#8 God Speaks through Preaching
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Opener
Opener
Judah Davidson.
His Mom (jennifer) & Dad (Jonah) Led the youth group here for many years. They raised their kinds next door to us for years. I have not had many opportunities to spend much time with you since your grade school days…
UFOs in the news (lets not much time on this - but worth a short discussion)
UFOs in the news (lets not much time on this - but worth a short discussion)
This past week, apparently some credible witnesses have tried to expose the Government evil doing at covering over the fact that aliens have been visiting our planet. It would be big news, if we had trustworthy Main stream media that could really dig into things with real investigative reporting instead of follow their puppet masters. We can imagine that if there were aliens visiting our planet our government would hide it and try to extract military advantages out of the situation. So at least half of the story seems credible
Since this is a topic that might get allot of social conversation (or not) in the months and years ahead I wanted to address this while it is fresh.
For a very special purpose - to help you share the GOSPEL.
UFOS in the news… Lets start by ask some basic questions your friends might talk about.
Could there be life on other planets?
If there is are they here spying on us?
If they are, does our government know, what are they hiding?
More importantly…
What does God want us to know about UFOs?
How can we use public interest in UFOs to share the Gospel?
Lets start with the first:
Could there be life on other planets? -the book “Improbable planet” by Hugh Ross . explains how special earth is. For a long time scientist have assumed there must thousands of habitable planets… like Star Trek, because there are so many galaxies, and so many stars… there must by life sustaining planets. But the more we know the more we realize how “special” life-supporting earth really is. In fact it is speculated that it could easily be unique in the universe. No need to wonder what became of all those other civilizations. They never had a chance. - even if they did, another problem is apparent. Evolution is a completely broken hypothesis. you wont find this discussed in school. But there are some terrific books that expose its fundamental flaws. My favorite is “the case for the Creator” by Lee Strobel. He simply interviews scientist who do study this carefully and reports it out in a interesting and compelling book. so My scientific answer is NO very doubtful. I may not be in the majority on that that. But It does not matter to much i think if we agree on this or not. This is a matter of some debate among scientists that you might trust.
But Could GOD do it? Could he create life on other planets? yes of course He can do anything he can make as many planets as he wants that sustain live and deposit life on them. To what effect? There is nothing in the bible to suggest there is life on other planets.
Because such being would have been created by God they would have free will and be loved by God. They also would need a to know the Gospel, so God would need to either duplicate the Gospel story on their planet, or would expect us to evangelize the universe. Because of the signs of the times, and the what the bible says about the end-times — I don't think we will have much time for missionary star trek.
If there is life on other planets are they here spying on us?
Let assume for the sake of argument, a moment that there is life on other planets. (i don't think so but what if). They would almost certainly be so far away that they could never reach us. As the volume of a sphere gets larger as it gets bigger, exponentially as the distance increases… any civilization would have to send out hundreds of millions of probes to find us and have faster than light travel that is at this point not consistent with the laws of Physics. FTL travel is a fun Sci Fi concept for convenient story telling. - Therefore the answer to this is No. If there were life on other planets it almost certainly could not be spying on us. Again I am not a physicist. but I am only a college graduate in Electrical Engineering, but i am relatively confident that basic physical laws should apply.
If they are, does our government know, what are they hiding?
Let assume for the sake of argument, a moment that there is life on other planets and they are spying on us. Yeah this is completely likely. The forces of the “deep marxist state” that are trying to create a one-world government are consistent with Bible Prophesy. We will get into this a bit when we study Revelation this fall.
So how can this be used to share the Gosple?
How can we use public interest in UFOs to share the Gospel?
Here is the thing.
When someone asks you if you believe in extra terrestrial life (life off planet earth) - your answer is OF COURSE! that’s obvious! (startle them a bit) I know there are various forms of extra Terrestrial life!
OF course there is Extra-Terrestrial Life (DUH!?)
#1 - God is intelligent, and He is life!
#-2 IN addition The bible describes living creatures, around the throne
#-3 and several types of Angels.
UFO Now called “unidentified aerial phenomenon” as the term flying is not applicable to many of the sightings, were they do not move according to the laws of physics. such things technically can’t “fly” - so they might be something less physical.
. and because they are not limited to the physical realm the strange lights seen by credible witnesses do not need to be explained away… the are most logically real and accurate physical traces of spiritual beings.
Most of us have seen unexplained physical phenomena. and I think so may be naturally explained in some way, but many defy explanation.
Biblical spiritual beings provide and immediate likely explanation for any bible believing christian. Don’t miss this opperunity!
#4 and of course there are fallen angels. They of course are spying on us. and they want to do much more than perform experiments.
THey are attempting to manipulate us and are far more sinister than simply performing experiments on us.
According to the bible they hate us, and want to prevent as many people as possible from knowing about God’s love and plan of salvation.
the thing to do here is to be quite convinced, and convince them that there is a spiritual reality… that these things do exist.
Science has strongly mathematically hypothesized that there are many other dimensions that we cannot perform since experiments on.
The idea of a spiritual realm is not un-scientific it is eminently probable. and several serious studies are establishing strong credible cases for things like life after death.
PEOPLE should be concerned when they start to open there minds up to the possibility of DEMONS being the Aliens. that they lie, they deceive, they cover up, they operate in the shadows… if they have physical evidence of “aircraft” that is completely compatible with our understanding of Demons. The bible says they can take physical form, that they have ability to control willing humans, and they can change shape, and they could easily construct devices that are more advanced than anything a human has devised. this is nothing that the bible has not revealed to us already about demons.
At this point in the discussion they need to know there is hope. that As a christian you have no fear of such things, because you are protected by God.
Explain that God has allowed demonic activity for a time, and that it is coming to a close. - that the end of all things is near that it is time to get their life right with God. These are days were we need hope, love, forgiveness, Identity Purpose, and meaning and destiny in our life. God provides all of these in a coherent and consistent world view that is substantiated by science. Don’t follow the crowd that is manipulated by lies. Follow the WORD of GOD the Bible. facinating that the more we learn in Science the more it substantiates the bible. TH Bible is the true guide for us in trying times, and it will not lead us astray. it has been saving people out of messed up lives by the millions, every year. it is trust worthy! Our trust in governments, health care, law, businesses, and even humanity has failed us. Put your trust in the thing that will always be the ROCK in your life.
They need to know the Bible has much to say about the spiritual world, and if the spiritual world is real they need to start looking into these things.
Read the Gods word each day - At the end of each day’s passage, ask these simple questions:
• What did you learn about God?
• What did you learn about yourself?
• How should you live differently as a result?
Invite them to church. We are not afraid of these questions…
Invite them to church. We are not afraid of these questions…
Life on other planets — this conversation naturally leads to the idea that if there is life anywhere it requires such precise fine-tuning of thousands and thousands of variables. The fine-tuning argument has not been debunked, it has been ignored, and never allowed a place in our public schools system. A healthy debate of fine-tuning would shake the resolve of many students and open their eyes to a Creator. this is a fascinating and terrific topic to have with everyone. I recommend this book. and several others.
God creating life on other planets This part of the conversation is rich in possibilities about Free will it is apparent we have it. Yet evolution says we are only following our programming. Free-will opens up the discussion of righ vs wrong, good versus evil and the need for forgiveness. without free-will there is no concept of Love. C.S. Lewis has a space trillogy that is facsinateing about the possibility of life on other planets.
Goverment hiding? Any discussion that leads people to talk about the troubles and ills of Government is a perfect opportunity to indicate that the Bible has the perfectly described both human nature, and the God ordained role and limits to goverment. Our founding fathers, understood this and discussed this at great length and is why our constitution is the longest last on the planet. Because it was derived from careful study of the bible and the failings of mankind. God has the answers for how to get our nation back on track too.
FInally Personally I think it is much more likely that this “News” story is another tactic of our spiritual Enemy Statan, to divide and distract the population from the more important news stories we should be paying attention to at this time.
Welcome
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How to live the greatest Commandment: Love
How to live the greatest Commandment: Love
How do we live out the desire and ability to obey the greatest commandment, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart … and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 22:37-39).
This is written on our hearts, through the natural law (creative law)
We understand the law of fairness. Do unto others are you want others to do to you. If you have expectations and rules for others, you must also strive follow those rules.
We must be able to discern emotions, interests and abilities in yourself and others, to interpret this information in the light of God’s Word, and to use these insights to manage your responses and relationships successfully.
Life Is All About Relationship!
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. 17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ 21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
Jesus’ Parable of the Talents reminds us that relationships are precious gifts that he entrusts to us as opportunities to show his love and multiply the number of people who will enjoy him forever
Three relationship categories : God, Self, others.
You must be aware of each relationship, and up to date
You must engage in that relationship.
Hear god’s multifaceted voice - God aware
faithful - take actin and put GOd first… putting seaking him first each day -
Humble - be aware of your sins, repent, be teachable,
disciplined - self-disciple be able to tell yourself no, and stick to it, and keep things inside their boundaries
Compassionate - aware of the needs of others
Serving -
The Fire and the Hammer - God speaks through Preaching
The Fire and the Hammer - God speaks through Preaching
So far I have covered 7 very common ways God speaks to every beleiver, I am now moving into some Common ways… and eventually we will get to some of the less common ways. But God speaks through all of them to us.
Have you ever heard a sermon, and felt God was speaking directly to you?
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
God has been faithful to speak to every generation, and because he has been that faithful, he will be faithful to speak to us as well in this generation.
The power of preaching can be like it was in Acts om the early church, were at the preaching of the worth thousands are saved?
we pray for such a revival here in America. we saw preaching like this in our lifetime… by the likes of Billy Graham, add Reinhardt Bonke
Do it again Lord in our time. we are certain he will.
Preaching = Truth telling - not just any old Truth. Proclaiming God’s truth, the WORD with inherent significance to the audience
let me simplify that with a powerful song title that Diane dance to on Pentecost Sunday:
Speak JESUS.
We need to hear Gods truth spoken (preaching)! Speak JESUS… not just his “literal name” but Jesus is the Living WORD. speak the WORD of GOD. Preach!
And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
I want you all to take off your shoes and socks. and look at your bear feet. what do you see? (compare your feet with your neighbor)
Now consider the great fields of harvest — the souls who are ready taste and see that Jesus is so GOOD
Many are in agony in pain and darkness and despair looking for some way to escape the trap they are living in.
they need someone to come to them. some of them are in your house, some are across the street, or in your class room or work place. some are waiting for you.
Look at your feet again. Will these feet take you to them?
If you will go to them and open your mouth, your feet will be beautiful.
Romans 10:14-15 (ESV)
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
In the movie Ratatouille it taught us “anyone can cook” - even rats. - If they are inspired by the spirit of the master Chef.
Anyone can preach, if they are filled with the our Master Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
You open your mouth and let God fill it as God enables you. Why aren’t we all preaching. We are afraid. Surely God can do a better job!
It is in credible and appears foolish but God, (Who could do all the preaching himself), has chosen us to share this work of announcing the Good News of eternal salvation.
It is nothing more or less then the words of our testimony… How Jesus has saved us. & the work he has already done the power of his Blood shed for us. You don’t have to have all the answers, you just have to know the one that answers
“I just want to Speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every Mind.
God has made called Christians to gather together and encourage each other, I am encouraging you all to preach to each other every Sunday.
Diane is doing it. Brian is doing it… Many of you are standing up and speaking out what God is saying to you and to our fellowship.
we do this to fullfill the word of God to us.
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.
preaching / teaching , prophesy, revelations, singing , hymns, songs, prophesy, tongue, interpretation, Scripture.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Do you see it there?
we speak SPEAK JESUS! - PREACH! in songs, in psalms to each other!
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
folly = not perceived as valuable by the spirit of the world
god chose all kinds of people to be his disciple to preach and share his message - most common uneducated people - but from all walks of life.
God transformed his disciples from common uneducated men into powerful preachers and healers. Through the power of the Holy Spirit.
the enemies of early church took note that the people that would not stop Speaking JESUS - had Been with JESUS
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
How did Peter start preaching? He was a bouncy brash and bold Peter, that could get things right as quick as he could get things wrong, but he had the bounce knocked out of him.
He was a poor humble lonely Peter, that went fishing after denying Jesus 3x at his most desperate hour.
Yet Jesus saw, love him, and 3x restored him to be the shepherd of the church… to feed Jesus’s sheep. Preach the WORD of jesus to them. SPEAK JESUS!
so after being filled with the Holy Spirit the Baptism of the Spirit that the father and Jesus had promised… Peter rose up to speak JESUS.
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!” 41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.
He Spoke Jesus! (for a long time! with many words! Paul does this too! Acts 20:7-10 your pastor desires t o emulate them!)
The bible records that preaching could go on for many hours — and failure to listen attentively can have deadly consequences!
3,000 people believed and were baptized!
like it says in Jeremiah
29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
The Word preached to them that day … burned away the lies, smash their hardened stony hearts, and laid them bear to the possibility of Change.
Jesus His name is Power, His name healing, His name is Life!
As the holy spirit enables us to preach, the Holy spirit speaks to the hearts, and minds and souls of those that will listen - and does the work of convicting them.
It is not us. Our job is to pray, and study the Words of Jesus (the Bible)
when you preach the good news you receive a blessing and you are bringing the good news of the Gospel!
Peter was ready to speak Jesus because:
He had been with Jesus… 3 years (strong relationship)
Jesus had Given him the same Holy Spirit that Jesus was used to Preach and Heal
He was walking in obedience
YOU MIGHT NOT BE READY. This is something you only do as Jesus sends you. But are you willing to be getting ready?
There is room for us all to do this in the ministry of the Spirit… we are not all Pastors, some of us are apostles, prophets, evangelists, or teachers.
11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
To equip the saints for the work of serving each other till we become mature. Unified, and blessed with Beautiful feet.
We all need substantial preaching… (even pastor need to hear preaching)
Apostles preach… to tell the truth of God to churches
Prophets preach - to deliver encouraging edifying messages from God.
Evangelists Preach - good news of God to see the lost lambs get found
Shepherds (Pastors) - preach to feed the sheep
Teachers “preach” as they teach God's word
But I am none of those… !
Do you want beatitude feet? You want God’s blessings by the foot? Then ask Him to make you ready to preach and speak Jesus in the unique way he has for you.
See if he has room for a part time teacher or evangelist. Allow the spirit to call you into Jesus speaking. Take the next step. take the step he is opening for you.
If you are seriously hearing what I am asking you to contemplate… you might be scared. we might have uncovered one of your fears.
How did Jesus teach Preaching?
How did Jesus teach Preaching?
Jesus is so amazing… he asks us to deal with our fears head-on with his power. He gets allot of healing done real fast that way.
The disciples were scared. This is one of the neat things they show in the Third season of “The Chosen” - Jesus sends them out early in the ministry two by two… with nothing else but the each other and the holy Spirit. (no bags, or extra tunic).
Jesus knows that FAITH is spelled RISK… we grow our Faith when we have to lean on Jesus with our full weight.
They had not graduated from a 4 year college, they ,ay have only been with jesus a few months.... and know He was saying… you saw me do it, you listened to me, now do it. It does not depend on you anyway… it depends on you depending on God to do it through you.
1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
Jesus sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God = tell people about God’s Love, God’s Rule, God’s Power, God’s Ways.
Jesus sent them to speak JESUS. and with fear and trembling 2 by 2 they did, and he Did, and they were amazed. They did things that were so far beyond them.
That is what I want for you!
Do you want that too?
To do things 1000 x more significant than you can imagine! - get on with the real priorities of life!
As Christians when we speak we should speak the very sayings of God. (PREACH)
and serve with Gods strength so that GOD the one that gets the credit!
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
what is your gift? (god has dposited good things in your life. what are they?)
what ever it is… it is to be used so server each other. God has deposited “GRACE” into your account.
Is it playing softball? or is listening? or is it serving?
how are you manging the Grace god has given you ? managing or mangling? just a few letters different.
God’s grace is His Power… his full operational power.
What did Jesus Preach?
What did Jesus Preach?
what did jesus preach?
this is how Jesus himself summarized, his ministry…
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Proclaim Good news (euangelizo) to the poor, the powerless, the lowly (the opposite of the “elite”)
(Proclaim good news = in the OT & in the Gks. the term is used for the proclamation of news of victory)
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
Proclaim (herald announcing) Liberty (release) to the captives…
This is the situation that God wants for each of you freedom from slavery.
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus
Recovery of sight to the blind -
Eye is the lamp of the body it it is bad your who body is filled with darkness. the lies of the enemy create the darkness.
Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire
Set at liberty those that are oppressed -
This is the declarative deliverance prayer that Don Walker uses. he walks people through the oppressions, and they call out to Jesus
I just want to speak the name of Jesus
Till every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus
The sermon on the mount… Matthew 6-7
The sermon on the mount… Matthew 6-7
Jesus spoke truth, and dispelled the lies… the Truth revealed the the upside-down rules the world was promoting and encouraged them to leave their blind guides.
Blessed are the poor, blessed are those who morn, the meek, the merciful, the pure, the peacemakers, the persecuted… rejoice and be glad.
We are not alone... We have a father in heaven that loves you with an unyielding love.
We have a purpose.. to be salt and light
We have a destiny… He asks us to our sites for the far greener country - we are citizens of a greater kingdom, owners of a better better home & destiny,
We have a calling… to be the change we want to see. To be the first to do to others what we would have them do to us.
He called us to a greater righteousness, that casts a light on our inner battles of our hearts and minds: lust, anger, divorce, broken promises.
Break every stronghold shine through the shadows, Burn like a fire
He asked us to trade in our spirit of poverty, and accept his spirit were we have power and resources that are infinite, so that we could turn our cheeks,
He told us to forgive and keep on forgiving, loving even our enemies, giving to the needy,
He unlocked the key of discernment for us… that we should identify people by the fruitfulness of their deeds.
He cautioned us to give up pride and need for recognition and give glory fully to God. - to instead lay up your treasure in heaven.
Stop sitting on the fence. Choose this day who you will serve. Stop being of two minds. commit fully to your Loving Creator as your LORD and Master. you do that he will crush the chains that have been holding you captive.
God cares for you more than you can imagine. Have faith in God. Stop being anxious. if he cares for birds and grass, you can trust him to take care of you.
Just think how that one truth would set we are a nation that is filled fear & doubt, medicating our troubles into a mindless haze
I just want speak the name of Jesu over every fear and anxiety and soul held captive by depression. I speak Jesus!
Stop judging others, start judging yourself first and deal with what you find there (expose it, confess it and repent and ask God for help!)
Asking your father in heaven for good things is awesome… God will respond! just don't give up! show him you are serious and you are be asking him every day for everything you need.
put your skin in the game, don’t pretend God see’s right though all that! It proves that you don’t know him at all if you think that will work with Him!
Start building your life on the TRUTH, of Jesus WORDS. if you come to church and listen but never put any of it into action, what good is that? Your foundation is worthless sand and your life will collapse at the first powerful storm. You will have invested the time, known what you should do and then blame God when he does not build your life for you!
And storms will come. you all know that. If you don't have a real relationship with God — you wont make it.
God cant do both his side and you side of the relationship. it does not work that way… a relationship requires input from both parties.
he is doing his part and then some, are you doing yours?
I am not sure how I well I will do when storms and fires of testing… so I will do everything I can right now to prepare.
the storms of life come unexpectedly like like a thief in the night … there is no way to cram for them at the last minute
your either ready to rest in Jesus or your house bilt on the sand will colapse. Make the most of every opertunity.
So what shall we do?
Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus
Like Peter, be ready to speak Jesus because:
YOU are with Jesus… every day, every year…
YOU are filled with the Holy Spirit
YOU are walking walking with Him in obedience
Speak JESUS
His name yes but not just his name like “JESUS JESUS JESUS”
speak his words, preach is sermons - to yourself, to our family and to our neighbors. SPEAK JESUS
Shout Jesus from the mountains, Shout Jesus from the streets, Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy, Jesus for my family, I speak the Holy Name: JESUS!
Example: U of Oklahoma Softball team
Example: U of Oklahoma Softball team
How about this … speak Jesus in the locker room and in the press conference.
preaching these truths is a matter of mixing God’s word and truth with our testimony. like University of Oklahoma softball team:. 2000, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2023 National Champions.
this last week was Oklahoma’s third straight victory in the Women’s College World Series. They snagged the championship title in the second game of the three-game series.
they were asked how to keep the joy of the Game… that was all the opening they needed to explain how “Joy” really works.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1666788348768182273
Wow...
that was inspiring! Was that preaching… it was speaking JESUS. It was speaking the truth of God to an audience that
Can you do that? Can we ask God to change us so that we could do that?
They just spoke of what they knew. they spoke of the battle they were fighting, and they named the of TRUTH of God truth that they were using to fight that battle.
They were having trouble keeping the Joy. Baseball does not bring joy. WHen you win you get momentary happiness and elation. and when you loose you feel the agony of defeat. ANd when you are on top like they have been for so many seasons - they have everyone trying to take them down. They could not rest their hearts on the temporary ups and downs of teh game, and continue to have JOY.
They learned from that it is JESUS that breaks Joy. He brings FULLNESS of JOY because what he gave them is a permanent win. an assailable grin. — their salvation is in JESUS.
They Spoke the name of JESUS. the called him LORD, they demonstrated by deeds that they
They Spoke the name of Jesus over every fear and anxiety they were facing
They walked it out, then Jesus threw them the softball question in the press room.
“you talked about keeping the joy of the game, but I am curious. It is a long season right. an you have a target on your back the entire time. The win streak being number one. How do you handle the UNIQUE pressure that comes with that? How do you keep the JOY for so long when it anxiety seams like a thing that could very easily set in?”
They did not miss a beat. they had walked this trial and they had walked it with Jesus. The only thing they had to do now was to SPEAK JESUS.
did you notice, GRACE LYONS spoke first… God’s Grace in us makes us Bold as Lions.
Grace Lyons“the only way you can have a Joy that doesn’t fade away is from the LORD. and any other type of Joy is actually happiness that comes form circumstances and outcomes. I think Coach has said this before, the Joy of the Lord is the only thing that can keep you motivated in a Good mindset no matter the outcomes... There is no other way softball can bring you that because of how much failure can come with it and how much of a roller-coaster the game can be.
Team backed her up
Jayda Coleman: 1000% agreement - they understood the emptiness of obtaining a goal without Christ. They are prepared to loose and still have Joy through Jesus.
Alyssa Brito: They latch onto this this “eyes up!” (pointing to christ on either side of your eyes). It means fixing our eyes on Christ. You cant find fulfillment in an outcome either good or bad. I think that is why we are so stedy in what we do and our love for each other and our love for the games because this game is giving us the opportunity to glorify god. I think that once we figured that out and that was our purpose (Glorify God) Everyone was all in with that. It’s really changed show much for us , I know with myself, (witness) I have seen so much of a growth within myself. Once i had turned to JESUS and he had turned my outlook ON LIFE (not just softball), but understanding how much I have to live for, and that’s living to exemplify the kingdom (give glory to god), and I think that brings so much freedom. I am sure everyon’es testimony is similar but we all have those great testimonies that have shown how awesome it is to play for something BIGGER! I think that is what brings me so much joy. NO matter the OUTCOME, wheather we get a trophy or not. This is not our HOME. I think that is what is amazing about it. we have an eterinity of JOY with our FATHER and I am so excited about that. Yes, I live in the moment but I know this is not my home. NO matter what my sisters in CHrist will be with me there in the end with our King.
All three players with their coach were feeling the power and Joy at that moment of having given Glory to God in answering that quesiton well.
Underneath teh pose were the comment of support and of course the SAD HATERS that did not listen. who hated there message. the spirit of Satan twisted their words and they heard something else.
Those who hate God’s message began to try to confuse what they said with things they did not say to distract the conversation. Expect this every time you are used by God. “so God takes sides and it is predetermined that OU was going to win?” or “So - if god/lord/jesus is lifting these ladies up to win - doesn't that mean he is smiting the opponents to lose? "Thank you God for shitting on my opponents and choosing me to win over them!”
How do you walk in the blessings of God?
How do you walk outside the blessings of God?
do you think that might have an effect on how well you practice, and strive and work? might that had an outcome in the game?
I thank God for free speech in America - it is
We must be allowed to talk about our faith in the public spaces. This is why the attacks on free speech are so critical for us to address. No democracy can survive unless there is free speech, and religious free speech is were the battle will be decided.
FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES: Garth Brooks supports Bud Light and calls those boycotting the beer 'assholes'.
Garth has made it known that his new Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places, will proudly serve the contentious brand and your and "a**hole" if you don't support that decision.
Jeremiah called to preach (and Prophesy)
4 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 6 Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” 9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”