Tag: SermonBytes

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The Power of a Simple Prayer

1.13.2015SCRIPTURE:

“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. – Isaiah 11:6 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

It started as what was seen by many – including many Government officials – as outright rebellion. The culprits were children whose ages ranged from about four to fourteen years old. The year was 1707. The misdeeds were carried out in a region along the Polish and Czechoslovakian borders known as Silesia. Continue reading “The Power of a Simple Prayer”

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Shared Sin

SCRIPTURE:

“But we have sinned and done wrong. We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.” (Daniel 9:5 NLT)

MESSAGE:

One of the most dangerous and destructive things I have witnessed in the church over the years, is spiritual pride. Regular pride is bad enough, after all the Bible says, “pride comes before destruction.” (Proverbs 16:8) Spiritual pride, however, takes things to a whole new level. Spiritual pride often comes dressed in faux-righteousness. We (or the devil) actually convince ourselves that we have the moral high-ground and are speaking the very words of God. Continue reading “Shared Sin”

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United In Christ

crossSCRIPTURE:

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. (John 17:20-21 NLT)

MESSAGE:

Last evening I had the wonderful privilege to attend a gathering of several hundred people representing various groups of Christianity. It was moving as leaders prayed blessings over one another and the people they represented. It was amazing to see generations of infighting and doctrinal differences dissolve in the light of Christ who has made the many one.

During our time of prayer God reminded me of the importance of laying aside our minor differences for the greater purpose of His Kingdom. Don’t get me wrong, I am not being pluralistic. I fully affirm that there is only one way to get to God. That way was clearly articulated by Jesus when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NLT) Continue reading “United In Christ”

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A Garden Perspective of 2015

adam-and-eve-expelled-from-paradise-1961SCRIPTURE:

“After sending them out, the LORD God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”
Genesis 3:24 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

A scene in “Star Trek – The Undiscovered Country” shows Mr. Spock talking to his intended replacement about a painting which hangs in his quarters. That 1961 painting (pictured here) by Marc Chagall is entitled, “Adam and Eve Expelled from Paradise.” Mr. Spock explains to Lt. Valeris that it is displayed as a reminder that “all things end.”  Centuries earlier, the world renowned painter Michelangelo had also captured the ancient event when he painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. That work was entitled, “The Fall of Man and the Expulsion from the Garden of Eden.” Continue reading “A Garden Perspective of 2015”

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It’s Time to Lay Down our Christmas Weapons

file8511338711005SCRIPTURE:

“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” Luke 2:10-14 (NKJV)

MESSAGE:

It seems we have a new and sinister Christmas tradition. Just as surely as there will be a Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to officially herald the Christmas season and just as certain as reruns of “Charlie Brown’s Christmas” and “It’s A Wonderful Life,” we have now come to expect the War on Christmas. Continue reading “It’s Time to Lay Down our Christmas Weapons”

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Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 7

False-ReligionSCRIPTURE:

“’Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’” Numbers 14:3 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

It appears that it was easier for God to get his people out of Egypt than it was for Him to get Egypt out of the people. In today’s blog, we see that the people were ready to turn away from God’s promise and return to the land from which He delivered them. They were ready to return to slavery, and to the worship of the very gods who failed to save their masters. Continue reading “Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 7”

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Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 6

MurderSCRIPTURE:

“But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb…” Numbers 14:10 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

How quickly things can change. After two years in the wilderness enjoying the miraculous provision of God, God’s people began to talk about murdering their leaders on the very eve of receiving their promise. The spirit of murder does not magically appear in our life. It’s not something that should ever catch us by surprise. The Apostle James instructs us that temptation grows out of our desires which entice us and drag us away from what is right. When we nurture those desires, instead of giving them to Jesus to be crucified on the cross, they give birth to sinful actions. Then, when sin is allowed to run unchecked, it gives birth to death. (James 1:14-15) Another way of looking at it, is that when we allow our emotions to lead us instead of God’s Word, we will eventually give in to temptation – in other words, we will sin. If we still fail to turn it over to God it will bring the spirit of murder. That spirit may position itself against others, or it may put us in a mindset of self-destruction. Continue reading “Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 6”

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Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 5

unbelief

Read: Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 4

SCRIPTURE:

“…‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’”  Numbers 14:1-3 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

How sad, that after the miraculous salvation and royal training of Moses, plagues in Egypt, financial provision, the release by Pharaoh, the parting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Ten Commandments, cloud by day, pillar of fire by night, miraculous manna and wonderful water, the people finally got to their promised land only to be stopped by rumors. These rumors fueled their fear and rebellious spirits. They didn’t trust God’s appointed leaders, and by extension, they didn’t trust God. These folk had an evil spirit of unbelief. Continue reading “Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 5”

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Thank – The Native Americans???

ThanksgivingSCRIPTURE:

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever… Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” Psalm 107:1,31 (NLT)

MESSAGE:

In his hard-hitting book, “Censorship: Evidence of Bias in Our Children’s Textbooks,” Paul Vitz recounts the story of young mother who was shocked one day when her Son came home from school and shared what he had learned. Apparently, his teacher taught the students that Thanksgiving was when the Pilgrims gave thanks to the Indians. Being a Christian woman who firmly believed in the holy day, she called the Principle to enlighten him. She was even more confused when the Principle told her that the American origin of giving thanks to God was only her opinion and that teachers could only teach what is in the books they are given. So much for scholarship! Continue reading “Thank – The Native Americans???”

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Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 3

FearSCRIPTURE:

“Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the LORD is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” Num 14:9 (NLT)

 

MESSAGE:

In Part 2, we looked at how a spirit of entitlement can keep us from doing what is necessary to enjoy God’s promises in our lives. This week, we consider one of the most powerful demonic spirits of all – Fear. Continue reading “Debilitating Demons that Detour Your Destiny – Part 3”