è Background: Acts 16

• Overruled! (Acts 16:6, 7)

• Out of the ordinary (Acts 16:9, 10)

• An Unusual small beginning for a Great Church! (Acts 16:12-15)

• Miracles and suffering …. And a mighty church in the making (Acts 16:15, 18; Acts 16:30-34)

è Introduction to Philippians 1:1

è The saints and the leadership (Philippians 1:2)

è The Power of “covering prayer” (Philippians 1:3-6)

è God is at work, still working to complete His work in you! (Philippians 1:6; See also Philippians 2:13)

è God turns difficulty, painful circumstances into powerful platforms for His glory! (Philippians 1:12-14)

Our Internal freedom in Christ is under constant attack from obvious AND hidden deceiving spiritual forces.

Let's identify those areas of deception and internal assault and walk free in the Lord! Let's celebrate our Internal Independence and GIVE THANKS for our freedoms in this country !

THE WISEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE!

“PART 2”

JUNE 13, 2021

SESSION 11

1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Leviticus 27:30; Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7:1-9; Malachi 3:8-11; 1 Timothy 3:15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Heaven witnesses and is involved in our giving!

è Review: The opportunity for Partnership: The Kingdom of God’s Economic System

• 1 Chronicles 29:11-13: It’s ALL His!

• God attaches promises to commands (Matthew 6:33; Proverbs 3:9, 10; Malachi 3:10, 11)

• God sees our choices re: resources! (Philippians 4:17)

• Jesus Christ, our High Priest, receives tithes! (Hebrews 7:1-9)

• The Great Partnership of Tithing (Malachi 3:10, 11)

è Practical Questions

• Where is “the storehouse”? (see also 1 Timothy 3:15) The Word; prayer; worship; Godly encouragement; called, gifted Leadership

• Simply: goes to the Lord of the Church through His servants, services; Fed and led; No connection? “Arms” of the church.

• Will I face challenges? YES. We may have temporary setbacks, have to make adjustments. However, long term blessing and security is backed by Heaven’s guarantee.

• Sometimes, financial blessing/abundance takes a while! (See also Hebrews 6:13-15) We have to face some pressure, tight times, obstacles, and challenges. Some things are more important than instant financial provision. (Like peace, overcoming fear, developing love, patience, and endurance!)

• Focus on what you Do have! True, long term security is never in doubt for those in partnership with Jehovah-Jireh!

è 2 Corinthians 9:6-11: The Power of Financial Grace

• The 4 “Seeds” of Scripture

Vegetation; human reproduction; Word of God; Money/Resources

• The “Multiplying Factor” of God’s Grace! (2 Corinthians 9:10)

è Commitment

• Recognize …. “It’s All Yours, Lord”

• “I will honor You with the First portion of Your Provision”

• Release His portion in obedience and honor (Proverbs 3:9, 10)

THE WISEST INVESTMENT YOU CAN MAKE!

JUNE 6, 2021

SESSION 10

è Most Christians are missing out on God’s Best!

• Secure: Backed by Heaven’s Resources

• Yields a return

• Affects the material AND the Spiritual

• Order, peace, confidence (Responsibility for well-being shifts to Him)

è God attaches Return to investment. We must focus on investment. Our motives must stay focused on investment. The Lord will grant the return how and when He desires. Investments into the Kingdom should be expressions of Love!

è The Principle

• It’s ALL His: 1 Chronicles 29:11-13

• More fallout of original sin: Pride, rebellion; demand to consume every provision

• The portion He asks for is about Lordship: The tenth (Leviticus 27:30)

è The Problem: Lack of Understanding

• Not Old Testament vs. New Testament: it’s Kingdom of God

• Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20); Jesus (Hebrews 7:1-9)

è The Promise

• Jesus Receives the investment! (Hebrews 7)

• Malachi 3:8-11

• Incredible Return!

è Commitment

• Recognize …. “It’s All Yours, Lord”

• “I will honor You with the First portion of Your Provision”

• Release it to Him!

THE DEVELOPMENT AND LEGACY OF A GODLY WOMAN

MAY 9, 2021

è She hears the voice of the Lord

• She didn’t flee. She listened more intently. (Even though this was her world changer!) (Luke 1:28; Luke 1:29, 30)

è She faces and overcomes fear

• Fear of the unknown (the “what ifs”)

• Fear of negative opinions of others (Luke 1:31,34)

• Fear of inadequacy of performance

• Luke 1:35, 37

• Her responsibility was to trust and obey, not to order and orchestrate.

è She trusts God and takes the next right step! (Luke 1:38) Confirmation and affirmation

è She treasures the relationship of other Godly women. (Luke 1:36, 39-45)

è She works through a broken heart. (Luke 2:35)

è The Lord develops a legacy for her! She is willing partner for her Lord to tell His story through her journey. (Luke 1:45, 46-49)

A spiritual mother is a seasoned woman of faith who knows the Lord intimately and will listen, pray, encourage, and share her insights with those who seek her.

She may or may not be a teacher, structured counselor, mentor, etc.

Wisdom’s Partners

May 2, 2021

Session 9

Counterfeit “wisdom” (1 Corinthians 1:18-20; Genesis 3:6; John 8:44)

Sources of God’s Wisdom:

Father [Proverbs 1:7; James 1:5]

Son [1 Corinthians 1:24; Colossians 2:3]

Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 2:6-15]

Wisdom and its’ Partners

Knowledge: Information collected under the filter of God’s truth

Understanding: Spiritual insight on how true knowledge (information)

fits and works.

Wisdom: God’s ability to see matters and to apply His perspective (how, when, where, etc.)

Discernment: the ability to see beneath the surface appearance of issues and spiritual entities and activities (1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12:10)

Discernment not to be contaminated by critical Judgement. Judgement is out of order:

Renders a verdict not qualified to make

Assumes the right to act as a moral absolute, condemn

Reaps a return (Matthew 7:1, 2; Luke 6:37)

We should not condone behavior that God says is wrong, but should love and pray for the wrong-doer!

GOD’S RELATIONAL WISDOM

APRIL 18, 2021

SESSION 8

è James 3:15 – James 4:10

è The fallen angel, agent of this world: 1 John 5:19

• The ultimate liar, the ultimate lie [satan; “you” are sovereign; the feeling; the fallout of fear, shame, strife (John 10:10)

è The agenda of this world: 1 John 2:15, 16

• Appeal of the senses

• Striving with wrong motives

è The spiritual adultery of a self-absorbed agenda (James 4:4)

è The “ache” of the Spirit (James 4:5,6)

• His heart of GRACE: His Relentless yearning!

è The ability and the authority of God through submission. (James 4:7-10)

The Wrong Premise: My world belongs to me and God has to involve Himself with me in ways I understand and meet my approval.

è God’s Truth: My world belongs to God and He reveals Himself to me as I believe and trust Him! I am a steward of His life, not an owner.

The Wrong Premise: “I gain independence by rebellion.

è God’s Truth: True freedom and authority are granted via submission to God.

What makes our lives here and for eternity RICH are not withdrawals but investments! [What is valuable will be costly.]

RECLAIMING YOUR MOUNTAINS

APRIL 11, 2021

è The “Caleb Spirit” (Numbers 14:24)

è A Different Spirit: Unlike his associates whose fear and unbelief brought weakness, failure, and their demise!

è The Mountain of Unfinished Business

• Reconnecting with an earlier calling/assignment (Joshua 14:6-14)

• Realigning with the Presence and power of God and who you are in Him! Reordering our priorities.

• His Assignment …. His Ability

è Realigning our thoughts, words, actions to the Lord’s!

• Self-talk – see Numbers 13, 14; Joshua 14:11-13

• Keeping the owner/manager, steward roles straight. God is not “our consultant”.

• Speaking to our mountain (Mark 11:22-25)

è Taking the next right step: Humbling ourselves, keeping our focus, simple obedience. He will go before us and He will accomplish the Mission!

RESURRECTION HOPE

HOPE: THE ETERNAL, INTERNAL FORCE OF LIFE THAT REACHES FOR A RESULT NOT SEEN YET.

APRIL 4, 2021

è The Person of Hope …. 1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”;

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”;

Jeremiah 29:1 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

è The Power of Hope:

• Keep reaching

• Never fails; LOVE sustains Hope!

è The Process of Hope

• Testing (Romans 5:1-5)

• Hebrews 6:19 – Reaches Heaven

è The Product of True Sustained Hope: eventual, inevitable manifestation (sight) (1 Corinthians 15)

• Sin’s power, flesh’s operation, satan’s agenda and work, death’s sentence …. All defeated through Christ and His resurrection!

• The BLESSED HOPE of REUNION!

• Recognizable, functional, embraceable

è Review: Choosing Your Battles

è Conflict, in this world, is inevitable! (John 16:33)

è Wisdom discerns that forgiveness, reconciliation, trust are not the same. Reconciliation, restoration of a former relationship is not always possible or desired. (Amos 3:3; Acts 15:37-40)

è Love: Fight for it! Love clears perspective; Love frees from fear

(1 John 4:17,18); Love keeps doors open, bridges in place; Loves gives right to be heard.

è Settle it in the Court of Heaven!

• The Righteous Judge; the Advocate; the Counselor

• Father; Son; Holy Spirit: Your Advocate in Heaven (Jesus); Advocate on earth (Holy Spirit)

• Step 1: Humble Myself: Ask the Lord to reveal my motives, methods that are out of His order. Do I insist on, agendas that are out of His order? Do I insist on my way, my time? [Luke 14:11; James 4:6-10; 1 Peter 5:6]

• Release forgiveness from the Forgiver! (Received First)

• Love is Received (Romans 5:8) and given by faith!

• Step 2: Hebrews 4:14-16 …. Come boldly before the Throne! Matthew 16:19: legal resisting/binding of evil agents and agendas.