured that He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

Standing in the Truth of God as broken and emotional people, remembering that God made our emotions and gives us a time to mourn and laugh. Recognizing them and submitting them one by one to Christ is the moving forward in a way that honors God.

Living by Faith and truly believing what the Bible says is what will transform our thought process and therefore help to keep our feelings in check and standing firm in our faith.

Worship and/or Praise is what I do!

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1 Samuel 2:1–2 (NLT)

Hannah’s Prayer of Praise

Then Hannah prayed:

“My heart rejoices in the Lord!

The Lord has made me strong.

Now I have an answer for my enemies;

I rejoice because you rescued me.

2 No one is holy like the Lord!

There is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God.

Praising God will increase your faith in such times.

See, as we spend time praising God, we can recount the great things

He has done in our lives, other people’s lives, and even the great things the Lord did in the Bible.

When we do this, our souls are reminded of God’s goodness, which builds our faith.

Praise stems from recognizing the good acts of God but worship is not a function of the acts of God.

Worship comes from the core of who the worshipper is and what God means to the them.

Beloved, if you understand the difference between the two, you will have a better understanding of honoring God.

Praise is appreciating of God, especially in songs.

It is joyfully recounting everything that God has done and showing him gratitude for it.

Praise usually goes along with thanksgiving, appreciating God for all the might and good works He has done in our lives.

Praise is a universal thing and can be applied to anybody.

It doesn’t require much from us other than the acknowledgement of the righteous acts of God.

In the Bible, praise is usually presented as highly-spirited, joyful and uninhibited.

God asks all creation to praise him. {Let everything that have breathe to praise ye the Lord}

Worship, on the other hand, goes deeper than praise.

It is something that comes from the spirit.

It is often said that it is an attitude or state of the heart.

In the Bible, Jesus spoke about worship in John 4 verse 23.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Worship for Christians goes beyond singing.

Songs are just tools for worshipping.

Praise stems from recognizing the good acts of God but worship is not a function of the acts of God.

Worship comes from the core of who the worshipper is and what God means to the them.

In true worship, a Christian is required to surrender himself/herself totally to God and adore Him not just for what He has done but for who He is.

Beloved, when talking about the meaning of worship, it involves bowing low before the Lord, not only physically, but also in the heart.

Real and true worship is insightful and reflective.

Worship is a lifestyle, and it is not just limited to when people raise their hands to sing to God in church.

And praise comes from a heart of worship.

Praise and worship are not limited to just Christians.

People sing praises of other people also and even praises to false gods.

People also worship other fellow human beings, especially when that person means everything to them.

So, worship can also be seen as an act of reverence and honor for someone or something that a person places his/her faith in.

This morning we have another woman who had experience the awe of God by his mighty act.

Hannah had suffered by not having any children.

Hannah had been humiliated by not having any children.

Hannah had been seen as not being complete by not having any children.

Hannah lost her self esteem and self worth because felt she was a failure in life.

Life needs purpose and in the Old Testament times a woman purpose was to give her husband a child and especially a son.

Beloved, Hannan was unable to produce.

Hannan was on the verge of depression.

Jehovah rescued her by giving her a purpose and meaning to want to live.

Jehovah Jireh My Provider. You are more than enough for me.

Jehovah Raepha You’re my healer. By your stripes I’ve been set free.

Jehovah Shammah You are with me. To Supply All My Needs. You are more than enough. More than enough.

Jehovah Shalom You are my peace.

Hannan who life was changed by one act from God.

Psalm 34:1–6 (NLT)

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises.

2 I will boast only in the Lord;

let all who are helpless take heart.

3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;

let us exalt his name together.

4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.

He freed me from all my fears.

5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;

no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;

he saved me from all my troubles.

Now let me just break it down!

Luke 4:8

8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

You can Praise God and not serve Him but you cannot Worship God and not Serve Him.

Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

You cannot live your best until you have been weaned

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1 Samuel 1:23–24 (NLT)

23 “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the Lord help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.

24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine.

To be weaned is to be separated from that which you have become accustom to and feel you cannot manage life without.

To be weaned is to separate from that which you dependent on and that can be something or someone.

To be weaned is to be separated from that which you have grown fond of.

That which has a strong influence on your life for a long time or from an early age.

As an adult it can be:

  1. Public opinion
  2. Past Success
  3. Past failure
  4. Fear of Failure
  5. Fear of Change
  6. Fear of just moving Forward
  7. Fear of Separation

Matthew 14:29 tells us …

In the storm Peter got out of the boat and walked on the angry sea walking toward Jesus.

Let’s put our thoughts on walk. After you have been in a situation for a long period of time without seeing any improvement have you considered getting up and just walking.

John 5:8

The man by the pool was making excuses about not getting heal until Jesus told him to just take up his bed and walk.

Separate yourself from whatever been keeping you from doing your best.

When you are weaned, your desire will change.

1 Peter 2:2–3 (KJV 1900)

2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 (NLT)

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ.

2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,

3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?

1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

Paul said he was weaned from things that keep him from doing his best for the Lord.

When you are truly weaned your distance and difference change.

2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV 1900)

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

I had to be weaned from four type people in my life.

  1. Negative talking people
  2. Negative thinking people
  3. People who discourage me from walking
  4. People who we unequally yoked to me

I had to wean myself of these personalities.

  1. Self-defeating thoughts
  2. Unforgiveness
  3. Uncontrol anger
  4. Holding grudges
  5. Negative feeling
  6. Looking in the rear-view mirror of life
  7. Looking to far in the distance
  8. Worry
  9. Depending on self and others men

Once I was weaned, I had to live on the word of God.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT2)
11  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Genesis 50:19–20 (NLT)

19 But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Psalm 37

 1 Don’t worry about the wicked

or envy those who do wrong.

2 For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither.

3 Trust in the Lord and do good.

Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

4 Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

5 Commit everything you do to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will help you.

Jeremiah makes it clear when he says the Lord knew him before he was born and the Lord had an appointment on his life before he was born.

Jeremiah just had to wean himself of something so he just like Samuel could do his best!

Closing:

Psalm 139:14 (KJV 1900)

14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

Marvellous are thy works;

And that my soul knoweth right well.

When I figured out how God made me many of my problems were solved.

Live so Others can see Jesus in me!

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“After all I been through Praise God”

For Unexpected blessing and miracles

Ruth 1:3–5 (NLT)

3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons.

4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later,

5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.

Ruth 1:15–18 (NLT)

15 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.”

16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.

17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!”

18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.

Ruth 4:13–17 (NLT)

 13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son.

14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel.

15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”

16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own.

17 The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

Naomi was a good woman yet I see Ruth as virtuous woman.

Ruth handles the bad days, weeks, months and years not like the average woman but as a virtuous woman.

How are you handling your pain?

Proverbs 31:10 (KJV 1900)

10    Who can find a virtuous woman?

For her price is far above rubies.

When I speak of a virtuous person.

  1. Someone that is valuable
  2. Someone that is trustworthy
  3. Someone that is wise
  4. Someone who is good
  5. Someone who is a hard worker
  6. Someone who is productive
  7. Someone who is strong
  8. Someone with the right temperament
  9. Someone who has faith in God
  10. Someone with a servant’s heart
  11. Someone who serve with all their heart, mind, and soul
  12. Someone who is cheerful instead of being bitter and complaining about the realities of life.
  13. Someone who seeks God’s purpose for their life

Ruth’s life brought praises to God from those who knew her to be a virtuous woman.

If your life has been difficult can other still see Jesus in you.

  1. In your walk
  2. In your talk
  3. The way live
  4. The way you give

Matthew 5:16 (KJV 1900)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

The believer does not have inherent light; rather we have reflective light. As we behold the glory of the Lord, we reflect it.

Therefore, we need to make sure that nothing comes between us and the Lord’s light (see 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 2:14–16).

As believers behold the glory of God in the Word of God, the Spirit of God transforms them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a description of the gradual process of sanctification.

Phil 2:14

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you.