SEVEN STEPS OF FAITH Oct 6, 2019 Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) 11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith is Action • Faith cannot be perfected, If there is a way out. • If there is no way out, that’s when faith is perfected. 1. DESIRE God says…. What do you want? Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire. 2. DECISION A sound mind or a made-up mind. 2. Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourself to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourself, if you cannot tell that JESUS is in you it means you have failed the test.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 (GNT) 5 Put yourselves to the test and judge yourselves, to find out whether you are living in faith. Surely you know that Christ Jesus is in you? — unless you have completely failed. 3. ASK John said…. 1. John 5:14-15 14“And we can be confident that HE will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will.15 And if we know he is listening when we make our request, we can be sure that HE will give us what we ask for.”

Because of Christ, it is possible. Yes! – You Can Do It Phil. 4: 13“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”. I. For with God: “All things are possible”Matt 19:26 NIV“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Two reasons why: 1. Because God is “All powerful” 2. Because God is “All knowing”Second, Paul always believe that… II. For him who Believes: “Everything is possible” Mark 9:23“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” A. Faith is the key B. Have Faith in God– The book of Hebrew says, “without faith it is impossible to please the Lord…” III. For those who Persevere: “ A. I can do all things…”Phil 4:13Acknowledgement that we need Jesus to do all things Without Him and apart from Him we practically can do nothing… NEVER GIVE UP!!!

JUST STAND, DO ALL YOU CAN. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love. (NLT) A. BE ON YOUR GUARD: 1. FOR CHRIST’S COMING Matthew 24:42 “So, you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” (NLT) 2. THAT YOU ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION Matthew 26:41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”(NLT) 3. THAT YOU MAY BE WORTHY TO ESCAPE ALL THESE THINGS -TRIBULATIONS Luke 21:36 Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”(NLT) 4. FOR GRIEVOUS WOLVES Acts 20:29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. (NLT) 5. IN PRAYER 1 Peter 4:7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. (NLT) 6. IN ALL THINGS 2 Timothy 4:5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. (NLT) B. STAND FIRM IN THE FAITH Galatians 5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (NLT) 1. Do not retreat 2. Keep unity 3. Maintain your ground at all cost, resist, press forward 4. Let nothing distract you so satan can defeat you. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the... Read More

WHY WE NEED A RIGHT PERSPECTIVE EWOC – September 1,2019 Hebrews 12:2 (HCSB) 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV) 2 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 1. About People Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ A. Many Lack A Right Perspective Concerning Others. Some hold ill feelings and resentments. Some depend too much on others –, doctors, ministers, friends or loved ones – instead of Christ. B. God Must Be First In Our Lives We should love others and appreciate the assistance, kindness and support we receive from them – BUT we must put our ultimate faith and trust in God! 2. About Problems 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give (cast) all your worries (anxiety) and cares to God, for he cares about you. A. Many People Are Engulfed By Their Problems And The Cares Of Life. They work with their problems, bring them home, and eat and sleep with them. Their lives are frustrated and exhausted with problems. B. We Must Face Up To Our Problems Recognizing them for what they are and seeking solutions for them. Our faith and God’s help will bring the right perspective – He is always able to solve our problems 3. About Possessions Luke 12:15 (NLT) 15 Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” A. Millions Are Overly Concerned About Material Pursuit. The more they... Read More

HOW TO OVERCOME FRUSTRATIONS 1 Peter 5:10  (NLT) 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1. Delay Action On Big Decision Psalm 27:14 (NLT) 14 Wait patiently for the Lord.Be strong and courageous.Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. 2. Devote More Time For Jesus James 4:8 (NIV) 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you…………. 3. Do God’s Work Diligently 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NLT) As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness (Grace) and then ignore it. 4. Depend On God For Direction Proverbs 3:6 (NLT) 6 Seek his will in all you do,and he will show you which path to take. Conclusion: Serving for God’s Glory 1 Peter 4:7 (HCSB) 7 Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer.

Why Worry If You Can Be HappyEWOC – 8.18.2019Why Worry When You Can TrustStatistics shows:– 40 % of things people worry never happens.– 30% of worry is about past events about which we can do nothing.– 10% deals with little value of importance.– 8% of what we worry about is related to a legitimate concern.– 12% do not worry. What worry does to a person – worry brings Stress…What percent of America is stressed?63% The percentage of Americans who say the future of the nation is a significant source of stress. That’s higher than the percentage who are stressed about money (62 percent), work (61 percent), or violence and crime (51 percent).Is stress the number one killer in America?According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. And more than 75 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints. Mar 21, 2014What are the four types of stress?· Time stress.· Anticipatory stress.· Situational stress.· Encounter stress.How can I stop stressing?So now you have identified how stress effecting you, let’s look at ways to feel less stressed and worried.1. Stop the Adrenaline. When you are stressed, adrenaline runs through your body. …2. Get Enough Sleep. …3. Build in Time to Stop & Relax. …4. Stress Is Closely Related to Worry So Worry Less. …5. Reduce A Worry’s Power Over You.How many Americans say they are stressed?If you’re feeling stressed, you’re not alone. Eight in 10 Americans report they “frequently” or “sometimes” experience stress in their daily lives.Is stress the #1 killer?Stress is No. 1 proxy killer disease today.The American Medical Association has noted that stress is the basic cause of more than 60 percent of all human illness and disease. Jan. 10, 2013What is the source of stress?Big stressors include money troubles, job issues, relationship conflicts, and major life changes, such as the loss of a loved... Read More

Revelation 3:20 (NLT) 20 “Look! (Here I am) I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 1. The First Special I Will Is To All Believers Matthew 4:19 (NLT) 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Jesus is saying: Give me your life as a yielded vessel and I Will make you what I desire you to be. 2. The Second I Will Relates To The Church: Matthew 16:18 (NLT) 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 3. THE THIRD SPECIAL I WILL RELATES TO HIS FATHER John 14:16 (NIV) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 4. The Fourth And The Last Great I Will Of Christ Relates To His Coming Again John 14:1-3 (NLT) 14 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

3. The Priceless Value Of Knowing Christ Phil 3:7-11 Philippians 3:7-11 (NLT) 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 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. 9 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. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! 4. Pressing Toward The Goal Phil 3:12-14 Philippians 3:12-14 (NLT) 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 1. Forget the ground you have covered in the past – you can not waste time on the past. 2. Reach ahead to that which is before you. – engage, strain and use every muscle and use every once to of strength to win. 3. Press on toward the mark (14), that is, pursue the finish line upon which all runners must keep their eyes fixed on. Lest... Read More

The Attitude YOU Must Have To Make It to Glory EWOC – 7.28.2019 Part 1 1. Have The Attitude Of Christ Phil 2:1-8 Philippians 2:1-8 (NLT) 2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (what is Your purpose?) 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with Godas something to cling to.7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slaveand was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,8     he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 2. Live To Please God Phil 2:12-18 Philippians 2:12-18 (NLT) 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work... Read More

A Call to Generous Giving 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 (NLT) Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. 2They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity. 3For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers in Jerusalem.  5They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. THE LIFESTYLE AND RESULT IT WILL PRODUCE 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (NLT) 10 For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. 11 Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.