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INSPIRING LIVES

Posted in Church, Culture Watch, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2012| 1 Comment »

Message 14 October 2012 PM

People sometimes complain about various things in church.

Someone didn’t greet me, someone spoke against me, someone hurt my feelings.

Sometimes we may even face a little persecution as people scratch our car, or let the tyres down or scream abuse at us just for being a Christian. But compare this with real challenges faced by God’s warriors the early days of the Salvation Army.

GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH

In 1865 Booth was in the East End of London, preaching to crowds of people in the streets.

Booth soon realised he had found his destiny, and later in 1865 he and his wife Catherine opened ‘The Christian Revival Society’ in the East End of London, where they held meetings every evening and on Sundays, to share the repentance that salvation can bring through accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to the poorest and most needy, including alcoholics, criminals and prostitutes. The Christian Revival Society was later renamed The Christian Mission.

TOUGH CONVERTS

At one stage it was hard to find a new convert who hadn’t come out of jail, been a prostitute or a thief or a beggar before turning to Christ. Booth’s converts rarely ever backslid. In the first 16 years of the Salvation Army 250,000 came to Christ in England alone. Their war-cry was “Blood and Fire”

Slowly The Christian Mission began to grow but the work was difficult and Booth would “stumble home night after night haggard with fatigue, often his clothes were torn and bloody bandages swathed his head where a stone had struck”, wrote his wife. Evening meetings were held in an old warehouse where urchins threw stones and fireworks through the window. Outposts were eventually established and in time attracted converts, yet the results were discouraging. The Christian Mission was just one of about 500 charitable and religious groups trying to help the poor and needy in London’s East End.[6]

Booth and his fellow brethren in Christ practised what they preached and performed self-sacrificing Christian and social work, such as opening “Food for the Million” shops (soup kitchens), not caring if they were scoffed at or derided for their work.

MY PARISH

Booth preached inside the pubs in the poverty stricken East End of London.

He was thrown out time and time again. One time after being thrown out of the pub with force and landing in the gutter he was pelted with rotten fruit and eggs.

He took off his hat and held to his chest and looking up to heaven he exclaimed, “Lord I have found my parish”

THE OPPOSITION WAS FIERCE

As troops marched down the street singing and playing their instruments, it was common for people to throw fruit vegetables and even dead cats at the joyful troopers.

In one season of the fiercest opposition Booth commanded his troops in one part of England to stop marching down the street as the rocks thrown by protesters caused great injury to the troopers. They marched all the same and joyfully bore the marks of their persecution.

When his daughter Evangeline was just 17 years old she went to Paris to preach the gospel with a few other young women. She would go into the pubs to preach but was thrown out over and over again. One night she tried again and they said to her if she did a jig on the bar they would let her preach, so jig she did and followed it up with a fiery sermon in French – her second language.

When Booth was starting the Salvation Army God gave him a vision.

Here is a reinactment of the vision God gave him….. http://youtu.be/xOf4Slt7S20

Soon Booth was sending Soldiers out all over the world. George Railton went to America in 1880.

Here is a part of their history on film… http://youtu.be/7coHc9SUcvY   1.40 mins   to  5.39 mins

One day in later life General William Booth was walking home, he was tired and old and on passing the bridge near his home he noticed a beggar sleeping under the bridge. Upon reaching home he chastised his oldest son Bramwell Booth who was about 40 for not seeing the beggar earlier and bringing him home for a meal.

Booth had a cry, this is what he lived and this is what he spoke…

I’ll fight

http://youtu.be/j9e0AFcsMyI    1.00 min

When lives like this one inspire us to live for Christ. Don’t be a complainer with tiny little troubles. Don’t think that life is just to be lived for our pleasure, the lost are calling out for help. Don’t be afraid to stand up for Christ, Australians are longing to see real Christians. We serve the same God that William Booth served. He changed the world with passion and service, it’s time for us to do the same.

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WILL YOU CHANGE THE WORLD?

Posted in Church, Preaching messages, Soul Winning, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

WILL I BE THE ONE TO CHANGE THE WORLD?

Sept 30, 2012 6pm Service

IF YOU SAVE ONE LIFE, YOU HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD ENTIRELY

Leo Tolstoy:

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but nobody thinks of changing themselves.”

Inside each person lies the desire to be significant.

To make any contribution that changes the world for the better, no matter how small that change maybe.

Little boys dream of becoming superheroes, little girls dream of their knight rescuing them and taking them away ….. to change the world of course!

IF YOU SAVE ONE LIFE, YOU HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD ENTIRELY

The older we get, the more life seems to transition from wondering how we can make a difference; to surviving and maintaining. The dreams for some people get covered by the humdrum and monotony of life.

Meeting Jesus changes everything.

Becoming a Christian means you have entered into the eternal plan of God. There are no exceptions, no limitations, nor mistakes. Your life is planned from before time and now you get to live it out under His direction.

Eph 1:4  Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

Eph 1:5  For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]—[AMP]

Furthermore we enter into His purpose for divine outcomes.

 Eph 3:10  [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

Eph 3:11  This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord, [AMP]

IF YOU SAVE ONE LIFE, YOU HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD ENTIRELY

You see, when you enter into relationship with Jesus Christ you enter that plan He has for you since the beginning of time.

You don’t have to worry about what it is I am supposed to do or become, just obey the voice of God. It’s automatic; you will change the world if you follow His commands.

Peter asked Jesus about what should happen to someone else, and Jesus replied What ever I choose for them is for me to decide – I’m asking you to follow me.

Joh 21:20  But Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, following–the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper and had said, Lord, who is it that is going to betray You?

Joh 21:21  When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, Lord, what about this man?

Joh 21:22  Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] You follow Me! [AMP]

If you change yourself – you have changed the world.

IF YOU SAVE ONE LIFE, YOU HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD ENTIRELY

Changing just one life can make an enormous difference

In Science the Chaos theory has led to the butterfly effect proposition.

In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions, where a small change at one place in a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. The name of the effect, coined by Edward Lorenz, is derived from the theoretical example of a hurricane’s formation being contingent on whether or not a distant butterfly had flapped its wings several weeks before.

Although the butterfly effect may appear to be an esoteric and unlikely behaviour, it is exhibited by very simple systems: for example, a ball placed at the crest of a hill may roll into any of several valleys depending on, among other things, slight differences in initial position. – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect

Similarly in God’s kingdom everything is planned and under his guidance. Nothing escapes His notice. The smallest most inconsequential change is all part of His divine plan.

 Mat 10:29  Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice.

Mat 10:30  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. [AMP]

Your choice is to obey or not – God’s plan.

Choose to obey or not.

My story of not witnessing to Peter’s dad

Choose to obey

My pick up of a new convert Maurice Ritchie

 

 

A clip from Schindler’s List – The background to the story is during the second world war, Jews were being exterminated by the millions. One man, a Check, by the name of Oskar Schindler set up businesses and employed Jews and endeavoured to keep them safe from the German extermination. By the end of the war he saved 1100 Jews.

http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/schindlers-list/one-more-person

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskar_Schindler

It’s that little thing that counts…

IF YOU SAVE ONE LIFE, YOU HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD ENTIRELY

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WILL YOU GET OUT OF THE BOAT? # 4

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 23, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Message Sunday 23rd September 2012 AM

Fishing with out bait is no fun!

I’m expecting to receive something but it’s all just a game.

I must put some bait on the line, spend some money, give something, put something in, before I can legitimately expect a return.

The size of the bait will determine the size of the catch if I have the right tackle.

So it is with Giving.

Some people just stay in the boat for years and never catch a thing, all the time getting envious of those who are pulling in the big ones.

It takes faith to give.

Faith makes giving take on a supernatural outcome. Giving plus faith initiates the power of multiplication.

2Co 9:8  And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

2Co 9:9  As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever! [Ps. 112:9.]

2Co 9:10  And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity]. [Isa. 55:10; Hos. 10:12.]

2Co 9:11  Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God. [AMP]

Verse 8: God is able – but will He do it? Here’s the condition… verse 9: the benevolent person scatters, that is they give… then in verse God provides seed and MULTIPLIES your resources.

Just giving is marvellous and many will benefit, but mix it with faith and see that multiplication take place.

The three women who trusted God

  1. The woman of Zarepath

1Ki 17:9  Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.

1Ki 17:10  So he arose and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her, Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

1Ki 17:11  As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.

1Ki 17:12  And she said, As the Lord your God lives, I have not a loaf baked but only a handful of meal in the jar and a little oil in the bottle. See, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and bake it for me and my son, that we may eat it–and die.

1Ki 17:13  Elijah said to her, Fear not; go and do as you have said. But make me a little cake of [it] first and bring it to me, and afterward prepare some for yourself and your son.

1Ki 17:14  For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: The jar of meal shall not waste away or the bottle of oil fail until the day that the Lord sends rain on the earth.

1Ki 17:15  She did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.

1Ki 17:16  The jar of meal was not spent nor did the bottle of oil fail, according to the word which the Lord spoke through Elijah. [AMP]

When you’re up against a big problem, will you have faith that God will see you through?

Will you start your miracle off with giving?

Will you let a man of God show you how to access God’s miraculous provision?

Will you cringe at the man of God receiving something for himself as part of the miracle?

Will you see the man of God represents God and God is watching to se how you respond?

Isn’t it about time you got out of the boat and became a giver?

The Prophet’s wife

2Ki 4:1  NOW THE wife of a son of the prophets cried to Elisha, Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. But the creditor has come to take my two sons to be his slaves.

2Ki 4:2  Elisha said to her, What shall I do for you? Tell me, what have you [of sale value] in the house? She said, Your handmaid has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.

2Ki 4:3  Then he said, Go around and borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels–and not a few.

2Ki 4:4  And when you come in, shut the door upon you and your sons. Then pour out [the oil you have] into all those vessels, setting aside each one when it is full.

2Ki 4:5  So she went from him and shut the door upon herself and her sons, who brought to her the vessels as she poured the oil.

2Ki 4:6  When the vessels were all full, she said to her son, Bring me another vessel. And he said to her, There is not a one left. Then the oil stopped multiplying.

2Ki 4:7  Then she came and told the man of God. He said, Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons live on the rest. [AMP]

Life throws a curve ball at you sometimes. All your plans have blown up in your face. There’s no answer, so who do you turn to? The man of God!

The answer is in your hand. The limited resources you have right now need to be put to use. Let the man of God show you how to multiply your resources to create the answer. She could have said that oil is all I have I need that for the next weeks meals. The multiplication stopped when the vessels stopped.

Isn’t it about time you got out of the boat and became a giver?

The woman who gave all she had.

Luk 21:1  LOOKING UP, [Jesus] saw the rich people putting their gifts into the treasury.

Luk 21:2  And He saw also a poor widow putting in two mites (copper coins).

Luk 21:3  And He said, Truly I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them;

Luk 21:4  For they all gave out of their abundance (their surplus); but she has contributed out of her lack and her want, putting in all that she had on which to live. [AMP]

This is a story of trust. This woman had relationship with God. She’s a widow. That represents all earthly support systems are missing. She is relying heavily on God… supernatural support systems.

Isn’t it about time you got out of the boat and became a giver?

Why aren’t these stories about men?

The reason is that men see themselves all too often as self sufficient. I will find an answer, I will make it happen.

Paul took a different attitude:

2Co 3:4  Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God.

2Co 3:5  Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.

Isn’t it time you got out of the boat and relied on God for your sufficiency?

Our vision is big. We intend to impact our region with the gospel.

We need to grow in faith. We must believe for big miracles.

One part of growing in faith is growing in our giving. Are you prepared to grow in your giving? Will you choose to trust God with your resources?

Will you demonstrate your trust by giving the first tenth of your income to God?

In our church 64% of people have chosen to do that. Imaging the impact we could make if each person made that one basic step to trust God and become a tither?

Will you choose to give to Kingdom Advance to make a big difference to others?

Our vision is big. We intend to impact our region with the gospel.

That means engaging a community that is increasingly more secular, humanistic, and with much immigration are many people who have Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim faiths.

Two families came to the Community kitchen last Thursday from Iran. When they came to Australia they were Islamic faith now they are Christians. How can we reach more of these beautiful people?

Will you help us? Will you be a giver? Will you step out of the boat and trust God to be your supply?

C’mon… let’s change the world together!

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WHO AM I?

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , , on September 16, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Who am I?

When did I begin?

Where did I come from?

Is my life more than matter?

How can I know anything with certainty?

Can I be known by a God who created all things?

(Assumptions in all our messages: The Bible is divinely inspired and infallible. Proof is offered at the 8 messages on the following podsite – http://pvc.podomatic.com/player/web/2010-04-09T06_14_02-07_00 and following)

GOD IS ETERNAL.

THE CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufl_Nwbl8xs

“Before Abraham was…..I AM” – Jesus   John 8:58

 Rev_1:8  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all). [Isa. 9:6.]

Isa 57:15  For thus says the high and lofty One–He Who inhabits eternity, Whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, ….

HE CREATED ALL THINGS

Gen 1:1  IN THE beginning God (prepared, formed, fashioned, and) created the heavens and the earth. [Heb. 11:3.] )AMP)

 Col 1:16  For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. (AMP)

HE DESIGNED YOU

Gen 1:26  God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. [Ps. 104:30; Heb. 1:2; 11:3.] (AMP)

Psa 139:13  You are the one who put me together inside my mother’s body,

Psa 139:14  and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt.

Psa 139:15  Nothing about me is hidden from you! I was secretly woven together deep in the earth below,

Psa 139:16  but with your own eyes you saw my body being formed. Even before I was born, you had written in your book everything I would do. (CEV)

WHEN DID I BEGIN?

At the moment of conception.

CONCEPTION OF MAN –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Jr61Fbnt4

Zec 12:1  The oracle of the word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus declares the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the spirit of man within him: (ESV)

HE KNEW YOU BEFORE YOU WERE BORN

Jer 1:5  Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you [as My chosen instrument], and before you were born I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; [and] I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. [Exod. 33:12; Isa. 49:1, 5; Rom. 8:29.] (AMP)

YOU WERE CALLED AND CHOSEN BEFORE TIME

Eph 1:4  Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

Rom 8:28  We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Rom 8:29  For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

Rom 8:30  And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being]. (AMP)

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ARE YOU A SALMON CHRISTIAN?

Posted in Church, Culture Watch, Equip the Saints, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I am going to swim upstream all my life!

Jesus said,

Mat 7:14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. [Deut. 30:19; Jer. 21:8.] (AMP)

So it looks like the way to life has some pressure, some obstacles, some challenges.

Many Christians don’t want to live a life of pressure. They are longing for an easy life a life without the slog.

But that is the wrong way to look at it.  The salmon loves the swim upstream to the spawning grounds. It’s hazardous and strenuous but only the salmon that swim upstream get to reproduce.

You can look at life as a constant struggle or you can decide that you love the challenge – it’s a new mindset. Like the athlete who trains every day for fitness and to become better at their sport, we enjoy staying on top of their game. There’s invigorating life and strength that comes from doing the journey well. We press into God and obtain His presence and inner strength (Ephes 3:16 AMP) We delight in seeing lives changed and know that we have been part of the amazing plan God has for their lives. We see the future of God’s Kingdom coming into it’s fullness and the earth being filled with His glory.

The Flourishing Christian life is one that swims upstream of course. We are constantly opposed by spiritual forces and persecution. In Australia persecution comes as a  constant flow of ridicule for anyone who believes in the bible and Godly values. It’s portrayed as intolerant, negative, discriminatory, and outdated. But God’s word and His kingdom are life to us.

2Co 2:15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:
2Co 2:16 To the latter it is an aroma [wafted] from death to death [a fatal odor, the smell of doom]; to the former it is an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is qualified (fit and sufficient) for these things? [Who is able for such a ministry? We?](AMP)

If you want to swim upstream then every day you choose to live God’s way in spite of temptations, opposition, spiritual oppression and personal attack…… AND LOVING IT!!!!

 

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THE CHUCK NORRIS SERIES

Posted in Church, Culture Watch, Preaching messages, tagged , , , , , , on September 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

FATHERS THAT CHANGE THE WORLD.

VIDEO – fathers day in the car 1:30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=XGgS5oh2gfo

(Some special Chuck Norris jokes.

When Alexander Bell invented the telephone he had 3 missed calls from Chuck Norris

Fear of spiders is arachnophobia, fear of tight spaces is claustrophobia, fear of Chuck Norris is called Logic

Chuck Norris doesn’t call the wrong number. You answer the wrong phone.

Chuck Norris has a grizzly bear carpet in his room. The bear isn’t dead it is just afraid to move.

Chuck Norris has already been to Mars; that’s why there are no signs of life there.

Once the cop pulled over Chuck Norris….the cop was lucky to leave with a warning.

Chuck Norris and Superman once fought each other on a bet. The loser had to start wearing his underwear on the outside of his pants.

Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience

Chuck Norris counted to infinity – twice.

Chuck Norris once got bit by a rattle snake…….. After three days of pain and agony ………………the rattle snake died

Only Chuck Norris can dislike on Facebook

Chuck Norris’s tears cure all kinds of diseases…. Too bad he never cries.)

Chuck Norris is the toughest man that ever lived (in Hollywood anyway) – and he’s a real Christian too!! In today’s world God needs some very tough men to live wholeheartedly for Him. Men will you do it? Or will you wimp out?

A father has the biggest opportunity to change the world in one generation.

Dad, never underestimate your power to change the world.

Leo Tolstoy once said:  Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

The world constantly needs change. Fathers will have the biggest influence on the lives of their children. If they raise them well they will create a different world. If they raise them badly then the world slips closer to ruin.

The Bible says:

2Ti 3:1  BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].

2Ti 3:2  For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.

2Ti 3:3  [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.

2Ti 3:4  [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.

2Ti 3:5  For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].

Tonight if you’re a dad here, let me show you how to raise sons that will serve God. If you’re a young man, let me challenge you to change the world for God and get ready to be a great father when later you marry.

If you’re a woman here let me show you how to find a godly man who will lead you to a walk with God.

Dads

1. Be an example:

2Th 3:6  Now we charge you, brethren, in the name and on the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) that you withdraw and keep away from every brother (fellow believer) who is slack in the performance of duty and is disorderly, living as a shirker and not walking in accord with the traditions and instructions that you have received from us.

2Th 3:7  For you yourselves know how it is necessary to imitate our example, for we were not disorderly or shirking of duty when we were with you [we were not idle].

2Th 3:8  Nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and struggle we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden or impose on any of you [for our support].

2Th 3:9  [It was] not because we do not have a right [to such support], but [we wished] to make ourselves an example for you to follow.

The best way to mess up your teens is preach one way and live another. It’s called hypocrisy. Older people get used to it and they can process it, but teens are idealistic and they see through it straight away. It messes them up big time.

VIDEO – It goes fast dad    2.48   http://youtu.be/IOwWlw5zPcc

2. Pray for your wife and Kids

Luk 18:1  ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).

There are many temptations. Pray for your wife and kids for God’s protection.

3. Talk about life with them

Tell your kids what will happen as they get older.

Sammy, someone will offer you a drink one day. What will you say to them? What if they ridicule you? Where do you get your strength from?

Mary, a boy will tell you he loves you one day and what he means is; take off your pants for me. What will you say? Let me tell you how to find a boy that will respect you.

Girls – Your advice.

  1. Know your true worth according to what God says about you, not what the world says about you.

Pro 31:10  A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov. 12:4; 18:22; 19:14.]

  1. The world says your value lies in how beautiful and slim you are – don’t fall for it, it’s all about the heart.

1Pe 3:3  What matters is not your outer appearance–the styling of your hair, the jewellery you wear, the cut of your clothes–

1Pe 3:4  but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in. (MESS)

Know a man’s heart before you explore his body. Find out what a man is living for. Is his dream to serve God no matter what the cost? That’s your passion isn’t it? If he lives like that he would die for you. Keep yourself for that wedding day.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church–a love marked by giving, not getting. (MESS)

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What were you born for?

Posted in Preaching messages, tagged , , , on June 30, 2012| Leave a Comment »

SELECT YOUR DREAM
My testimony – upon entering uni I had no direction.
What is the purpose of your life?  For what great dream were you born?
The story of world war II – the night Winston Churchill was elected to lead the nation.  “I believe I was born for this hour”
READ PS 139 AMP BIBLE
God knows you only so well. All your days were recorded before you were born.
And yet if the bible teaches anything – it teaches personal responsibility.

  • By your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned 
  • Choose you this day whom you shall serve
  • Ezekiel 18:20    The soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 

Gods plans for you are always for good…
For I know the thoughts  and  plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts  and  plans and  peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)

What you do with your life is regulated by your belief more than your ability.
How many people are stopped by the belief, “I could never do that” whereas some go on to do great things by believing “I can do that”

THE STORY OF WILMA RUDOLPH

Wilma Rudolph was born prematurely at 4.5 lbs., the 20th of 22 siblings; her father Ed was a railway porter and her mother Blanche a maid.[6] Rudolph contracted infantile paralysis (caused by the polio virus) at age four. She recovered, but wore a brace on her left leg and foot (which had become twisted as a result) until she was nine. She was required to wear an orthopaedic shoe for support of her foot for another two years. Her family travelled regularly from segregated Clarksville, Tennessee, to Fisk University’s black medical college hospital in Nashville, Tennessee for treatments for her twisted leg. In addition, by the time she was twelve years old she had also survived bouts of scarlet fever, whooping cough, chickenpox, and measles. [6]

In 1952, 12-year-old Rudolph finally achieved her dream of shedding her handicap and becoming like other children. Her older sister was on a basketball team, and Wilma vowed to follow in her footsteps. While in high school, Rudolph was on the basketball team when she was spotted by Tennessee State track and field coach Ed Temple. Being discovered by Temple was a major break for a young athlete. The day he saw the tenth grader for the first time, he knew he had found a natural athlete. Rudolph had already gained some track experience on Burt High School’s track team two years before, mostly as a way to keep busy between basketball seasons.[7]While attending Burt High School, Rudolph became a basketball star setting state records for scoring and leading her team to the state championship. She also joined Temple’s summer program at Tennessee State and trained regularly and raced with his Tigerbelles for two years.[6] By the time she was 16, she earned a berth on the U.S. Olympic track and field team and came home from the 1956 Melbourne Games with an Olympic bronze medal in the 4 x 100 m relay to show her high school classmates.[6]At the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome she won three Olympic titles: the 100 m, 200 m and the 4 x 100 m relay. As the temperature climbed toward 110 degrees, 80,000 spectators jammed the Stadio Olimpico. Rudolph ran the 100-meter dash in an impressive 11 seconds flat. However the time was not credited as a world record, because it was wind-aided. She also won the 200-meter dash in 23.2 seconds, a new Olympic record. After these wins, she was being hailed throughout the world as “the fastest woman in history”. Finally, on September 11, 1960, she combined with Tennessee State teammates Martha Hudson, Lucinda Williams and Barbara Jones to win the 400-meter relay in 44.5 seconds, setting a world record.[6] from Wikipedia

What made Wilma an overcomer was the belief that her mother had placed in her heart as a tiny child – “Wilma all things are possible if you only believe.”
Wilma’s secret was that she discovered what she was born for and knowing that, she believed that she could overcome any obstacle.

You were not born for failure.

You were not born for survival only.

You were not born for ordinary…..

You may not be famous, that’s not the point, there is some purpose you were born for that no one else on earth can do. What is it?
God is no respecter of persons.
You born for a purpose. There was a God ordained blue print laid down in heaven for your life.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,and before you were born I consecrated you;I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me,”Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’;for to all to whom I send you, you shall go,and whatever I command you, you shall speak.Do not be afraid of them,for I am with you to deliver you,declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me,”Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down,to destroy and to overthrow,to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:5-10 ESV)
There was only one Wilma Rudolph, there was only one Winston Churchill, there was only one Jeremiah, and there is only one you!

Your first step is to discover what you were born for. So many settle for the mistaken belief that you were a mistake, or that you were born for nothing more than existing, no more than just living and being part of a family or community. But the truth is that God has a purpose for your life.
It will be a kingdom purpose.

Your life is a precious resource over which you are a steward. What will you do with it? How will you invest it?

When I heard the vision of COC many years ago God lit up a fire inside my heart. What lights your fire?
The way to find your destiny.

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 AMP)

Consider how great his plans for you are.

Are you moved by the plight of those around you ( testimony of Tony Kirwan)

Here am I Lord send me – prayer of surrender

What fire burns within you?

What gifts and abilities have been given you?

Just start somewhere, start serving, god will lead you to your destiny. Yes there will be things to overcome, that’s how you grow.

Prayer

Lead – child,

small group,

Create finance

Plant a church

Music, creative arts ministry

Disciple someone

Be a bringer

Be a soul winner

Cook a meal

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