Little Foxes

April 26, 2020

Hebrews 6:12–29 (NLT) 12 …You will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their Faith and endurance. 13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying: 14 “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.” 15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. 16 Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. 17 God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. 18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Abraham a well anchored man.

1. Abraham, Gods friend, was poised for promise.
Romans 4:1–3 (NLT) Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? 2 If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. 3 For the Scriptures tell us, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

-Not because he held to a religious system
Romans 4:13–14 (NLT)13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by Faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then Faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless.

2. Abraham had a promise and Faith in that promise.

3. Abraham kept the Faith through a long and difficult time.
Romans 4:18–24 (NLT) 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” 19 And Abraham’s Faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb. 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his Faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. 22 And because of Abraham’s Faith, God counted him as righteous. 23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Abrahamic Covenant: Gen 12 Dominion, Descendants and Blessings to others.

Galatians 3:6–9 (NLT) 6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their Faith in God. 8 What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their Faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their Faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his Faith.

Galatians 3:29 (NLT) You belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Realities of Faith
1. Faith is Active Trust
Romans 4:20–21 (NLT) 20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his Faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. 21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

Hebrews 11:1(NLT) Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

2 Corinthians 5:7(NIV) We live(walk) by Faith, not by sight.

2. Faith is required to please God.

Hebrews 11:6(NIV) It is impossible to please God without Faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
You cannot be righteous by doing anything but only by trusting someone.

3. Faith works(It produces obedience)

“Faith that won’t work, don't work.”
“We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone” -Martin Luther.

Obedience is the active part of Trust!
James 2:17(NLT) So you see, Faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

Hebrews 11:8–10 (NLT) 8 It was by Faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by Faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

4. Faith will be tested
James 1:2–4 (NIV) 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your Faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

How to nurture Faith:

Pray in the Spirit(Jude 20)
Go to the word- listen to it, pray it, read it. (Romans 10:17)
Endure through difficulties(James 1)
Ask for grace.

Mark 9:24 (NIV)“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Discouragement/ Despair

April 26, 2020

We should be accurate in self-assessment.
Romans 12:3 (NIV) Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment…

1. Unhealthy Comparison
2. Healthy Comparisons
“We need to be inspired when others do well, not intimidated.”

3 Points of affirmation.
1. Adopted
Ephesians 1:3–5 (NLT) 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

“Know who you are, by knowing whose you are.”

Psalm 94:14 (NIV)For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance.

2. Adored
James 1:18 (NLT) He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

“You are more than accepted by God; you are exceptional to God.”

3. Appointed
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

2 Timothy 2:20–21 (NLT) 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.

Ministry:
Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV)15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need

Rejection

April 19, 2020

John 10:7–11 (NIV), I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd.

Anxiety
About 18%of Americans deal with anxiety.
What fuels it?

1. Anxiety will disrupt your peace.
2. Anxiety can lead to depression.
3. Anxiety will keep hinder the work of the Word.
Matthew 13:22 (NIV) The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Obsessive fear

What does God say about fear?
2 Timothy 1:3–8 (NLT) 3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again. 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don't be ashamed of me, either, even though I'm in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.

1. God has a purpose.
"Fear will trap us so that we will never accomplish what God has designed us for."
"If your lungs have breath, your life has a purpose."

Romans 8:28–29 (NLT) 28 We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son…

2. Fear is not of God.

"To live in fear is to live in disobedience to God."
Stop giving fear permission!

3. He gives us power.
Supernatural ability

4. He loves us.
1 John 4:17(ESV) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV) Cast all your anxiety(cares, worries) on him because he cares for you.

5. He promises a sound mind.
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God."

Exercising Faith over Fear
Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

CASTING OUR CARES
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

1. Change your thinking.
Repent
Fear is failure to trust.

2. Ask God about it.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) 6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

3. Speak to it.
Matthew 21:21–22 (NKJV) So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done.

You don't need more faith you just need to use the faith you have.

4. Throw it on Jesus.

Grave Robber

April 12, 2020

Hebrews 11:1(NIV) Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

HOPE: Favorable and confident expectation

1 Peter 1:3–8 (NLT) 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

Genesis 22:1 “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” 2 “Take your son, your only son —yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” 3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.” 6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together, 7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. 10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. 11 At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!“ Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” 12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” 13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 Abraham named the place JEHOVAH-JIRAH (which means “the Lord will provide”).

How did Abraham have such a confident expectation?
1. He was postured towards the promise.
He was trusting in and waiting upon what God had Promised.

“We are not being held hostage. We are being held in the embrace of of kind and gracious champion!!!”

Hebrews 6:18–20 (NIV)18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable(Oath and Promise) things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.

Gods promise is always the greater reality!

2. He had a History of hope.

Develop some Hope History:

Celebrate Little victories!
Then celebrate again.
Maybe your history in hope starts today?

3. He spoke hope.

Vs 5 “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”
Vs 8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,

4. He looked up.
13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket.
He looked up...it's was what he always did.

Hebrews 11:11 (NLT) It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.

Hope KEEPS LOOKING….
Hebrews 12:2(NKJV) Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Matthew 11:2–4 (NIV) 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see….”

He is the one you've been looking for been looking for.

Romans 15:13(NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Anxiety & Fear

March 15, 2020

John 10:7–11 (NIV), I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd.

Jesus has called us to a fruitful life…
John 15:1–8 (NLT) “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

John 15:16 (NLT) You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit…

2 Peter 1:3–4 (NIV) 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
hooray

🦊 little foxes 🦊

Song of Solomon 2:14–15 (NLT) 14 My dove is hiding behind the rocks, behind an outcrop on the cliff. Let me see your face; let me hear your voice. For your voice is pleasant, and your face is lovely. 15 Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!

The Little Foxes
1. Dysfunctions
2. Distractions
3. Disobedience
“The words we speak, the attitudes we carry, the good fail to do.”

People keep foxes around by
1. Petting them
2. Protecting them
3. Provide for them

Removing the foxes
Judges 15:4–5 (NLT) 4 (Samson)went out and caught 300 foxes. He tied their tails together in pairs, and he fastened a torch to each pair of tails. 5 Then he lit the torches and let the foxes run through the grain fields of the Philistines. He burned all their grain to the ground, including the sheaves and the uncut grain. He also destroyed their vineyards and olive groves.
1. Find the foxes
“Sins that are little to us are big to God.”
Ask the Lord
Psalm 139:23–24 (NLT)23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Examine yourself
2 Corinthians 13:5 (NLT) Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves…

2. Fire the foxes
Galatians 5:24–25 (NIV) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

3. Let them go

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV) Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God

Offense, Unforgiveness, & Bitterness.

March 07, 2020

John 10:1–16 (NIV) 10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. 7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Verse 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them.

Whose voice are you listening to?

“My concern is that many are more familiar with the voice of thieves and robbers than the voice of good shepherd.”

John 9:35-41 (NIV) 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.” 37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.” 38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?” 41 Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

Blinders are Binders

Satan is a deceiver

Father of Lies(Johnn 8:44)
“Did God really say….”(Gn 3:1)
He masquerades as an Angel of light (2 Cor 11:14)

God is an exposer

God is light. (1 Jn 1:5)
The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. (John 16:13)
Jesus is the light of the world. (Jn 8:12)

John 9:39 (NIV) For judgment I have come into this world…

Defeating Deception
1. Turn on the light
...To what God says.
John 8:31–32 (NLT) 31 “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Know the word then follow it.
James 1:22 (NIV) Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

“He didn’t just give the word to lift you, but to lead you!”

John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

2. Search your house

Fact check your feelings.

Feelings are the seasoning of life, not the meat.

Don’t ignore feelings; they are great servants but terrible masters.

3. Identify the culprits
Identify the lies

Don’t identify with the culprits; identify them so you can reject them!
LABLES LIMIT!

4. Stop listening and kick them out

Blinders are Binders

March 01, 2020

1 John 4:16-19 16 God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

Love starts with Him.

Maybe we should ask the Lord, “How would you like to be loved today?”

Expressing The Five Love Languages with the Father

1. We experience love with God in Quality Time.

Even more than you long to spend time with him, He longs to spend time with you.

When you have your time with the Lord, give quiet space for Him to speak too.

2. We experience love with God in Giving Gifts.

We use the talents God has given us as gifts back to him.

God has given us the Gifts of the Spirit. (1 Cor 12:8-11)
Word of Knowledge
Word of Wisdom
Gift of Prophecy
Gift of Faith
Gift of Healing
Working of Miracles
Discerning of Spirits
Tongues
Interpretation of Tongues

3. We experience love with God in Words of Affirmation.

God doesn’t “need” to know who He is, He “wants” to know how we see Him.

4. We experience love with God in Acts of Service.

John 12:26 says “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

1 Peter 4:10 “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

God served us by giving Jesus.
Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

5. We experience love with God in Physical Touch.

We touch God with our Faith.

Heb 11:6 Without faith, it is impossible to please God.