SNS - Room 101 Series

Room 101 Series (1/4)
Pastor Steven at Elevation Church

"Forever Fearful, Never Scared"

1 John 4:18 (ESV)

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

• God's love drives out fear.
• Perfect love turns fear out of doors.
• The child of God never has to live in fear of what life brings their way.
• The only limit fear has to place on our lives is what we allow fear to limit.
• Don't fear what they fear, don't be dismayed at what they're dismayed at. Because God is with us and He will uphold us.
• We don't have to be afraid!!

Proverbs 1:7 (ESV)

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge."

• We are to be forever fearful of the Lord, but never scared.

Genesis 3:10-11 (ESV)

And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?"

• The fear that we feel is usually the result of a lie (from satan) that we have believed.

Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

• In Adam (our condition apart from Christ) we hide from God because in our sin we have everything to fear. But in Christ we worship God because in His righteousness we have nothing to hide.
• Perfect love drives out fear.
• The fear of the Lord is different then being scared of God.
• When we're scared of God we're scared of what He's going do to us because of what we've done against Him.
• But when we realize that the love of God means that God already did to Jesus what He should have done to us, the fear of the Lord is no longer being scared of God; the fear of the Lord is being terrified to be outside of His protection.
• Don't fear God out of intimidation because if God wanted to destroy us He could, but He wants me to respect Him and love Him out of intimacy.
• The fear of the Lord is "God I never want to do anything that would land me out of your protection because I know I can't do anything that would land me outside of your love."
• I don't want to do anything that would land me outside your protection God.
• The fear of the Lord is routed in our understanding of His love for us; and the only thing that we would ever be afraid of is to land outside His protection.
• Faith in God is not the absence of fear, faith in God is the presence of Christ bigger then any fear that I face.
• Fear stands at the doorway of every destiny and says "I dare you to come up here" and the enemy plants fear at every threshold of our life.
• Fear comes to stop somebody who God has called to do something before they ever get the opportunity to do it.
• Our fear isn't an indication that we won't ever do anything great for God, it's actually a sign that the enemy is threatened by us and has dispatched something in our hearts to keep us from getting where God has called us.
• If we get free of our fear, we'll set others free too.
• Fear needs to meet God's love.
• God's love comes in and says thank you very much, but you can't stand here anymore.
• God's love turns fear out of doors.
• God's love says, "fear you gotta go, you can't hold down {insert name} anymore"
• The love of God is bigger, the love of God is greater, the love of God is stronger then any fear could ever be.
• Stand up to fear and say, "Whatcha gonna do fear, when the love of God casts you out."

Sermon Note Sunday

Sunday Morning
James River Assembly
Pastor David
July 22nd, 2012

"What Do I Lack?"

Matthew 19:16-26

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

• What do we have to do to get eternal life?

Jesus did 3 things in this passage:

1. Jesus shattered the young man's assumptions about Christianity.
     A. The young man thought Christianity is just something you add to your life (it's not).
     B. The young man thought Christianity is something you do.

• In reality, Christianity is like a bomb that explodes inside you, you are born all over again. You are a new creation when you are a Christian.
• Christianity isn't something you can add, rather it overtakes your life!
• There's only one being who is completely good, and that's God.
• No one is perfect. The problem isn't that one thing (that one sin, pain in the side, etc.) hanging out there, it's that we aren't perfect and we won't admit it.
• Christianity isn't something we do or try to do, it's something that we receive.
• The real line that matters isn't the line that separates the good from the bad (or the bad from the bad), but the line that connects me from God.

2. Jesus got personal.

Mark 10:20-21
And he said to him, "Teacher all these I have kept from my youth. And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

• One thing was keeping this man, from being able to see God. He had a cancer eating at his soul. What cancer do I have eating at my soul, and what cancer do you have eating at your soul.
• At the base of all of our problems, is a battle between God and us for control.
• God wants ALL!!!
• He wants our relationships, dreams, battles, and all that is important to us.
• All we have to do is surrender it to God!

Matthews 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty words in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
- There are people that know a lot about Jesus, but who never really know Jesus and He never knew them. Because they didn't allow Him to have control, and didn't allow Him to see their heart.

• We have to let Jesus have control and supremacy in our lives.
• We have to allow Jesus touch all of us, even the dark places, the hurt, the pain, the places we have even hidden from ourselves.

3. Jesus asked for the impossible.

• It's impossible to get to Jesus without full surrender.
• Without Jesus, it's impossible to get into heaven. No amount of works will get us into the kingdom of God.
• There is not one person who can enter into eternal life because of their own good works.
• We can't clean ourselves up enough to get into the kingdom!
• BUT, God can clean us up! And with Him, we can enter into the kingdom!

Lady in Waiting

Lady in Waiting

is not about finding the right man,

but becoming the right woman.

The Lady in Waiting

recklessly abandons herself

to the Lordship of Christ,

diligently uses her single days,

trusts God with unwavering faith,

demonstrates virtue in daily life,

loves God with undistracted devotion,

stands for physical and emotional purity,

lives in security,

responds to life in contentment,

makes choices based on her convictions,

and waits patiently for God to meet her needs.

Kendall, J., & Jones, D. (2012). Lady in Waiting: Becoming God's Best While Waiting for Mr. Right (p. 151). Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. 

Waiting with God

Learning to sit still,

Resting in His will,

Confident to abide,

With Him by my side,

Resisting manipulation,

Waiting only for His stipulations.

- JMK

SNS - Wednesday Night Edition

Wednesday was a really bad night for me, so I ended up skipping church. Although, I know I needed it more then ever.
So there will be no SNS - Wednesday Night Edition this week, although I will be sure to post notes from other sermons and podcasts I have listened to soon.

Proverbs 31 Wife and a Proverbial Noble Husband

A while back...a long while back I found this post. And I thought it was really great about what good Christian men need in a wife. I wanted to share, not only for anyone out there who might need this but also for me as a reference.

For those who don't even know what a Proverbs 31 wife/woman is, here is the passage.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

When I don't fully understand something I always turn to The Message version, so here is the message version. A lot of it is still translated into something that we women can't uphold in the 21st century, but it better explains parts of it.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (The Message)
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long. She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises. She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day. She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden. First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,  rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started. She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking. She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor. She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks. Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers. She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops. Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

Now this passage gets abused a lot, and I've met plenty of men who won't even consider a girl unless she is Proverbs 31 quality. Honestly, I strive to be a Proverbs 31 woman, albeit a modern one. And I believe it's a great passage for men to look up to when trying to find that woman God wants for them.

Here is how we can be Proverbs 31 women, and what Christian single men need:

1. Christian men needs to have confidence in his girl of a lifetime. This means he can share his heart (this is difficult for many men because of their fears) without worry about gossip or rejection. The male ego is fragile.
2. Christian men needs his woman to bring him good and not harm...in good times and bad. Some women are able to "love their man" when the going is easy. But how about when the hard knocks of life (and there will be some) start rolling through?
3. Christian men would profit by having a woman who can happily and wisely take good care of the household. By the way, it looks like Solomon would disagree with all those guys who think their wives need to be "barefoot and pregnant at home."
4. Christian men (men in general) can sometimes be insensitive to the needs of others' pain. So a guy who has a woman who is compassionate and loving to the less fortunate can help him grow in this area.
5. Christian men need a wife who takes good care of the marriage bed (you know what Solomon means here, right?), as well as her own personal appearance. Outward beauty can be deceitful, but Christian men (or any man) respects a woman who respects herself by looking as good as she can be.
6. Christian men need a strong and independent woman. A man loves to feel needed by his woman because it fulfills his need to provide. But very few single Christian men are attracted to high maintence whiny types.
7. Christian men need a woman who can laugh at whatever life brings. Life is hard enough without a good sense of humor and positive outlook. This is especially helpful for men because circumstances can get the best of men a little down.
8. Christian men need a woman who can give wise advice and timely counsel. "Behind every great man is a great woman."

Now that's great, but a man needs to keep his end of the bargain too.

Proverbial Man of Noble Character

• Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Proverbs 9:8
• Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. Proverbs 9:9
• The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:25
• A good man will obtain favor from the LORD. Proverbs 12:2
• A wise man is he who listens to counsel. Proverbs 12:15
• A prudent man overlooks an insult. Proverbs 12:16
• Every prudent man acts with knowledge. Proverbs 13:16
• He who walks with wise men will be wise. Proverbs 13:20
• A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children. Proverbs 13:22
• The sensible man considers his steps. Proverbs 14:15
• A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil. Proverbs 14:16
• He who is slow to anger has great understanding. Proverbs 14:29
• A man of understanding walks straight. Proverbs 15:21
• What is desirable in a man is his kindness. Proverbs 19:22
• A righteous man who walks in his integrity-- How blessed are his sons after him. Proverbs 20:7
• A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Proverbs 21:22
• A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. Proverbs 24:5
• For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Proverbs 24:16

Do I know what all that means...absolutely not. But there's a book called In Search of the Proverbs 31 Man – by Michelle McKinney Hammond, that I plan to read soon and it'll help.

I also plan on finding out more information about being a modern day Proverbs 31 woman and I will share that too. But for now, my sole focus is being 100% fully devoted and in love with my Lord.

A Letter for Every Single Christian Woman Who Just Wants to Find Mr. RIght

A response to the last past, "A Letter for Every Good, Decent Christian Guy Who Just Wants to Find Miss. Right." I found this letter here, and I couldn't share the last letter without sharing the response. I think it can be a perfect example for women.

Dear Miss Right,
I could ask you the same question. None of us were created to be alone, we thrive off of love and relationship, so I think it’d be mutually beneficial for us to find each other quickly. The truth is, and this is where most guys won’t admit it, I need you as much as you need me. I’ve tried to be one of those super macho guys, but in all honesty, in my heart, nothing could be more satisfying than to be your sensitive and loving provider, your husband. My plans and ideas are everywhere. I ask God daily for direction and confirmation. God’s the only one with the big picture, because I’m as lost as you are. I know that there are wonderful things out there for us to discover together, God will reveal them to each of us in time. There IS a reason we’re still not together. Logically it’s because we haven’t met… or if we have, we haven’t gotten to know each other. You’re not the only one without a line of ducks, I think some of mine might actually be geese, in which case, I have to be rid of them and find the ducks to fill their spots.
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the right woman and the wrong time being the wrong woman. The same can be said for guys. And truthfully, God’s been dealing with me on issues that would only bring our relationship down. I struggle with the idea of being forgiven without cause, and I need to learn to be more accepting of grace. Until I am, please don’t give up on me. Truthfully, the reason we’re not together is that I’ve asked God to hold off on our introduction until I’m ready to be the man you deserve. I have some of the same fears. Trust me, nothing’s scarier for a guy than to think that he’ll be the emotional head over heels in love one, while you look on in disdain. I want to get lightheaded when you walk into a room, and I want you to melt at my smile. Don’t be afraid, you can never ask too much of God. Nothing is beyond His capacity. The very reason you feel like I should be these things for you, is because God has created a desire in you specifically for me and only me, who will be these things, and you won’t be happy with any other guy.
And believe me, I’m far from perfect. My heart aches at the very thought of you getting me. I’m the undeserving one. It’s not fair that someone with a past like mine gets coupled with the woman of his dreams. But the beauty of grace, is that it makes life not fair. I AM looking for you, and I’m waiting for God to deem the time right for us to meet. The fact that I know you’re out there doing the same, only strengthens me further. I hate to disappoint you, but I’m very much into movies and TV… Luckily, to have an interest in something does not necessarily mean to believe it. Love is not a feeling or emotion that coincides with “Happily Ever After”, it’s a choice. And I’ve decided to love you unconditionally into eternity.
Admittedly, a good appearance is nice, but appearances can be deceiving. Don’t worry about it; be yourself. My eyes were made with you in mind, so I’d say you have an advantage over other women. And besides, if you make yourself look too good, you’ll run the risk of attracting more than just me… I don’t want to have to fend the hounds off my woman! Your imperfections are what make you you, and I can put you just as easily on my screensaver or wall, as any of those other women. And the best part is, then I’ll have the real thing right by my side to keep me warm. Good luck with the cover snatching, you’ll need it. (lol) While there are a lot of pretty women out there, there’s only one for me. I would never settle for someone I could live with, and you shouldn’t either. Where’s the fun in that? I’m the one you could never imagine life without.
I’m the guy you might notice at first, but only in that, vague sort of way, but if you got to know me, you’d find a soul that yearns after God, and that’s what will help you understand the plan God has laid out for the both of us. If I only saw beauty from the world’s perspective, I’d be a rather lonely individual, wouldn’t I? There is none more beautiful than a beautiful soul. I can’t wait to be captivated by yours. I’d take on all the pain the world could throw at you, and you’d be the heaven that helped me bare it. I’ll be the first to admit, I struggle with taking a passive role. It’s hard to be a leader with no one to lead. Your point is valid, however, I find it ironic that you were the one to initiate this conversation, to which I am responding. I have difficulty knowing who to pursue, I guess my biggest fear is accidentally getting in too deep with someone that’s not you. I have been hurt and rejected, and mostly because I’ve pursued… In fact, most of the stupid things I’ve done have come from “the hunt.” Maybe I should learn to do less shooting and more tracking. I can’t just fire into the crowds and hope for a hit. God has directed me on how to set my sights to find you. And you’ll be my trophy wife. (lol, couldn’t help myself with that one.) I’ll have you know, if you think I’d get married for the sake of getting married, maybe it’s you that’s looking in the wrong places. Marriage is a commitment for life, and that’s a commitment I’d be miserable to make to anyone but you. That and I want my rib back. I’ll tell you what, my rib for the covers, sound like a deal? There is no one I’d rather build my life with.
We’ll have our pitfalls, but we’ll also have our mountain tops, and there’s no one I’d rather share my adventure with because I know that there’s no way I can grow to be the man God wants me to be without you by my side.
I’m getting kinda tired myself. It’s 58 days after New Year’s Eve, and I kissed no one… I was actually oblivious to the clock altogether as I was watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus (but that’s another story). Believe me, I’d rather have been in your arms. I wasn’t truly alone, but I was as good as. I’m one of the ones that feels lonely in a crowd, because I just don’t fit in. I’m not of this world, and that’s how you’ll be able to pick me out. I can’t wait till I can hold you as we usher in our first New Year together. It’ll be my happiest moment… until the next time you smile.
Good night to you, my love! God’s time is His own, but I pray daily that He take into consideration our time not spent together is time lost. I’ll search for you until I die, but I trust God to make sure it doesn’t take that long. Don’t settle for Mister Sorta Charming, because trust me, when you meet me, he’s going to look like the frog. I know not what form you’ll take, but I know you’ll be the woman God’s formed for and from me. I know you will have honesty, faith, tenderness, and a pure heart: each a beauty in and of its own. Even one of these is worth waiting an eternity for. I’ve loved you as long as you have me, and for the same reason. Don’t give up waiting for me, I’m searching for you. When we do finally meet, you can be sure God will have orchestrated it to bring out the both in best of us and to glorify Him in the greatest means possible. God’s been moving in both of our lives, and He’s been moving us together. It’s only a matter of time before that finally happens.
Forever Yours,
Mister Right
p.s. That guy you were talking about that week, the one that was even at the bar in the first place? Yeah, probably not me. : )

A Letter to Every Good, Decent Christian Single Guy Who Just Wants to Find Miss Right

I found this letter here, and I really wanted to share it.

Dear God knows who, - Where are you? I know that God said that it is not good for man to be alone, so I know wherever you are right now, you'd be better off finding me. I am telling you, I could use your help too, and not just to save me from cockroaches, reach things on the top shelf, or make me feel safe at night. I've tried to be one of those super career women, but in all honestly, in my heart, nothing could be more satisfying than to fulfill my God-given role as your "helpmate," your wife. My dreams and interests are everywhere. I have too many. But I know in my heart, you see the big picture in your life. You know how you want to make a difference, and you have a passion and purpose that I'm going to believe in too and help you achieve. If not, I know I will see in you wonderful things that you have yet to discover.
There's a reason why we're still not together right now. Maybe it's me because to be frank, I just haven't gotten my stuff together. My ducks in a row. I'm just not quite there yet, not yet your dream woman. I really believe that the right woman at the wrong time is still the wrong woman. And right now, I'm still wrestling with issues, things I really don't want you to have to deal with. God is pouring out his grace on me. Until then, I hope you are waiting patiently for me and getting ready to be mine as well. Remember, first and foremost, that love is patient. God has to reteach me this lesson every morning.
You know, I fear many things. That's an issue I'm trying to deal with right now. I'm afraid that I'll be more into you than you are into me or that you'll be more into me than I am into you. Some women think that's the safest way to go: finding a guy who is way more into them than they are him. But I don't want to sacrifice desire for security. Why can't things be equal?I want to be with a guy who knocks the socks off my feet just as much as I make him dizzy with desire. I'm afraid because I think I'm asking God for too much. I know I'm asking for way more than I deserve, but hey, isn't that the theme of salvation, receiving by grace for what we don't deserve? I'm not saying I want you to be perfect. I hope you're not expecting me to be either. On this earth, perfect is boring and unreal. I don't want perfection. I just want someone perfect for me. And I know you are out there; I know you are looking for me and I'm just hopelessly optimistic that you are real.
I hope you aren't too into movies and TV because our story won't be like Hollywood's happy endings. That's the problem, Hollywood makes movies that end, but I'm here for the long haul. I'm here to commit to the life after "happily ever after." I know my appearance matters to you, and I'll do my best with what God has given me, but I can't help but grow insecure with what Hollywood keeps dishing up. I'm afraid I can't compete with all those airbrushed women, and I'm hoping you prefer the real, imperfect, tender, gentle, lovable three dimensional woman that I am, instead of the perfect, fake, one dimensional woman Hollywood portrays. You can put her on your screen saver or on your wall, but I'm the one who'll keep you warm at night. (and steal your covers!lol)
There are a lot of pretty women out there, and it may seem hard to figure out who I am in that crowd. Please stop trying to settle for someone you can live with. You'll see, I'm the girl you don't want to live without. I'm the girl you might not notice at first glance, but if you look close enough, you'll see a heart that sincerely lives for and trusts in God, and that's the kind of beauty that won't fade. It's the kind of beauty that is warm and inviting, one that will inspire and bring you closer to understanding the love that God has for you. Because there are so many external beauties out there, I hope you can see beauty through a different lens as well. One that also notices a soulful beauty. When you notice that beauty, you'll know it's me, because you'll be captivated. I hope to be a divinely delivered slice of heaven on earth for you, as I hope you'll be my shelter and fortress from the pain of the world.
Maybe the reason why you haven't found me yet is because you've taken a passive role in the hunt. I still believe men are supposed to be leaders. God made Adam first. Adam named all the animals. God gave him the instruction to avoid the fruit. Paul placed all responsibility of the fall on Adam. Adam named Eve. She was made from him. She was made for him. I know that sounds strange, but it's true. By all means men and women are equal in essence, but we have different roles, and yours is to lead; mine is to respond. Everything went south when Eve started to lead (by eating the fruit) and Adam started to respond (by taking Eve's suggestion to eat the fruit) .
My point is that I'm asking you to lead and initiate relationships with the opposite sex. Nowadays, a lot of women do the pursuing, but that's not what I am called to do, so if you're going to find me, I won't be one of those women. If I stole your role as pursuer, I'd be stealing from you the joy you receive when you've worked for something of value. At least you don't have to work 14 years for me like Jacob did for Rachel! By work, I mean work up the courage to put yourself out there and make your intentions clear to the women you pursue. I know it's hard to date right now. Women want equality and chivalry and it's hard to figure out what that looks like. You may have been rejected or hurt in the past and have come up empty-handed, but don't give up; I promise I will be worth it. Remember this verse in your quest: "Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies, " or " He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." (I'm kinda a big deal. j/k)
I want you to know something else. I want to get married, but not to a man who wants to get married just for the sake of getting married. I want to get married to a man who wants to get married to me, not just to the concept of marriage. Does that make sense? I hope you want me because you see something special in me, you see your missing half, and you know I am the owner of your missing rib. I hope you don't want me just to be an actress playing a role so you can fulfill a dream of getting married. I hope you can see yourself building a life with me. I hope that when we imagine our lives together, we imagine adventure and growth.
Oh, but I'm tired. It's two days before New Year's Eve. I wonder who you'll be kissing when the clock strikes midnight. I wonder who's arms you'll be in. I wish it was me. For me, I'll be alone. I can't wait till I can be with you to share that moment.
Good night! May God speed up my transformation process so he can speed me to you. Don't give up looking for me. Don't settle for Miss Right Now, because trust me, when I come along, you're going to wish you were free to be with me. I don't know what you'll look like on the outside, but I know you will be a man after God's own heart. I know you will have integrity, courage, strength of character and respect: characteristics of greatness that I will wait an eternity for. I can honestly say right now that I've loved you even before I've met you, because I'm waiting for you. I hope that my love will be a cause for you to glorify God. Don't give up on me. God already knows who I am, and in His time, He'll reveal that to you.
Faithfully Yours,
Miss Right
p.s. That girl you met last week at the bar, the one with the low-cut halter top, also eying your best friend? Yeah, probably not me;)

It can easily be tailored into a single women's mind, thoughts, perspective. And I know in my life right now I am in a situation I never expected to be in again...single...while some may think it's a curse I'm looking at it as an opportunity to develop into the girl that the perfect man would want.

The Single Gift

How blessed you are, you single one,

Don't talk of care and woes.

You've got too much to be thankful for,

Oh what, you'd like to know.

It's no mistake, no misdirection

Of God's perfect plan

That you've not found your special lady

Or you, that certain man.

God loves you so and has much more

To give than you've ever received.

That He's giving His best to you right now,

You really must believe.

His best is Himself, do you have it in full,

Or only a bit on the side?

No man can meet your needs like God,

Nor can a lovely bride.

If your life's not complete, you know that Jesus is

And your life He will fill

If you'll only put Him first each day

And live to do His will.

He's gifted you for undistracted

Devotion to the Lord.

There should be nothing that can interfere

With Him and prayer and the Word.

Unless you let down the guard of your heart

And let others take His place,

Then you'll lack joy and peace and hope

And not experience His grace.

So give your heart right back to God,

Let Him keep it safe for you.

And when it's better than His best,

He'll make your one into two.

- By Donna L. Mihura

SNS - Designed for Life 2010 Edition

DeLynn Rizzo

• Who are you?
• We can never do all God's calling us to do if we don't know who we are.
• Mary Anne Williamson said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.' We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
• If we don't know who we really are in Christ our lights can never really shine the way God wants them to.
• Who am I?
• I am a woman.
• I am a nursing student.
• I am a daughter.
• I am a granddaughter.
• I am a sister.
• I am a niece.
• ... (and on and on and on).
• Who are you?
• We can hide behind our lists of things we are and we can make that be our security and identity, if we want.
• But if the list was taken away, who would we really be deep down on the inside?
• What we do is not really who we are. But, who we are affects what we do.
• What describes you?
• Is it your character or is it your accomplishments?

Things I (you) need to believe about ourselves; and things God believes about us!

1. I am (you are) strong.

• Strong means capable of withstanding force or wear; strong is solid, tough, firm.
• Strength means impowered to withstrain strain or stress.
• God made us strong.
• Be strong, because God put His strength in us.

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

• Be strong, because we have the support of Jesus Christ in us.
• God has promised to never leave or forsake us.
• Our strength is found in Christ and in Him alone; no other place can we find real strength.
• We can't schedule when bad things will happen so we have to be strong in Him so we can face whatever may come our way.
• We (you) can mandle more then we (you) think!!
• Mother Teresa said, "I know God won't give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much."
• The joy of the Lord is our strength!
• We have to be tough!
• We have to know how to fight!

2. I am (you are) valuable and precious!

• Nothing can complete us, we are only complete in Christ.
• God is not the reflection of our earthly father's; but the perfection of the father.

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
She is worth far more than rubies.
- We are God's bling!!

• We mean so much to Him that He laid down His own life for us!

3. I am (you are) comfortable in my (your) own skin!

• We don't need to be like anybody else.
• We are God's masterpieces.
• We are one of a kind.
• We are different, and that's the beauty of it all.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• We have to embrace what God has given us, and do the best with what we have.
• He created us all different for a purpose, for our own designed master plan!
• Don't look to everybody else, wishing we had what they have.
• God made us the way He wanted us to be!
• We are perfect in God's sight!
• God makes us beautiful in our own way!!!
• Never never never look to Hollywood trying to figure out what we should look like.
  Never never never compare yourself!!

2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

• We will never win in the comparison game!
• Be comfortable in how God created you, be comfortable in your own skin.

4. I am (you are) enough! I'm (you're) more then enough!

• It's a huge lie when we believe: "if {fill in the blank} then I will be good enough"
• We are never going to be good enough, but God made us enough through Jesus.
• We are enough in Him!
• Nothing we do will ever make us good enough!!
• God has mafe us enough, we don't have to do anything else!
• You are enough in Christ!
• "It's not who we are that holds us back, but it's who we think we're not." - Author unknown.
• Let your light shine so bright that others lights shine around you!

You Are...

I just saw this posted on Facebook and had to share.

The Pearl Poem

I just found this poem and that it was so great about becoming the women God created us to be.

The Pearl

In every oyster there lies the ability

to produce something rare.

Truth like a grain of sand will produce

the pearl that is hidden there.

Young woman, you are often mocked and scorned,

and told you never should have been born.

You want to run away, to hide your hurt.

Your heart is wounded, bleeding and torn.

God makes not mistakes:

every life is special,

every life is planned.

Seeds can sprout in sand.

Open yourself up to the Spirit of God,

grow in grace and maturity,

be what He wants you to be.

Your beauty, your strength lies deep within you.

Young woman, young girl,

open yourself up ot God.
Allow Him to reveal your pearl.

- By Sylvia Hannah

SNS - Wednesday Night Church

Wednesday Night Church
James River Assembly
Pastor Scott O

"Worry Isn't Worth It"

(Pre-Sermon Notes)

• Sometimes God wants to show us a different direction, because we aren't doing it right or we are going the wrong direction.
• There's so much more to life then what is right here, right now!
• Invest in eternity.

(Sermon Notes)

Matthew 6:25-34 (ESV)
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to this span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil not spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and you heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

1. Worry is silly - it doesn't make much sense.

• Worry doesn't help, it's a waste of time and diminishes the life we have.
• Worry comes from a German word that means to choke or to strangle.
• Our lives are more important than worry.
• 40% of the things we worry about won't ever happen.
  30% of the things we worry about can't be changed.
  15% of the things we worry about, is worrying about what other people think of us.
  15% of the things we worry about are actual reality.
• God is more then ok with us being concerned, but he hates us being worried.
• Concern is when we have the opportunity to apply wisdom and take action about a potential problem.

2. Worry is selfish - it's focused solely on us.

• Worrying is putting ourselves ahead of God. It's solely focused on what we can bring to the table, not what God can.

3. Worry is sinful - it's not centered on God.

• Anytime we choose to make something (even worry) bigger then God we make it our god and it is an idol.
• Either the God of the Bible is our God, or something else is our god (our idol).

Three important things to remember about worry and about us:

1. You (I) am extremely important to God!

• God cares about His creation.
• And we're not creation at the bottom level, because we are an image bearer of the Creater, and we have His Spirit in us. We are the top level.
• God already knows what we are worried about. He knows that we need Him. He will take care of us.

2. God will take care of your (my) personal needs.

• God is going to take care of us, and He will make sure we have everything we need (and more).

3. When God takes care of us, it's beautiful.

• In the midst of the struggle it is really hard, and it is really dark; but then when He provides it will be beautiful.
• (It will be a beautiful testimony).
• God is going to provide for us...Period!
• In the midst of the provision seek first the kingdom of God.
• Invest our lives in the kingdom!
• If we spend all of our time investing in the kingdom then we won't have time to worry!
• When we belong to God, it's not just our problem it's also God's problem!!
• Ultimately God is going to make what is wrong, right.
• He will make what is rough, smooth!
• Stop being so consumed with the natural!!
• Get your mind off of now and the stuff, and get your mind on God!
• When we give God our faith, He will give us His peace!!

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

SNS - Waiting Room Series

Considering my engagement just ended, I have now entered a period of waiting. Waiting for what comes next, waiting to learn why all this happened, and waiting to know what God wants for me. I knew this series existed, but I didn't feel as though it was the right time for me to listen to it. I decided now was a good time, and I really needed a spiritual pick me up considering I'm feeling very spiritually depressed.
---
Waiting Room Series, Sermon 1
Holly Furtick (Elevation Church)

"If I have to wait, I'm gonna get to work."

Acts 16:16-40 (NIV)
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved —you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household. When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.” But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.” The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Acts 1:4 (NIV) - "Wait for the gift"

** What seems to be a pointless or even painful waiting room may be God's most productive workroom.

• Remember that even in the smallest tasks, we are part of a bigger work for God.
• A workroom is the opposite of a waiting room.

1. Resist the urge to complain and fill the situation with praise.

• Don't talk about when you're going to do as soon as you get out.

Numbers 14:26-29 - God hates complaining!
- God takes complaining very seriously, and may actually make the situation worse because of complaining.

• We should take our focus off the complaining and focus on the blessings God has placed in our lives.

Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

• My attitude can cause me to shine like a star.

Acts 16:25 (NIV)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
- All people notice us, and watch us. Especially when we are in unfair situations.

• We can show people that Jesus has made a difference in our lives or make people dislike God even more simply because of our attitudes.

** Let our pain trigger a praise as we position ourselves to let God work on us while we wait.

2. Preoccupy self with fulfilling God's purpose instead of escaping our problem(s).

• Don't be consumed with escaping, instead be filled with God's purpose.
• Don't just wait for the next stage, and stop wishing that time would fly by. Enjoy each moment.
• If we have to wait, we should get to work.
• If we have to wait, we should have a good time.

** God wants us to enjoy the journey.
- The road trip is part of the fun.

• Our destination is always a moving target; we don't get to the destination until we're in heaven.
• When we get to one destination, there's always going to be a new destination to strive for.
• Enjoy the journey with God!
• Sometimes God puts us in a waiting room because there's something He needs to teach us.
• God can't take us from point a to point b as fast as we want, because He has something to teach us before we reach the destination.
• Or maybe God has someone He needs to bring into our lives or bring onto the path so that we can minister to them and their situation (or so they can minister to us and our situation).
• Sometimes we may be headed in the wrong direction and headed to the wrong destination, so God needs to put us in a waiting room to re-route our path to a better destination and in a better direction.

3. Realize that our detours are often God's destinations.

• There really are no waiting rooms, because every destination God has a purpose for.
• Don't leave the current destination until you know God is done with you where you are.
• Where we are is where God is!!!
• Be more concerned with God's glory than our own release.
• Get to work.
• Work while we wait!
• Work every opportunity that God brings to us.

** Stop waiting for what God's going to do tomorrow and open your eyes to what God wants to do today!
- Open your eyes to what God wants you to do today, and stop worrying about tomorrow.

Sermon Note Sunday

This post means that there will not be any Sermon Note Sunday posts for this week, but I think you all should be able to understand.

Wednesday was Fourth of July, so we didn't have church.

Then Sunday was the day after my engagement to Randy ended. I went to church, but my focus was off and honestly it just didn't really touch my heart. My note page instead of notes is filled is drawings of broken hearts, and a few notes that I don't really understand.

I have a huge paper to write this week, but once I get that at least started I plan on filling my heart with some sermon podcasts and I will be sure to share them with you.

Happy Fourth of July and SNS

I hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating the fourth of July with your family and friends!!

Also, I wanted to add that since today is the 4th of July, my church is not having church tonight which also means there will be no Sermon Note Sunday - Wednesday Edition this week.

SNS - Designed for Life 2010 Edition

Designed for Life 2010
Christine Caine

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen.

"Dream's are a Matter of Perspective"

• Different people will draw out different things in our lives.
• God can do a whole lot!!
• Life is about perspective.
• Keeping pursuing the goal (Jesus)!
• The greatest gift we can give our partner is a complete us in Christ.
• The greatest gift our partner can give us is a complete them in Christ.
• Then when we are both complete in Christ, we can become an interdependent unity in Christ and we'll make a difference. 
• God doesn't just want us to start, He wants us to run the race, and finish the course.
• Dream big, and finish well.
• We have to learn practical ways of how to put our dream into practice. We have to have a strategy.
• What we look for we will find.
• Without a shadow of a doubt, where we are looking we will end up going.
• If we're looking for the negative we will be in the negative.
• If we're looking for the positive we will be in the positive.
• If we're going to fulfill the dream God has for us, we cannot look in the natural.
• Things that can be shaken will be shaken.
• Things that cannot be shaken will remain!
• Look at the eternal promise, not the temporal.
• Look through what's going on now to what God is preparing for us.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)
So we do not lose heart. Though the outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

• If we live the God dream it will have eternal ramifications.
• If we focus only on what we can see in the here and now we will give way to discouragement and disappointment. And challenges, obstacles, and hurdles will take us out.
• We can't just focus on what we see!!
• If we give up in the midst of the pain we will never fulfill what God has for us.
• If what we see right now is all we see, then we will never see all there is to see.
• There's always a whole lot more to see then what we're seeing right now.
• See through our current circumstances to the eternal promise God has for our lives, for our future, for our destiny.
• We have to see through the here and now to the eternal promise God has for our lives.
• We have to go beyond!
• Life is just perspective.
• If we are going to fulfill the dream God has for our lives, we can't be caught up in what's in front of us.

Numbers 13:1-33 (ESV)
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men to spy out the Land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a chief [leader] among them." So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran, according to the command of the Lord, all of them men who were heads of the people of Israel. And these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur; from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori; from the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh; from the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph; from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun; from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu; from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Susi; from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli; from the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael; from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi; from the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi. These were the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Hosea the son of Nun Joshua. Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canann and said to them, "Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit to the land." Noe the time was the season of the first ripe grapes. So they went up and spief out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, near Lebo-hamath. They went up into the Negeb and came to Hebron. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, were there. (Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt). And they came to the Valley of Eshcol and cut down from there a branch with a single cluster of grapes, adn they carried it on a pole between them; they also brought some pomegranates and figs. That place was called the Valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster that the people of Israel cut down from there. At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, "We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hitties, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan." But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it." Then the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are." So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, "The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

• The promise is ahead of us.
• God has so much for us which is why we have to dream these dreams.
• It's not based on gift or talent, it's based on perspective.
• It's based on what we see and how we see.
• We have to have a strategy to achieve our dreams.
• There is some difficulty is seeing the dream come to pass. It's not guaranteed to be easy.
• There's going to be challenges, obstacles, and hurdles. But that doesn't mean God isn't in it.
• He's already made the promise and give it to us, but we are going have to work at a strategy to get what He's already given.  
• When we get to the physical manifestations of the dream we are suppose to stop, because we lose the dream when we begin the "however's"
• If we could forget the "however's" more of us would fulfill the God dream.
• God hasn't asked us to give Him a statement of why it can't be done, He's already told us it will be done!!
• Stop with the rationalization, and the "however's"
• Keep our eyes on the eternal promise and not the temporal circumstances.
• We will never fulfill our God dream's if we put the facts about our circumstances above the truth of the Word of God!
• Look at the eternal and build our live's on the truth, because it's the only thing that will remain and the only thing that will take us into our future.
• God says, "I am giving you this dream and this promise."
• But once we lose perspective of God and begin to see the challenges, obstacles, and hurdles we will think that the dream is devouring and destroying us.
• If we don't step out of the boat and do what God is calling us to do and if we don't stay faithful in the path God has called us to, we will think that the dream/thing is destroying and devouring us.
• When our perspective changes, that thing, that blessing will no longer feel like a blessing.
• We won't fulfill our dream's if we take our eyes off the eternal and focus on the temporal.
• Continue to believe the eternal promise of God and not our temporal circumstances.
• At the end of the day we have to fix our eyes on Jesus.
• Don't focus on the giants!
• The challenges, obstacles, and hurdles are always there.
• It's not about the challenges, it's about our super-natural God and His promise and His super-natural ability.
• GOD IS ABLE!
• We have to believe God and we have to elevate our eyes to Him.
• Everyone has the ability, because it's Christ in us!!
• It's the choice of if we are going to focus on Him or focus on {fill in the blank}.
• There's going to be barriers, it's about finding ways around them.
• We are well able to overcome all the barriers!!!
• With God ALL things are possible!
• It's all a matter of perspective.
• We are well able!!
• Whatever our dream is there has to be a tenacity in us that says, "I am well able!"
• We can't go around saying, "Let me give you a list why it's impossible."
• What is impossible with man is possible with God!
• We need a "well able" spirit.
• What we look for we will find.
• Where we look we will end up going.
• It's all a matter of perspective if we're going to fulfill what God has for us.
• It's not excuses it's perspective. It's not gift or talent or anointing it's perspective.
• Are we going to keep an eternal God perspective and open up and see God do amazing things in our lives; or, are we going live based upon the natural and the here and now?
• Don't look at what we can see, but look at what we cannot see.
• Live by faith and move in the unseen not what is seen.

SNS - Toxic Thoughts

Soul Detox; Sermon 1
Pastor Craig Groeschel (guest speaker at Elevation church; home church: lifechurch.tv)

"Toxic Thoughts"

• What God is doing through us is way, way, way more then what we think!
• Live the gospel!
• We are not a body with a soul, we are a soul with a body.
• Because we are believing things that are not true, thinking on things that are not true, thinking on things that are not of God we are dramatically limited and are not doing all God wants us to do.
• Because we are Christian's (if you are saved) there is an ongoing war inside of us; there is a battle the spiritual nature that is connected to God and between the fleshly nature of our body which is fallen.
• This battle is deciding in the mind.
• Stop believing in our own abilities or inabilities, and start believing in the power of God.
• Stop believing the limitations of our own life rather then the power of God.
• Toxic (definition) - anything containing poisonous material capable of causing sickness or even death.
• Stop poisoning our own soul's with toxic thoughts.
• If we think negative thoughts we are going to become a negative person.
• If we think God thoughts, we are going to become like Christ.
• It's the thought that counts!

Two Ways to Remedy Toxic Thoughts:
1. Identify and reject them.

Proverbs 4:23 (CEV)
Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV)
For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

• Our weapons have the power to unlock the prisoner who is believing the lies.
• Thoughts are the source of true life.
• Stop being a prisoner of our own toxic thoughts.
• The weapons we fight with have the power to demolish strongholds.
• Any thought that is not of God, we should grab it and make it our prisoner.
• Then we shape it by the Word of God, and make it obedient to Christ.

Four Types of Negative Thoughts:
A. Negative thoughts.
     - I.E.: I don't have what it takes, I can't do anything, my life stinks, it's just too much I can't do it all, no one appreciates me.
     - Consumed with negative thoughts.
B. Fearful thoughts.
     - I.E.: What if...
     - Irrational fear or worry.
C. Discontented thoughts.
     - I don't like {fill in the blank}, I'm not happy unless {fill in the blank}, I wish {fill in the blank}, if only I had {fill in the blank}.
     - Not being satisfied (with anything).
D. Critical thoughts.
     - I.E.: I'd never do that, I don't like this or that, etc.
     - Judgmental.

• We have got to guard our thoughts.
• We have to carefully guard our thoughts.
• If we want to find things to be negative about, fearful about, discontented about, or critical about we can do it very, very easily.
• It's a choice, we choose what we think about.
• We can find what we're looking for.
• The battle is fought in the mind, and it's a choice.
• We're going to find what we're looking for.
• If we want to look for something bad we can find it.
• If we want to look for something good we can find it.
• If we want to see God working, we can find it.
• It's all in the mind.
• Identify and reject toxic thoughts!

Jeremiah 12:3 (ESV)
But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and set them apart for the day of slaughter.
- If there's anything inconsistent with You Father, drag them off to the slaughter house!

• Don't let the toxic thoughts live!

2. Replace toxic thoughts with truth.

• Identify the toxic thoughts, and then replace them with God's truth!

Philippians 4:7-8 (ESV)
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts an dyour minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things.

• When we first start to do battle with the toxic thoughts we are going to have to work at it a bit.
• Anytime we think a negative thought we are going have to realize it's bad, and start thinking about God thoughts.
• But then the switch is going happen and we are going to start thinking and living God's Word, and then the battle is gone.
• Because we are led by the Spirit of God.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- "Be transformed by the renewing of our mind."

• We change by His renewing of the mind.
• As we feed on His Word, it renews our mind.
• We stop thinking the lies of the world and we start believing what He says about us, and we can do what He says needs to be done.
• Renewing is Anakainosis in Greek. Anakainosis means a renewal, a renovation, to make better than new.
• God wants to make us better than new, through the renewing of our minds.
• Identify toxic thoughts, reject them, and replace them with the truth.
• How can we be living in the stupid closet when God has already opened the door?!
• Open up the door and do what God has called us to do!
• ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!
• Open the door and walk through it!
• Stop letting the lies of the spiritual enemy limit the potential we have through God.
• Do not be conformed by the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind!
• We can handle everything with the power of Christ.
• We have been created and chosen, called by God!
• We are the light of the world and we are God's secret agents.
• Because Christ is in us, we will be a blessing.
• We have everything we need for life and godliness.
• We have everything we need to do everything God has called us to do and wants us to do.
• Don't you dare stay locked up in the closet when Jesus opened the door!!
• Identify the lie and replace it with the truth!!
• Think of things that are true, lovely, admirable, pure, excellent, and praisworthy!
• Open the door and do what God has called you to do!

Sermon Note Sunday

James River Assembly
Guest Speaker: Robert Madu (Evangelist)

"I Got More than I Came For"

Mark 2:1-12 (ESV)
And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question thoese things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, "Rise, take up your bed and walk'? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he said to the paralytic - "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"

Introduction Notes:

• Whatever I do, always stand on the Word of God.
• The reason Jesus has been distoreted is because there's not enough witnesses.
• You can go to church for years, and still not know who Jesus is!
• Most people want Jesus, but only want Him on their terms.
• But that customized "Jesus" isn't actually Jesus.
• We need a God that contradicts us (and our desires).
• Freedom and joy is only found in Jesus' presence.

Sermon Notes:

• People like to define us by our issues, but we don't have to be defined by our issues because Jesus is in us and we are a brand new creation.
• People may know my (your) history, but they don't know my (your) destiny.
• God if I don't have {put your issue in the box} my walk with You would be so much better.
• The issue won't matter if we're in the presence of God!
• When our experience doesn't line up with our expectations, God is giving us a revelation of who He is.
• Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.
• He reveals who He is in our struggles.
• What is He revealing to you?
• We think {fill in the blank} is the issue, but the {fill in the blank} is just the fruit of the issue. The real issue (and the root of the issue) is sin.
• We're better off being a paralyzed saint, then walking in sin.
• But God wants to fix both. He wants us to be free from sin, and walking.
• People attack things they see in other people, because they have that issue in themselves.
• God has the ultimate authority over every situation!!
• GET UP!! GET UP from the mat, GET UP from the struggles, GET UP {from whatever is holding you down}!
• God is calling us to get up.
• Once we're up, we should never ever forget where we came from when we were down on the ground.
• The time where we were down on the ground is our testimony.
• We are suppose to take our mat, and share how great our God is!
• The real miracle is that our sins have been forgiven!
• God can touch our soul's and our circumstances.
• When we go to Him we get so much more then what we came for!