Building Godly relationships #6

By Pastor George Lehman

 

Unforgiveness does a great deal more damage to the vessel in which it is stored than the object on which it is poured.

If you mess up with this one, you mess up every relationship.

You will never build Godly relationships.  It’s like drinking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die…

Ephesians 4:32 (Amp) - And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.                                     

Somehow as God’s children, we’ve reserved the right to be disobedient and do our own thing when it suites us.

The Greek word for forgiveness is Aphiemi: means: - Forsake, lay aside, leave, let alone, let be, let go.

 

God created human beings in His image so they can be friends - intimate, love-filled companions with Him and one another.

To all the wonders that God created, human beings add an invention of their own …

It’s almost like the law of Newton:  “For every infliction of pain, there must be an equal and opposite act of vengeance.”

Genesis 4:23-24 (Amp) - Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say; for I have slain a man [merely] for wounding me, and a young man [only] for striking and bruising me.   If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech [will be avenged] seventy-sevenfold.               

Lamech kills a man for wounding him, he then says, “he will seek revenge – 77 x7 to anyone who hurts him.”  I call it ‘The Law of LAMECH’.

If anyone inflicts pain or hurt on me, I must pay them back.

The question is – does this law still exist today?  Sadly, the answer is, “it still does”. ‘REVENGE’ (You hurt me and I’ll hurt you back…)

Shortly after this episode of Lamech, God views the violence, corruption, the hurt and pain that spread through the creatures He loved and says:

Genesis 6:5-6 (Amp) - The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually and the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart.

God keeps giving His heart to the human race and they keep showing up at the function on somebody else’s arm.

So, God who created in six days, has to create once more after the fall of man.

God creates a kind of a spiritual surgery that can remove what is toxic to the heart and make dead relationships live again.

This new creation is called…  ‘FORGIVENESS’

In some way His last, best gift to the human race.   It’s the only force strong enough to heal relationships – damaged by hatred and betrayal, hurt, bitterness and sin.

Peter comes to Jesus and says:  “Someone has done me wrong,

someone has hurt me.  I know I’m supposed to forgive them.  Why must I always be the one to forgive?  How many times should I forgive – 7 times?”

 

Matthew 18:21-22 (Amp) - Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go?  [As many as] up to seven times?  Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven!

Peter is expecting Jesus to say:  “WOW Peter that’s magnanimous, that’s a call way beyond your duty”.

You see, it’s not just anyone who hurt him – it’s a brother, one he trusted.

The concern of Peter is felt by every one of us that’s been hurt or wronged or sinned against.

Why should I forgive?  What if the other person doesn’t deserve it?  We know it’s the spiritual thing to do, but it doesn’t seem to work out for us in the real world.

Imagine Peter’s response.  Instead of patting him on his back, Jesus tells Peter he still has 483 acts of forgiveness to go.  Why 70x7?

Because by the time you get to 320 times, it’s becoming a good habit in your life.

Jesus is reversing ‘The law of Lamech’

The point Jesus is making:  There are 2 ways to live with hurt:

1.  The way of vengeance, or

2.  The way of forgiveness

The 1st way leads to death.

The 2nd way leads to life.

Here are some real-life changing truths of forgiveness:

- You can’t get ahead while you’re trying to get even.

- There is no revenge as sweet as forgiveness.

- We should forgive and then forget what we have forgiven.

Never is God operating more effectively and so strong in your life as when you release revenge and dare to forgive an injury, a wrong, a hurt or a sin against you.

- It’s far better to forgive & forget than to hate & remember.

- Forgiveness may not change the past, but it will enlarge the future.

Unforgiveness is the cholesterol of the heart – it slows the flow of peace, joy, blessings and a victorious, free life.

I mean really, if you want to be miserable, don’t forgive people.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.

Think about this:

Forgiveness saves the expense of anger, the high cost of hatred and the waste of energy.

A person who cannot forgive has forgotten how great a debt God has forgiven them.

For many Christians, unforgiveness is often hidden under other words that sound more acceptable:

I’m not angry; I’m just hurt.

Emotional hurt has its roots in unforgiveness.  We wouldn’t dream of walking with unforgiveness for months.  Hurt is part of the torment of unforgiveness.

Jesus said:

Matthew 18:35 (Amp) - So also My heavenly Father will deal with every one of you if you do not freely forgive your brother from your heart his offenses.

Another key to unforgiveness is this phrase:  I can forgive, but I can’t forget.

“What’s the matter with you?” growled a man at his wife.  “Why do you keep talking about that mistake I made?  I thought you said you had forgiven and forgotten?”

“I have forgiven and forgotten,” snapped the wife.  “But I just don’t want you to forget that I have forgiven and forgotten.”

People have even said (hiding behind the Bible) “I’ll forgive him/her because God is going to punish him/her.”

I know Rom 12:19 says:

Romans 12:19 (Amp) - Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord.

 

But we are warned not to rejoice:

Proverbs 24:17-18 (Amp) - 17Rejoice not when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles or is overthrown, 18Lest the Lord see it and it be evil in His eyes and displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him [to expend it upon you, the worse offender].

 

We’ve been discussing - the importance of forgiveness and building Godly relationships, let me ask you this question:

How do you understand and interpret these scriptures:

We live in a culture where we don’t always mean what we say.

 

Luke 17:3-4 (Amp) - 3Pay attention and be on your guard [looking out for one another].  If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him.  4And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).

 

Mark 11:25 (Amp) - And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failing and shortcomings and let them drop.                          

 

Matthew 6:14-15 (Amp) - 14For If you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment](wrok), your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], NEITHER will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

Forgiveness is God’s greatest plan for ‘Building Godly relationships.

I wonder how many Christians would want God to forgive them in the same way they have forgiven others.  Forgiveness: You don’t give, you don’t get!

Galatians 6:1 (Msg) - Live creatively, friends, If someone falls into sin forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself.  You might be needing forgiveness before the day is out.                          

Luke 17:5 (Amp) – The apostles said to the Lord, increase our faith (that trust and confidence that springs from our belief in God).

We are going to trust God for release and give us victory over unforgiveness in our life.  To past and maybe present relationships which you are holding against others?  Trust the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.

Building Godly relationships #5

By Pastor George Lehman

 

“I only love God as much as I love the person whom I love the least.”

This is a How do I make it work or not work service?  Faults are thick where love is thin.

Matthew 23:23-24 (Amp) - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)!  For you give a tenth of your mint and dill and cummin and have neglected and omitted the weightier (more important) matters of the Law – right and justice and mercy and fidelity.  These you ought [particularly] to have done, without neglecting the others.   You blind guides, filtering out a gnat and gulping down a camel!

 

Luke 6:42 (NIV) - How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye, when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.                  

The history recorded in a museum in Nantucket island:

It was about an organization formed centuries ago.  In those days, travel by sea was extremely dangerous because of the storms and the rocks along their Atlantic coast.

Many lives were lost within a 1,5 km distance of land.  So, a group of volunteers went into the lifesaving business.  They called themselves the Human Society. These people built little huts along the shoreline.  They had people watching the sea all the time.  Whenever a ship went down, the word would go out.  They would devote everything to save every life they could.  They did not put themselves at risk for money, fame or recognition - only because they prized human life.

To remind them of what was at stake, they adopted this motto:

“You have to go out, but you don’t have to come back”

Not such a great recruiting slogan, but it was.

So many accounts and testimonies of people who would risk everything – even their lives to save people they had never met.

Over the years things changed.  The U.S. Coast Guard eventually took over.  Their saying was “Let the professionals do it.”  They were better equipped, better trained and paid for it.  Volunteers stopped manning the life saving huts; they stopped looking out for shipwrecks.  They could never get themselves to disband the life-saving society.  They still get together once in a while, but to have dinner and a chat.  They enjoy one another’s’ company.  The point is, “They’re just not in the life saving business anymore”.

Here are some truths about this story:

Live saving relationship building is not just the function of the pastor or leaders or those that are on fire for Jesus.

We are all in the life saving Godly relationship building business.

We don’t always see it, because we are so pre-occupied with our own life. I mean It’s a professional job after all Oh yes!!.

People around us have mini shipwrecks everyday:

They have family fights, mess up at work, children fail at school, make foolish financial choices, have bad habits and choices causing personal low self esteem, they fail, are hurt, disappointed.  The list just goes on…

So much has been left by so many to so few.

Our lifelines mostly are words that we offer to people.

Our words offer:

- acceptance,

- love and

- hope

BUT…

Our words have the ability to:

- judge,

- condemn,

- wound,

- be critical,

- unkind and

- degrading

Romans 15:7 (NIV) - Accept one another…                 

Accept is an action from my side to accept people; to be there for them; to say they are valuable and precious and that you long for the best for them.

Just note that it doesn’t mean to approve of everything they do.

Here’s a story of Jesus, a woman and a bunch of stone throwers:

John 8:3-11 (NLT) 3“As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

Like the paralytic, she is brought to Jesus, not on a mat, but wrapped in sheets.  It’s the same purpose, but totally different attitudes:

One was for Jesus to heal.

One was for Jesus to approve her killing.

Before you judge these guys too quickly…

Question:  Have you ever held a stone in your hand…?

As Christians we can be great stone throwers:

- You go through life with judgmental thoughts

- A superior attitude

- Impatient words

- Bitterness – unforgiveness

- Not much room for love

- Expressing a critical, condemning attitude about individuals

- Saying something about someone in a way, that you would not want the other person to hear.

There are so many trembling, fear filled, guilt ridden, brokenness and lost ness around you, BUT it doesn’t move you – you don’t even notice, because you’re caught up in your own self-righteousness, pride and judgmentalism.

There is no room for stone throwing in Jesus’ plan for Godly relationship building.

The reason is: We are all too guilty!’

Phillip Yancey says:

Jesus’ audience would have divided people into 2 categories:

Sinners (like the woman)

Righteous (like the men)

 

YET… Jesus in one brilliant stroke replaces them with two different categories:

Sinners who admit

Sinners who deny

Ask yourself the question when you are tempted to pick up a stone or see a speck:

Why do I take pleasure or feel the need to do this?

2. What am I running away from in my own life?

3. Am I guilty of some of these issues?

4. What good will this do me and those who listen?

If you say you are serious about Building Godly relationships.  (It’s not optional, it’s a command.)  ‘Because God truly is.’

 

Then when you get the urge to throw a rock or pick a speck, look within and ask:

What do I need to work on myself?

Where have I failed in the past?

Let us get back into the lifesaving business: ‘Building Godly relationships’

Ephesians 4:29 (Amp) - Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as if fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it

Building Godly relationships #4

By Pastor George Lehman

What a big difference there is between giving advice and lending a hand.

 

We even give advice that we are not willing to follow.

1 John 3:18 (LB) - “Little children, let us stop just saying we love people, let us really love them and show it by our actions.”

How many happy selfish people do you know?

A psychiatrist, dr. Carl Menninger, was asked, “What advice would you give to a person to do if he felt a nervous breakdown coming on?”  He answered, “Not to consult a psychiatrist.  Lock up your house, go across the railroad, find someone in need and do something to help that person.”

The best way to forget your troubles is to help others out of theirs.

At the Seattle Special Olympics, 9 contestants, all physically or mentally disabled, assembled at the starting line for the 100-yard dash.

At the gun, they all started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a determination to run the race to the finish and win.  All, that is, except one little boy who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled over a couple of times, and began to cry.

The other eight heard the boy cry.  They slowed down and looked back.  Then they all turned around and went back … every one of them.  One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him and said, “This will make it better.”  Then all nine linked arms and walked together to the finish line.

Everyone in the stadium stood, the cheering went on for several minutes.  People who were there are still retelling the story.  Why would this move the hearts of the people?

Because deep down in all of us we know this one thing:  it’s the way God has wired us up.

What matters in this life, what’s of greater worth and value more than just winning for ourselves.  What really matters in this life is helping others win, even if it means slowing down and changing our course.  “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”

 

I want to talk about: The fellowship of the Mat

Mark 2:1-5 (Amp) - And Jesus having returned to Capernaum, after some days it was rumored about that He was in the house [probably Peter’s]. 2And so many people gathered together there that there was no longer room [for them], not even around the door; and He was discussing the Word.  3Then they came, bringing a paralytic to Him, who had been picked up and was being carried by four men.

4And when they could not get him to a place in front of Jesus because of the throng, they dug through the roof above Him; and when they had scooped out an opening, they let down the [thickly padded] quilt or mat upon which the paralyzed man lay.  5And when Jesus saw their faith [their confidence in God through Him], He said to the paralyzed man, Son, your sins are forgiven [you] and put away [that is, the penalty is remitted, the sense of guilt removed, and you are made upright and in right standing with God].

One of the greatest stories in the bible about relationships, about real people having real relationships.

We see a paralyzed man with friends who were willing to care.  People who took “Building Godly relationships” seriously.

The person paralyzed was confined to a mat 2m x 1m most of his life.

What did he have?  You know what he had – Godly relationship builders.

This whole story takes place because of his friends.  Without his friends he never makes it to Jesus:

Never gets healed

Never gets forgiven

The story possibly never gets told

Yet, here are a few “Godly relationship builders” who refused to let any obstacle stop them.

In the face of formidable obstacles, social and peer pressure, stigma, inconvenience, high cost of time and energy, they chose to put a High Value on their relationship.

Here’s an important lesson to us all:

You cannot microwave relationships.

You cannot have relationships in a hurry.

You can’t listen in a hurry – mourn or rejoice or build meaningful friendships in a hurry.

We become so busy with our jobs, careers, making money, making a living – in our own little world.

All about ME, that we neglect the one most valuable possession God placed in us – to build “Godly relationships”.  Boy, are we going to be accountable to God one day or WHAT?!

The truth is in every one of our lives we all have a mat.

 

The mat stands for:

Our human brokenness. - Our imperfections. - Our failures, our attitudes.

It’s all the “what’s not NORMAL about me”.

The things we desire to hide about ourselves

Maybe your mat is your:

Temper – you can’t control.

Maybe it’s fear – fear of failure, Fear of the future, fear of past events in your life, fear of hurt.

Maybe you are unable to trust people.

Maybe it’s a personal secret of some awful habit or something you are still guilty about.

The problem is – most people do “Mat Management”.

They notice everyone else’s mat and act as though they don’t have a mat.

It’s only IN relationships when we allow others to see our mat.

If you’re not involved in a ministry, how will you cope with your mat.  When we give and receive help with each other, that’s when healing becomes possible.

Wherever human beings love, accept, respect and serve each other, in the face of weakness, is where real “Godly Relationships” are built.

If you want to “build Godly relationships” you can’t always be the strong one.  You will have to learn to let somebody else carry your mat.

There has to be trust between friends.  Imagine this paralytic – how he had to trust his friends to lower him through a roof to get to Jesus.

Jesus looks up and sees the faces of 4 men looking to him.

Mark 2:5 (Amp) – When He saw their* faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son your sins are forgiven”.

*Note – not the one on the mat’s faith their FAITH.

Galatians 6:2 says carry one another’s burdens

As a result of your obedience someone could be set free, think about that.

Mark 2:11 (Amp) - I say to you, arise, pick up and carry your sleeping pad or mat, and be going on home.

I believe Jesus saw “the building of Godly relationships” in action.

There where unity is, a blessing is commanded, and deliverance and healing flows freely.

God wants us to stand in the gap for one another.

That’s relationship.

The truth is, the more spiritually mature you grow, the more you’ll find your heart been drawn to…“Building Godly relationships”

So many times, it’s the longer saved Christians who grumble complain and judge the most and do the least especially many times this happens with leaders “I mean I am the leader so respect me”

Being there, standing in the gap, carrying one another’s mats will cost you something, but the reward of seeing someone set free is worth it.

Close:

1 John 3:18 (LB) - “little children, let us stop just saying we love people, let us really love them (carry their mat) and show it by our actions.”

“Godly Relationships #3: Rooted in the Eternal Work of Christ”

Pastor Kobus Massyn

Colossians 1:9-20

9For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things],

10so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts];

11[we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy; 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints (God’s people) in the Light.

13For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty].

15He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation. 16For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, [things] visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities;

all things were created and exist through Him [that is, by His activity] and for Him. 17And He Himself existed and is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [His is the controlling, cohesive force of the universe.] 18He is also the head [the life-source and leader] of the body, the church;

and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and be preeminent] in everything.19For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),

20and through [the intervention of] the Son to reconcile all things to Himself, making peace [with believers] through the blood of His cross; through Him, [I say,] whether things on earth or things in heaven.

Godly relationships are only possible because Christ’s saving work — planned before creation, fulfilled at the cross, and applied to us now — transforms how we see ourselves and others.

Every relationship is shaped by something…

by wounds, expectations, family background, culture, personality.

But Scripture teaches that the foundation of godly relationships is not our ability, but Christ’s identity and finished work.

His love for us — planned before we existed — becomes the pattern for how we love others.

BEFORE TIME — GOD CHOSE US IN LOVE

Revelation 13:8 — “The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

Before we failed…

before we sinned…

before we could believe…

God already planned to redeem us.

The cross was not Plan B… It was God’s eternal plan of love.

Application to relationships:

Because God chose us before we deserved it,

we can choose to love others even when they don’t deserve it.

Godly relationships begin in grace, not performance.

For example: A couple struggling with bitterness attends counselling.

The breakthrough came not when they learned techniques,

but when they both realized:

“Forgiven people forgive.”

Only when they saw themselves as loved and forgiven in Christ,

could they rightly love each other.

Our horizontal relationships are only as healthy

as our understanding of God’s love.

IN TIME — CHRIST PAID THE PRICE

Christ’s love became visible at the cross.

1 John 4:10 - “Not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son…”

His love:

• Initiates

• Sacrifices

• Serves

This becomes the model for all Christian relationships.

John 13:34–35  - “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Love is not defined by our feelings,

but by Jesus’ example.

Application:

Godly relationships require:

• Sacrifice

• Humility

• Forgiveness

• Presence

Because that’s how Jesus loved.

Application to relationships:

Can a 50/50 relationship work?

Luke 22:31-32  - “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” '

FOR ALL TIME — HIS LOVE NOW DEFINES US

Zechariah 3 gives a heavenly picture:

Joshua the high priest stands accused

• He is clothed in filthy garments

• Satan accuses

• The Lord removes the filthy clothing

• God clothes him with righteousness

This is the gospel applied.

Our new identity does not come from what we’ve done,

but from what God has put on us.

Application:

If God has declared me righteous,

then I don’t relate to others from:

• insecurity

• shame

• competition

• comparison

I relate from identity and rest.

Secure people can love deeply.

Insecure people use people.

Godly relationships flow from who we are in Christ.

RELATIONSHIPS TRANSFORMED BY IDENTITY

Because the gospel clothes us with righteousness:

We can forgive

We can see others through grace

We can speak truth in love

We can pursue reconciliation

We can build people up, not tear them down

1 John 4:11 - “Since God loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

God doesn’t ask us to give others what we don’t have

— He gives it first, then tells us to give it away.

THE ENEMY OPPOSES GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

In Zechariah 3:

• Satan stands to accuse

• He tries to define us by our past

• God silences him

Likewise, the enemy:

• Brings accusation

• Breeds division

• Fuels bitterness

But the Lord says:

“The LORD rebuke you!”

Godly relationships flourish when:

• Accusation is rejected

• Identity is in Christ

• Grace is extended

HOW DO WE LIVE THIS OUT?

Receive God’s love

Can’t give what you don’t have.

Walk in your new identity

You are clothed in Christ — not shame.

Love like Jesus loved

Practical:

• Listen

• Forgive

• Serve

• Speak truth in love

Resist accusation

Don’t let the enemy define your relationships.

THE BEAUTY OF GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

Godly relationships are supernatural:

• Planned before time

• Secured at the cross

• Empowered by the Spirit now

We don’t love from our capacity —

we love from His capacity in us.

Jesus is the source, model, and strength for Godly relationships.

When the world sees this love,

they see Him.

John 13:35 - “By this everyone will know you are My disciples…”

Building Godly Relationships #2

Responding to Truth

By Pastor Kobus Massyn

9/11/2025

 

John 14:6 — I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

 

Jesus is the ultimate truth-teller.

His correction is loving, redemptive, restoring.

Jesus taught that every strong relationship, with God and with people, is built on truth.

Truth invites a response.

How we respond determines the strength or ruin of our relationships.

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Mount by saying:

Matt 7:24–27 - “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does them…”

The difference between house standing or falling is not hearing — everyone hears —

it’s responding.

To build healthy, God-honoring relationships, we must learn to respond rightly to truth.

We read about these three responses to truth:

Wise response

Foolish response

Evil/Destructive response

And how these shape our relationships.

THE WISE RESPONSE:

Receive truth & Adjust Yourself

 

Matthew 7:24–25 - The wise man hears and practices—his house stands.

 

Psalm 141:5 - “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness… let him rebuke me—it is oil on my head.”

 

The wise person:

Welcomes truth

Sees correction as kindness

Adjusts himself

Grows

The wise person says:

“YOU are right — I will change.”

This is humility.

It strengthens trust — and trust strengthens relationships.

Nathan and David — 2 Samuel 12

When Nathan confronted David about his sin, David repented immediately.

This restored his relationship with God and kept his destiny intact.

Other Supporting Scriptures

Prov 12:1 — Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge

Prov 13:10 — Pride leads to conflict; wisdom is found in those who take advice

Heb 12:11 — Discipline yields righteous fruit

Practical Example

Your spouse / friend tells you:

“You are harsh with your words.”

A wise response:

“Thank you. I didn’t see it. I will work on it.”

 

Even if the delivery isn’t perfect, the wise person finds the truth, accepts it, and grows.

RESULT → relationship deeper, stronger

THE FOOLISH RESPONSE:

Argue & Adjust the Truth

 

Eph 5:15 - So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

 

Proverbs 9:7–8 - Do not correct a scoffer; he will hate you. Correct a wise man, he will love you.

 

The foolish person:

Hears truth

But debates it

Argues about it

Adjusts it to protect himself

Rationalizes & justifies

He says:

“I am right. YOU change.”

This response breaks trust.

It weakens relationships because truth can’t build where it’s resisted.

King Saul — blamed the people, refused responsibility (1 Sam 15)

When confronted by Samuel, Saul defended himself and shifted blame —

He refused correction → he lost his kingdom.

Prov 14:12 — There is a way that seems right to a man… end is death

Prov 15:5 — A fool rejects his father’s discipline…

A friend says:

“You gossip a lot; it hurts others.”

Foolish response:

“I only speak truth — and why do you care? Others do worse!”

They protect ego, not relationship.

RESULT → relationship damaged, growth blocked

 

THE EVIL RESPONSE:

Attack & Reject / Walk Away

 

Titus 3:10 - Warn a divisive person once, then twice; after that, have nothing to do with them.

 

The evil / hardened responder doesn’t just reject truth —

he sees truth as a threat.

He may:

Cut relationship

Attack the messenger

Spread division

Leave rather than repent

He says:

“YOU are the problem — I reject both truth AND you.”

John 8

When Jesus speaks truth, the pharisees feel threatened...

They seek to kill Him instead of change.

Mark 10

The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus because truth threatened his lifestyle.

Other Scriptures

2 Tim 4:3 — people rejecting sound doctrine

Prov 29:1 — one who hardens his neck will be broken beyond remedy

Practical Example

A pastor lovingly confronts someone living in sin.

Evil response:

“You are judging me! I’m done with this church!”

They walk away from truth and relationship.

RESULT = separation, destruction

 

HOW THIS RELATES TO GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

 

Love shares Truth and Truth builds relationships.

But only if we respond in love also.

Response

Attitude

Effect on Relationship

Wise

Adjust myself

Strengthens

Foolish

Adjust truth

Damages

Evil

Reject truth & relationship

Destroys

Where truth is received → relationships flourish

Where truth is debated → relationships suffer

Where truth is rejected → relationships end

 

OUR DESIRE IS TO BUILT GODLY RELATIONSHIPS

 

Rom 8:5 - For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].

 

1 Cor 2:6-7 - Yet we do speak wisdom among those spiritually mature [believers who have teachable hearts and a greater understanding]; but [it is a higher] wisdom not [the wisdom] of this present age nor of the rulers and leaders of this age, who are passing away; but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom once hidden [from man, but now revealed to us by God, that wisdom] which God predestined before the ages to our glory [to lift us into the glory of His presence].

 

 

HOW TO CULTIVATE A WISE HEART

 

Love first

John 13:35 - By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

 

2) Pray for teachability

Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart

 

3) Slow to speak

James 1:19–20 - …quick to listen

 

4) Listen for truth, not tone

Even imperfect rebuke may contain truth.

5) Invite correction

Prov 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend

 

Ask:

“What do you see in my life I can grow in?”

Practice repentance

 

Repentance = changing direction — not defending yourself

If we want godly relationships, we must be the kind of people who respond well to truth.

Building Godly relationships

By Pastor George Lehman

 

We are so caught up in our own worlds; we don’t really go out of our way to build godly relationships.

(All things being equal, the likable person wins.

But all things not being equal, the likable person still wins.)

INTRO:

A Japanese Christian man had just irrigated his rice field the previous day.  It was very important at that time of the year to keep his field standing in water.  The next day, however, when we went to check on his field, all the water was gone.  After looking around a bit, he discovered that his neighbor just down the hill had broken the dividing wall between their fields and drained the water into his own.

This infuriated the man, so he went to consult with his pastor as to what to do. Proverbs 15:22 (Msg) - Refuse good advice, and watch your plans fail, take good counsel and watch them succeed.

The pastor advised the man to ignore the wrong done to him, repair the wall, and continue to flood his field again.  The man did as his pastor advised.  The following day, however, the neighbor had once again drained the man’s water into his own field.

After three days of this, the man, in a rage, went again to his pastor and asked what he should do.  After thinking for a moment, the pastor told the man to water his neighbor’s field first, and then do his own.  The man returned home and did as the pastor told him.

Three days later the neighbor came to the man, apologized for his conduct, and asked how he too could know the God of Christianity.

As a Foundation to this word:-

Genesis 2:18 (Amp) - Now the Lord God said, it is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.

God creates inside of man a kind of “human-shaped void” that is designed for relationships.

No substitute will fill this need in you for human relationships:

Not money

Not achievements

Not things nor hobbies

Not even God Himself – you need relationships

Mark 12:30 - “And you must love him with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.’

It’s Gods intention that we have great relationships.

(The Royal Law – James 2:8 - “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing right.).

That’s why we exist.  God intends for us to add value to others – to love one another, to care, to help, to bring joy and happiness, to our relationships

You can either tear this scripture out your bible or believe it and put it into practice (your choice!)

Romans 15:1-3 (Amp) - We who are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failing and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.  2Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].  3For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me. We will be accountable to God if we disobey His Word

How we need one another - we were designed for relationships

A ten-year-old boy selling pencils door to door to raise R6Mill for a cancer research ward, because his friend was dying of cancer.  Someone asked him, “Isn’t it too big a task for you?”  He replied, “No, I have a friend helping me.”  (That’s why he will achieve it).

Maxwell said in his book “17 Indisputable Laws of teamwork”, the law of significance states

“One is too small a number to achieve greatness”.

Nothing ever achieved in life was achieved without relationships.

It’s only found in the movies – there are no real-life Rambo’s or Lone Rangers.

We need to get God’s perspective on relationships (not our own limited human point of selective views).

Never in the Bible are we told to create unity.  (We pray and ask for it. NOT Biblical) - We are simply told to maintain the unity that exists.

Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit.

Our task is not to invent unity but to acknowledge it and live it out everyday.

Psalm 133:1 &3b (Amp) - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

3bFor there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].

We are not to break down; we are to build up Godly relationships.

Many people don’t take responsibility for the relationships in their lives.

We can so easily take people for granted!

Story of the son coming back from Vietnam.

He called his parents from San Francisco saying, “When I come home I want to bring a friend to stay.  The parents say that is no problem.  Then the son says, “There is a problem, he has no right leg and arm as it was blown off by a landmine”.  The parents say, (NOTICE THE DIFFRENCE IN ATTITUDE BECAUSE IT WOULD COST THEM) “No, we can’t do it – let him go to people who will care for him.  He’ll limit our freedom.  It will cost us too much. We won’t have time for our own life”  A day later the parents get a call to say their son died – he fell off a building.  They found out it was suicide.  They go and identify his body, only to find that his right arm and leg were missing.

With our shortcomings, failures, weirdness, abnormalities, we need to place a HIGH value on others.

Not only those we like, but with everyone.  God commands it.

We need to learn to understand people.

We need to go out of our way to restore broken fellowships,

Hey, it’s not for others, it’s for YOU!

To build positive relationships, here are some actions you can take to bridge the gap often caused by others: See what Romans 15 says.

Romans 15:2 (Amp) - Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].

Here’s some practical ways to practice action:

People are insecure … give them confidence.

People want to feel special … sincerely compliment them.

People desire a better tomorrow ... show them hope.

People need to be understood … listen to them.

People get emotionally low … encourage them.

People want to be associated with success… help them win.

The best way to help people is to see the best in them.  Faults are easy to find.

God loves me in spite of all my failings.

 

When you look for the good in others, you discover the best in yourself.  Isn’t that what God desires from His children?

John 13:35 (Amp) - By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

People who disrespect others always hurt themselves and their relationships with others.  Most often they reap all sorts of negative consequences.

A man stood and watched a well dressed businessman screaming at a porter at the Airport because he felt the man mishandled handled his baggage, the porter just agreed, as the businessman left the man watching said to the porter you handled that well, The Porter said no problem He is flying to Cape Town but his Baggage is off to China.

What kind of attitude do you bring to relationships in your life?  Are you a giver or a taker?  Do you listen or do you do all the talking.  The greatest gift you can give to another is yourself.   JESUS DID!

The Empowered* Christian

(*to give power or authority)

Pastor George Lehman

God has put all the ingredients you need for a successful life in His word

The promises of God are of NO value to us until, through obedience, we come to understand the nature of God through His word.

This is the truth but in so many of our lives it’s not a reality.

How?  By reading His word and gaining “knowledge”.

 

2 Corinthians 8:7 (Amp) – Now as you *abound and **excel and are at the front of everything, in faith-in speech – in knowledge.

*abound = plentiful; to be rich ** excel = higher in quality

Yes, we are talking about the importance of KNOWLEDGE.

An empowered Christian is one who walks in a higher, richer, quality of knowledge.

John 8:31-32(Amp) – 31So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.’

The level and quality of your “knowledge” will empower you to walk by “Faith” and a “Holy overcoming lifestyle”.

It’s clearly seen in an Empowered Christians life

Matthew 12:33 – Jesus compared our lives to a fruit tree – A tree (man) is recognized by its fruit …

 

True story of East Berlin years ago was controlled by the communists.  West Berlin was free.

One day some people in East Berlin took a truckload of garbage and dumped it on the West Berlin side. The people on the West Berlin side could have retaliated by doing the same thing.

BUT instead they took a truckload of canned food, fancy goodies, bread & milk and neatly stacked it on the East Berlin side.

On top of the stack of food they placed the sign: “Each gives what he has.”

Here Paul compliments the church for what He recognizes in them.

Romans 15:14 (Amp) – Personally I am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are rich in goodness, amply filled with all [spiritual] knowledge and competent to *admonish and counsel and instruct one another also.

*admonish = urge, advise, remind, warn

You cannot give what you don’t have – to bless, encourage and uplift people.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of knowledge.

2 Peter 1:2-3 (NIV) - 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance… (HOW) through the KNOWLEDGE of God and of Jesus our Lord.

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness (HOW) through our KNOWLEDGE of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.

Jesus’ own words:

Matthew 13:11-12 (Amp)

In verse 11 – Jesus, speaking says to the disciples… The Holy Spirit brings knowledge to us about the secrets of God.

v12 – For whoever has (spiritual knowledge) to him will more be given and he will be furnished richly so that he will have abundance; but for him who has not, even what he has will be taken away (the enemy will rob it from you, Not GOD, it will be a result of your own Ignorance think of the Parable of the Sower).

Here is a real stern warning as to what we do about all the Sermons and word we are regularly hearing. Boy, are we going to be held accountable

Hebrews 2:1-3 (Amp) 1Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.

For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic andproved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty,

How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect andrefuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].

 

Paul to the church:

1 Corinthians 15:34 (Amp) - Awake [from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God’s presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame.

This in the Amplified bible is one of the heaviest rebukes we will ever read, as a result of our ignorance

We’re talking about being “empowered” by “knowledge”.

 

Proverbs 1:7 (Amp) - The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

 

“Wisdom” is the ability to use the “knowledge” you have received.

To live wisely, talk wisely, act wisely, think wisely.

Isaiah 11:9b (NKJV) – For the earth shall be full of the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

 

Proverbs 1:22 – How long, O simple ones [open to evil], will you love being simple? And the scoffers delight in scoffing and [self-confident] fools hate knowledge?

It’s not so much hating knowledge – it’s the deliberate [opsetlike] choice not to:

Acquire knowledge, or

be obedient to knowledge

Hear this:-

Galatians 6:7 – Do not be deceived and deluded (fooled) and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained or mocked by mere pretensions or professions or by His precepts being set aside).  [He inevitably deludes (fools) himself who attempts to delude (fool) God.] For whatever a man sows that and that only is what he will reap.

 

The sad truth is this:

There is so many Christian’s walking around that are weak, defeated, ineffective and unproductive, because they have never bothered, discovered or developed their full potential as believers in their Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

They are not “Empowered Christians”.

SO!!

How can a Christian be “Empowered”? (“given power” – authority)

One most certain way is:

Through knowledge of the WORD of God.

Then wisely applying the WORD effectively and appropriately as a way of life.

James 1:22 – Be doers of the word, not merely listeners to it.

You need to make a real heart commitment too, Never take getting knowledge for granted or be slack about it.

Read your Word, study it, meditate on it, growth will come.

You’ll be surprised what an “Empowered Christian” you’ll become.

 

CLOSE

Daniel 11:32b (Amp) – But the people who know (have knowledge) of their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do *exploits (for God).

*exploits = bold and daring.

Remember the story of the garbage – each one gives what he has!!

What do you have, what’s in you to give right now???????????????

AMEN

God’s Masterplan - Pastor Kobus Massyn

Theme: Discovering the Divine Design Behind Life’s Chaos

Main Scriptures: Romans 8:28 | Proverbs 3:6 | Jeremiah 29:11

Supporting Scriptures: Ephesians 2:19-22 | Romans 12:2 | Psalm 31:15

“The Cathedral Builders”

You know, I’ve been thinking about that beautiful Ken Follett story, The Pillars of the Earth.

It tells of generations who built the great cathedrals of Europe — those massive stone churches that sometimes took over a hundred years to finish.

Some builders spent their whole lives carving one arch or laying one foundation stone — work they would never see completed.

Fathers handed the project to their sons, and sons to their grandsons.

They didn’t have the full picture. They just trusted the master builder’s plan.

And when, generations later, the cathedral finally stood complete, it took everyone’s breath away.

Every hidden beam, every unseen stone, every strange angle suddenly made sense.

That’s how God works with us.

We only see the dust and the scaffolding — but God, the Master Architect, already holds the finished design.

One day, when we look back, we’ll realize: not one stone, not one season, not one tear was wasted.

God Has a Masterplan, Even When You Don’t See It

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

We live in fragments — but God works in full pictures.

He is weaving together every joy, every loss, every detour into His divine design.

Sometimes the pieces don’t fit yet, but heaven’s view will show how every moment connects.

What we call chaos, God calls construction.

Psalm 31:15 – “My times are in Your hands.”

Even when you can’t see progress, your life is safely in His hands.

He is the Builder who never abandons the project.

Joseph’s story reminds us: the pit, the prison, the palace — each was a part of God’s blueprint.

God’s Plan Requires Our Trust, Not Our Map

Proverbs 3:6 – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Faith doesn’t demand the full map — it trusts the One who draws it.

God often shows us one step at a time, not the whole journey.

When we try to control the plan, we limit what God can build.

But when we surrender, His grace straightens every crooked line.

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Transformation happens when we stop fighting the blueprint and start trusting the Builder.

He’s not only designing our path — He’s shaping us to fit His design.

Just like a GPS recalculates your route when you take a wrong turn, grace recalculates your life to align with His will.

God’s Plan Builds Us Together for His Glory

Ephesians 2:19-22 – “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.”

God’s Masterplan is not just individual — it’s collective.

He’s not building isolated lives; He’s building a living cathedral.

Each of us is a stone in His structure, joined together in Christ.

When you play your part — serve, forgive, love, obey — you become part of something far bigger than yourself.

Every prayer, every act of faith, every sacrifice becomes part of a spiritual structure where God’s presence dwells.

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…

Those plans always include others — God’s vision is a community of faith built upon Christ the Cornerstone.

God’s Plan Always Leads to Faith, Hope and Love

1 Corinthians 13:13-“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”

God’s design doesn’t end in ruin — it ends in resurrection.

Even in seasons that feel unfinished or broken, the Master Architect is still building.

When you can’t trace His hand, you can still trust His heart.

When you can’t see the pattern, remember the promise.

He never wastes a season; He never abandons a project.

We Trust the Architect

 

Isaiah 55:7-9 - Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord , And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord . “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.'

 

You may be standing in the middle of scaffolding today — surrounded by dust, unsure what God is doing.

But one day, you’ll stand back and see the masterpiece.

You’ll realize that every storm, every delay, every unanswered prayer was a stone in the cathedral of God’s purpose for your life.

So tonight, place your plans back in His hands.

Let the Master Builder finish His work in you.

“Don’t just ask God to show you His plan — ask Him to shape your heart to fit His plan.”

Because when you trust the Architect, even the pieces that don’t make sense right now will one day shine with His glory.

“Brain washing #6”

by Pastor George Lehman

 

God has taken us to a place of complete satisfaction and Joy beyond material gain.”

Galatians 4:4 (NIV) - But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman…   (Gen 3:15)

 

The manger and the cross stand at the two extremes of our Saviours life. He was laid in a stranger’s stable at the beginning – and a stranger’s grave at the end.  This one amazing gift from God has changed the world forever.

#6 It’s time to release your minds to your WEALTHY PLACE.

Psalm 66:12 (KJV) - Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through the fire and through the water:  but Thou brought us out into a WEALTHY PLACE.                                                       

God with us, Immanuel, has made this possible and achievable.

We really need to go over to action and release our minds to our un-limited WEALTHY PLACE.  Your life and circumstances will never change until you set your mind for increase.

The phrase "God has taken us to a “Wealthy place" means: It’s so that we can live out fully the wealthy place.

Spiritual Wealth

- *Closeness to God* Spiritual growth, strong faith, connected to God.

- *Inner peace*: Experiencing peace, joy, and contentment that comes from a strong faith.

- *Spiritual gifts*: Discovering and using your spiritual gifts and talents.

Material Prosperity

- *Financial abundance*: Having sufficient or enough financial resources to meet one's needs.

Relational Wealth

- *Meaningful relationships*: Building and nurturing strong, loving relationships with family, friends, and the church community.

- *Support system*: Having a supportive network of people who care and encourage.

- *Sense of belonging*: Feeling connected and valued within one's community.

Personal Growth

- *Personal development*: Growing and developing as a disciple of Jesus, acquiring new skills, and overcoming challenges.

- *Self-awareness*: Gaining a deeper understanding of oneself, one's values, and one's purpose.

- *Resilience and adaptability*: Developing the ability to cope with challenges and adapt to changing circumstances.

Ultimately, the phrase "God has taken us to a wealthy place" means that God has brought us to a place of abundance, blessing, and prosperity, whether spiritual, material, relational, or personal.

That wealthy place is what you have been given freely as

2 Peter 1:3 (GW) - God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness* through the full knowledge of Him who called us to share in His own glory and goodness.                                                

* Everyone of us have a wealthy place within us – the capacity to receive it.

Your wealthy place is where “God’s promises are”.

2 Corinthians 1:20 (ISV) - For all God’s promises are yes in Him and so through Him we can say Amen to the glory of God.

Do you realize just how much God desires to enlarge your tent – in other words, your life?

Remember the Jabez prayer:

1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV) - Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.  So, God granted him what he requested.                                                                                    

This is your time for ENLARGEMENT and INCREASE.

No matter how much you have failed, been hurt, or disappointed or what you’ve gone through, no matter what your past, your future is BRIGHT.

 

“It’s time to break free.”  Jesus Christ came to make the way so you can break free and live in your WEALTHY PLACE.

Isaiah 54:2 (Amp) - Enlarge the place of your tent and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes.

You need a good brainwashing to start claiming the truth of God’s prophetic word for your life.

Allow the truth to stretch your mind out of depression, worry, fear, doubt, self-pity, loneliness, hurt, embarrassment, past failures OR any other negative emotions.

Galatians 6:9 (Amp) - And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

If you don’t become weary, and your heart is pure, when you seek God with all your heart, SOUL and MIND, you become an OPEN vessel in which all the promises can be fulfilled. (They are Yes an Amen.)

Psalm 1:1-3 (Amp) - “ Blessed (happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

Psalm 35:27 (Amp) - Let those who favor my righteous cause and have pleasure in my uprightness shout for joy and be glad and say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, Who takes pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

It’s time for you to release your mind to your WEALTHY PLACE.

The devil knows there is greatness in you – so he will try to stop you.  But 1 John 4:4 says:

1 John 4:4 (Amp) - Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Your broken heart may seem great; BUT greater is He that is in you.

Your problem may feel overwhelming; BUT greater is He that is in you.

Your situation may feel out of control; BUT greater is He that is in you.

Your financial problem may look big; BUT greater is He that is in you.

Your anxiety, worry, stress and fear may feel like a mountain; BUT greater is He that is in you.

No matter what is in your life right now or who is trying to trip you up greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world!! 

 

Win the war in your mind.

#1 Realize where the war is. Your Thoughts-Action-Habit-Character-Destiny

#2 Get a grip on your mind, get a grip on your life. Prepare your minds for action

#3 Removing stumbling blocks that prevent your destiny. Deal with what is causing you to stumble

#4 Don’t let “Double-mindedness” destroy you. You will be unstable in ALL your ways

#5 Mind expansion causes life expansion. God has already equipped us for great things

Release your mind to your WEALTHY PLACE.

The God of more than enough

Genesis 17:1 - “I am God Almighty…”

Psalm 23:5 - You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Luke 6:37b-38 - …forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Pressed down, shaken together and running over.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has in store for those that love Him.

Matthew 13:58 - And so He did only a few miracles there because of their unbelief.

Philippians 4:19 - My God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches…

John 15:4: Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

2 Chronicles 32:27 - 27Hezekiah had very great wealth and honor, and he made treasuries for his silver and gold and for his precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuables. 28He also made buildings to store the harvest of grain, new wine and olive oil; and he made stalls for various kinds of cattle, and pens for the flocks. 29He built villages and acquired great numbers of flocks and herds, for God had given him very great riches.

Deuteronomy 28:2 - And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God.

Ephesians 3:20 - He can do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or imagine.