As we approach Christmas...

       ... my prayer is that all of us will keep the main thing the main thing.  We all know this but sometimes we need to be reminded that Christmas is about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He left the splendor and glory of heaven to be born in a manger, live His life among us, go to the cross, and be raised from the dead that we might have the most awesome gift of eternal life with God. It should never be hard for us to worship Him at Christmas time when you consider all He has done for us. A few years ago I preached a message “Wake Up! The Gifts Are Under the Tree!” That is what my parents used to say to us on Christmas morning.  My sermon said for us to wake up because our gifts are under the tree...the cross!

Many get caught up with the pressure of making sure everyone gets a gift and unfortunately many go into debt to do so. Christian financial expert Dave Ramsey says that we should never go into debt for Christmas but that we keep the main thing the main thing.  He said we spend what we have on those we can and trust that everyone will understand. He goes on and tells parents not to get all stressed out over this issue but to sit down with their children and explain to them the best they can their situation.  He also says it is a great opportunity to share with them that the most important things in life are our relationship with God and each other.

  Mary (the mother of Jesus) had to learn Christmas was gaining and losing...how so?  She gained by being chosen to have the Christ-child conceived in her. She had to be willing to lose her reputation and almost her husband. Luke 1:35 38 (NIV) “The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month.  For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.” As we choose this Christmas to be the Lord’s servants let us choose like Mary to be the Lord’s servants!

Jim Cymbala says, “Prayer links us...

... to the promises and power of the Almighty. Calling out to God threatens Satan’s kingdom because it brings the blessings of heaven to earth and grants salvation to the ungodly.”  As we get ready to go into 2019 let us commit to fasting and prayer like never before. Join us the first full week of January 2019 each night to earnestly seek the Lord and to pray for God’s continued blessings! Also, we want to be thankful for all He has done for us! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV) Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

The early church devoted itself to prayer (Acts 2:42), it prayed the Apostle Peter out of prison the night before his scheduled execution (Acts 12), and they responded to persecution for the first time by prayer (Acts 4:42).  God responded by granting them a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and a boldness to witness for Christ.  When Ananias was so fearful to go in obedience to pray for Saul who became Paul, God gave him this sign to let him know he had changed: Acts 9:11 (NKJV)  “...behold, he is praying.”  Prayer is key!

We all in one accord say that we want to grow to one thousand plus and we all acknowledge that there are many adversaries.  Listen to the exhortation of our Lord:  Luke 18:1 (NIV) “Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.”  If you have not arrived at your destination yet...do not give up and do not stop praying. The Scriptures we read about putting on God’s armor also tells us:  Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”  Brothers and Sisters, keep praying and we will see a great harvest of souls in 2019!

Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:8 (NIV) ...

...“I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”  All of us know that we should pray and that we should pray every day...without ceasing.  We all know we should pray fervently and that we should be constantly making intercession to the Lord for a multitude of reasons...prodigals, sickness, our nation, etc.  We read books on prayer, hear sermons about prayer, go to seminars about prayer, and we even commit ourselves to pray more (New Year’s). Why is it so hard for us to pray consistently and to worship God continually?

Let’s look at some reasons why it is so hard to pray and to worship.

1. We have trouble praying because prayer and worship seem to be unnatural acts for us.  Stay with me...we were originally created to desire communion with God...Adam and Eve walked with God daily in the garden.  Something separated them from this close communion...what was it? Sin. Sin also puts a wall between God and ourselves.

2. We have trouble praying because prayer and worship seem to be admissions of weakness.   Get this...the act of prayer and worship by their nature are admissions of weakness. We are crying out for God’s help! As we pray, our inner man acknowledges our utter dependence upon the One we are praying to. Paul says when we are weak then we are strong.

3. We have trouble praying and worshiping because we do not see the actual results of prayer the way we expect.  Don’t misunderstand me, I believe God absolutely answers prayer.  Most of us have lived long enough to realize that God’s answers do not always come in the way or on the time frame that we would have chosen...was He listening?  

Key: We must begin to see prayer and worship are for the business of aligning ourselves with God’s purposes instead of asking Him and expecting Him to align with ours. Amen!

Today I want you to ask yourself...

        ... why do you want to be filled with Holy Spirit? Because you attend a church that being filled with Holy Spirit power is one of our tenets of faith, I must surmise that you would love to be filled with supernatural power. You probably would not keep coming here if you did not want Him but here’s my question for you today: Why do you want Him...what is your motive?  Before you think I am being rude for asking...the scriptures are clear about people asking for things with the wrong motives.  James 4:3 (NKJV) “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Our desire should be to live for the cause and the glory of God Who put us on this earth in the first place.

So really, why do you want Holy Spirit to work in your life or to fill you up...is it for your own benefit or for the glory of God?  Many believe Holy Spirit is much like a pawn that they have access to so that they can manipulate others and to look spiritual in other people’s eyes. They believe that when they give a “word” people will ooh and awe over their ability to walk so closely to the Lord. What they fell to see is that all of the spiritual gifts of Holy Spirit are for the edification, exhortation, and building up of the body of Christ, not our own grandiose ideas. How much do you love the church?  How much do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Do you want to build them up or tear them down...encourage them or control them? What’s your motive?

It is so important to remember these verses: 1 Corinthians 12:711 (NKJV)  “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”  Let me sum this up: Holy Spirit gives the gifts as He wills (not as we will) and He does it for the profit of all!

Politics…politics…politics….

...politicians have been campaigning forever, it seems, and all of us have become weary of the whole process.  Let’s break down the word…Politics…Poli means many and ticks are blood sucking parasites!  Pretty good description.  On a more serious note, how should we vote…who should we vote for?  Our choices don’t seem so good, Pastor Rick, so what should we do?  Maybe it will help you to stop looking at the people and start looking at their platform…what they believe and what they support.  I have had a simple formula for years and maybe it will help you.  The easy answer to how you should vote is to Vote Like a Pro!

1. Vote for those who are pro-life.  This is a biggy for me!  If you read both platforms one is for protecting unborn babies and the other platform if for abortion up to the day of birth.  Vote pro-life!

2. Vote for those who are pro-biblical marriage.  The Bible is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman for a lifetime.  Anything else is against God’s Word and, no, I do not care what the Supreme Court has said about it.  Vote pro-biblical marriage!

3. Vote for those who are pro-Israel.  Not just in their rhetoric but in reality.  God says that Israel is the apple of His eye…He will bless those who bless them and curse those who curse them.  Vote pro- Israel!

4. Vote for those who are for our protection.  God thought it was important enough to send Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and to replace the gates. He also told them to separate themselves from those who did not believe in Jehovah God.  Vote for those who will protect the United States of America!

5. Vote for those who are pro-Christian.  They may not seem to be Christian to us but the question is “Will they defend our religious freedom and protect us from those who would change our very foundation we were founded on?”  They will protect our Judea-Christian values and rights.  Vote pro-Christian!

Vote like a Pro!  Enough said!

We all want change...

...  but are we willing to be the change we want to see? Are we willing to pass on to others what we have learned like Moses did for Joshua? Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV) ⁷  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. John D. Rockefeller said “Good leadership consists of showing average people how to do the work of superior people.” Leadership is a process, not a job. It requires the passing of the torch from one leader to another. We see this with Moses and Joshua. So what can you do to be ready to lead.

A.  Pay attention to what is going on around you. To become a great leader you cannot just focus on one thing but you must be able to see the big picture. See what is needed to make the organization better and wisely share with the leader the facts.

B. Be a problem solver. Problem solving will more than likely come from someone who is forward thinking, not always looking back of how we used to do it. Past experience can be beneficial but be willing to learn. Many churches and businesses have brought much detriment to themselves but always looking back. I read a few years ago that many of our churches are trapped in the 50s and 60s and that is why they do not grow.

True leadership is about solving problems and helping to take the load off of the head of the organization. You get better at solving problems as you encounter problems…start practicing before you lead.

Ketterling:  You probably think about becoming a leader more than existing leaders think about you becoming a leader.  They have other things on their minds.  If there isn’t someone to hold you accountable, hold yourself accountable.  Don’t let the day to day routine leave you in the shadow.  

In Luke 13:15 (NIV) 15 The Lord answered him,...

... "You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?” Jesus had very little patience with the religious of His day and I love His style..."You hypocrites! Doesn't each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?”

Jesus had no problem with initiative...He saw a need and He met it...He saw the woman and He healed her after being crippled 18 years. In His impatience with their hypocrisy...He said to them...when something is set before you that represents a need...a cripple woman or a tied up donkey, do what you are supposed to do! 

This what He said to them and I believe He is saying to us...Untie your donkey...KJV!

We have prayed, we have asked, and we have believed God will open a great and effective door and that He will give us life more abundantly...it is time we untie our donkey and move toward the goal set before us. Say to your neighbor...untie your donkey. James 4:17 (NLT) “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” Example - It is one thing to want to go thru that great and effective door in the area of your finances, to pray it will happen, to tell everyone your need, but it is another thing to untie your donkey or get off your donkey and start searching for a job or for more work.

It is one thing to be frustrated and concerned about the condition of our nation but it is another to educate yourself where the candidates line up, or don’t line up with Scripture, and then untie your donkey, and go vote, and get others to do it also. Find out who is pro-life, pro-Israel, pro-family, pro-marriage (man and a woman), and for protection of our country and then vote for that candidate. Remember the four lepers were in a horrible situation...did I mention they were lepers...Hear this...They were put outside the gate because of their disease (limited...sound familiar?) They were broke, busted, and disgusted not to mention they were starving to death...Their options were not good...go to the enemy camp or stay there until they died. These lepers asked each other...why do we keep sitting here until we die...it is time for us to untie our donkey and get up and go do something. They said “Let’s untie our donkey” and head to the enemy’s camp and just see what God is going to do for us...If we die...we die!  Though He slay me yet will I trust Him!!!