God Will Take Care of You By Himself - Bishop Wesley Dear

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

Elijah was a man like us subject to the passions we are.  It is worth noting that Elijah lived his life always putting confidence in God.  In many cases, the church of today has reduced its reliance on God and placed it more on things like technology and giftings.  The bible tells us 'The just shall live by faith.' Romans 1:17; and 'Without faith it is impossible to please Him...' Hebrews 11:6.  Elijah said 'The rain won't fall until I say so.' 1 Kings 17:1  It was the beginning of an economic downturn.  No rain meant no harvests.  In this season, it was also a time of supernatural miracles.  God sends Elijah to the brook and commands the ravens to feed him.  When God is getting ready to bless you, He never begs; He commands people to bless you! 

After a while, the brook dried up and Elijah left that place.  Because God had commanded the raven, it kept feeding.  But He hadn't commanded the brook, so eventually, it dried up.  It was because of the dried up brook that Elijah left.  Where Elijah went, God commanded a woman to feed him.  If a raven would feed Elijah by God's command, surely He would feed him by the woman.  The widow woman didn't believe there was enough to feed him, but Elijah encouraged her in God.  "Bake me a cake first..." 1 Kings 17:13  Instead of eating the only food she had left and was holding in her hand, she sowed sacrificially in response to the request of the man of God; she didn't eat her seed but rather sowed it.  Because of her sacrificial gift in a time of economic downturn, God provided for her and her family for many days, even during a recession.  Has the church today mistaken their seed for their harvest? 

God is working both on and through the faith of Elijah and the woman's faith.  Their faith is now greater than it was before.  They understood that man's faith in God will produce every time, not because we have faith but because God is faithful!  The enemy wants you to believe God is not faithful.  You need to recognize that your faith has enemies.  These are some enemies that will come against your faith:

• Doubt
• Grief
• Fear
• Intimidation
• Disappointment

How are we to respond to these enemies?  In the midst of her faith growing, the widow woman's son gets ill and dies.  Her faith is being attacked.  She is compelled to question God's faithfulness.  Even in her questioning, Elijah prays for her dead boy and he comes back to life.  Elijah presents him to her alive.  Both of their faiths are now restored and increased.  The widow woman now comes to know Jehovah Jireh, her provider, as Jehovah Rapha, her healer.

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and destroys them and their works.  Then in 1 Kings 19, Jezebel threatens Elijah and he begins getting fearful, stressed, discouraged and filled with doubt.  Now Jezebel is long dead, but her spirit still lives, even in the church.  The spirit of Jezebel (witchcraft) disrespects authority.  It manipulates.  And the problem is, it is difficult to deal with a spirit if you haven't identified it.  Now understand that the Jezebel spirit tries to threaten the life of the man of God.  Elijah felt like he was forgotten, forsaken and all alone.  The man of God felt like throwing in the towel.  It is at this point, you can lose the will to live.  He laid down, closed his eyes and prayed that he wake up dead.  Every now and again, regardless of the faith God has built up in you, there will come times where you feel like giving up, but there is a dimension of your faith that has the capacity to draw on and connect with the faithfulness of God when you would come to the end of yourself.  It will move God to do the absolutely incredible on your behalf to show you He is still God, still faithful.  God came to Elijah at that point, when there was no ravens or widow women to bless him, and personally baked Elijah a cake and gave him water.  God is saying that He doesn't need the raven or the woman to bless you.  He can bless you all by Himself.  David told us in Psalm 23:5 that God will prepare a table before you (provision) in the presence of your enemies!  When it looks like no one is there for you and no one cares, God will command a blessing in your life!  He will personally bless you because HE IS FAITHFUL!  God will take care of you - all by Himself! 

CHALLENGE: The God of Elijah is here for you today.  He is looking to raise up men and women of faith in the body of Christ.  Men and women that he can use as examples in this nation to show that He is still God, the God of the impossible.  Will you trust Him even when the enemies of your faith try to threaten your life?  Remember that when your faith is being attacked, that means you have come to a place where your faith will connect with God's faithfulness to work miracles on your behalf.  God will command people to bless you, but understand that He wants you to come to the dimension of faith where you recognize He wants to bless you... Himself!

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At First... - Pastor Dave Tunikaitis

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

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Today's Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

"At First..."

• To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Revelation 2:1-3
• Because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. Romans 5:3-4
• The things that mark an apostle --- signs, wonders and miracles --- were done among you with great perseverance. 2 Corinthians 12:12
• May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
• Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
• The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3
• As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. James 5:10
• I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.  The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.  Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Psalm 101:2-4
• But there will be false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.  They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Peter 2:1
• For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:4
• For such men are false apostles, deceitful workman, masquerading as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:13
• Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:4
• Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
• Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.  If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:4-7

AT FIRST - When you were courting...

• You Looked Different - You made sure you looked good for them;
• You Sat Different - Your posture was such that you appeared interested;
• You Dressed Different - You made sure your clothes matched;
• You Acted Different - You treated them with fresh respect;
• You Smelled Different - You made sure you cleaned all 2,000 body parts;
• You Ate Different - You watched what you ate;
• You Talked Different - Your words were always uplifting and polite;
• You Listened Different - you were attentive when they spoke and paid closer attention.

The question is... what happened?

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
AT FIRST - When you first gave your heart to Jesus...

• You Looked Different - People around you could tell something was different;
• You Sat Different - Your posture towards life was better;
• You Dressed Different - You learned how to put on the full armour;
• You Acted Different - you wouldn't accept those forwarded emails or the out-of-taste jokes;
• You Smelled Different - 'We are the aroma or fragrance of Christ' 2 Corinthians 2:15;
• You Ate Different - You feasted on God's word daily;
• You Talked Different - You didn't know Greek or Hebrew, but like the blind man Jesus healed, you simply said, 'Once I was blind, but now I see... Jesus!';
• You Listened Different - You heard the voice of God and listened to what the Spirit was saying to the church.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5
Return to your first love.  Love Jesus again... for the very first time!

CHALLENGE: Listen to what the Spirit is saying to you today.  He is calling you... go back... to how you first responded to Jesus.  It will transform your relationship with Him; it will transform your life.  When you go back to courting Jesus, you will find the hunger you once had for Him.  Hunger to worship him, hunger to feed on His Word, hunger to serve Him and love Him, hunger like you once had when you first loved Him.  Jesus wants to be your Lord;  He still wants to take care of you today like he once did... at first.

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of John

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

Have you ever felt like you have too many rough edges for God to use you?  Have you ever felt like you don't always seem to say or do the right thing?  Have you ever felt like you keep messing up?

Today we are going to look at the life of John.  Here is John's Resume:

• John was the youngest of 12 disciples
• John was the first cousin of Jesus
• John wrote 5 books of the New Testament
• John was only one at the cross as Jesus was dying
• John was the last to see Jesus suffer
• John was charged with looking after Jesus mother
• John was the first to recognize Jesus at the resurrection
• John was banished to exile on the island of Patmos, where he received the vision and recorded The Book of Revelation
• John lived the longest of all the disciples
• Paul called John a 'pillar of the church'

John's journey was a journey of change and development.  In Mark 3:14 Jesus appointed his twelve disciples.  John was one of the twelve and was called a 'Son of Thunder'.  This nickname was because he was like the proverbial "bull in a china shop".  In Mark 9:38-39, John told the person to stop driving out demons in Jesus' name and Jesus rebuked him saying, "If he's not against us, he's for us."  In Luke 9:54, John said they should call down fire from heaven.  Jesus rebukes him again.  John, James & Peter were considered Jesus 'inner circle'.  Judas, the one who was 'the money man', wasn't in the inner circle.  It isn't always those who have or handle the money that get close to Jesus.  It is the ones with the passion.  John was passionate for Jesus!

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Life Lesson #1 -  Jesus Isn’t Looking for Perfection, But Passion

You may not always get everything right but if you have passion, God can work with you.  Jesus rebuked John, his own cousin, twice in a very short period of time.  John didn't respond by talking negative about Jesus or get offended.  He doesn't go and look for another leader to follow.  He doesn't go and join another church or start his own church.  John was teachable!  As Jesus disciples, we must be teachable.

Life Lesson #2 - Being Teachable in Every Situation Will Bring About Transformation

Jesus finds us in our imperfection - but He doesn't leave us that way.  He teaches us and as we become teachable, He transforms us.  In every situation, when you are teachable, your character will be transformed and you will move closer to your destiny, being refined into the person God has designed you to be.  He calls us with our bad tempers, pride, personal ambitions and selfish desires, old habits and hang-ups, to follow Him.  Jesus says, "Learn from me and what I teach you because I see your potential."

It doesn't matter who you are, but who you are becoming.
It's not where you've been, but where you are going.

When you go through a challenge, let it be a refining moment.  In Mark 10:35, just after coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration, James and John, the Sons of Thunder asked Jesus, "Do for us whatever we ask."  Jesus said "You don't know what you are asking."

Life Lesson #3 - Sometimes We Ask for Things and We Don’t Understand the Journey to Get There.

Have you ever noticed that if you ask for patience, you have to be patient in waiting for it to come?  There is a journey and you must be teachable in the journey.  Not everything you ask for will come the way you had in mind.  "You will have to be baptised with My baptism; you'll have to drink from My cup;"  James and John had no idea what Jesus was talking about.  They needed to understand that to receive what they asked for, they would have to go through some of the same things Jesus was about to go through.  Jesus wanted greatness for them and He also wants greatness for you!  But you need to understand what that greatness will require.  Greatness requires refining; it requires being misunderstood; there will be challenges.

Life Lesson #4 - It Is the Process of Present Challenges that Bring Eternal Changes

The challenges we are going through right know are bringing eternal changes.  In fitness, they say, 'No Pain - No Gain!'  How will you know if you have faith and trust God if everything always goes perfect?  It's the challenges that cause us to grow.  Refining brings lasting change.  John experienced some serious challenges:

• He had to witness his Saviour being crucified
• He saw his brother James be crucified for Christ
• He was beaten for his faith
• He was banished
• He was lonely

But in the midst of this process, his character was being transformed.  He goes from being called a 'Son of Thunder' to being called 'John, the beloved of Jesus', or 'the one Jesus loved'.  Now, the one who was quick to cast judgement with a lot of noise was healing people, blessing people and working miracles, all without a lot of noise.  Now, John is a man of faith and vision.  He records that vision as The Book of Revelation.  John went from being a stumbling block to others to being a pillar of the church.

In this Year of ACCELERATION God is Bringing TRANSFORMATION 

CHALLENGE: You have faced obstacles and challenges?  Don't despise the process you are in.  Don't get upset that you are on a journey.  You asked God to make you great.  That's exactly what he is doing.  He is causing your faith to grow through the challenges you are facing.  Embrace these challenges.  Allow God to refine and change you, to transform you in this Year of Acceleration.  You don't want to stay the way you are.  As a child of God, you must be transformed.  You are being prepared for greatness.  Who are you... becoming?

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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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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 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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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.) 

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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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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.
(All comments are reviewed before publishing.) 

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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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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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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.) 

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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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