“IF I WANTED TO BOAST, I WOULD BE NO FOOL IN DOING SO, BECAUSE I WOULD BE TELLING THE TRUTH. BUT I WON’T DO IT, BECAUSE I DON’T WANT ANYONE TO GIVE ME CREDIT BEYOND WHAT THEY CAN SEE IN MY LIFE OR HEAR IN MY MESSAGE, EVEN THOUGH I HAVE RECEIVED SUCH WONDERFUL REVELATIONS FROM GOD. SO TO KEEP ME FROM BECOMING PROUD, I WAS GIVEN A THORN IN MY FLESH, A MESSENGER FROM SATAN TO TORMENT ME AND KEEP ME FROM BECOMING PROUD. THREE DIFFERENT TIMES I BEGGED THE LORD TO TAKE IT AWAY. EACH TIME HE SAID, ‘MY GRACE IS ALL YOU NEED. MY POWER WORKS BEST IN WEAKNESS.’ SO NOW I AM GLAD TO BOAST ABOUT MY WEAKNESSES, SO THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST CAN WORK THROUGH ME. THAT’S WHY I TAKE PLEASURE IN MY WEAKNESSES, AND IN THE INSULTS, HARDSHIPS, PERSECUTIONS, AND TROUBLES THAT I SUFFER FOR CHRIST. FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN I AM MADE STRONG” 2 CORINTHIANS 12:6-10
I CAN WORK WITH THAT
“…BECAUSE OF MIDIAN, THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL MADE FOR THEMSELVES HIDEOUTS IN THE MOUNTAINS—CAVES AND FORTS. WHEN ISRAEL PLANTED ITS CROPS, MIDIAN AND AMALEK, THE EASTERNERS, WOULD INVADE THEM, CAMP IN THEIR FIELDS, AND DESTROY THEIR CROPS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GAZA. THEY LEFT NOTHING FOR THEM TO LIVE ON, NEITHER SHEEP NOR OX NOR DONKEY. BRINGING THEIR CATTLE AND TENTS, THEY CAME IN AND TOOK OVER, LIKE AN INVASION OF LOCUSTS. AND THEIR CAMELS—PAST COUNTING! THEY MARCHED IN AND DEVASTATED THE COUNTRY. THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, REDUCED TO GRINDING POVERTY BY MIDIAN, CRIED OUT TO GOD FOR HELP.”
“ONE DAY THE ANGEL OF GOD CAME AND SAT DOWN UNDER THE OAK IN OPHRAH THAT BELONGED TO JOASH THE ABIEZRITE, WHOSE SON GIDEON WAS THRESHING WHEAT IN THE WINEPRESS, OUT OF SIGHT OF THE MIDIANITES. THE ANGEL OF GOD APPEARED TO HIM AND SAID, “ GOD IS WITH YOU, O MIGHTY WARRIOR!”GIDEON REPLIED, “WITH ME, MY MASTER?...”
DOUBT
“IF GOD IS WITH US, WHY HAS ALL THIS HAPPENED TO US? WHERE ARE ALL THE MIRACLE-WONDERS OUR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS TOLD US ABOUT, TELLING US, ‘DIDN’T GOD DELIVER US FROM EGYPT?’ THE FACT IS, GOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US—HE HAS TURNED US OVER TO MIDIAN.”” JUDGES
ANGER
“THEN THE LORD TURNED TO HIM AND SAID, ‘GO WITH THE STRENGTH YOU HAVE, AND RESCUE ISRAEL FROM THE MIDIANITES. I AM SENDING YOU!’” – JUDGES 6:14 NLT
AUTHENTICITY IS AN EXPRESSWAY TO THE PRESENCE OF GOD
“THE LORD IS CLOSE TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIM, YES, TO ALL WHO CALL ON HIM IN TRUTH” PSALMS 145:18 NLT
“GIDEON SAID TO HIM, ‘ME, MY MASTER? HOW AND WITH WHAT COULD I EVER SAVE ISRAEL? LOOK AT ME. MY CLAN’S THE WEAKEST IN MANASSEH AND IM THE RUNT OF THE LITTER.” “GOD SAID TO HIM, ‘I’LL BE WITH YOU. BELIEVE ME, YOU’LL DEFEAT MIDIAN AS ONE MAN.” JUDGES 6:16 MSG JUDGES 6:15 MSG
DO NOT BE AFRAID OR DISCOURAGED, FOR THE LORD WILL PERSONALLY GO AHEAD OF YOU. HE WILL BE WITH YOU; HE WILL NEITHER FAIL YOU NOR ABANDON YOU.” DEUTERONOMY
“GOD SAID TO GIDEON, “YOU HAVE TOO LARGE AN ARMY WITH YOU…” JUDGES 7:2 MSG
“…MY POWER WORKS BEST IN WEAKNESS…” 2 CORINTHIANS 12:9
GOD CAN’T BLESS WHO YOU PRETEND TO BE
“THEN HE SAID TO THEM, “YOU LIKE TO APPEAR RIGHTEOUS IN PUBLIC, BUT GOD KNOWS YOUR HEARTS. WHAT THIS WORLD HONORS IS DETESTABLE IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.”
“BEHOLD, YOU DELIGHT IN TRUTH IN THE INWARD BEING…” PSALM 51:6 ESV
“…“GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” SO HUMBLE YOURSELVES UNDER THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD, AND AT THE RIGHT TIME HE WILL LIFT YOU UP IN HONOR. GIVE ALL YOUR WORRIES AND CARES TO GOD, FOR HE CARES ABOUT YOU.”
THE ANGEL OF GOD APPEARED TO HIM AND SAID, “ GOD IS WITH YOU, O MIGHTY WARRIOR!
“WE HAVE BECOME HIS POETRY, A RE-CREATED PEOPLE THAT WILL FULFILL THE DESTINY HE HAS GIVEN EACH OF US, FOR WE ARE JOINED TO JESUS, THE ANOINTED ONE. EVEN BEFORE WE WERE BORN, GOD PLANNED IN ADVANCE OUR DESTINY AND THE GOOD WORKS WE WOULD DO TO FULFILL IT!”
“FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS THE ONE WHO GOES WITH YOU TO FIGHT FOR YOU AGAINST YOUR ENEMIES TO GIVE YOU VICTORY.’”
“When we live outside of a healthy community, we not only lose others. We lose ourselves...Who we understand ourselves to be is dramatically affected for better or worse by those we hold closest to us. We only truly come to know ourselves in the context of others. The more isolated and disconnected we are, the more shattered and distorted our self-identity. We are not healthy when we are alone. We find ourselves as we connect to others.” Erwin McManus
Studies show 3 out 5 Americans are lonely.
63% of men to be lonely, compared with 58% of women.
Social media use was tied to loneliness as well, with 73% of very heavy social media users considered lonely, as compared with 52% of light users.
4 THINGS THAT DESTROY RELATIONSHIPS
1. Selfishness destroys relationships
James 4:1-2 NLT
Proverbs 28:25 GNB
2. Pride destroys relationships
Proverbs 13:10 NLT
Proverbs 16:18 NLT
Proverbs 16:18 MSG
3. Insecurity destroys relationships
Proverbs 29:25 MSG
4. Resentment destroys relationships
Psalms 73:21-22 NLT
Hebrews 12:15 NLT
3 BENEFITS OF A LIFE-GIVING COMMUNITY
Psalms 133:1-3 NLT
1. THERE IS AN ANOINTING IN OUR LIFE-GIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Psalms 133:2 NLT
The Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the Divine word of salvation. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer
2. THERE IS A HOPEFUL ANTICIPATION IN OUR LIFE-GIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Psalms 133:3 NLT
3. THERE IS A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN IN OUR LIFE-GIVING RELATIONSHIPS
Psalms 133:3 NLT
1 Corinthians 11:24-26 NLT
1 Corinthians 11:28-30 TPT
ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH
JULY 2019 8.2% OF ADULTS SHOWED SIGNS OF ANXIETY DISORDER
JULY 2020 36% OF ADULTS SHOWED SIGNS OF ANXIETY DISORDER
2 Timothy 1:7
THE 4 MISTRUTHS OF FEAR
1. FEAR TELLS US WE CAN’T MATCH THE SIZE OF OUR PROBLEMS
1 Samuel 17:4-11
1 Samuel 17:23
1 Samuel 17:26
Ephesians 1:4
Ephesians 2:10
Philippians 4:7
Philippians 4:19 ESV
2. FEAR TELLS US GOD DOESN’T CARE ABOUT US
Mark 6:45-51
Psalms 34:15 NIV
Psalms 33:18
“Peace is a belief that exhales. Because you believe that God’s provision is everywhere - like air.” Ann Voskamp
3. FEAR TELLS US WE CAN’T REALLY CHANGE
Genesis 28:10
Genesis 28:11-15
Genesis 28:16-19
YOU CAN RENAME THE SITUATIONS IN YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN NAMING RIGHTS!
4. FEAR TELLS US WE ARE ALL ALONE
1 Kings 19:13-14
1 Kings 19:15-16,18
Deuteronomy 31:6
Matthew 26:37-38
James 5:16
'When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.' Psalms 126:1-6 NLT
TOO MANY TIMES WE LET THE NEGATIVITY OF OUR PRESENT CONNECT HYPOTHETICAL DOTS IN OUR FUTURE
'When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Psalms 126:1-4 NLT
'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NLT
I am the Lord, and I do not change… Malachi 3:6 NLT
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? Numbers 23:19 NLT
'The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”’ Isaiah 40:8 NLT
JOY IS CULTIVATED WITH A HEALTHY REMEMBRANCE AND NURTURED BY AN ANTICIPATION OF WHAT GOD WILL DO NEXT!
Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.' Psalms 126:4-6 NLT
ALL SUFFERING, ALL PAIN, ALL EMPTINESS, ALL DISAPPOINTMENT IS SEED: SOW IT IN GOD AND HE WILL, FINALLY, BRING A CROP OF JOY FROM IT. -EUGENE PETERSON
1. WHAT LIE DO YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE TO MAKE YOUR NEGATIVE FEELING TRUE?
He (devil) was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 NLT
We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One. 2 Corinthians 10:5 TPT
2. DO I TRULY FEAR GOD BY BEING IN AWE OF HIM?
'How joyful are those who fear the Lord - all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful and prosperous you will be!' Psalms 128:1-2 NLT
3. WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT?
'If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves? Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep. Psalm 127:1-5 MSG
4. ARE YOU CARRYING THE WEIGHT ALONE?
'He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.' Isaiah 53:3-5 NLT
'Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”' Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
We are launching a brand new series today titled emotions of 2020. I know as soon as the Clock Struck midnight on New Year's Eve a collective sigh of relief that 2020 has been closed in a new chapter 2021 has begun. Pastor Mike is going to break down over the next four weeks The emotions we have been feeling in 2020. We kick this first week off with anger.