“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”

Job 5:9 [NIV]

When I Follow The Clues, I Discover That God Wants To…

1. Break into my life.

- Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.

John 11:1,3-6 [NIV]

2. Break me out of my slumber.

- And then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

John 11:7, 11-13 [NIV]

- Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out.

John 11:43-44 [NLT]

3. Break me free from my dead threads.

- The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

John 11:44 [NIV]

Stink, Stank, Stunk

Miraculously Awakened!

(Jesus) “I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm – I will come to you.”

John 14:18 [TLB]

Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.

Psalm 77:19 [NIV]

The Miracle of Walking on Water

(Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:15-21)

What Does Jesus Do When I’m Sinking?

1. Jesus sees my struggle.

- He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.

Mark 6:48 [NIV]

2. Jesus comes close to me.

- About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake.

Mark 6:48 [NIV]

3. Jesus reveals himself to me.

- When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and they started screaming. All of them saw him and were terrified. But at the same time he said, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.”

Mark 6:49-50 [CEV]

What Am I To Do When I’m Sinking?

1. Take courage.

- Immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Mark 6:50 [NIV]

2. Come To Jesus.

- “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Come, “ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:28-29 [NIV]

3. Stay focused on Jesus.

- But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Matthew 14:30 [TLB]

- Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 14:31 [NIV]

4. Worship Jesus.

- Then he (Jesus) climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Mark 6:51 & Matthew 14:33 [NIV]

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 [NIV]

Mark 2:1-12

How To Put My Faith In Action

1. Care for people who are hurting.

- When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 [NCV]

- We must not think only of ourselves. We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith.

Romans 15:1-2 [GW]

- The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Proverbs 29:7 [NIV]

2. Have faith for people who have lost hope.

- When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 5:20 [NIV]

- Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

1 John 3:18 [NLT]

3. Expect Jesus to do a miracle.

- Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20 [NLT]

- This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:14-15 [NIV]

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.

Hebrews 12:28 [NLT]

You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.

Psalm 77:14 [NIV]

How To Experience A Breakthrough Miracle

1. Invite Jesus into my situation.

- Jesus got into one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon, and asked him to push off a little from the land. Then Jesus sat down and continued to teach the people from the boat.

Luke 5:3 [NCV]

2. Admit that my efforts have failed.

- “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing.”

Luke 5:4-5 [NLT]

3. Obey whatever Jesus tells me to do.

- “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

Luke 5:5 [NIV]

- Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing; nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Luke 5:5 [KJV]

4. Expect a breakthrough miracle.

- This time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

Luke 5:6-7 [NLT]

- (Simon Peter) was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.

Luke 5:9 [NLT]

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:10-11 [NLT]

Things That Get Us Off Track

Sin messes everything up.

- Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.

Hebrews 12:1 [NIV]

Disappointment discourages us from trying.

- The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him; “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22:61-62 [NIV]

- “You will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 [NLT]

Comparison takes your eyes off the target.

- When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

John 21:21-22 [NIV]

How To Stay The Course

1. Keep the vision in front of me.

- Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.

Proverbs 29:18 [NIV]

- “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.”

Nehemiah 6:3 [NASB]

2. Persevere when hardship comes.

- For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.

Proverbs 24:16 [NIV]

- You need to persevere to that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 10:36 [NIV]

3. Surround myself with encouraging people.

- Encourage one another and build each other up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 [NIV]

- Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:24-25 [NLT]

4. Stay connected to God.

- “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John 15:5 [NIV]

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

Colossians 1:9-12 [NIV]

But test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 [NLT]

So You’ve Heard From God…

Does It Pass The “L.O.M.P.” Test?

1. Line Up with God’s word?

- “But the word of the Lord remains forever.”

1 Peter 1:25 [NLT]

- Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105 [NLT]

2. Others confirm?

- Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:14 [NKJV]

3. More like Jesus?

- In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:5 [NCV]

- I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 [NIV]

4. Peace experienced?

- Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank in for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 [NLT]

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”

John 16:13 [NLT]

L.O.M.P. It Or Leave It!

God’s Voice ALWAYS vs. God’s Voice NEVER

Calms……………………Chaotic

Comforts……………………Worries

Convicts……………………Condemns

Encourages……………………Discourages

Enlightens……………………Confuses

Leads……………………Pushes

Reassures……………………Frightens

Stills……………………Rushes

As the LORD was passing by, a fierce wind tore mountains and shattered rocks ahead of the LORD. But the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire there was a quiet, whispering voice.

1 Kings 19:11-12 [GW]

I can better hear God when I…

1. Create more space in my life.

- Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 1:35 [NIV]

- I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.

Psalm 130:5 [NIV]

2. Get familiar with God’s voice.

- Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.

1 Samuel 3:7 [NIV]

- “I am the good shepherd: I know my sheep and my sheep know me.”

John 10:14 [NIV]

- “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27 [NIV]

3. Actively listen for God’s whisper.

- “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear that your soul may live.”

Isaiah 55:3 [ESV]

- “’Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”

1 Samuel 3:9 [NIV]

“When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

John 16:13 [NIV]

“Pay attention…and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.”

Job 33:31 [NIV]

God is always speaking.

- He will speak what He hears. He will tell you of things to come.

John 16:13 [NLV]

God speaks in different ways.

- For God does speak – now one way, now another.

Job 33:14 [NIV]

People do not always understand.

- For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.

Job 33:14 [NLT]

God Speaks…

1. Through His Word.

- All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 [NLT]

2. Through Other People.

- Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.

1 Timothy 4:14 [NLT]

3. Through Conviction and Impression.

- Our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 [NIV]

- The Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26 [NIV]

4. Through Dreams and Visions.

- He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.

Job 33:15 [NLT]

- “’In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.’”

Acts 2:17 {NLT]

5. Through Pain.

- Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word…It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.

Psalm 119:67,71

Do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ephesians 5:17 [NIV]

Beginning to Understand How God’s Will Works

1. God’s Will is Ultimately Good.

- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 [NIV]

2. God’s Will is both Universal and Specific.

3. God’s Will is Redemptive.

- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 [NIV]

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

Mark 12:30 [NIV]

How to Get Myself Ready

1. Examine My Heart.

- Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.

Psalm 26:2 [NIV]

2. Care for My Soul.

- He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.

Psalm 23:2-3 [ESV]

3. Reset My Mind.

- The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6 [NIV]

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 [NIV]

4. Focus My Strength.

- Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord.

Colossians 3:23-24 [HCSB]