Know Him
Philippians 3:8-11
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
(10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Paul tells of the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord… To know Him is great cause for rejoicing. We can personally know Him.
God is incomprehensible - and yet He is knowable.
To know God is to know eternal life.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
We are invited into His fellowship. It’s called the fellowship of His sufferings.
To Know Him and the the fellowship of his sufferings
• Consider His sufferings
• The pathway to Calvary
• Share in His pain
Believers can count it a privilege to be reproached and reviled as Christ was.
As believers we have the privilege to be made just like him, not only in glory, but in trial.
It may mean bearing a cross that is laid upon us…
• Walking in His steps
• Taking sufferings for His sake
• Giving way to Him and taking a difficult path
• Denying self.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2. HIS DEATH
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
In a spiritual sense we are… To conform…
• To calvary
• To the crucified life
• To surrender
• To sacrifice
• To put to death the old sin nature
• To live a life dedicated to go to the furthest extent of love and compassion and purpose.
We’ve seen our sweet communion with His suffering… a fellowship with Him, our blessed redeemer.
Our conforming to His death and our living a life dead to sin…
And also, on a brighter note, to KNOW HIM means… to experience…
…the power of his resurrection…
The women with sorrowful tred make their way to the tomb… When - Suddenly - an angel interrupts and announces…
Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
He is alive! Raised to life!
It’s Glory! It’s Victory…
• over sin
• over death
New life has begun!
We have sure hope. Glad hope.
A certain assurance.
It says, 2 Timothy 1:10 …our Saviour Jesus Christ… hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He helps us…
• To walk in newness of Life
• To be raised up spiritually with Him
• To be identified with Him.
God’s Spirit’s power raises believers from spiritual death now.
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Three Eternal Truths
God has given to us exceeding great and precious promises.
What makes Christianity different from all other religions is that it shows us the truth of the new birth. We can be born again.
It’s an imperative - we must be born again. John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
A reservation has been made in Heaven for us… We read of an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.
• Kept safe - in store for us
• Guarded
• Cared for
• Preserved
We are kept, by God Himself and His very power. We are under His continual and watchful care.
Heaven is
• For sure
• For certain
• For ever
1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
The appearing of Jesus Christ is not far off. The apocalypse. The revelation. The unveiling.
It’s something to look forward to. If you have been born again.
Fire will try your works of faith.
Before His coming we face a fire and testing that will actually bless us.
“The only way to learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings” - Muller.
There's a Day coming when the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed. Are we ready?
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The Great Supper
…A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
The table is spread – a feast of the finest food and flavours.
What a great honour to be an invited guest!
SALVATION is like A GREAT FEAST - hosted by the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Luke 14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.
The master sent his servant, with the message: come - and feast. All things are NOW ready. No time to waste.
God extends His offer of salvation to planet earth.
Luke 14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse.
One guest after another gave excuses. Weedy, lame excuses.
Excuses of…
• Pride
• Business
• Pleasure
Something else was more important.
What an insult to the host! How rude!
Things can get in the way for some people. I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
This one was too caught up with possessions.
“I must…” he says. Yet - what about God’s “must”? John 3:7 …Ye MUST be born again.
What about THE greatest possession?
Some refuse to accept the offer of gospel. They've got other commitments, other priorities - seeking gain or gold, or pursuing pleasure.
For some the excuse is… Work.
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Here’s a man preoccupied with his business. I am too busy.
For some, the excuse is People. The affections and loves of others.
Luke 14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Why didn’t he bring his wife with him?
Luke 14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things.
Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
Imagine, having a party and no one you invited shows up?
No wonder this man was angry!
So too, God is angry… Psalm 7:11 …God is angry with the wicked every day.
Bring in the poor – the needy.
The sick, the crippled.
The blind.
The wretched.
The call goes out to the lost.
To sinners far and wide.
Luke 14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
The master of the feast wants his house literally crammed.
The Master says to His servants –bring them in…
• Seek them out…
• Hurry
• Go out quickly
Jesus commands us to share our faith.
The task is still the same.
Go out.
Beckon them to come.
To the master’s house.
Luke 14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
The ones who had REJECTED had LOST THEIR OPPORTUNITY.
Those who were originally invited aren’t going to get a taste. Not even a bite.
The divine call goes out still…
God wants Heaven filled…
BUT, some will miss out.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
A PERSONAL INVITATION can either be
• RECEIVED or
• REFUSED.
So, too, with SALVATION.
A Personal Invitation calls for...
A PERSONAL RESPONSE…
The Master extends His invitation yet wider, ever wider...
He still REACHES to THE UTTERMOST.
And He still SAVES to THE UTTERMOST.
We have a wonderful PRIVILEGE and HONOUR – to be INVITED TO DINE WITH HIM.
COMPEL them.
Some need to be driven to Christ as their only refuge and hope. Just as the angels took Lot by the hand and led him out.
He simply says ‘Come; For all things are NOW READY’...
• Lay aside your excuses
• Don’t delay!
• Decide now!
It’s SUPPERTIME.
Come, and dine!
Come to this feast. It's ready for you.
Yet some will still say: I can’t - I've got this and that to do, to occupy myself with. Maybe later, they say. I'm just too busy.
Some will miss out. They will not even get a taste of heaven.
Have you declined your invitation - or will you accept your invitation?
Will you say, I’m hungry and thirsty? I want to taste and see that the Lord is good. I want to get a taste of that satisfaction that only Christ can give. That salvation that can satisfy that soul hunger.
You can't afford to miss this.
It is free to all.
Come and partake of it. The feast is prepared. It's ready.
Come to Christ. Don't put it off. Don't delay. Accept the Master’s call today.
"
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Gods Community
"The early believers were a Community. Close-knit. Joined Together.
And all that believed were together and had all things common… The church showed their faith - in love and action… meeting practical needs.
God’s Church is a gathering of believers. Are we this kind of caring community? How can we meet the need of our brother – our sister?
And they, continuing daily WITH ONE ACCORD in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
There was devotion, not a casual Christianity. They took every opportunity to meet together. There was a constant fellowship.
When we’re born again we become part of a family. We have brothers and sisters in Christ. God joins us together. He knits us together in love. We belong with each other.
They shared a common purpose. They were bonded together… In their uniting there was a joy… There was a gladness in their fellowship. A singleness of heart.
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!… There the Lord commanded the blessing…
They were… Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. God brought favour. God brought people to salvation. God blesses the gathering together of His people. God brought this community together and added to it. God was glorified.
Let us be a Christ-centred church. Unto Him be glory in the church. A church that functions because everybody has their part and participation.
We see a Body… Alive, Active, Functioning, Useful… Ephesians 4:15-16 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Every part plays its part. Christ is the head. He is its source, its strength, its sustainer. He is its leader, its direction, its authority. God gives the increase. God gets the glory. God gets the credit.
Let us strive to be such a fellowship. The fellowship of God’s people is a place of…
Praise
Grace
Salvation
Conversions
God brings us together to rejoice and sing His praises. They …were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God (Luke 24:53).
Ephesians 5 (18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Colossians 3:15-16 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
He puts a song of praise on our lips.
Let’s be the Church in Action. A Church marked by…
CARING
UNITING
BLESSING.
A living organism, not merely an organisation. Millions of living cells. Co-operation. Different Functions. Dependence. Interdependent. There’s harmony. As we are Knit together by the Spirit. Full Participation: 1 Co. 14:26 ""each of you"" Involved.
A coach defined a game of football: ""22 men on the field in desperate need of rest, surrounded by 50,000 spectators in desperate need of exercise.""
A body can get sick. We’re meant to be a living, working, productive organism, sustained by the life of its living Head.
Sadly, with the modern church we have gone from being A Crusade to being A Club. Pleasures are more of a problem for the church than Persecution.
There’s "A famine in the land", yet much recreation, amusement, entertainment. Church is meant to be militant and victorious — not “holding the fort”, but ""storming the forts"" of darkness; ""gates"" (Mt. 16:15-20)
It's time to Mobilise the church! The church shall prevail.
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Broken and spilled out
Broken and spilled out sung by Brother Orlando Pacis.
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Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
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Church For You Live Stream - Apologies: there is a sound fault part way through
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Wedding Service of Kevin & Princesse Reynolds
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Church For You Elizabeth Park - fellowship lunch
Church Lunch September 2022. Join us at Church For You - 3 Kirk Street Elizabeth Park, South Australia. www.cforu.net
Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
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Church For You Live Stream - service @ Church4u Elizabeth Park, South Australia
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The Preeminence of Christ
Christ is central, supreme and pre-eminent, in all things. His birth splits time into before and afterwards. He is the preeminent person in history.
Our Lord should be first, foremost and supreme in our lives. Verse 18 - that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Preeminence means being FIRST.
He has …a name which is above every name (Philippians 2:9). He has the highest place. We want to make much of Jesus.
He holds the highest authority. He is Lord of all.
Is THE WILL OF GOD preeminent in your decision making processes? (10) That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Do we care about what is worthy of our Saviour? Do we care about pleasing God?
Enthrone Him - in your heart’s throne room. That He will truly reign over us in every decision of life; in every step we take.
Will you be… (11) Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Do we know spiritual power with God? His empowerment? His enablement?
(12) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: How is our thankfulness level?
(13) Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
He is due our highest praise.
Christ is preeminent as…
DEITY
V. 15 Who is the image of the invisible God. An exact manifestation. The perfect representation of God. He is the image of God in His exact revelation of Him.
John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father… God in all the fullness resides in Him, Colossians 1:19. Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Christ is preeminent as…
CREATOR AND SUSTAINER
V. 16 For by him were all things created…
…by him, and for him
V. 17 …and by him all things consist.
He is THE CREATOR of ALL THINGS.
We were created to:
• Serve Him
• Love Him
• Fellowship with Him
Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
John 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Our creator has made a cosmos out of chaos. As Paul said in Acts 17:28 …in him we live and move and have our being.
He is the sustaining power of His own creation. He holds it all together.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Our Lord, who upholds all things, also upholds His own people down here, in every trial.
He is preeminent, as…
HEAD
(V. 18) And he is the head of the body, the church…
His church is a living organism.
Through His church our Lord rules, guides, and directs. We can be thankful that we are members of the most noble institution of the best and greatest men and women of history – of all time – and we are made joint heirs with them, in this great privilege to be the church of the living God.
He is due THE PREEMINENCE – the first, the highest place. To be esteemed and honoured, as the first in rank.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Christ is preeminent in our life – so we place our FIRST PRIORITY on Christ and His kingdom.
Christ is preeminent, as…
SAVIOUR
V. 20 tells of His saving …through the blood of his cross.
Christ is preeminent as the one and only Saviour. We have been rescued! He has saved us. From the danger of hellfire, and he has brought us nigh to Him, into His safekeeping. As saved people, we are “complete in Him” (Colossians 2:10).
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. He has purchased our freedom, and ransomed us.
He has lifted us out of the pit. He has set our feet on a rock.
He occupies the very throne of God. Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
Christ rules in our hearts, by faith. How we need His Lordship over our lives! Is Christ preeminent in your heart? In your home? In your decisions of life? May Christ be first and foremost.
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Roof Breaking Faith
It was exciting. The crowd pressed to hear the words of Jesus. Four men desperately wanted to bring the paralytic man to Christ at Capernaum. So much so, they resorted to radical means.
Mark 2: 3-12, And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. (4) And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. (5) When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee… (11) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (12) And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
1. JESUS CREATES FAITH.
Verse 1 Jesus was in the House.
People are everywhere. He preached the Word unto them. The Word creates Faith.
Jesus creates faith in the human heart. The Word is mixed with faith. The Word brings the miracle of life and salvation. Faith in His Name. Faith in Christ.
People are everywhere. So many people, they can’t get in.
Verse 4 They broke up the roof.
These people were moved to get the man to Jesus. They had to get the man to Jesus. People would have been really disturbed.
Faith drove them to take action… They absolutely HAD to get this man to Jesus. Nothing would stop them…
What are some of the obstacles that are stopping people in our community coming to Christ? Let us break through…
2. JESUS SEES FAITH.
Verse 5 Jesus saw their faith.
• God honours faith.
• God responds to faith.
• God is looking for faith.
When He comes, will He find faith on the earth?
Faith will be seen. Faith will be evident. Faith will be demonstrated.
Let us be a people of faith. A people who believe God.
Are we the church in action? The church reaching out? Caring enough to take a risk. Caring enough to pay the price…
Jesus also saw the unbelief of the religious ones… He saw into their hearts… He searches the hearts today…
3. JESUS HONOURS FAITH.
Look at the words Jesus says: Son, thy sins be forgiven thee!
We must bring all men to Jesus.
He was palsied, paralysed. Someone who couldn’t walk. There’s some who can’t help themselves… Can’t do anything…
It was worth tearing up a roof to get a man to Jesus… He was worth the efforts of four men…
These men cared enough to help a man who couldn’t help himself…
It takes compassion to be a witness. A love for souls… We also have need of courage. Courage to stand for Christ. To take action for Christ.
Let’s take courage. Let’s get up on the roof…
These four men worked together using their gifts and abilities. Love will find a way. We’re going through the roof.
Bring men to Jesus. Bring all men to Jesus. By all means to Jesus.
At all costs… There was a cost here.
Do we care about souls? It’s worth the cost. Do whatever it takes.
All of you. Bring all men, by all means, to Jesus… Get people to Jesus.
It was different.
They did not mind the cost. Difficult circumstances did not deter them.
Everything we do - all that we seek to do as a church - should be a stretcher to get people to Jesus. That should be the end result of all that we do... We need to use every scriptural means to get people to Jesus.
Will we care enough about the lost? Will we take pains and effort to bring them to the Saviour?
• Jesus will create the faith
• Jesus will see the faith
• Jesus will honour the faith.
We all need Jesus today. To get closer to Him… To take what measures we can to bring others unto our Lord.
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As For Me and My House
The prophet tells Hezekiah: You’re about to die. Set your house in order.
Isaiah 38:1 …Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
Hezekiah turned to the Lord, and he prayed. God gave him 15 more years.
When we face the closing days of our lives… we want to make sure that things are right with our house.
Joshua urged the people …choose you this day whom ye will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua was committed that his house would make a godly stand.
There is a lack of order in our world. The problem, the root of it, is that there’s a problem at the home.
The family is the basic building block of society. God’s plan is for a God fearing family. God gives us the blueprint – the Biblical ideal. A God-fearing Father, God-fearing Mother, and God-fearing children. That the home be a godly family unit.
As the Lord told Noah: "Come thou and all thy house into the ark" (Genesis 7:1).
God blesses the home where He is honoured - He blesses the habitation of the just (Proverbs 3:33).
What is God's order for the family...?
1. GOD-FEARING FATHERS - are called to lead.
As was said, of Abraham: Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment…
It was said of Eli, 1 Samuel 3:13 ... his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not. We see the tragedy of godless, wayward children. God-fearing fathers are exhorted: Restrain them - from wicked books, wicked companions, wicked amusements.
Children need that sense of Authority - it brings order to our lives. Responsible leadership by the husband is God's plan and brings peace to the home. God has placed the husband as Head.
It is the husband's duty also to love and care for his wife. Ephesians 5:25, Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:29, For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth (promote health and strength) and cherisheth it (impart warmth/care for), even as the Lord the church.
God’s order also calls for:
2. GOD-FEARING MOTHERS
A wife, a mother is called to be a…
(1) HELPER
Good wives and good mothers are wonderful gifts from the Lord.
Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far above rubies.
(2) HOME-BUILDER
Proverbs 14:1 Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
God has designed the woman to take the role of the "keeper, or worker," at home. 1 Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women many, bear children, guide (manage) the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
Titus 2:4-5 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home ("homeworkers; working at home; guardian of the home; caring for the house"), good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
Ephesians 5:22, Wives, submit (present tense: continuous) yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 1 Peter 3:6 gives us the example of Sarah, Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord...
The woman is to adorn herself with good works - with a meek and quiet spirit, 1 Peter 3:4,5 and Modesty and sobriety, 1 Tim. 2:9.
Another aspect of this order is:
4. GOD-FEARING PARENTS
The Bible describes children as a Gift. Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward…
Parents are to love their children. Titus 2:4. Parents are to train and lovingly guide and discipline their children for the Lord. Proverbs 22:6, Train up a child in the way that he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it. We are to bring our children to hear God's Word.
Parents are responsible to teach their children the Bible at home. Teach them how to obey and live for God.
Parents, we should model the Christian life. Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Another aspect of God’s order – is…
5. GOD-FEARING CHILDREN
There are two commandments for children:
• Obey Parents
• Honour Parents
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother…
We Need the Lord's Help. Psalm 127:1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it...
Be the example your family needs to see.
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Flying Lessons
Want to fly like an eagle? Get stronger in faith? Here’s some flying lessons. How to grow. How to be strong in the Lord. Isaiah 40:28-31 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Some practical pointers on how to be an effective Christian, living the intentional Christian life. The Lord promises His supernatural strength. It all hinges on this word, BUT. It changes everything. BUT they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength – like an eagle, soaring high in the clouds.
He is the everlasting God. Power is promised. He is the source. Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
Waiting can be a hard thing to do, BUT waiting is the right thing to do. God will bless you for it. It’s the Biblical pattern. Waiting is hard. But it works.
David waited 12 years to become king
Joseph waited 13 years in prison for a crime he did not commit
Jacob waited 20 years to get possession of his wives and property
Abraham waited 25 years for a promised son
Moses waited 40 years in the desert before God called him to deliver His people from Egypt
Isaac and Rebekah waited twenty years to have children
Noah waited 120 years for rain
Boaz waited years for Ruth
God’s plan meant they had to wait.
But the wait was worth it.
Wait on God. For His plan. Trust God for your future. Psalms 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
While you are waiting, persevere in prayer. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. We find His strength as we wait upon Him. Trust Him, where He has placed you. He has you where He can do a work in you. Isaiah 49:5 …my God shall be my strength.
He revives our strength by His word. Abide in His Word. Be where the Word is. Lay hold of His Word, as serious students, led by God’s unchanging truth. Psalms 119:97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
May we seek after God – and place His will above our own. Psalms 37:7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him… We have to trust Him while we go through things. Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. He giveth power to the faint. He lifts up the weary. The Lord upholds us with His hand. He revives us.
Some birds will eat any old thing. Eagles don’t eat dead things. They are not scavengers. They only eat fresh prey. An eagle can see something the size of a rabbit running at three miles away. They are made to fly higher, to soar. Eagles can achieve 30 mph using powerful wing-beats and even faster when diving after prey. Bald eagles can dive at up to 100 mph; golden eagles at up to 150 mph.
Eagles can fly 125 miles in a day during migration depending on the weather conditions and wind currents. An eagle is a powerful bird - they fly high.
God wants to renew a right spirit within us. An eagle will mount up with their powerful wings, and fly high above the storm clouds. You can rise above the storm.
We can know God’s power supply. A spiritual transformation. There is no shortage of God’s power, of His might, and strength. There is no lack of ability on God’s part.
As we strengthen our faith we can become more effective in the Lord's work. Believe in His promises. Recharge.
As we gather together in fellowship we can grow and be strengthened together. Participate in church life.
His strength is for you, for you to break destructive patterns in your life. God’s supply of strength never diminishes, and it is always available to us.
Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
He clothes you with His might and power. Walk in the victory you have in Christ. Delight in God. We can know a spiritual refreshing.
God’s grace is sufficient. Don’t you just love it that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness. Wait on Him. We will see His faithfulness. Keep waiting. It will be worth the wait.
May we consecrate and reconsecrate ourselves to this end. He can rejuvenate us. Let’s determine for a life intent on setting… Spiritual goals. A life filled with God’s values.
Wait upon the Lord – and you will soar - like an eagle. We can fly higher, and rise above… Above the wind, the storm… He will make you strong.
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