Stay In God's Peace

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary, who moreover was listening to the Lord's word, seated at His feet. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him, and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

The Story of Mary and Martha has long been one of the most treasured narratives in the Scripture. Who doesn't identify with hardworking Martha, frustrated with her captivated sister at the feet of the Lord? And who doesn't admire the single-minded devotion of Mary?

I don't know about you, but I can also hear the words of Jesus say, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me”. (John 14:1) He says, “Don't be troubled in heart, don't be agitated, put your trust in Me”!!

This is the portion of Scripture that God led me to when I began asking Him, “Lord, teach me about Your peace and show me how to stay in Your peace when I am overwhelmed by the circumstances of life!!”

This is what will steal God's peace:

1. Whine about the situation

– The first thing we want to do is begin whining and speaking negative about the situation that is happening.

2. Begin blaming others

– The second thing we do is start blaming others for what is happening. It's everybody else's fault.

3. Complain that no one is helping.

– Lastly, we start complaining and become bothered that nobody is helping us with the situation.

TAKE NOTE: None of this accomplishes anything!! It just takes our peace!!

This is how to keep God's peace:

1. Acknowledge God in Everything (Proverbs 3:5-6)

– Our level of peace is directly related to our level of trust in God. If we don't have peace, then we are not truly trusting God. We must acknowledge God in every situation. This helps us to incorporate our trust in Him.

2. Seek God First ( Matthew 6:33-34)

– When we are not trusting God, we are worrying about everything. But we must seek God first about the situation and live right and He will provide all that we need.

3. Pray About Everything With Thanksgiving (Phil 4:6-7)

– Worry and Fear takes our peace. Worry exhausts us mentally and it accomplishes nothing. In every situation we are not to worry or fear but with our whole self be engaged in prayer, and ask with thanksgiving, bringing our requests to God. We need to take everything to God and let Him take care of it. Knowing that God is taking care of everything, the Peace of God guards our hearts and minds.

4. Take Every Thought Captive (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

– Worry begins with a thought. We have the choice to take that thought captive, giving it to God or allow worry to take our peace. We must renew our minds with the Word of God.

5. Focus on God (Isaiah 26:3-4)

– God will keep us in perfect peace if we stay focused on Him. When we get our eyes off of Him and allow the situation to distract us, worry and doubt sets in and we no longer are in God's perfect peace concerning the situation.

6. Cast Your Cares on God (I Peter 5:7)

– He cares about us so much and wants us to cast all of our cares upon Him so that He can take care of everything.

7. Cry Out to the Lord (Psalm 61:1-4)
– David begins with prayers and tears, but ends with praise. Our soul, being lifted up to God, returns to the enjoyment of itself. Wherever we are, we have liberty to draw near to God, and may find a way open to the throne of grace. Though the heart is overwhelmed, yet it may be lifted up to God in prayer. When we cry unto Him, it will be supported and relieved. Weeping must quicken praying, and not deaden it. God's power and promise are a rock that is higher than we are. This rock is Christ. When our heart becomes overwhelmed, as Martha's did, God will lead us to the Rock, a higher place in Him, a place of peace, if we choose the better thing, as Mary did, and sit at Jesus' feet to hear His Word.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”.
-- Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof”.
-- Philippians 4:6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

-- 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”;
-- Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee”.
-- I Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”.

-- Psalm 61:1-4 “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah”.

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED!  TRUST IN ME!!  

(John 14:1)

Purpose of the Church

The main things that I see missing in the Churches today is “The Holy Ghost Baptism (Acts 2)  and the “Equipping of the Saints for Ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-16) Instead, we see many pew warmers being entertained rather than being equipped, only receiving the milk of the word, not growing into maturity.

Everyone has a calling, a purpose, a gift given to them from God. What is Yours?? Seek God to find out your gift and purpose. How? By praying in the Spirit (in tongues) which is when revelation knowledge is being “downloaded by God” into your Spirit. Without the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, you cannot pray in the Spirit, thus never being used in the Gifts of the Spirit. The purpose of the Church is to get a person saved, water baptized, baptized in the Holy Ghost, equipped for Ministry and Sent out with Purpose.

PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH
1. Salvation
2. Water Baptism
3. Holy Ghost Baptism
4. Equipped For Ministry
5. Sent Out With Purpose

Be A Warrior, Not A Worrier

BE A WARRIOR – NOT A WORRIER

1. I am breaking the Worry Habit! I am a Warrior in the Army of the Lord, not a worrier!

2. I take Communion over this decision to break the worry habit.

3. I write down the issues of my life and give them over to the Lord – once and for all!

4. I take every thought captive and say, “Oh No you don't! The Lord has freed me from worry about everything!” 2 Corinthians 10:5

5. I rejoice and praise today, declaring, I am on my way to great victory – free from worry!

6. I do not worry about anything, instead I pray about everything and I am thankful and God's peace that far surpasses my understanding guards my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

7. I seek God first and live right and my everyday concerns will be met. I take no thought about tomorrow. It takes thought for the things of itself. I will live one day at a time. Matthew 6:33-34

8. I cast all my cares and all my worries onto the Lord. I Peter 5:7

My time is too valuable to waste it worrying about things that I have no control over. Worrying accomplishes nothing! Worrying takes my peace! Worrying exhausts me mentally. To worry means one has no faith.

Philippians 4:6-7
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

Be Equipped For Ministry

4 Things Paul Did To Establish His Ministry

Galatians 1:1-24

Everything that Paul learned and taught

came directly from God, not man

1. SET APART UNTO HIM

Galatians 1:15 – Paul was separated and chosen from his mother's womb

-- God knew us before we were even born and has set us apart for a purpose.
-- We must come out from among them (the world) and be ye separate

-- Start walking in obedience. God will reveal our purpose and redeem our story.

 

Jeremian 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Psalm 4:3 “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him”.

2 Corinthians 6:17 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you”

2. SECRET PLACE OF DEVOTION

Galatians 1:17 Paul spent 3 years in the deserts of Arabia receiving from the Lord. All he learned and taught came directly from the Lord, not man.

-- Seek Him diligently, find your course, and run the race given to you with all your heart!

-- We must have a regular time of seeking God to receive revelations from Him.

-- Be Affirmed, Sealed, Commissioned, Transformed & Equipped by God

 -- Spending time in Praise & Worship, Studying of God's Word and Praying in the Holy Ghost will help equip you for ministry.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 

3. GODLY ALIGNMENT

Galatians 1:18-19 Paul went to Jerusalem and stayed with Peter and met James too.

-- We must align ourselves with like-minded people with the same heart/Spirit/Purpose

-- We need accountability from others

-- We need others to pray and speak into our lives, to encourage, edify and build up.

-- If you have no one, get some good Teachings (We receive from Robert Morris at www.theblessedlife.com)

-- Jesus called His Disciples to Himself, then sent them out by twos and gave them power for ministry.

 Mark 6:7 "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits".

Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

4. OPEN DOORS

Galatians 1:21 Paul then went to Syria and Cilicia. Doors opened for him and regions were unlocked for ministry.

When you've been separated unto the Lord, and spending devotional time with Him and you've aligned yourself with like-minded people, God will begin to Open Doors of ministry for you. Opportunities and Divine Appointments will happen.

God is a God of Order, Seasons and Structure. Do not force the doors open. Let God open doors for you. With Open Doors comes Adversity. So be sure to let God open the doors for you , where He gives you strength. 

I Corinthians 16:8-9 "But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries".

Remember and Be Encouraged … “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”: (Phil 1:6)

Heart of Worship

HEART OF WORSHIP

Living A Life Submitted Unto God

During my time with the Lord in prayer and study, He began talking to be about the “Heart of Worship”. Have you ever just been in a service praising and worshiping God, but you're just singing the words and your thoughts are far from what words you are singing? Have you ever rushed off to do “the service of the Lord” without taking the time out to first seek the Lord?

Our ministry should never outgrow our time with the Lord. Our time with the Lord in prayer, His Word and worship should never be compromised keeping “ministry” as the reason. Many are making the mistake today, therefore making way to flesh control. It is our time with God that helps in walking in the spirit. We as ministers and leaders of God should pave way to exalt God, not self.

The Lord is burdened about such kind of people growing in the Body of Christ. He is calling his people back into the HEART OF WORSHIP to walk in spirit and in truth, where it is all about Him!

Our perfect example is Jesus himself. Jesus often withdrew from the crowd to seek the face of the Father. (Matthew 14:23, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 22:39-45) He didn't let his ministry of healing and teaching hinder His time with the Father. He never did or said anything without the leading of the Father. He was a man submitted to God in many ways, most notably by spending time with God in prayer. That is how He did all that He did: A lifestyle of submitting to God, body soul and spirit. He went up to the mountain, did His thing with God, then came down the mountain and did the stuff with the people. By His submission to God, He knew when to stop, and when to go. Sometimes the people's unbelief stopped Him, but other times, the Lord comes in power and does the stuff in spite of unbelievers.

We need to live a life submitted unto God. As we spend time in fellowship with the Father, He sends His own Love, Faith and Hope into us via the conduit of the reborn spirit within us. His “will” is made known to us, first in our spirit. As we progressively comprehend the Father's will regarding any given situation, our spirit begins projecting the “image of hope” onto the screen of our soul. We being to “see what our Father is doing.” We then begin speaking the will of the Father and apply corresponding actions. This speaking and acting “in the name of Jesus” releases the authority for the Holy Spirit to manifest the will of the Father in earth, just as it is in heaven.

“Father, thy will be done in earth, just as it is in Heaven!”

Many “miss it” because they do not live a life submitted to God. Learning and knowing the voice and directive counsel of God only comes from an intimacy of the secret place with Him. He says when to act in power and demonstration of the Spirit and when not to. Memorizing faith scriptures are good but it can't impart that quality in the Believer, without spending time with God. There is no substitute; not even the Word itself, for learning the voice of the Lord for any given time and place. That is what it is to be submitted to God. Just as Jesus' life was one submitted unto God, body soul and spirit, so must ours be. Jesus always sought the will of the Father, not his own. (John 5:30). We must do the same.

Jesus said “...you will ask Me nothing. Ask the Father in My name...He will give it.” (John 16:23). We must yield to the mind of Christ, and be fully surrendered to God's will. Know the will of God. (receive confirmation) before asking. This gives us the confidence to stand, knowing we are not asking amiss (for our own pleasure). (James 4:3), but we are asking in faith (James 1:6, Mark 11:22), according to His Will (I John 5:14). In this there is safety and keeps one from experiencing many disappointments.

When we honor God by living a life of worship, it blesses Him and honors Him! Not only that, but we are shining lights for Him and living a life we were designed to live. For those who don't do this, it is scary because they will answer to the Lord for their behaviors, words and teachings and if they cause another person to stumble, they will be held accountable.

The Lord is all about motives, thoughts and intentions. He knows the depths of every person's heart because He created us and knows every detail of our lives. This Scripture is found several times in the Bible:  

Matthew 15:8 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Isaiah 29:13 “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

This refers to the people who were religious but didn't serve God with the right heart. It says in verse 13, “Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.”

We need to reflect a heart after God like David did. This Scripture is a great reminder and prayer to keep asking God to cleanse us and to give us the right heart and right spirit: Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

I like the example we find in Isaiah showing us how important it is to spend time in God's Presence first thing:

Isaiah 6:1-8
Isaiah goes into the temple and worships God and sees a vision of the Lord and the first thing that comes to Isaiah's mind when he sees the Lord, is his mouth. It's the first area of his life that he is convicted about. An angel brings a live coal and touches his unclean lips saying his iniquity is taken away and his sin purged. The Lord asks who He shall send and who will go for them. Isaiah says to send him. He will go. He did not say this until he had an encounter with the Lord.
We need to begin our day, seeing the Lord, coming into His presence, confess our faults and weaknesses, so that God can touch our mouths, cleanse us for going out for the day, to help our community, those with unclean lips. Every day, have an encounter with God! Let God touch your mouth, cleansing you. Let not only our lips/words be cleansed but also our hearts – bringing them back to Him. Let not our hearts be far from Him. Get back to the HEART OF WORSHIP where it is all about HIM! Spent time with Him before anything. Seek His guidance. Speak only His Words. God loves when we seek to honor Him wholeheartedly.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpYD7HQo9QQ