So what does God have for us now? We aren't sure but we do know that trials test our faith and it's the only way to grow in Christ! I want to grow! I thought of this verse today and being "tried by fire." "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7
The other night, I needed a reminder that God is still working in my life and I need to stop hanging on to the past and move forward to all God has in store. The words I heard the pastor say rang so true as tied to what God first spoke to us at the start of this new direction. I couldn't write fast enough to catch it all but place it hear as a marker for us and encouragement for others.
"Not that I already have obtained all this, or have already been made perfect but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to in the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:12-14
- When you can't forgive yourself, you can't move on. Let go of the past - forgiving what is behind.
- Paul (great man of God) saying he hasn't arrived. You need to know God is working in you and not done. Forget past accomplishments and head to future!
- Our spirits have been born again but we need the renewal of our minds. Do you want things to be the same or to grow in all that is possible.
- Surrendering is just the beginning. Believers in Bible were added DAILY because they were in the Word, praying and worshipping daily. It is a discipline!
- People will let you down but Jesus never leaves you. Your time with the Lord is your strength!
- If all you think of is what God did in the past, you are stuck.... you are dry... "However, as it is written: no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
- Speak to God about the new levels you want to go - have a positive confession. What are you saying about your situation? God has more for you than you can even imagine!
- Grace and the love of God will bring healing to you. "If God is for you than who can be against you!"
- We don't go anywhere when we just cut the past. It doesn't matter where you are now or who you are - this does not determine what God has for you! God is not a respecter of persons - you just have to want to commit! (read book "God's Generals")
- Your latter days will be greater than your former! Ask God for more of Him! God is the same as He was in the Bible.
- It's time to stop playing church and have the "upper room" here!
- Jesus, God Almighty, humbled Himself when He came here to us. We received His righteousness at the cross so we can BOLDY receive what He has for us! It's by His blood and not our performance!
- Spurgeon said the Christians motto should be "I do" but we don't earn it by our works. Our motto should be - "it was done" on the cross.
- Too much fake humility in the church. Be careful - God is the only one that can see the heart.
- If you see a wild stallion in the wild - he is out of control. If a wild stallion is domesticated - it is then "power in control" This is humility.
- Jesus on leadership: He didn't come to create power of a team but to show us love.
- The higher the power, the more humble we should be. Our Savior came to represent a greater kingdom.
- Do you have a servant's heart, not just for show? There is only one person to "impress" and that is God.
Praise
- Job's example: "Though He slay me yet I will trust Him." The Lord gives and the Lord takes away!
- Praise your way through and the walls come down! Praise Him in the good and in the bad.
- He is the Alpha and Omega! It ain't over until God says it's over!!
- Rejoice always! Things seen are temporal... what matters is the unseen.
- Going through potholes? We won't have enough room to contain what God is going to do. After all you've done - STAND and you will STAND if you faint not! "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
- Make a declaration with your mouth for your heart!
- Don't have a job? You do: Your mouth is important - look beyond the hardship!
- Paul was in prison. It advanced the gospel Paul said. He knew God was with him even in prison, no complaining. Praising God in jail saved lives!
- Let your trial kick you forward. "for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity." Proverbs 24:16 Get up and PRAISE!
- God loves you and you are the apple of His eye!
- Are you tired of going backwards and staying the same? You need to say "I'm coming to receive today!"
- Why don't we receive? We aren't BELIEVING! "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him." Mark 11:23
- How big is your BUT? (new sermon title) Have an expectant heart! Start thanking Him for what He is going to do! God thought different!
- God can make a position for you at work in the middle of devils just because He can!
- Practice right thinking - thinking from a Biblical perspective. "For as he thinks within himself, so he is." Proverbs 23:7
- God is for me and not against me! He will do "exceedingly and abundantly MORE." We are supposed to be "believers" and not "doubters."
- (This point is for all my single sisters) Start thanking God for your "man of God." Start "seeing your rib!"
- No condemnation - God didn't spare you just to let you fall down! You are special people!
- If you do this, your attitude will change. The bad thing that happened to you won't destroy you but the attitude will!
- Be an excited Christian! As you think determines your heart determines your destiny!
- Why aren't we fired up now? New attitudes will take you to new levels!
