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What You Face Is For You

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Jared Meredith

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Ephesians 6:10-12

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We should remember and be good to never forget that the forces of evil are arrayed against us, raging as a roaring lion to devour us.

We are not here just to:

Preach and teach
Raise Money
Build a building
Run a program

We are here to do battle against a very real and present enemy:

Eternal life is at stake
Souls hang in the balance
The standards of righteousness are being compromised
Foundations of decency are crumbling

The good news today is that we are equipped to win this battle through Christ!

Romans 1:16-21

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

We possess the power of the gospel; it is the great message that can mend all hurt and repair the broken pieces of a persons’ life:

Forgiveness from our sin
Deliverance from our bondage
Lifting of the weights of the cares of life
All will sincerely believing in the love that was shown us by God through the sacrifice of God’s son, Jesus Christ (now that’s powerful!)

Ephesians 3:8-21

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
[17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

We have the power of the Holy Spirit

You are given the spirit of God to have boldness, access and confidence by faith, to faint not at life’s tribulations:

To know we are his, to know we are named means everything
To strengthen our inner selves with might and spirit
Be rooted and grounded in love
To know the love of Christ
Be filled with the fullness of God

Ephesians 6:13

[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We have the armor of God

I Corinthians 15:57-58

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Ultimate victory is certain for whom will believe

It’s Time For Courage

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Jared Meredith

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Joshua 1:1-9

[1] Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
[2] Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
[3] Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
[4] From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
[5] There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
[6] Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
[7] Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
[8] This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
[9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Fear is a crippling emotion. The Lord never intended for His followers to dread the future. Although we may feel afraid at times, we should never let fear control us.

So why did Joshua need courage?

Joshua had seen how the people rebelled against moses. Now, he was in charge of leading them to take the promised land from skilled warriors.

In the midst of his challenges, God reassured him of His presence. This was and is the foundation that helps us to be courageous today.

So what did God command Joshua about being courageous?

Courage is a quality of mind or spirit that enables us to meet danger, opposition, or the challenges of life with fearlessness, calmness, and firmness. Someone who has courage may still feel afraid – but through the power of God – can act with confidence.

The Lord wanted divine wisdom and not human logic to guide the nation.

God also told Joshua that if he obeyed the law of Moses that he would have success.

The Lord made marvelous promise to Joshua: that no matter what happened He would be with them.

If you have the salvation of Jesus Christ, then you possess the very same fellowship.

Finding Your Spiritual Identity

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Jared Meredith

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I Corinthians 2:14-16

[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

This was Paul’s message to the natural person. It was the type of person that Paul was most concerned over.

A Natural person

– Has not been born again

– Cannot understand spiritual things

– Thinks the spiritual things are foolish

– Turns away from the bible with thoughts and imaginations

The destiny of the natural human being without Jesus Christ is destruction. The need that all mankind has is salvation.

Romans 3:23

[23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

All people are naturally lost

John 6:37

[37] All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

All people can be saved

Once we are saved we are no longer without hope. Something amazing happens!

I Corinthians 2:11-13

[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

The Spiritual person

– Was once a natural person

– Salvation through faith in Christ has transformed them

– Was once doomed, now delivered

– Was once lost, now found

– Was once bound for hell, now bound for Heaven

– The spirit teaches the spiritual person

– The spirit discerns (understands) all things

– Sees the work of God in the world and in their personal lives

– Spiritual things are not easily understood by others

Jesus warned of these things: John 15:18-20

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

V 16 – As we become spiritual we put on the mind of Christ

I Corinthians 3:1-4

[1] And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
[2] I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
[3] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
[4] For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Carnal person

– Is confused

– Knows what is right but does not do it

– Knows the world is lost but clings to it

– Is like Lot lingering in Sodom

– Needs full commitment to Christ

The natural person lives for the moment. The spiritual person lays up treasures in Heaven. The carnal person tries looking in both directions. Finding the balance in your life is done successfully when the spiritual part of you leads.

How To Win The Battle Over Rumors And Silence The Critics

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Jared Meredith

One of the key ways the enemy likes to try and create perceived “drama” related to you is through the process of rumors, envyings, strife and jealousies. People that have these feelings in their heart may use things against you, even inasmuch of a way as to take one good thing you have said/done and twist it to create potential trouble. And to those whom are being active in ministry it seems to be (as the expression goes) “double the trouble”, trying to destroy the few good things are are accomplishing.

Here are 10 key points of what may be happening that you should expect the enemy to come out (through people and circumstance) and attack you.

When you:

1) Gain spiritual control over a temptation

2) Learn how to hold your peace when you are provoked

3) Overcome in victory over a previous drama

4) Love those who are provoking you

5) Give no regard to the jealous behavior

6) Are confident and bold in your calling

7) Begin a more regular praise/prayer/study routine

8) Begin to try and be more involved

9) Show a clear display of happiness

10) Attempt to encourage/witness to others

God did not leave us without the scriptures to begin and understand how we “fight” back.

Matthew 6:25-34

[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
[26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
[27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
[28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
[29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
[32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
[33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 10:19-22

[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

When you read the phrase “take no thought” in these scriptures you can interpret this as “do not be afraid”. What may read at first glance as to not care truly means that we are not to live in bondage to anyone or to be in fear by our burdens. To interpret that as reckless abandonment would lead you unprepared in times that you are in need. So the ultimate answer to how you win over these kinds of people is to break the bondage of their control and lift the burdens of fear by the love of God. A perfect love will cast off every fear and release you from every bondage. Be as it may we as people will try anyway…but I will remind each and every one of us that despite our best efforts at times there is nothing else we can do or say that will fix anything the way God can. Sometimes even the truth as we know the truth of the circumstance or the rumor will not fix it. In fact, it just continues to fuel the resolve of the enemy. However, when the enemy sees that he can do no more harm when you show that great love of God he will turn loose. The enemy had to turn loose of Christ by the persecution of His body when Jesus was made broken for our sins. That is how we are able to live and walk as forgiven children of God! This is the same things we must do. We must endure the things that are said. Let the critics criticize, and let the judges judge.

So let the rumor-makers speak their lies, and let the trouble makers start all the trouble that they can. Ultimately the things they try to falsely create have no hold upon those that dwell in the love of God. As the lilies live, they continue to grow irregardless of the weather and boisterous wind. Their resolve to grow is steadfast even when the elements are against them. That is the same way you can continue to overcome! Learn to endure these storms. Give no regard to the things you know are untrue and stay strong in who you are in God. This much I know: those who lie will be revealed as liars, and those who walk righteously will not only be proven true but glorified and blessed in the process.

Burdens Lifted And Bondage Broken

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Jared Meredith

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Exodus 5:1-8

[1] And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness.
[2] And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
[3] And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.
[4] And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.
[5] And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.
[6] And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,
[7] Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.
[8] And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

God sends Moses to Pharaoh and renews His pledge of deliverance. Pharaoh refuses to let them go. He (Pharaoh) then makes it harder for them to make bricks by cutting out their supply of straw, adding to their labor to have to search for it. He increased their burdens and bondage. Bondage is control by a person or substance. Burdens are concerns, cares or problems.

Exodus 6:1-8

[1] Then the LORD said unto Moses, Now shalt thou see what I will do to Pharaoh: for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land.
[2] And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the LORD:
[3] And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
[4] And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.
[5] And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant.
[6] Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:
[7] And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.
[8] And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD.

Here are some key phrases that we often read over that should stand out to increase our faith:

I am the Lord
I will bring you out from under the burdens
I will rid you out of bondage
I will redeem with a stretched out arm
- The Passover lamb was their strength
- We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus!
- I will be to you a God
- I will bring you into the land concerning which I swore
  - They received the promise of Canaan and we received the promise of Heaven!

Hebrews 4:9-16

[9] There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
[13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When you start going God’s way the taskmaster (which is Satan) will press against you. Sin and temptations are our bondage. Fears, doubts, anger and helplessness are our burdens. Our strength can be found (even if the labor is increased) if you have that Lamb of God in your life.