THE BIG 2 LETTER WORD: IF --- NO SADDER WORDS ---
By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
Do we really accept the OLD MAN IS DEAD ---
THERE CAN BE A NEW MAN...
FOCUSED WORSHIP CHANGES HEARTS, ATTITUDES, FAMILIES, CHURCHES
AND OUR SOCIETY...
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new.
THIS MESS? THERE IS A BIG QUESTION WHEN ---
WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WRONG --- THERE IS AN ANSWER...
2 Chronicles 6:26 When the heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have
sinned against thee; yet if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn
from their sin, when thou dost afflict them;
THIS MESS:
ANOTHER BIG QUESTION IS IF---
IF --- SOMETHING MAY HAPPEN? MAY NOT?
SOMETHING MUST HAPPEN BEFORE ANOTHER THING CAN HAPPEN
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and
pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and
will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
TALK ABOUT A MESS?
THERE ARE NO SADDER WORDS OF PEN OR TONGUE THAN THE WORDS
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN --- !!!
FOR MOST OF US OUR PROBLEMS ARE NOT WE NEED MORE ---
WE NEED ---BETTER...
The enemy of better is good --- if we get good at something we often plateau and never
improve ---
The less effort you apply the less joy and hope you have.
I once had a straight A student, I gave him a B in effort.
His dad came to school and discussed this with me.
I explained YOU SON IS SO SMART HE JUST SLIDES DOWN ---
HE NEVER APPLIES HIMSELF --- I DREAM OF HIM BECOME SO MUCH BETTER...
OUR MESS WILL STAY A MESS UNTIL WE PRIORTIZE AND FOCUS ON ETERNAL
VALUES --- THE TOOL IS WORSHIP!
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you.
WORSHIP IS THE TICKET OUT OF THIS MESS...
WORSHIP GETS YOU OUT OF DARK HOLES...
GOD HAS A PLAN --- THE PIT IS ALWAYS BEFORE THE PALACE!
Will problems dash the dream?
No one understood little brother, Joseph he was despised and rejected?
Imagine the pain and hurt?
JOSEPH added to the pain with a BIG MOUTH and a SHOW-OFF SPIRIT.
Genesis 37:18 And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto
them, they conspired against him to slay him. 19 And they said one to another,
Behold, this dreamer cometh.
THE 10 MEAN BROTHERS STRIPPED OFF THE COAT OF PROMISE...
THE COAT OF BLESSING CAN NOT FADE WITH THIS MESS ---
Genesis 37:20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we
will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.
THE PLAN OF THE FLESH FAILS --- BUT GOD HAS A PLAN ---
WE MUST WORSHIP IN THE PIT --- WORSHIP IS THE TOOL THAT BRINGS
DELIVERANCE AND THE DREAM SHINES ON---
GENESIS 37:21 And Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands; and said,
Let us not kill him. 22 And Reuben said unto them, Shed no blood, but cast him into this
pit that is in the wilderness, and lay no hand upon him; that he might rid him out of their hands,
to deliver him to his father again. 23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren,
that they strip Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 And they took
him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.
THIS MESS IS A MESS! HIP, HIP HOORAY --- THEY ARE LIFTING ME OUT OF THIS PIT ---
THIS IS NOT PART OF MY DREAM --- THIS IS STILL A S MESS---
THE MIRACLE IS WORKING IN THE DARK SLAVERY...
Genesis 37:26 And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and
conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon
him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. 28 Then there passed by
Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the
Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
REAL WORSHIP REQUIRES FAITH, TRUST AND A LOT OF WAIT...
Mark 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the
unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
VALUE WORSHIP? WHAT IS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM THE DREAM??
DOES IT SEEM WE ARE TRAPPED IN THIS MESS?
EVER SEEN A PICTURE PAINTED AND YOU KNOW IT IS NOT THE TRUTH?
LET US STUDY --- WHO IS AGAINST US? HOW CAN WE MAKE IT?
WHO CAN SEPERATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD?
IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER?
Recall the TV show: WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?
The Host ask is that your answer?
Then the Host says: IS THAT YOUR FINAL ANSWER?
Once the answer is locked it, it can not be changed!
Do we ever evaluate the FINAL ANSWER?
You ever feel like OUR ENEMY has turned the whole world against you?
We sometimes feel so alone and trapped ---
OUR ETERNAL ENEMY paints the picture of DECEPTION ---
1. The boss is against me?
2. All my friends are against me?
3. I have been so hurt by my family, they are against me?
4. Seems like the church and my Pastor dislike me?
MAY YOU SEE THIS TRUTH? IF THE WHOLE WORLD IS REALLY AGAINST YOU,
IF EVERYTHING IS WRONG --- GOD WANTS YOU TO UNDERSTAND REALLY ---
GOD HAS THE FINAL DECISION --- GOD HAS THE LAST WORD ---
GOD KNOWS HOW TO DELIVER FROM THIS MESS ---
NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER GIVE IN!
THESE SCARS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY.
THE HISTORY OF THIS MESS CAN BE CHANGED!
DO I EVER REALLY TAKE THE TIME TO WORSHIP GOD?
AM I CORRECTABLE? DO I LOVE THE LIGHT?
GOD CAN HANDLE THIS MESS--- WE MUST SEE OURSELF IN THE
LIGHT OF ETERNITIY...
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
CAN THIS MESS BE CORRECTED?
AM I TRAPPED BY THE SCARS OF THE PAST?
THESE SCARS AND THIS HISTORY SEEMS TO HAVE ME TRAPPED ---
Do you want to discuss DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES...
One case history would carry a whole chapter in the BOOK OF DISFUNCTIONAL...
ABRAHAM had been a liar, well he was an expert at WHITE LIES---
1/2 TRUTHS are whole lies.
ABRAHAM DID NOT FULLY TRUST GOD TO PROTECT HIM AND HIS WIFE...
SARAH made a mess by NOT TRUSTING God's plan and made a MESS with her
servant girl HAGAR and ISHMEAL...
WHAT A TERRIBLE MESS ---
NOW THE TWISTED JOURNEY GETS DARKER...
ABRAHAM'S PROMISED SON ISAAC MARRIES RACHEL...
They have twins that fought in the womb ---
The family strife enlarges and multiples... ESAU HATED JACOB...
REBECCA AND ISAAC ARE DIVIDED AND CAUSE HURT ---
THIS TWISTED JOURNEY SEEMS HOPELESS TRAPPED IN GLOOM AND DESPAIR.
MOM, DO YOU KNOW THE SERIOUS NATURE OF BEING CURSED?
JACOB SAYS: MOM, I CAN'T DO THIS?
Genesis 27:12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and
I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. 13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me
be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.
IT GET WORSE --- THERE IS HOPE BEYOND THE TWISTED PAST.
THE SCARS OF THE PAST SHOULD NOT DEFINE MY LIFE ---
ONE ALTAR EXPERIENCE... ONE DIVINE VISITATION BY COMING TO GOD...
BLESSING OFTEN COME AFTER A SERIOUS BATTLE...
Jacob leaves home, trapped by A FAMILY HISTORY and his PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Now Jacob's FATHER IN LAW, LABAN, CAUSED EVEN MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS...
Jacob WORKED 7 YEARS AND WAS STUCK INTO MARRYING LEAH ---
BUT HE LOVED RACHEL ... WOW, ARE WE TRAPPED IN HOPELESSNESS?
THERE IS AN ANTEDOTE --- THERE IS A CURE ---
GOD CAN REVERSE THE CURSE TRAP OF THE PAST --- GOD CAN
Genesis 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it
reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy
father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west,
and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the
families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places
whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have
done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said,
Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
CAN THIS MESS GET ANY WORSE? WORSHIP IS OUR HOPE!
Sometimes the light at the end of the tunnel is a train?
FATHER IN LAW LABAN CAUSED A SERIOUS PROBLEM...
WORKED 7 YEARS AND WAS SUCKED INTO MARRYING LEAH ---
BUT HE LOVED RACHEL
Genesis 32:23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and
the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go,
for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said
unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no
more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast
prevailed.
Remember Jacob had been on a long journey that seemed so twisted...
Jacob had a GOD ENCOUNTER and was changed from what he once had been to a
new man --- a new name: ISRAEL --- Prince with God and man---
WOIRSHIP BRINGS HOPE... BLESSED ASSURANCE... CHANGE?? TRUST GOD?
FIND GOD COMFORT --- MY FRIEND... PERHAPS THIS PROBLEM IS AN OPPORTUNITY...
NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES! NO MATTER HOW I FEEL!
NO MATTER WHAT I SEE! GOD IS ON HIS THRONE!
Sometimes it is easier to dream as a young man than as an old man.
Life has been cruel. The pain has been terrible. Israel had faced many nights of tears
and disappointments. GOD IS NOT FINISHED OLD MAN...
Now Jacob --- Israel's journey will TAKE A NEW TWIST...
ISRAEL IS WORRIED ABOUT THIS CHANGE--- WHAT SHOULD I DO?
REMEMBER FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES ISRAEL THOUGHT JOSEPH WAS DEAD?
Genesis 46:1 (MSG) So Israel set out on the journey with everything he owned. He
arrived at Beersheba and worshiped, offering sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 God spoke to Israel in a vision that night: "Jacob! Jacob!" "Yes?" he said. "I'm listening."
3 God said, "I am the God of your father. Don't be afraid of going down to Egypt. I'm going
to make you a great nation there. 4 I'll go with you down to Egypt; I'll also bring you back here.
And when you die, Joseph will be with you; with his own hand he'll close your eyes."
THERE IS A LESSON OF DELIVERANCE FROM THE MESS IN THE SON NAMED GAD...
Genesis 49:1 (MSG) Jacob called his sons and said, "Gather around. I want to tell you what
you can expect in the days to come."
THE DAD CALLED HIS SONS AROUND HIS DEATH BED AND DISCUSSED EACH ONE...
DAD CALLS GAD AROUND TO SPEAK THESE WORDS OVER HIM...
Genesis 49:19 (KJV) Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
GAD HAD A BLESSED PROMISE...
Have you ever seen a BOXING PUNCHING BAG?
No matter how often or how hard you hit the PUNCHING BAG it will pop back up.
The hard you hit the PUNCHING BAG the harder it will bounce back. Slam the
punching bag to the ground and it will bounce back up. Kick the punching bag and
wow, the bag returns to an up right position.
THE HIT KNOCKS YOU DOWN, HIS POWER BRINGS YOU BACK UP.
I KNOW! WE NEED A PERSONAL GOD ENCOUNTER --- ONLY GOD!
WE NEED A CHANGE THAT ONLY GOD CAN BRING...
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou
hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
THIS PRESSURE, THIS STRESS, THIS TRIAL, THIS STORM WHETHER IT IS
1. EXTERNAL
2. INTERNAL
I KNOW! WE NEED A PERSONAL GOD ENCOUNTER ---
WE NEED A CHANGE THAT ONLY GOD CAN BRING...
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth:
THIS MESS HAS LEAD ME ALL THE WAY... TO WORSHIP
FAITH, TRUST, SCARS SHOULD NEVER LEAD US TO BITTERNESS ---
REMEMBER JOSEPH'S FIRST SON --- GOD MADE ME FORGET... AND BEAR FRUIT...
Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he,
hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. 52 And the name of the second
called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
His servant, Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com
