LET US ENTER HIS REST!

"LET US ENTER HIS REST!

December 27, 2009 Sunday Morning 11:00 am

"TEXT: Hebrews 4:1-13


INTRO: We live in a very harried world today! The word "rest" is almost missing from our vocabulary! I hear all the time people talking about trying to get some "rest". The frantic lifestyle we live today has crept into the spiritual realm also, we can have frantic activity spiritually and fail to enter into God’srest! It is possible to acknowledge God and fail to enter into His rest, it happened to Israel in the wilderness, and it can happen to us today too.

The only way to enter God’s rest is through faith in His Word and obedience tothat Word...failure to obey God’s word will leave us unrested!

We are living in a time when we blame everything around us for our restlessness and losses, but it may be time that we examine the real reason for our lack of rest...our own avoidance of obedience to God’s Word!

PROP SENT: The Bible teaches us that we can fail to enter into God’s rest if we failto obey His word, that the lack of obedience is a lack of faith...which leads to a lack of rest!

I. A RESTFUL LIFE! 4:1-10

A. Rewards 4:1
1. God has always promised a "rest" to those who want it!
a. Even in the Old Testament there was a rest in God possible, unfortunately, as the preceding verses indicate, Israel failed to findthis "rest" of God’s!b. How tragic that they missed the most important "rest" God had to offer.

2. But this "rest" remains for anyone today who might want it!
a. It is not a physical rest that God is speaking of here, it is a spiritual rest!b. This promise has been available for a long time, and will continue to be available until Jesus comes back again.

3. For those who want "rest", it is available, and the writer will describe herehow we go about finding it.
a. God’s rest comes from faith in God’s Word...which leads to obedience!b. notice the end of chapter 3:19... "So we see that they (Israel) were not able to enter, because of their unbelief." (which led to their disobedience - there is a direct connection between REAL faith and obedience!)
"Those who believe in the Holy Scriptures are bound to observe its teachings. Those who do not are to be bound by its consequences."

4. The rewards are great, the consequences for failure to obey are also great!
a. Those who call themselves "Christians" but fail to live according to God’s Word will not enter God’s rest!b. Israel’s sufferings were the result of their own disobedience and lack offaith in God’s Word even though God was present in the very midst oftheir camp by the fire by night and the cloud by day!c. God’s rest is available, but only through faith and obedience to His Word!

B. Reckless! 4:2-10

1.The messages from God can be of no value if they are not received by faith...and receiving them by faith implies obedience to that Word!
a. disobedience is a form of unbelief!
b. This was Israel’s constant problem in the desert, they heard God’s Wordthrough His servant Moses, but they did not have enough faith in it to obey it, hence the consequences that they never entered into God’s rest!

2. Israel loved the miracles and the displays of God’s power, but they did not obey God’s Word and thus they forfeited the most important rest God had to offer them!
a. If they failed to enter God’s rest even with God’s presence in their midst and the miracles, so can we!b. They were reckless with God and their own lives....they failed to see that disobedience could lead to bad consequences later on!

ILLUS: If you’ve ever been to Yellowstone National Park, you were probably given a piece of paper by a ranger at the park entrance. On it in big letters was the warning "Do Not Feed the Bears." You no sooner drive into the heart of the park, however, than you see people feeding the bears. When I first saw this I asked a ranger about it. "Sir," he answered, "you have only a small part of the picture." He described how the park service personnel in the fall and winter have to carry away the bodies of dead bears -- bears who have lost their ability to fend for food. That’s what’s happening to us.


3. Too many people who call themselves Christians today live this way!
a. They are reckless with God’s Word!
b. They can raise hands in worship, or praise God for miracles, but they donot live in obedience to God’s Word, in some cases they openly mock God’s Word and it’s teachings!...and then they wonder why their livesare anything but "rested" in God!

4. One cannot say they have faith in God without also having faith in His Word, and one cannot say he has faith in the Word of God if he is not willing to obey it!
a. When we bypass God’s Word it doesn’t matter how we feel about God,we are living reckless lives! 4:6b. To ignore God’s Word is to put your spiritual life in jeopardy, it won’tmatter how many verses of the Bible you know by heart, how manypowerful experiences you had at the altar, or how intense you can singGospel choruses...you will not find God’s rest without obedience to HisWord!

(1. This is what Israel’s example teaches us here!

(2. They ran toward miracles, but away from God’s Word and the result was that they self-destructed!

ILLUS: Several years ago, newspapers told how a new Navy jet fighter shot itself down. Flying at supersonic speed, it ran into cannon shells it had fired only a few seconds before. The jet was traveling too fast! You are also traveling too fast, if you don’t have time to worship God in regular church services, if you don’t have time to read the Bible, if you don’t have time to pray. If you’re neglecting any of these, you’re probably traveling too fast to hear the sound of God’s voice. You can’t tell whether you are in the center of His will. Better slow down before, like the jet, you shoot yourself down.

5. There are too many reckless people who call themselves "Christians" todayin the Church....we can make the same mistake as Israel did, hence the warning in Heb. 4:1 is real!

I. A RESTFUL LABOR 4:11-13

A. Requirements! 4:11

1. The language here is strange and ironic in a sense: "Let us LABOR therefore to enter that rest." (KJV)
a. Ironic in the sense that we must "make every effort" (NIV) or "labor" (KJV) to enter into this rest!b. The idea here means simply that we do have choices: to obey the Wordof God by faith, or disobey it through unbelief!c. Obedience to God’s Word can bring us into God’s rest, disobedience will leave us outside without rest!

2. It is simply not enough to just be willing to get saved but then not live bythe Word of God!

ILLUS: It is not difficult in our world to get a person interested in the message of the Gospel; it is terrifically difficult to sustain the interest. Millions of people in our culture make decisions for Christ, but there is a dreadful attrition rate. Many claim to have been born again, but the evidence for mature Christian discipleship is slim. In our kind of culture anything, even news about God, can be sold if it is packaged freshly; but when it loses its novelty, it goes on the garbage heap. There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness. -- A Long Obedience In the Same Direction

3. The Christian life does not consist in just the altar call experience...it isalso the lifestyle of obedience to the Word of God by faith that matters!
a. Too many people are willing to embrace Jesus so they can get to heaven, but they don’t want to hear what the Bible teaches about theirsinful lifestyle that requires changes!b. Obedience however is a requirement or there can be no rest for the wicked!

4. It is this "LABORING" to obey God’s Word that brings us into spiritual health and restfulness!
a. This is a daily taskb. If we truly have faith in God’s Word we will follow it!c. Just as there is no shortcuts to good physical health, there can be noneto good spiritual health!
The Bible teaches that a regular course of good spiritual exercise is highly beneficial to the health of our soul. It shows us that sin is effectively warded off in a person who is walking in the light, one who is obeying Jesus each day. On the other hand, disobedience or following the path of least resistance, cools down a person’s spiritual temperature. Fellowship is neglected. Sin is neither confessed nor forsaken. The result is a lukewarm or cold Christian who is not taking advantage of the kind of defenses necessary to fight spiritual infection where it exists.

5. There was only Joshua and Caleb that had entered into God’s rest, the only two to believe God’s Word and obey it, the rest of that generation died in the wilderness having failed to ever enter God’s rest although they had God’s presence in their camp and His miracles on their journey!
a. The only difference was obedience!b. Many times this is still the only difference of why one Christian doeswell and another is always struggling and void of rest!c. This is God’s requirement for His rest...

B. Revelation 4:12-13

1. Notice how this paragraph ends...with the Word of God again in the focus!
a. It is that Word of God that ultimately impacts the quality of our spiritual life in the here and now as well as the then and there!b. The Word of God is foundational to our spiritual health, it must havepriority in our life, this is done by obedience to its teachings!

2. There is nothing else on Earth that can do what the Word of God can do!
a. It is alive and active....it can pierce through anything!b. All attempts to disregard God’s Word will end up in failure...and we cannot hide our sins which is nothing more than disobedience to HisWord!c. The Word of God has the power to change everything....and only it canbring rest!

3. How tragic that an entire generation wandered through a desert simply because they failed to enter into God’s rest by faith and obedience to HisWord!

a. yet we could have an entire generation do the same thing today!...or an individual!b. We must be people of the Word, not people of the World!c. If we are to really know God’s rest in our souls, we must have faith in God and His Word....and obey it!

4. How rested are you????

CONCLUSION: Though Israel was called "God’s people" and though they had seen miracles and God’s great power, they failed to enter God’s rest! Failure to enter was because of their failure to believe God’s Word, which led to disobedience..the result:

NO REST! The same can happen today too...obedience is the evidence of faith, which leads to rest! How restful is your life?


Prophet Antonio Schroeder
"Kingdom Tabernacle Ministry International"

http://www.ktmiGlobal.tk/

I CAME TOO FAR TO SURRENDER MY ANOINTING "When the Tomb becomes a Womb"

I CAME TOO FAR TO SURRENDER MY ANOINTING!
"When the Tomb becomes a Womb"

December 6, 2009 Sunday Morning 11:00 am

Kings 19 1-18

According to 1Kings 17:1

Elijah was one of the inhabitants of Gilead


1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

The point is: He was one of the people, he was one of us, in other words he was in the same mess as everybody else, he was surrounded by the same problems, the same sinful circumstances. He was in it, but he wasn’t a part of it.


This is very important: Because Israel’s spiritual condition was at an all time low, from generation to generation each successive king had taken the nation deeper into sin and farther away from God.

Finally it says that Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him, and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the Kings of Israel that were before him.


But here stands Elijah alone against this flood of ungodliness, and perversion.Have you ever felt like you’re all alone?


You’re the only one trying to do right, You’re the only one who is standing for righteousness.
You’re the only one on your job
You’re the only one in your family
You’re the only one on your street, In your town.


Maybe God forbid (even in your church) you’re the only one who is really trying to Live a pure and holy and separated life.


Tell Your neighbor (I’ve got good news) It only takes one.*It only took One David to get rid of Goliath

*It only took one Moses to Lead 1-3 million people out of bondage
*It only took one Ezekial to turn a dry bone yard into a mighty army


I just want to tell you: You can make the difference on your job, in your family, in your city, in your church, In your world.


Tell your neighbor: I can change it


The devil goes to great lengths to try to convince us that one person could never make a difference, but the devil is a liar. “No matter how dark it gets one light changes everything.


Jesus said: Ye are the salt of the earth, the light of the world.The only way that darkness can win is for the light to refuse to shine.


Grab your neighbors hand and shake it real good and tell them: Just turn the light on.


Elijah was no push over prophet Elijah knew the power of God, (through his ministry the dead were raised, the widow of Zarephath went into supernatural provision and was sustained through the famine.

He had a debt destroying, dead raising, prosperity producing anointing


He was bold as a lion and mean as a bear, (he was a mans man, he was no weekend warrior).
“ He stood alone” against a wicked king, and his wicked wife, and entire religious system that had turned against God.

1. I know a lot of people that can stand as long as they got someone to lean on,
2. as long as people are backing them up,
3. someone patting them on the back encouraging them.But if you are ever going to do any real kingdom work, you might as well know (Sometimes you will have to stand alone).Paul the apostle said:

2Ti 4:16 At my first answer (no man stood with me, but all men forsook me:) I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

Tell your neighbor: I’m learning to stand

I want your help, I appreciate your help, I enjoy your pats on the back, I am grateful for your blessing and your encouragement, but I don’t have to have it.

1. At some point you have to be able to stand on your own two feet:
2. You got to be able to praise when nobody else is praising, dance when nobody else is dancing.
3. Pray when nobody else is praying,
4. You got to be able to preach to yourself and get happy off your own preaching.When David looked around and couldn’t get anyone to pat him on the back or speak an encouraging word to him.

He preached to himself!!!Elijah was a man who knew how to stand: But in our text we find Elijah in a Cave.

The Cave is a place of hiding:
Jos 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
Jos 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.

It’s where you go when you want to be alone!

The Cave is a place of Separation, Isolation!

When there is a strong attack against you the devil plead to the father to touch your skin causing things to be Isolate from you, and also cause you to with draw from others,

The Cave is a place of Depression:
One of the greatest signs of being in a cave is the spirit of depression,
Depression: is not just an attitude or a feeling (Depression is a Spirit)Isaiah calls it (The Spirit of Heaviness)

Isa 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Depression Heaviness = -somewhat dark 5, darkish 1, wax dim dull, colourless, be dark, faint Fear, sorrow, grief, feelings of hopelessness and dejection (to feel low)

The Cave is a place of Fear:
1Ki 18:4 For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)
These One hundred prophets were hiding in a cave for fear of Jezebel Fear is the opposite of faith (Faith mobilizes, fear paralyzes)

Fear: is believing more in what the devil says than what God has saidFear is more than just a bad feeling (Fear is a Spirit) It is alive

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Obediah Fed them with bread and water;

This tells me that The cave is a place of meager existence: In the cave it seems like everything comes in small doses, like your being given just enough to keep you alive, but not enough to make you enjoy life.

Everything is in rations:

The cave is a spiritual reality (You may never in your life walk into a natural cave but at some point in your faith walk you will experience a cave).

A cave is a spiritual condition:

*You can be rich and be in a cave
*You can be surrounded by people and be in a cave
*You can be anointed and still be in a cave
*You can be a pastor and be in a cave
*You can be a prophet and be in a cave

You can cast out devils on Sunday and be in the cave on Monday

No one is exempt from the cave!!!!!

The Cave is a place of death:

Ge 23:9 That he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a possession of a buryingplace amongst you.

Ge 23:19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan.

1. Everybody won’t know what I’m talking about, but somebody knows what it feels like to be in a cave,
2. Somebody knows what it feels like, to feel isolated and alone.
3. Somebody knows what it feels like to run as hard and fast as you can and feel like you haven’t moved, you haven’t made any progress at all.

*You have to really strain your eyes to see anything good ahead of you.
*Your fighting feelings of discouragement (You haven’t seen the manifestation of your promise)
*You’ve been faithful to God, but it seems like nothings happening.
*Your situations is trying to make you question if you’re even anointed at all.
*It seem’s like you can’t hardly even feel God
*It’s like every good thing that should be coming to you, is coming through a straw.

The Great the Mighty, the awesome Prophet

The Man of God ( Found himself in a Cave)

1 Ki 19:9-10 And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1. Notice Elijah’s Language ( I have been)Not I am, not I will be (but I have been)
In otherwords Elijah is saying: I’m done, I’m through, I’m finished, I came here to die..

*The (Cave) is the place where (Dreams die),

- it is the place where visions expire,

- it is the place where passion and enthusiasm and desire surrender to apathy and indifference and hopelessness.
- It’s the place where fear reigns and doubt robs the heart of any expectation of better things.

Yes even the great Prophet found himself in a cave (A Tomb) The end

But tell your neighbor: i'm Coming Out Of This With More POWER

Elijah Found himself in a cave (afraid of Jezebel, running for his life, wallowing in self pity, mad at God and mad at his people) mad at everybody and everything. Ready to give up, throw in the towel

But Something Happened ( The Lord Passed by his way)

I just wander is there any body in this place who is glad the Lord passed by your way?

1. You went from one bad relationship to another to another, but then the Lord passed by.
2. You were doing your own thing, didn’t care about yourself or any body else, but the Lord passed by.
3. You were doing the church thing, fooling yourself and everyone around you, but then the Lord passed by.
4. You were lying in a hospital bed with the doctors shaking their heads, but then the Lord passed by.
5. You were standing in front of a judge facing a prison sentence, but the Lord passed by.

*Slap your neighbor high five and tell them: I don’t know about you, but I’m glad the Lord passed by my way.

There was wind, Earthquake, FireBut it wasn’t the wind-It wasn’t the earthquake-It wasn’t the fire

(It was the still small voice of God)

It was the word of God
One word from God turned his tomb into a womb!

One word from God and the Old prophet came out with a New anointing!

-The Old prophet came out with a New Vision

-The Old prophet came with a New Fire

I Just came by to tell somebody today (You’re coming out)

The tomb is your womb - You Birthing Out Somethng!

1. Somebody’s on the verge of a New Revelation of the glory and power of God
2. Somebody’s on the verge of a new level of anointing
3. Somebody’s getting ready to see the greatest manifestation of the power of God you’ve ever seen in your family, in your finances, in your ministry

*Situations has tried to push you into a cave and roll the stone over the door, and call it your tomb -The place where it ends

You’ve heard the Apostle say and you’ve heard me say, that One word from God can change your world

But let me take it even one step Farther

(One letter from God can change your world)The only difference between a tomb and a womb is ONE LETTER

I came today to make a small correction and turn the T Into a W and tell you the devil spelled it wrongIt’s not a tomb it’s a womb and I’m Coming out

IT'S NOT YOUR ENDING BUT YOUR NEW BEGINNING!

Touch 3 People and tell them I’m Coming Out.

1. Yeah I know I went in depressed but I’m coming out dancing

2. I went in fearful and afraid, but I’m coming out full of faith and power.
3. I went in empty but I’m coming out full

-I went in thinking it was over, but I’m coming out knowing it’s just getting started.
-I went in to get away from Jezebel, but I’m coming out to get rid of Jezebel.
-I went in to surrender my anointing, but I’m coming out to distribute my anointing.
Tell your neighbor It’s not a Tomb, it’s a Womb and I’m coming out.

One word from God turned a tomb, into a womb and Elijah was born again

-He came out slinging Oil;
-He was anointed from his head to his toes
-He was a man on fire
-He was a man with a mission
-He was a man with a Vision



The fear of Jezebel was gone, Elijah was no longer looking back, but now he was consumed with taking this anointing to the next generation.

I came to tell somebody: And it’s not the End it’s just the Beginning

I’m talking to somebody who needs a new beginning.

When Elijah came out of that cave he came out with a new vision, he came out a generational vision.

He knew he couldn’t die, there was something he had to impart to the next generation.

When he came out of that cave he came out with a double anointing,

(You say “How do you know he came out with a double anointing?”

Because he conferred a double portion on Elisha, and you can only give what you have.

I CAME TOO FAR TO SURRENDER MY ANOINTING!

Prophet Antonio Schroeder

"Kingdom Tabernacle Ministry International"

www.KtmiGlobal.tk

HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS!

HOW TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS !

November 15, 2009 Sunday Morning 11:00 am

Proverbs 3: 5-6

Decisions – we are faced with them every day. Some of them are big and some of them are small – but they still must be made. Have you ever struggled with making decisions? “What should I fix for dinner?” “What should I wear today?” “Where should I invest my money?” “Who should I date?” “Where should I go on vacation?” “What career should I pursue?” Some decisions are BIG – but others are small – yet they all can be important.

It is amazing to me – how many sources the average person will consult when faced with making a decision. They search through their horoscopes or consult trusted friends. Some people will even ask complete strangers for their advice or will follow the accepted patterns of their culture. But let’s look at what the Bible says. Follow along with me as I read from Proverbs:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASV)

Do these verses address the issue of decision making? I believe so. You see God wants us to make wise decisions. He wants us to follow His guidance. In fact one of the main reasons that the Bible was written was that His children would have words to live by. He wants to give us clear direction.

In order to get to our destinations, we must make sure we’re on the right road. We need to follow the One who longs to give direction to our life. Many times we think that God is playing ‘hide and seek’ with us – when it comes to the discovery of His will for our lives. This is not true. God delights in revealing His purpose and plans to His children, if we’re serious about finding His will for your life - He will reveal it to you. Look at what the book of James tells us:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NKJV)It is God’s desire for us to have wisdom. In fact – God’s desire is for you to be successful in life. He wants you to live life wisely.

Myth #1: God’s will is hard to FIND

Many of us struggle trying to figure out what God wants us to do in specific situations. But much of what He desires for our lives is already revealed in the Bible. Let’s take the Ten Commandments as an example. From the Ten Commandments we know that God does not want us to steal, kill, or lie. We also know that God does not want us to commit adultery. We know from the Ten Commandments that God wants us to worship Him and honor Him with our lives. You see God is concerned about us and He has given us some basic commandments to follow. Psalm 119 tells us:

“Thy word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NASV)

God’s Word – His Bible – was written to guide us and direct us. It is our responsibility to study and search the scriptures so that we can find His desires for our lives. If we study God is faithful to reveal His will for our lives.

Myth #2: God wants us to know everything about the FUTURE

God does not tell us everything about the future – if He did – where would faith be? God does not reveal what’s coming next week or next month or next year. In fact we do not even know what tomorrow may hold. But God urges us to live by faith for Him.

I am not saying that we should not be concerned about the future – in fact we need to be concerned about the future. But we as Christians we need to live today for the One who holds tomorrow in His hands. If you are a BELIEVER – if you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart and given your life for Him – God has prepared a place for you. It is called Heaven. It will one day be your home for eternity. In the mean time - you are to live by faith – believing that God is preparing you for your eternal home. Paul tells us in second Corinthians:

“Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord--for we walk by faith, not by sight--we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NASV)

One reason that God doesn’t reveal our entire future is because He wants us to trust Him moment by moment as we take one step at a time – but we do know as believers – where those steps will ultimately take us.

Myth #3: God’s greatest goal for my life is my HAPPINESS

If you follow God – you will eventually find happiness. But let me say this quite clearly.
God is more concerned about your character than He is about your comfort.

As PEOPLE, many of us have bought up with the myth that we deserve to be happy and successful. Some of us believe that God must want us to be happy as well. This is a myth. God is more concerned with our holiness than He is to our happiness.


In fact God is committed to our holiness, not our happiness.
He is committed to our purity rather than our pleasure.

In order for our character to change – sometimes He allows us to go through some pretty tough times. It is tough times that build character. Here is a fact:

-God is in the life change business.He takes that which is broken and fixes it.
-He takes that which is bent and straightens it out.
-He takes that which is shattered and puts it back together.

That is what God does. God is in the life change business and He is more concerned with your character than He is with your comfort.

Have you ever thought that if you are going to become like Jesus – you may just have to go through some of the stuff He went through? It may be true. Do you remember what

Matthew chapter 5:

"Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 (NASV)

To tell you the truth – My Flesh does'nt like this passage of scripture – but I do like the reward that God offers if I stay faithful to Him.

God wants me to be faithful to Him and in the process – I become more like Jesus. My faithfulness may not lead to a "comfortable life" – but I can guarantee – that it will be a character building life.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Text Verse

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASV)

What must I do to make wise decisions? In these verses God gives us three steps to making decisions. First:

1. Trust in the LORD

To trust in the Lord is to make a commitment to the Lord.
It is to rely on God and believe that He is big enough to take care of the situation.

The writer of Proverbs goes on to talk about (the volume of our trust) when he says, “with all your heart.” God does not want half-hearted devotion to Him nor does He want half-hearted trust. He wants our full devotion and our full trust. You have probably heard the story of the chicken and the pig – but if you haven’t let me tell it to you:

Are you just making a “contribution” or are you ready to make a total commitment to Christ? When the verse says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart” – it means just that – make a total commitment to trust God. Second key to Verse:

2. Stop trying to be in CONTROL

This second point is a warning. Look at the second part of verse five:

“do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5b (NASV)

We have been given a positive admonition in the first part of the verse to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart” and now we are told, “do not lean on your own understanding.”

Why? Because we have limited understanding. We do not understand everything. We do not see the entire picture. We do not have all the facts.

Let’s admit it – most of us think we can figure things out on our own. We can do just fine by ourselves – thank you. But, if we’re serious about making wise decisions, we must fight against that internal inclination to trust in our own understanding. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t use common sense or the wisdom that God gives us, but it does mean that we should not trust on our understanding for total support. If we try to figure out our life and handle every decision that comes our way, we will be in trouble. Proverbs chapter twenty eight and verse twenty six in the Message Bible says;

“If you think you know it all, you’re a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others.” Proverbs 28:26 (MSG)

Have you ever made decisions based on misinformation? Or limited information? I have too. Did you know that God does not make decisions with limited information? How could He – He knows everything. Remember that verse from James chapter 1 that I read earlier :


“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NKJV)

God who knows all things is willing to help us make decisions – “lean not on your own understanding.”

Point three is:


3. Acknowledge God in all our WAYS

God wants you to trust Him – not in your own understanding in all the areas of your life. That is why He says:“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6 (NASV) Go ahead and circle the word “All” in verse six. The verse does not say “Some” of your ways. The verse does not say “Most” of your ways.


The verse says “all” of your ways. It means in everything you do.

In every detail of your life – acknowledge God. You may think it is insignificant – God doesn’t. You may think you can handle it – you can’t. (Remember: Lean not on your own understanding.) You may think – it is outside of God’s concern – it isn’t. You see God cares about every aspect of your life. He cares about every detail no matter how minute you may think it is. That is why Proverbs chapter 3: 6, “In all your ways acknowledge Him”.

What Is our ways? and what do we need to change in order to acknowledge him?

Important Point to Scripture:

“He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6b (NASV)

Our responsibility is to trust God, not trust our own understanding but to acknowledge God in all our ways and then He gives us a promise. What is it? “He will make your paths straight.”

It's Time to Use Wisdom!

It's Time to make Wise Decisions!

Prophet Antonio Schroeder

"Kingdom Tabernacle Ministry International"

www.KtmiGlobal.tk
.

"I AM MADE TO ADJUST"

"I AM MADE TO ADJUST"

November 8, 2009 Sunday Morning 11:00 am

Philippians 4:4-8

To Adjust : mean to understand.... Mean to identify with wisdom & to the adapting of spontaneous change....

We must embrace change!


When you embrace and welcome your change you are understanding a kingdom principle...

This principle is a mindset and will cause you to rest in a high intelligence - This high intelligence is the Mind of Christ!


CHANGE ISN’T ALWAYS EASY!

A. In fact—it is inevitable! The sooner we embrace it—the sooner we will be at peace.

B. Change is part of his divine order--- God had script it from the beginning!

C. Anyway, this whole experience got me thinking about how to deal with change.

D. Knowing it is not easy—but inevitable—we need tools or principles to help us to keep moving forward into God’s plan.

II. Body.

A. I struggle with change—and yet I eventually embrace it. Why? Because I know that God is doing the changing—and I trust Him!

B. Consider this: When Adam and Eve were in the garden—they were fully alive—made in the image of God. Yet, because of sin—they changed for the worse! Sin changes us for the worse!

C. When Jesus came — His plan and desire was and is to conform us back into the same image—just like Him! How many of you know—that takes time?

D. Today’s foundational verse: Philippians 4:4-9:

Philippians 4:4-8
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, 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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things."


1. Rejoice In The Lord Always!

A. When life lets you down—REJOICE! ALWAYS! Life might let you down—but God NEVER lets you down.

B. God is a God of process (A Present God)—and He has it under control—even the unforeseen changes.

C. There is something about rejoicing that adjusts our spirits and gives us new perspective.

D. All of a sudden—we see things differently. We actually are telling God that whatever He allows to pass through His hands is OK with us and this sends a message to God that we KNOW He sees—and we are trusting HIM regardless of the changes:

Psalm 31:7-8
"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place."


2. Be Patient With All Men!

A. We are to be patient with all men because we KNOW the Lord is near.

B. This is really important too! Why? Because when change takes place—we often blame others for that change.

C. Somebody does something that affects us and we become offended by their actions.

D. Yet, God tells us to be patient with all men because He is near.

E. That can be taken two ways:

1) Be patient because the Lord is near and He is watching!

2) Be patient KNOWING the Lord is near to help you!

F. I choose door number two. In all of life’s changes—as hard as they get—God is there to help you!


3. Do Not Be Anxious!

A. If we are honest—we must admit that change tempts us to become anxious.

B. The trigger of Anxiousness should be the engine that drives us into His presence:
Psalm 94:19"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul."

C. The prophet Isaiah had something to say to those who were anxious about change:
Isaiah 35:4"Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you."

D. I choose to believe this verse. God saves us in all our circumstances—even life’s unexpected changes.E. Be anxious about NOTHING! EVEN Changes in the YEAR 2010 - Embrace Change !, EXPECT WHAT YOU SPEAK!


4. Pray with Thanksgiving!

A. To pray with thanksgiving is to pray with a (Centered & Stable Heart). It is to pray with an attitude that says:

"God, (I choose to believe) that in the midst of life’s changes—you are worthy to be thanked: Practice worshipping under pressure this alone will squeeze out imaginations & is replaced healthy thoughts-- Doing this willl show the Lord and yourself that "You can be trusted in all circumstances."

****God is saying to you "I have created you as my (SON) so walk in Sonship! Walking in sonship is walking in Maturity or as a Father--This statement replies you women as will! WALK IN THE LAND OF CONSCIENCE NESS OF YOU IDENTITY IN JESUS CHRIST!


B. Praying with thanksgiving in the midst of change allows you to focus on the positive NOT on the negative.

Pray with thanksgiving for NEW opportunities to grow and stretch.

Pray with thanksgiving asking God to help you through the change - Ask God "Show Me You Face In This Situation"Pray with thanksgiving that the challenges that He has given you will make you more like Jesus AND will better equip you to help others. (You are made to adust for thoughs who CAN'T ADJUST) - You are his Priest That Expresses Stablity! (You're Sent to REMIND) TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THERE STRENGTH, IDENITY, INHERITANCE, RELATIONSHIP IN THE FATHER!


5. Think on Good Things! --- THIS IS IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO CHANGE THESE VERY PRINCIPLES!

A. The problem with dealing with changes is that we perceive that change is NEGATIVE—and this ALWAYS skews our thinking.B. We know from Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace."

D. Listen brothers and sisters—it’s time to expect that God is working all things together after the counsel of His own will.

E. Let’s begin to meditate on the good that God is working in our lives.

F. Focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, and lovely.

G. The result? The Peace of God shall guard your hearts and mind!

H. I can handle change if I have the Peace of God—and so can you.

III. Conclusion.

A. As we move into 2010, I know that all of us will face many changes.

B. Let us purpose to go with the flow and trust the KING. Let us honor Him with our lives in the midst of change.

In our personal lives
In our families
With our friends
In our circumstances
In our church
In our community
In ALL He sends our way

Romans 8:28-31
"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

www.KtmiGlobal.tk

Maintaining our attitude even in the midst of problems

Maintaining our attitude even in the midst of problems

October 25, 2009 Sunday Morning 11:00 am

Psalms 34:1 - 34:4

The apostle Paul, when writing to the church at Philippi, placed before those Christians an attitudeindicator. He said in Philippians 2:5, “Have this mind (attitude) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.

”Christ gives us a perfect example to follow in regards to attitude. His high standard was not givento frustrate us but to reveal areas in our lives that need improvement. Whenever I studyPhilippians 2:3-8, I am reminded of the healthy attitude qualities that Jesus possessed.

Turn to Philippians 2:3-8

1. He was selfless: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mindlet each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out foryour own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Verse 4)

2. He was secure: “Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality withGod a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and beingmade in the likeness of men.” (Verses 6,7)

3. He was submissive: “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death of a cross” (Verse 8)

Paul says that these qualities were exhibited in the life of Christ because of His attitude. He alsosays that we can have the same attitude in our lives. We have a visual example of a Christianattitude and we are also encouraged to attain it.

Romans 12:1,2

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holysacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not beconformed to this world, but be transformed (How) by the renewing of your mind, that you mayprove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.


”But Attitude: What Is It?

Hardly a day passes without the word “Attitude” entering a conversation.

It may be used as acomplaint or a compliment. It could mean the difference between a promotion or a demotion. Sometimes we sense it, other times we see it. Yet it is difficult to explain.

The attitude is an inward feeling expressed by behavior. That is why an attitude can be seenwithout a word being said.

The Bible teaches us that, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance,but the Lord looks at the heart.”

(1 Samuel 16:7). “The heart is more deceitful than all else andis desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). These statements express ourinability to know for sure what emotions are going on inside someone else. Yet, while we refrainfrom judging others by their outward expressions, many times the outward actions become a“window to the soul.” A person who gives “a look that kills,” probably is not inwardly singing,“Maybe God is trying to tell you something.

”Since an attitude often is expressed by our body language and by the looks on our faces, it can becontagious. Have you noticed what happens to a group of people when one person, by hisexpression, reveals a negative attitude? Or have you noticed the lift you receive when a friend’sfacial expression shows love and excitement?

Both the hummingbird and the vulture fly over our nation’s deserts. All vultures see is rottingmeat, because that is what they look for. They thrive on that diet. But hummingbirds ignore thesmelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colorful blossoms of desert plants. Thevultures live on what was. They live on the past. They fill themselves with what is dead andgone. But hummingbirds live on what is. They seek new life. They fill themselves with freshnessand life. Each bird finds what it is looking for. We all do.

David’s music and presence encouraged a troubled King Saul. Scripture tells us “the spirit of theLORD departed Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrorized him” The kings men were told to find someone who could lift their ruler’s sprit. They brought David into the palace and “Saulloved him greatly.....And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Let David now stand before me; for hehas found favor in my sight.’ So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul,David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, andthe evil spirit would depart from him”

Sometimes the attitude can be masked outwardly and others who see us are fooled. But usuallythe cover-ups will not last long. There is that constant struggle as the attitude tries to wiggle itsway out.


SO HOW DO WE MAINTAIN OUR ATTITUDE EVEN IN THE MIDST OFPROBLEMS

Which brings us to our scripture text

Historical background: David being chased by Saul

1. Saul was jealous of David
2. The crowd was yelling, “David has killed his ten-thousands and Saul.....”
3. The music that once gave peace to Sauls souls now brings hatred when David played
4. So David was hiding out in a cave in the mountains

Now logically David should have been afraid and terrified in which he was but somehow hisattitude would not allow his spirit to be discouraged.


I can hear David saying, “I may be in a messed up situation right now, I may have my backliterally against the wall right now, Those whom I trusted are trying to kill me right now, but inspite of all that, God is still good.”

But somehow even in the midst of David’s problems he still found it somehow to give God somepraise. Somehow David found it easy to turn a bad situation into a reason to give God somepraise and worship.

Why? Because David had some history with God when it came to troubles which molded hisattitude. God was with David when he killed the lion and the bear. God was with David when hedefied the odds when he fought and defeated Goliath. So therefore if God was with him duringthose times then surely he was still with him even now as he was going through these troubles.

And because of that history with God it molded David’s attitude from:
Could be to, Yes God canBut in our text this morning David gives us a Three-Fold Process of Praise in order to give us agodly example of attitude toward our problems.


1. PRAISE BEGINS WITH THE WILL (Verse 1)
“I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” His attitudereflects a determination to rejoice regardless of the situation.

Rejoice in spite of sickness
Rejoice in spite of a bad relationship
Rejoice in spite of a job termination
Rejoice in spite of a failed economy
Rejoice in spite of a child on drugs
Rejoice in spite of a broken heart
Rejoice when all have turned their backs and walked away
Rejoice when you cant see your way out

So as David was in the cave and it did not look good, he chose his attitude to portray whichmolded his spirit which transformed his actions.

2. PRAISE FLOWS TO THE EMOTION (Verse 2)
“My soul shall make its boast in the LORD.” Now David is praising the Lord not only becauseit’s right but also because he feels like it.

Now David knew that it was right to praise the Lord, Why?

Because he knew that God was the Alpha and Omega
Because he knew that God was the Creator
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Jiriah (The God that provides)
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Shemiah (The God that is always near)
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Rapha (The God that heals)
Because he knew that God was Jehovah Nisi (The God that fights our battles)

So David knew that it was right for him to praise God just for who God was and is, but he choseto praise Him because he felt like it. He felt like praising God because he knew what God waspersonally to him.

He was his protector
He was his sustainer
He was his forgiver

We ought to praise God because we feel like it. Because we know where He has brought usfrom. Because we know he has been our battle axe. Because we know He made a way out of noway. Because he is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

We ought to come to worship because we feel like it and not because it is right. Because when Icome to church because I feel like it, I am get something out of it, I receive a blessing, I receiveencouragement and I receive direction for my life in a world of turmoil and darkness.

3. PRAISE SPREADS TO OTHERS (Verses 2,3)

“The humble shall hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His nametogether.” David demonstrates that the desired performance “Praise” begins with an attitude thatis determined to do it.

When we lift up the name of God, we find joy
When we lift up the name of God, we find peace and transfer to those who have no peace,
When we lift up the name of God, we find hope in a world of chaos,
When we lift up the name of God, we give hope to others in despair
When we lift up the name of God, we comfort those who are confused.

I would rather spread my praise than a bad attitude
I would rather spread my praise than confusion and sadness
I would rather spread my praise than hatred and anger.

Even though David challenges us to maintain a spirit filled attitude in the midst of problems, Jesusshows how to have a positive attitude in the face of unbelief and uncertainty.

We are challenged in John 2 with the words of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who said, “WhateverHe says to you, do it.” as it related to Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana.

I want to remind you of the words of Mary, “Whatever Jesus says to you, doit, even though:

1. You are not in the “right place” They were at a wedding and not a church when Jesus performed the miracle. Some of God’sgreatest blessings will be at “other places” if we will be obedient to Him.

2. You have a lot of problemsThey had run out of wine. Too many times our problems drive us away from Jesus instead of toHim. Christian renewal begins when we focus on God’s power and not our problems.

3. You are not encouraged Jesus said to those at the wedding, “My hour has not yet come.” Instead of being discouraged bythese words, Mary laid hold of the possibility of a miracle.4. You have not walked with Him very longThe servants who obeyed Jesus had just met Him, and the disciples had just started following theLord, yet they were expected to obey Him.

5. You have not seen Him work miracles in your life."This was our Lord’s first miracle". The people in this situation had to obey Him without Hishaving a previous track record.

6. You don’t understand the entire processFrom this biblical story we can draw out a definition for obedience. It is listening to the words ofJesus and doing His will. Inward obedience provides outward growth.

So I tell you today, what is an attitude?

It is the “advance man” of our true selves
It’s roots are inward but its fruit is outward
It is our best friend or our worst enemy
It is more honest and more consistent than our words.
It is an outward look based on past experiences
It is a thing which draws people to us or repels them.
It is never content until it is expressed
It is the speaker of our present.

It is the prophet of our future.But Jesus has the best attitude of all. He went to the cross for all of humanity.He endured the suffering of the cross in spite of the shame for us.

Prophet Antonio Schroeder
"Kingdom Tabernacle Ministry International"
http://www.ktmiGlobal.tk/