(DRAMATIC MUSIC)
(LION ROARING)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
- GOOD EVENING, LORD AND HOST CHURCH.
(CONGREGATION APPLAUDING)
I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID UNTO ME,
"LET US GO INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD."
(GENTLE MUSIC)
I KNOW WE'VE ALL COME IN WITH JUST A LOT OF THE WEEK AND A LOT
OF THE DAY ON US, LET'S JUST GET INTO AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE GOD
CAN MOVE AND GOD CAN DO SOMETHING IN AND THROUGH US.
LORD, WE WORSHIP YOU TODAY.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
(SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
(GENTLE MUSIC)
♪ COME FILL THIS ROOM, LORD. IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF WORSHIP. ♪
(GENTLE MUSIC)
♪ OH, WE WORSHIP YOU.♪
[SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]
(GENTLE MUSIC)
♪ OH COME AND FILL THIS ROOM. COME AND FILL THIS ROOM WITH ♪
♪ YOUR PRESENCE. GOD WE NEED YOUR ANOINTING. THAT BREAKS ♪
♪EVERY OAK. BREAKS EVERY OAK. WE HONOR YOU. WE HONOR YOU. ♪
(GENTLE MUSIC)
COME ON, LIFT UP A PRAISE WITH YOUR OWN MOUTH.
LET THE LORD HEAR YOU.
♪ WE WORSHIP YOU. WE HONOR YOU. BE MAGNIFIED. OH, LORD ♪
(GENTLE MUSIC)
♪ OH, YOUR WILL OH, LORD. YOUR WILL BE DONE, YOUR WILL BE ♪
♪ DONE. FILL THIS PLACE, OH LORD. WE PUT EVERY SITUATION ♪
♪ ON THE ALTAR. EVERY PROBLEM, EVERY WORRY ON THE ALTAR. ♪
(GENTLE MUSIC)
♪ AND WE FOCUS ON YOUR GREATNESS. WE FOCUS ON YOUR ♪
♪ GOODNESS. WE FEED ON YOUR MERCY. YEAH. ♪
(GENTLE MUSIC)
♪ FOREVER THE ANCIENT OF DAYS, YOU ARE GREAT. ♪
♪ SO LIFT UP YOUR HANDS AND WORSHIP THE KING OF KINGS. ♪
♪ AND THE LORD OF LORDS. FOR HE IS GREAT. ♪
(MUSIC)
(SOFTER MUSIC)
(MUSIC)
(UPBEAT MUSIC)
- WE'LL DO A SWITCH HERE. HOW ABOUT THAT? WE HAVE A BACKUP.
YOU KNOW, GOD'S A GREAT BACKUP TO US. AND HE'S THERE FOR US ALL
THE TIME. THERE'S NO ONE THAT COMPARES TO HIM. HALLELUJAH.
THANK YOU, JESUS. WE WORSHIP YOU TONIGHT IN THIS PLACE, LORD.
YOU ALWAYS HAVE A PLAN FOR US, LORD. WHEN THE DEVIL COMES AT
US, YOU HAVE A PLAN OF ESCAPE. OH, HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU, LORD.
NO ONE CAN OUTMANEUVER OR OUTPERFORM OUR LORD. HE'S THERE
FOR US. HE'S THERE FOR YOU. HE HAS YOUR ANSWER. HE HAS YOUR
ANSWER TONIGHT. HE'S ON YOUR SIDE. HE'S ON OUR SIDE. HE'S FOR
US. HE'S NOT AGAINST US. HE'S WITH US. HALLELUJAH. THAT'S
SOMETHING TO SHOUT ABOUT TONIGHT. THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS.
THERE'S NO ONE LIKE THE LORD. HALLELUJAH. HALLELUJAH. THANK
YOU, JESUS. WE WORSHIP YOU IN THIS PLACE TONIGHT, FATHER. WE
LIFT OUR HANDS AND EXTOL YOU. WE INVITE YOU INTO THE CENTER OF
THIS PLACE AND THE CENTER OF OUR LIVES. YOU BE THE LORD OF OUR
LIVES. YOU GUIDE US. YOU DIRECT US. YOU SHOW US THE WAY. OH,
THANK YOU, LORD, THAT YOU'RE OUR FRONT GUARD AND YOU'RE OUR REAR
GUARD. YOU'RE ALL AROUND US. YOUR ANGELS ENCOMPASS US. OH, WE
HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR, CHURCH. WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE
THANKFUL FOR. HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU, JESUS. THE GOODNESS OF GOD.
THE GOODNESS OF GOD. GOD IS SO GOOD. HE LOVES EACH ONE OF US SO
MUCH. HE SENT JESUS FOR US. HALLELUJAH. OH, HALLELUJAH.
THANK YOU, JESUS. DIANE, IF YOU'D HAVE BEEN THE ONLY ONE ON
THE EARTH, HE WOULD HAVE SENT JESUS, HIS SON, TO DIE FOR YOU.
OH, HALLELUJAH. AND THAT GOES FOR EVERY ONE OF YOU AND EVERY
ONE OF YOU WATCHING TONIGHT. THANK YOU, LORD. HALLELUJAH.
THERE'S SOMEONE HERE, AND I BELIEVE YOU'VE REALLY BEEN GOING
THROUGH A STRUGGLE IN YOUR LIFE. IT'S BEEN A TIME WHEN YOU'VE
PULLED AND YOU'VE PULLED, AND YOU JUST SEEM TO-- IT'S ALMOST
LIKE- THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE IT, THE PICTURE I SEE IN MY
MIND, IS LIKE YOU FELT LIKE YOU WERE AN OX ATTACHED TO A CART,
AND YOU WERE PULLING AND PULLING AND PULLING, BUT NOT REALLY
MOVING. YOU MIGHT MOVE A LITTLE BIT, BUT YET YOU DON'T REALLY GO
ANYWHERE. AND YOU FELT LIKE THE BATTLE THAT YOU'VE BEEN IN HAS
BEEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST BATTLES OF YOUR LIFE. AND I JUST BELIEVE
TONIGHT THERE'S AN ANSWER FOR YOU, AND GOD'S GOING TO SHOW YOU
SOME THINGS THAT'S GOING TO OPEN THAT UP. IF THAT'S YOU TONIGHT,
AND YOU'VE BEEN IN A BATTLE, I ALMOST FEEL LIKE THE BATTLE
HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH RELATIONSHIPS, AND IT'S
SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH SOME PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING
TO HOLD YOU BACK IN THE THINGS THAT YOU KNOW THAT GOD HAS FOR
YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND WHERE YOU'RE TO MOVE TO. I'M NOT
TALKING ABOUT MOVING PHYSICALLY, I'M TALKING ABOUT THE NEXT LEVEL
THAT YOU'RE TO MOVE TO AND IT'S BEEN HOLDING YOU BACK. AND IF
THAT'S YOU, I WANT YOU TO COME UP HERE TONIGHT BECAUSE I
BELIEVE TONIGHT IS A NIGHT OF FREEDOM AND THAT'S GOING TO BE
BROKEN OVER YOUR LIFE. COME ON UP HERE QUICKLY, WE'RE GOING TO
PRAY AND I HAVE A SCRIPTURE FOR YOU. HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU
JESUS. THANK YOU LORD. HALLELUJAH. THERE PROBABLY IS
MORE THAN ONE. MIGHT BE SOME OF YOU WATCHING ONLINE THAT THIS
APPLIES TO YOU. IF IT APPLIES TO YOU TONIGHT, YOU CAN JUST LIFT
YOUR HAND RIGHT WHERE YOU'RE AT IN YOUR LIVING ROOM OR IN YOUR
HOTEL ROOM, WHEREVER YOU MAY BE, AND SAY, "GOD, THAT'S ME. "I
WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS." AND YOU'RE PART OF OUR BODY, AND
WE INCLUDE YOU AND GOD SEES YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU'RE AT.
HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU, JESUS. PSALM 66, 12. I WROTE THIS DOWN.
IT SAYS, "WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE FIRE AND THE FLOOD, BUT YOU
BROUGHT US TO A PLACE OF GREAT ABUNDANCE." AND I BELIEVE THAT'S
A WORD FOR THOSE OF YOU TODAY. HE'S BRINGING YOU TO A PLACE OF
GREAT ABUNDANCE. IN THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION, THAT SAME
SCRIPTURE SAYS HE BRINGS YOU TO A PLACE OF GREAT FULFILLMENT.
HE'S GOING TO TURN THIS AROUND AND FULFILL THE DREAMS THAT HE
HAS PLANTED IN YOU. TONIGHT THIS THING THAT'S HOLDING
YOU BACK, THIS STRONGHOLD, IS GOING TO BE BROKEN OVER YOUR
LIFE, I BELIEVE. AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TIME WHEN YOU'RE GOING
TO LOOK BACK AND SAY, "LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE. THERE'S BEEN
A CHANGE AND A DELIVERANCE IN ME." AND I'M GOING TO DO THIS.
PASTOR KEITH, WOULD YOU RUN UP HERE NOW? COULD WE GET A MIC
THAT WORKS, HERE? I WANT TO DO THIS. I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE
MORE TIME. IF YOU CAN GET ME ANOTHER MIC MAYBE THAT, AND I'LL
JUST SWITCH IT HERE, MARK. PASTOR KEITH, I'M GOING TO HAVE
YOU PRAY FOR THE ONLINE AUDIENCE TONIGHT. I'LL GIVE THIS ONE BACK
TO YOU, MARK. AND I GUESS I DON'T WANT TO DROP THAT. I WANT
PASTOR KEITH TO PRAY FOR THE ONLINE AUDIENCE, THOSE THAT NEED
THIS BROKEN OVER THEIR LIFE. HE HAS AN ANOINTING TO DO THAT
TONIGHT, I BELIEVE. AND WE'RE GOING TO LAY HANDS, EILEEN, ON
THESE DOWN HERE AND BELIEVE THAT THIS THING THAT'S HOLDING THEM
BACK IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE ANY LONGER. IN JESUS' NAME. YES.
WHY DON'T YOU COME WITH ME? HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU, JESUS. IN
JESUS' NAME. -WE THANK YOU. YOU ARE THE
SOURCE OF ALL GOODNESS. -IN JESUS' NAME.
-YOU ARE THE POWER THAT CAN WORK THROUGH US
AND IN US TO BRING ABOUT THAT CHANGE AS IS NECESSARY IN THE
LIVES OF THOSE WHO WILL RECEIVE RIGHT NOW. THE ANOINTING OF YOUR
PRESENCE TO BREAK EVERY YOKE, DESTROY EVERY BONDAGE, TAKE DOWN
EVERY STRONGHOLD THAT WOULD TRY TO ERECT ITSELF AGAINST YOUR
DESIRE OF GOOD, BLESSING, INCREASE, ABUNDANCE. IN EVERY
RELATIONSHIP, IN EVERY FORM, IN EVERY WAY, LORD GOD, TOUCHING
THEM WITH YOUR PRESENCE NOW IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF YOUR SON,
JESUS. LET IT BE SO. AMEN. -IN JESUS' NAME. THANK YOU,
LORD. HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU, JESUS (X2) PRAISE YOU,
JESUS. HALLELUJAH. IS THERE SOMEONE, YOU'VE GOT A NECK
PROBLEM, YOU'VE BEEN LAYING DOWN, I'M SEEING YOU LAY DOWN ON
YOUR PILLOW AT NIGHT, AND YOU'RE FEELING PAIN IN YOUR NECK, AND
IT'S LIKE IT'S KEEPING YOU FROM GOING TO SLEEP. MAYBE THAT'S
SOMEONE ONLINE, MAYBE IT'S SOMEONE HERE. IS THAT SOMEONE
HERE? COME UP HERE QUICKLY. I'M GOING TO HAVE YOU COME UP HERE,
AND WE'RE GOING TO BE IN AGREEMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE
BROKEN ON YOU IN JESUS' NAME. EILEEN, WOULD YOU PRAY FOR HER
RIGHT NOW? BELIEVE THAT THAT'S BROKEN OFF FOR HER. THANK YOU,
JESUS. KOPASOTARA BASETE. AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING ONLINE TONIGHT
AND YOU HAVE A NECK ISSUE IN THE SAME AREA AND YOU'RE IN
AGREEMENT BY FAITH, WE'RE BELIEVING TONIGHT THAT YOU ARE
TOUCHED WITH A MIRACLE TOUCH OF THE LORD. AND TONIGHT YOU WILL
SLEEP IN PEACE IN THE NAME OF JESUS. YOU RECEIVE ES THAT RIGHT
WHERE YOU ARE AT IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. AMEN. AMEN.
PRAISE GOD. THANK YOU JESUS. HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU JESUS. GOD
IS SO GOOD. I AM JUST WAITING HERE FOR JUST A MOMENT TO SEE IF
THERE IS ANY OTHER DIRECTION THE LORD WOULD HAVE TONIGHT. THANK
YOU JESUS. (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
THANK YOU, JESUS. HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU, JESUS.
(SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE)
PRAISE GOD. HALLELUJAH. I AM RELEASED. THANK YOU LORD.
HALLELUJAH. LET'S DO THIS TONIGHT. TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO
SHAKE TWO OR THREE HANDS TONIGHT AND SAY IT'S GOOD TO BE IN THE
HOUSE OF THE LORD ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT. AND THANK YOU ONLINE
AUDIENCE FOR JOINING US. WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE IN A MOMENT.
[MUSIC PLAYING]
-WELL, GLORY TO GOD. WELCOME, EVERYONE. IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE
ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT. IT'S TIME FOR OUR WEDNESDAY NIGHT
OFFERING. AND I'M GOING TO KEEP THIS REAL SHORT BECAUSE I NEED
PASTOR DOUG TO GET RIGHT BACK OUT HERE. HE'S GOT A MIGHTY
MESSAGE TONIGHT ABOUT WINNING STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING THE
DEVIL. AND I KNOW WE'RE ALL GOING TO WANT TO DIG INTO THAT
REAL DEEP. AND SO I WANT TO GIVE HIM PLENTY OF TIME TO EXPOUND ON
EACH OF HIS POINTS. I KNOW HE WAS THINKING HE'D BE DONE BY 11.
SO I HAD THE THOUGHT THAT MAYBE IF I CAN REDUCE MY TIME ENOUGH,
WE CAN ALL GET OUT OF HERE BY 10:45. THAT'S NOT QUITE
ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO THE ICE CREAM SHOP. BUT DOES IT SOUND
LIKE A PLAN? CAN WE GO WITH IT? CAN WE ROLL WITH IT? ALL RIGHT,
LET'S GET RIGHT INTO IT. IF THEY WOULD BE KIND ENOUGH TO PUT
TONIGHT'S OFFERING SCRIPTURE UP ON THE SCREENS. I WANTED TO READ
A FEW VERSES FROM THE BOOK OF MATTHEW, CHAPTER 6. AND I'M
GOING TO START WITH VERSE 24. SO MATTHEW 6:24. AND I WANT TO
READ THIS FROM THE NEW LIVING TESTAMENT, NEW LIVING
TRANSLATION, EXCUSE ME. IT'S NOT A TESTAMENT. IT'S A
TRANSLATION. BECAUSE I THINK IT'S REALLY THE BEST AT
ILLUSTRATING GOD'S LOVE FOR US. AND I THINK THAT THAT'S
GOING TO BE AN IMPORTANT CONCEPT FOR US AS WE CONTINUE HERE
TONIGHT. IT'S ALREADY BEGUN AND ALL OF THAT. AND HERE IN
MATTHEW WE FIND JESUS SPEAKING AND HE SAYS, "NO ONE CAN SERVE
TWO MASTERS, FOR YOU WILL HATE ONE AND LOVE AND THE OTHER; YOU
WILL BE DEVOTED TO ONE AND DESPISE THE OTHER. YOU CANNOT
SERVE BOTH GOD AND MONEY." AND THAT IS WHY I TELL YOU NOT TO
WORRY ABOUT EVERYDAY LIFE, WHETHER YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND
DRINK, OR ENOUGH CLOTHES TO WEAR. ISN'T LIFE MORE THAN FOOD
AND YOUR BODY MORE THAN CLOTHING? LOOK AT THE BIRDS.
THEY DON'T PLANT OR HARVEST OR STORE FOOD IN BARNS, FOR YOUR
HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. AND AREN'T YOU FAR MORE VALUABLE TO
HIM THAN THEY ARE? I THINK THAT'S THAT LOVE. CAN ALL YOUR
WORRIES ADD A SINGLE MOMENT TO YOUR LIFE? AND WHY WORRY ABOUT
YOUR CLOTHING? LOOK AT THE LILIES OF THE FIELD AND HOW THEY
GROW. THEY DON'T WORK OR MAKE THEIR CLOTHING. YET SOLOMON IN
ALL OF HIS GLORY WAS NOT DRESSED AS BEAUTIFULLY AS THEY ARE. AND
IF GOD CARES SO WONDERFULLY FOR WILDFLOWERS THAT ARE HERE TODAY
AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE TOMORROW, HE WILL CERTAINLY CARE
FOR YOU. WHY DO YOU HAVE SO LITTLE FAITH? SO DON'T WORRY
ABOUT THESE THINGS SAYING, "WHAT WILL WE EAT? WHAT WILL WE DRINK?
WHAT WILL WE WEAR?" THESE THINGS DOMINATE THE THOUGHTS OF
UNBELIEVERS. BUT YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER ALREADY KNOWS ALL YOUR
NEEDS. SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD ABOVE ALL ELSE AND LIVE
RIGHTEOUSLY AND HE WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED." NOW MANY
PEOPLE MIGHT THINK, MIGHT NOT THINK OF THESE VERSES AS HAVING
MUCH OF ANYTHING TO DO WITH OFFERING, BUT WHEN I THINK OF IT
FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN ADMINISTRATOR, I'M ALWAYS
CURIOUS ABOUT WHAT PREVENTS PEOPLE FROM GIVING GENEROUSLY IN
CHURCH. AND SO I READ VARIOUS POINTS OF VIEW, OPINIONS,
SURVEYS, EXPLANATIONS, AND SO ON, AND ONE ARTICLE CAUGHT MY
ATTENTION RECENTLY. THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT, IT'S JUST
SOMETHING I HAPPENED TO SEE. CHURCH GROWTH MAGAZINE, IT WAS
ENTITLED "TEN REASONS CHURCH MEMBERS DO NOT GIVE," AND
SEVERAL OF THE REASONS CITED IN THERE WERE SOMETHING LIKE, YOU
KNOW, THEY HAD TO DO WITH A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING. LACK OF
UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HOW TO GIVE, WHY TO GIVE, WHAT THE CHURCH
NEEDS MONEY FOR AND SO FORTH. BUT WHAT STRUCK ME WAS THE FACT
THAT NEARLY HALF WERE CENTERED AROUND FEAR, WHICH IS A LACK OF
FAITH. SAME THING, RIGHT? FEAR IS THE REVERSE MIRROR IMAGE OF
FAITH. SO I WANT TO LOOK AT A FEW OF THESE REASONS REAL QUICK.
ONE OF THEM WAS THEY DON'T BELIEVE. SO IN OTHER WORDS, THEY
DON'T YET HAVE A REVELATION OF GOD'S LOVE FOR THEM AND HIS
GENEROSITY TOWARD THEM. ANOTHER WAS THEY'RE IN TRANSITION. NOW
THAT DOESN'T MEAN LIKE IN CURRENT POLITICAL FORUMS,
CHANGING FROM MALE TO FEMALE. THAT MEANS THIS IS JUST
REFERENCING THE FACT THAT THEY'RE GROWING IN THEIR FAITH
AND THEY'RE BEGINNING TO REFLECT THE VALUES OF GOD, BUT THERE'S
STILL NOT A FULL TRUST IN THE LORD REGARDING THEIR FINANCES.
ANOTHER REASON IS DIFFICULT FINANCIAL SEASON THAT THEY'RE
GOING THROUGH. AND OBVIOUSLY ANY OF US THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH
HARD TIMES CAN TESTIFY HOW THE ENEMY WILL TRY TO BRING FEAR AND
WORRISOME THOUGHTS REGARDING FINANCES, BANK ACCOUNTS AND
SUCH. ANOTHER IS THEY HAVE TOO MUCH DEBT. AND ANYONE WHO
CURRENTLY HAS OR HAS HAD IN THE PAST A LOT OF DEBT CERTAINLY
KNOWS HOW OVERWHELMING IT CAN BE AND HOW STRESS AND ANXIETY
CAN SO EASILY ENTER IN. SO I WANT TO DEAL WITH THESE REAL
QUICKLY AS A GROUP BECAUSE I FEEL THEY'RE ALL AN INDICATION
THAT PEOPLE DON'T TRUST IN GOD'S LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS
AS MUCH AS THEY PAY ATTENTION TO PERHAPS OR TRUST IN THE WORLD
SYSTEM, THE MONETARY SYSTEM, MATERIAL POSSESSIONS, WEALTH,
RICHES, MONEY, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. SO LET'S RETURN
TO THE PASSAGE IF WE CAN THAT WE READ IN MATTHEW AND IN THESE
VERSES IF YOU TAKE THEM AS A WHOLE JESUS IS TELLING US THIS
SIMPLY AS BELIEVERS IF WE WILL TRUST IN HIM SEEK HIS WAYS FIRST
OPERATE IN RIGHT STANDING, WHICH BY THE WAY INCLUDES GIVING
GENEROUSLY ACCORDING TO HIS CHARACTER, AND NOT BE ENSLAVED
TO MONEY THEN WE NEVER HAVE TO FEAR NOT BEING TAKEN CARE
OF IN OUR DAILY LIVES HE GIVES US THAT ASSURANCE.
NOW THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE PAY NO ATTENTION TO OUR
BANK BALANCES. IT'S NOT GIVING US LICENSE TO SPEND FRIVOLOUSLY
OR EXERCISE POOR STEWARDSHIP OVER THE RESOURCES THAT HE'S
GIVEN US, TRUSTED US WITH. SIMPLY MEANS THAT IF AN
UNFORESEEN EXPENSE WERE TO COME OUR WAY, UNFORESEEN TO US THAT
IS, BECAUSE GOD ISN'T SURPRISED OR CAUGHT OFF GUARD,
HE'S CERTAINLY NOT WATCHING OVER US AND SAYING, "WOW, I DIDN'T
SEE THAT COMING." HE KNOWS WHAT WE NEED AT ALL TIMES AND HAS
ALREADY PLANNED TO PROVIDE IT. SO THIS LIBERATES US TO GIVE
GENEROUSLY BECAUSE WE CAN TRUST IN HIM. AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO
INVEST YOUR MONEY IN SOMEONE, DON'T YOU WANT IT TO BE IN
SOMEONE YOU TRUST? AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING WHEN
YOU'RE SOWING INTO HIS CHURCH, HIS BODY, THE BODY OF CHRIST,
THIS CHURCH FOR EXAMPLE. SO WHETHER YOU'RE GIVING IN HERE TO
HELP PAY OFF THIS LOVELY TABERNACLE THAT WE'RE MEETING
IN TONIGHT, IF YOU'RE ONLINE WE PRAY THAT YOU, IF YOU HAVEN'T
BEEN HERE, YOU CAN GET HERE SOON AND SEE THIS OR WHETHER YOU'RE
JUST GIVING INTO THE GENERAL FUND TO HELP SUPPORT THE DAILY
OPERATIONS OF THE CHURCH. YOU'RE EXPRESSING YOUR FAITH IN THE ONE
THAT YOU CAN TRUST TO CARE FOR YOU AND PROVIDE FOR ALL YOUR
NEEDS. SO IF THEY'LL PUT THE GIVING INFORMATION UP ON THE
SCREENS, PLEASE USHERS, YOU CAN BE IN THE AISLES WITH
ENVELOPES FOR THOSE THAT NEED THEM TO HONOR GOD TONIGHT WITH
THEIR OFFERINGS. AND FOR THOSE ONLINE, AND EVEN THOSE WHO ARE
HERE AND PREFER ANOTHER METHOD, THERE ARE SEVERAL OF THEM. YOU
CAN TEXT TO GIVE, YOU CAN USE OUR MOBILE APP, VISIT OUR
WEBSITE AT LOHCHURCH.ORG/GIVE, OR EVEN SEND YOUR GIFTS BY MAIL.
WE LIKE MAIL STILL. THE ADDRESS IS SHOWN ON THE SCREEN. SO AS
YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS TO GIVE INTO THE WORKS OF
THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU AND CARES FOR YOU. AND WHILE THE USHERS
ARE SERVING YOU, I JUST WANT TO HAVE US MEDITATE FOR A MOMENT ON
WHAT JESUS SAID TO HIS DISCIPLES BACK THERE IN MATTHEW THAT WE
WERE LOOKING AT. YOU ARE MORE THAN A SPARROW. YOU'RE MORE THAN
A LILY. HE WILL MEET EVERY ONE OF YOUR NEEDS EVEN BEFORE YOU
RECOGNIZE THOSE NEEDS. WE NEED ONLY TO FOLLOW THE LAWS OF THE
KINGDOM, THE KINGDOM GIVING, AND WHAT WE SOW WILL BE MULTIPLIED.
WHEN YOU'RE READY, WHEN YOU FINISH WRITING OUT THE CHECK FOR
A MILLION DOLLARS, LET'S HOLD UP OUR ENVELOPES OR OUR PHONES
IF WE'RE GIVING ELECTRONICALLY, MY FAVORITE METHOD, AND WE'LL
DECLARE A BLESSING OVER TONIGHT'S OFFERING. HEAVENLY
FATHER, WE DECREE AND DECLARE THAT AS WE TRUST YOU
UNEQUIVOCALLY TO PROVIDE FOR US IN EVERY SITUATION, IN
EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE, OUR OFFERINGS ARE BLESSED AND WE ARE
BLESSED. WE FEAR NOT, WE WORRY NOT, WE DOUBT NOT, WE HAVE NO
ANXIETY, WE ONLY GIVE FREELY IN OBEDIENCE TO HOW YOU HAVE
PROMPTED US IN OUR HEARTS AND WE EXPECT AN ABUNDANT HARVEST TO
COME BACK TO US IN THE MEASURE THAT WE HAVE SOWN HERE TONIGHT
AND IN THE MIGHTY MATCHLESS NAME OF JESUS, ALL WHO AGREED SAID,
AMEN. LET'S WELCOME PASTOR DOUG. -AMEN. THANK YOU MARK. GREAT
JOB. HALLELUJAH. PRAISE GOD. YOU CAN BE SEATED. AND I REALLY
WON'T KEEP YOU TO 10:45, I CAN TELL YOU THAT. SO WE'LL GO A
LITTLE FASTER THAN THAT. BOB AND TASHA TOLD ME THEY NEED TO
LEAVE BY 9, SO WE'LL WORK ON THAT. BUT YOU KNOW, THE GOOD
NEWS IS THAT GOD HAS EQUIPPED US WITH EVERYTHING WE NEED TO
DEFEAT ANYTHING THAT SATAN, OUR ENEMY, WOULD THROW AT US.
AND YOU CAN BE ASSURED OF THAT. AND I WANNA TALK ABOUT THAT A
LITTLE BIT TONIGHT, AND I WANNA SET UP MY MESSAGE A LITTLE BIT
BEFORE THAT BY JUST TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT GOD'S PLAN FOR
MAN AND HIS ORIGINAL PURPOSE IN CREATING THE EARTH WAS TO HAVE
IT INHABITED BY MANKIND. MAN WAS CREATED TO LOVE AND SERVE GOD.
THAT WAS THE PURPOSE THAT GOD ORIGINALLY HAD IN MIND. GOD
DIDN'T WANT US AS ROBOTS LIKE WE'VE SAID SO MANY TIMES. WE
TALK ABOUT THAT AT CLOSING AND DURING SALVATION MESSAGES. GOD
DIDN'T CREATE US AS ROBOTS. HE WANTED US TO BE FREE WILL MORAL
AGENTS. HE WANTED US TO LOVE HIM BECAUSE WE CHOSE TO LOVE HIM.
NOT BECAUSE HE CREATED US AS A ROBOT THAT SAYS, "I WILL SERVE
YOU GOD. I WILL LOVE YOU." HE DIDN'T WANT THAT. HE WANTED IT
TO COME FROM OUR HEART. THAT WAS HIS DESIRE FOR THE CREATION.
GOD'S DESIRE WAS TO REVEAL HIMSELF TO MANKIND AND BLESS
MAN FOREVER WITH THE GOOD THINGS OF LIFE. GOD'S BLESSING UPON ALL
CREATION WAS SO GREAT IT WAS BEYOND HUMAN WORDS TO DESCRIBE.
AND IF MAN HAD NOT SINNED, THERE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SICKNESS
OR DISEASE OR POVERTY OR DEFEAT OR HARM. THERE WOULDN'T HAVE
BEEN PAIN, SUFFERING, SORROW, MISERY, ANY OF THOSE THINGS.
THEY WEREN'T EVEN PART OF THE PLAN. IT WAS NEVER GOD'S
ORIGINAL PLAN FOR MAN TO SIN AND ALLOW EVIL TO FILL THE EARTH.
AND SO THOSE CONDITIONS ARE REALLY NOT HIS PLAN FOR MANKIND
TODAY. JESUS WAS THE ANSWER TO REDEEM US FROM THE SIN PROBLEM.
IF MAN HAD NOT FALLEN INTO SIN, IT WAS GOD'S ORIGINAL PLAN FOR
ALL MEN TO BE IN HEALTH, TO WALK IN PROSPERITY, AND TO WALK IN
WISDOM. IT'S GOD'S HIGHEST WILL AND DESIRE THAT MANKIND BE FREE
FROM THE CORRUPTION THAT SIN TRIES TO BRING IN. THEREFORE,
SIN, SICKNESS, DISEASE, POVERTY, WANT, UNHAPPINESS, AND FAILURE
ARE REALLY FOREIGN TO GOD'S PERFECT PLAN FOR MAN. THOSE ARE
WORKS OF THE DEVIL. THEY'RE ENEMIES OF GOD AND ALL CREATION.
AND IF THOSE THINGS ARE ENEMIES TO GOD'S PLAN, THEN THEY SHOULD
BE OUR ENEMIES. WE MUST LEARN TO ADJUST AND ADAPT OUR THINKING TO
GOD'S TRUTH. YOU KNOW, OUR THINKING MAY NOT ALWAYS LINE UP
WITH THIS. THE THINKING THAT YOU RECEIVED OR WHAT YOU LEARNED
FROM GRANDMA MAY NOT ALWAYS LINE UP WITH THIS WORD. YOUR NEXT
DOOR NEIGHBOR'S THOUGHTS MAY NOT ALWAYS LINE UP WITH THIS WORD.
BUT WE HAVE TO ADAPT OUR THINKING TO GOD'S THINKING. DR.
FRED PRICE USED TO SAY, "WE MUST LEARN TO LOVE WHAT GOD
LOVES AND HATE WHAT GOD HATES." THAT'S A GOOD ONE TO REMEMBER.
LEARN TO LOVE WHAT GOD LOVES AND HATE WHAT GOD HATES. IN OTHER
WORDS, ADJUST OUR THINKING TO GOD'S THINKING. WE NEED TO
ADJUST TO THIS BOOK. WE SHOULD ALL LET GOD DETERMINE WHAT WE
LOVE AND WHAT WE HATE. GOD'S WORD IS OUR COMPASS. AMEN? AND
AS LONG AS WE WALK ON THIS EARTH, WE NEED TO MAINTAIN FAITH
AND AGGRESSIVE WARFARE AGAINST THE ENEMIES OF GOD'S PLAN. THE
GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE THE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT, LIKE I
MENTIONED EARLIER, TO OBLITERATE ANYTHING THAT SATAN WOULD
ATTEMPT TO THROW AT US. OUR JOB IS TO COOPERATE WITH GOD TO
ATTAIN THE HIGHEST AND THE BEST THAT HE HAS FOR US. AND MANY
CHRISTIANS DO NOT KNOW THEIR BIBLE, AND THEY ACTUALLY THINK
THAT THOSE CURSES THAT I TALKED ABOUT. THE SICKNESS, THE
POVERTY, THE DISEASE, THE HARM, ALL THOSE THINGS ARE THEIR
FRIEND. SOME PEOPLE CALL THEM BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE. SOME EVEN
GO SO FAR, RACHEL, AS TO CALL THEM THE WILL OF GOD. THEY DON'T
KNOW THEIR SCRIPTURE. YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALL HEARD, OR YOU'VE HEARD
PEOPLE SAY, OR MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD IT TOLD, THAT SOME PEOPLE
HAVE SAID, "I WAS SO THANKFUL I WAS IN THAT AUTOMOBILE
ACCIDENT. I GOT TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL AND I WAS ABLE TO
WITNESS TO THREE NURSES." YEAH? WELL, HOW MUCH MORE COULD YOU
HAVE DONE HAD YOU NOT BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL AND YOU HAD A
HEALTHY BODY? IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD A HEALTH CHALLENGE, WE COULD
PROBABLY ALL DO MORE FOR GOD. SO WHY WOULD HE WANT SICKNESS
AND DISEASE TO BE PART OF OUR LIFE? WHATEVER IT IS THAT WE'RE
CALLED TO DO, IT WOULD BE FAR BETTER TO BE IN OPTIMUM HEALTH.
AMEN? WE CERTAINLY DON'T NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED TO SHARE
CHRIST. I'M AMAZED AT THE ANSWERS THAT THEOLOGIANS GIVE
SOMETIMES WHEN THEY'RE TEACHING THEIR STUDENTS. IN FACT, I JUST
READ THIS ON A POST ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, AND I COPIED IT
BECAUSE I THOUGHT, "I'M GONNA USE THAT IN A SERMON SOMETIME,
AND IT ACTUALLY FIT IN WHAT I'M DOING TONIGHT." BUT THIS IS A
WELL-KNOWN NEW TESTAMENT SCHOLAR. I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE
HIS NAME. BUT ONE OF HIS STUDENTS ASKED HIM A QUESTION.
AND THE QUESTION WAS THIS. "WHY IS THERE EVIL AND SUFFERING IN
GOD'S WORLD?" (2X) AND HERE WAS THIS BIBLE SCHOLAR'S RESPONSE TO
THIS QUESTION. HE SAID, "GOD WANTS US TO BE GROWN UP AND
RESPONSIBLE AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHO WE ARE
AND WHAT WE DO. HE SAID, AND SOMETIMES EXTRAORDINARY THINGS,
NASTY THINGS HAPPEN FOR WHICH THERE IS NO OBVIOUS EXPLANATION.
THAT'S WHAT HE TOLD HIS STUDENT. THIS IS A NEW TESTAMENT SCHOLAR
THAT DOES NOT KNOW HIS BIBLE. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, THERE ARE 36
REFERENCES TO THE NAME OF SATAN. THERE'S 102 REFERENCES USING THE
NAME DEVIL. JESUS REFERRED TO SATAN AS "THE ENEMY" IN
MATTHEW 13:39, AS "THE EVIL ONE," MATTHEW 13:38, AS "THE
PRINCE OF THIS WORLD" IN JOHN 12:31. HE CALLED HIM A "LIAR AND
THE FATHER OF LIES" AND A "MURDERER" IN JOHN 8:44. HE SAID
IN LUKE 10:18 THAT HE "SAW HIM FALL FROM HEAVEN." MATTHEW
12:26 TELLS US THAT SATAN HAS A KINGDOM. MATTHEW 13:38 SAYS THAT
"EVIL MEN ARE HIS SONS." THAT EXPLAINS SOME THINGS. HE HAS
SOME SONS RUNNING AROUND THIS WORLD. AND THEY'RE EVIL. MATTHEW
13:38-39 TELLS US THAT "THE DEVIL SOWS TERRORS AMONG THE
WHEAT." THAT ANSWERS ANOTHER QUESTION. AND THEN THERE'S THREE
SCRIPTURES, MATTHEW 13:19, MARK 4:15 AND LUKE 8:12 THAT ALL
STATE "HE SNATCHES THE WORD FROM HEARERS." THAT'S ANOTHER ONE OF
HIS JOBS, JANET, IS TO SNATCH THE WORD. WHEN YOU HEAR IT AND
YOU ATTEMPT TO BELIEVE IT, IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE OF THAT, HE CAN
COME AND TRY AND SNATCH THAT FROM YOU. THAT'S NOT A GOOD
THING. THAT'S A FAITH ROBBER, I WOULD SAY, WOULDN'T YOU, MARK?
PASTOR MARK? I'M STILL WORKING ON PASTOR MARK. IT'S COMING.
HERE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE ONES, MATTHEW 25:41. IT SAYS, "ETERNAL
FIRE IS PREPARED FOR HIM." THAT'S GONNA BE A GOOD DAY.
AMEN. BUT IT ONLY TAKES AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION IN THE
BIBLE AND BIBLE DOCTRINE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A
DEVIL, THAT WE HAVE AN ENEMY, AND HIS MISSION IS TO KILL,
STEAL, AND DESTROY. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THAT SCHOLAR
WOULD SIT THERE AND SAY, "WELL, THERE'S SOME NASTY THINGS THAT
HAPPEN IN LIFE, BUT WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHY." I KNOW WHY. YOU
KNOW WHY. AND IT'S SO MUCH EASIER TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS
LIFE IF YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE GOD ON YOUR SIDE AND YOU
HAVE OPPOSITION. IT JUST EXPLAINS SO MANY THINGS.
IT SEEMS SO SIMPLE, BUT CHRISTIANS SUFFER BECAUSE OF
FOOLISH RELIGIOUS TEACHING, AND THEN THEY GET ROBBED ON WHAT GOD
HAS FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND. THEY'RE NOT WELL
TAUGHT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO COMPREHEND HOW OUR ADVERSARY
OPERATES AND BE REMINDED THAT WE'VE BEEN GIVEN AUTHORITY OVER
HIM. SATAN WANTS US TO BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS ON EARTH
IS GOD'S WILL. THAT'S WHAT HE WOULD LIKE US ALL TO BELIEVE.
THEN WE'D NEVER OPPOSE HIM. IF THE DEVIL DECLARES OR DECEIVES
US INTO THINKING THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS ON EARTH IS GOD'S WILL,
WE'LL CONTINUE TO CONTINUALLY LIVE IN DEFEAT. BECAUSE WE NEVER
ENGAGE OR FIGHT HIM. WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WE HAD AN ENEMY. IT'S
ALL GOD'S WILL. WHY FIGHT HIM? BACK IN 1956, NOW MOST OF YOU
WON'T REMEMBER THIS BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T EVEN ALIVE IN 1956, BUT
YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF THIS SONG. DORIS DAY SUNG A SONG
CALLED "QUE SERA SERA." HOW MANY OF YOU EVER HEARD OF THE NAME
DORIS DAY? OH, YES, THERE'S A FEW HERE. OKAY, THAT'S GOOD. THE
THREE VERSES OF THE SONG ASK QUESTIONS LIKE, "WHAT WILL I
BE?" OR "WHAT LIES AHEAD?" AND THE CHORUS REPEATS THE ANSWER,
"WHAT WILL BE WILL BE." "WHEN I WAS JUST A LITTLE GIRL, I ASKED
MY MOTHER, 'WHAT WILL I BE? WILL I BE PRETTY? WILL I BE RICH?'
AND HERE'S WHAT SHE SAID TO ME, 'QUE SERA, SERA. WHATEVER WILL
BE WILL BE. THE FUTURE'S NOT OURS TO SEE. QUE SERA, SERA.
WHAT WILL BE WILL BE." I'M SORRY, I'M NOT EDDIE. I CAN'T
SING IT FOR YOU. YOU KNOW, IT WAS A CATCHY TUNE. I GOT TO
ADMIT THAT, BUT IT'S TERRIBLE THEOLOGY. CHRISTIANS MUST
UNDERSTAND THAT LIFE IS NOT WHAT WILL BE WILL BE. THAT'S EXACTLY
WHAT SATAN WANTS US TO THINK. IT'S WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO
BRAINWASH US INTO THINKING. SATAN LOVES IT IF WE FLOAT ALONG
THROUGH LIFE THINKING WHAT WILL BE WILL BE. QUE SERA, SERA. AND
WE HAVE NO WAY TO DETERMINE OUR OUTCOME. BOY, THAT WOULD BE A
SAD LIFE. BUT YOU KNOW, MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE IN THAT SITUATION
RIGHT NOW. THEY DON'T KNOW THE TRUTH. THAT'S WHY WE ARE SALT
AND LIGHT AND SO IMPORTANT TO SHARE. BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO
IT FROM YOUR HOSPITAL ROOM, PASTOR KEITH. GOD HAS A GOOD
PLAN FOR OUR LIVES IF WE LIVE WITHIN HIS GUIDELINES. JESUS
SAID IN JOHN 10:10, THIS SCRIPTURE, I ALREADY QUOTED IT,
"THE THIEF'S PURPOSE IS TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY." AND
JESUS SAID, "MY PURPOSE IS TO GIVE THEM A RICH AND SATISFYING
LIFE." THAT JUST SUMS IT UP RIGHT THERE. THERE'S OUR ANSWERS
RIGHT IN THAT ONE VERSE. WE CHOOSE OUR DESTINY AND WE
DETERMINE OUR FUTURE. REMEMBER I SAID GOD DOESN'T TREAT US LIKE
ROBOTS. IT'S OUR CHOICE WHICH SIDE OF THAT SCRIPTURE WE'RE
GONNA STAND ON. WE'RE GONNA WALK WITH SATAN AND ALLOW HIM TO
TRAMPLE US? OR ARE WE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ABUNDANT
LIFE THAT JESUS GAVE US IN THE NEW COVENANT THAT WE HAVE? GOD'S
WILL IS FOR US TO LIVE IN VICTORY AND AGGRESSIVELY DEFEAT
SATAN WHENEVER HE ATTEMPTS TO BRING AN ATTACK INTO OUR LIVES.
AND THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. AND SO
TONIGHT I'M BRINGING THIS MESSAGE FORTH. THAT WAS KIND OF
MY, JUST TO LAY SOME GROUNDWORK, MY INTRODUCTION TONIGHT. BUT I
WANTED TO REMIND US THAT WE NEED TO FORTIFY OUR DEFENSES
BECAUSE SOMETIMES EVEN AS CHRISTIANS WE CAN GET A LITTLE
LAZY THERE. WE KIND OF FORGET THE FIGHT THAT WE'RE IN AND WHAT
WE NEED TO DO TO STAY STRONG IN BATTLE. AMEN WE DON'T WANT TO
GET LAZY. WE NEVER WANT TO ALLOW SATAN ANY ENTRANCE INTO OUR
LIVES. SOMETIMES WE CAN DO THAT WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING IT.
YOU KNOW, IT WAS SUGGESTED IN THE PAST THAT PEOPLE WEAR A
RUBBER BAND AROUND THEIR WRIST AND THEN IF THEY'RE TRYING TO
BREAK A HABIT, MAYBE THEY'RE OVEREATING OR THEY'RE SMOKING
OR WHATEVER, THEY WOULD SNAP THAT RUBBER BAND JUST LIKE THE
ONE I HAVE ON MY WRIST TONIGHT AND THAT WOULD BE A WAKE UP CALL
TO ME TO SAY, "STOP IT, DON'T DO IT." AND IT WOULD HURT ENOUGH
THAT YOU'D SAY, "OKAY, I'M NOT GONNA OVEREAT AGAIN,
OR I'M NOT GONNA SMOKE THAT NEXT CIGARETTE," OR WHATEVER IT IS.
YOU USE THAT RUBBER BAND AND SNAP YOURSELF. TONIGHT, I WANT
YOU TO SNAP YOURSELF AND SAY, "I'M NOT GONNA LET THE DEVIL,
ANY ENTRANCE, HAVE ANY ENTRANCE IN MY LIFE." AMEN? NO ENTRANCE,
HE'S NOT ALLOWED. 1 PETER 5:8 SAYS, "BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT,
BECAUSE YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL WALKS ABOUT LIKE A ROARING
LION, STAKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR." IT'S OUR JOB TO BE
AWAKE AND AWARE. IT'S OUR JOB TO KNOW AND USE THE TOOLS THAT GOD
HAS GIVEN US TO DEFEAT OUR ENEMY. AND WHEN ANY WAR IS BEING
WAGED, THOSE FIGHTING IN THE BATTLE NEED TO SECURE
INTELLIGENCE ON THE ADVERSARY. ANY OF OUR MILITARY UNITS HAVE
INTELLIGENT, ALL OF OUR MILITARY UNITS, I SHOULD SAY IT THAT WAY,
HAVE INTELLIGENCE UNITS AS PART OF THEM BECAUSE THEY NEED TO
KNOW WHAT THE ENEMY IS DOING. YOU CAN'T GO INTO BATTLE UNLESS
YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ENEMY IS DOING. AND WHEN WE EXPOSE THE
DEVIL AND HIS SCHEMES, WE'RE TAKING A STEP TO DEFEAT HIM. SUN
TZU IS CREDITED AS THE AUTHOR OF THE ART OF WAR. IT'S AN
INFLUENTIAL WORK OF MILITARY STRATEGY. AND SERIOUS STUDENTS
OF BATTLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THIS BOOK. SUN TZU IS PROBABLY THE
BEST KNOWN FOR THIS QUOTE CONCERNING THE PRINCIPLES OF
KNOWING YOUR ENEMY WHILE KNOWING YOURSELF. AND REALLY, IT'S
AMAZING HOW THIS QUOTE APPLIES TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK. LISTEN TO
ME. I'M GOING TO READ THIS FOR YOU. IT SAYS, "IF YOU KNOW YOUR
ENEMIES AND KNOW YOURSELF, YOU WILL NOT BE IMPERILED IN 100
BATTLES. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR ENEMIES, BUT YOU KNOW YOURSELF,
YOU'LL WIN ONE AND YOU'LL LOSE ONE. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR
ENEMIES NOR YOURSELF, YOU'LL BE IMPERILED IN EVERY SINGLE
BATTLE. CHRISTIANS WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT ADVICE. WE NEED TO
KNOW THE POWER THAT LIES WITHIN US. WE NEED TO KNOW OURSELVES,
DON'T WE? AND IF WE KNOW OUR COVENANT, WE KNOW WHAT JESUS HAS
DONE FOR US, AND THAT HE RESIDES IN US, AND HE TOLD US WE HAVE
THE POWER, WE CAN TRAMPLE OVER THE DEVIL, WE HAVE IT, THAT'S
KNOWING OURSELVES BECAUSE HE'S GIVEN IT TO US, AND THEN WE ALSO
UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ENEMY'S STRATEGY IS, THAT'S A WINNING
COMBINATION, WE CAN DEFEAT HIM EVERY TIME. WE HAVE TO
UNDERSTAND AND DISCERN OUR ENEMY'S STRATEGY SO WE CAN BE
MORE EFFECTIVELY IN A POSITION TO DEFEAT HIM. AND TONIGHT I
WANT TO GIVE YOU QUICKLY SEVEN POINTS AS A REMINDER OF OUR
AUTHORITY AND HOW WE CAN DEFEAT THOSE SATANIC ATTACKS AND STOP
HIM IN HIS TRACKS. AND I'M JUST GOING TO LIST THOSE FOR YOU REAL
QUICKLY NOW. NUMBER ONE, WE OVERCOME THROUGH FAITH. NUMBER
TWO, PERFECT LOVE ELIMINATES FEAR. NUMBER THREE, TEMPTATION
IS DEFEATED WHEN WE RESIST THE DEVIL. NUMBER FOUR, CLAIM YOUR
RIGHT TO DIVINE HEALTH. NUMBER FIVE, UNDERSTAND PROSPERITY IS
GOD'S PLAN. NUMBER SIX, ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE US. AND
NUMBER SEVEN, STUDY TO SHOW YOURSELF APPROVED. AND I
GUARANTEE YOU, IF YOU FOLLOW THOSE SEVEN STEPS, YOU'RE GONNA
GO A LONG WAYS TOWARDS DEFEATING ANYTHING THE DEVIL WOULD THROW
AT YOU. WELL, LET'S SEE HERE, OVERCOMING THROUGH FAITH.
HEBREWS 11:6, "BUT WITHOUT FAITH, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE
HIM, FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS, AND
THAT HE'S A REWARDER OF THOSE THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM." AND
I'M GOING TO READ ANOTHER SCRIPTURE NEXT HERE THAT JAMES
SAID HERE IN JAMES 1, VERSES 5 THROUGH 8. "IF ANY OF YOU LACK
WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, WHO GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY AND
WITHOUT REPROACH, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM. BUT LET HIM ASK
IN FAITH WITH NO DOUBTING, FOR HE WHO DOUBTS IS LIKE A WAVE OF
SEA DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY WIND. FOR LET NOT THAT MAN SUPPOSE HE
WILL RECEIVE ANYTHING FROM THE LORD. HE'S A DOUBLE-MINDED MAN,
UNSTABLE IN ALL HIS WAYS." WE KNOW ACCORDING TO ROMANS 10:17
THAT FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD. SO
WE CAN ONLY DEVELOP FAITH AS WE HEAR AND LEARN. NO MAN CAN HAVE
FAITH IN SOMETHING THAT HE'S IGNORANT ABOUT. WE HAVE TO KNOW
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING ABOUT TO DEVELOP FAITH. DOUBT AND
UNBELIEF IS AN ENEMY AND ALSO COMES THROUGH FALSE TEACHING OR
ACCEPTING LIES INSTEAD OF TRUTHS. CHRISTIANS WHO ARE
TAUGHT WRONG CAN BE INVOLVED IN TEARING DOWN SOMEONE ELSE'S
FAITH. YOU'VE HEARD PEOPLE THROW COLD WATER ON PEOPLE THAT HAVE
FAITH. YOU KNOW, THEY'RE TRYING TO BELIEVE THE BEST THEY CAN FOR
THEIR HEALING, AND SOMEONE COMES ALONG AND SAYS, "WELL, YOU
KNOW, IT'S THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOU TO BE IN THAT SITUATION," OR
WHATEVER THEY SAY, THROWING COLD WATER ON IT TO DASH THEIR
FAITH. SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT'S SINFUL TO ASK
FOR ANY MORE THAN WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE. AND IF WE'RE
GOING TO BELIEVE THE BIBLE, THEN LET'S BELIEVE IT IN ITS
ENTIRETY. IT'S EITHER TRUE OR IT'S NOT TRUE. WE'RE EITHER
GOING TO STAND ON THESE PROMISES AND BELIEVE FOR THEM UNTIL WE
TAKE OUR LAST BREATH ON THIS EARTH, OR WE JUST AS WELL THROW
IT OUT. WE CAN'T JUST PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT WE WANT TO BELIEVE.
IF WE OPPOSE GOD AND THE BIBLE BY COOPERATING WITH SATAN, AND
SOMETIMES WE DO IT UNKNOWINGLY, THEN WE BRING HARM TO OURSELVES.
UNBELIEF CAN BE STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS ONCE WE UNDERSTAND GOD'S
PERFECT WILL FOR OUR LIVES. AND WHEN WE START SPEAKING AND
PRAYING GOD'S WORD RATHER THAN DOUBT AND UNBELIEF, THEN WE CAN
BEGIN TO REAP THE BENEFITS THAT GOD PROMISES. REPEAT THIS AFTER
ME. I OVERCOME WITH FAITH. - I OVERCOME WITH FAITH.
- IN GOD'S WORD. - IN GOD'S WORD.
- THAT'S NUMBER ONE. THAT'S HOW WE OVERCOME, FAITH IN GOD'S
WORD. NUMBER TWO, PERFECT LOVE ELIMINATES FEAR. 1 JOHN 4:17-18
"LOVE HAS BEEN PERFECTED AMONG US IN THIS, THAT WE MAY HAVE
BOLDNESS IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN
THIS WORLD. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE, BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT
FEAR BECAUSE FEAR INVOLVES TORMENT, BUT HE WHO FEARS HAS
NOT BEEN MADE PERFECT IN LOVE. PASTOR MARK TALKED ABOUT THAT
FEAR ISSUE A LITTLE BIT EVEN IN OUR GIVING INVOLVED IN THAT.
BUT AS WE FOCUS AND UNDERSTAND ON GOD'S COMPLETE, UNENDING LOVE
FOR US, AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE STAND IN A PLACE OF VICTORY,
KNOWING THAT HE NEVER WANTS TO HARM US, THEN WE CAN WALK
WITHOUT FEAR. OUR THINKING HAS A GREAT EFFECT ON DETERMINING OUR
OUTCOME. PROVERBS 23:7, SAYS, "FOR AS A MAN THINKETH IN HIS
HEART, SO IS HE." YOU KNOW, THE DEVIL'S CHIEF WORK IS TO GET MEN
TO THINK WRONG. HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE SICK, BELIEVE
WE'RE WEAK, BELIEVE WE'RE HELPLESS, BELIEVE THAT WE'VE
BEEN MISTREATED BY OTHERS OR EVEN BY GOD. AND HE WANTS US TO
BELIEVE THAT WE'RE FACING LACK AND POVERTY IN OUR LIVES.
RELIGION TEACHES THAT WE JUST NEED TO ACCEPT THOSE CONDITIONS
AS THE WILL OF GOD, SIMPLY BECAUSE THE CONDITIONS HAVE
OCCURRED IN OUR LIFE. THAT'S NOT GOD'S PLAN. IF SATAN CAN GET US
TO THINK ABOUT SICKNESS OR FAILURE OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT
WE'RE DEALING WITH, THEN THOSE THOUGHTS CAN TURN TO WORRY OR
FEAR. AND THEN THAT LEADS TO THE UNDESIRED RESULTS. IF WE MOAN
AND GRUMBLE AND BECOME DISCOURAGED ABOUT ANY
DIFFICULTY, IT ONLY INTENSIFIES IN OUR LIFE. JOB 3:25 SAYS, "FOR
THE THING I GREATLY FEARED HAS COME UPON ME, AND WHAT I DREADED
HAS HAPPENED TO ME." JOB'S SPIRIT OF FEAR WAS NOT FROM GOD.
JOB WAS ACTUALLY A FINE HOWEVER, ONE OF THE REASONS I BELIEVE
THAT HE WAS TESTED WAS BECAUSE HE PROBABLY WAS NOT FREE FROM
FEAR. JOB EVENTUALLY LEARNED THAT FEAR WAS NOT HIS FRIEND.
FEAR COMES THROUGH WRONG THOUGHTS, AND WRONG THOUGHTS ARE
SEEDS OF FUTURE ACTS. THE THINGS THAT WE SPEAK IN FEAR CAN
ACTUALLY MATERIALIZE IN OUR LIVES. PAUL SAID IN 2 TIMOTHY
1:7 "FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND
LOVE AND A SOUND MIND." AND WE NEED TO LEARN TO IGNORE,
MINIMIZE, DENY, AND REFUSE SICKNESS, POVERTY, SIN,
SUFFERING, OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR LIVES.
AND AS WE FOCUS ON GOD'S PLAN OF GOODNESS FOR US AND HIS
LOVE, FEAR AND WORRY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ALLOWED IN OUR
LIVES. DO YOU KNOW THAT WHAT YOU'RE WALKING IN TODAY IS MANY
TIMES THE RESULT OF BAD THOUGHTS OR GOOD THOUGHTS OF YESTERDAY?
YOU'RE SOWING SEED RIGHT NOW TODAY FOR YOUR FUTURE.
THE THINGS THAT YOU'RE THINKING AND SPEAKING TODAY
CAN AND WILL PROBABLY AFFECT YOU IN THE FUTURE. LET ME RESTATE
THAT IN ANOTHER WAY. THE SIN, SICKNESS, FAILURES, AND
UNHAPPINESS THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING TODAY CAN BE THE
RESULTS OF THOUGHTS AND PLANS OF YESTERDAY. BUT THE GOOD NEWS
IS ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE HEALTH, THE WELL-BEING, THE
PEACE, AND THE PROSPERITY THAT YOU CAN EXPERIENCE TODAY
PROBABLY IS COMING FROM WHAT YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT EARLIER,
YESTERDAY, THE DAY BEFORE, THE MONTH BEFORE, WHAT YOU WERE
SPEAKING BEFORE. SO, HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS. IF YOU'VE CAUGHT
YOURSELF, YOU'VE SNAPPED YOUR RUBBER BAND, YOU WERE SPEAKING
WRONG, OR MAYBE YOU REALIZE NOW, "HEY, I WASN'T SOWING IN
GOOD GROUND. I WAS SPEAKING WRONG FOR THE LAST MONTH. MY
FOOT WAS HURTING AND I WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT IT AND GRIPING
ABOUT IT AND JUST SPEAKING ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WAS HURTING ALL THE
TIME. I NEVER SPOKE GOD'S WORD OVER IT. I NEVER BELIEVED FOR
IT. I NEVER PRAYED. I NEVER REALLY GOT INTO FAITH OVER THAT.
I JUST LET IT HAPPEN AND IT GOT WORSE AND WORSE AND WORSE. WELL,
YOU PLANTED BAD SEED. I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S THE ONLY REASON.
I'M SAYING THAT'S ONE REASON IN THE MANY THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT
TONIGHT THAT COULD BE AN AREA THAT WE'VE STUMBLED IN. SO THE
GOOD NEWS IS YOU CAN REVERSE THAT COURSE. YOU CAN START
SPEAKING RIGHT. YOU CAN START BELIEVING RIGHT. YOU CAN START
THINKING RIGHT ABOUT YOUR SITUATION, WHATEVER IT IS, AND
THEN SEE THAT THING START TO TURN. AND IF YOU SOWED SOME BAD
SEED IN THE PAST, YOU SPOKE WRONG, YOU THOUGHT WRONG,
WHATEVER IT WAS, YOU CAN REPENT OF THAT. SAY, GOD FORGIVE ME.
I WON'T DO THAT ANYMORE. AND THEN YOU TURN FROM THAT, AND YOU
START FINDING THOSE SCRIPTURES THAT APPLY TO YOUR SITUATION AND
BUILDING YOUR FAITH THAT AREA. SO YOU TURN THE TABLES ON THE
DEVIL. AND THEN HE CAN'T OPERATE IN YOUR LIFE ANYMORE. YOU DON'T
GIVE HIM AN OPEN DOOR. AMEN. THAT WAS AN EXTRA. THAT WASN'T
EVEN A PART OF MY MESSAGE. BUT I THREW IT IN. OKAY. HALLELUJAH.
BUT THE THINGS THAT YOU FEED ON ARE SO IMPORTANT. THE MOVIES
THAT YOU WATCH, THE MEDIA POSTS THAT YOU READ AND LISTEN TO ON
YOUR MOBILE DEVICES, WHATEVER IT IS, WHATEVER SOURCE IT IS THAT
YOU TAKE IT IN, FROM THE TELEVISION OR THE RADIO OR
WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, THEY ALL INFLUENCE YOUR THOUGHT LIFE.
IT CAN BRAINWASH YOU IN A WAY THAT IS NOT GOOD IF IT'S THE
WRONG STUFF. THAT'S WHY YOU WANT TO ALWAYS FEED ON THE GOOD
STUFF. THE MIND HAS TO BE KEPT CLEAN AND PURE. AS WE PROGRAM
OURSELVES TO THINK RIGHT, THOSE THOUGHTS WILL ELIMINATE FEAR AND
REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF YOU DOING SOMETHING THAT YOU LATER
REGRET. THAT'S WHY PORNOGRAPHY IS SO HARMFUL. IT FEEDS YOUR
THOUGHT LIFE, AND IT SOON LEADS TO ACTS OF SIN. SATAN CONVINCED
JOB TO WALK IN FEAR FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, AND SOME UNDESIRABLE
EVENT STARTED TO HAPPEN IN HIS LIFE. IT CAME INTO JOB'S LIFE.
WHEN A FEARFUL THOUGHT TRIES TO EMERGE, STOP AND REFUSE IT.
DON'T LET THOSE FEARFUL THOUGHTS COME IN. REPLACE IT WITH
SPEAKING GOD'S PROMISE. FEAR YOU'RE NOT COMING IN. I'M
BELIEVING GOD'S WORD ON THIS. HE SAYS I'M GONNA HAVE VICTORY
IN THIS AREA, AND I'M BELIEVING IT. PSALM 53:3-4 SAYS, "WHEN I
AM AFRAID, I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN YOU." I PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT
HE HAS PROMISED. I TRUST IN GOD, SO WHY SHOULD I BE AFRAID? WHAT
CAN MERE MORTALS DO TO ME? REPEAT THIS AFTER ME. GOD HAS
NOT GIVEN ME A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF
A SOUND MIND. AMEN, AMEN. NUMBER THREE, TEMPTATION IS DEFEATED
WHEN WE RESIST THE DEVIL. I WANNA BRING SOME CLARITY HERE
CONCERNING TEMPTATION. WHEN A CHRISTIAN IS UNDER ATTACK FROM
DEMONIC FORCES, IT'S NOT AN INDICATION THAT GOD HAS FORSAKEN
YOU. IT'S SATAN'S DESIRE TO GET YOU TO BELIEVE THAT GOD'S
FORSAKEN YOU WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG IN YOUR LIFE. HE WANTS YOU
TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS TRIAL IF GOD
WERE ACTUALLY WITH YOU. LET'S CLARIFY THAT NOW. JAMES 1:13-15
SAYS, "AND REMEMBER, WHEN YOU ARE BEING TEMPTED, DO NOT SAY,
'GOD IS TEMPTING ME.' GOD IS NEVER TEMPTED TO DO WRONG, AND
HE NEVER TEMPTS ANYONE ELSE. TEMPTATION COMES FROM OUR OWN
DESIRES, WHICH ENTICE US AND DRAG US AWAY. THESE DESIRES GIVE
BIRTH TO SINFUL ACTIONS, AND WHEN SIN IS ALLOWED TO GROW, IT
GIVES BIRTH TO DEATH." A CHRISTIAN IS NOT ALLOWING SIN
INTO YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU'RE BEING TEMPTED. NO SIN IS COMMITTED
UNTIL LUST IS CONCEIVED AND THE SIN IS FINISHED. WHEN WE COME
UNDER ATTACK FROM DEMONS, WE'RE INSTRUCTED BY JAMES TO DO THIS.
JAMES 4:7, HE SAYS, "THEREFORE, SUBMIT TO GOD, RESIST THE DEVIL,
AND HE WILL FLEE." RESIST HIM. TEMPTATION IS A PART OF EVERY
CHRISTIAN'S LIFE. JUST ASK JESUS. WHEN JESUS WAS IN THE
DESERT FOR 40 DAYS, HE WAS NOT FREE OF TEMPTATION. THE BIBLE
TELLS US THAT HE WAS TEMPTED BY SATAN. HE WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY
ANGELS. THE TEST OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER IS NOT THAT YOU'RE
TEMPTED, BUT THAT YOU STAND UP UNDER THE TEMPTATION AND RESIST.
DON'T GIVE INTO IT. WHEN YOU REACT TO SIN BY FLEEING FROM IT,
JUST AS JESUS DID, I BELIEVE YOU'LL BE ATTENDED BY ANGELS AND
BE GIVEN STRENGTH TO STAY THE COURSE. THANK GOD FOR HIS
ANGELS. THEY ATTEND TO US AFTER WE'VE RESISTED THE TEMPTATION.
IT'S LIKE A REWARD. THANK GOD FOR HIS ANGELS. THEY COME AND
ATTEND TO US. HALLELUJAH. FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR
ANGELS. I THANK YOU, LORD, THAT EVERY TIME WE NEED THOSE
MESSENGERS FROM HEAVEN, THEY ARE AT OUR BECK AND CALL. YOU
HAVE ASSIGNED THEM TO EACH ONE OF US. AND THEY HAVE AN
IMPORTANT WORK TO DO IN OUR LIVES. AND WE THANK YOU FOR THEM
NOW. WE THANK YOU FOR ANGELS ON ASSIGNMENT IN OUR LIVES,
PROTECTING US, KEEPING US, AND EVEN ATTENDING TO US, JUST LIKE
THE ANGELS DID FOR JESUS AFTER HE RESISTED THE DEVIL AND
RESISTED TEMPTATION. IN MATTHEW 4:11 AND MARK 1:13, WHEN JESUS
CONCLUDED HIS 40 DAYS IN THE WILDERNESS, THE ANGELS APPEARED
TO HIM, AND THEY ATTENDED TO HIM OR MINISTERED TO HIM AND MET
HIS PHYSICAL NEEDS. THEY TOOK THE ROLE OF SERVANTS AND
MINISTERED TO HIS PHYSICAL NEEDS. THANK GOD FOR THE
SUPERNATURAL ACTIVITY OF ANGELS. AND IF WE DO THE RIGHT THING AND
RESIST SATAN, THE ANGELS WILL MINISTER TO US. AS WE LEARN TO
STAND FIRMLY AND RESIST THE DEVIL, I BELIEVE THAT HELPS US
TO BECOME SHARPER AND STRONGER AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE THE NEXT
ATTACK EVEN EASIER TO FLOAT RIGHT THROUGH AND SAY, "DEVIL,
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY PART OF IT. I RESIST YOU IN
JESUS' NAME." YOU KNOW, DIAMONDS ARE FORMED UNDER EXTREME
PRESSURE AND INTENSE HEAT. ORDINARY CARBON IS FORMED INTO A
DIAMOND. IT'S THE HARDEST SUBSTANCE IN THE WORLD. ONLY
ANOTHER DIAMOND CAN SCRATCH A DIAMOND. THAT'S HOW HARD THAT
SUBSTANCE IS. GOD'S DESIRE IS THAT WE BECOME AN ARMY OF
BELIEVERS SO STRONG THAT WE'RE SCRATCH RESISTANT, JUST LIKE A
DIAMOND. IMPERVIOUS AND UNYIELDING TO ANY SATANIC
ATTACKS. REPEAT THIS WITH ME. I WILL SUBMIT TO GOD, RESIST THE
DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE. AMEN. AMEN. OKAY, NUMBER FOUR. CLAIM
YOUR RIGHT TO DIVINE HEALTH.(2X) IT'S THE RIGHT OF EVERY BELIEVER
IN CHRIST TO HAVE PERFECT HEALTH AND FREEDOM FROM THE WORKS OF
THE DEVIL. I JUST WANT TO DO THIS TONIGHT. YOU ARE WELL
TAUGHT IN THIS HOUSE AND ONLINE HERE TOO IN THE HEALING COVENANT
THAT WE HAVE. WE TALK ABOUT IT OFTEN. YOU KNOW THAT, WHAT IT
IS. I DON'T HAVE TO TEACH ON HEALING TONIGHT,
BUT I WANT TO READ YOU THREE SCRIPTURES, AND WHAT I'D LIKE
YOU TO DO IS JUST SOAK THOSE IN TONIGHT. IF YOU FEEL LIKE JUST
CLOSING YOUR EYES AND LISTENING, YOU CAN DO THAT. YOU DON'T HAVE
TO CONTINUE TO LOOK UP HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO, BUT JUST
LISTEN TO THE WORDS HERE THAT I'M GOING TO READ TONIGHT AND
JUST SOAK IN THAT HEALING POWER. PSALM 91:1-7 "THOSE WHO LIVE IN
THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL FIND REST IN THE SHADOW OF
THE ALMIGHTY. THIS I DECLARE ABOUT THE LORD. HE ALONE IS MY
REFUGE, MY PLACE OF SAFETY. HE IS MY GOD AND I TRUST HIM. FOR
HE WILL RESCUE YOU FROM EVERY TRAP AND PROTECT YOU FROM DEADLY
DISEASE. HE WILL COVER YOU WITH HIS FEATHERS. HE WILL SHELTER
YOU WITH HIS WINGS. HIS FAITHFUL PROMISES ARE YOUR ARMOR AND YOUR
PROTECTION. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THE TERRORS OF THE NIGHT, NOR
THE ARROW THAT FLIES IN THE DAY. DO NOT DREAD THE DISEASE
THAT STALKS IN THE DARKNESS, NOR THE DISASTER THAT STRIKES AT
MIDDAY. THOUGH A THOUSAND SHALL FALL AT YOUR SIDE, THOUGH TEN
THOUSAND ARE DYING AROUND YOU, THESE EVILS WILL NOT TOUCH YOU.
AND THEN MATTHEW 8:16-17, "THAT EVENING MANY DEMON POSSESSED
PEOPLE WERE BROUGHT TO JESUS. THEY CAST OUT THE EVIL SPIRITS
WITH A SIMPLE COMMAND AND HE HEALED ALL THE SICK.
THIS FULFILLED THE WORD OF THE LORD THROUGH THE PROPHET ISAIAH
WHO SAID, 'HE TOOK OUR SICKNESSES AND REMOVED OUR
DISEASES." AMEN, AMEN. AND THEN ROMANS 8:11, "THE SPIRIT OF GOD
WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD LIVES IN YOU. AND JUST AS GOD
RAISED CHRIST JESUS FROM THE DEAD, HE WILL GIVE LIFE TO YOUR
MORTAL BODIES BY THIS SAME SPIRIT LIVING WITHIN YOU."
CHRIST HAS DONE THE WORK. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GETTING HEALED
AND REMAINING IN THAT HEALING IS US. IT'S UP TO US. HE'S DONE IT
FOR US. WE HAVE TO RECEIVE IT. WE HAVE TO ACCEPT IT. WHEN WE
DESIRE HEALING, THE BIBLE GIVES US INSTRUCTION. HE TELLS US TO
RESIST THE DEVIL. HE TELLS US TO PRAY IN FAITH WITHOUT WAVERING.
AND THEN BELIEVE THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED THE ANSWER. YOU MAY NOT
EVEN HAVE THE FULL MANIFESTATION OF IT. YOU DON'T HAVE THE FULL,
COMPLETE, NATURAL MANIFESTATION OF IT, BUT YOU STILL BELIEVE
THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED IT. THAT'S NOT LYING. THAT'S BELIEVING
GOD'S WORD THAT YOU'VE RECEIVED THE PROMISE. HOWEVER LONG IT
TAKES FOR THAT TO MANIFEST IN YOUR BODY, YOU STILL WALK IN
THAT FAITH, AND YOU DON'T DOUBT IT. YOU NEVER WAVER. THAT'S
FAITH. AND EVEN IF YOU'VE BEEN DEALING WITH A LONG-TERM HEALTH
CHALLENGE, DON'T WALK IN CONDEMNATION. YOU MIGHT SAY,
"BUT PASTOR DOUG, "I'VE EXPERIENCED A HEALTH CHALLENGE
FOR MANY YEARS, "AND I'VE PRAYED, AND I'VE FASTED, "AND
I'VE TRIED TO BUILD MY FAITH, "BUT I'M STILL DEALING WITH THAT
SICKNESS." THEN MY ANSWER TO YOU IS JUST KEEP STANDING. JUST
KEEP STANDING. WE'VE ALL HAD HEALTH CHALLENGES. EVERY ONE OF
US IN HERE, I'M SURE, COULD SAY AT SOME TIME YOU'VE WALKED
THROUGH SOMETHING, OR MAYBE YOU'RE WALKING THROUGH SOMETHING
NOW, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STAND ON THE WORD.
CONTINUE TO STAND. NOTHING WAVERING. DON'T LET ANYONE
ELSE'S DOUBT EVEN ENTER INTO YOUR THOUGHTS. DON'T LET IT COME
IN. YOU STAND WITH GOD'S WORD AND LET THE MANIFESTATION COME.
FILL YOUR HOME AND YOUR ATMOSPHERE WITH FAITH AND PRAISE
AND NEVER STOP TRUSTING OR BELIEVING FOR FULL
MANIFESTATION. EPHESIANS 6:13 SAYS, "THEREFORE, TAKE UP THE
WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD "THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND IN THE
EVIL DAY "AND HAVING DONE ALL TO STAND." YOU KNOW, HEALING WORKS
IN THE SAME WAY AS SALVATION. WHEN YOU ACCEPTED THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR, YOU BELIEVED THAT YOU WERE A
CHRISTIAN. YOU BELIEVED YOU'D BEEN TRANSFORMED. YOU BELIEVED
THAT YOUR ETERNAL HOME IS HEAVEN. AMEN? YOU JUST WALKED
INTO IT. YOU PRAYED, YOU BELIEVED, AND YOU STARTED
WALKING WITH HIM. AND IT'S REALLY THE SAME THING WITH THE
HEALING. NO DOUBT. YOU JUST BELIEVE IT. THE SAME FAITH IN
WHICH YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT HEAVEN IS YOUR ETERNAL HOME IS
THE SAME FAITH THAT YOU CAN BELIEVE FOR HEALING IN YOUR
BODY, OR PROSPERITY, OR WHATEVER ELSE IT IS THAT YOU'RE TALKING
ABOUT. REPEAT THIS AFTER ME. THE SAME SPIRIT THAT RAISED CHRIST
FROM THE DEAD WILL QUICKEN MY MORTAL BODY. AMEN, AMEN.
PRAISE GOD, LET'S MOVE ON HERE. WE'RE DOING OKAY, I THINK. I'M
GONNA GET YOU OUT BEFORE NINE. YOU'LL BE OKAY, BOB, YOU CAN GET
TO THE ICE CREAM SHOP. BOB AND TASHA REALLY WANT ICE CREAM
TONIGHT, SO I'M GONNA TRY AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. PRAISE GOD.
UNDERSTAND PROSPERITY IS GOD'S PLAN. NUMBER FIVE, UNDERSTAND
PROSPERITY IS GOD'S PLAN. ALL BELIEVERS CAN ACCESS THE
BENEFITS OF MATERIAL BLESSINGS. GOD WILL GIVE US THE BENEFITS
THAT HE'S PROMISED AND PROVIDE ABUNDANTLY FOR US WHEN WE STAND
IN FAITH AND IN THE WISDOM THAT'S NECESSARY TO GET THESE
BLESSINGS. AGAIN, I'M GONNA READ THREE SCRIPTURES FOR REVIEW.
YOU'RE WELL TAUGHT IN THIS AREA. I DON'T NEED TO TEACH ON IT
TONIGHT. LET ME JUST GIVE YOU THREE MORE SCRIPTURES JUST
TO CONFIRM WHAT THE WORD SAYS ABOUT YOUR PROSPERITY. PROVERBS
3:9-10 SAYS, "HONOR THE LORD WITH YOUR WEALTH AND WITH THE
BEST PART OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU PRODUCE. THEN HE WILL FILL
YOUR BARNS WITH GRAIN AND YOUR VATS WILL OVERFLOW WITH GOOD
WINE." AND THEN MATTHEW 6:33, "SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD ABOVE
ALL ELSE AND LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY AND HE WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING
YOU NEED." AND THEN 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7-8, "YOU MUST
EACH DECIDE IN YOUR HEART HOW MUCH TO GIVE AND DON'T GIVE
RELUCTANTLY OR IN RESPONSE TO PRESSURE FOR GOD LOVES A PERSON
WHO GIVES CHEERFULLY. AND GOD WILL GENEROUSLY PROVIDE YOU WITH
ALL YOU NEED. THEN YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED
AND PLENTY LEFT OVER TO SHARE WITH OTHERS. REPEAT THIS WITH
ME. AS I SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, HE
WILL PROVIDE EVERYTHING I NEED. AMEN. AND THEN NUMBER SIX, ALLOW
THE HOLY SPIRIT TO GUIDE US. WE HAVE A KEEN ADVANTAGE HERE IN
OVERCOMING SATAN BECAUSE WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE HOLY
SPIRIT WILL GIVE US INSIGHT, DIRECTION, AND WISDOM. JOHN
16:13 "I WANT TO READ THAT OUT OF THE AMPLIFIED TONIGHT. IT
SAYS, "BUT WHEN HE, THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH, COMES, HE WILL GUIDE
YOU INTO ALL TRUTH, FULL AND COMPLETE TRUTH, FOR HE WILL NOT
SPEAK ON HIS OWN INITIATIVE, BUT HE WILL SPEAK WHATEVER HE
HEARS FROM THE FATHER, THE MESSAGE REGARDING THE SON. HE
WILL DISCLOSE TO YOU WHAT IS TO COME IN THE FUTURE. LISTENING
TO THE HOLY SPIRIT ALLOWS US TO AVOID THE TRAPS OF SATANIC
INFLUENCE. IN MATTHEW 16:21-25, CHRIST REBUKED PAUL FOR ALLOWING
SATAN TO INFLUENCE HIM. PAUL WAS ACTUALLY TRYING TO STOP JESUS
FROM GOING TO THE CROSS. AND HE HAD TO BE REBUKED FOR THAT. IN
THIS CASE, PAUL WAS A CHRISTIAN, BUT IN IGNORANCE HE YIELDED
HIMSELF TO SATANIC INFLUENCE AND HE LISTENED TO THE DEVIL FOR
THAT MOMENT. IT'S AN FOR ANY OF US TO HAVE HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES.
WE CAN HEAR THE DEVIL WHISPER, WE JUST CAN'T TAKE THAT BAIT.
WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT REALIZING IT. OUR TIME, OUR TALENTS, AND
OUR ABILITY SHOULD ONLY BE USED TO PROMOTE THE RIGHTEOUS CAUSE
OF GOD. WE'RE CALLED AS CHRISTIANS TO WALK IN HOLINESS
AND IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. PASTOR HANK RECENTLY SAID, "WHAT OTHERS
CAN DO, I CANNOT." IT'S A GOOD THING NOT ONLY FOR PASTORS TO
FOLLOW, BUT FOR ALL OF US. GALATIANS 5:22-23 SAYS, "BUT THE
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG-SUFFERING,
KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, "GENTLENESS,
SELF-CONTROL. "AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW." AND WHENEVER A
BELIEVER TAKES PART IN ANY DIVISION, STRIFE, MALICE,
HATRED, OR ANY KIND OF WRONGDOING, HE'S BEING USED AT
THAT POINT AS A TOOL OF SATAN. DEMONIC POWERS HAVE GOTTEN A
HOLD OF YOU AND YOU'RE LISTENING TO THEM IF YOU'RE INVOLVED IN
THOSE THINGS. I MIGHT BE STEPPING ON SOME TOES TONIGHT.
THERE'S A LOT IN THAT LIST, DIVISION, STRIFE, MALICE,
HATRED, BUT NONE OF US WANT TO BE COUNTED AMONG THOSE THAT ARE
USED AS A TOOL OF SATAN. BUT WHEN WE YIELD TO SATANIC POWER,
WE DO THINGS CONTRARY TO HOLINESS AND SOUND BIBLE
DOCTRINE. REPEAT AFTER ME. I WILL ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO
GUIDE AND DIRECT ME. AMEN. EDDIE, YOU CAN COME. I'M ON
NUMBER SEVEN ALREADY HERE. NUMBER SEVEN, STUDY TO SHOW
YOURSELF APPROVED. WHEN CHRISTIANS STUDY AND BECOME
KNOWLEDGEABLE AND STRONG IN GOD'S TRUTH, THEN WE'RE REALLY
A THREAT TO SATAN. PAUL ADDRESSED THIS IN HIS LETTER TO
TIMOTHY, 2 TIMOTHY 2:15, SAYS, "STUDY TO SHOW THYSELF
APPROVED UNTO GOD, "A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED,
RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH." AND THEN PAUL ADDRESSED
THAT AGAIN IN EPHESIANS 6. HE WRITES TO THE EPHESIANS AND
HE TOLD THEM, "PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD. STAND YOUR GROUND. PUT
ON THE BELT OF TRUTH." LET ME READ EPHESIANS 6:13-14 TO YOU
OUT OF THE NEW LIVING TRANSLATION. IT SAYS,
"THEREFORE, PUT ON EVERY PIECE OF GOD'S ARMOR SO YOU WILL BE
ABLE TO RESIST THE ENEMY IN THE TIME OF EVIL. THEN AFTER THE
BATTLE, YOU WILL STILL BE STANDING FIRM. STAND YOUR
GROUND, PUTTING ON THE BELT OF TRUTH AND THE BODY ARMOR OF
GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS." AND WE CAN'T PUT ON THE BELT OF TRUTH
IF WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH, THE WORD OF
GOD. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE TO STUDY TO SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED
AND UNDERSTAND. THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THE DOCTRINES THAT ARE IN THIS BIBLE. JUST LIKE I SAID, PEOPLE
ARE OUT THERE AIMLESSLY GOING ALONG THINKING, "WHAT WILL BE,
WILL BE," AND DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE
OPPOSITION IN THIS WORLD BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW THE WORD.
THEY DON'T KNOW GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN. THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE
BATTLE THAT WE'RE IN, BUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE VICTORY.
THIS ALSO GIVES US PROTECTION FROM FALSE TEACHING. THERE ARE
HUNDREDS OF SCRIPTURES FROM BOTH THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW
TESTAMENT ABOUT BEING AWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS. THE DEVIL LOVES
FALSE TEACHING. DID YOU KNOW THAT? BECAUSE IT LEADS
INDIVIDUALS DOWN A PATH OF DECEPTION, WHICH IS HIS KEY
OPERATIONAL TOOL. HE LOVES TO DECEIVE PEOPLE AND THEN HE LEADS
THEM INTO DESTRUCTION. 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-2 SAYS, "NOW THE HOLY SPIRIT
TELLS US CLEARLY THAT IN THE LAST TIME SOME WILL TURN AWAY
FROM THE TRUE FAITH, THEY WILL FOLLOW DECEPTIVE SPIRITS AND
TEACHINGS THAT COME FROM DEMONS. THESE PEOPLE ARE HYPOCRITES AND
LIARS AND THEIR CONSCIENCES ARE DEAD. IT KIND OF REMINDS ME OF
THE GUY WHO WAS SHOPPING AT WALMART AND THERE WAS AN OLD
LADY IN LINE THAT KEPT STARING AT HIM. AND FINALLY SHE SAID,
"YOU LOOK SO MUCH LIKE MY LATE SON. AND I KNOW IT'S REALLY
SILLY OF ME TO ASK, BUT COULD YOU JUST CALL OUT TO ME,
'GOODBYE, MOTHER,' AS I LEAVE TODAY? IT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL SO
HAPPY IF YOU COULD DO THAT." AND THE GUY SAID, "YES, I'LL BE
GLAD TO DO THAT FOR YOU." AND THE OLD LADY PROCEEDED THROUGH
THE CHECKOUT AND AS SHE LEFT THE SUPERMARKET, THE MAN SAID,
"GOODBYE, MOTHER." AND THE OLD LADY WAVED BACK AND WALKED OUT
THE DOOR. AND THE MAN WAS REALLY PLEASED THAT HE'D DONE SOMETHING
TO MAKE THAT LADY'S DAY, TO BRING HAPPINESS TO HER. AND THEN
HE PROCEEDED TO PAY FOR HIS GROCERIES. AND THE CASHIER SAID,
"THAT'LL BE $362." THE GUY SAYS, "$362? I ONLY BOUGHT A FEW
THINGS." AND THE CASHIER REPLIED, "YES, BUT YOUR MOTHER
SAID THAT YOU WOULD PAY FOR HERS." THE GUY WAS DECEIVED. HE
WAS TRICKED. AND WE ARE DETERMINED. WE ARE DETERMINED
NOT TO BE DECEIVED. WE'RE GOING TO BE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND
CONFIDENT IN THE WORD OF GOD. AND THE DEVIL'S NOT GOING TO
TRICK US. REPEAT THIS WITH ME. I WILL NOT BE DECEIVED. AMEN.
AMEN. WHY DON'T YOU STAND WITH ME TONIGHT? WE'RE BASICALLY DONE
HERE. YOU KNOW, I'VE REVIEWED SEVEN PRINCIPLES THAT WE CAN USE
AS A WINNING STRATEGY TO EXPOSE THE DEVIL. AND I THINK EVERYONE
IN HERE PROBABLY KNEW OF THEM BEFORE YOU GOT HERE. BUT I
BELIEVE IT'S A GOOD REMINDER TO REFRESH OUR MINDS IN OUR
COVENANT, IN WHAT GOD'S DONE FOR US, AND WHAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO
DO FOR US AS WE STAND IN FAITH. LET'S PRAY TONIGHT. FATHER, I
THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO YOUR WORD.
AND TONIGHT AS WE LOOKED AT WINNING STRATEGIES THAT WILL
HELP US DEFEAT AND OVERCOME THE DEVIL, I THANK YOU, LORD, FOR
YOUR WORD, FIRST OF ALL, THAT YOU'VE GIVEN US, THAT WE CAN
STAND STRONG IN FAITH IN YOUR WORD AND WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US.
AND AS WE STUDY AND SHOW OURSELVES APPROVED, YOU'LL GIVE
US THE VICTORY. I THANK YOU, LORD, THAT TEMPTATION THAT COMES
OUR WAY, DECEIT THAT MAY COME OUR WAY FROM SATAN, WE ARE GOING
TO RESIST IT, OPPOSE IT, AND NOT HAVE ANY PART OF IT. I THANK
YOU, LORD, THAT WE CAN STAND AND WALK IN PROSPERITY, WE CAN
WALK IN HEALTH, AND ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US
AND PROVIDED FOR US BECAUSE YOU'RE A GOOD GOD AND YOU LOVE
US. WE'LL NOT ENTER INTO FEAR, BUT WE'LL CONTINUALLY PRAISE
YOU, WORSHIP YOU, FOLLOW YOUR GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND
BE DIRECTED BY YOUR VOICE. AND WE'LL DO THIS FROM VICTORY TO
VICTORY TO VICTORY AS WE MOVE ON IN THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE
CALLED US TO ACCOMPLISH IN THIS EARTH. AND WE THANK YOU FOR IT
NOW IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS. AMEN. AMEN. WELL, GOD BLESS YOU
TONIGHT. THANK YOU FOR COMING. DON'T FORGET TO BE BACK IN THE
HOUSE ON SUNDAY. AND I THINK I HEARD THE RUMOR, PASTOR MARK,
THAT PASTOR BRENDA'S PREACHING THIS SUNDAY. SO IT'S GOING TO BE
A WILD TIME IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD. TUNE IN FOR US AT 9
O'CLOCK AND THEN THE REPEAT AT 11:30 BROADCAST. GOD BLESS YOU.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK. AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK IN THE
HOUSE ON SUNDAY MORNING.
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