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October 03, 2023 Conquering the Transitions of Life
Love and War - 10/1/23 - Week 4

Conquering the Transitions of Life

Guest Speaker: Raymond Causey

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:1-9 (ESV)

1. There is more to life's transitions than what meets the eye.

2. Life transitions are invitations from God to experience His faithfulness in new ways.

3. During life transitions, in order to appropriate the promise we must meet the challenge with courage.

4. During life challenges, we must intensify our focus on God and His Word
35 min
September 25, 2023 Man Up and Embrace God's Plan
Love and War Week #3

Man Up and Embrace God’s Plan

Genesis 3:6-9

Three questions that every man is asking or will ask at some point in his life:

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:6

1. Do I have what it takes?

To be a man

To be a good husband

To be a dad

To be a good follower of Jesus

2. Can I trust you?

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. Proverbs 31:11

3. Is it too late?

It’s not too late if you understand 2 things:

a. Get honest with God

This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6 (NIV)

b. Surrender everything to Jesus

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. 9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:7-9
34 min
September 18, 2023The Attack on the Woman
Love and War - Week 2
The Attack on the Woman
John 4:4-30

He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” John 4:4-9

3 major ways Satan comes after and attacks a woman:

1. Uncertainty

a. Did God really say?

b. Did God really say that to you?

c. Why would God speak to you?

2. Comparison

The enemy gets us to believe “I’m not enough”
Not pretty enough

Not godly enough

Not good enough
3. Condemnation

The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” John 4:25-26
Jesus changes uncertainty into clarity

Jesus changes comparison into completion
“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” John 4:16-18
Jesus didn’t come to condemn you but to complete you

Jesus turns condemnation into celebration
The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him. John 4:28-30
45 min
September 11, 2023Keep Jesus at the Center
Love and War - Week 1 - September 10, 2023
Keep Jesus at the Center
Genesis 2:18-25
Men and women are different

God gave us the differences not to divide us, but to draw us closer together
1. God multiplies

Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. 25 God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:24-25

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7

And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden Genesis 2:16

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” 19 So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. 20 He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. 23 “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” 24 This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. 25 Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. Genesis 2:18-25

2. Satan divides

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” 6 The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. Genesis 3:1-6

A. Satan is a deceiver
B. Satan is a liar
C. Satan brings shame and blame

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Genesis 3:7-8

Everything we hide behind is so damaging

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” 10 He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” 11 “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it.” Genesis 3:9-13
Satan is limited. He can influence but he cannot control you
3. Jesus wins

Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild. You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live. 15 And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15
Proto Evangelium = God’s people will triumph over the serpent
The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:11
46 min
August 28, 2023 Blindsided by Hurt
Hurt People HURT PEOPLE - Week 2

BLINDSIDED BY HURT

Genesis 25:24-40

And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! 25 The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. 26 Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born. 27 As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. 28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Genesis 25:24-28

“From the dew of heavenand the richness of the earth, may God always give you abundant harvests of grain and bountiful new wine. 29 May many nations become your servants, and may they bow down to you. May you be the master over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. All who curse you will be cursed, and all who bless you will be blessed.” Genesis 27:28-29

Esau pleaded, “But do you have only one blessing? Oh my father, bless me, too!” Then Esau broke down and wept. 39 Finally, his father, Isaac, said to him, “You will live away from the richness of the earth, and away from the dew of the heaven above. 40 You will live by your sword, and you will serve your brother. But when you decide to break free, you will shake his yoke from your neck.” Genesis 27:38-40

Three Ways to Shake it Off

1. Make a decision

Why we can’t seem to make a decision

a. We believe the lies

b. We get comfortable with comfort

Victims never walk in victory

c. We get frustrated

2. Break the strongholds in your life

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4

What are God’s Mighty Weapons?

a. Prayer

Prayer is an opportunity for God to change us

When we see like God sees, we are more likely to do what God says

b. Confession

Until you get real, you can’t get healed

c. Worship

3. Understand you have a future to take

This is the account of the descendants of Esau (also known as Edom). 2 Esau married two young women from Canaan: Adah, the daughter of Elon the Hittite; and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite. 3 He also married his cousin Basemath, who was the daughter of Ishmael and the sister of Nebaioth. 4 Adah gave birth to a son named Eliphaz for Esau. Basemath gave birth to a son named Reuel. 5 Oholibamah gave birth to sons named Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. All these sons were born to Esau in the land of Canaan. 6 Esau took his wives, his children, and his entire household, along with his livestock and cattle—all the wealth he had acquired in the land of Canaan—and moved away from his brother, Jacob. 7 There was not enough land to support them both because of all the livestock and possessions they had acquired. 8 So Esau (also known as Edom) settled in the hill country of Seir. Genesis 36:1-8
39 min
August 22, 2023Alignment with our Assignment
Hurt People Hurt People - Week #1
Alignment with our Assignment
Luke 7:36-50
Do I want to be in alignment with the assignment God has for my life?
To be aligned we need about 5 things:

1. We must be connected to Jesus and His church

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. Luke 7:36-38
We cannot stay in the presence of Jesus and stay the same
Levels of Church involvement:

Level 1- The Casual Attender

Level 2- The Regular Attender

Level 3- The Server

Level 4- The Giver

2. We need to look in the mirror instead of out the window
It's incredibly difficult to judge somebody when you got your eyes on Jesus
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!” Luke 7:39

But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one! Psalm 14:3

3. We need to receive what Jesus is speaking to us
Sometimes we get more obsessed with what God wants to say to somebody else rather than what God wants to say to us
Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. Luke 7:40

4. We need to remember we all need forgiveness

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver[i] to one and 50 pieces to the other. 42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Luke 7:41-47
You can know the Scriptures and not know Jesus
5. We must understand that Jesus uses His church to speak peace, not to punish

Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” 50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50
43 min
August 18, 2023The Fork in the Road
The Fork in the Road

Matthew 7:13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (NLT)

#1 Two Gates Luke 13:22, Acts 4:12, John 3:3

The Narrow Gate and The Wide Gate
The path you choose determines whether or not you find the way
#2 Two Roads

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.(John 10:10 NLT).

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. (Romans 1:21 NLT)

The Difficult Road and The Broad Road
Jesus’ rules are not to kill our fun and joy but rather to help us to live a good, stable, productive, and a fruitful life
#3 Two Crowds

“For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NLT)

The Few and The Many
Many come to the door and look in, but never go in because they're satisfied with sitting on the porch.

If we're not careful we can look over at the many and be convinced we are the one that has to change.
#4 The Destination

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave[b] gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire. (NLT)

Heaven and Hell
Don’t be lured into thinking that there is no afterlife

Your choices, your options, your alternatives, and your opportunities all lead to God!
Luke 19:10-For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. (NLT)
45 min
July 31, 2023The Amazing GRACE of God
Acrostics Week #4

The Amazing GRACE of God

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life. 1 John 5:12

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Grace is knowing...

Good only takes you so far

Received not achieved
We don’t clean our life up before we come to Jesus
All have sinned

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

Covenant with God

Eternal Life
When we enter into a relationship with God, it is eternal
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1
38 min
July 24, 2023Standing in UNITY
Acrostics Week #3
Standing in UNITY
Acts 9:1-19
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. 2 He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. 3 As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! 8 Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” 13 “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! 14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” 15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. 16 And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength. Acts 9:1-19
Unmistakable Focus on Jesus
Two people who have an Unmistakable focus on Jesus, cannot stay divided
Never Forgetting the way we are Identified
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:35
Intentional about Forgiveness
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27
Thankful for our Differences
A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 1 Corinthians 12:7
Yield Immediately to God’s Plan
42 min
July 17, 2023An Exercise in GROWth
Acrostics - Week #2

An Exercise in GROWth

Genesis 28-Genesis 29

Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. Genesis 29:1

Gracious Spirit

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” 18 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. 19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. Genesis 28:16-19

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1
Exercise in gratitude:
Write out 3 things you’re thankful for

1.

2.

3.
Gratitude often precedes blessing
Rest
Oftentimes, an increase in stress is directly connected to our unwillingness to rest
Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. Genesis 28:10-11
Many times, spiritual growth is the result of us stopping and realizing all that God has done for us

Exercise in Rest:
Turn off your phone, computer, etc. for 5 minutes and ask God, “What would you like to say to me?” And just be still

“Be still, and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10

Open to God’s Will
Are you open to what God wants to do in your life? Or do you spend time trying to fight Him?
He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Matthew 26:39
The most out of control area of our lives is probably the area where we’re the least open to what God wants to do

Exercise in Openness:
Write down the area that you feel God is speaking to you where you are resisting Him the most. Then tell Him, “Not my will, but yours”

Worship
The simplest definition of worship is... our response; both personal and corporate to God for who He is and what He has done

Exercise in Worship:
Focus on who Jesus is and what Jesus wants to do in our life

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant. Galatians 1:10
38 min

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