TAKE JESUS at HIS WORD!!

In all these things we have full victory through God who showed his love for us.

When it comes to healing our spiritual condition, we don’t have a chance. We don’t have what it takes to be healed. We have a 5 letter word though, FAITH!! When me and Bro. Charlie Dykes, Pastor at Open Arms Assembly of God, used to head up a Bible study on Thursday nights we did several weeks on faith. At the end of the study we would always have this: Firmly Assured I Trust in Him!! (F.A.I.T.H.) That’s the way it should be for all of us… No matter what the circumstance…. No matter what the condition, we should always trust in God…Always standing on the FIRM rock, which is the Word of the LORD!
Our only hope is that God will do for us what he did for the man at Bethesda, that he will step out of the temple and step into our hurt, disappointment, worry, and helplessness.
Which is exactly what He has done…. I wish we would take Jesus at his word…
When Jesus says we’re forgiven, let’s unload the guilt.
When Jesus says we’re valuable, let’s believe him!!
When Jesus says we’re provided for, let’s stop worrying.
GOD’S EFFORTS ARE STRONGEST WHEN OUR EFFORTS ARE USELESS!!!!

So, let’s stay in love with Jesus and have FAITH in Him!!!

The Call of Samuel...How Is The Word Of The Lord Necessary for today??

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (KJV)
1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
The Word of the Lord was precious in those days: or it was rare; seldom... It was this event that mad the revelation of God's Will to Samuel an event so memorable both for the Jewish nation and for the church. Why is this? He was called by the providence of God..
At the end of this verse we see where it says there was no open vision. : this literally means that “no vision broke forth” as found in 2 chronicles”.
This means that though prophecy was an essential condition of the spiritual life of Israel, but it had not yet been established as a fact.
The gift had not been absolutely withheld...but it hadn't been permanently granted as a settled ordinance..


2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;
Eli could not see! :
his sight was quickly growing dim...
both were sleeping in the temple: Samuel was sleeping in the temple of God, where the ark of God was..
Eli nor Samuel were in the holy place, but 1 Sam 1:9, the word temple is used in the sense of the whole palace of Israel's spiritual king.

3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;
4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.
The reason why Samuel was confused is simply because Samuel did not yet know Jehovah, neither was the word of God revealed to him.
He knew God in the way of his conscience and spiritual life, but did not know him as one who reveals his will to men.
Let me explain that prophecy had been a rare thing for a long time... and Samuel had often heard God's voice in his heart, speaking to him of right and wrong....
but he did not know of God as a living person, such as giving commandments for men and women to obey...and giving knowledge to guide them in doing his will!!

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
Notice that Eli told Samuel to go lay down again... Eli knew this was God, definitely a time to get excited but he told Samuel to go lay down because he knew that if Samuel was calm it would be the best way for him to receive the Word of God!
The best preparation for hearing God's voice is through obedience and trustful submission!

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
Here there was more than a voice there was an objective presence!
But instead of hurrying to Eli, Samuel obediently waited for the revelation of the Divine Will, saying, “Speak, for thy servant heareth”
We find where 258 times the Word of God has come unto an individual on either one or multiple occasions
Here with Samuel we see where it took God three different times to get Samuel's attention...
What does this show about God, or the Word of the LORD?
It shows me that God will never ever give up on an individual...
I read this passage of scripture for the purpose of setting a picture in your head.
I don't believe I am doing any injustice to the Word of God when I do this, but lets set a seen of a sinner...an individual bound down by the power an darkness of sin...
this individual is a porn addict, has a terrible cussing problem...this guy will cuss you out in a heart beat. This person has felt God speak to their heart about what is right and wrong, just as young Samuel did!
There is only one hope for this person...the Word of the Lord has to come unto him...

we find many verses where it reveals the power that the Word of God packs!
John 1:1 says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God!
So here in this bible records many miracles,healing and teachings of Jesus...
but since the word was God...or is God..it is revealing that the word of God is not just pages bound in this book but it is indeed alive and well!
2 Timothy 3:16 says:
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Can I say to you that the word of God is not just something bound in a leather casing, something that many people put on their back shelf or I n their closet!
But the Word of God dwells here among us!
The Word of God is here with us this morning, his name is Jesus!
Yes he hung on a cross, yes nails were driven through his hand, yes a crown of thorns were placed on his head!
Yes he did die on that cross...but he was buried...
an I am proud to report that the grave couldn't hold him!
The stone wasn't to heavy!
When God moved on the situation God resurrected that body of Jesus!
This shows that the Word of the LORD is all powerful
this shows that God is in control
this shows that nothing is impossible with God!
Yes Jesus did die but he rose again...he conquered the grave! That's the resurrecting power of Jesus!
So the word of the lord is not dead! The word of the Lord is not shut up somewhere!
But the Word of the Lord is alive and it dwells here among us today!
1 peter 1:24-25 says
1 Peter 1:24-25 (KJV)
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Friend we are going to die one day...you will meet eternity whether you like it or not!
There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother!
You can turn to your drugs
you can turn to the things and the people of this world
but at the end of the joint you find emptiness
at the bottom of the pill bottle there is nothing
at the bottom of the whiskey bottle there is emptiness!
When your friends seemingly turn away from you who are you going to turn too?
Yes you may get a good feeling from the alcohol and the drugs, but when it wares off you will be left with emptiness all over again!
But let me introduce you to a feeling that never goes away!
Let me introduce you to someone who you will never find emptiness in!
Let me introduce you to someone that will never turn his back on you!
His name is Jesus!
Open you heart and let him come in!
He is the WORD OF THE LORD!!
friend has he tried to get your attention?
Has he tried to come in your heart?
Has he spoke to you about what you are involved in is wrong?
Maybe you think he cant save you!
Maybe you think you are involved in something that is “To Much” for him to handle, but can I tell you that:
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
What does this mean??
Jesus is in the healing business!
HE IS IN THE SAVING BUSINESS!
Don't worry about what your involved in!
Don't worry about the perversion, the addiction, or the disobedience...
you lay it at the foot of the cross and let Jesus take care of it! Why because he is powerful and he is sharper than any two edged sword!

Importance

one thing that is so important is that the Word of God is the foundation for a real relationship with Jesus
often times as a minister of this Gospel I want to spend my time doing message preparation... and yes God does speak to my heart... don't get me wrong
That is good but without a relationship with Jesus it is no good...WHAT DO I MEAN??
we should not only study this Bible, the Word of God, for just message preparation!
We should study this word to get into a deep relationship with Jesus Christ
without a strong and true relationship with Jesus you will crumble...
It is said in the Bible in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The Amplified Version says 2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP)
15 Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.
So to be able to preach this Word we have to have a relationship with Jesus!
Thats why the Word of the Lord is so important to us in the world that we live in!
When we pray we are talking to our father Mighty God!
But when you read the Word of God that's how God talks back to you!
Friend this blessed Holy Book is the ingredient to a strong foundation! So that when the winds and the storms come you can stand flat footed and say “I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED IN AND I AM PERSUADED HE IS ABLE TO KEEP THAT WHICH I HAVE COMMITED UNTO HIM AGAINST THAT DAY!
We need a strong relationship with Jesus!
Why is it so important? The Word of the Lord can humble you!
2 Kings 22:19 (KJV)
19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.
Why is it important?
Josiah pleased God because he humbled himself and submitted to God's plan.
This kind of humility and Godly surrender is a primary condition for personal spiritual renewal and recevieng God's grace.
This invovles recognition of our own flaws and our own failures compared to God's perfect standards.
This involves sincerely respecting, following and taking God's Word Seriously IN ALL THINGS!!
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit! What Does This mean?
What God really desires is for men and women to recognize their own inability and surrender their situations to him!
God will never ever ever turn away a broken and humble heart!!
notice it says since thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, I also have heard thee!!!!
When we put our selfish and prideful attitudes and cry out to our creator, cry out to Mighty God for his help, for his forgiveness, we can be rest assured God will hear us!!
That's what God desires of us! Set away our seflishness and pride...and get real with God!
Get humble, get broken before God!
This is important because when we are humble and listen to the Word of the Lord, He also listens to us!!

The Word of the Lord is our Sword...our only offensive weapon!
Just as Jesus was tempted in the desert by Satan....we will also be tempted... but when Satan tempted Jesus he was able to rebuke the devil with what....the Word of the Lord!
Its this Word that is infallible! Its this Word that will never fail!
Jesus will never fail you, neither will the Words in this Bible!
I'm tired of people trying to put Jesus behind the scenes....trying to say he is dead and is gone forever!
He might not be here in physical form but he is here in the form of the Holy Spirit! The Holy spirit is just like Jesus!
It will comfort you in time of trouble, it will lift the burden!
Turn to this word! And turn to God!
Revelation 19:11-17 (KJV)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND Lord OF Lords.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
God is still in the business of making the Word become flesh...this is necessary but we have to be in a relationship with God!
My God Give us a hunger

Remember I painted a picture in your mind of a young man that was addicted to porn, addicted to the things of this world, had a terrible cussing problem...
the Word of God spoke to his heart many times saying “this is wrong, you can change”
many times this individual layed in bed at night thinking about how he wanted to change...he just thought he was involved in too much...
many times after he went to church, how many know u can still go to church and not be saved??
but after church he would often line pillows up on his bed and pretend he was preaching to them
he always thought the Lord had called him to be a preacher...
but when God would speak to him he would get up and go get involved in something to deny the voice of God!
But after he left his room, pretending to preach, he would always be heart broken!
Because he had no joy...no peace was in him...nowhere to be found inside this young individual!
On a Sunday morning the Word of the Lord come unto this guy...and he had made his mind up he wanted to change!
He stood up out of the piew and walked down to the front, and asked Jesus in his heart...
it was a life changing experience..
that's what happens when the Word of the Lord comes unto you...
it can break the feters of sin...and break the chains and the pain of your past...
shortly after that morning..that glorious morning,when a sinner was saved....
this individual excepted the call of God in his life...Around three months after being saved
reminds me of ole Samuel.. he wasn't involved in sin but it took three times for the Lord to get his attention...
after this born again christian excepted the call of God, of course excepting Jesus and turning from his old ways
his life truly began...
on March 2nd of 2008 he accepted Jesus in his heart

I will never forget I was laying in my bed one night
I was consumed in sin, I was laying there just mad at the world..
I was laying there and I was listening to Gothic music....
I had decided I was going to live for Satan...
I was so close to praying to the Devil...how scary is that..
something told me not to! IT WAS THE WORD OF THE LORD!!! To this day I wonder where I would have ended up if I would have done something as foolish as that...
but I'm so thankful for the grace and love of God!
Friend what we need in this world is a move of God!
We need the Word of God to come unto people...how will that happen...lets pray and make our selves humble...God is listening!
Every since that Glorious day I was saved! Every time I have went back to something of this world...there is bitterness and anger
WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL HAS A TASTE OF GOD, NOTING WILL BE ABLE TO SATISFY THAT CRAVE,ONLY JESUS CAN!

The Potter Knows His Clay

Throughout history there have been songs titled "The Potter Knows The Clay". For example, The Perry's, have a song titled "The Potter Knows The Clay". There is certain part in the song that catches m attention every time I hear it-- "The Potter knows the clay, how much pressure it can take"!!! WOW!! How comforting is that, God Almighty knows how much pressure we can take. I'm going to use my imagination for just a minute.... We start out as just a glob of clay, God applies pressure and heat to us for one plan in mind. Each time we go through a trial or face a problem we begin to form into the plan that God has. One thing that has always comforted me is that no matter what I go through, I wont be defeated because of the Blood shed on the cross by Jesus Christ! It is so comforting to know that the Devil cant, he wont, and he will never be able to cross the Blood line of Jesus Christ. With each trial and problem we face we are being molded into a beautiful plan, a beautiful creation. It is so comforting to know that as heat and pressure is applied, God hands is on us molding us into the beautiful plan God has for our life! Isiah 64:8 tells us that "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand" When we go through a situation in our life it is important to remember that God's hands is always on us molding us. But it is also important that we not only seek the face of God in a situation, but we also seek God when we are up on a mountain peek. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us that we should rejoice evermore, pray WITHOUT ceasing, in EVERY THING give thanks: for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ concerning you. Times aren't going to get better, they will get worst. So it is so imperative that we remain sold out to God, and pray that God will rekindle the fire within our hearts once again.

God Bless

The Honoring Heart

These are the notes from the mesage I preached on June 17, 2009!

1 Samuel 13:14 tells us that the LORD had sought for a man after his own heart!
~Tall and talented, the best picture of a leader…a man named Saul stood out among everyone else!
~He seemed to have all of the abilities this nation would require and need in its first king. But Saul lacked one thing--------------the right heart!!!!
You may ask well what kind of heart is God looking for????
I believe that the heart that God looks for must posses a consistent bent toward righteousness and the desire to honor HIM above everything else!!!!!
It is important that each of us always keep in mind who we serve and who we labor for!
Psalm 8 the psalmist David looks at how great God Almighty is and considers the little state of man.
David is aware of the beautiful and wonderful works of God!
I don’t know if you realize it or not but we do not deserve even a little bit of what God provides for us!
We find access into His presence, but we deserve only judgment!
By his grace and mercy, we are given a place of love!
With an honoring heart we should be in awe of what God can and will do!!
Perhaps the most POWERFUL demonstration of a heart that honors God comes from the life of the prophet Isaiah!
Isaiah finds himself in the middle of a vision of God’s throne room. He is speechless because of the great power and majesty of God!
Isaiah writes that “I saw the LORD sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple!”
Can you imagine what a sight that would be??
Isaiah momentarily sees his true self and is horrified at his own weakness!
Isaiah doesn’t belong there in God’s Holy Presence!
But at the very moment God touches s0mething in Isaiah and makes it right within him!
Just like Isaiah each of us should have a clear sense of the Greatness of God Almighty!
Turn with me to Isaiah 6… 1-5
What can we learn from Isaiah’s experience?
We need to see what Isaiah Saw!!!!
Isaiah saw God’s Position!

1) He saw God in ALL of His Glory!!!
He was there before the very presence of God!

2) Seeing God in ALL His Glory had a powerful impact on Isaiah!
It humbled Isaiah

King Uzziah might have died but God Almighty still sat on the throne in full control!
It reveals to us that God is in full control!!!!
What appears to be a tragedy to us could end up being something that changes our lives for the better
What appears to be a tragedy to us is nothing compared to what God can do!
What appears to be a tragedy to us may be a grain of sand in God’s eyes!
We need to remember who sits on the throne!
He saw God’s Personality
The angels were standing there, sinless creatures!
But they were still careful to honor the holiness and purity of God Almighty!
It says they covered there faces with their wings!!
Perfect angels humble before God!
If you will look at Rev 4 you will find out what the angels are doing in heaven!
Rev 4 tells us that the angles rest not day and night crying “HOLY HOLY HOLY! Lord God Almighty!!
When you woke up this morning those angels were crying HOLY HOLY HOLY
When you ate lunch today those angels were in heaven crying HOLY HOLY HOLY
When you watched TV today those angles were crying HOLY HOLY HOLY
While we are in church tonight those angles are crying HOLY HOLY HOLY
When you go to bed tonight those angles will be crying HOLY HOLY HOLY!!
Heaven is perfect; the Glory of God is there!
Our duty here on earth is to live holy lives before him!
He alone belongs to be in the place of HONOR and GLORY in our hearts
He saw God’s Presence!
The bible tells us that “the house was filled with smoke”
This was a symbol of the presence of God!
The train of his robe filled the temple!
God is the center of the temple!
It reveals that:
God is mighty!
God is mighty to save
God is mighty to heal
God is mighty to redeem
God is mighty to sanctify
God is mighty to break the chains of sin and the chains of your past and set you free!!!!
We need to sense what Isaiah sensed
Sensed his own condition before God
When Isaiah saw the LORD, he instantly realized the problems within his own heart!
*** This is what happens when you draw close to God!
Moving closer to God reveals the wickedness and sin in our own lives!
That leads to us changing our lives with the help of God and being able to live Holy lives before God
He cried out “Woe is me!”
Until we are able to see our own failures and our need for repentance before the LORD, we will never be able to draw close unto him!
When you do all of this it all turns into an equation: with the solution being an honoring heart for the LORD!
Focused heart, honoring heart, a clean heart, and a surrendered heart will quickly find itself on an upward path!
Do u have an honoring heart?
Do u want to honor God with every fiber in your body?
What a joy it will be when we bow down before Jesus!
We Will Cry Holy Holy Holy…just as the song goes…
We fall down we lay our crowns at the feet of Jesus…the greatness of mercy and love at the feet of Jesus!
We cry holy holy holy holy is the lamb!

HEADLINES FROM THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT!!

Many of us take a glance of our local news paper. Every day we see headlines from some major or minor event that took place!

Headlines From The Sermon On The Mount! :

1. Golden Rule: "Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law" (Matthew 7:12
2. Anger: "Settle your differences quickly" (Matthew 5:25)
3. Revenge: "Do not resist an evil person" (Matthew 5:39)
4. Judging Others: "The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged" (Matthew 7:2)
5. Enemies: "Love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44)
6. Charity: "Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others" (Matthew 6:1)
7. Money: "You cannot serve both God and money" (Matthew 6:24)
8. Assets: "Don't store up treasures here on earth... Store your treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20)
9. Worry: "I tell you not to worry about everyday life...whether you have enough food and drink or enough clothes to wear" (Matthew 6:25; 6:32)
10. Prayer: "Dont babble on and on... your Father knows exactly what you need" (Matthew 6:7-8)

Jesus Goes Public!!!!!!!!!!

Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John,
Matthew 3:13
Skipping the next 30 years in Jesus’ life, Matthew jumped right into the start of Jesus’ ministry.
His ministry was marked by two events: BAPTISM and TEMPTATION!
The biggest question is why Jesus bothers with baptism!!!???!!!!… John the Baptist is baptizing people who CONFESS their sins. …….
By Jesus stepping into the water, He confesses the sins of us humans as though they are His sins!!! Jesus is showing everyone that he has come to save.
Jesus goes a step farther in identifying with the people he came to save. He walks into the nearby rocky Judean “badlands”, here Satan tempts him! He spent 40 days in this wilderness. Satan tried his hardest to get Jesus to worship him. He used some of the temptations that every human faces! The desire for comfort, prestige and power:
*** Bread to satisfy Jesus’ appetite during a spiritual feast
***Rescue by God’s angels, to remind him of who he is
***Worship by the entire world
Jesus refuses it all and remains focused on his mission!!!!!
We should have that same dedication and desire that our Saviour Jesus Christ had. He was faced with every temtaion but remained focused! Remained with one decision in mind!