Walking With The Greats - The Life of Peter

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Matthew 14:24-29

Have you ever made a decision before thinking about it?  Have you ever spoken before you thought?  Well, you are not alone.  Peter was the same way but yet he was greatly used by the Lord.

Here are some facts about Peter:

• Peter is mentioned 146 times in the New Testament!
• Peter is mentioned 57 times in the Book of Acts alone!
• Peter seems to be a born leader.
• Peter was quick to ask questions and give advice.
• Peter was the first to reveal Jesus as 'The Christ'.
• Peter was the only one in the Garden of Gethsemane who tried to protect Christ.
• Paul said in Galatians that Peter was a pillar in the church.
• In the Book of Acts, Peter's shadow healed people.

Do you want your life to count?  Peter did.  Make this confession: "I will be a faith-filled, miracle-working, overcoming believer."

When the storms were raging and the disciples were in fear, they saw a shadow and they weren't sure what it was.  Peter recognized it as Jesus and asked Jesus to call him to join Jesus on the water.  Jesus did call Peter and Peter jumped out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when Peter's focus shifted from the Lord to the storm, fear gripped him and he started sinking.  Peter thought everything would be ok when Jesus called him.  He didn't think he would get his feet wet; he didn't think he would run into set-backs; he didn't think he would face trials.  The call is not a guarantee of fair weather.

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Life Lesson #1 - Jesus will show up in the middle of our storm, in the darkest hours of the night. Matthew 14:24

The disciples weren't sure if it was even the Lord.  Many times when God speaks to us, we say, "I'm not sure if this is even God or not."  Just because you are a believer, it doesn't mean you won't have a storm, but rather that Jesus will show up in the midst of that storm.  Some things the Lord asks you to do don't make sense.  Peter getting out of the boat didn't make sense.  If the Lord asked you to do something in the midst of a troubled time or that didn't make sense, would you do it?

Peter is accused of being someone who acted without thinking; but at least he acted.  Many of us are more guilty of thinking and not acting than acting and not thinking.  You need to understand that your faith grows when you act on it.

Life Lesson #2 - Faith grows in the middle of a storm. Matthew 14:28

When I have a storm, it actually causes my faith to grow!  The challenge is that in the midst of the storm we don't feel like acting, but that's when we need to trust Jesus!  While the other disciples were shaking in fear, Peter stepped out of his comfort zone, which increased his faith even more.  Step out of our comfort zone and watch your faith grow!  It's easy to be like the rest of the disciples and stay safe in the boat with your friends around you.  But that will do nothing for your faith.

When the storms are raging in your finances, you need to step out in faith and tithe... and watch your faith grow.  In any area where you are experiencing a storm, step out of your comfort zone and go to Jesus and watch your faith grow.  Can you trust him when it's easy as well as when it's difficult?

When you find yourself in a storm, you need to stay focussed on Jesus.  The miracle power was working and Peter still sunk... because his focus shifted.  We see God work, a storm comes and we tend to negate what God was doing.  Fear entered in and circumstances took over.  When you experience a miracle, a test will come.  Will you now sink?  You must be quick to call on the name of Jesus.

Life Lesson #3 - Focus on Jesus builds Faith, Focus on our problems brings fear. Matthew 14:30

Fear will destroy our faith and we will sink.  The moment Peter took his eyes off Christ, he began to sink.  When the storm comes, we start looking at our circumstances and confess in fear that we can't do it.  We must cry out to Jesus and say, "I'm not lettin' fear up in hear!"  Peter may have wavered for a moment but he remembered Jesus was with him and cried out to Jesus who quickly saved him.  When Peter realized he had messed up, he quickly confessed his sin and called on the Lord.  Don't wallow in it; don't wait in it; quickly call on the Lord.

Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and the pressure was great.  Just prior to this, Judas had betrayed Jesus and Peter had denied Jesus.  The difference was that when Peter recognized his sin, he repented, while Judas went and took the cowardly way out and killed himself.

Life Lesson #4 - When you fall, QUICKLY call on Jesus. Matthew 14:30

When you make a mistake, that's the time to call on Jesus!  Don't run or hide from God - call on Him! It's interesting that Jesus brought Peter safely back to the boat in the midst of the storm.  Only when they got back in the boat did the storm stop.  A Life Lesson for Peter would be, "Even when Jesus has
His hand on us, the storm can still rage!"

My friend, understand that the storm has nothing to do with you. Your faith is not whether or not there is a storm. Your faith is your response or action in the midst of the storm.  Jesus will keep you through the storm.  Focus on the Lord and not the storm.  Don't let your circumstance defeat you, but let the Lord release you.

CHALLENGE: Are there storms raging in your life?  Do you find yourself in a comfort zone, with a false sense of safety - hanging with the crowd?  Do you wish you had greater faith to face the storms of life?  Then it is time for you to follow Peter's example and step out of your comfort zone; cry out to the Lord and ask him to bid you - 'Come!'  But you must be willing to forsake what has held you back thus far and step out... right out and trust Jesus to be there for you.  If He called you, surely He will keep you!  The storm will pass only when the miracles are done and Jesus has delivered you out of the storm!

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Jonah

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Jonah 1:1-17

It's so important that we renew our mind - to be transformed on a daily basis!  But sometimes when we read God's Word, we read too fast and miss the important lessons.
U God CARES about ALL people – Jonah 1:1-2

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Life Lesson #1 - God Loves & Wants Relationship with Everyone, No Matter What They’ve Done!!

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God hates the sin that people commit, but He never stops loving those people.  Now Nineveh was the capital of Assyria, Israel's greatest enemy who wanted to destroy them.  God sends His people even to their enemies to tell them God loves them.  Jonah had the Word of God, but not the Heart of God.

U God CALLS us to do great exploits for Him – Jonah 1:1-3

We don't have to love sin to love people.  As parents, our kids can sometimes disobey us.  That doesn't make us happy but we still love them, despite their actions.  It's the same with God, towards His children.  "He desires that none would perish..." John 3:15

Jonah's call was incredible, but not easy.  God has great plans for your life too, but they might not be easy.  They will usually push you out of your comfort zone and are typically against popular opinion.  A great call is not always an easy call. It is all too easy to respond in fear.  Will you trust God with His plans
for you even when it isn't easy?

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Life Lesson #2 - You Can Run, But You Can’t Hide!

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You can try to avoid the call, but you are only fooling yourself.  You can't hide from God.  "Where can I go from Your Spirit?  Or where can I flee from Your presence..." Psalm 139:7-14

U God CORRECTS us when we don’t follow His path – Jonah 1:4

Sometimes God will stir things up in our lives to get our attention, especially when we are not heeding His call.  God will get your attention with His 'wake-up call'.

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Life Lesson #3 - The Purpose of Correction is to Get Us in the Right Direction.

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Correction is imperative if we want to get things right.  Just like in school, when we make mistakes, it is the teacher's job to correct us.  If we don't receive this correction, we will end up taking our mistakes into our future and making mistakes that we could have avoided.  Correction is better given and received at the foundation, at the time it is first needed.

U God PROTECTS even when we are going the other way – Jonah 1:17

The great thing about God is that He protects us in spite of us.  He doesn't abandon us.  What may appear to be holding us back, could quite possibly be protecting us!  Sometimes our obstacles are there for our protection.  That protection is designed as our opportunity to stop and turn our thoughts towards the Lord.

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Life Lesson #4 - God Doesn’t Want to Take You Out, He wants to Set You Up to Reach Your Destiny.

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Sometimes when we have gone our own way, we feel like God has forgotten us.  But when you turn your thoughts towards the Lord, He hears you.

U God NEVER REJECTS US – Jonah 2:10, 3:1-3

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Life Lesson #5 - When We Pray God Hears

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You are not on this journey all by yourself.  When you turn your thoughts toward God, He hears.  In fact He has never stopped listening.  He has been there all the time.

CHALLENGE: Is there an area in your life where you are running from God?  Go before the Lord in prayer and ask Him to show you any area where you are 'dodging the call'.  Remember today's lesson; God has not forgotten or left you.  Simply commit to the call and He will help you move forward.

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Daniel

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"...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: The Book of Daniel

Sometimes unexpected things are going to happen in your life.  Everyone of us faces challenges, but..

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Life Lesson #1 - Situations might sidetrack your plan, but they can’t sidetrack God’s plan.

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God's plans for you are great, regardless of what you are going through.  There are always curve balls, but it's how we respond that will determine if we see God's plan come to pass.  The only one who can stop God's plan is you!

3 MAIN KEYS to Get to God’s Great Plans:

1. He Determined to Obey God - Daniel 1:8

Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself!  He said, "I will follow God no matter what!"  Sometimes we will defile ourselves to get what we want.  For friends, a raise or a promotion.

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Life Lesson #2 - The godly choice is always the right choice. Even if it costs you.

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Most times it will cost you to make the godly choice, but don't worry, God will always bless you more than you can on your own, when you do the right thing!  "I am determined to obey!"  "What's the big deal, it's just a party... it's just a glass of wine..."  Remember Josiah?  He found the Word and said, We are going to read and obey the Word!  At this time Daniel was about 2-3 years old.  He and his family began to go to the temple regularly.  All of Judah served the Lord wholeheartedly.  Daniel grew up hearing the commandments of the Lord and therefore, when he was tested, he said, "I will not defile myself."  He made up his mind not to defile himself.

2. He Disciplined his Life - Daniel 1:11-15; 6:4

At the end of 10 days, Daniel was healthier than any of the King's other administrators.  They were jealous of Daniel and tried to find fault with him, but Daniel was faithful in all his affairs.  He was responsible and they could find nothing wrong with him.  When you aren't disciplined in one area, it can easily affect other areas of your life.  A little leaven... Galatians 5:9  Daniel had determined to live a disciplined lifestyle.  Discipline will take you beyond your natural abilities.

Discipline: behaviour in accordance with a code of conduct, order maintained by self-control.

We are famous for excuses; we blame it on our past, our parents or the government.  'Failure is an absence of discipline!'

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Life Lesson #3 - It takes discipline in order to win!

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3. He DEPENDED on GOD - Daniel 6:10

Daniel's custom was to pray daily.  Regardless of culture or decrees, he was faithful to pray, showing his dependency on God and noone else!

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Life Lesson #4 - To Stay on Course, ALWAYS REMEMBER: God is Your Source

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The godly patterns Daniel established when he was young, caused him to excel in every area of his life.  It's good to develop some 'Holy Habits'.  What's exciting is that it's just as hard to break good habits as it is to break bad ones.

'Bad habits bring devastation - godly habits bring preservation!'

The king had issued a decree that you could only pray to him, but Daniel could not break the habit of praying to the source he knew was faithful, God.  He made a choice to not stop praying.  Many believe that Daniel was only young when he was thrown into the lion's den, but he was actually 80 years old!  It would have been easy for Daniel to ask God why he was still being tested at that age!  But he always trusted in his God.  He couldn't break that holy habit regardless of his age, even if he tried.  Regardless of your age, you can be sure the test will come, but know that God will never let you down!  No matter what happens, keep trusting in God as your source!

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Life Lesson #5 - God won’t stop you from running into problems, BUT He will always bring you through.

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Praying and serving faithfully didn't stop problems from coming to Daniel.  But praying and serving faithfully kept him, in the midst of his problems.  He probably slept better in the lion's den than the king did in the palace.  Daniel was at peace amongst hungry lions as he recounted God's faithfulness over the years.  When you have developed godly habits, you will be able to recount God's faithfulness in the midst of every storm.

Remember this: God has never failed you and He's not about to start now! Philippians 1:6

When the morning came, the king was the first to the lion's den.  Daniel yelled up, long live the king and he testified of God's goodness and faithfulness!

CHALLENGE: Everyone lacks discipline in various areas of their lives.  In order to see and maintain success in your life, in the things God has called you to, you must develop a disciplined lifestyle.  This week, list 3 areas where you lack discipline.  Then, according to James 1:2-5, ask God for wisdom to develop discipline in these areas.  Depend on the Holy Spirit to help you stay faithful to these disciplines daily.  Let God's faithfulness to you motivate your faithfulness to Him.

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Esther

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"...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: Book of Esther

• Have you ever felt like God has put you on hold?
• Have you ever been in a place where everything is going great and suddenly - WHAM! - an obstacle gets in your way?
• Have you ever been in a place where you just don't know what to do?

You need to know that God has not forgotten you!

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Life Lesson #1 - Even if Others Give You No Chance, God has a Great Plan for You!

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Everybody goes through stuff but God still has a plan - to prosper you and not harm you; God has a hope-filled future for you - Jeremiah 29:11  Even if you think He's done alot for you, there is more in store for you.  But you need to understand one thing before you can step into what God has for you...

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Life Lesson #2 - Preparation Always Precedes Opportunity - Esther 2:23

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God’s Plan Requires Preparation.  Just because you are called, it doesn't mean you are already adequately prepared.  And without preparation, you will not make it.  You need to get all the training required because lives are at stake.  You may have heard accurately from God about your call and your future but you have to get both the knowledge and the maturity to handle the call.  You may have the practical training, but you may still require a season of maturing.  Don't get frustrated in the preparation season.  The greater the calling, the greater the season of preparation.  Stay in the process.

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Life Lesson #3 - Preparation Will Require Us to Listen to Godly Instruction

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Esther followed the instruction Mordecai had raised her with; she also took instruction from the eunuch.  She remained humble as she followed wise counsel.  God has put godly people around you to help mature & direct you.  You need to walk in wisdom and you will receive favour.  Fools find no favour!

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Life Lesson #4 - Our Preparation is For God’s Purpose - Esther 4:13-14

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It is not about us.  It is about God's call on your life.  Fulfillment of your call will arise from another place if you don't realize this.  God desires you but does not require you.

You have come to the Kingdom for such a time as this!

When an athlete prepares themselves, it is so they will see victory for them and their entire team.  God has placed you somewhere to see victory, but victory requires preparation.  Don't be surprised if what God does doesn't look like what you expected.

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Life Lesson #5 - Fast & Pray & God Will Make a Way! - Esther 4:15-17

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Godly preparation requires prayer and many times, also fasting.  This will give you the ability to put your total trust in God!

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Life Lesson #6 - Serving God Will Require You to Be Bold! - Esther 4:16; Esther 5:1

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Esther's confidence came from fasting and praying.  Every step she took required boldness.  We need this same boldness to take the steps required to get the victory God has called us to.

CHALLENGE: Are there things you feel God has called you to?  Are you feeling anxious about the call?  Are you prepared enough to answer the call today?  If not, don't worry.  Just listen to godly instruction from those God has put over your life.  There is safety in the multitude of counsel.  Enter into a time of preparation so that you can answer the call with boldness and confidence.  God desires to empower you to make a difference but it must be His power working in and through you that fulfills the call.  Lives and destinies are at stake; you need to be fully equipped by the Spirit of God to see the manifestation of the results that God intended.

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Elisha

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"...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 Kings 19:15-21 & 2 Kings 2:1-13

1. GOD’S CALL! – 1 Kings 19:19

There is no audition for serving God.  He is not looking for your ability but your availability.

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Life Lesson #1 - God Calls Ordinary People & Has More In Store

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All of the 'Greats' were found "working".  God uses people who are busy working for the kingdom!

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Life Lesson #2 - Hard Work Always Pays Off!

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'Waiting' means "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" – Eccl. 9:10

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Life Lesson #3 - God Makes The Call – We Make The Commitment & Effort 

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2. OUR COMMITMENT to God! – 1 Kings 19:21

When you make a commitment to God, there must be no turning back!  Elisha burned everything so he couldn't make any excuse to back out of his commitment!

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Life Lesson #4 - The Call Will Often Cost You But The Blessing Is Abundant!

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When you receive God's call, you must give your all. It is a choice that will require sacrifice.  God will use and bless anyone who is committed to the call!

3. OUR COMMITMENT to Serve!  – 1 Kings 19:21

When Elisha was called, he was actually the man in charge.  He was building a business when God called him.  He heeded the call to serve the man of God.  Not as a boss, but as a servant.  He humbled himself.  We're not called to position, we're called to submission.  We are called to serve.  This is the last we hear about Elisha for 10 years.

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Life Lesson #5 - God Makes Great Leaders Out Of Great Followers

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Whoever wants to be the greatest must become the least - Matthew 23:11

4. THE TESTING! – 2 Kings 2:2-6

When once again we hear about Elisha, he's being tested!  You might think he would be a prominent leader by this point, but instead he is making the bed and washing the clothes... he is still serving!

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Life Lesson #6 - Our Commitment Is Almost Always Tested!

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Elisha's answer to his man of God was consistently, "As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!"  Elisha's commitment was summed up by saying, "I am going to remain faithful to you until God says otherwise!"  He kept being tested to leave the call, but he stayed close to his man of God, regardless of what the future was to bring.  Elijah had many followers, but they all stood at a distance - while Elisha stayed close.

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Life Lesson #7 - Don’t Look For The Easy Out - Determination In Serving Always Brings Blessing

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After Elijah realized the determination of Elisha "when they crossed over to the other side" (Elisha was still serving him after all that time and testing), he asked Elisha what he could do for him.  Elisha didn't chase Elijah always asking for the blessing, but Elisha offered it when it was the right time.

5. THE BLESSING! – 2 Kings 2:9-10

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Life Lesson #8 - Your Blessing Comes After You Prove Faithful In The Testing

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Elisha asked for a double-portion of Elijah's anointing.  Now, there really isn't such a thing as varying measures of anointing.  But in Elisha's culture, what double-portion really meant was that he wanted the blessing of the father on the first born son!  A generational blessing (as opposed to a generational curse).  Elisha understood that it wasn't about him.  The miraculous flows out of lives that have been submitted, with the heart to see others delivered - because there are still be people that need freedom.  We know that Elisha received his request because:

• While it is recorded that Elijah did 8 great miracles, we see that Elisha
  did 16 great miracles. 
• Elisha was a prophet for twice as long as Elijah.

Elisha wasn't just like Elijah.  While Elijah had a very prominent ministry in his time, with many onlookers, Elisha never had the crowds.  He performed miracles relationally, one at a time.  When you are faithful to serve your man and woman of God, He will release blessing on you and your future generations.  Just don't turn back.  After all, what do you have to go back to?  Jesus said that we will do greater things than he did and there isn't enough room to record all the works Jesus did.  The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead will empower you to walk in the footsteps of Elisha.  Because you truly do have an anointing from the Holy One! 1 John 2:20

CHALLENGE: This week's challenge is two-fold:

1. If there is anything that you have as a Plan B, something to 'fall back on', a back-up in case your relationship with God doesn't work, you need to surrender it to God right now.  Let go of anything that holds you to your past.  These are the very things keeping you from moving into your destiny.
2. Elisha's last miracle was his greatest.  He had died and was in his tomb.  A dead body was thrown in Elisha's tomb by some thieves and as soon as that body touched Elisha's bones, it came to life!  You have died to yourself and are alive in Christ.  In the same manner as Elisha, let the dead that are around you receive life as they encounter you and their lives are touched by you.

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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.
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NOTE:
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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Josiah

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"...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: 2 Chronicles 33:1 to 34:33

Have you ever felt like you were swimming upstream - like you were going against the flow?  Today we are looking at the life of Josiah, a man of God who definitely had to go against the flow!

Josiah's grandfather Manasseh built altars to pagan gods right within Solomon's temple!  He even sacrificed one of his own children in the temple, to the god of fire.  He shed innocent blood from one end of Jerusalem to the other.  Manasseh ruled for 52 years.  Then, his son Amon (Josiah's father) followed in his father's footsteps.  Because of this, he ruled only 2 years and was executed by his servants.

2 Kings 21  At 8 years old Josiah became king in his father's place.  But he didn't walk in his father Amon's footsteps.  2 Chronicles 34:1

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Life Lesson #1 - Your Upbringing Doesn’t Have to be Your Downfall

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Every home environment has its dysfunction.  But you can choose to stop the flow of sin and decide to make a change.  Josiah chose to live a life of faithfulness to God. 2 Chronicles. 34:2  He could have used his past as an excuse to live a life like his father or grandfather, but he made a choice to be faithful, just like King David.

Faithfulness is characterized by stability, dependability and devotion:

• Stability - not jumping around
• Dependability - do what you say you will do (better than talent, results in promotion)
• Devotion - dedicated and loyal

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Life Lesson #2 - God Always Rewards Faithfulness

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Josiah experienced great peace and prosperity because of his faithfulness.  Their is a process to faithfulness.  You need to be faithful to:

1. PURSUE GOD – 2 Chronicles 34:3

SEEK means 'to ask or inquire of'.  God will give you all you need to know.  Instead of asking others, ask God.

Here's how you know if what you think you heard from God was actually God: If it doesn't line up with the Word of God, it wasn't God.

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Life Lesson #3 - To Know What to Do, You Have to Pursue God

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2. PURIFY YOUR LIFE – 2 Chronicles 34:3

PURIFY means 'to purge, to remove everything impure'.  In other words, get the junk out!

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Life Lesson #4 - Purifying Our Life is a Process

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There were 4 years from the time Josiah pursued God until He began purifying the temple and his kingdom.  There is a process... but God is patient in that process!  We can worship and serve the Lord much better when we get rid of the clutter!

3. PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE – 2 Chronicles 34:8

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Life Lesson #5 - To Have Complete Peace & Prosperity we Need to Make Church a Priority!

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Corporate worship needs to be the foundation to all you do!  When you make church a priority, God fights on your behalf. Hebrews 10:25, Luke 4:16.

4. PURPOSE TO OBEY GOD'S WORD – 2 Chronicles 34:14

The Word was lost in the temple for 75 years.  Many people go to church every week, but if the word is lost in the church, you won't know what to obey!  Discover God's Word and pledge to obey it.  Josiah pledged to obey the Lord with all the terms of the covenant.  The people renewed their covenant with God and removed all the idols in the temple.  You are the temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 6:19.  In much the same manner, the clutter and idols must be removed from your life.

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Life Lesson #6 - When You Purpose to Obey You Won’t Turn Away

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You don't have to repeat the things your forefathers did wrong.  Chose to obey the Lord and be faithful to His covenant.

"A beautiful palace does not make a great King."

The word 'faithfulness' keeps reappearing as we look at "Walking With The Greats".  This is because faithfulness to God is a trait that makes you great!

CHALLENGE: God is asking, "Will you be faithful? Faithful to my house, faithful to my word, faithful to my commandments, faithful to to pursuing me, even when that faithfulness means sacrifice or increased devotion? Are you willing to hear the word of the Lord and increase your level of faithfulness? Will you choose to be the one? Take some time to go before the Lord right now and let Him know you will make faithfulness a priority.

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Solomon

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"...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: 1st Kings 3:1-15

If you KNOW the right thing, you’re INTELLIGENT; If you DO the right thing, you’re WISE!  Wisdom is the ability to make the right choices.  Wisdom is the application of knowledge.

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..."; James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him"

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LIFE LESSON 1 - Seek Wisdom - Receive Wealth - 1 Kings 3:12-13

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Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Because Solomon requested wisdom, God made him Healthy, Wealthy and Wise!

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LIFE LESSON 2 - Godly Wisdom Gains Great Respect - 1 Kings 3:16-28

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Your wisdom will be your witness!  People around you will see God through you.  God's favour comes through a life lived in Wisdom, so in every are of your life, ask for wisdom!  Incredibly, in all the wisdom God gave Solomon, he still had a vice... Women! Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines.

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LIFE LESSON 3 - Wrong Connection Will Lead You in the Wrong Direction - 1 Kings 11:1-3

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Solomon was led to worship other gods against 'the beginning of wisdom'.  He lost his 'fear of the Lord'.

Sin Will Get in the Way of Your Prophetic Promises

Solomon wrote more songs to God than David; He was a worshipper who had wisdom, but he allowed sin to remain and it was to his demise.  Disobedience, no matter how small, is a problem; it can foster addiction.  Addiction is predictable:

1. First you tolerate it;
2. Then you justify it;
3. Then you participate in it.

Solomon's compromise affected his future and eroded the peace of the people of his kingdom.  It affected his children and his kingdom was split into 2 nations!

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LIFE LESSON 4 - Two-timing on God Gets His Anger & Not His Favour - 1 Kings 11:1-12

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vs 4 - "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been."

vs 9 - "The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel..."

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LIFE LESSON 5 - It’s Not Only How You Start But How You Finish That’s Important

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vs 11 - "So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates."

Solomon lost the Kingdom and it affected the generations to follow.  Even if you start slow, stay faithful.  Your choice to faithfully serve God and fear Him with healthy respect flowing from your realization of what He's done for you and what life would be like without Him, is what will keep you experiencing the promises of God.

Paul finished the race and won the prize - 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Let Solomon's life be an example - don't compromise; don't allow for even a 1% margin of error; finish strong!  Let your best days be those ahead of you!  God hasn't brought you this far to drop you now!  He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it! Remember: All Gods promises prove true!

CHALLENGE: Regardless of where you started or where you find yourself today, it's not too late to get God's wisdom to help direct your life so that you can receive and walk in all the promises of God.  Do these 3 things daily:

1. seek wisdom
2. stay on course
3. finish strong

You are a light in the darkness.  Let your light shine with wisdom.  It will illuminate your path so that you can see where you are going to get to your destiny.

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of David

This week's service can be watched at

http://www.kbmlive.tv/

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"...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 13:3-16;16:4-13

Have you ever felt like you were all alone?  Have you ever felt like there was one challenge after another?  Have you ever felt like everything around you was going wrong in spite of God's prophetic promise for your life?  David, like Samuel was called prophetically but he continued to do what he was doing while God developed him, until the time God was ready to release him.

A GLIMPSE encourages us but WAITING prepares us.

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LIFE LESSON #1: Prophetic Glimpse Encourages us But Rarely Means We Are Ready.

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There's a difference between anointing and release.  Anointing is Empowerment with Purpose.  Release is Timing.

• Everyone is anointed: Empowered with Purpose. 
• God's process and timing for release is different for each person.

"David was a man after God's own heart."  AFTER means 'in pursuit or search of'.  HEART means 'will and purpose'.

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LIFE LESSON #2: Pursuing Requires Doing.

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There is a responsibility in the process.  Don't sit back and relax and expect everything you need to develop you for your call to fall into you lap.  Be diligent to pursue your call with all your might.  Guard yourself so that what was begun in the Spirit will not be finished in the flesh!  You don't want to end up in the wilderness to learn what could have been learned in the 'PREPARATION PROCESS'.

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LIFE LESSON #3: PERSEVERANCE is not giving up when everything is chasing you the opposite way.

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David made it to the palace as a servant.  He waited in the process and trusted in God.  Nobody can block God's will for your life but you!  God's promotion comes at the right time, but not always a convenient time.  Each of us is on an individual journey, different from those around us.  Be patient and persevere in the process to the promise.

Serve your way through; don't keep changing buses.

How do I do this?
Ecclesiastes 9:10 "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might..."  Where you are now, stay faithful no matter how long it takes.  Be faithful with the little things and then you will be trusted with the big things.

3 Practices in Becoming a Person After God’s Heart:

1. PASSION for God’s Word - Psalm 119:97-100 Think on God's Word all day long.  Believers should develop a burning passion for His Word.  It can be drawn upon for every situation in life.

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LIFE LESSON #4: Wisdom, Insight & Understanding Come from God’s Word.

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2. PRAYER - Psalm 116:1-2  "I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications.  Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live."

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LIFE LESSON #5: No Matter What You’re Going Through, Keep Going to God.

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LIFE LESSON #6: People of Prayer Still Face Problems.

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There may still be problems in the process but as we are faithful to pray, we will progress to the promise.  KEEP ON PRAYING!

3. PRAISE – Psalm 34:1

David loved to praise God from the pasture to the palace and everywhere in the process.  2 Samuel 6:15-23 David's wife thought his expression of praise was inappropriate for a King.  David was not embarrassed to abandon himself before God and before others.

CHALLENGE: God's has great destiny on your life.  As you listen to His voice, He will reveal His call on your life to you.  Make sure that you stay faithful in the process to your prophetic promise and don't try to get ahead of God.  If you feel you have taken getting to God's promise into your own hands, simply pray to God and hand it all back to Him.  Allow Him to form you in the process and make you fully ready so that you can fulfill His promise in His power.

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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.
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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. 

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