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Witness

10 Life Transforming Actions To Making Your Life Count

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Ephesians 5:1-21

5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

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

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

10 Life Transforming Actions To Make It Count

We’ve got to learn to make it count for something. To redeem the time while we can. To be happy while we still live. To enjoy life through Christ before we die. And while we’re here, to show the difference to the lost and dying world.

  1. If you have burdens that are heavy or you have sinned and need forgiveness, repent.
  2. If you have things you want God to know are important to you to change, pray.
  3. If you want to grow in your knowledge of God and find direction, read the word.
  4. If God has been good to you for things in your life, thank him.
  5. If you want to be supported in your ministry, support the ministry.
  6. If you want your loved ones to be saved, witness to them.
  7. If you want the word to come alive in your church, live the word (be a doer).
  8. If you want people to come to your church, publish good works (tell somebody).
  9. If you want God to know how much you care about him, worship him in righteousness.
  10. If you want your church to grow, find something you can contribute to.

 

Understanding The Wheat And Tares

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Matthew 13:24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

In the agricultural society of Christ’s time, many farmers depended on the quality of their crops. An enemy sowing weeds would have sabotaged a business. The tares in the parable were likely darnel because that weed, until mature, appears as wheat.

26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

Just as a true wheat plant produces wheat, so will a true believer produce spiritual fruit consistent with the life of faith. The day will come when each person will be known for what he or she truly is.

27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Trying to perform an action to vindicate your life from an enemy before it’s time may prove that you uproot in the wrong place and may offend someone without your intention.

Trying to prove yourself before the time will only destroy the fruit you would have had if you had just endured instead.

Only when we wait for the appointed time can we begin to see what separates a Christian walking by faith and a non-believer acting as they do but with no fruit bearing.

Seed if sown and cared for will bloom and prove itself. Faith if kept by prayer, fasting and obedience will prove itself by the signs and wonders that follow.

Do not be alarmed at the presence of tares. Weeds want to thrive most where there is life most.

Matthew 13:36-43

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus is the one whom through His sacrifice at Calvary and His works through us shows the good seed. The field is the world and where we are to try and sow good things.

The tares are the works of the enemy and him through others. God wants to redeem all, even the one the enemy may work through at times. You must learn to see the enemy supernaturally and not looking at the person next to you as your enemy. Think of the word sowed in that regard!

In the end days God will separate the wheat from the tares when those who believe and endure shall be called up. And as tares would burn on earth so shall the unbeliever go to a furnace of fire.

What Scent Are You Wearing?

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Mark 14:3-9

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

Nard was made from a plant found in the East Indies, with a small, slender stalk, and a heavy, thick root. The best perfume was obtained from the root.

4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

Scholars think that the value of this oil, 300 denarii, would have been around that made by a well-paid laborer over the course of an entire year. At first, it seems that Jesus followers had learned his lessons about the poor very well: they complain that the oil had been wasted when it could have been sold and the proceeds used to help the destitute. Sometimes what seems like a waste to others is the beginning of opening up the substance of your witness.

Is it a waste to testify? Is it a waste to praise the Lord? Is it a waste to keep on trying?

When others would tell you to save it for the appropriate time, God will recognize the efforts of you honoring Jesus!

6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

Anointings were common at the time of Passover (Psalm 23:5, 141:5), but this woman’s anointing may have had nothing to do with the coming Passover.  The anointing may be an indication that Jesus is about to begin his messianic role (Messiah is Hebrew for “anointed one.”)  On the other hand, it is possible that the anointing has more to do with the death and burial of Jesus.  In this section Jesus is anointed before his burial since, in chapter 16, he will not be available for anointing.

When God wants to anoint you for your persecution it will come in times when you would think it is a waste

9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her

So what Jesus was saying was that the essence (or fragrance of the deed would be remembered, right?)

Having an essence means you’ll stink to the world and yet smell good to the lord!

Ephesians 5:1-2

5 1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

5 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

What may stink or appal others is the very thing God wants you to have as the fragrance that you wear. He wants you to be anoited for your purpose that you may be remembered for what you endure through the power of God!

The Difference

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

[13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
[15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
[17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
[18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

What makes you different? What separates you from others? What breaks the mold of the world? Some are going to go to Heaven when they die and some will not. Some will be ready for Christ’s return and some will not. To better know who you are that makes you unique in this world you have to realize the difference that lives inside of you. Jesus Christ has made the difference in all of our lives.

Philippians 1:21-23

[21] For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
[22] But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
[23] For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

We recognize that there are two different perspectives between the flesh that wants to work in this world for gain and the spirit that desires to depart this world and to be with Jesus. So we know that if we know Jesus then we are going to have a better place to go and not have to stay in this world.

II Corinthians 5:8-10

[8] We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
[9] Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
[10] For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We also know that when we go to appear before Christ that the things that were once our hindrances will no longer hold us. We will appear so that we may be accepted. So what makes you different?

“If we believe that Jesus died and rose again”

The key to this is faith. We must believe by faith. To believe is to trust.

Acts 16:31

[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

As we believe we are saved. We believe and are then made sure by our confidence of Heaven. When people do not believe they do not possess that hope of Heaven; lost forever. To grow in God and be a witness for others you must learn to see and recognize the difference that has been made in you by God.

So Where Do You Go To Church?

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I am going to be very clear about this topic, as I feel it is beginning to take more of a hold on people than we may realize. Don’t let the politics of an church or institution destroy your worship. Trust me, I could be a rich person for every time that someone has told me “that’s now how we do it at our church”! Please be careful to not let your life be made into religion or institutionalized when God has made the way to be free from that. If you would like the perfect test of how institutionalized or how much a church is open to everyone, just try attending a church of another denomination than your preference. If you find yourself being closed off to how the spirit of God can move because of being afraid of how you are received, then the power of a doctrine or tradition of that church may be greater than the liberty of Gods freedom to work in the people. If the church is open and loving to your anointing, know that there is nothing holding you back from yielding to God and having an amazing place to attend.

I am in places all the time where I am loved greatly until the very moment when I was asked the classic questions, such as: where do you go to church, who is your pastor, what do you all believe, what version of the bible do you use, etc. Some of the reactions have been null if at all, while in other cases I have been witness to the countenance change and addition of opinions/attitudes.

If I had a recommendation to give you as God leads my thoughts, it would be to be proud of the God that blesses you and your church rather than the institution itself. A church will fail you at some point (no matter how many people attend or outreach programs they have), but God will not! People will surprise you when they was cold on an indifference of what they believe versus you, but God will never leave you or forsake you.

On a very personal note, I have found in my life after attending many if not most of church varieties over the years that one thing is always present in a church that is growing and on fire: there is an abundant love for every person and no respect of person, period. I still know people even today that refuse to attend one church and only prefer their own institution, and it breaks my heart that we all cannot be open to work, worship and serve God together. Hear me if you dare, please please please do not fall into the pitfall of men’s ideals! Paul was not mad at the fact that roman Orthodox Jews condemned the Gentiles; in fact he was sorrowful by realizing that the only people that Sony have a free life in Christ are those bound by their own laws and ideals.

I am not attempting to start a revolution nor making an announcement of a denomination from my interpretation; I am as Paul, who claims to know nothing (free from institutions or mans binding ideals) but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He said as he was referring to his metaphor as an athlete, “I look not to the right or left”, or in other words He was to the value of the prize of Christ alone.

Let nothing steal the joy of your life in Christ! Find a church that doesn’t promote being a church that’s good at abiding in denomination, but that is filled with Gods love for everyone (and actual signs of it!).

A Real Question: How Did He Honestly Not Say Anything?

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If you have been through a few hard things in life you will definitely know what it feels like to believe you have the right (and need) to complain about the issues in the moment. I could not tell you how many times that I had went back and forth on this very problem. It is something that through God that I am now beginning to master Godly silence and understand that faith has its place in this.Here is the question I have for you to think on today:

How did Jesus not say something when people were making life so difficult for Him? How did He honestly “open not his mouth”?

There are a multitude of phrases that one could imagine hearing come out in some of the most crucial moments of Christ. I could imagine hearing “hey Pharisees why don’t you ease off a little bit and find something else to do” and “come on, you know I am right”. It is hard to imagine that throughout some of the most pivotal teachings that He gave is when He was facing some of the toughest hardships from people. Keep in mind some of these people did not go where Jesus was to learn but to pick it apart and find fault in Him. As a minister and assistant pastor I have came to realize a very harsh truth by experience: not much has changed since then.  It’s sad to say but there is still not a shortage of the kinds of people who are around you just to judge you!

Yet as we know, Jesus only opened His mouth to teach, lead, love and pray. How can it be done in our world and environments today? Can it be done? The quick answer is yes! The real answer is yes through Christ. A life that is being lived to the fullness of God’s purpose will have the love of Christ inside.

Here are 3 key principles that I have learned to help me grow in handling life’s tougher moments:

1) A time to be silent – I could not tell you how many times that having no response or opinion to something in the moment has saved me as a witness of God. There is not much to add to this other than to say that the best time to be silent is when you anticipate irrational behavior. You CAN develop the self-control and you do NOT have to act out on everything. Please do not be deceived there! Prayer can help you. The word of God talks about self-control by saying that you would not have more put on you than you could bear!

2) Be ye Holy in all conversations – to say Holy in this frame of mind is to say stray from or speak truth to bring separation in all conversations. To be frank about this: if you are talking with someone or something and it is not speaking in love or building something in faith or someone for help from God then generally it is possible to avoid it. It is also possible to attempt to redirect a conversation, but if you find it to be something you cannot conquer at the time part from it. There is no argument that would cost the soul of someone by them seeing a hypocrite and not a ambassador of Christ!

3) Speak life and not death – The least popular one, at least to those I campaign this or counsel for. It does not matter how much something is afflicting you negatively; it is your Godly duty to speak life (or faith) to the situation. That is what moves God, especially in a time where you would be led just to write a situation or person off in negative thinking!

Christ did it perfectly. And as we are Christ-like we can all begin to work on the way we respond to things better. Trust me, through prayer and a fervent desire to see change you will through Christ!

Wait A Second, You Mean To Tell Me That Actually Matters?!?

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When it comes time to really show how much that we care about one another, the actions that seem to make the biggest impact in the long-run are the small things we do.

Oddly enough, there is a very large connection between why we do not perform the small things and how busy we get about taking care of the business side of life. I am sure that at some point in time we have all been in the same train of thought. Have you ever thought or said that “I work hard all week long and don’t have the time or energy” or the classic “you know I care about you”. This almost sounds like something all too familiar, right? You see, no matter where it hits home for you (marriage, friendship, church fellowship, family relationships, work colleagues) there is a great lack in the actual demonstration of Godly love and compassion. Another big reason there is a great lack in the efforts made for others is that this would actually pull people out a state of single-self-consideration (i.e. selfishness). Having an “what’s in it for me” attitude ALL the time tends to lead towards a general disregard for the needs God wants to use us to help in.

I cannot stress this enough, especially as someone who is a devoted advocate for the small things: if you take the time for the small things in obedience, people will receive the witness of the love of God in you. Churches often times try to demonstrate the love of God in a church by how many show up and how great different parts of their services can be, but in doing this are in turn being single-self-minded as a group to only think about the church itself. Please always remember that Christ dwells in you, and your temple is the REAL church that people attend every day. It is by how you carry and conduct yourself through good and bad that people are drawn by the power of God; for they are drawn by how you let the strength of the spirit of God keep you!

So in conclusion, do the small things. Hug someone and tell them that you love them at church. When someone steps out in church or is making a stronger commitment, give them encouragement and a role model. Be at peace with your enemies as God will work the peace in them for you! Be benevolent and give as God leads you. Write your companion a love letter. Lead people to a merry spirit by your joy and laughter! Be that person who stands up first to worship. Surprise people and start participating in outreach ministry. Give that testimony and break the ice! When someone is in need as God shows you, be bold and tell them that you will go with them. Say something nice to your boss even though you feel like you deserve it. The list goes on and on. Learn to prefer others before yourself, and realize the answer to the title of this message!

“Wait a second! You mean to tell me that doing the small things matter?” Yep, it sure does.

 

The Power And Influence Of A Negative Attitude Towards Others

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I would like to start out today with a short story. The other day my wife and I were about to watch a movie at a local theater. After getting our tickets and concessions we proceeded to head into the viewing room. As we made our way in and were about to sit down, we were met with an awkward surprise. The man behind us proceeds to immediately speak ill of where we were going to sit (in front of them), thus taking the Lords name in vain. After we very quickly decided to relocate to bring peace to this mans issue two questions came to mind. The first question was “Was acting that way worth the satisfaction to have an unobstructed view?”. Obviously I knew that the answer to that was no, but a question that reflect the bigger picture came up:

How much are people convinced in our walk with God when we possess an negative attitude?

Answer: People are directly affected by your demeanor.

When this is brought in sync with our walk with God, this takes on a completely different thought. Are people drawn to Christ when I lose it over getting my seat at the movies? Chances are the answer is 100 percent NO. There was only one thing that Christ operated in when He walked in the midst of adversity: love. That same love branched out to have all other virtues. I can hear the scriptures in my mind reminding me about how patient and kind love can be. If you have the love of God in your heart and are using it you will in turn reflect attributes of it. This means losing it over the silliest of things merits no excuse for why we lack in being a witness for God.

Whether you be at the movies, shopping, eating, at work, at home, or even…yes that’s right…at church one thing is clear: it is easy to see that we need to be on guard and aware of our attitude no matter where we are! The most important word I could leave you with while we evaluate ourselves on this would be the word of God, which says “Continue ye in my love”. Let us continue to show demonstrated love through patience and kindness on all venues and not give in to being short-fused!

Knowing The Things We Cannot Do Without

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1 Corinthians 12:3

[3] Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

We cannot have religion without the Holy Ghost. The spirit will bear witness to your belief, and essentially (to put it simply), “you’ll know that you know”.

Acts 5:29

[29] Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

We cannot handle secular matters without God. Peter’s words should remind us that we must learn to not handle our worldly business solely on our own. Secular things only will (first of all) happen and (finally) bless us as we seek and incorporate God!

1 Thessalonians 5:3

[3] For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

We must not preach Heaven without hell. We can preach being saved and inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven. Praise the Lord for that! However, we must also present the fact that there is a hell and destruction. People cannot be deceived from the lack of truth.

Colossians 3:17

[17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We must not live a life of Christianity without Christ. There is so much of what appears to take on the appearance and sound of church, but without Christ it will have no substance or power to draw us or others in need.

John 3:3

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

We must not attempt to live and have salvation without regeneration. Without the belief, commitment and experience that the spirit of God bears witness to, we are attempting a form of salvation. Without the renewing power of Christ, our sins still hold bondage.

Matthew 10:38

[38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

We must learn that we cannot have crowns of life without crosses. When we do not partake in the belief of Jesus sufferings and try to execute a life of Christianity, please do not expect to reap the rewards of the blessing without the foundation being established in your life!

Isaiah 55:7

[7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

We cannot have forgiveness without repentance! If we continually come short and lack in the act and ability to repent, we tend to pile up all of this without knowing it and ultimately falling (spiritually).

Luke 22:15-22

[15] And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
[16] For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
[17] And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
[18] For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
[19] And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
[20] Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
[21] But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
[22] And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

The cup of wine (or as it was known then according to the Torah as the cup of salvation) was produced at the cost of the grape (Jesus Christ). The grape loses its individuality as it is pressed out and the fruit of the wine is ready for use (the sacrifice for sin). Partaking shows our participation in it. In the bible wine represented joy, gladness, or the joy of the Kingdom.