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Author: Jared Meredith

A Brand New Start

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One of the toughest we will ever face as human beings is not the fear of failing but the fear of repeating failure.

As we set out to make a new start we struggle to let go of the past (past failures, past attempts, the unkind or harmful words spoken by others, past defeats, past disappointments). The past can be your biggest enemy in the moment hindering you from your future.

1) We must forget the former things – Isaiah 43:18-19

18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.

19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

2) A fresh start is God’s gift to us – 1 John 1:9

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3) There is nothing that can hold us from our future – Revelation 21:4

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

4) Let us come for a brand new start – Acts 3:19-20

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

 

Keeping Godly Unity

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In order to keep the cultivation of unity and anointing flowing we must continue to stay in fellowship with God as well as each other. For when we stand in unity there can be nothing to tear us apart

1 Corinthians 1:10

10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Communicate With Each Other – Hebrews 13:16

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Be Transparent To Each Other – James 5:16

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Support Each Others Obedience – 1 Corinthians 14:26

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

Worship Together – Ephesians 5:19

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Help Those Among You In Need – 1 Peter 4:9-11

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Give What You Can To Help Each Other – Romans 12:13

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Remember The Importance of Coming Together – Job 4:3-4

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Help Those Who Are Hurting – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Help Our Neighbor First – Romans 15:2

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Seek To Benefit Your Neighbor – 1 Corinthians 10:24

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

Learning To Love Our Enemies

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Luke 6:27-36

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

There are many things we can learn about here:

  • If we do not love our enemy ultimately means we hate our enemy
  • If we want to hurt those who hurt us it is from the fear of being hurt again
  • If we want justice for those who used us then we are letting selfishness drive us
  • If we will not give back when others will take then we care too much of what we have

There are also many things we need to do:

– Show love when others would look to hate

– Exhibit benevolence and give when others would not

– Be the voice in a tough conversation

– Find the good in an adverse situation and do it

  • Expect nothing in return even when you give it all

So while this may sound crazy I am thankful for every storm, trial, confrontation, battle and enemy that has ever shown up in my life. It’s by these opportunities that I have truly gotten to know the true love of God and how this love can change the world if the world will love itself and its enemies

We Cannot Be Conquered

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Revelation 2:8-11 

8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

  1. I know thy works and tribulation
  • Jesus knows of our every act of obedience and sacrifice
    • by the one who was dead and alive we have our advocate through the beginnings and ends of every situation
    • as we strive in obedience we win the hearts of those who do not know Christ
    • by seeking the kingdom of Heaven and its ministry we receive from that
  • Jesus knows all out troubles
    • most go through things they didn’t think they should
    • most go through things they didn’t think they could

– John 16: 33 told us we would have it

  • physical (the early persecutions)
  • emotional (suffering of bad relationships and death of loved ones)
  • mental (attacks of the imagination)
  • spiritual (temptations and ensnarement by satan)

2. I know thy poverty

  • This was a poor church: no temples, plush carpets or tall steeples
    • yet, in the eyes of God they were rich
  • There are many ways we can be rich in Christ
    • Rich in our position with Christ (2 Cor. 8:9)
    • Rich in works for Christ (1 Tim. 6:18)
    • Rich when sharing the reproach of Christ (Heb. 11:26)
    • Rich in faith (James 2:5)

3. In knowledge of the good and bad Christ offers instruction for our future until His return

– there have been many that have suffered much

– Polycarp burned at the stake

– Ignatius cast to the lions

– Some tortured to death by dogs

– some crucified, waxed, stoned or burned

Ultimately we must learn that if Christ was resurrected then we should not fear vexation, persecution nor death. As we remain faithful to God’s promises we will learn no matter the persecution we shall endure.

Video: Singing “You Are God Alone” Live @ 13th Street Church of God

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“You Are God Alone” Live @ 13th Street Church of God

Lyrics:

You’re not a God created by human hands
You’re not a God dependent on any mortal man
You’re not a God in need of
Anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is
[2x]

You are God alone, from before time began
You were on Your throne, You are God alone.
And right now, in the good times and bad
You are on Your throne, You are God alone.

You’re the only God whose power none can contend
You’re the only God whose name and
Praise will never end
You’re the only God who’s worthy
Of everything we can give
You are God, that’s just the way it is

You’re unchangeable (Unchangeable)
Unshakable (Unshakable)
Unstoppable (Unstoppable)
That’s who you are (That’s who you are)
[2x]

Getting Closer To God

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1 Samuel 3:2-10

2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3 And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

4 That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6 And the Lord called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.

8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that theLord had called the child.

9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

10 And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

When we are starting out in our walk with God we must learn how to yield to God’s communication, whether in good times or bad times, whether in the storm or sunshine, and whether you can feel God in your situation or not.

Staying humble will keep your mind at peace while you are awaiting your move of God

1 Peter 5:6-7

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Acknowledge his presence in your life and it will keep you close to God and distant from Satan

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Begin to do what you hear and start invoking the compassion to open your eyes and help the lost be found

James 1:22

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Walking In God’s Word

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  • To walk in God’s word gives us the power, authority and authorization by our advocate (Jesus Christ) to use the word to transform things from the things that they are not into the things we desire by faith.

Matthew 14:26-29

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

  • To better understand walking in God’s word we must first understand what the word is to us. The word is our stability; it is what we can put our trust in.

John 1:1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Matthew 7:24-27

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

  • Walking in the word of God can be difficult when we cannot see the way out. The way that we show our love and trust to God is how that we walk on and trust Him (even when we cannot see the outcome).

2 Corinthians 5:7

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Psalm 37:5

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

  • It is God’s will for you to walk by faith into the things that you do not understand to get peace over. It is God’s will for you to prosper and not be poor. It is God’s will for you to be healed and not sick. It is God’s will for you to love and not despise others. But when we are poor, sick or despised our willpower is little and unwilling. Rest assured that in these times God has come (by the Holy Spirit) to help us get up and keep walking.

Psalm 37:23-24

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

  • We keep our bodies under subjection to the spirit it makes us walk on in God’s word. When we do not we stray to our own will and become lost in God’s plan for our lives.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.