828 Church

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. Sun Tzu The Art of War - 500 BC

The Word of God is dossier on the Devil that we can’t afford to overlook. - What he’s up to…

Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 NLT

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV

Our adversary is equally happy as a buddy or a bully, whichever will keep us from real life in Christ.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV

A great Sign appeared in Heaven: a Woman dressed all in sunlight, standing on the moon, and crowned with Twelve Stars. She was giving birth to a Child and cried out in the pain of childbirth. And then another Sign alongside the first: a huge and fiery Dragon! It had seven heads and ten horns, a crown on each of the seven heads. With one flick of its tail it knocked a third of the Stars from the sky and dumped them on earth. The Dragon crouched before the Woman in childbirth, poised to eat up the Child when it came. Revelation 12:1-4 MSG

The Woman gave birth to a Son who will shepherd all nations with an iron rod. Her Son was seized and placed safely before God on his Throne. The Woman herself escaped to the desert to a place of safety prepared by God, all comforts provided her for one thousand two hundred and sixty days. War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back, but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left. The great Dragon, ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth. Revelation 12:5-9 MSG

Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying, Salvation and power are established! Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah! The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out, who accused them day and night before God. They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren't in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ. Revelation 12:10-11 MSG

So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there, but doom to earth and sea, For the Devil's come down on you with both feet; he's had a great fall; He's wild and raging with anger; he hasn't much time and he knows it.
Revelation 12:12 MSG

One of the most obvious evidences of the deceiver in our world is a world lost in anger and deception.

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8b

When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time. Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus. Then the dragon took his stand on the shore beside the sea. Revelation 12:13-17 NLT

And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him. Martin Luther

So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Galatians 6:9 MSG

The fuel for following comes from Jesus and nowhere else. (sustenance for steadfastness)

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3 NLT

Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:31 MSG

Joy

May the God of hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Romans 15:13 MSG

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4 ESV

The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

Humility

Humility isn’t thinking less of self but thinking of self less.

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

Choosing a prideful know-it-all attitude is sure way to empty your life of the fuel for following.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 1 Peter 5:6 ESV

High Octane Fuel = Holy Spirit

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV

The Spirit-Lead life requires a Spirit Fueled life.

The power of perseverance is released in the life of the person who chooses to faithfully follow Jesus.

Follow through the Finish

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
2 Timothy 4:6 ESV

I have fought the good fight. 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Luke 14:28 NLT

Grace is not permission to disregard or fail in following God’s guidance, but it is merciful provision for when we do.

If you’re looking for benefits without buy-in or obedience you’ll always end up broke.

When you focus on the value the cost will be a price you’re more than willing to pay.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

And now the prize awaits me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 ESV

It takes an eternal perspective to live out eternal priorities.

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. JN 15:7 ESV

The Motivation to live the God journey requires a heart that wants to go where only God can take you.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. - If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. - And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

There isn’t a lackadaisical don’t give your heart to the effort option in following Jesus.

The God journey doesn’t require perfection but it does require a heart that wants to follow His.

God Followers are Focused

He who does not value Jesus above all, does not value Him at all... Augustine

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:7-9 NLT

Followers focus on Jesus: on who he is, who he says we are, and on what matters to him.

Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Philippians 3:13-14 MSG

God Followers are Fervent

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:6-8 MSG


I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing! And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:15-1NLT


So I advise you to buy gold from me gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Revelation 3:18-19 NLT

Luke warm and loving it is not a life I want to live.

No Abiding means no Abounding.

God Followers are Faithful

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

The power of perseverance is released in the life of the person who chooses to faithfully follow Jesus.

We pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins. Colossians 1:11-14 NLT

Finding the right direction has everything to do with discerning who and who not to follow.

When a blind man leads a blind man, they both end up in the ditch. Matthew 15:14 MSG

We first have to do some unfollowing before we can effectively follow Jesus.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 ESV

Competing voices always add to the confusion.

I insist and God backs me up on this that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore… Ephesians 4:17-19 MSG

Following Jesus has as much to do with the way we walk as it does with where we’re going.

You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything and I do mean everything connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life a God fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. Ephesians 4:20-23 MSG

Jesus should have the first and final say in what we say and how we say it!

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world, wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important, has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. 1 John 2:15-16 MSG

Your loudest communication comes from your life not your lips.

Kindness and compassion count more than words where the math matters most to God!

The only way, only truth, and only life for this journey is found in Jesus.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 ESV - Let who we are and we what we do point others to Jesus…

When you wholeheartedly follow Jesus you will lead invariably lead others to Him!

Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. John 12:26 NLT

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 ESV

The best way to get somewhere you’ve never been is to follow someone who has.

I'm telling you this straight. The Son can't independently do a thing, only what he sees the Father doing. What the Father does, the Son does. John 5:19 MSG

I'm not making any of this up on my own. The Father who sent me gave me orders, told me what to say and how to say it. John 12:49 MSG

Jesus taught us how to follow by following!

When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. Matthew 4:12-13 MSG

This move completed Isaiah's sermon: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. Matthew 4:14-16 MSG

This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here.” Matthew 4:17 MSG

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 NLT

Knowledge and history alone will never be enough to cause you to follow Jesus.

A present personal encounter with Jesus is essential to our effectively following Him.

We should focus our effort and energy on following Christ completely rather than wasting it on debating with Him about the directions.

We tend to follow more willingly when we’re in a bind!

“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29 ESV

And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:22-23 ESV

The mindset of a Christ follower comes from a mind that’s set on Christ.

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 ESV

In my Father's house are many rooms. (more than enough room) If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:6 ESV

The Treasure of being a Learner…

A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. Proverbs 15:5 ESV

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 13:24 ESV

Teachability, Responsibility, and Accountability are the most important kinds of abilities.

The Joy of Selflessness and Sacrifice…

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:4-8 ESV

Selflessness living is a journey to the deepest and most intimate place in relationship with the Father.

Run to the Father…

But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. Luke 15:17-19 ESV

It is a gift to get to run to God!

When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee. God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.
We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God. Hebrews 6:16-19 MSG

Constancy

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases… Lamentations 3:22 ESV

If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13 ESV

For I the Lord do not change. Malachi 3:6 ESV

God is constant in His love for us, His faithfulness to us, and His call to a God led and holy life.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 ESV

Connectedness

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 ESV

We have a God who doesn’t disengage when life goes hard, but instead He holds us close.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:1-2 ESV

Capacity

He works all things according to the counsel of his will… Ephesians 1:11 ESV

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone. Job 38:4-6 ESV

Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:1-2 ESV

God is big enough, wise enough, strong enough, and cares enough, to see us through every fight or failure we will ever face.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 ESV

Compassion

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalms 86:15 ESV

God’s capacity to care is beyond comprehension and the most divine thing about who He is.

Jonah hates the Ninevites. - Human trafficking - The hideousness of hijacked handcuffed lives literally sold into slavery is beyond belief. Anyone who sells themselves, who sells the sacred are slaves. Consumers!? - Abortion

Then the Lord said, “You feel sorry for yourself when your shelter is destroyed, though you did no work to put it there, and it is, at best, short-lived. And why shouldn’t I feel compassion for a great city like Nineveh with its 120,000 people in utter spiritual darkness. Jonah 4:10-11 TLB

Hate for any reason is the opposite of the heart of God!

Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. Psalms 78:38 ESV

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalms 1:1-3 ESV

When the world seems lost in chaos and confusion, there’s no greater anchor in the world than the Word.

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic. Isaiah 28:16 NIV

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain… Hebrews 6:19 NRSV

Written Word

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it no matter what.
Hebrews 4:12-13 MSG

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 NLT

To pass on learning and living God’s Word is like refusing to use a light in dark when you can’t see where to walk.

Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. “Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat all 276 of us who were on board. Acts 27:33-37 NLT

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matt 4:4 ESV

Revealed Will

But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse. What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. Romans 1:19-23 MSG

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV

Divine Wisdom

Understanding is better than silver but wisdom is pure gold! Prov. 16:16

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 ESV - (James 1:5)

Godly wisdom is a priceless commodity, more rare than it should be, and more needed than anything.

Jesus the Way

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. John 1:14 ESV

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 ESV

More than something we see, perceive, or understand, the Word is someone we can know and follow.

Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV

Since the fall we have suffered from an Identity crisis and the illness of Insecurity that comes with it.

You will never know who you are, until you know who you are in him.

You are New

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 ESV

His mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:23 ESV

His mercies are new every morning and it’s always morning somewhere in the world.

You are Known

The very hairs on your head are all numbered. Luke 12:7 NLT

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27 ESV

The one who knows me best, loves me most.

But you, O Lord, know me; you see me, and test my heart toward you. Jeremiah 12:3 ESV

You are Home

Jesus is the only who can provide a real home for your heart.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20 ESV

We are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith… Hebrews 12:1 NLT

You are His

To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13 ESV

For 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 ESV

You are the chosen child of the caring loving King of the creation!

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3 ESV

You are loved

You can have the best of everything earth has to offer but it won’t be enough until you know who you are in Him.