"THE WOUNDED WARRIOR"

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS MESSAGE

WOUNDED WARRIOR - PART ONE

WOUNDED WARRIOR - PART TWO

WOUNDED WARRIOR - PART THREE

      Pastor Mark Taylor                            

“The Wounded Warrior”

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

We need healing today in many areas of our lives.  Physical healing is only one area that God is able to and wants to heal you in.  

• “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, (Psalms 103:2-5).  

Sin is the disease that Christ died to destroy in the lives of His people.  As disease weakens the body, sin weakens the moral energy and causes pain and produces visible evidence of hurt.  No human physician can deal with it, but there is heavenly medicine a great physician who can heal us.  Christ was in pain that we might be at ease; He gave satisfaction to the justice of God that we might have satisfaction in our own minds knowing that through him our sins are forgiven us.  Because of the Lord Jesus’ suffering we have healing; for ” by his stripes we are healed.”  Sin is not only a crime, for which we were condemned to die and which Christ purchased for us the pardon of, but it is a disease, which affects directly the death of our souls and which Christ provided for the cure of. By his stripes (that is, the sufferings he underwent), and by the doctrine of Christ's cross, and the powerful arguments it furnishes us with against sin, the dominion of sin is broken in us and we are strengthen against that which feeds the disease.   By the strips of Jesus we are healed, and by these alone.  When the Son of God came to earth, he surprised a lot of people. His life was marked by humility. He came as a baby, born in a manger. God’s son lying in a cattle stall. Royalty born in poverty. From the time he was born until the day he died, he was always doing things differently than people expected. He refused to follow the script. He was a man on a mission – but the mission was one few could understand.

Jesus, the Warrior, went to battle long before he made his last fateful trip to Jerusalem.  As Jesus moved from town to town ministering to the needs of the people, he seemed from a human standpoint, to be nothing more than a traveling preacher with his followers. But in the spiritual realm, he was a man continuously at war.  Jesus showed with every healing that he had power over every form of sickness and disease. When Jesus came to town, the blind could see, the deaf could hear, the leper was cleansed, and the crippled would leap for joy.  The Warrior would walk right into the enemies’ camp and set captives free! Free from sin. Free from the past. Free to start a new life. “Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more!”

Every sickness. Every sin. Every blow had been for a reason. Every stripe on his back, every drop of blood…there was a purpose for it all. The Wounded Warrior fought off death until he knew the price was paid. When the deed was done, the Bible says Jesus lifted up his eyes toward heaven and with his last ounce of strength and shouted, “It is finished!” And he died.  Three days later He arose from death and now promises us healing because of His suffering.

We need healing from many things and below are some of them. And then we need to do some things after we have been healed.

The Lord Jesus can heal you from a guilty conscience of past failures. Because we are healed from our past, we should not dwell on it.  Our heart is healed from the love of sin and rebellion toward God.  We are new creatures. 

• “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

The Lord Jesus can heal us from the disease of being hurt by Satan and others.  

• “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalms 147:3). “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite heart”. (Psalms 34:18). 

• “Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.” (Psalms 6:2).  "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. (Exodus 14:13).

The Lord Jesus can heal us when we are discouraged and depressed.  

• “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. (Psalms 42:5 NKJV).  “Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.” (Psalms 6:2).  

When you receive your healing there is new ways you should behave.  Get out of the company of others who have the disease you have been healed from. 

• “Blessed is the person who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; (Psalms 1:1)

Use your healing and new strength to help others.

• “Brothers and sisters, if someone  is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2)

Praise the Physician who healed you. 

• “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.” (Hebrews 13:15).

• “I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore, I will call upon Him as long as I live.”     (Psalms 116:1-2)

SPEAKING A BLESSING

SPEAKING A BLESSING

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue..” Proverbs 18:21

A blessing is not a blessing until it is spoken.  Avoiding negative talk is helpful, but it is only part of changing the way we think and speak to God, ourselves, and to others.  The moment you speak something in words, you give birth to it.  If you want to change your life, you start by changing your words.  If there is ever a time you should guard what you say, it is in times of trouble.

Your Words Can Bring Blessings to Others

Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

You can tell people that they are loved and valued by you and by God.  We have the medicine of encouragement.  We have the medicine of hope.  We have the medicine of God’s Word.

It is reported that many physical problems are caused by stress and anxiety.  You and I can bring the peace of God to others simply by saying words of blessing on others.  God told Moses to tell Aaron to speak these words to bless the children of Israel:  “The LORD bless you, and keep you:  The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:  The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26).  There are times when people need to hear from their friends and loved ones that everything is going to be ok and that God loves them and is going to take care of them.

Be a blessing to others by avoiding arguments and disagreements, especially on things that do not matter. There are several books written entitled “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” which is a good principle to live by.   Nine times out of ten, an argument ends with each person becoming more firmly convinced than ever that they are right and ending in hurt feelings on both sides.  No one really “wins” an argument.  Even when you are convinced you are 100% right, you may lose the respect and love of others by not respecting their right to disagree with you.  “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

“Here lies the body of William Jay,

Who died maintaining His right of way.

He was right, dead right, as he sped along,

But he is just as dead as if he were wrong.”

Your Words Can Bring Blessings To Your Heavenly Father

God can read your mind, but He would really like to hear your voice.  “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”   (Hebrews 13:15).  The sacrifice of praise is something you do when you don’t feel like doing it.  If things are not as good as you would like them, then praise God that they are not worse than they could be.  “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. ” Psalms 19:14

You can be a blessing to God by simply loving Him with your words.  Here is an example:

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (Psalms 103:1-5).

Your Words To Yourself Can Bring Blessings To You

That is why we need to be extremely careful about what we think, and especially careful about what we say.  Our words have tremendous power, and whether we want to or not, we will give life to what we are saying, either good or bad.  Words are similar to seeds.  By speaking them aloud, they are planted in our subconscious minds, and they take on a life of their own.  They take root, grow, and produce fruit of the same kind.  If we speak positive words, our lives will move in that direction.  Similarly, negative words will produce poor results.  We can’t expect to speak words of defeat and failure and to live in victory.  We will reap exactly what we sow.

To get through a rough time quicker and with better results, we must learn to speak as positively as possible.  “Whosoever keeps his mouth and his tongue, keeps his soul from  troubles.”  (Proverbs 21:23).  If there is ever a time you must guard what you say, it is in times of trouble.  What you say to yourself and others about your situation will impact how long you stay in that difficultly.  Even when you pray you should speak to God less about how big your problems are, and speak to Him about how big He is.  Remind yourself of His precious Words to you.  “Let not your heart be trouble...” (John 14:1).  “But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for tomorrow: for tomorrow shall take care of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:33-34).

God wants us to use our words to change our negative situations.  Don’t dwell on the problem, talk about the solution.  Jesus clearly tells us to speak to our mountains. “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says” (Mark 11:23).

DETOURS IN LIFE

VIDEO LINKS FOR THIS MESSAGE

SPECIAL MUSIC - HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULTS

DETOURS IN LIFE - PART ONE

DETOURS IN LIFE - PART TWO

DETOURS IN LIFE - PART THREE

DETOURS IN LIFE

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Ex 13:17 “And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:”

The verse above tells us that the Jews were going from point A to point B, but God made them detour and go the long way for their own good.  We are told the reason for their detour. Basically God said, the Jews are not ready for a fight, they would turn back and return to Egypt at the first sign of trouble. So the detour was to save them some trouble, and to keep them on God's path.

A detour is an unexpected event that changes the course of your life.  Some examples include: the loss of a job; a death or illness; an unexpected pregnancy; a job offer; or a best friend moves away.

We don’t like detours or signs that slow us down.  Reduced Speed Ahead; No Right on Red;Yield; No Parking Zone; Dead End; Detour; Red Lights/Stop Signs.

Each one of them, in one way or another, cause us to slow down on our journey. We don't like slowing down. We don't like things that hinder or change our plans to use the most direct route possible.

Detours are put up by the relevant authority because some danger or obstruction is ahead. God gives detours for the very same reasons, but He doesn't usually bother to tell us why.

Detours are a course correction that God uses to keep us on the right path.  Not our path, but the right path.

We want to get from A to B, God wants us to get from here to the crucified life, the life of holiness, the upward call of God in Christ, that is the path that God is concerned with.  Not the path to a physical location, but a path to keep us walking with Him.  We are told to pray, deliver us from temptation, and here we have an example of God doing it.  The detour you may today be fussing about, might just be God's answer to your prayer for Christ likeness!  Eternity will only tell all the messes God kept us from.

Detours send us on an unfamiliar route and require that we trust the sign makers.

When we are traveling away from home and come to a detour, it usually sends in a direction we know nothing about. Detours require us to pay strict attention and keep looking for signs on the way we should go. One of the blessings about detours is that help us to be very diligent about seeking God and His direction for our life.

Detours involve a time delay, and a longer trip.   It is important we don't let impatience move us off the route God has chosen. We need to remind ourselves from the passage in Exodus that the shortest trip, was also the shortest trip to trouble. We don't do delay very well. We prefer to get in the end zone as soon as possible, patience may be a virtue, but we tend to avoid it at all costs.

Sometimes in life the best course is just to slow ourselves down.

Detours involve a longer trip.  You can see a shorter route, just beyond the sign, but are denied access to it. Can you say "frustration!" Have you ever tried to find out if the bridge was really out?

Don't waste your time.  God always has a good reason for detours.  Detours involve routes that seem to go in the wrong direction. Our internal GPS has a hard time dealing with detours. 

Sometimes detours are not from God but are caused by the sins of others, but we have great promises to guide us in those times.  Joseph, Mary and Jesus had to go to Egypt because of the murderous intentions of Herod. Some of Paul’s detours were caused by Satan.  “Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.”  I Thessalonians 2:18.

Finally, sometimes we cause our own detours. “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” I Peter 3:7

Regardless of the reasons of your delays, if you love the Lord Jesus and trust Him in your journey, you will arrive at the right place and at the right time.  “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord, and are called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28

If you can just wait on the Lord a little while longer he will renew your strength. The answer hasn’t arrived yet but he will renew your strength.  “He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles,They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40: 29-31)

ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS

Video Links To This Sermon

ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS - PART ONE

ONE MORE NIIGHT WITH THE FROGS - PART TWO

ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS - PART THREE

ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE FROGS

by Pastor Mark Taylor

EXODUS CHAPTER 8

“And Moses said unto Pharaoh.. When shall I ask God for you, and for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses...And he said Tomorrow” (Exodus 8:9-10)

How many people know in their heart what they should do, and have good intentions but they keep putting it off? One of the greatest challenges we face is procrastination. The interesting thing about procrastination is that it is so easy to justify. We may say:  One day… 

 I’ll get serious about my relationship with God.

 I’m going to forgive that person who hurt me.

 I’m going to get back in shape.

 I’m going to get my finances in order.

 I’ll find a ministry and start serving God.

What is your…

“One day I’ll __________________”? 

“Tomorrow”- Are you serious? When given the opportunity to get rid of millions of nasty, stinky, diseased ridden frogs at any moment,  Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow”.  He could have gotten rid of them at that very moment. When given the opportunity to rid yourselves of all of the nasty, stinky, diseased things within your life; why do you tell God, “Later”?

Procrastination is dangerous because it robs us of that which can never be regained.  An opportunity unused is indeed an opportunity lost. Let us resolve to take advantage of the opportunities presented unto us. “Redeem your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16)

Pharaoh’s procrastination not only affected him, but his family, servants, and the whole nation of Egypt with the exception of where God’s people were living.  When we delay “getting right with God”, it affects everyone that is in our sphere of influence.

It is a bad decision to put off obeying the gospel and spend one more night with the frogs.  It is true that God is very patient.  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  But the day could come when God would give up on you.  “And the Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man...” (Genesis 6:3).

The people of Noah’s time lived lives in which the thoughts of men were continually evil.  God gave them 120 years to turn to Him, and then he sealed the door of the ark and no man could open it.   They had spent one night too many with the frogs and lost the opportunity to have a relationship with God.

It is a bad decision to spend one more night with the frogs because the conscience may become hardened.  “Today, if you will heart His voice, harden not your hearts.” (Hebrews 3:15).  

God does not easily give up on people.  He is a God of mercy and love.  But there are times when people choose to give up on God and reject the Holy Spirit speaking to them.  When their hearts becomes so depraved by repeated rebellion to God that their conscience is no longer open to the word of God, they are risking the salvation and forgiveness He offers.  “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not right.  Became filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy murder, debate, deceit,   malignity (malice, meanness, nastiness, spitefulness), whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable (hardheaded, hard-nosed, headstrong, immovable, obstinate), unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”  (Romans 1:28-32).

It is a bad decision to spend one more night with the frogs because of the uncertainty of death.  “You do not know what shall happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even as a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away...Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.”  (James 4: 14, 17).  What is is that God is telling you today?  God is the Creator of time. God’s great gift to you is #1-Jesus and #2-Time. The Lord has given us time to work, time to play, time to laugh, time to labor, etc... We need to learn to see that every day is a gift from God. Did you know that every morning a gracious God, who loves you, deposits into your bank of time 1,440 minutes?

Identify the priorities of your day.  Motivate yourself to do it now.  Energize yourself with God’s power, not your own.  “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.   Wisdom is the art of spending time wisely. 

What frogs are you letting stay in your life until later? Will you spend one more day or night with the frogs and risk your heart becoming harden?  Recognize that God wants to deliver you today from the sins that are keeping you from another day of peace and happiness that He has to offer you.

“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”        (James 4:17)

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS MESSAGE

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART - PART ONE

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART - PART TWO

GOOD TREASURE OF THE HEART - PART THREE

Good Treasure of The Heart

Sermon by Pastor Mark Taylor

“A good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; and an evil person out the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” (Matthew 12:35)

Our Lord Jesus is giving us a life principle in these scriptures which is recorded also in Luke 6:45.  It is very important for us to guard our minds, our mouths, and our hearts, because what ever goes into our hearts and minds will come out of our mouths and out in our actions.  This applies to our spiritual life, our professional life, and our relationships with others.  This is not just a principle of “positive thinking”, but of “positive living”.  For the purpose of this message this principle is specific to those who love the Lord and are serving Him.  It does apply to everyone in a general sense, Christian and Non-Christian, but the blessings promised are to God’s children.

First, let me say that I do not think everything that bad happens to us is a result of bad thinking or bad living.  There are times when we have unexpected health problems like cancer, diabetes, or heart problems that can be related to heredity or just general environmental reasons.  There are also times when we are Attacked by Satan using others or even nature itself. A storm could come through your area and destroy your home, an accident could occur leaving you disabled, and many other things could happen to you that are not related to bad thinking or bad choices. You and I do not have control over outside forces that act upon our lives.  Paul was often beaten and put into prison just for preaching God's Word and living a Godly life.  This was not the result of bad thinking on Paul's part, but God gave Him the strength to get through those difficult days.

This message is not to bring guilt or condemnation upon you.   The Bible says: "There is therefore now, no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus". (Romans 8:1)

The purpose of this message is to help you change your thinking and living to prevent unnecessary heartache and defeat as you live your daily lives.  One thing we do have control over is our thought live and our responses to others and choices we make.

Good thoughts and actions do not produce bad results.  Bad thoughts and actions do not produce good results.  Nothing can come from a seed that is planted except the fruit it was designed to produce.  If you plant corn, you will get corn.  If you plant weeds, you will get weeds.  People understand this law in the natural world and use it to produce good things they can use and eat.  But few understand this as a spiritual law that works in our lives.

Every thought-seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own results, good or bad.  These seeds will blossom sooner or later into an act.  Your thoughts will bear a fruit of opportunity or a circumstance of failure.  Good thoughts produce good fruit, and bad thoughts produce bad fruit.

A person is literally what they think.  Your character is the complete sum of all your thoughts.  Your mind is like a garden which may be spiritually and intelligently cultivated to bring success and happiness or allowed to run wild and produce failure and unhappiness.  Intellectual and professional achievements are the result of thought dedicated to the search of knowledge and developing skills.  Spiritual achievement is the result of holy aspirations and goals empowered by he Holy Spirit to aid you in self-control, resolution, purity, righteousness, and well-directed thoughts.

Success and happiness do not just randomly happen.  It is something that God wants us to have and He has a plan for us to achieve it.  “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a good future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11).

Your thoughts not only produce the kind of fruit you think, but also the quantity.  “He which sows sparingly, shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”  (2 Corinthians 9:6).  If your thoughts are always negative, you will reap a lot of negative results in your life.  If your thoughts are good, a lot of good things will happen in your life.

Our Lord wants us to be optimistic in difficult times and even be happy when the world around us is not a happy place.  “In this world, you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33).  Optimistic people become successes in school, at work, on the playing field and in relationships.  They are successful because of what they do when they feel they have run up against a brick wall.  What one does is the difference between helplessness and success,  They learn how to keep going and do not quit.  The child of God says and believes: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

The way we think about life can actually diminish or enlarge the control we have over it.  The pessimist can become paralyzed by fear and the very thought “Nothing I do matters”, prevents them from acting.  Pessimistic prophecies are self-fulfilling..  One of the most significant findings in psychology in the last twenty years is that individuals can choose the way they think.  Isn’t it amazing that the Bible told us about this 4000 years ago:  “For as a person thinks in his heart, so is he”  (Proverbs 23:7).

The Lord is saying to us all today, to think about how you treat yourself and in turn others.  “You have planted much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough, you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you put clothes on yourself, but there in no warmth;; and he that earns wages, earns wages to put into bags with holes.  Thus says the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”  (Haggai 1:6-7).  This is what happens to people who live a life of pessimism.  Will you “Consider your ways”?

You may say that you cannot help the way you feel, but you can control what you think.  And when you control what you think and what you say to yourself, your feelings will change. 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).

Think about what you think about!!  Are you constantly thinking that you are a “victim” of life.  “In every things give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18). When bad things happen to you, and they will to all of us, take this attitude and things will change.  “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”  (Romans 8:28).

Every day we have the opportunity to do something good for someone without expecting something in return. Each of us has God-given talents and abilities we can use to make life better for others.  You may feel and say that nothing good ever happens to me.  It may be that you are not planting the right kind of seeds to get the harvest you desire.  Service and love toward others is part of the “good treasure” our Lord was speaking about.  You can’t out give God with your time, money or service to others.  The more you give, the more treasure you will receive in this life time and in Heaven.

EXCUSES

 Excuses  

by  

Pastor Mark Taylor

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”  (Exodus 3:11).

When God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, He called him to the task of leading the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  In response, Moses gave excuses as to why he did not think he was the man for the job.  Today, I would like for us to look at those excuses and God’s response.  Then let us examine what the Lord is asking us to do and apply God’s answers to Moses to our calling.

Moses first excuse was “Who am I?” Though he was once a member of the ruling house of Egypt, he was now a lowly shepherd.  It had been 40 years since he had been in Egypt and now he was 80 years old.  He believed he was insufficient for the task God was asking him to do.  What about you and me?  What has he called you to do?  Maybe it is as simple as going living a Christian life and influencing others to come to the knowledge of the love of Christ.  You may feel that you are too old, too young, or simply not good enough.  It is true that without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and a real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all insufficient in strength and ability.   But God’s answer to Moses was: “And He said, Certainly I will be with you;” (Exodus 3:12).  God has also given us that promise.  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20).  Reach out to others today with the message of the love of Christ and don’t make excuses of what you cannot do.  Instead, make this verse your life motto: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 (Philippians 4:13 ).

Moses second excuse for not going was “What shall I say?” (Exodus 3:13).  We try to excuse ourselves by saying that our knowledge is inadequate.  God told Moses what he needed to say in response to others questions.  God has told us what to say.  “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” (1 John 3:23-24).  Talk about Jesus and His love.

A third excuse was “Then Moses answered and said, "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, 'The LORD has not appeared to you.'" (Exodus 4:1).  The fear of failure often keeps people from trying to follow the Lord.  God gave Moses convincing proofs and He gives us the Word of God to produce faith in us.  “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  (Romans 10:17).  Today we have the evidences concerning the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, and His promises to be with us when we proclaim His Words and His Love.  “"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6).

A fourth excuse Moses gave God:  “Then Moses said to the LORD, "O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." (Exodus 4:10).  God already knows the inability and shortcomings of those He calls.  But our God is a God of miracles and He can give you what you need to get His job done.  “But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible." (Mark 10:27).

Moses’ real excuse:  "Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say." But he said, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send." (Exodus 4:12-13).  He simply did not want to go.  It may be true with us that we would really rather that God would use someone else.  Send someone else to visit the sick.  Send someone else to invite people to church.

Someone else can pray.  Someone else can give their money and time.

With Moses we know that He did answer the call and was successful in delivering the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  What about us?  Will we heed the call to use our gifts and abilities for the service of the Lord?  Moses is with the Lord right now enjoying his salvation and rewards for making the right decision.  It is an honor to be called by God and to serve Him.  If you put aside your excuses you will hear Him say to you: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

VISION + FAITH + ACTION = VICTORY

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS MESSAGE

VICTORY - PART ONE

VICTORY - PART TWO

VICTORY - PART THREE

Vision+Faith+Action=Victory

Joshua 6:1-20

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

 Philippians 4:13

In the life of an individual, a church, a family, or an organization, God has a purpose and plan. But Success does not “just happen”.  There are many places in God’s Word where we are given formulas for success and victory in every area of our lives.  The recorded event of the fall of Jericho is one of those victories that seemed “impossible” until God showed up.  Vision+Faith+Action=Victory.  This is the formula that God has used over and over again with His people.

Jericho was a fortified city. There were two walls that surrounded the entire city, and each wall was posted with armed guards. The outer wall was six feet thick, and the inner was  twelve feet thick. As far as mere man was concerned the walls were impossible to break through. But, with God all things are possible! The walls fell flat before the children of God.

God told Joshua:  “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be confused: for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).  There is probably a great wall separating you from something you want to accomplish in your life.  If it is God’s will for you to succeed in your vision, these words are for you.  The first step is to make sure we have prayed and asked if our vision is God’s vision for us.  Our prayer should be: “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10).  We need to pray as our Lord Jesus prayed:  “...not as I will, but as you will”  (Matthew 26:29).

The children of God, under the leadership of Joshua, are about to enter the land of promise. By faith, they were to cross the swelling Jordan River by following the ark of God as it was carried by the priests. God had already told them that the land was theirs for the taking, and that their possession of the land was limited only by their vision to obtain it.

Jericho was a strong city which had closed its walls and gates to the people of Israel. Jericho must have looked to Joshua like an “impossible” enemy.  God promised, however, “I have given into your hand, Jericho, its king, and the mighty men of valor.” (Vs 2).  When faced with an overwhelming task such as overcoming a city’s walls without firing a single offensive weapon; it is imperative that we trust the one directing us for his knowledge of the victory already won  Getting  the right vision involves prayer, worship, and waiting.  

The orders were, to say the least, unusual.  Walk around the city for six days, blow horns, shout and march all seemed to be militarily crazy. Almost a mockery of traditional military attack plans. But then again, if this were a normal attack then how could God get the glory? The command was to go around the city six times; six being the number of man.  The seventh day was to be the day of victory; seven being the number of God and the number of completion.  

The marching and preparation are symbolic of prayer and meditation before doing as the Lord has directed.  Prayer is our communication/conversation with God. : “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us, and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.”  (I John 5:14-15).   Prayer is communicating to God that we trust him and are truly seeking His will

After we have our vision clear and in line with God’s will, we must have faith.  “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Joshua received a command from God. He was given a vision. He responded in faith.

 “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were walked around for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).   Not by force, firepower, finances, or fighting...but by FAITH.

There is no doubt but that there are walls of obstacles that rise up before us.  It is not up to us to devise the plan of how it will all happen. It is simply up to us to lay hold of God’s vision for His will in our lives….to have faith that God will provide every means to do whatever He leads us to do…and then to respond in faith.  Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.  Faith is the belief in God’s ability to accomplish the impossible. Our Lord said: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26).  A flawed vision is one in which we expect to have everything easy, and fail to realize it takes work to bring the vision to pass, even one given and orchestrated by God.

There is no such thing as a online course for swimming. If you want to swim you must get in the pool. Faith requires getting wet. And God can’t steer a parked car!.  He requires you to start the engine and get behind the wheel.  If you want to see God work in your life, you must take action.  “Faith, if it does not have works, is dead, being alone...” (James 2:17).

Vision+Faith+Action=Victory.  This is the formula that God has used over and over again with His people.

There are many blessings which are ours. There are blessings which God has given us in Christ.  They are there for the taking, but blessings which will only be enjoyed when we begin to wage war and conquer the Jerichos of our life.   The Children of Israel had to conquer Jericho before the land could be possessed and the blessings enjoyed. And we too as Christians have to wage war against and overcome those Jerichos of personal sin which stand in the way of our entering into a fuller and deeper and richer experience of the Blessings of our inheritance in Christ.  The Christian life is a life of conflict with the world, the flesh, and the devil.  We are meant to be waging war against the enemies of our soul.  Sin and unbelief will block our way from going on into the deeper experiences of spiritual blessing.

Let us all get a vision, live by faith, and take action as we walk with the Lord Jesus Christ each day.  We will then rejoice as we enter our promised land called Heaven and hear our Savior’s Words:  “Well done, good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many.  Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21).

BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT

Video Links To This Message

BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART ONE
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART TWO
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART THREE
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT - PART FOUR

“BE ANGRY, AND SIN NOT”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

Sunday Morning - July 29, 2012

“Be angry and sin not...do not give the devil a foothold”

Ephesians 4:26,28

Our God has feelings just like we do.  He is an emotional creator that made us in His image.  He grieves, loves, and rejoices.  There are even things that make Him angry.  “You alone are to be feared.  Who can stand before you when you are angry?”  (Psalm 76:7).  God has anger and since we are created in His image, He has created us with the emotion of anger.  The difference is that God’s anger is justified and is a righteous anger.  He does not just “lose His temper” and lash out against us or the world.  He is angry at sin.  It is His way of telling us something is wrong, and we need to get it right.

Anger is common for all of us.  But it can destroy us and hurt those around us unless it is vented in a positive and Godly way.

It is also true that “God is Love”.  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God, and every one that loves is born of God, and knows God.  He that does not love, does not know God: for God is love.”  (I John 4:7-8).  There is no contradiction in God being love and having anger.  God’s anger is consistent with His goodness and love.  Because God is righteous and holy too, He desires for you and I to live a holy life.  “He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Peter 1:15-16).

When something is wrong with our bodies, the brain sends messages to our body in the form of pain.  When your anger is out of control, you are in pain.  Your uncontrolled temper makes others fear you, and makes you feel guilty and lonely.  Unhealthy anger destroys the ability to enjoy life.  It robs us of peace and causes regret, guilt, same, and fractured relationships.

Our anger comes from many sources.  The chances are that adult children of angry parents will themselves demonstrate anger in hurtful ways.  And even worse, it becomes a cycle in which the next generation of children will have an angry spirit deep within them.  There is no “quick fix” to bring us to the goal where we can “be angry and sin not”.  It is a process with our Lord Jesus helping us each step of the way.

The point of this message is to give us all some strategies to overcome explosive anger that hurts us and others.

The first thing we must all do is to take personal responsibility for our unhealthy anger.  If others have confronted you and told you that you have an anger problem, maybe they are right.   You may have been raised in an abusive environment and no doubt it has had an effect on you.  But now you must say that this is my problem, and I am going to have to deal with it.  There is a song that states:  “it is not my brother, not my sister, not my father, not my mother, but it is me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.”

Secondly, be willing to do something about it.  Life is about choices.  Anger is a learned conscious choice that can become a bad habit.  Habits are formed by repetition over a long period of time.  Anger eruptions are learned habits too.  They have been formed and developed over many years.  

Make a choice to change and with the help of God’s redeeming grace, counseling, study, a support group, or even medical treatment if needed, you can “be angry and sin not”.  Explosive anger didn’t develop over night and it is going to take some time to replace it with better responses.  We either take control of anger or it will take control over us.  Fire under control is useful, but fire out of control destroys everything in its path. “He that is quickly made angry will act foolishly.”  (Proverbs 14:17).

Our Lord certainly controlled His anger when threatened and criticized again and again by the Pharisees.  Our Lord is a model for living.  When He could convince them of their sins, He calmly and assertively told them what He thought about their sinful lives.  When   He could not make them see God’s point of view, He knew when to walk away.  If someone is trying to attack your self-worth or something you dearly believe in, you can state your position in a calm, respectful manner like Jesus did, or simply make a statement that you do not wish to discuss the matter any longer.

Another strategy to help you overcome anger that is hurtful to you and others, is to avoid being around people who are angry people.  “Make no friendship with an angry person;  and do not go with a furious person; because you may learn his ways, and cause pain to your soul.” (Proverbs 22:24).

Probably the best strategy to use in controlling your anger is to replace it with God’s love.  I think this is part of what our Lord meant when He said:  “Bur I say unto you...whosoever shall hit you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:39).  As a child of God and as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, you do not always have to have the “last word”.  You do not always have to get your way.  And you do not have to get even.  All of these things will lead you to sin.  God’s Word also tells us: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21).  When you find yourself becoming angry with someone, try to change the conversation or move the situation in a different direction so the other person is not hurt by your anger.  Avoid talking about subjects that you know will anger the other person and in turn make you angry at their response to you.  Sometimes it is best not to talk about politics, religion, or social issues with people who have opposite views from what you have.

God wants you to be happy and healthy.  Anger can cause you to loose both.  Ask the Holy Spirit today to begin working in your heart to change the way you respond to things that make you angry.  God is full of mercy and we should be also.  “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

(Thanks to Rev. Dan White for allowing me to use many of his thoughts and words in this sermon)

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS VIDEO LINKS

John 10:10 states that Satan's Mission is to destroy the children of God.  Below are the video links to a message I have recently preached and posted on our site.  This message will give you practical ways to ask the Lord Jesus to protect you from these attacks.

"The thief (Satan) comes for no other reason but to steal, kill, and destroy: I am come that you may have life, and that you might have it more abundantly."  ( John 10:10)

SATAN'SWARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS - PART ONE

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS - PART TWO

SATAN'S WARFARE AGAINST CHRISTIANS - PART THREE