Verse and Message (Week of Oct 25-31, 2009) October 28, 2009

 

 

ROMANS 8:1-2

 

NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

   

The Message

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.

 

I have a few friends who I converse with regularly that beat themselves up for stupid stuff. What I mean by stupid stuff is the stuff that the enemy throws in their face.

 

At my biblical counseling small group this past Sunday, we were discussing the subjects of conviction and condemnation.

 

Webster’s online indicates that conviction occurs when one is convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth. Condemnation, on the other hand, occurs when one is declared to be reprehensible, wrong, or evil usually after weighing evidence and without reservation.

 

Before Christ, we were all condemned to death for our sin. If you weigh the evidence, not one part of us is holy. However, God the Father had a beautiful idea… He provided THE Perfect Substitute for our unholiness.

 

BUT, the devil wants to condemn us as Christians. He wants to declare that we are guilty causing us shame for our wrongdoing. In fact, one of his main objectives is to blur our perspective in a way that causes us to see ourselves as we were before Christ redeemed us, with a dark cloud over our heads. The devil’s plight is to manipulate us into becoming miserable Christians that will be ineffective for God’s Kingdom.

 

The Holy Spirit removed that condemnation when Jesus took it all for us on the Cross. One of the main goals of the Holy Spirit is to give us a lens to see the TRUTH. He reminds us that that when we walk in His Spirit we are free from the pain of guilt and shame. The POWER of the Holy Spirit convicts us when our flesh acts out in the old nature. This is much the same way as a loving parent disciplines his child. This action of the Holy Spirit is for our good, so that we will confess our sin by admitting and confessing the TRUTH.

 

Even though God placed within us His own Holy Spirit upon Salvation, we undergo a process of sanctification day by day. Salvation was an event, and it guaranteed our residency in heaven. Sanctification is the process that takes place from Salvation until we meet Jesus.

 

Upon Salvation, we received a new way of thinking and a fresh awareness of God’s presence, but look who’s still hanging around…..the flesh side of us. Our spirit is perfect…and, therefore, the sinful man is beaten, but that flesh man will look back at the old nature and will put up a fight with the new nature. Sometimes, the flesh wins the battle….

My point….even though the flesh will fight, we cannot beat ourselves up when we fail. We can embrace the gift of the conviction of the Holy Spirit and confess and agree that we have sinned. 

 

Satan wants to torment us with our failures. God desires for us to recognize our mistakes….but, He wants us to learn from them and MOVE ON. 

 

So, when the devil reminds you of how “bad” you are… remind Him how GOOD  JESUS IS!! If you are a Christian, God sees Christ when He sees you!

 

When you maintain a healthy diet of prayer, reading The Word, worship, thanksgiving, and accountability…..you’ll be able to see right through that liar who’s taunting you. Nothing the enemy can do or say will change what Jesus has transformed….

 

COMMITMENT TO CHRIST BANISHES CONDEMNATION…

STEER CLEAR OF THE ENEMY’S HARASSMENT…

PERIODIC CONVICTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT –

GUARANTEES GROWTH IN THE SANCTIFICATION PROCESS…

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 18-24, 2009) October 21, 2009

 

James 1:6

But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

 

We all know people who waver back and forth in everything they do. I think we have all had seasons in our lives where we have found ourselves slipping into that anxious position of uncertainty. 

 

Doubt is the uncomfortable place when uncertainty torments us, and we are unable to do anything but “straddle the fence.” Somehow, straddling the fence appears to be a safe place. However, that place can be a miserable place, because we are fearful to make a decision. We are afraid we might choose the wrong side of the fence.

 

We are all capable of moving forward in faith, even though we may be threatened with doubt. However, doubt can paralyze us and keep us from realizing God’s blessings. It’s important to recognize when our heart is divided. God may clearly define the next step He desires for us to take, and yet, we may delay that action, because we are bound in fear. Delayed obedience equals disobedience.

 

Here’s an acrostic I created with the word DOUBT:

 

D – Double Mind which may cause Delayed Obedience

O – Over analyzing until we are utterly exhausted

U – Under Satan’s Deceptive Spell

B – Belief smothered until faith is small or nonexistent

T – Tormented with confusion

 

I have learned that the more we understand the unconditional love of Jesus, the more apt we are to place our faith in Him, thus, diminishing all the remnants of doubt that keep us unsettled. True peace is provided when we listen to the VOICE of TRUTH and claim victory in His promises. When we stand on His promises by meditating on His Word, and when we take time to communicate with Him daily….fear and doubt run the other direction ie Satan flees.

 

Another miraculous way to drown fear and doubt is to make it a practice to come before the Lord with thanksgiving, adoration, and praise. When He floods us with the knowledge of His presence, the other voices desperately attempting to plant seeds of doubt will be banished.

 

When we seek to discern the VOICE of TRUTH amidst the chaos, distractions, and confusion bombarding us, we are able to stay steady in our Walk and Work for Christ. When we don’t waver, we can be confident with each step we take.

 

Nonetheless, it doesn’t come natural. We have to be intentional in our focus on Christ. Everything in the world around us is competing for our attention.

 

Most of you are familiar with the “The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns. I had not heard the song in a while, and then I heard it last night on XM Radio.

 

Here’s a video of “The Voice of Truth” with clips from the movies Bruce Almighty and The Truman Show. Check it out when you get a chance….

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqg6QOY8oKc

 

“Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water”…Max Lucado

 

DESTROY DOUBT WITH A DAILY DIET OF HIS DIVINE LOVE

LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF TRUTH….

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES?

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 11-17, 2009) October 14, 2009

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

A sister in Christ, Christie Bryant, sent me a profound message on forgiveness written by Terri Savelle Foy, the daughter of well-known ministry, Jerry Savelle.  

 

I decided to rewrite Terri’s version of ”Forgiveness is a Choice” as it has applied to my life and my past. I have referenced some of her message, but I have added my own insights for emphasis.

 

UNFORGIVENESS…..A delicate subject that every single one of us has dealt with. Unfortunately, some live in a vicious cycle of unforgiveness which can lead to a lifetime of unforgiveness. Getting our feelings hurt, being offended, feeling resentful and/or bitter are areas we all face relationally on one level or another.

 

When Terri Savelle Foy was in high school she participated in gymnastics. Each summer the team would take a break, but would return to full force training in the fall. When Terri would begin practicing the uneven bars after taking three months off, her hands would become raw from the blisters that would develop from her hands rubbing continuously on the bars. The pain would become so severe that she had no choice but to wrap them with tape in order to endure the consistent swinging on the bars. The more she practiced the tougher the skin on her hands became, because of the calluses she developed. Her hands became so hard from the calluses that she couldn’t even feel her own skin.

 

This is what can happen to our hearts if we are hurt, abused, or mistreated. Sometimes when someone has hurt us, we become so self-centered that we share our story of pain as if no one else has experienced it.  And, even though it’s not something we should keep bottled inside, it’s extremely crucial to recognize that dwelling on the pain will lead to a hardening of our heart. Our heart will become callous and cold. We will become numb and indifferent to Scripture that commands us to embrace the love and mercy of the Lord, and we will fail to take the steps necessary to forgive. Instead, we stew inside and obsess over the offense and replay it over and over in our head analyzing each detail. Whenever we are around people who haven’t heard our story, we are compelled to share our pitiful plight.

 

So, what’s the answer? Simply to forgive. You ask how? The only way. Give it to God, ask God to help you with your unforgiveness. CHOOSE to cancel the debt. CHOOSE to LET IT GO. When we stop swinging over and over the uneven bars…..when we choose to stop doing and saying whatever it is that has calloused our heart…..that is when healing takes place. When we decide to stop reliving the pain, God can and will do a miracle in our heart. It’s sad that some people go around trying to be a debt collector, trying to get people to pay the debt that they feel is owed to them. However, no one can pay that debt back. Why? Because that debt was paid once and for all at the CROSS.

 

God is the only true VINDICATOR. His love wants to hold us…..He wants to heal our hearts supernaturally.  God will turn a heart of stone into a heart of clay. He will restore us completely. It’s a promise of His, but He cannot do His work until we do our part. However, we cannot wait until we “feel” like forgiving, because we will be waiting forever. The feeling will not come until after we have taken the faith steps to CHOOSE TO FORGIVE. The tenderness in our heart will return with the help of Jesus.  

 

The most powerful reason to forgive …….HE FORGAVE US. He took the nails for us, and He had done absolutely nothing wrong. He took the blame. He took the shame. He took the pain. HE is the only ONE who was capable of giving HIS ALL for every sin we have ever committed or ever will commit. That is the weight of the world.

 

So, if you want to travel light…..release the burden of forgiveness.  Terri suggests a beautiful confession to get you started:

 

“LORD, I CHOOSE BY FAITH TO FORGIVE (and say their name) FOR WHAT THEY DID TO ME (or what they did to someone you love).

 

FORGIVENESS BRINGS HEALING

IT’S A CHOICE….CHOOSE HEALING

 

BECAUSE HE CHOSE YOU!!

SUSIE MC

Verse and Message (Week of Oct 3-10, 2009) October 9, 2009

 

Psalm 63:1-4 (The Message)

God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts. So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory. In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.

  

The GLORY of the Lord is unmistakably evident when God inhabits a place. Yes, God is everywhere all the time. However, there is a heaviness of His Spirit that is so profound when He chooses to make Himself known. If you have never experienced this, you might ask…how and when will His Spirit appear? It’s actually very simple. He inhabits the praises of His people. When we worship Him with reckless abandon, He cannot help but show up.

  

Last night, I had the awesome privilege of experiencing one of the most beautiful moments in worship I have ever known. Church of the Highlands was honored to have Kari Jobe as guest for our Wednesday evening service. It was off the charts amazing! (I also have to add that the incredible worship time over the course of last weekend during Highlands women’s reCreate conference prepared our hearts to be hungry for even more of HIS immeasurable presence!)

  

When God reaches you deep within your soul, it may be totally unexpected. Even if you are seeking Him completely, something supernatural happens within you, when you decide to release everything you have to Him in worship. 

 

I wanted to direct your attention to three worships songs that moved me last night. Jobe is known for ”Revelation Song” but she also shared songs known by other artists. I have included the links to not only “Revelation Song” but that of “Hosanna” sung by Brooke Fraser of Hillsong United and “How He Loves Us”  by Kim Walker. I have also thrown in my favorite portion of the lyrics of each these songs.

 

If you have time over the weekend, I recommend you listen to the following three worship songs and see if God doesn’t take you to a higher place of intimacy with Him. I don’t see how I can add another thing. Taste the presence of our Holy God….it’s remarkable!

 

REVELATION SONG – KARI JOBE / GATEWAY CHURCH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahhg1LFGyPA

 

My favorite part of the lyrics:

 

Filled with wonder,
Awestruck wonder
At the mention of Your Name
Jesus, Your Name is Power
Breath, and Living Water
Such a marvelous mystery
Yeah…

 

HOSANNA – BROOKE FRASER / HILLSONG UNITED

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6hiyVV_GtU&feature=related

 

My favorite portion of the lyrics:

 

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

 

 

HOW HE LOVES US - KIM WALKER / JESUS CULTURE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

 

My favorite part of the lyrics:

 

He is jealous for me
Love’s like a hurricane,
I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of
His wind and mercy
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
and I realize just how beautiful You are and how great your affections are for me.

 

I know that this message was a little different than those I have written before– I just couldn’t help but share my passion for worship, and if you will truly “give all you have” in worship…..you might just find yourself in a realm you never thought possible….no kidding!

 

SEEK HIM THROUGH WORSHIP!

PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!

LET HIS SPIRIT OVERWHELM YOU AND TAKE OVER!

SUSIE MC

Oh, how He loves us so
Oh, how He loves us
How He loves us so.

(Chorus)
Holy, Holy, Holy
Is the Lord God Almighty
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah
With all creation I sing:
Praise to the King of Kings!
You are my everything,
And – I – will – adore You!

Verse and Message (Week of Sept 27-Oct 3, 2009) October 1, 2009

 

Psalm 26:2

Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

 

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Last Wednesday night, Pastor Chris presented a message called “Passing Life’s Tests.” There are ten tests he suggested that all of us will’; go through at some time or another.

 

In this world we will face trouble. Trials will come our way; it’s a fact. Not only do we question the reason for these times, but we also try to determine the source of the trial. We might blame people for something difficult we are experiencing, or we may possibly accuse Satan for our troubles. Tests usually take place in our lives to measure how we are doing. In school, obviously, a test determines our level of academics. In life, the tests often point to where we might fall on the scale in our faith journey. The secret to that process is not only understanding the tests we undergo but allowing ourselves to appreciate the tests we encounter.

 

Here are the 10 Tests in Life:

 

1.  The Test of Small Things 

This test will reflect how faithful we are in things that may personally seem insignificant to us. But, if we are faithful in the little things, the Lord will give us a chance to be faithful in the big things. An example of faithfulness in small things would be taking the opportunity at the workplace or in ministry to do something no one else desires to do. When I worked in Disney World, the entire cast was encouraged to pick up trash in the park. Everyone was expected to take pride in the small things required whether your job was selling merchandise or operating as a tour guide on the Jungle Cruise. In other words, work as hard as you can as if you were working for the Lord–Who is the real CEO after all! God smiles at the servant heart.

 

2.  The Motivation Test

This test will determine if we are doing things with the correct motive. God is much more interested in our heart than our sacrifice. No matter what we do, no matter how great it may be….it means nothing without the right heart. An example of this would be the character Job. The devil tried to prove that Job would curse the Lord’s Name once calamity befell him. However, God allowed the tests Job had to endure in order to prove that Job’s true character of devotion and commitment to the One True God would remain the same. He praised God’s Name in the storm. His heart stayed pure throughout all the trauma he had to withstand. The result? Job was restored much more than he had in the first place.

 

3.  The Stewardship Test

How do we currently manage the resources that God is giving us?  As the Lord blesses us with provisions, time, relationships, etc, do we in return give out of the overflow we receive. What’s the point of our gifts if we cannot share them? So, let’s be faithful in our tithe, faithful and wise in the use of our time, and faithful in growing relationships. The best way to gain a friend is to become one. We are only able to LOVE, because He first loved us.

 

4.  The Wilderness Test

We all experience dry seasons in our walk. There have been times that we don’t have the desire to read the Bible, or the passion to pray, or even the energy or motivation to be nice to people. We must stay devoted to the Word, Prayer, and People even when we don’t feel like it. Love is an action, not a feeling. The best way to stay devoted in these areas is to be pliable and be open for change. All circumstances and situations will change. The beautiful thing to remember is that GOD NEVER CHANGES. If we want to be aligned with His will and at peace, we must allow Him to mold us and stay committed to the things that matter….The Word, Prayer, and Healthy Relationships.

 

5.  Credibility / Integrity Test

Don’t live according to the customs of the world. It’s easy to allow the world to influence our talk, our wardrobe, our activities, etc. We must focus on staying pure and being honest with ourselves and others. We need to be the same person on Friday night that we are on Sunday mornings. WWJD? Yes, we must ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?”

 

6.  The Authority Test

Submission is an attitude that God is looking for. We must determine our submission and keep our attitudes pure. It’s ok to disagree, but we can still be submissive to our leaders. Don’t talk negatively about your boss. Be respectful and faithful to God. God commands us to submit to authority. Of course, our Ultimate Authority is most important.

 

7.  The Forgiveness Test

We must not hate people. We must instead hate the devil. Our conflict is not with flesh and blood. But, you might say, “He hurt me.” Well…..our mindset should be that of Christ. We have no right to hold anything against someone, because, the ONLY REASON WE HAVE LIFE IS BECAUSE GOD LET US OFF THE HOOK AT THE CROSS. The best way to show mercy is to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. Maybe that person has had a bad day. Maybe that person is struggling over many things. Maybe that person doesn’t have God. The best way we can show someone Jesus is to be like Jesus. Forgiving an offense simply means canceling the debt. God will provide the healing if we take the step to LET GO and LET GOD step in and change hearts.

 

8.  The Warfare Test

This test exposes our ability to stand strong when all Hell breaks loose. If you lose your job, you get sick, a relationship is stirred up, and you can’t find your keys …..you feel like throwing your hands up in the air and giving up. Most of the time when it rains….it pours. God won’t allow us to go through anything that He won’t provide the strength and perseverance for. Usually, it’s pretty obvious when we are in the midst of warfare, because it becomes comical how many things seem to be going poorly.

 

9.  The Test of Time

Whoa…this one is a hot point for me. This test is the test of our patience. We want it NOW, NOW, NOW!! Or, we might have a COW, COW, COW!! If we will relax and wait until His appointed time, His plan instead of our forced plan will unfold and it will become more than we could ever hope for or imagine! Seize the day, enjoy the NOW…don’t rush ahead…wait on the Author of Perfect Planning!

 

10. The Lordship Test

This tests whether or not God really has the last Word in our lives. God didn’t want “Isaac” ….instead He wanted Abraham. Abraham’s heart and commitment to God was proven, and when Abraham’s devotion was reflected, God rewarded Abraham and provided the ram. If we truly serve Him, we are saying,”Thy will be done.” Is He genuinely the Lord of our lives?

 

HE PROVIDES TESTS SO THAT WE CAN EXPERIENCE TRUE LIFE!

SUBMISSION WILL BRING SUCCESS

WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK….

IT’S EASY WHEN WE ARE IN LOVE WITH JESUS!

SUSIE MC