Walking With The Greats - The Life of Samuel

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

"...follow the example of those who are going to inherit
God’s promises because of their faith and endurance."
Hebrew 6:12

Today's Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 3:1-20

3 Important Lessons from Life of Samuel

1. Samuel Listened - 1 Samuel 3:8-9

God speaks to you in His timing.  David said in Psalm 63:1 "Early will I seek you...".  It is so important that we seek God before the distractions of the day begin.

There Is a Difference Between Hearing and Listening.  According to Webster's dictionary, 'hearing' is 'the act of perceiving sound'.  It can be conscious or subconscious.  Whereas 'listening' is 'to pay close attention, to give attention with the ear'.  Some people hear but they don't listen.  We need to listen because we desire to understand.  The call is to listen attentively to the voice of the Lord.  When God spoke, Samuel heard Him.  We need to not only to be hearers of the Word but doers also - James 1:22-25.

LIFE LESSON #1: Don’t get so caught up in your thing, that you’re no longer listening to God.

2. Samuel Served - 1 Samuel 3:1

Because your heart is pure in serving, God rewards your actions.  Samuel served the Lord by assisting Eli (his Priest, Pastor).  Samuel rose to great places in the kingdom because he served his man of God.  Samuel could have become bitter because he was left to serve in the temple, but he chose to serve with excellence and with the right attitude.  Serving is an action that flows out of humility.  If you have pride, you won't serve with the right motive.  You will look to be noticed for what you did.  The intent will be, 'What can I get from this?'  When you don't get what you expected, you get bitter.

LIFE LESSON #2: Faithful & dependable serving opens the doorway for more.

Eli promoted Samuel to priest of the nation because Samuel was dependable; he  could be counted on.  If you want attention, that becomes the goal and not giving glory to God.  If your heart is right, then in the right season God will bless you.  Faithfulness proves trustworthiness.  It brings confidence.  When you can be counted on to serve, God will open doors of favour in your life.  Serving opens the door for more. vs.15: 'Samuel got up and opened the doors of the tabernacle as usual'.  He didn't start his own church or do his own new thing.  He did what he normally does.  He served as usual knowing that when God is ready, He will promote.

3. Samuel Obeyed - 1 Samuel 3:17-18

Obedience needs to be your standard when it's easy and even when it's difficult.  Samuel's first assignment was to go to Eli and tell him his family was to be cut off from the priesthood.  Because Samuel lived a lifestyle of obedience, he could bring correction that would be received.  Most people who like to tell it like it is, don't like to hear it like it is.  If you don't love the person, don't say a thing.  Correction must be given in sincere love.  The test is this: It will hurt your heart to correct someone if you truly love them.  'I am determined to obey the Lord!'

Don’t give in to sin, God wants you to Win!!

1 Samuel 3:19-20 - Samuel chose to obey and everyone knew by his obedience that he was a prophet of the Lord!

LIFE LESSON #3: Persist in righteousness and you will be blessed! 

Blessed in your family, finances and health!  Be persistent even if it feels like no one else is being persistent.  Romans 14:17-18 teaches us that RIGHTEOUSNESS produces PEACE and Real JOY in the Holy Ghost!  It isn't always easy to obey but when you do you will live in joy and peace.  No righteousness, no peace - No peace, no joy.  In every area of your life where Christ is ruling, you will have peace because Jesus is the Prince of Peace!  Unrighteousness will rob you of that peace.

REMEMBER: How you walk through a storm is a witness to those around you!

CHALLENGE: So much of what we experience day to day is a result of not listening to the voice of the Lord.  It becomes very easy to get distracted when we have not spent time listening to the Lord as He desires to direct us daily.  In Mark 1:35 it says, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."  If Jesus needed to listen to the Lord without distraction, how much more should we establish a protocol for getting to a place where we can listen without distraction to the Lord to receive the direction He has for our life.  If we are going to serve the Lord, it should be in doing what He requested we do.  True obedience is a result of serving as instructed during a time of listening.  Take the time to establish a daily protocol of listening to the Lord - before the distractions start to come.  You will be overwhelmed by the blessing that comes as a result of your obedience to serving God as directed by His Spirit!

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Hannah

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

These things happened to them as examples for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 1:1-20

1. Hannah has an Ongoing Problem

She can't have children.  To make matters worse, her husband has a second wife!  This wife was very fruitful and taunted Hannah regularly that she had no children.

LIFE LESSON #1 - Life is Full of Surprises But One Thing is For Sure, We All Face Problems.

Have a look at this video to see an example of what our response should be to the problems we face: Response To Problems

Your response is the KEY to your Victory!

2. Hannah Responds in Prayer

LIFE LESSON #2 - Prayer Should Be Our First Reaction, NOT Our Last Resort.

When we face problems, it is very easy to react in the natural and begin to rehearse the problem both internally and with those around you.  Follow Hannah's example and 'Go to the Throne NOT the Telephone'!

3 Keys to Hannah's Prayers:

1) Persistence - vs.7

It's not good enough to win some games if you loose the whole series!  You need to stay focussed, be persistent and consistent!

LIFE LESSON #3 - If You Make Excuses For Why You Have to Give Up, It Will Hinder Your Miracle.

You have been designed to win.  It is in you to break through.  You have been given everything you need to succeed in this life. 2 Peter 1:3

Don't give in, you will win!

2) Passion - vs.15

In Exodus 2:23, the Israelites passionately cried out to God and he heard and answered their prayers.   In Hebrews 5:7 we read that Jesus cried out to the Lord with passionate pleas and was heard because of His passionate reverence for God!  There are many examples in scripture of people of God whose passion got God's attention.  We need to be passionate in our petitions.

Merriam Webster's Dictionary defines 'passion' as an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction; a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept; an object of desire or deep interest.

The proof of your passion is in your pursuit!

3) Promise of Faithfulness – vs.11

Hannah's prayer was unselfish.  It was a prayer that would cause others to see that God answers prayer.  Everyone who knows what you are going through will see God move and He will get ALL the glory!

LIFE LESSON #4 - You Need To Expect a Miracle.

In due time she received her miracle.  "In due time..."   She didn't give up!  Persevere, your miracle's almost here. vs.28.

Expectation is the breeding ground for miracles!

3. Hannah Received God’s Provision

LIFE LESSON #5 - Don’t Stop at One Miracle, Stay Faithful & Live a Life of Miracles.

When God is faithful to us, we must be faithful to him.  When God provides a job, we need to be faithful to tithe.  When God gives us our healing, we need to be faithful to serve.  When we are faithful, we won't just see one miracle; we will see miracle after miracle after miracle! 

THE REST OF THE STORY:

1 Samuel 2:21 After Hannah was faithful to her promise, she was
blessed with 3 more sons and 2 daughters for a total of 6 children! Hannah's faithfulness brought her fruitfulness!

DECLARATION:

• We declare an increased release of blessing!
• We declare problems are going to go and blessings are going to flow as we determine not to give up!
• We declare the strength of God over everyone who walks in faithfulness!
• We declare God is turning it around right now!

CHALLENGE: Many of us have been dealing with issues in our lives that have been plaguing us for quite some time.  Now is not the time to give up or give in.  The challenge is to remain faithful to God.  When you remain faithful, pray and expect a miracle, even when it seems as though the situation is not getting resolved, you allow God to be Lord over your circumstances.  In due season, like with Hannah (vs. 20), you will bear the fruit of faithfulness and that fruit will be greater than you could ask or even imagine.  And one of the greatest benefits of your faithfulness will be that your miracle will bring others to the God of Miracles!  Glory to God!

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Are You a Giant Slayer?

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

Psalm 50:15 "Call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honour and glorify Me."  Our guest speaker, Pastor Scott Cooper ministered a powerful and encouraging message from the text of David & Goliath found in 1st Samuel 17:1-54.  


The odds were impossible for David to win against the giant.  Goliath was over 9 feet tall and David was only a short young Hebrew shepherd.  But David recognized the giant for who he really was.  Giants want to keep you in fear, but if you turn back, you make yourself a target for the enemy.  Even in last week's message we discussed that there can be no turning back.  God is trying to make a point.  We need to keep pressing forward!  


Here are four things that David did to see his victory:

1. He reminded himself of past victories - vs. 34-37  (David encouraged himself) The enemy reminds us
   of our failures.  In Revelation 12:10 he is called the accuser of the brethren.  Get an Ebenezer (a reminder of another time when God worked in your favour to bring you the victory.)
2. Don't pay attention to the odds - It doesn't matter what is possible in the natural.  God operates above our realm, in the supernatural.  He can do ANYTHING!  When the odds are against you, remember that God is for you! Romans 8:31
3. He fixed his vision upwards - from horizontal to vertical - David looked at things from his father's
   (God's) perspective.  God see's what we call 'giants' as tiny little blips on the radar screen, like flies that He can wipe out with one tiny swat!
4. He ran right into the face of his fears - God will use my gifts, talents and abilities to bring the victory, but only if I take action.  I must believe He has my back and will honour my faith in action.

Pastor Scott shared the many challenges he and his family have faced over the years and how God delivered them out of them all.  He used the 'Behemoth', the large roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland, as an example when he explained to his family in each case, "I know the ride is not leaving the tracks and that it will be over quickly."  We need to trust God regardless of the situation.  It is our trust and the attitude we choose to have in the midst of our circumstances that releases the hand of God to act on our behalf.  


Pastor Scott's wife Wendy encouraged the people of HWC from Romans 14:17 AMP - "[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."

CHALLENGE: Do you have the trust in God that David had?  In order to have the faith of a giant slayer, you have to be prepared to do what giant slayers do.  Like you, David was by no means perfect, which means you too qualify to be a giant slayer.  However you must be prepared to consecrate yourself daily to the Lord and experience the small victories.  With every victory God gives you, you need to have an 'Ebenezer', a reminder of the victories God has given you.  If you don't have any currently, take some time to recall the victories God has given you and put some reminders in place so you don't forget what God has done before that He can and will do again.

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.)

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS.

---

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Ruth

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

These things happened to them as examples for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11

When you are faithful, your challenges will not DESTROY you, but they will DEPLOY you into the Destiny God has for your life!

Ruth 1 & 2 - How to Triumph with Trials on Every Side:

Determination To Your Commitment – Ruth 1:16

'I am not a quitter!'  We live in a society that wants everything to come easy.  They miss the best because they won't hold on through the test.  'Don't ask me to go back from where I came.'

God is trying to accelerate you but every time you decide to change direction, you have to slow down!  You must stay the course.  When challenges come, don't give up; keep on going.  We need a 'crazy glue' attitude; "No matter what happens, I am going to stick with it."  Others may quit but I'm not going back!

Life Lesson #1: When the going gets tough, the tough keep on going!

Sometimes we can be nervous about what's ahead.  It sometimes seems safer to go backwards.  A rear-view mirror is designed to be used only when we are going backwards.  But if we spend too much time looking in the rear-view mirror while trying to drive forward, the results will be disastrous.  In like manner, if we keep looking back while trying to move forward with God's plan for our life, we will hinder getting to the destiny God has for us and we will end up creating mess and frustration for ourselves and those around us.

Be DETERMINED not to look back or go back! - I'm staying on track and I'm not going back!  I'm accelerating and advancing into my destiny!  There is no stopping me now!

Devotion To God And Others - staying faithful, loyal and dedicated – Ruth 2:9-11

Here's a test of devotion: If you were working hard and not getting rewarded, would you stay faithful?

RUTH LEARNED THAT FAITHFULNESS EVENTUALLY BRINGS GREAT BLESSING!

Life Lesson #2: Favour Follows Faithfulness

As we show God our faithfulness, He shows us His favour!  Ruth did not whine, grumble or complain.  She did not feel sorry for herself.  She did what she had to do with what she had.  Expect the unexpected.  Your devotion & reputation in faithfulness will attract favour into your life.  At HWC we are entering a season where God is releasing supernatural favour to those who have remained faithful!  

Decision To Follow Wise Counsel – Ruth 3:5-6

Ruth followed godly counsel and God's blessing was released in provision, protection and every other area of her life.

Life Lesson #3: Obedience is the key ingredient to release God’s Blessing

Here are three keys to your acceleration:

1. Don't turn back
2. Faithfulness
3. Obedience

Using these keys daily will deploy you into your destiny.

CHALLENGE: Take a look at your life and see if there is any area where faithfulness is lacking.  Review this week's scriptures and ask God to help you to commit to being faithful to Him and everything you do daily, just like Ruth was.  As you do this, you will experience God releasing his favour into your life and you will be even more motivated to remain faithful and increase your devotion and determination towards Him.  Contact someone this week and encourage them to stay faithful.  We are about to experience a supernatural release of God's favour and we don't want anyone to miss it!

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Get Ready for a Season of Triumph!

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

GOD IS FOR YOU - NOT AGAINST YOU!

1. Some of our challenges are caused by others.  They can be caused by others selfishness and by their jealousy.  You need to be quick to forget, forgive and receive God's blessing.  Don't keep your eyes on the challenge or those involved.  Commit them to God and watch Him demonstrate His glory.  In times like this, remember this phrase: "Got To Live & Just Forgive". 

2. Some of our challenges are caused by self.  Our wrong choices bring our struggles.  Many times we can be our own worst enemy, but even when we cause our own problems, God is ready to forgive us and turn it around.  We need to cast our cares on Him and He will intervene on our behalf.
    
3. Some of our challenges are caused by outside circumstances.  At times like these we ask questions like, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why are these things happening in my life?'  Sometimes there is no apparent rhyme or reason, but know this:

Whatever The Reason For The Trial, This Is A Season Of Triumph!

In Romans 8:28 (AMP) Paul declares, 'We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labour] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.  GOOD means ‘for your pleasure and success’.  We need to make sure we are asking the right
questions!


Here are two questions to ask in challenging times:

1. If God be with us who can be against us? - Romans 8:31  Regardless of what has come against you, know that God was not taken by surprise.  He is for you and that means that nothing can successfully take you down or out.
2. Who can separate us from the Love of Christ? - Romans 8:35  TRIBULATION means intense pressure. DISTRESS means extreme difficulty.  Romans 8:37 declares that 'We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us!'

The final answer to all the questions we ask when facing all challenges: "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

CHALLENGE: When you are in the middle of a challenge, it isn't always easy to respond the way God has taught us to respond.  That's why it is so important to spend time daily with the Lord preparing your spirit to be ready for the battles of the day.  When the challenge comes, then you will recall the promises of Romans 8 and your response to the challenge will be birthed from the Word of God, by the Spirit of God!  Take the time to review the scriptures from today's message and ponder them in your heart.  Refer to them all this week and watch how God shows up to be a very present help in times of trouble.

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Samson

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

These things happened to them as examples for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11

Samson Was Listed Among the Greats!

LIFE LESSON #1: Our Choice to Sin Impacts our Life

1. He had a Great Call - Judges 13:1-7,16

God has great plans for your life - Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 29:11

LIFE LESSON #2: Don’t Sell Yourselves Short - God has Great Plans for You!

2. He did some Great Exploits - Judges 14:5-6; Judges 15:14-15

"The Spirt of The Lord Came Powerfully Upon Him" but Samson boasted that it was in his own strength.  He forgot that God was his Source.

LIFE LESSON #3:Recognize the Source of your Strength is God

"Remember the Lord, for it is He who gives you the power..." -Deuteronomy 8:18

Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord -James 1:17

The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead... -Romans 8:11

3. He Had a Great Weakness - Lust

LIFE LESSON #4: Spiritual Potential Does Not Guarantee Spiritual Success!

Being tempted is one thing - but giving into temptation is where the problem begins.  The more you give into temptation, the more of a grip it has on your life!  Samson kept falling into the same trap with women.  Then he rules for 20 years, ignoring the tugging of the Spirit and then he ends up going right back to his issues.

The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy - John 10:10.

He uses our weakness against us.  Don't confuse God's presence as condoning your actions.
He didn't realize the Spirit had left him.  The first thing to go was his eyes, the eyes that caused his lust!  He was delivered, but not the way God wanted to do it.  Don't miss your potential!

4. He Had A Great Finish

Sure he failed and went through many thing unnecessarily, but when he came to his senses, God was prepared to anoint him once again to do great things, even if they were the last things he would do.

LIFE LESSON #5: Even if You Mess Up, Don’t Give Up. - FINISH STRONG

He may have gone wrong - but he chose to finish strong!

You can never go so far into sin that you can get away from the love of God.  He will always be as close as the mention of His name.  Samson remembered God and God remembered Samson.  Even if you mess up, don't give up!  Finish strong!

Today is the day to break the cycle of sin over your life!

CHALLENGE: Take a moment right now and examine your heart.  Ask the Spirit of God to search your heart and show you where you have weakness.  Ask Him to deliver you from that weakness as you humble yourself - before it is too late.  Before that thing takes you out.  As He delivers you, make a choice to finish strong!  Remember - He is close, regardless of your condition.  Call on His name everyday and watch Him work!!

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Gideon

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

These things happened to them as examples for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11

Mighty Hero, The LORD Is With You! - Judges 6:1-14; 6:25-35

When man has a problem, God has the solution!

As we have been going through this great series called "Walking With The Greats" and sharing about these great men and women of God, it might be easy to think that they were superheros or people with greater faith and strength than you could ever have.  In fact, the opposite is true.  For example, here were some of the character traits of these 'greats' that we esteem so highly:

• Noah got drunk
• Abraham was too old
• Isaac was a daydreamer
• Jacob was a liar
• Leah was just plain ugly
• Joseph was abused
• Moses couldn’t speak the language well
• Samson was a womanizer
• Rahab was a prostitute
• Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
• David had an affair and was a murderer
• Isaiah preached naked
• Jonah ran from God
• Naomi was a widow
• Job went bankrupt
• John the Baptist ate bugs
• Peter denied Christ
• The disciples fell asleep while praying
  
• Martha worried about everything
• The Samaritan woman was divorced more than once
• Zaccheus was too small
• Paul was too religious
• Timothy had an ulcer
• Lazarus was dead – what could be worse than that!

What we need to realize is that God doesn't work through people's perfections.  The great men and women of faith in the bible had just as many obstacles to overcome as we do.  But God empowered them regardless.

LIFE LESSON #1: Man looks at our abilities, God looks at our possibilities.
You are more than a conqueror, but when God calls us, we can't leave things as they are.  There are things we have to do to get the victory.

LIFE LESSON #2: Tear Down the Idols in Our Lives - Judges 6:25-26
We need to identify any altars in our life that are set up to false gods and tear them down.  Gideon did it at night for fear of the people. The altar he destroyed was his father's altar.  What generational altars do you need to tear down?  We have relationship altars, habit altars, unforgiveness altars... put your faith in God and tear them down!  We must put first things first - God must be first in your life.  Tear down the altar and put God first and fear will be replaced with faith.  Fear holds us back but faith moves us forward.  We all have fear and doubt.  What will you do with those thoughts when they come to your mind?  What will your response be?  To get the victory, we must walk in faith, not fear.

LIFE LESSON #3: Don’t be Afraid of Impossible Odds - Judges 6:34-35
Gideon told God there are too many, when they were outnumbered 135,000 to one.  Take small faith steps first, then you will be able to take the bigger faith steps.  God will make your situation so that only He can get the glory!  Gideon was left with only 300 men in his army.  those odds are 450 to 1!  But God was on Gideon's side and He is on your side too.  Regardless of your situation, with God - a miracle is a miracle!  His power works best in your weakness! 2 Corinthians 12:9

LIFE LESSON #4: You've Still Got To Fight - Don’t Give Up Until the Job is Done!
You have a job to do, a part to play.  God requires you; you are part of His victory plan for your life.  Not just praying, but doing.  He will give you a plan of attack but you must trust God and follow the plan.  Most of the 135,000 who were against Gideon killed themselves without the 300 ever getting dirty.  But Gideon's men still had to draw their swords against the final 15,000!  We can't get excited over partial victory.  We can't give up until we have complete victory!  We need to pray, to hear from God - but we also have to fight!

“Keep Praying, Keep Fighting 'til the Victory is Won!”

Jeremiah 29:11 God's plan is for you to win, to overcome!

You need to know that you are a mighty person of valour!

CHALLENGE: Take the time to examine your life to see if there are any altars that need to be torn down.  Trust God as you honour Him and tear them down completely.  Don't be satisfied with partial victory.  Keep fighting until you have the entire victory.  Then, go forward and be encouraged by that small step to, take on the next challenge, the bigger challenge.  As you commit yourself to doing WHATEVER IT TAKES, God will get the glory by doing what only He can do!  He is waiting to get with you right now.  Go into your closet every day this week and watch God share His plans for you, with you; then go out and do what He told you to do and experience victory every day this week!  Then, blog your testimony of victory below!

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Pastor Dave Tunakitis - Is This All There Is?

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

Dave Tunakitis

The Way Things Are Is Not The Way They Should Be!
Before Jesus began His ministry he actually passed right by those going through things and He did nothing.  When Jesus eventually began His ministry, He dove-tailed directly off of John the Baptist's ministry. Matthew 3:1-2  His was a message of repentance, of restoration.  But if God is about restoration, it stands to reason that you would need to know what the original looked like.  Something was lost when Adam and Eve sinned.  Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.

Genesis 1 & 2 is about God's design for the earth.  Everything after that is all about God getting us back to Genesis 1 & 2; back to His original intent, back to that which was lost.

'Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is Near!'
Jesus and John the baptist both preached repentance but repentance wasn't a new message.  The prophets of old also preached repentance.  What was new was that now the revelation of repentance was so much clearer because now the Kingdom of Heaven was near. Matthew 4:17

When Adam and Eve were in the garden, they didn't have to do anything to access the presence of God; but sin changed all that.  A whole process was introduced to gain access to God.  But when Jesus went to the cross, we once again had direct access to God, just like Adam & Eve had in the garden.

We never really saw healings in the old testament but when Jesus came into ministry, healing was everywhere He went. Matthew 9:35.  Demonic cleansing never happened in the old testament; people just accepted the condition... until Jesus arrived.  He cast out demons and those previously possessed were found clothed and in their right mind.  The people weren't used to this and became afraid. Mark 5:15

Unpack Your Bags - There's Still Work To Do!
Some believers think that what Jesus did on the Cross was only to get us to Heaven.  If that was the case, we'd have been taken to Heaven immediately after receiving Christ.  Just think what that would do to your church growth program!  But there is still a job to do... before you get to Heaven.  God's original intent (His will) is still not being done in the earth today.  Matthew 6:10  Jesus prayed that we wouldn't be taken from the earth, but rather protected from the evil one. John 17:15

'The Kingdom of Heaven is forcefully advancing...' Matthew 11:12-15  We as believers have a role to play in that advancement.  John declared the Kingdom of Heaven.  Jesus declared it and demonstrated it. John 1:29  We are called to continue in Jesus footsteps, declaring and demonstrating the Kingdom of Heaven.  In fact, Jesus told us, 'greater things will you do!' John 14:12, Luke 10:19, Mark 16.  Preach this message and demonstrate it! Matthew 10:7

You may think you can't do what Jesus did and you are absolutely right; you can't... in your own strength!  That's why God sent His Holy Spirit to empower you. Acts 1:8  That way, you won't be able to take credit for the results because only by His Spirit will you be able to demonstrate His Power.

2 Timothy 3:1 clarifies the condition of our world and proves there is still something to do so unpack your bags!  You have a job to do!

Do You Know Who You Are?
The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is living in you!  You are no longer a slave but a son and an heir! Galatians 4:7  You are God's Ambassador 1 Corinthians 5:20 and you can do this!  As an Ambassador, all of your needs are met, everything is covered by the Kingdom. Matthew 6:25-34  You have been given everything you need 2 Peter 1:3 to do the work of helping people get back to the garden.  No more excuses!  Let's win the lost and get back to the garden!

CHALLENGE: If you feel like you have not been doing your part to forcefully advance the Kingdom of Heaven, take some time to review the scriptures in this week's message.  Pastor Dave really broke things down so that every believer can get a clear revelation of what God has done for them to equip them to advance the Kingdom.  It may be repentance or it may just be education but regardless of what has stopped you before, now you know.  Now you can play your part in seeing things return to how they are supposed to be!

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Joshua: PT 2

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

---

These things happened to them as examples for us.

1 Corinthians 10:11

Joshua 6:27; Joshua 7

With just a little bit of sin creeping in, Israel went from victory & fame to defeat & shame!

4 MYTHS ABOUT SIN:

MYTH #1 - I’m Not Hurting Anyone

Your sin can affect your whole household!

Life Lesson #1 - Our actions impact ourselves and others - Joshua 7:11; 1 Corinthians 12:26

Sin will destroy you and it will destroy others!  We need to be accountable if we are struggling in an area.  We need to pray for those who are going through things.

Your Success is Our Success!

MYTH #2 - It’s really NO Big Deal

There are no big or small sins.  No category for sins.

Life Lesson #2 - God sees sin as a big deal! - Joshua 7:13-14

How does this thing affect my relationship with God?

MYTH #3 - People Fall Into Sin

If you are standing far enough away from something, you can not fall into it!

 Life Lesson #3 - People’s Choices lead them into sin - Joshua 7:20-21

 The Progression of Sin is This:

1. Looking turns into longing...
2. And then you lay hold of it. 

You can avoid defeat by looking away and walking away!  Don't let your mind linger on that thing!

MYTH #4 - My Sin is Too Big for God to Forgive

Sin is serious but God's grace is greater!  Don't let your sin hold you back.  Confess and receive God's forgiveness!  He doesn't limit our future success based on our past failures.  Your confessing releases His blessing!

Life Lesson #4 - If you will CONFESS your sin - God will forgive - Joshua 7:26; 1 John 1:9

You may have been experiencing the agony of defeat but today God wants to give you the thrill of victory!  He will make old things pass away so all things can become new!

CHALLENGE: Reflect on the 4 myths discussed above and see if you have believed any of them.  If so, ask God to help you through the clarifications following the myths to establish a clear understanding of the truth.  Read each scripture to help you with this process.

---

Please log your comments on how this week's message has been a blessing to you!  Simply click on the comments link immediately below this week's blog. Any comments already submitted will appear and you can comment below them.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

---

NOTE:
The Blogger Navbar includes a button called "Share". When blog readers visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog, they can click "Share" to post the blog's URL to Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader. If they navigate directly to an individual blog post, clicking "Share" in the navbar also lets them share the post by email. Once you have left your comment, please share this post on Facebook. This will allow many others the opportunity to visit the 'HWC Sunday Message' blog and be blessed by the message.  You can also subscribe to the blog with RSS feeds.  CLICK HERE to subscribe to HWC Sunday Messages with RSS. 

---

Thanks for visiting!