Monday, June 30, 2008
God Always Makes Everything Work Out
Yesterday morning Bro. Johnny delivered a very powerful message. It was his first time preaching on a Sunday morning. He has done tag team before but never actually preached a full service on a Sunday morning. He done an awesome job!!!!! Bro. Johnny started out the service by explaining some events that have happened the past 2 weeks. A couple of weeks ago me and Johnny had a chance to go fishing. We had been fishing for a while and hadnt caught anything except for a few small ones. He took us to another spot and still nothing...... We seen a boat coming in our direction. We thought "well this isnt fair, we were here first!" So Johnny trolled over to the other side of the place we were fishing in. As we are fishing we found a Bream bed. It is amazing how things work out. If that boat hadnt have come our way we wuldnt have found that bed. So we are fishing and as I draw my rod back and sling forward I feel it jerk back. I look back to see that I hooked Bro. Johnny in the ear. I thought he was going to get mad. But he didnt, he stayed calm. The only thing I could say is that "Wow, I'm glad you didnt say a bad word!" Bro. Johnny told the congregation that he wasnt going to say who it was that hooked him in the ear. Then he said that he knew a young man that gave his life to the Lord on March 2.(That young man is me) He said how this young man had "preached like he had never heard a young man preach before." I preached in the youth group last Wednesday. And he then said the young man that he is talking about is Zach Wester. I had been looking for a way to let everyone know that my calling in life is to be a preacher. I just didnt know how to do it. I had been praying for God to show me a way to let everyone know. So I would like to say thanks to Bro. Johnny for all of his support. He has always been there for me. He did not have to take up his time telling people about me. He is an awesome Youth Pastor!!!!!!! The point of this is that God always finds a way to make everything work out. I believe that he sent that boat towards me and Bro. Johnny so that we would find the Bream bed, and I didnt know that Bro. Johnny was going to tell the congregation about me yesterday. God has never let me down!!!!!!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
"The Trial"
In Daniel chapter 6, King Darius signed a law stating if any person worshiped or prayed to another God, that person would be thrown into the Lions Den. Daniel knew the consequences that he faced if and when he continued to worship God. But he did it anyway. When it got back to King Darius that Daniel had been praying to God for help; Daniel was thrown into the Lions Den. Daniel could have kneeled down to King Darius and apologized for the alleged “crime”, but he didn’t. Daniel trusted in God the whole way. He never gave into the “sin”. Daniel knew that there was only one God, and that is the God that sent his one and only son to die on the cross for our sins. Daniel stuck with God the whole way and the whole time. When King Darius shouted into the Lions Den saying “Daniel, servant of the living God!” “Was your God, whom you worship continually, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel replied by saying “Long live the King!!” “My God sent his angel to shut the lion’s mouth so they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight.”
It doesn’t matter what you may be going through. If you put all of your trust in God, if you give God everything that you have he WILL NOT let you down. God has never let me down in the past so I am sure he won’t let me down in the future!! You may be to the point to where you are ready to give up; you are ready to throw in the towel. But let’s do like Daniel did. Let’s stand up for what we believe in! Don’t give up, keep trusting in God in everything that you do and he will direct your paths.
It doesn’t matter what you may be going through. If you put all of your trust in God, if you give God everything that you have he WILL NOT let you down. God has never let me down in the past so I am sure he won’t let me down in the future!! You may be to the point to where you are ready to give up; you are ready to throw in the towel. But let’s do like Daniel did. Let’s stand up for what we believe in! Don’t give up, keep trusting in God in everything that you do and he will direct your paths.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
"The Seed"
Luke 8:11-15 The seed is God's message. The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the message, but then the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved. The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots dont go very deep. They believe for a while, but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quikly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. But the good soil represtents honest, goodhearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest.
"The seed is God's message". I realize that everytime I get up to preach someone may not get saved. But I am "planting" the "seed" in individual hearts and minds. I would like to draw your attention to verse 12. The "hard path" may be a representation of a sinners heart, or someone that doesn't want to except God into their life. This type of person may go to church, hear the message, and then go back to all of the pleasures of life. Just as the verse says "the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved." I believe that a sinners heart is kind of like a rock. Imagine someone pouring a glass of water over a rock. The rock recieves the water but it just flows right off of the rock. So when the word of God is "poured" over this persons heart they recieve it but dont retain it. That is what verse 12 is trying to convey. Verse 13 says "The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots dont go very deep. They believe for a while , but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow." This verse is describing a person that is not rooted deep into the word of God, this type of person doesn't have a good strong, solid foundation. I can think of some people that are like this. They are fine until they are faced with a problem or "the hot winds of testing blow" then they crumble up. Just like a house that is built on a weak foundation. Verse 14 says "The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity." Now I believe that we can all relate to this. Our flesh doesn't want us to read the Bible, it wants us to have higher prioritys in life. Sometimes it gets hard, we may not want to read the Bible, the cares and other problems of THIS life may seem to push our true #1 priority out of the way. But we cant let this happen, we have to crucify ourselves daily. Bro. Johnny (my youth pastor) preached on this the other day. We need to put time aside to study the word of God. When we are rooted deep in the word of God and have a strong foundation we will be able stand strong against the troubles that may come to us. Verse 15 says "But the good soil represents honest, goodhearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest." This is the way we all need to be. This type of person has yielded their selves to the Lord and are rooted deep into the word of God. This persons heart is like a sponge. When the glass of water is poured over it, it absorbs it and retains the water. So when the word of God is "poured" over this persons heart they soak it up and retain it.
"The seed is God's message". I realize that everytime I get up to preach someone may not get saved. But I am "planting" the "seed" in individual hearts and minds. I would like to draw your attention to verse 12. The "hard path" may be a representation of a sinners heart, or someone that doesn't want to except God into their life. This type of person may go to church, hear the message, and then go back to all of the pleasures of life. Just as the verse says "the Devil comes and steals it away and prevents them from believing and being saved." I believe that a sinners heart is kind of like a rock. Imagine someone pouring a glass of water over a rock. The rock recieves the water but it just flows right off of the rock. So when the word of God is "poured" over this persons heart they recieve it but dont retain it. That is what verse 12 is trying to convey. Verse 13 says "The rocky soil represents those who hear the message with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots dont go very deep. They believe for a while , but they wilt when the hot winds of testing blow." This verse is describing a person that is not rooted deep into the word of God, this type of person doesn't have a good strong, solid foundation. I can think of some people that are like this. They are fine until they are faced with a problem or "the hot winds of testing blow" then they crumble up. Just like a house that is built on a weak foundation. Verse 14 says "The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity." Now I believe that we can all relate to this. Our flesh doesn't want us to read the Bible, it wants us to have higher prioritys in life. Sometimes it gets hard, we may not want to read the Bible, the cares and other problems of THIS life may seem to push our true #1 priority out of the way. But we cant let this happen, we have to crucify ourselves daily. Bro. Johnny (my youth pastor) preached on this the other day. We need to put time aside to study the word of God. When we are rooted deep in the word of God and have a strong foundation we will be able stand strong against the troubles that may come to us. Verse 15 says "But the good soil represents honest, goodhearted people who hear God's message, cling to it, and steadily produce a huge harvest." This is the way we all need to be. This type of person has yielded their selves to the Lord and are rooted deep into the word of God. This persons heart is like a sponge. When the glass of water is poured over it, it absorbs it and retains the water. So when the word of God is "poured" over this persons heart they soak it up and retain it.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
My First Time Preaching
Wednesday I had the chance to preach the word of God to the youth group. I preached on Isaiah 53:5,6. Under this blog is a summary of what I preached on. And let me tell you, for my first time I think I done a good job. Its amazing what God has done in my life. The presence of the Lord was felt as I preached on "Jesus Paid The Price". I look forward to what is in store for me. A couple of months ago God spoke to my heart.....something i would have never thought would happen to me. I realized that my calling in life is to be a preacher!!! I wuz so excited and nervous Wednesday. I asked my friend V. if she would sing "Let It Rain". It is amazing how things work out, it had been raining for a while and as the praise and worship team was getting ready to start, lightning hit one of the churches air conditioners. They asked us to go to the main sanctuary. I was so disappointed. I had been so excited all day and I thought " I cant believe this has happened". Right when I thought that I started thinking about how it was the devil trying to bring me down. I kept saying in my mind "The devil IS NOT going to bring me down". It seems like just seconds later Bro. Johnny came in and said we could go back into the Youth Chapel. We went in and the praise and worship team played "The Enemy Has Been Defeated" and "Let It Rain". The presence of the Holy Spirit was felt as they sung these wonderful songs. Bro. Johnny (my youth pastor) introduced me as the "special preacher" that they had been telling people about. I am proud to say that the enemy was defeated as I preached. The annointing of the Holy Spirit is awesome. I cant explain the feeling. I cant hardly wait to preach again!!!
Jesus Paid The Price
“Jesus Paid The Price”
Isaiah 53:5
He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah uses two words for sin in verse 5: transgressions and iniquities!
Jesus did not only feel the effect of sin; he felt sin itself. A transgression is a willful violation of God’s law. Merriam Webster defines willful as deliberate or intentional. so a transgression is when you know you do wrong but do it anyway. Iniquities are the “pervertness” of the human nature.
Verse 5 says he was wounded for our transgressions; and bruised for our iniquities. Jesus suffered a brutal and painful death for “our” sins! Pay attention to the word "our". It doesnt say his iniquities because Jesus had never sinned! He was an innocent man. And with his stripes we are healed!! On the cross Jesus was pierced and crushed. In verse 4 the picture of what happened on Calvary is painted. Jesus was weighed down by our grief’s and sorrows. It was am unbearable weight. Our transgressions crushed him to death. Just like a spear or an arrow shot from a hunters bow our iniquities pierced him to death. Our transgressions are the nails and our iniquities are the spear. But that’s not it. Jesus didn’t just endure all of this for our sins; he endured this so that we can also be healed. John 19:34 it tells us that after Jesus died one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and blood and water come out. The blood and water was for wholeness and healing. Jesus gives us peace or wholeness. If you understand what Christ has done for you on the cross it gives you the knowledge that you can draw near to God.
You may say that Jesus just doesn’t know what it is like to be a human. When Jesus died he had the same feelings, the same sorrows, the same fears, and Jesus experienced pain just like we do. He knows what it is like to live a human life. You cant say that Jesus don’t know what it is like to live as a human because he does. The dread, the fear, the sorrow, the mocking, the humiliation, the spitting, and the crucifixcion were all dreaded by Jesus. Jesus was the innocent dying for us, the guilty. Crucifiction on the cross is the crulest form of torture ever done by man. Jesus hung there in pain and agony in a slow death, enduring punishment, so that God can be just in forgiving us for our sins.
Psalm 147:3 says heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. If you understand God’s love for you it makes you want to be close to him. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he did it willingly. Since Jesus is God he could have escaped from his executioners. But if Jesus would have done that we would still be lost in our sins.
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Sheep stray away from the flock without thinking about it. They are following their own instinct to wander away. So sheep stray away from the flock one blade of grass at a time; one step at a time. Were just like this. Our sinful nature causes us to chase after our own desires and to go our own way. But there is only one way! And that is God’s way. Sin comes to us naturally; we don’t have to practice at being a sinner. Once we stray away from the flock, or once we stray away from god there is something that can get us to where we need to be. That is the awesome power of God.
I can’t help but to think about how the Shepard protects over his sheep. In John 10:4 it tells us that Jesus said that he is the good Shepard; the Shepard lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus is an awesome Shepard. He suffered so that we can have peace. When Jesus layed down his life for us he went to the meeting that we should have went to. But now we can go to a different meeting. That is the meeting with our father: who waits on us with open arms!!!!
Isaiah 53:5
He was wounded for our transgressions; he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah uses two words for sin in verse 5: transgressions and iniquities!
Jesus did not only feel the effect of sin; he felt sin itself. A transgression is a willful violation of God’s law. Merriam Webster defines willful as deliberate or intentional. so a transgression is when you know you do wrong but do it anyway. Iniquities are the “pervertness” of the human nature.
Verse 5 says he was wounded for our transgressions; and bruised for our iniquities. Jesus suffered a brutal and painful death for “our” sins! Pay attention to the word "our". It doesnt say his iniquities because Jesus had never sinned! He was an innocent man. And with his stripes we are healed!! On the cross Jesus was pierced and crushed. In verse 4 the picture of what happened on Calvary is painted. Jesus was weighed down by our grief’s and sorrows. It was am unbearable weight. Our transgressions crushed him to death. Just like a spear or an arrow shot from a hunters bow our iniquities pierced him to death. Our transgressions are the nails and our iniquities are the spear. But that’s not it. Jesus didn’t just endure all of this for our sins; he endured this so that we can also be healed. John 19:34 it tells us that after Jesus died one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and blood and water come out. The blood and water was for wholeness and healing. Jesus gives us peace or wholeness. If you understand what Christ has done for you on the cross it gives you the knowledge that you can draw near to God.
You may say that Jesus just doesn’t know what it is like to be a human. When Jesus died he had the same feelings, the same sorrows, the same fears, and Jesus experienced pain just like we do. He knows what it is like to live a human life. You cant say that Jesus don’t know what it is like to live as a human because he does. The dread, the fear, the sorrow, the mocking, the humiliation, the spitting, and the crucifixcion were all dreaded by Jesus. Jesus was the innocent dying for us, the guilty. Crucifiction on the cross is the crulest form of torture ever done by man. Jesus hung there in pain and agony in a slow death, enduring punishment, so that God can be just in forgiving us for our sins.
Psalm 147:3 says heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. If you understand God’s love for you it makes you want to be close to him. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins he did it willingly. Since Jesus is God he could have escaped from his executioners. But if Jesus would have done that we would still be lost in our sins.
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Sheep stray away from the flock without thinking about it. They are following their own instinct to wander away. So sheep stray away from the flock one blade of grass at a time; one step at a time. Were just like this. Our sinful nature causes us to chase after our own desires and to go our own way. But there is only one way! And that is God’s way. Sin comes to us naturally; we don’t have to practice at being a sinner. Once we stray away from the flock, or once we stray away from god there is something that can get us to where we need to be. That is the awesome power of God.
I can’t help but to think about how the Shepard protects over his sheep. In John 10:4 it tells us that Jesus said that he is the good Shepard; the Shepard lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus is an awesome Shepard. He suffered so that we can have peace. When Jesus layed down his life for us he went to the meeting that we should have went to. But now we can go to a different meeting. That is the meeting with our father: who waits on us with open arms!!!!
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