828 Church

What if - We build on the rock!?

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

Material Matters!

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man. Mathew 7:24 ESV

The whole point of the parable is that God’s truth must to be lived, not just learned.

What you build your life out of is a really big deal.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man. Mathew 7:26 ESV

You can't build your life out of garbage and wonder why it stinks.

Location is Critical\

You can’t build a house on the sand and be angry at the ocean.

Persistence in Powerful

You can’t build a house without a roof and be angry at the rain!

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

Use the right Builder!

Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Psalm 127:1 NLT

Jesus came as the Messiah in the manger and as a Master Builder with a blue print and a hard hat.

You can’t build a life without the Lord and expect it to last.

Believing in who Jesus is and what He can do changes everything about how live lives!

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

The most critical element to being in God’s will is to want more than anything to be in God’s will!

You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Acts 8:1-3 NKJV

Lostness is often obvious, but you don’t have to look lost to be lost.

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:6 NLT

The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. Acts 9:7-9 NLT

Don't allow circumstances or broken choices to title a chapter or define your story.

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. Acts 9:10-19 NLT

Powering through to the redemption is the best way to make the enemy sorry He ever messed with your story!

And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” Acts 9:20 NLT

A good beginning is great, but in the end it’s how you finish that matters most to God.

We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

This is not how this should have gone but I know God’s got me and I’m gonna follow Him.

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25 ESV

Choosing redemption is actually an option, and because of Jesus we get to choose it.

Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:16 NLT

God saying He laid it out didn’t take away the need for David to live it out!

God doesn’t have to cause the trouble to redeem it!

You may be forgotten by people, but you’re never forgotten by God.

But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. Genesis 39:21 ESV

Justifying broken choices, actions, or attitudes because of past hurt is choosing ruin over redemption.

Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now, life for many people. Genesis 50:20 MSG

Redemption looks like:

Healing,

Forgiveness,

Compassion

Completeness

Contentment

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13 ESV

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15 ESV

There will always be obstacles to the promised plan God has for you.

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 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.” Joshua 1:6-9 NLT

Doubt isn’t destiny’s biggest nemesis, fear is.

Fear says give up, courage says get going.

The LORD is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1 ESV

Trust unlocks the courage we need to patiently and persistently follow God.

God given courage comes from a confidence in who God is! -

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3 ESV

Without courage, fear can actually cause you to forget your faith.

Don’t let past failures advocate for fear, choose courage, choose faith!

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NLT

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 ESV

He gives More Grace! - JAMES 4:6 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

Grace is a divine provision that multiplies with every obedient choice we make to trust and follow God.

God has mercifully given us a stay of execution, and in an act of great grace He died in our place.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

Grace is God’s supernatural power and presence lived out in our lives.

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Have you ever had with oments when you knew Grace had kicked in even more obviously than normal. Some situation or temptation or opportunity that was to big and yet you overcame…

What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? James 4:1 NLT

You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong, you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:2-3 NLT

If you consistently choose pleasure over purpose you live at risk loosing them both.

You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. James 4:4 MSG

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? James 4:5 NIV

Grace is meant to draw out the destiny God has set inside your soul.

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 ESV


Pride closes the door on Grace whereas Humility holds it wide open.

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.
James 4:7-10 MSG

Grace is the real and ready provision found in God for every season and circumstance.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Faith is a seed sown into every heart and life by the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 ESV

Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Blessing can mask brokenness!

When you love God with all your heart His will is gonna work it’s way out in your life.

The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not burdensome. Every God-begotten person conquers the world. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:3-5 MSG

Faith that works, is faith that produces both a Godly walk and Godly work in our lives.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

Faith without works is dead. James 2:20b NKJV

Dream God Dreams

When God’s vision is alive in your life, faith will be alive in your heart.

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21 ESV

If you build God’s house He’ll build yours.

Give your faith something to believe for and then follow it!

Walk by Faith

We walk by faith, not by sight. 1 Corinthians 5:7 ESV

Everyone else considered the size of Goliath when deciding, David considered the size of God.

By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. Hebrews 11:3 NLT

A little bit of faith in our great big God is enough to see His will work out in your life!

Don’t let what works go to your head and don’t let what doesn’t crush your heart

Keep loving God and people

You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-38 NLT

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10 NLT (Zacchaeus)

God followers who get to far from people in need will lose their passion for the fight.

Church family - Miracle League - 828 Kids - Grand-babies - Pictures

Who you fight for will always outweigh what you fight for.

David didn’t fight Goliath for glory but for God and for people he knew and cared about.

Run your Race

And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith... Hebrews 12:2 NLT

Your race is important and the space you fill in the family is significant.

I’m not saying you’ll never get tired running your race, but you’ll die trying to run someone else’s.

There’s no faith that’s to far gone for God.

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench. Isaiah 42:3 ESV

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

1. Trust in the Lord
Proverbs 3:5a Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Tendency: To question His character
Invitation: To trust that He is good and is working good

“Faith is predicated on trust, not understanding. Will you still trust God, even when you don't
understand what He is doing?” Christine Caine

2. Train your heart
Proverbs 3:5a Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Tendency: Trust in our feelings
Invitation: Train and test our hearts to align with His desires

Mark 12:30
And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind and with all your strength.

Jeremiah 17:9a
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure

3. Lean
Proverbs 3:5b
And lean not on your own understanding;
Tendency: To place my trust in untrustworthy things
Invitation: Submit to His wisdom and omnipotence

MY Understanding
Tendency: To trust what I know
Invitation: To experience supernatural wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but
to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

4. In All Your Ways
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Tendency: We trust Him once
Invitation: To grow our faith

5. He will make your paths straight
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Tendency: To assume that bumpy roads are not God’s will
Invitation: Trust His direction because of His character

It’s not ease that is an indicator of God’s favor and presence, it’s His peace.

This letter is from James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”, Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings!. James 1:1 NLT

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds. James 1:2 ESV

Problems and prosperity are each their own kind of trouble.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3 NLT

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV

Fire tested faith is the strongest kind of faith.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3 NLT

So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:4 NLT

Enduring faith is a choice to trust, obey, and stay even in the face of adversity.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6 NLT

Don’t come to God asking for wisdom and then ignore the wisdom God gives.

Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. James 1:7-8 NLT

Enduring faith isn’t perfect, but is consistent, determined, and definitely God guided.

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job 1:1-3 NLT

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the LORD, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. “Where have you come from?” the LORD asked Satan. Satan answered the LORD, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
Job 1:6-7 NLT

And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Job 1:8 ESV

Satan replied to the LORD, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” Job 1:9-11 NLT

“All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. Job 1:12 NLT

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

Fire tested faith is the strongest kind of faith.

Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. Luke 22:31 NLT

But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:32 ESV

Our faith has an adversary, but it also has an advocate and He’s the King of creation.

One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” Job 1:13-15 NLT

While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.” Job 1:16 MSG

While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.” Job 1:17 MSG

While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother when a tornado swept in off the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they died. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.” Job 1:18-19 MSG

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The LORD gave me what I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. Job 1:20-22 NLT

Satan left GOD and struck Job with terrible sores. Job was ulcers and scabs from head to foot. Job 2:7 MSG

His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job 2:9 NLT

He told her, "You're talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God, why not also the bad days?” Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God. Job 2:10 MSG

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him. Job 2:11 ESV

I wish you'd shut your mouths, silence would be your only claim to wisdom. Job 13:5 MSG

God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding. Job 36:5 NLT

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Job 38:1-7 NLT

Can you direct the movement of the stars binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the constellations through the seasons or guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? “Can you shout to the clouds\ and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear\ and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind?\ Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven\ when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods? Job 38:31-38 NLT

Then Job replied to the LORD: “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:1-6 NLT

Job’s story is God’s statement that there’s no hurt or heaviness He can’t heal, no catastrophe beyond His comfort, and no life He can’t restore!

When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes. In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before! Job 42:10 NLT

So the LORD blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. Job 42:12-13 NLT

Handling the challenges we face with faith will make redemption our reality and restoration our reward!