Today we continue the series “Give us this day”.

     Matthew 6:9-15 (NKJV) “Give us this day our daily bread.” Paul said in Philippians 3:13 (NKJV) “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” If you live long enough you will experience profound pain and suffering. There is no escaping this reality. Life is unfair, and then you die. Slightly depressing. The good news, you can move past your past! Sir Walter Osler – So many people are so overwhelmed by so many things. We’re paralyzed by things we cannot change—the past. We’re crippled by things we cannot control—the future. The solution? Let go of “dead yesterdays” and “unborn tomorrows.”

1. We have to let go of dead yesterdays. The Apostle Paul wrote trying to help us with the process of forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. All of us have felt the sting of death when we lose a loved one. It sometimes feels insurmountable but we have to be willing to pray “Lord, give me this day”. Just one day at a time with God’s help. 2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV) “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” When we are experiencing profound grief, pain, and a broken heart, whether from the loss of a loved one, a betrayal, an unexpected tragedy, we have to pray…Father, give me this day. Today. Get me thru today.

2. We owe it to everyone to pray for God’s help each day. This may be a shock for someone to hear today but life does not stop for those around you just because you are going through something terrible. It may be your time of greatest influence. Romans 14:7 (NKJV) “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.” When we fail to bury our dead yesterdays whatever they were or how bad they hurt, we are not just cheating ourselves. We are cheating those who could be touched by our influence and our touch. Hear your pastor, we also cheat God because we are saying we can’t trust Him or believe He can give us this day.

3. Keep straining forward and keep praying, “Give me this day.” Let’s face it, none of us are all God wants us to be. We have not arrived by any means but we keep trying and why we keep praying. Yesterday is done and tomorrow is still unknown but today I can apply myself to strain forward through whatever it is I am going through. I am preaching to myself as much as I am you. Give me this day.

How is it possible for we “humans” to be faithful...

 

... to be obedient...to be generous...to be extra-ordinary in any way in a world that tears away from anything spiritual we would want to be?  Have we set you up for failure when we tell you to be extra-ordinary or is there something more that will help you in this endeavor?  Let me establish this point...we serve an extra-ordinary God...we serve an extra-ordinary Savior Jesus Christ and He has sent to us extra-ordinary help thru Holy Spirit! This being the case why would we ever settle to be ordinary?

Jesus Himself said this: Acts 1:8 (NLT) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” If we have decided Jesus is extra-ordinary in His life, His love, and His promises we can be sure that He will supply us with the power we need to live lives that are full of life!  Again He said: John 10:10 (NKJV) “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

You shall receive power and He has come that you might have life and have it to the full. This being said by our Lord Jesus Christ...where do we stand today with having this incredible power and having this life.  Remember LIFE stands for Living In Freedom Every day...are you?  Paul said: Ephesians 5:15‑18 (NLT) “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Pastor Rick, how can I know if I am filled with the power of Holy Spirit?  Do you pray in the Holy Spirit daily, are you walking in power or defeat, are you walking in freedom of the Holy Spirit?  My challenge for you is this...Seek the Lord while He may be found with all your heart and implore Him to fill you with power from on high. Thru the power of the Holy Spirit you can live an extra-ordinary life! 

Today we start a new series, Give Us This Day.

This is taken from the Lord’s prayer where He is actually teaching us to pray this most wonderful request. Matthew 6:11 (NKJV) ^“Give us this day our daily bread.” I believe Christians should be the example to the world, to young believers, and to new converts what it means to live a disciplined life. We all need to be disciples. So how can we become Christ’s disciples and be able to overcome the day of endless distractions and ceaseless change? Listen to these words from a self-proclaimed average man, the Father of Modern Medicine: Sir Walter Osler – So many people are so overwhelmed by so many things. We’re paralyzed by things we cannot change—the past. We’re crippled by things we cannot control—the future. The solution? Let get rid of “dead yesterdays” and “unborn tomorrows.” Philippians 3:13 (NKJV) “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” If yesterday is history and tomorrow a mystery, pray a simple prayer that can totally change your life. Give me this day. When you win today, tomorrow will take care of itself. Do it every day and nothing is impossible.

1. You are Only One Decision Away from a Totally Different Life. Show me the size of your dream and I will show you the size of your God. If you are going to dream big you need to pray…Give me this day. You arrive at your dreams one day at a time. Discipleship is so important to the believer and the daily decisions we make will either project us into a better future or continually keep us in the mire of a disappointing life. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) ^“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

2. The Twenty-Four-Hour Rule. That one decision to pray “Give us this day” is much easier said than done. We probably wish it said, “Give us this week.” Or “Give us this month.” Or “Give us this year.” That would be so much easier, wouldn’t it? That way we wouldn’t have to depend on God every day. But that, of course is the point of the Lord’s prayer. Our one decision to pray the prayer, “Give us this day” is to remind us of our dependency on God every day.

3. Do It for a Day. Mathew Barnett is the co-founder of the LA Dream Center which has helped tens of thousands of people who find themselves at the end of their ropes. An amazing complex. Many of the people who go there are trying to overcome life-controlling addictions or rebuild broken lives. No matter what habit they are trying to break or what their goals are, Matthew always asks them this question: Can you do it for a day? If you can do it today, you can do it tomorrow! You have a streak going! Give me this day!

oshua has always been one of my favorite Bible characters, ...

 

... so much so that we named our second son by that name. I believe that Joshua (the one in the Bible) can be such an inspiration to us by the things that God commanded him and how he walked those things out in his life. Can you imagine trying to fill the shoes of Moses? Over and over in Joshua 1 God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous...I believe He is saying those things to us. As a review here are the points God gave me to give to you comparing our lives to Joshua! Study these verses and let them be an encouragement to you. 

 1. God wants us to put our past into perspective!  Joshua 1:1-2(NIV)

2. God wants us to realize He has a place for us!  Joshua 1:2-4(NIV)

3. God wants us to know that His power and presence will go with us to defeat our enemies!  Joshua 1:5 (NIV)  

4. God wants us to know that He will keep His promises to us!  Joshua 1:6 (NIV)

5. God wants us to have true Biblical prosperity!  Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV) 

6. God wants us to take possession of what He has promised!  Joshua 1:11 (NIV)

7. God wants us to be passionate about being obedient to Him! Joshua 1:16-17 (NIV)

  A.W.Tozer said, “The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather he will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!"  What I am saying about 2021 is that this is God’s truth, and with His help, we can and will walk victoriously in it!

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.” 1 Corinthians 16:9 (NKJV) “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. The truth is that if we will go through that great door and even the double doors (Isa. 45) it will be accomplished by praying!

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 Saul who became Paul God gave him this sign to let him know he had changed: Acts 9:11 (NKJV) “...behold, he is praying.”

We all in one accord say that we want to go through that great and effective door 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 you will get through God’s door! 

All of us, if we are honest with ourselves, have weaknesses ...

     ... and even sins that easily harass us. As I am writing this I am watching a hawk try to dry it wings while sitting on a fence. A pesky mockingbird does not think the hawk should be resting or drying out so he feels it necessary to fly at him over and over. What is that thing in your life where the enemy is attacking you and constantly harassing you so you cannot rest in the Lord? 1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

Maybe you have trouble loving someone...been there, done that and have the t-shirt. Has life sucked out your joy and you are having trouble coping with one day at a time? Peace is far from you because of trouble in the family or the events coming on our world. You have no self-control when it comes to saying “no” to the temptation of the enemy or “yes” in your obedience to Jesus. What are we to do?

In Galatians 5:22-23 the Apostle Paul says: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” As we seek God and are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will provide everything we need for life and godliness!  Again Paul says “I say then: Galatians 5:16 NKJV “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Be filled with the Spirit and walk in the Spirit and you will Live in Freedom Every Day!  

A couple of months ago God began to speak to me that 2021...

  ... would be a year of transition, and little did I know how much change would be coming. Let’s face it, most of us do not like transition but if you study God’s economy (His way of doing things), transition is inevitable. Today we witness Pastor Juan and Kacie Rodriguez being obedient to God and His call and we are here to bless them and send them out.

1. Obedience comes first, understanding comes later. 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV) “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ…” Pastor Juan and Kacie have shown us what this obedience looks like…how it is walked out. He offered their resignation, we announced it to the church. He did this in obedience to what God spoke to him. They did this not really knowing what their future looked like even though they knew God was their source. About four days after we announced it to the church, word came they were being put on staff at Nation’s Church. The obedience came first and the understanding followed. I hope we all get this. A beautiful faith step.

2. An Amazing Opportunity Today – Pastor Juan and Kacie. Today we get to actually put into practice everything we have been teaching. We get the awesome opportunity to bless two faithful servants of God in whom we know and love. Every week we give away money and food to people we barely know and we are always willing to bless those who need our help. It is a beautiful thing. How much more should we be willing to bless a spiritual son and daughter who are not leaving us, but are being sent out from among us. 1 Timothy 5:17 (TLB) “Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.” I take that literally…we are giving twice as much as we normally give to opportunities like this. I challenge you to do the same. Maybe more, if God speaks to your heart. Pastor Juan and Kacie have exemplified what I have taught for years here at Life Church, Servant Leadership. It is one thing to teach it but even better when we live it. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. These guys have served God, served Life Church, me, our other pastors, La Vida, our youth, our young adults, our community, our mission’s endeavors, and even other churches. They are the greatest among us. Let’s truly bless them today as we send them out.