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We are one week into our fifty days of prayer.  If you have not yet begun, there is still time for you to participate.  Pick up a copy of “If We Will… Then He Will” at the back of the auditorium.. You can also download a digital copy of the devotional guide at https://www.ifwewill.com/.  My  lesson today is taken from Psalm 61—a Psalm from today’s devotional guide.  Below is is the devotional from today’s reading printed by permission:

Reading 18: Psalms 60-63

Fill and Spill

When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock
that is higher than I.   Psalm 61:2 NKJV

When we hear the term “overwhelmed”, we can easily identify with it, can’t we? In our busy world, it is easy to feel overwhelmed with all the things we have to do. But this verse is talking about an overwhelming of our hearts.

Our hearts can feel overwhelmed with anxiety, pain and disappointment. It is during these times of fear, uncertainty and heartache that David encourages us to ask the Lord to lead us to the rock that is higher than our circumstances. That rock, that stability, that firm foundation is found in Him alone.

David further instructs us to “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him. God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8 NKJV). David doesn’t just say trust God some of the time; David says all of the time. He encourages us to pour out our hearts before Him because He is a refuge for us.

What happens when we pour out our hearts to Him? We empty our hearts of our fears, our hurts, and our vain imaginings. An empty heart is a heart that He can then fill with His love, His peace and His comfort. Wouldn’t we rather walk around with hearts filled with His love, peace and comfort instead of our own fear, worries and pain?

The beauty of having our hearts filled by Him is that these blessings can then spill over into the hearts of those He brings across our path. We can be used by Him to pour His love, His peace, and His comfort into the lives of others. Fill and spill.

As we all open our hearts to His love, peace and comfort, we will discover with David that “Your unfailing love is better than life itself” (Psalm 63:3 NLT). Why? Because, in His lovingkindness, He died to purchase our salvation, so we can live together with Him for all eternity (I Thessalonians 5:10).

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide –
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide –
A shelter in the time of storm;

O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land
A shelter in the time of storm;

 —Joey

The God of Second Chances

Can you believe 2023 is already here? It is amazing how quickly time flies!  Time has a way of getting away from us and many of the things we had planned and hoped become things we wished we would have done.  This is true with our relationship with God.  We may have started the year with such hope and enthusiasm only to find our resolutions broken and forsaken by the end of January.

You’ve messed up, admit it!  I know I have.  We’ve done and said things we wish we could take back.  We have let opportunity after opportunity pass us by.  “I’ll take care of that tomorrow,” we have said.  We all have been like Felix in Acts 24 and waited for when we find it “convenient,” but never gotten the chance again.

Our stories are the same when it comes to procrastination, but the specifics are very individual. Some of us know we needed to have given our lives to Christ, but we never did.  Some of us needed to repent of a specific sin that has given us trouble, but we have put it off.  Others of us wanted a closer relationship with God, but never got around to it.  There may be those among us who needed to make right a wrong done to another, initiate reconciliation in a relationship, or let go a grudge and forgive.  These and many others are all things we should have done, but haven’t.

That’s why new years are so good when they come around.  They are opportunities for us to try again.  I know it is arbitrary.  You’ll be the same person January 1 that you were on December 31, but you don’t have to be.  Any time is a good time to start over again!

Do you really think God would allow me to start over when I have messed up so many times?  Yes, I do.  He is the God of Second Chances.  Do you remember the story of Jonah?  Jonah had been given a command by God to preach repentance to the Ninevites, but he deliberately disobeyed, “But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish” (Jonah 1:2-3).

God caught him and brought him back (it’s a whale of a story). God was angry and disappointed, but notice how chapter three begins,

     Jonah 3:1-2   Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:  ² “Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you.”.

The word of the Lord came a second time! Jonah was given another chance and so are we.

I’ll say more in my lesson! Joey

He has Arrived

Jesus has come.  This is the day we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Fear not! Do not be afraid!” The angel spoke these words to Zachariah, to Mary, to Joseph, and finally to a group of shepherds on a hillside near Bethlehem.

“Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Fear has a way of tying our stomachs up in knots, paralyzing our thinking, inducing panic. Fear, and its cousin worry, can capture our hearts when we see ourselves caught in a vortex of disasters beyond our control.

As we enter this Christmas Season, celebrate the birth of our Savior and prepare for a new year,  I pray and encourage everyone in our church to consider and think about the words that Jesus spoke as a man.

In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus talks about tiny, defenseless sparrows in the context of fear and worry:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink…. Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

In another place he reassures his followers:

“Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

A Savior comes to rescue people in danger, preserve those who are threatened by harm, and protect his people from the troubles that surround them. That’s what saviors do! That’s what Jesus came to do for us.

Do not be afraid because God has sent a Savior to us — Jesus Christ the Lord. He is the One who will:

• Never leave us or forsake us.
• Supply all our needs according to his riches in glory.
• Add to us all the things we need as we seek him and his Kingdom.

The Real Christmas message is this: God has sent a Savior for you. To save you from your sins and to help you in this life — to lift your burden and ease your fears. That’s it! A Savior who is Christ the Lord — God himself!

The world is gripped by fear. But fear’s hold has been broken in those of us who believe the angel’s words:

“Fear not … for a Savior is born to you — Christ the Lord!”

Advent is a time to consider how the coming of our Savior will change your life. The most important BIRTHDAY in the history of humanity is the birthday of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The key to experiencing the overflowing, exuberant joy of Christmas depends on the time, energy, and effort that we expend in preparing for this day.

As we prepare for Christmas, we are wise to create room for the greatest gift of Christmas to be delivered. We are wise to make sure we don’t say, “Jesus, I don’t have room for you.” Because, if we fill our mind, our actions and our hearts with other things, we will have a big sign on our hearts that shines “no vacancy.”

This means, we have to slow down, and clear out some internal junk to make room for Jesus. We must open the doors of our soul and say, “Yes, Lord, we have room.” We must look him in the eyes and say, “Let us roll out the red carpet – the VIP treatment – for you Lord!” We must say, “You are the preferred guest in my heart.”

Making room for Jesus means we:

– Pray and ask Jesus to make himself apparent in our hearts.

– Acknowledge to God that we are prone to stray.

– Keep our eyes focused on the word of the Lord.

– Meditate on the story of Christmas and the gift called Jesus

– Repent of any idols we are putting before the Lord.

– Let go of worries, anxieties and busyness to find Christ.

– Find joy in the grace and glory that Christ brings.

Prepare your heart. Make room for the King. He is coming.

(Part of this article is from Kelly Balarie “A Cheerleader of Faith”)

How to Build a Life:
Will Yours Pass Inspection?

Does Everything Work?

1. What about Your Relationships?
   Spouse? Coworkers? Others?  Are you bitter? Resentful?
2. What about Your Relationship with God?
   Prayer Life? Personal Bible Study? Worship? Taking up Your Cross?
3. How do you feel? Do you have Joy?  Are you Content? Successfully Living the Christian Life?  Do you have Purpose?

Is Everything Up to Code?

1. Do I put God First?
2. Am I Becoming Like Christ?
3. Am I Giving God the Respect Due Him?
4. Is Worship a Priority?
5. Do I Respect Others?
6. Do I Enrich Life?
7. Is My Marriage Sacred?
8. Am I Honest?
9. Do I Tell the Truth?
10. Are My Desires in Check?

Every Building Must Pass Inspection,
So Must Every Life

Choose Life
Deuteronomy 30:11-20

If We Will…Then He Will

A 50 State Prayer Project

Feeling a growing unsettledness? Concerned that our culture seems in moral freefall? Fearing an impending “seismic shift” in our world as we know it?

I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

Will you answer the call to “stand in the gap”?

If We Will…Then He Will is a grassroots prayer project calling intercessors from all 50 states to pray for 50 days over our nation. It was birthed from a desire to bring repentance and revival to the hearts of His people and our nation.

This is not motivated by politics or church affiliation. It is simply a call to His people to turn from our wicked ways and implore Him to heal our land.

BATTLE PLAN

December 1-31, 2022 – 31 Days of Preparation
New Year’s Day, 2023 – Time of Prayer and Fasting
January 2 – February 20, 2023 – 50 Days of Prayer

Join us in interceding for historic change in this historic moment, for His glory.

Download a digital copy of the devotional guide at https://www.ifwewill.com/ or you can pick up a printed copy for yourself in the back of the auditorium on the old communion table.

We have invited our community to participate with us.

How to Build a Life: Be Content

Commandment #10: Be Content (Exodus 20:17)

Coveting…

1. Is “Enthusiastic Desire”.
2. Is a Morally Neutral Term.
3. Refers to Inappropriate Desires.
4. Refers to Legitimate Desires that Lead to Wrong Actions.

Coveting is the Source of All Other Sin

1. David Coveted Bathsheba (#10).
2. He Stole Another Man’s Wife (#8).
3. He Committed Adultery (#7).
4. He Lied About his Affair (#9).
5. He Profaned the Lord’s Name (#3).
6. He Murdered Uriah, the Hittite (#6).
7. He Put Himself, not God First (#1).

The Cause of Coveting: Resentment

1. Resentment toward God (Cain)
2. Resentment toward Life’s Unfairness (Older Brother)
3. Resentment toward Others (Saul)

The Consequences of Coveting: Estrangement

1. Coveting Comes Between Us and Others (James 4:1-3).
2. Coveting Comes Between Us and God (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:1-2).

The Cure for Coveting: Contentment

1. Detecting of the Disease
2. What Do You Think About All the Time? (Colossians 3:1-2)
3. How Good I am at Rejoicing with Others? (Romans 12:15)
4. Defeating the Disease—We Must…
5. Learn to be Content (1 Timothy 6:6-8; Philippians 4:11-13).
6. Learn the Difference Between Wants and Needs.
7. Learn the Difference Between Temporal and Eternal (Luke 12:13-15; 2 Corinthians 4:18).

Where are Your Eyes?

How to Build a Life:
Always Tell the Truth
(Exodus 20:16)

Lying is…

1. Intentional Deception.
2. NOT Being Mistaken.
3. Misrepresenting the Facts
4. NOT Withholding Facts (Except in Legal Contexts)

Commandment #9: Always Tell the Truth (Exodus 20:16)

1. Primarily Regards False Testimony about Someone
2. Also Applies to Careless Testimony

The Lord Hates a Lying Tongue (Proverbs 6:16-19)

Lying Reveals a Heart Problem (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 12:35-37)

We Must Guard Our Hearts (Proverbs 4:23-24)

Lying is Condemned

1. Lying about Others — Perjury, Gossip, Slander
2. Lying to Others — Personal Gain, Avoid Trouble, Flattery
3. Lying to God — Promises, Deals
4. Lying to Yourself

Becoming People of Truth

1. Perform a Daily Checkup
2. Refuse to Gossip or Listen to Gossip
3. Encourage Others with Your Words (Ephesians 4:29)
4. Be an Image Bearer (God Does Not Lie; He is Always Faithful)

Are You a Truth Teller?

We were always taught, “Honesty is the best policy.”  Our lesson text would agree.  God has provided the Ten Commandments as principles for building godly and successful lives. Sunday, we will examine the ninth command, Always Tell the Truth or as the text reads…

Exodus 20:16  You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

God’s word is clear about him hating a “lying tongue” (Proverbs 6:16-19).  A lying tongue comes from a “deceitful heart” (Jeremiah 17:9).  Jesus warned that we will be judged by what we say,

Matthew 12:35-37  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.  ³⁶ But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

This is why the Bible teaches we should “guard” our hearts (Proverbs 4:23-24).

I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

How to Build a Life:
Keep “Things” in Perspective

(Exodus 20:16)

Keep “Things” in Perspective

1. This is the Principle Behind the Eighth Command.
2. Sometimes our Things Own Us.
3. Why do People Steal?
4. A Sense of Entitlement — I Deserve it

THREE CASE STUDIES…
I. Ahab & Naboth (1 Kings 21:1-7)

1. God has Established the Right of Personal Ownership.
2. This is Why it is Wrong to Steal.
3. It was Equally Right for Ahab to Offer to Buy the Land for a Fair Price and for Naboth to Refuse.
4. Ahab had a Sense of Entitlement—I am King; I Deserve it!

II.  Jesus & the Disgruntled Brother (Luke 12:13-21)

1. The Man was Pursuing a “Me” Agenda.
2. Life is More than Possessions.
3. The Rich Man Had a Selfish Sense of Entitlement (Rich Toward Self, not God)
4. Did he Steal? (cf., James 5:1-6; also, Malachi 3:8-10).

III.  Israel and Tithing (Malachi 3:8-10)

CONCLUSIONS FROM OUR THREE STORIES…

1. We Steal when we Take things from Others.
2. We “Steal” when we See our Blessings as only Belonging to Us.
3. We “Steal” When we Don’t Give God his Due Share.
4. All of this Expresses a Sense of Entitlement.

Three Practices to Keep Things in Perspective

1. Give Thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
2. Share with Others (Ephesians 4:28)
3. Trust God (Matthew 6:25-33).

Have You Kept “Things” in Perspective?

We skipped a week in our series for “Friends and Family Day.” Sunday, we will get back on track.  We will examine the eighth command, Keep Keep “Things” in Perspective or as the text reads…

Exodus 20:15  You shall not steal.

The prohibition of stealing underscores that God has established the right of personal ownership and we should respect what belongs to others.  However, it also prohibits the selfish sense of entitlement that motivates theft.  This same entitlement is condemned across the board when we see it expressed in our own materialism.  It leads to ingratitude, unwillingness to share, and even defrauding God of his due (giving, tithing, etc.).  Unfortunately, sometimes our “things” own us.  I’ll say more in my lesson.

Joey

Welcome Friends & Family!

Thank you for being a part of our Friends & Family Day. Throughout the year we have special days to invite those closest to us to come be a part of our worship and enjoy a meal together. We are so glad are with us today!

This year is a special year for us in that we are celebrating 65 years in this community. Though we have met in in various locations for over 80 years, we moved into what was to become this neighborhood in August of 1957. We are located near the very center of the Winstead Park community. We want to renew our commitment to you to be your neighborhood church!

Today, my lesson, is entitled, God’s Friends and Family. That’s how we see ourselves and we want to invite you into that relationship.

We all know how important friendships are in our lives. The Bible speaks to the enduring and supporting nature of these relationships.

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

How wonderful is it to know that God wants to be our friend!

John 15:12-17 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit– fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

God has invited us into a relationship with him and his family that will last for all eternity! Can you imagine the All Powerful, Creator, of the Universe wanting to be your friend? It is beyond our comprehension.

Romans 8:31-32 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all– how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Through his death on the cross Jesus demonstrated the greatest love a friend could give by laying down his life so we could have this relationship with him.

The Bible also describes our relationship in terms of family. We are God’s children by creation—he made us, we are his. However, we also are God’s children in a very special sense. He has invited us to be like him and call him, Father.

1 John 3:1-2 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

I’ll say more in my lesson!

Joey

How to Build a Life: Keep Marriage Sacred

When in Doubt, Follow the Instructions.

God’s Commands are Blueprints for Building Our Lives.

Commandment #1: Put God First (Exodus 20:1-3)

Commandment #2: Accept No Substitutes (Exodus 20:4-6)

Commandment #3: Give God the Respect Due Him (Exodus 20:7)

Commandment #4: Take Time to be Holy (Exodus 20:8-11)

Commandment #5: Give Honor to Whom Honor is Due (Exodus 20:12)

Commandment #6: Respect Life (Exodus 20:13)

Commandment #7: Keep Marriage Sacred (Exodus 20:14)

Adultery in the OT

1. Occurred When a Man had Sex with a Married
2. Was NOT Reckoned as Adultery When a Married Man had Sex with an Unmarried or Unbetrothed Woman.
3. Adultery was a Property

Adultery in the NT

1. Jesus Expands Adultery to Include Husbands.
2. The Husband and Wife Belong to Each Other.
3. Adultery Shifts from Property Crime to Anything that Violates the Marital

Marriage Should be Honored

1. Marriage is Sacred and Vital to the Community (Hebrews 13:4).
2. Marriage is a “’Til Death do We Part” Covenant (Malachi 2:14-15).
3. The Marital Sexual Relationship is Very Good (1 Corinthians 7:2-5).

What Does it Mean to “Break Covenant”?

1. Physical Adultery (Sexual Infidelity)
2. Adultery of the Heart (Lust).
3. Legalized Adultery (Divorce).
4. Other Covenant Breaking Acts (Abandonment, Abuse, Neglect, Non-Support, Etc.; Exodus 21:10-11; 1 Corinthians 7:13-15).

Don’t Flirt with Sexual Immorality.

Work to Enrich Your Marriage.

Put Your Spouse First Emotionally & Sexually.

Remember God will Forgive Any Sin including Sexual Sin or Breaking Covenant with Your Spouse.

Last week we discussed the sixth commandment on the sanctity of life.  This Sunday we will examine the seventh, Keep Marriage Sacred.

Exodus 20:14  You shall not commit adultery.

The Ten Commandments provide a moral blueprint for how to build successful lives. Marital infidelity ranks high on the list of things that can destroy your life.  However, the commandment is about more than sexual behavior, it is about covenant.

Many are surprised regarding how adultery is treated in the OT. Fundamentally, it is about keeping a covenant that is at the heart of society. In the OT the command reflected a concern that affected property rights, legitimacy of heirs, and the inheritance of land. These are all legal issues related to covenant.

However, the teaching of the NT centers more on the relational and theological elements of covenant. Not only does this elevate women from the legal status of property to partner, it restores God’s original intent for the covenant of Marriage (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:18, Genesis 2:21-25; Matthew 19:3-9).

There is so much to say.  I’ll pick up this thought and others in the lesson.  Join us for this message!

Joey