Psalm 91:1-16

Introduction: Are you happy? What’s it going to take to make you happy? On a hot summer day, a shade tree is very refreshing…..and so it is with God’s PEACE & PRESENCE. Speaking of SHADE, we have three (3) choices to make that can bring peace, purpose, and security in your life.

1. How can you feel “SAFE & SECURE” – and be happy – in an unsafe world? (Psa 91:1-4)

“1He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

2. Have can we have “PEACE and COMFORT” in a troubled world? (Psalm 91:5-10)

“5Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

3. How can we find “PURPOSE and MEANING” in a mixed up world? (Psa 91:11-16)

“11For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.”

Conclusion: Even though we live in a troubled, mixed-up, insecure world, God has made provision for us thru a relationship with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Peace, Security, Comfort, Purpose and Meaning are the result of knowing Jesus and letting Him be known.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

Introduction: Some of the believers in the Church called Thessalonica were wondering if the “rapture” and “day of the Lord” had already happened. Paul writes to remind them of the prophetic events that surround those end time prophecies. Looking back in retrospect to the inspired writings, we can glean the chronological timing of these occurrences, and thus not be deceived. There are three (3) urgent alarms that ring out to prepare us for the “Times” in which we are living! See if you agree:

1. It’s TIME to be AWARE of CHRISTIAN PREPARATION! (1 Thess 5:1-2)

“1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”

2. It’s TIME to Awake from the Devil’s Deception! (1 Thess 5:3-7)

“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.”

**a state of national tranquility – exemption from the rage and havoc of war
**peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord
**security, safety, prosperity, felicity (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)
**of the Messiah’s peace – the way that leads to peace (salvation) of Christianity 
**the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot
**of whatsoever sort that is
**the blessed state of devout and upright men after death

{The word “Safety” is aspháleia, which means
**firmness, stability, certainty, undoubted truth, security from enemies and dangers, safety}

There’s a true and a false “Peace and Safety”!

2. It’s TIME to be ARMED with God’s Great Salvation! (1 Thess 5:8, 9, 10)

“8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.”

{The Church – God’s people – have not been “appointed” to face or experience “God’s wrath”}

{There’s a difference between “Chastisement vs Wrath”}

Conclusion: Since it’s a late hour, believers need to know the TIMES in which we are living, and be ready for a pseudo PEACE that’s on the horizon. It is all a part of God’s prophetic plan. But at the same time, we need to be alert, awake, and armed for what’s ahead. How close are we toward the END TIMES?

Very close.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese

Job 1-42

Introduction: Young people tell me they are hearing voices…..older people tell me they are feeling depressed….middle-aged people tell me they feel stuck…..CHRISTians tell me they are having doubts and confusion….preachers tell me they are facing discouragement because of so much complacency and indifference among Church people. Satan is wrecking havoc on our culture. However, by studying the life of Job, we draw three (3) conclusions that can turn into decisive actions which should assure us of “WINNING the WAR over the ENEMY”!

“1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1)

* Job’s in the scene
* Satan’s behind the scene
* God’s beyond the scene

1. How does the ENEMY ATTACK? (Job 1:6-22)

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.”

• Satan attacks our HOMES (Job 1)

“13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

• Satan attacks our HEALTH (Job 2)

“7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”

• Satan attacks our HEARTS (Job 3-42)

“11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. 12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

2. Where does the ENEMY Attack? (Job 2:1-10)

“1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. 22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

***{ The enemy attacks our THOUGHTS with negativity….
“9Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh,” Job 2:9,10}

****{The enemy attacks our TALKS….
“Shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips,” Job 2:10}

3. What do you do when the ENEMY Attacks? (Job 42:1-6)

“1Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

• Look out! (vv 7-12)

“7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.”

God Blesses Job
“10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. 12So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13He had also seven sons and three daughters.”

Conclusion: How do we WIN the WAR over the ENEMY?
1.  Recognize and confess all sin
2. Renounce Self
3. Resist Satan
4. Reclaim ground
5. Rejoice in Jesus goodness

Jonah 3:1

Introduction: Have you ever failed? At times, do you feel like a failure? 

* Today many Mothers feel like failures?
* Today numerous Fathers feel like failures?
* Today young people feel like failures
* Preachers feel like failures 
* CHRISTians feel like failures

Jonah failed the Lord miserably. Instead of going to where God commanded him (to Nineveh), he headed to Tarshish – in the opposite direction. Consequently, he learned a VALUABLE lesson, namely, “YOU CAN RUN, but YOU CANT HIDE”! Let’s follow in his steps and let him lead us from “FAILURE to FREEDOM.”

“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, 2Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. 3But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD,” (Jonah 1:1-3).

1. Will you Let Go of your PAST FAILURES? (Jonah 3:1, 2)

“And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.”

2. Will you Go Back to your 1st Love? (Jonah 2:1)

“1Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly.”

    • Turn our troubles into trust (Jonah 2:2)

“2And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.”

    • Get right what’s wrong! (Jonah 2:9)

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.”

3. Will you Follow thru what God tells you to do? (Jonah 3:4)

“4And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”

   • Be sure to be on guard with God’s peace (Jonah 1:5)

“5Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep.”

   •  Disobedience (Jonah 1:15-17)

“15So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging. 16Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows. 17Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”

   • Jealously (Jonah 4:1-10)

“1But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. 2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. 3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live. 4Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? 5So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city. 6And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. 7But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered. 8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. 9And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. 10Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night: 11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?”

  • Be ready to Go when our Lord calls you! (Jonah 3:1-4)

“And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 3So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey. 4And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”

Conclusion:

* The worm obeyed
* The gourd obeyed
* The wind obeyed
* The fish obeyed

Are we obeying? The way we Turn our “FAILURES into FREEDOM” is by……

Revelation 3:7-18

Introduction: Have you noticed the world is going in the opposite direction of the CHRISTian life? Jesus said, if you want to really find your life, you’ve got to be willing to lose it…for His sake! (Matt 10:38, 39) Could that be why so many people are unhappy and unfulfilled today? That reminds me of a snake I saw the other day….it had its tail in its mouth…. and was swallowing it, tail and all! Somebody said, “the snake was FULL of Itself!” How can we as followers of Jesus Christ walk in obedience to the “Word of God” and be led by the “Holy Spirit of God”? John writes to the Church of Philadelphia and to us today about an “OPEN DOOR” and gives three (3) ways to keep from getting bitten with “Self-Pleasing; Self-Centeredness; and Self-Sufficiency.

1. We the MINORITY! (Rev 3:7-8)

“7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”

2. Standing on the AUTHORITY! (Rev 3:8)

“8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.”

{God’s Word Stands!}
{We can Stand on it!}

3. Reaching the MAJORITY! (Rev 3:9-13)

“9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

• Reaching Down! (Gal 6:2)
• Reaching Up! (v 11)

“I come quickly”

Conclusion: Will you make yourself…
* AVAILABLE?
* Die to SELF?
* Walk obediently?
* Keep your Eyes on Jesus?
* Exercise Faith?
* Overcome the world?
* Seize the Opportunity?
* Finish Faithful?
* Love others?
* Forgive others?
* Have Vision?
* Be Ready?
* Count the cost?
* Answer the Call?

1. Be sure to do an EVALUATION! (1 Kings 17, 18)(1 Kings 17:1-7)

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. 7And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.”

• Make sure you are in the will of God (vv 1-5)

{Elijah went and obeyed God by going to the brook Cherith}

{His needs were met by the Lord…..imagine being fed by birds….Ravens}

• Make sure you are being led by the Spirit of God (v 7)

{The brook dried up. Really? Why? God allowed it, and led Elijah elsewhere} (1 Kings 17:8-16)

“8And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.”

• Make sure you don’t compromise! (1 Kings 18)

“19Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.

20So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

25And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

Elijah’s Prayer
36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.”

2. Be sure you have a CELEBRATION! (1 Kings 17, 18)

• We may not can FIX the Problem! (1 Kings 17)

{No rain – 1 Kings 17:1}
{No resources – 1 Kings 17:7}

• We can FOCUS on a Promise! (1 Kings 18)

{It had not rained for 3 1/2 years – James 5:17, 18}

• We can FIND a Provision! (1 Kings 18:41-45)

{According to His will, God sent the rain as Elijah prayed – 1 Kings 18:41-45}

“41And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.”

Judges 11:1-40

Introduction: The definition of REJECTION is “the absence of meaningful love.” Do you feel loved? How can we OVERCOME feelings of REJECTION? Jesus was rejected. And yet He came to His own and His own received Him not  (John 1:11). When we feel unloved, it becomes difficult to love others. In the Old Testament during the days of the Judges, there was a man named Jephthath who discovered three (3) ways to OVERCOME REJECTION.

1. Instead of REJECTION, Love OVERCOMES obstacles and turns them into opportunities! (Judges 11:1-3)

“1Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. 2And Gilead’s wife bare him sons; and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. 3Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.”

• Rejection keeps the score (v2)

“……and his wife’s sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father’s house; for thou art the son of a strange woman.”

• Jesus settles the score with LOVE! (Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:10)

2. Instead of staying Hurt and in Pain from REJECTION, Love REACHES OUT to restore relationships! (Judges 11:4-11)

“4And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel. 5And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob: 6And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon. 7And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father’s house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress? 8And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead. 9And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, and the LORD deliver them before me, shall I be your head? 10And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, The LORD be witness between us, if we do not so according to thy words. 11Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephthah uttered all his words before the LORD in Mizpeh.”

• Be ready to step thru the door of opportunity (vv 4-6)
• Be ready to release and reach out (vv 7-11)

3. Instead of staying bitten with bitterness (REJECTION), the Love of Jesus flows in and looks to flow out! (Judges 11:12-40)

“12And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land? 13And the king of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephthah, Because Israel took away my land, when they came up out of Egypt, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands again peaceably. 14And Jephthah sent messengers again unto the king of the children of Ammon: 15And said unto him, Thus saith Jephthah, Israel took not away the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon:…..

“21And the LORD God of Israel delivered Sihon and all his people into the hand of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country. 22And they possessed all the coasts of the Amorites, from Arnon even unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan. 23So now the LORD God of Israel hath dispossessed the Amorites from before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it?

29Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed over Gilead, and Manasseh, and passed over Mizpeh of Gilead, and from Mizpeh of Gilead he passed over unto the children of Ammon. 30And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands.”

Conclusion: REJECTION is real! But the LOVE of God thru our Lord Jesus Christ is more powerful than that! Once we experience the LOVE of Jesus, there is “No Situation” that can come to a child of God without it first going thru our Father’s hands in heaven; Next, there is “No Tribulation” that can overtake a child of God because in Christ we are more than conquerors; and finally, there is “No Power” that can separate a child of God from our Lord Jesus Christ because of His LOVE! Will we turn our Obstacles into Opportunities? Release our resentment from Rejection and turn it into Restoration? Perfections into God’s purpose & power?

Hebrews 10:23-25

Introduction: How can we stay encouraged these days? How about staying connected to our Lord’s will? After giving several warnings of going back into the old ways of trying to please God, the writer of the book of Hebrews urges the reader to press on to maturity in Christ. One theme in the book is our God’s got “SOMETHING BETTER”! But in addition, there are three (3) hallmarks of the saints listed in chapter ten that give great confidence to the saints to “FINISH FAITHFUL”!

1. PERSEVERANCE of the Saints! (Heb 10:23)

“23Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;”

{The word “Hold fast” is the Greek word kat ekn o which means to keep, secure, firm, possess}

{The word “Faith” is elpidos which is translated “hope” and means confident expectation.}

***Bottom Line***

“You can TRUST and Depend” upon our God!

2. PROVOCATION of the Saints! (Heb 10:24)

“24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: “

{The word “consider” is the word “katano eho” which means perceive, observe, pay attention, contemplate}

{The word “provoke” is the word “parox oos mos” which means incite, spur on, encourage}

** Barnabas was an encourager
** We can encourage others also – work at it!

3. PREPARATION for the Saints! (Heb 10:25)

“25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

{The word “forsaking” is “kat al i po” which means abandon, desert, leave}

{The word “assembling” ourselves together is the word “epee soon ag o gay” which means gathering together in one place for worship, meeting}

{The word “manner” is the word “ethos” which means practice}

{The word “exhorting” is “par ak al eh o” which means urge, invite, call, intreat, pray}

{The words so much more as you see “the day” approaching is “hay mer ah” which means the day Christ returns}

Conclusion: What a motivating message! Our Lord is saying to us “Be secure and unmoved in your expectations” because Jesus has proven Himself over and over again! Since that is true, pay attention to others and deliberately stir them up to love and good works. The best way to make that happen is by going to Church together (assembling); time is running out! Don’t forget to urge, invite, call, and pray for each other. Why? Because the day is coming when Jesus will return and it will be too late then.

Habakkuk 2:1-4

Introduction: Do you have “VISION”? What kind of VISION? A brief definition for “VISION” is what, “could be” and what, “should be.” Helen Keller, who was blind at birth, once said, “What’s worse than having no eyesight, is having eyesight, but no vision”! Solomon wrote, “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” (Prov 29:18). Speaking of vision, I heard about a man who was standing in front of the bathroom mirrors flexing his muscles….his wife walked up to the bathroom door. While squeezing his biceps, he replied, “I used to have bulging biceps! A rock-solid chest! Iron-like stomach! Legs like brass! Shoulders built like Sampson!” Finally, when he turned around, his wife said, ” You got to admit one thing…..there ain’t nothing wrong with your eyesight!”

The minor prophet Habakkuk writes to the remnant in southern Judah wondering why a “GOOD GOD” would allow “BAD” things to happen to His people. Why do the righteous suffer? Of course, God had a purpose in allowing a heathen nation to chastise his people. However, in the middle of the prophet’s complaining, God gives him a Word to stand on: Three (3) stages of Faith:

1. WATCH Expectantly with the Eye of FAITH! (Hab 2:1)

“1I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.”

   • Have you Learned to listen to God? (v 1)

   • Have we Learned to Look to Jesus in Faith? (v 1)

2. WRITE Obediently with the Hand of FAITH! (Hab 2:2)

“2And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.”

    • Notice our Lord’s part: He will answer (v 2)

    • Notice our part: Write it down (v 2)

{The great missionary Hudson Taylor, who saw God’s vision and answered the call to, “Go to China,” was used by the Lord in a mighty way! His dear mother had prayed for him and actually knew when he would be saved. God revealed it to her, and she DARED to believe the Lord by faith}

3. WAIT Patiently with the Heart of FAITH! (Hab 2:3, 4)

“3For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

     • Starting place – “An appointed time” (v 3)

     • Testing place – “Though it tarry” (v 3)

     • Finishing place – ” It will surely come” (v 3)

Conclusion: When it comes to the will of God, sometimes our VISION can become blurry. In fact, without corrective lenses, my vision is limited by distance….in other words, I’m nearsighted (can’t see far off). Have you heard about the woman with (3) pairs of glasses? She had (1) pair of glasses to see up close! She had (1) pair of glasses to see off at a distance!……..And she had (1) pair of glasses to find the other (2) pairs when she lost them!!!

A God – given, “Vision” is *Conceived, *Birthed, and *Delivered by the Lord…but remember:

There will be labor pains in the process!

1 Thessalonians 5:1-10

Introduction: An historic event took place last week Sept. 15, 2012 at the White House. Both the Israeli Prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE leader (United Arab Emirates) signed a, “Peace Agreement” with our U.S. President, Donald Trump. It was acknowledged that this has been in the making for years (at least 2009). “Peace in the Middle East” was accomplished yes, but at a high price – annexation of land; land that God gave the Jews. Oh well, it’s still going according to His purpose.

1. What does this mean?
2. Where do other nations stand on this treaty?
3. How does this fit into God’s overall scheme of things when it comes to “Bible Prophecy”?

*** Oslo accord 1993 – PLO
*** Egypt 40 yrs. ago
*** Jordan 26 yrs ago

1. What does this “ABRAHAMIC ACCORD” signing mean? (1 Thess 5:1-3, 4)

“1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

***{“PEACE & SAFETY”}
The theme is the “Day of the Lord” in 1 Thessalonians 5. Paul in the previous chapter described the “Rapture” of the Church – 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18…….. then comes the, “Day of the Lord,” which begins the tribulation (7 years- meant to focus on the JEWISH people not the CHURCH)

***{During the tribulation, Paul warns there will be a “False Peace” (Peace & safety) but sudden destruction occurs 1/2 way through the tribulation with the mark of the beast – Rev 13, the false Church – Rev 17, and the fall of commercial Babylon – Rev 18, all leading up to the battle of Armageddon – Rev 19.}

***{The antichrist “confirms” a covenant with the Jews – Dan 9:27 for the 1st 3 1/2 years in the tribulation…and then turns on them; however, many will be saved (Gentiles too) and sealed supernaturally by God – Rev 7, 11, 14…other Jews will be protected until the end of the tribulation when they look to their Messiah – Zech 12:10; 3:9; Rom 11:25, 26}

2. Where do other nations stand on this ABRAHAMIC ACCORD? (Ezek 38:1-5)

“And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 2Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 3And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against thee, O Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal: 4And I will turn thee back, and put hooks into thy jaws, and I will bring thee forth, and all thine army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed with all sorts of armour, even a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords: 5Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya with them; all of them with shield and helmet: 6Gomer, and all his bands; the house of Togarmah of the north quarters, and all his bands: and many people with thee.”

{***Saudi Arabia for the 1st time allowed Israel to access their airways last week. Some believe they will join the UAE with Israel.
*** Iran is opposed to this plan along with Turkey and seemingly some other countries, which include the terrorist groups of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Isis}

3. How does this fit into God’s overall scheme of things? (Rev 11:15-17; Dan 7:13, 14; Rev 21:1-7)

“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.”

“13I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

“1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

***Satan’s kingdom and unholy trinity will be overthrown and Jesus Christ will rule and reign forever! (Rev 20:10)

“10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

Conclusion: Our Lord Jesus Christ is allowing all of these events to unfold, but it’s all going according to His plan. First, He will come back for His Church. Then, after the 7 years of tribulation, He will return again as He promised to set up His 1,000 year Kingdom on this earth….called Millennium. Then there will be REAL “PEACE in the MIDDLE EAST”! Immediately following will begin “ETERNITY FUTURE” with the new heavens and the new earth. I Look forward to the Word of God being fulfilled!