Pastor Josh concludes our 'I Got Issues' series with a message on the issue of perfectionism.

Pastor Josh concludes our 'I Got Issues' series with a message on the issue of perfectionism.

Core lies, soul wounds, demonic oppression, and life patterns are all obstacles that can stand in the way of the life Jesus has made available to every believer. Special guest, Pastor Beth Helton, shares a message on the foundations of freedom that God wants to develop in each of us.

Core lies, soul wounds, demonic oppression, and life patterns are all obstacles that can stand in the way of the life Jesus has made available to every believer. Special guest, Pastor Beth Helton, shares a message on the foundations of freedom that God wants to develop in each of us.

Pastor Sarah continues our 'I Got Issues' series about the dangers of negativity and how to overcome it.

John 15:5-8 I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire.

A critical spirit is an attitude of criticism and fault-finding, which seeks to tear down others rather than build up. A critical spirit often sees the worst instead of looking for the best.

Constructive criticism finds problems, but with the mindset of finding hope and solutions to those problems.

Numbers 12:1-2 While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them. 

Numbers 12:4-8 So immediately the Lord called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. Then the Lord descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward.  And the Lord said to them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the Lord, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust.  I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the Lord as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”

Numbers 12:9,15 The Lord was very angry with them, and he departed. As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again. 

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Matthew 3:2 Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life]

Matthew 3:8 So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin];

True repentance is not a barren thing. True repentances brings forth living fruit.

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Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

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Realist: a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation: one who accepts and deals with things as they really are.

Canon Realist: a person who recognizes what is real or possible in a particular situation: one who accepts and deal with things as they REALLY are, according to God’s Word.

Psalm 119:60 The sum of Your word is truth.

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Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

Luke 6:45 What you say flows from what is in your heart.

Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace

Pastor Sarah continues our 'I Got Issues' series about the dangers of negativity and how to overcome it.

This week Pastor Josh continues our series 'I Got Issues' with a message about symptoms and solutions to the issue of pride.

God’s hate is driven by God's love

Proverbs 6:16-17 - "These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him. A proud look..."

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Good pride: is seen in healthy self-respect, dignity, satisfaction in a job well done, joy in seeing others succeed.

Bad pride: is conceited, egotistical. Bad pride manifests itself in arrogance and boasting. Bad pride doesn’t need others.

Do you talk too much?

Do you brag?

- Pride always has to have a voice

Do you have a problem interrupting people?

Do you have a hard time saying you’re sorry?

Do you never ask for advice?

Do you always have something to add?

Do you take things personally?

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God hates pride because God loves me

A proud look is speaking about a position of the heart, not an expression on a face.

James 4:6 - “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

Proverbs 16:18 - "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

Pride is blinding…

Pride is blinding and it leads to a fall

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1 Peter 5:5-7 - "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Matthew 23:37 - "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, How often I have wanted to gather your children together, as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn't let me."

James 4:6-10 - “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

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PRAY

Sheep have no ability to navigate

Sheep are not good at carrying burdens

And sheep can't defend themselves

Know Who You Are!

The Root of Pride is Insecurity

If pride is in your heart, insecurity is in your soul.

Matthew 4:1-3 - "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

Jesus didn’t need to validate Himself to someone else.

I Got Issues - Week 3 - The Comparison Issue

John 21:18-22 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

Jesus had zero sympathy for comparison.

Don’t worry about him, don’t worry about her… You follow Me!

THE CURSE OF COMPARISON

Comparison either produces inferiority or superiority.

And comparison uncontrolled will kill your contentment.

Don't compare your behind the scenes with somebody else's highlight reel.

Comparison produces anger towards God & Others

When we compare, God is not fair!

Comparison Opens The Door To Satan

James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Isaiah 14:12-15 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:  ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’ 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.

When you allow envy into your heart, evil will enter your world.

THE CAUSE OF COMPARISON

Covetousness - Strong desire to have that which belongs to another.

Covetousness is rooted in ingratitude.

Colossians 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

THE CURE FOR COMPARISON

Romans 1:21-25 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Ok, let me simplify this for you… what did they do? They took their eyes off of God and put them on other things, other people, God’s creation.

#1 Glorify God

_ You get tunnel vision.

_ You see the object of focus with greater detail.

#2 Be Thankful

Gratitude - Grace Attitude

#3 Renew Your Mind

Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

The only way you can renew your mind is to get in the Bible.

Psalm 1:1-2 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.

Meditate = think deeply about something.

2 Peter 1:14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.