Believers Church
WHAT FIELD ARE YOU IN? PART 1 01/31/2010
Add Comment WHAT FIELD ARE YOU IN? PART 1 01/31/2010
What Field Are You In? Part 1 Ruth 1:1-2 Elimelech’s decision was based on his sight and on his fear. He alone made the decision to mortgage his inheritance and risk his eternal soul to save his life and the life of his family. Luke 17:33 Tells us that whosoever seeks to save his life will lose it. Hebrews 12:15-16 Our inheritance is priceless. Turning from it will death to us as well. We can’t stay away long or our hearts will harden against God. Ruth 1:3-5 The famine that was in Judah was because of disobedience. Wouldn’t God have him and his family to endure this hardship just like the others? Yes, He would. He is a believer disobeying God, by doing things his way. We cannot escape judgment. 1 Peter 4:17 Judgment begins at the house of God. We are like Elimelech, we want to blame God for the consequences that we brought on ourselves. Suppose that we today can relate to this story. What if we did go the wrong way trying to fix things? Have you noticed when we do this that it is only a temporary fix. Now your troubles have increased. We will change jobs, take out new loans, and open new credit cards that we don’t need. We want to change our spouses like we do our new cars and new homes. We’re never satisfied with our grass on this side of Jordan. So at the first sign of trouble we attempt to run away from our chastisement. Proverbs 3:5-13 God is on your side, it doesn’t matter what you have done, it doesn’t matter where you have gone. Trust in Him, endure the chastening of the Lord. If you are His child all He wants is for you to turn around completely and come home. He is waiting to restore you. Ruth 1:6-18 Naomi had suffered great loss. She knew that the only thing that she could do was to return to her native land. She probably knew that her daughters-in-law would not be welcomed. No offspring of a marriage with a Moabite would be admitted to the congregation until the tenth generation. What a mess, what should she do? She offers them their freedom to return unto their land. What are we offering God? Maybe what we’re offering isn’t what He wants. Here we’re trying to fix things like Naomi was. Naomi felt that God was against her. She felt afflicted to the point of a name change. Naomi means “pleasant” and Mara means “bitter”. She was blessed and now she is cursed. Naomi could not see because of her pain, but Ruth learned and watched her in her trial and she could see the love Naomi hade for her God. So Ruth decides to follow the Lord by following Naomi back to her home. All of this is part of God’s plan. He is always working things out. We disobey and He creates a new path. All we have to do is trust Him that He knows what is best for us. This is all that Naomi had, she didn’t know what lied ahead for Ruth and herself. All she knew was that she had to come home. Psalms 116:6-10 We have all walked in the place where Naomi was. Maybe you’re there right now. The Lord will keep you from falling. The first step was to turn around and come back to the Lord. Watch and see what He will do! Ruth 2: 1-13 When Naomi came home she told Ruth of a family member who could act on her behalf to recover her husband’s inheritance. Who acted on our behalf to recover all that was stolen from us? Naomi and Boaz were related, they were family. Who are we family to? As Boaz had the right of redemption he was not under any obligation to intervene on Ruth’s behalf. Ruth was considered a gentile. There is no way that Ruth happened up in the right field. She was lead by God to the right place. We are being positioned into the right place. In the right field Ruth had protection and provision. She was able to care for her mother-in-law as she had promised. As we turn and step back into the Lord’s will for our lives, He will enable us to keep our commitment to Him. Boaz was watching her personal humility and godliness as one who had come to trust in the God of Israel. She didn’t understand why she had found favor in her master’s eyes. He told her that the Lord would repay her in a full reward. Our Father has placed us in the right field to receive a full reward. When we endure suffering with an attitude of gratefulness that He is willing to deal with us. Then and only then will we know, and also God knows, the true intent of our hearts. Hebrews 12:11-13 The field represents a time of testing, a time of chastening. It will yield the fruit needed to come out of the field . Church we are coming out! Ruth 2:14-23 Ruth is experiencing relationship, she is experiencing abundance that others are not entitled to. Naomi is excited and is having hope of her own restoration. In the right field everything becomes clear. Naomi’s advice to her was to stay close to the handmaidens of Boaz and not to be found in the wrong field. Naomi knew firsthand what that meant. Learn, Listen, and Obey. Don’t do anything else to help the situation. Elimelech went to the wrong field and it cost him everything. Naomi wasn’t about to let that happen again. Have we had enough of being in the wrong field? Boaz is a form of Jesus, this kindness shown to Ruth is the only account in the old testament where He had extended His kindness to the living and to the dead. Only God has the power to give life to that which is dead. He will revive us again. TAKE HEED 01/27/2010
TAKE HEED
1 John 4:1-6 There are many voices in the world today. They’re not all of a religious sort. It is any voice that leads us away from God into the things of this world. We’re to be set apart from the world. We’re to live in it but not of the world. Matthew 16:26 What will it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul? 1 John 2:15-18 We are in danger by neglecting church and fellowship with other saints. The more that we surround ourselves with the world the less interest we will have for God. Some will say “but you don’t know what I do at home” and I will say “Your fruit tells the story.” It is easy to see who is hungry for the things of God. Your treasure is where your heart is. Matthew 24:4-14 Let no man deceive you. We are in the last days. The word of God is the only truth that can destroy deception. And if you are not in church and you don’t read your bible then you are in danger of deception. Jesus is the only way for you to know the difference between the truth and a lie. The word is to help you while you live in this world. But make no mistake, there is coming a day when those who are counted worthy will disappear from this earth. Matthew 24:32-44 Wars and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences,, kingdoms against kingdoms and nations against nations, earthquakes in divers places. The signs are everywhere and the deception has always been that these signs have always been on the earth. This is true, but never have all of these signs occurred at the same time. This is what is happening now. Jesus said to know the signs and prepare for the time is short. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 When that trumpet sounds those of us who are alive will be caught up to meet the Lord and those who are already risen. There is no grave anymore for those who die in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 Don’t miss God! Don’t just get saved to miss hell. You can’t fool God. Your fear shouldn’t be about going to hell, your fear should be that Jesus might reject you one day. Maybe you don’t believe any of what I am saying, and it may not move your heart to examine your walk with God, but one day it will happen and then you will truly believe. What then? What will you do? Everyone of faith is speaking the same things about the days that we are in. We are as in the days of Noah. 1 Corinthians 15:49-55 In a moment and in the twinkling of an eye those who love Jesus and who have put their trust in him will be gone. Only those who never knew Him and those who have pretended will be left behind. Matthew 7:17-23 Without a close, intimate relationship with Jesus you will not make it in these days of sorrow. In Him is our peace and our help. If you don’t believe now and your trust is not in Him how you stand in the time of trouble? Choice 01/17/2010
Choice
God the Father makes all the choices. In the old testament He chose and sent certain ones to fulfill His plans. Like Noah, Abraham, Jacob, David, Moses, etc. He even chose a certain tribe to be the priesthood. Today because of Jesus we all have a choice. Deuteronomy 30:19-20 His plan has always been for us to choose obedience to Him. But instead of a choice it became a duty. And it’s still this way today for some. If most of us knew that we were allowed to fulfill the lust of our flesh we would probably indulge. We would live for today with little or no worry of tomorrow or eternity. Romans 13:14 Well it is not ok to fulfill the lust of your flesh. This is why we have the choice to choose this day who we will serve, our flesh or God. The law was brought so that we would know what sin was. Galatians 3:10-11, 23-26 If we live according to our flesh we are living under the law of sin and death. The law kills. Without Heeding to the instruction of the Holy Spirit The letter of the law will brig forth death. (Like Judas 2 Corinthians 3:5-6) Romans 6:23 Sin brings for death. It’s through His spirit that we have freedom from the law, with the promise of life, if we choose. Romans 6:5-8 To walk after the flesh is to follow the desires of the old man. To walk after the spirit is to follow the desires of the Holy Spirit instead of your own. It is your choice. Romans 7:5-6 They that live by the law will die by the law, like Judas. If we choose to obey and it’s not a real heart change, is this real obedience or is it a work like Judas? Judas appeared to be obedient but on the inside he had his own agenda. He was not living in Christ. Jesus came to bring a circumcision to the heart. Matthew 23:25-26 It is not about what is on the outside, it’s about what is in your heart. 1 John 2:15-17 Is your zeal and your heart running after the things of God, or are you pretending with an outward appearance like Judas? Judas died without repentance because of the law, the law killed him. Romans 8:1-8 Jesus came and fulfilled the law. Therefore we are really free from its curse. But we have to live in Christ Jesus because He is the one who was obedient in His flesh to fulfill God’s law. Now the law is made perfect through Jesus. You can be perfect because He is perfect. Because we are satisfied through His spirit we are declared righteous in the Father’s eyes. The law provokes a life full of works, death, and bondage. The new covenant provokes Spirit led living, life, and freedom. Joshua 24:15 Choose this day who you will serve. What is really in your heart? What is keeping you from your Lord? Faithfulness 01/13/2010
Faithfulness
We’re in the hour when it will require our faithfulness. Matthew 25:21 God wants us to be faithful in the smallest things first. Then He gives us more. The problem is that our flesh always wants more and better. We’re never satisfies or content. Why? One reason is self deception. We think the little things do not matter. The truth is that they are the most important. The small things are what holds the key to our freedom. Do not despise small beginnings. Cleaning the church, and keeping the grounds outside may not seem important. But it is one of the little things we need to do as church members. Even if you didn’t make the mess. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 We know through the scriptures that all we do for God is not in vain because it is a finished work. It was successful in the kingdom. We have victory because He did. All we have to do is to be steadfast and unmovable in the work of the Lord. People are always watching us. Tithing, if you are not tithing on what God is giving you then you can expect not to have a harvest in a time of famine. If you owe everyone and you don’t pay those you borrow from the word calls you an evil person. If you are bouncing checks all over town what kind of witness is that? Be steadfast in what you have learned. When you make good habits it will cause you to see results if you do not give up. If we give up too soon we’ll lose faith in the word that God spoke to us. We try things and when tey don’t produce in our time frame we quit, then we lose. Ephesians 4:11-15 We can’t be tossed about by every wind or everything that sounds good. We have to make a decision. Our flesh wants us going here and there and never accomplishing anything. Things of this world is vanity and it will all burn up. Sow into spiritual things that moth and rust cannot destroy. We cannot grow weary in our mission for our city. We must continue our prayer rides and prayer walks. Ezekiel 22:30 The Lord is looking for a steadfast person who will really lay down their life to fast and pray for salvations, healings, and restorations. We’re too busy we say or we’re not called to do that. How can we ever stand in the gap for another or get up in the middle of the night to pray if we don’t learn to be faithful in the little things first? We don’t like the little things. But what if you that by being faithful in what you know to do is pleasing God and that is all that He is requiring of you. Wouldn’t that be better? Can God save half a man? God cannot save a whole man who is only half obedient. But God can save half a man whose whole heart is obedient. 1 Corinthians 10:31 Everything that you are doing people are watching. More importantly God is watching. Are we bringing Glory to God through the little things? This is how you are rewarded. This is how He uses you in ministry. Feast Or Field 01/10/2010
Feast Or Field
If people are turning to the field instead of the feast then we have not portrayed the feast properly. The field represents works and the feast represents grace. (ref Luke 14:15-24) Romans 14:15-19 The kingdom is not meat or drink. It’s not physical, it’s spiritual. It’s expecting the gift of grace, His righteousness, His peace, and His joy. This is the Kingdom of God. People and some Christians are joy-killers. They will kill your freedom, they lead you into works, they keep you in shame, fear and intimidation. These people do not understand true grace and the freedom to live an abundant life of righteousness, peace, and joy. Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-11 There is the finished work of the cross. As we learn to accept the gift of grace in our lives we will realize that there is nothing that we can possibly do to cause Him to love us any more or any less. Entering into His rest means that we have ceased from our own works. John 6:24-29 The work that we have to do is to believe on Him who the Father has sent. We’re to work preaching of His work. We’re to work on our faith. How? By believing on His works. Salvation cannot be earned, it has to be maintained through faith. Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus was the same in the scriptures as he is today in our lives. There was no religion in Him, no doctrines, no works. There was freedom, there was faith. There is a surrender and an amazing lifting of our burdens and of all our shame. This is freedom! Our hearts need to know grace instead of works. If we are always in the field how can we eat? Are we servants or sons? Matthew 11:28-30 All that is needed to feast at His table is to rest in His finished work. Our work is to know Him in a greater way. He said that we would do greater works. It’s because His glory will be seen everywhere. He is high and lifted up. The train od his robe fills the temple. Do you hear “Yes you can” or do you hear “You can’t do that”? God says “Yes you can”. Grace says you can but Works say, “No, not yet. You haven’t earned it yet. You’re not ready. You’re not strong enough. You’re not worthy, etc. Grace says that you are ready because Jesus has completed every task. All we have to do is step out in faith and believe. Philippians 4:13 It is through His work that we are able to do all things. It doesn’t matter about the circumstances that we will face. We are able with Him beside us. Romans 8:35-37 No matter where life takes us, we are victorious because He was. He is grace, He is the feast. We eat of the living manna. Our flesh is killed by our knowledge of Him. He is the conquerer. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 The grace of God brings joy to our lives in the midst of our infirmities. It doesn’t matter what trial or problems that we will face in our future, in His grace we are made strong in our weakness. Grace will meet us in our sickness or unemployment. Grace will encourage us in a broken marriage or an unsaved loved one. Grace will separate us from a life in the flesh. When there is no hope grace is there, when fear is present grace is there, when darkness surrounds you grace is there. When death approaches grace brings life. Let’s eat from the table of grace. In these times of fasting and prayer let’s fast to know His works so we will cease from our own works. Called To Preach 01/06/2010
Called To Preach
Matthew 4:1-4 Man cannot live by food alone, he will die. And without spiritual food, life will end. No chance of eternal life. So life without the word is temporary. Life with the word is everlasting. John 1:1-5 The word of God. God is life, so the word is life to us. So no one will live without the word of God. Romans 10:11-15 How will people know the word if it is not preached. It has to be heard first. Faith comes by hearing and our hearing comes through the spoken word. Luke 4:18 The Lord has called us to preach the gospel, to preach the good news. We need to share with people what God has done in us. How will they know if we do not tell them? John 20:11-18 Why didn’t Mary recognize Jesus? Because he was not in her yet. The word will bear witness with the word. Her natural eyes could not see yet, she only had witness of what she had seen. She needed the word in her to recognize. Luke 24:13-32 These two men also did not recognize Jesus because there was no word in them, just eye witness accounts. In v27 Jesus started confirming the spoken word of old. It was through the spoken word that they came to believe. In v30 the bread is symbolic of the word and their eyes were opened. In v32 it said that their hearts burned within them as the scriptures were opened to them. Luke 4:42-44 Jesus knew what he was called to do. If people had their way they would have kept Jesus all to themselves. We as the church today are like this. We want to stay where we are comfortable and keep things the way we are used to them. Jesus said I didn’t come for the whole. I came for the sick. We have been given the good news so that we can share it with those in our lives that are hurting. How will they know if we don’t tell them? Matthew 9:10-13 Jesus demonstrated using the whole gospel to reach the lost. He walked in love and compassion. He showed mercy, he spoke truth, he taught on their level. He was and is today that same gospel. Matthew 25:31-40 There are many ways to express the gospel. But speaking is the best. When we have the opportunity to minister to the needs of others, this is an open door for us to give them the good news. Don’t just fill the physical need, fill their hearts with spiritual food. Remember that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word spoken by God. Ministering his word in this year will change you as well as advance his kingdom. |
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