Our Sermons
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.
Psalm 111:10
Psalm 121:2 NKJV “My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.”
Sometimes no matter how we try, we encounter problems that are beyond our human capabilities even as believers in Christ Jesus. So then, what do we do in such a situation? Most times we look to someone else to give us help. But, although people are sometimes willing to give us help, they are not capable. The Psalmist had a better idea. He understood the key was not to look in to himself or out to his friend, but to look up to the Lord. We need always to look up to the Lord to receive the very help we need in every problem. He is our ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Sometimes our problems seem really big. But that is because our perspective is wrong. Remembering that God from whom we seek help is the ONE who made heavens and earth should make our problems diminish, in the light of God’s power (Jeremiah 32:17,27). How great is God’s power? Look at the earth and the heavens He created. Few of us doubt the ability of God to solve our problems. But many of us struggle with God’s willingness to do so. But listen to what God says in Isaiah 41:10 NIV “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Sometimes we may feel sad, confused, and angry when we face problems; but we must never lose hope. There is always help from the Lord. He can make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert (Isaiah 43:19). Our trust is in God (Psalm 20:7). He is faithful!
Psalm 27:13 NKJV “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed.”
David was a giant killer, a psalmist, a very popular and powerful king in Israel. But when the stresses of life brought him to a breaking point, he wrote, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Are you at your breaking point today? When you get to a breaking point, one of two things happen: You either break down or break through! It all depends on what you do. David experienced a breakthrough because he knew the right formula: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart” (Psalm 27:14 NKJV). There is a saying: “The same sun that melts the butter hardens the clay.” When trouble comes, you can turn against God because you think you have served Him faithfully and do not understand why He is allowing you to go through such a hard time, or you can see your situation from God’s perspective and turn to Him for the answer! Nothing catches God off guard, and nothing is too hard for Him (Jeremiah 32:17;27). He said, “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NKJV). You may be in a state of despair right now, but God is not. Your circumstances can become a platform for God to demonstrate His unfailing love and care for you. So, do not lose heart; God is going to bring you through this storm and bring glory to His name in the process.
ROMANS 12:2a NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
Many people would like to see changes in their life but may not know how to make the changes. To change the way you act, you must first change the way you think. Because you act like the person you think you are (Proverbs 23:7). But to change your thinking, you will need to focus on different information. Our beliefs are the cause of our actions. So, to permanently change behavior, beliefs must be changed. A belief is a thought you have decided to accept as truth. You choose your beliefs. Then your beliefs determine your actions. You always act on what you believe. As long as you think something is advantageous for you, you will keep doing it. People normally do not act contrary to their beliefs, except under great pressure. When your beliefs change, your utterance and your actions will also change. Trying to change your actions without first changing your beliefs will fail because your beliefs govern your actions. For example, if you believe God loves you, you will turn to God when you need help. But if you believe God is mad at you, you will be hesitant to seek God’s help. Usually, our wrong beliefs are based on incomplete and inaccurate information. But our beliefs always determine our actions. Humans are like a guided missile, programmed to change course when new information is presented and accepted. So, the first step for positive change in your life is to get information that will change the way you think. Study the scriptures and discover what Jesus Christ has done for you. Find out who you are in Christ. Find out how God sees you. To change your behavior, you must first change your beliefs!
KEY TO THRIVING
Philippians 4:12 NIV “… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want”.
If you want to go from surviving to thriving, you have to make the most of where God places you. To survive is to remain alive or in existence; to live on. To thrive is to grow or be successful. It means to gain wealth or possession. It means to make progress or realize a goal. Martha Washington (the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States) said, “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be. I have learned that the greater part of happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions and not upon our circumstances.” The Word of God encourages us to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It is time you stop the pity-party and look unto Jesus, Who is the author and finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). When David at one time found himself in a precarious situation, the Bible records that he encouraged himself in the Lord to gain victory (1 Samuel 30:6). Experience is not what happens to man; it is what a man does with what happens to him. No one is responsible for your thriving and happiness. You are! It starts with you renewing your mind with God’s word (Romans 12:2).
John 8:12 NKJV “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”
The term achluophobia is the fear of the dark or darkness. ‘Achluo’ is Greek word for darkness and ‘phobia’ means fear. It is a simple phobia specific to the environment of darkness. Being in complete darkness is frightening. It induces a sense of helplessness. And yet physical darkness is nothing compared to emotional, relational, and spiritual darkness. Today you may feel like you are in a dark place with no way out: “Your girlfriend left you for another guy.” Or, “You are probably headed toward divorce. Your husband has been cheating on you.” Or, “You are depressed and weep for no reason. When will the blues go away, you ask?” Or, “You are wrestling with a terrible illness, and you are basically a shut-in. You are in a dark place and need help.” If that is your story, there is help, and there is hope. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” If you are willing to turn to Him today, you will discover that He can illuminate your path and show you the way out of the darkness you are in. When you turn on the light, darkness has to leave. And Jesus is the light that removes our spiritual and emotional darkness. Notice that Jesus did not say He is a light, or one among many lights, but instead the light. He did not say He is light just for some, but the light of the world. Regardless of where you live in the entire universe, Jesus is your answer. He is the WORD that brings light (Psalm 119:105). If you are living in darkness, He is inviting you to come to Him and step into the light, right now!
Philippians 3:13 NKJ “…one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,”
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. And you have the opportunity to make today a special day with God. Your past does not have to dictate your future. You can begin again. With God you really can have a fresh start. God can forgive your past and help you to forgive yourself. But most importantly, God can change you. He can make you into the kind of person you know you should be (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your life can be different. But do not assume it will be different if you continue to do things exactly the same as you always have. For your life to change, you must MAKE changes. If you want real change, God’s Word is the key. You must immerse yourself in the Word. What you feed in determines the output of your life. God’s Word will build you up (Acts 20:32). Jesus said it would make you free, if you continue in it (John 8:31-32). The Bible is God’s answer to man’s problems. It gives life and hope and instruction so we can walk in victory. Prayer is also vital. Prayer is communication with God. All relationships require communication to keep from growing cold. So, actively involve God in your life. Consult with Him on every decision (Proverbs 3:5-6). The Holy Spirit is the best helper you will ever have (John 14:16). The future can be better. The choice is yours. If you invite and involve God in your future it will be bright! I encourage you today to invite God into every area of your life and future.