I AM PASTOR DEB

We Want To Hear From YOU!

As we continue in our Selfie Series this morning I want to talk briefly about self-denial.  I love the Message translations of Luke 9:23 as it reads “ Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.”

God has called us to walk in a spirit of self-denial, not afraid to lose or give up the things or ways of this world.  Self-denial also calls us to accept as citizens of His Kingdom, we have no voice and no vote, God’s way is the only way, period… no negotiations, no sidebars.

This is where we tend to stray on the path of self-denial because the world has programmed our minds to believe that independence is the greatest joy.  When independence is an illusion, no one or nothing within God’s creation can sustain without depending on something else for its existence.  Imagine the arrogance of human beings if true independence was achievable.  Independence exalts the attitude that there is no need for God, that God was fallible in his creation.

Self-denial leans on and understands the ways of God and boasts of the joy of being totally committed and submitted to an omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient God

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

1 Corinthians 11:28 tells Let a person examine himself,

You know from time to time we need to do a self-evaluation, because if we leave self and flesh unattended we will find ourselves operating out of the will of God.  Today begins our GMT truth selfie series, as we will be reevaluating ourselves all throughout this week.

Get ready this week you are going to want to share these GMT and not  with an attitude of sarcasm, but some of you may need to open some doors to extend an apology or an opportunity for fellowship with another in prayer.  This morning’s selfie topic is self delusion.

In Luke 18:11 it tells the story of one of the Pharisees praying and his prayer was full of the spirit of self-delusion, as he prayed from the perspective of he being better than others, not seeing his ungodly ways, as if he lived a life without sin.  The bible says,  “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

The problem with self-delusion is first and foremost it steers us away from truth, encourages us to embrace lies which we know is absolutely an ungodly trait.  The second problem with self-delusion takes on the form of arrogance.

(Proverbs 16:5) “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished”. So while caught up in a delusion of one’s self we actually are caught in offended God

The Word of God says that we have all sinned and fallen short of His glory.  Your sin may not look like your neighbor’s sin, your temptation may be different from your brothers and though you may never have thought to kill another physically, you have likely spewed words that damaged another’s pride.

Romans 12:3 reads For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

I am not better than you and you are no better than me, we all operate utilizing this vessel full of flesh striving to please God. Don’t allow your flesh to allude that you are greater than, we all are flawed and serve the Greatest One of All. 

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

Give and it sal be given unto you pressed down shaken together and running over. 

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

I remember growing up and there were just certain things you didn’t do and didn’t say.  There were certain ways you aspired to look in public and act in public, especially being my mother’s child.  I was taught these restrictions were outlined so I would not embarrass myself or bring shame on my parents.  This in essence what keeping up appearances meant years ago 

But today, keeping up appearances is less about how you conduct yourself, more about what you are wearing, how much you have, who you know, and what you can afford to do and buy.  People have become so consumed with impressing others seeking to obtain a sense of value and validation. 

We have become so consumed with living in hypocrisy that we don’t recognize... the real truth, which is when you have to have another person’s name or a brand define you, speak for you or be the determining factor of how you are received, you have diminished your own self worth and stripped away every unique characteristic that makes you an individual.

In 1 Kings 21:1–16, it tells the story of how King Ahab became consumed by the evils of coveting. As the king of Israel, Ahab had everything he needed, yet he saw a vineyard he did not own and coveted it. His covetousness led to discontentment, pouting, and eventually murder when his wicked wife, Jezebel, seized the vineyard for him and had its rightful owner killed. When we allow covetousness to have its way, it can lead to greater evils. When we allow anything to control us other than the Holy Spirit, our hearts have erected a shrine to a competing god.

Psalm 135:16-18 “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of the hands of humankind. They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear; there is not even breath in their mouths. 

The scripture is telling us the things and people we make idols are based on currency and are created by man..  Notice the scriptures goes on to tell us they cannot speak, they cannot see, they cannot hear, the scripture is not referring to physical disabilities but spiritual disabilities, meaning you will never find the fulfillment you are looking for with your mind focused on the idols this world has to offer.  

The scripture closes with these words “Those who make them become like them, as does everyone who trusts in them”. Letting us know if you create idols or begin to trust in these idols to validate yourself you will become just like the idols you have created shiny on the outside, able to attract attention, but spiritually dumb, blind, and death to all of who the Almighty God is and has called you to be

I am going to ask you to just be honest with yourself and as I go through this series of questions, answer them honestly just between you and God.  It is my prayer that as you answer these questions you are able to discern any habits or motives that you have been practicing that do not align with the will of the Word of God.  Ok here we go:

• Can you really afford to wear the designer labels you wear?
• What do those designer labels really cost you, debt, or that savings account you can’t seem to get a handle on?
• What is your real reasoning for needing to fit into that group of people or to feel included?
• What is the real state of your finances?
• How responsible have you been with your time and income?
• What are most of your time and money spent on?
• Was your debt you have, created out of necessity or desire?
• And finally, what would God say if he were to review your accounts and habits.

How you invest your time and your resources matter and people-pleasing, keeping up appearances, and covetousness are all mechanisms of Satan to keep you out of the will of the master.

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

TGIF:  Get Ready for an OMG kind of praise

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

It is written in God’s plan, “You are a prizefighter!”. You are a Champion! Not because of who you are but because of who you have decided to roll with and trust.  And if you are a believer, that is God Almighty.  God has signed on to ensure you are managed, promoted, sustained, trained, and provided for. 

We can read His management contract in Jeremiah 29 starting at verse 11; the clause reads:  “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” 

When presented with a contract like that from the Creator of all things, all we have to do is say where do I sign and await His directives.

Let me tell you something about your manager, He has assembled the most incredible team to guarantee your wins.  His son, Jesus, has been assigned to be your trainer; follow His examples, and learn His ways. Then you can better maneuver through the tough rounds of the fight of life.  

God, your manager, has also commissioned the Holy Spirit to be your cutman. A cutman’s job is to handle the cuts and scars obtained in any bout.  With the Holy Spirit as your cutman, He won’t let your cuts bleed out and blind or incapacitate you. The Holy Spirit provides the strength required to ensure you can continue the fight.  

Matthew 4 tells the story of a furious storm that came;  the waves had begun to consume the boat. Jesus was on the boat fast asleep; you know there are times when we feel like Jesus is asleep. 

The scriptures tell us the disciples woke him and called out to him.  You know they called out to him with a sincere heart because fear has a way of humbling us.  They cried, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”  

The story goes on to tell us Jesus got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was completely calm. 

In the midst of our storms, if we cry out to him with a cry that humbles our hearts, he won’t let the storms consume us, for God Almighty, the ultimate manager, assures you don’t take on any fight you are not equipped to handle. 

Whatever “bout” you are currently in, you can trust you have been positioned for victory

You are a prize fighter with The father, Son, and Holy Spirit in your corner, and God has never lost a battle… and the winner is… 

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

Happy Sunday,  Thank you all for tuning in this Sunday morning.  Today I am going to start a series,  I like to call Grown Folks Sermons.  I call them “grown folk sermons” because I will be speaking directly to those who say they are confessed believers and followers of Christ and those who hold positions in the church from the pulpit to the parking lot.

Those of you who know me, know that I am more of a teacher than a preacher. If you are looking for some whooping and hollering today, you might want to log off now, but if you are looking to be taught the word of God untainted if your desire is to walk in the mandate of God, submitted to his will…. then stay tuned.

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

You are the determining factor in your equation, not your lineage, not what you've been through

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

"The Fence" story is a wonderful tool for teaching a child how to control their temper and also to use as a creative story to use with any Bible lesson on anger!

Anger leaves its mark on our lives and the lives of others.  Learning to control anger is an essential tool to teach our children along with Bible verses on anger.

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org

We Want To Hear From YOU!

"The Duck & the Devil" is one of my favorite story illustrations! How we all fall into this trap from time to time. If we would only realize that God sees and knows everything already; He's just waiting for us to come and ask for His forgiveness.

Support the show

www.BibleDeliverance.org