September 11 2016 Seeing Through The Eyes Of Faith

SEEING THROUGH THE EYES OF FAITH

Numbers 13:17-33

TWO WAYS TO SEE THINGS

I.    Notice what happens when we allow fear to dominate our lives.

A)    We misunderstand what God can do.

1. Verses 28-29 – But the people who live there are powerful.  The cities are fortified and very large.  The Amalekites, the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites (all giants) live there.

• Lesson The longer you look at a problem, the bigger it gets.

B)    They underestimate what God can do.

1. Verse 33 – We felt like grasshoppers before them, they were so tall.

• Lesson: Problems rarely defeat us it’s our perspective that defeats.

C)    The results of fear:

1. Discouragement.

a)    14:1 – Then all the people began weeping aloud and they carried on all night long.

       2. Discontented.

        a) 14:2 – Their voices rose in a great chorus of complaint against Moses and Aaron.

       3. There was a desire to return to the old.

       a)   14:3 – Let’s get out of here and return to Egypt, they shouted.

II.    We need to see what happens when faith dominates our life.

       A)   Verse 30 – But Caleb reassured the people as they stood before Moses, “Let us go       up at once and possess it,” he said, “for we are well able to conquer it.”

1. Ephesians 1:18
2. Examples of Spiritual sight.

Genesis 21 – Hagar

Luke 24 – Disciples on Emmaus Road

2 Kings – Elisha’s servant

Genesis 13 – Abraham
        
3.    Spiritual eyes see opportunities, not obstacles.

III. We see the decision of the future here.

A)    Kadesh means place of decision.

CONCLUSION: Moses could lead the people to Kadesh, but he couldn’t make the decision for them.

He didn’t bring us out this far to bring us back again.
He brought us out to bring us into the Promised Land.
He didn’t bring us out this far to bring us back again.
He brought us out to bring us into the Promised Land.
Though there be giants in the land,
We will not be afraid.
He brought us out to bring us into the Promised Land.

March 1 2015 Thirty Days To A No Regrets Life part 2

Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life (Part 2)

Mark 12:30 (Msg)"So love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy."

Romans 12:11 (NIV)"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

1. DO SOMETHING DRASTIC

Luke 5:18-20; 24-26 (NIV)"Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven... But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. 'Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, 'We have seen remarkable things today.'"

The Clarifying Question: "If you knew you had one month to live, how would you live your life?"

Realize what's important

Remove the obstacles

2. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

Luke 5:20 (NIV)"When Jesus saw their faith, He said, 'Friend, your sins are forgiven.

3. CREATE GOD SPACE

Luke 5:19b (NIV)"... into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus."

Mark 1 :35-38a (NIV)"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for Him, and when they found Him, they exclaimed: 'Everyone is looking for You!' Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else.

Proverbs 10:27 (LB)"Reverence for God adds hours to each day”

4. KEEP A CONSTANT REMINDER

Luke 5:24b (NIV)"... He said to the paralyzed man, 'I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.'''

Luke 5:25 (NIV)"Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

August 26 2012 How To Live A Life That Counts

HOW TO LIVE A LIFE THAT COUNTS
James 4:1-10
Vs. 6 & 10 - He gives us more Grace, and He will lift us up.

Step 1. Remember the loving desire of God.
Vs. 5 - The Holy Spirit whom God has placed within us with tender jealousy.

Step 2. Remove the obstacles to real life.
Vs. 6 - He gives us more grace.
Vs. 10 - He will lift us up.

Step 3. Rely on Christ’s support.
Jude 1:24 - To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

Step 4. Respond to Christ’s security.
2 Timothy 1:23 - I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him.

Williams Translation: I am absolutely sure that God is able to guard what I have given to Him.

Step 5. Reverse the flow.
Vs. 10 - Humble yourself before the Lord.

4 Steps

• Give in to God.
Vs. 7 - Submit yourself then to God.
Colossians 3:15 - Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart.

• Get wise to satan.
Vs. 7 - Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2 Corinthians 2:11 - In order that Satan might not outwit us, we are not unaware of his schemes.

• Grow closer to God.
Vs. 8 - Come near to God and He will come near to you.
Isaiah 26:3 - He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord.

• More Grace than forgiving Grace.
Vs. 8 & 9 - Wash your hands, purify your hearts.

January 1 2012 Handling Obstacles

Handling Obstacles

Joshua 1:9 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whoever you go.

Four Steps To Face Your Difficulties

I. Be willing to face your problem.
Verse 9 - Be strong and courageous.

How To Face Your Problems

1. Face them in spite of self doubts
Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?
Jeremiah 1:6 - Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak, I am only a child.

2. Face them when their unfamiliar.
Acts 1:10 - They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going. 

3. Face them in spite of the effort it takes.

II. Be willing to keep an open mind.
Verse 9 - Do not be terrified.

How To Keep An Open Mind

1. Take time to investigate the problem.
Joshua 3:6 - Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.
Joshua 2:1 - Sent two spies.

2. Keep an open mind through communication.
Joshua 2:8-11
Prov. 11:14 - Many advisers make victory sure.

III. Be willing to get others to help you.
Verse 9 - Do not be discouraged.

Hebrews 10:25 - Let us encourage one another.

Examples of Help
• Joshua 3:6
• Joshua 6:1-8
• Genesis 2:18
• I Kings 19:10
• Matthew 26:38

IV. Be willing to face your problems with God’s promises.
Verse 9 - For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Why Promises Are Important

1. Promises comfort us.
Isa. 40:31 - Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

2. Promises encourage us.
Romans 8:39 - Not anything else will be able to separate us from the love of God.

3. Promises motivate us.
Acts 26:19 - I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

4. Promises help us hold steady.
Matthew 28:20 - And surely I will be with you always.