A Privileged Advantage
In life there have been times, when we have all faced uphill battles...when we are young and growing up all we can think about is being older… And when were older all we can think about is how much fun it was when we were young...
No matter how hard life may seem at times… Life is to be enjoyed in every phase and in every step of the journey!
When someone has a tough task to do, the first thing that they usually want is someone to help them with it...it seems like a natural thing to do. after all from the moment we are born and all through the learning process our parents are eager and quick to say let me help you with that
And the more someone is willing to help the better and that’s fine in the natural...
But help isn’t always available in the natural, in fact most times its hard to find, sometimes we have to look to Beyond what we can feel or see
I’m talking about the Supernatural abilities that exist in Gods world,
where all things are possible and there's not anything that is impossible…
to him that believes!
John 17:15,16 NKJ
15. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
16. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
This particular scripture gives us comfort… Because in the times that we have a hard time understanding what's going on in the world In the natural...we can trust in God's world "all is well"
If you are a believer, this scripture pertains to you, you are not of this world, you are part of the supernatural world of God!
And it is possible to live in a world outside the world in which we live...
A world where we can trust God not to be affected by the things that are happening all around us
If you're Christian this morning, because of your relationship with Jesus, you have an advantage, over those who choose not to have one with Him!
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1st John 4:17
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.
No Fear...fearless...unafraid...
It almost sounds like it would be an unfair advantage that we have doesn't it?
It is an unfair advantage over those who choose not to believe… However God has given all equal access to this advantage… He is an equal opportunity advantage giver! Amen??
In life most people that find an advantage and take advantage of it. And that's what doesn't make any sense...the fact that everyone can and should want to seek out and have a relationship with their creator, but so few nowadays choose too!
You see, usually no one wants to do everything on there own...except when it comes to the things of the church and God.
Statistics show it… That's why attendance in churches all across the globe are at an all-time low! It's almost hard to comprehend because chaos and catastrophe in the world are at an all-time high and the one place where they can see you can truly find hope is at an all time low???
For better or worse, for whatever reason, some just choose to trudge thru life without Him...Sure in a 911 situation they may call out to Him and all kinds of promises,
Though serious at the time, deep down they know they will never end up being kept.
Illustration… in the movie unbroken, Louis Zamperini's Air plane was shot down and he spent 47 days on a life raft tossed around on the ocean until he was rescued by the Japanese Navy...and then spent several years being tortured in a Japanese prisoner
of war camp and was eventually set free..
During that time he prayed and called out to God a lot...and he made a lot of promises to God and said that he would serve him....if he would just get him out of his situation!
God delivered on his request...However It wasn't until after going through 40+ years of alcoholism and depression did he make good on his promises and give his heart to the Lord at a Billy Graham Crusade and begin to serve God!
And the moment that he did that… He found the all elusive Forgiveness, Peace
and Love he had been searching for his whole life!
While his story is miraculous… It is not a story that is only known unto him.
There are countless millions upon millions of people that share the same story!
Amen??
It doesn’t matter the circumstance, God wants us to come to Him, in our time of need
and is willing to accept us, just as we are and in the condition we are...
Knowing all along what we're going to do after He comes through for us
In our time of need!
Clearly, the world Doesn't have a clue as to how much God really Loves...all of humanity!
There are so many things He wants to do for all of us, things He is ready, willing and able to do on a moments notice...Always ready to respond, even if its only when we need something!
Romans 10:11-13 MSG.
Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what a person’s religious background may be: the same God for all of us, acting the same incredibly generous way to everyone who calls out for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”
“Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”
The only thing He is waiting for, is for us to call out in faith, ask and believe
That he will help us!
Not based on what we've done or what we could ever do to deserve it, but only based upon his goodness to us! We serve a wonderful, mercy, love and grace Giving God!
It makes you wonder, why so many people try to go through life without Him, facing one thing after another on their own?
Ps. 68:19 NKJ.
19. Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah
Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits,
He doesn’t just throw His children a bone now and then,
He is absolutely a generous God of more than enough!
Even when were not worthy, even when were the same ole same ole with Him...
He is not swayed or affected by our behavior...He is always the same to us!
He's faithful to us,
Because He Loves us that much!
Ps. 103:1-5 NKJ.
1. Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2. Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3. Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4. Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
5. Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagles
TBS He is willing to rescue us from our iniquities, our diseases and our destruction...
He who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, satisfies your mouth with good things,
And how many know??
that God's definition of good is certainly way better than we could ever
think, hope, ask or imagine.
And if that's not enough, He Who Satisfies...also promises to renew our youth!
what a good God we serve!
As we read this, we can tell that David was excited, who in the world wouldn’t be,
Just reading it and talking about it...is exiting to the point
"I can't believe God Loves...me...that much" little ole me from Buffalo Indiana??
David knew first hand, about the benefits from having a relationship with the Lord!
And everyone who has ever walked with God for very long, will tell you
the exact same thing!
Praise God! Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
So many have never really given God a chance to work in their lives..I can tell you
Knowing God and having a relationship with Him...is an Amazing Adventure!
And God loves it...when you have that kind of expectation from Him!
What's your expectation of God in your life?
Are you setting the hurdles high or low for the God of all possibilities??
If anyone was ever up for an adventure, it would be God, after all He created life, including the adventure part of it!
Colossians 1:15-17 NKJ
15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
16. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
17. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
It's talking about Jesus here, just in case you were wondering.
The great adventure the whole world is looking for, lies in Him!
The devil has so many convinced it can be found in everything else...but Him!
Let me tell you that is a lie from the father of all lies...Praise God!
The world doesn’t need religion, they need Jesus, the reconciler, the only way to God! TBS No one can come to the father but by Him,
If more people knew the whole story of God’s grace
instead of just the bits and pieces that have leaked out and that
they think they know....This world would be a different place and everything
and I mean everything would be affected by it,
Why don't they know?
Because the Great Commission hasn't been completely carried out yet...Right??
Matt. 28:19-20 NKJ
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Let me tell you...if the world were really to experience a relationship
and the goodness Of JESUS...if they were to experience the favor and grace
of God first hand for themselves....
There would not be enough room in any church in this town or the whole world for that matter, to hold the crowds.
So many people flock to new religions all over the world, most don’t even know about the old ones, or the one true God...so many don’t know for themselves
and if the devil has his way...they never will either!
Sooner rather than later… If the whole world is going to be reached
and the great commission fulfilled… Were all going to have to start
doing our part to make it happen! Amen??
The bible...The Inspired Word of God....so many own one
so few realize the "Abundant Life Giving Message" It contains!
Gods Word is Amazing!!!
John 1:1 KJ
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
*God’s words have power,
*God’s words are life,
*God’s word will change your life if you will let it!
*Gods words in your mouth...will change someone else's life..if you will let them!!
Its time we started thanking Him and taking Him at His word.
We don’t have to wonder why, people are the way they are,
but just to accept that they are
Our job is plant a seed anywhere we can...we don’t have to lead
them to the trough...because we certainly can't make them drink!
But we can tell them how delicious tasting and refreshing
the Living water is when you finally decide to drink from it! Amen??
Jesus said it like this...Just lift me up and I will do the rest!!
God knows how they are and He loves them anyways...
that's what grace is all about!
Shouldn’t we try to do the same?
Illus.
A lady had a pet dog that was sick. Every day she tried to force a tablespoon of medicine down its throat, but the dog would always resist and pull away. One day she accidentally knocked over the bottle and the medicine spilled all over the floor. To her surprise, the dog went over to the puddle and started lapping it up! The dog hadn't been resisting the medicine. It was resisting the method that its owner had used...forcing it down its throat.
The salvation message is the same...our job isn't to force it on anyone
But to simply just keep spreading it around and proclaiming the goodness
of it...Through our lives and the way we live!
Psalms 34:1-9 MSG
I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.
Ours is not to wonder why, but to be found faithful and keep sharing the story,
And remember what He said to do, Love them, even as I have loved you!
That’s the hard part, because His is not a love, hate kind of Love,
But a Love, Love kind of Love, a no matter what, kind of Love
That’s what makes His Love and our relationship with Him special, so worth while,
And when they see that in our lives, they will want it in their’s too.
Amen!
