Don't Walk Away From Your Blessing

Don’t Walk Away From Your Blessing

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.' "Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?" So he turned and went away in a rage.” (2 Kings 5:10-12 NKJV)

God does not always show us how He is going to bless us.  The information given to Naaman about Elisha's power to heal his leprosy was given to him be a little maid that waited on his wife.  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9).  When you are praying for a blessing, do not under estimate the advice or suggestions that is given to you.  God might use something you read or hear that you were not expecting.  You may attend a Sunday evening or Wednesday night service and the Holy Spirit might give you the wisdom you need to receive the blessing you have been praying about.

God does not always use the same method to accomplish His goals and bring blessings to those who ask.  In Naaman’s situation, Elisha did not even go out to meet him but sent his servant to tell him what to do.  This upset Naaman and almost cost him his healing.  This is what he wanted Elisha to do:  “But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, "Indeed, I said to myself, 'He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11).  When you receive Godly counsel, you may be told that you have to stop doing some things you are doing or start doing some things you are not doing to receive God’s blessings.  

Pride will keep you from receiving God’s blessings.  “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18).  “For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:16-17). Proud men are the worst enemies to themselves and keep themselves from receiving the blessings of God.

You are more likely to find God’s blessing when you are in God’s territory and with God’s people.   Jordan belonged to Israel's God, from whom he was to expect the cure, and not from the gods of Damascus or their rivers.  It watered the Lord's land, the holy land, and in it held a miraculous cure. The relation of the river to God was much more considerable than the depth of the channel or the beauty of the stream. That Jordan had more than once before this obeyed the commands of omnipotence.  “I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD." (Psalms 122:1).

After taking the advice of his servants, Naaman yielded to make this exercise not one of faith, but of an experiment. He received his blessing and healing because he obeyed the Word of God.  Elisha told him to wash or dip himself in the Jordan seven times and he did it. “So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” (2 Kings 5:14).  God will always honor His Word.  “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.” (Psalms 119:89-90).  “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” (Psalms 119:160).  “It is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.” (Hebrews 6:18).  

When Naaman received his blessing he gave God glory and praise.  Of the ten lepers that our Saviour cleansed, the only one that returned to give thanks was a Samaritan.  “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (Luke 17:15-17)   This Syrian did so, and here expresses himself.  Convinced of the power of the God of Israel he said: “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, "Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant." (2 Kings 5:15).  Can’t we as God’s children give Him praise and honor when He answers our prayers.  “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalms 107:8).

Don’t get angry at God or His Word when your blessing is delayed or not exactly what you wanted.  If Naaman had not turned back to the man of God and obeyed God’s Word, He would have died a leper instead of a great military leader.  Many people have walked away from God’s blessings when they were so close to getting them.  “Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (Acts 26:28).  Almost is not good enough when you are dealing with God.

LET YOUR WANTS EQUAL YOUR HAVES

Let Your Wants Equal Your Haves

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11)

Did you know you are rich if you decide to be rich?  You can be rich when your “wants” and your “haves” are equal.  If you have a million dollars, but you want two million dollars, you are not rich.  If you want five dollars, and someone gives you ten dollars, you are rich.  If your cup is half full, you are rich.  If your cup is half empty, you feel you are not rich.  That is up to you!!  “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.” (1 Timothy 6:6).

“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalms 37:4).  This verse is not saying that He will give you what you want, but “He shall give you the desires of your heart.”  This is saying He will give you what to want.  If you have everything you want, then you will be content.  But if you want things you cannot have, you will never be content.

So the Lord wants to give you the right “wants”.

We are made to have control over our wants.  We have a free will and we have the ability to choose what to want and what not to want.  I am rich because God has given me my “wants” and I have chosen to be content with them.  Some great principles to keep your “wants” equal to your “haves” is: 

1.  Look at what you have today. Think about others who have less.  Do you have your health, friends, a relationship with the Lord?  Then you are rich.  I have good health, good friends, a great church, a wonderful wife, three healthy children, the Lord in my heart, and enough food to eat today.

2.  Want no more than you have.  That does not mean you don’t plan for the future, it means be satisfied with what you have right now, today.  I have a church with 100 members.  I don’t want a church with 200 members, today.

I wouldn’t be able to minister to that many people right now.  I have a house with 1274 sq ft.  I don’t need a house with 3000 sq ft so why want one.

3.  Look at what you can have some day.  Plan for it, work for it, save for it, and pray for it.  But don’t let your wants for tomorrow make you unhappy today.  Think about why you want it.  Do you really want it or are you trying to impress someone else?  That is the wrong reason and when you do get it, you will not be happy.  There is an old saying: “Be careful what you want, because you might get it”.

4.  Decide to want it when you can have it.  Don’t make something a “want” until you can have it.  When you can have a new car, then “want” it.  When you can have a better job, then “want” it.  If you keep feeling bad about what you don’t have, you will never be happy about what you do have today.

5.  Don’t want it now.  Want it later.  Don’t use up your life to quickly.

Sometimes we give our children and teenagers everything they want, right now.  They don’t have anything to look forward to when they get older. I waited until I was 61 years old to buy myself and my wife a new car that we wanted. We waited to help our children and gave most of our time and money to the ministry, and then the Lord gave us both the “want” and the finances to have what we have today. There are still some things I want to do because I am waiting on the right time and waiting on the Lord to give them to me.

The Lord has always kept me happy and content.  “Rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20).  I keep my wants equal to my haves by thinking about Heaven.  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

(Colossians 3:1-2).  Ask the Lord to give you a heart for Heaven and for people.  Then you can really mean this: ““For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11).

Remember what really matters is people in our lives, and the life to come and how we prepare for it. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:7-9).

WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE?

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMONS TO THE WORLD

WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE - PART ONE

WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE - PART TWO

WHO IS ON THE LORD'S SIDE - PART THREE

“WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE”

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“For it is written:  “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”  (Romans 14:11-12)

I love to preach about the “Love of God” and His Mercy and His Grace.  I really think this is the main theme that you see throughout the Bible.  There is another theme that is sandwiched between these marvelous attributes of God, The Holy Spirit, and our Precious Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ.  That theme is about choosing to serve God or following Satan.

Joshua challenged the children of Israel to make a clear choice of who they were going to serve. “Choose you this day whom you will serve...” (Joshua 24:15)

God’s Word emphasizes His Grace.   “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”  (Ephesians 2:8-10). 

Some have used this verse to develop a false since of security in believing that once they are “saved”, that they can do what ever they want to without consequences. It is my personal opinion that those who have this attitude toward the wonderful gift of Salvation, probably do not know the Lord Jesus as their Savior. They are not on “The Lord’s Side”.  “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:1-3).

When the children of Israel were freed from 400 years of slavery and had the opportunity to start a new life with God’s blessings, many of them chose to rebel against God and Moses.  Moses asked a question that God would like for you to answer:

“Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!” (Exodus 32:26).

Three thousand did not come to Moses, but remained in defiance.  They were all killed that day.  Our Lord has told us:  "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” (Matthew 12:30).  The Christian life is not a game in which you can change sides when you want to.  "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (the world)."  (Matthew 6:24).

When you choose the wrong side you lose God’s blessings, His protection, and the possibility of His gift of Eternal Life.   I know the Grace of God is “Greater than all of our sins”, but I also know that Jesus said: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”  (John 14:21).  If you have no desire to keep His commandments of loving one another, forgiving one another, and living a life that is pleasing to God, then you are probably not on “God’s Side”.  The tree is known by its fruit whether is is good or corrupt. (Matthew 12:33).  Jesus wants you to know whether you are on “The Lord’s Side” or not.  What kind of fruit does your life produce?

Jesus wants you on His side.  “Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37).  "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28). When you choose the Lord’s side, you receive all the benefits of a child of God.  

You not only receive all the blessings that come with obedience, but you receive an inheritance as a child of God.  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). 

When you choose the Lord’s side, you receive the benefit of instant contact with the Creator of the Universe.  “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).

Our Lord also said this to those who were trying to live on both sides of the fence: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21).

“The Holy Spirit, Himself, bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16).  There is in every believer both the testimony of God’s Spirit, and the testimony of the believer that they are a child of God.  The believer can know if He if He is a child of God if He loves God and desires to live a life pleasing to God.  This is an inward proof.  A true lover of God will desire to do His will “on Earth as it is done in Heaven.” (Luke 11:2).  The testimony of the Holy Spirit is an inward impression on the souls of believers where He testifies to their spirit that they are children of God.

My prayer for you is that you will declare as Joshua did when he said:  “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ - PART ONE

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ - PART TWO

The Prayer of Jabez

by Pastor Mark Taylor

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, ‘Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!’ So God granted him what he requested” (1 Chronicles 4:10, NKJV).

Jabez was not remembered for some outstanding achievement, but a prayer.  He did not win a great battle or erect a great building. He simply prayed a prayer.  He is the only person mentioned in the first nine chapters of I Chronicles because of a prayer that  he prayed.

He prayed that God would bless him. He prayed that God would enlarge his territory, or his borders. He prayed that God’s hand would be upon him. He prayed that God would keep him from evil.

We are encouraged over and over again in God’s Word to ask God for blessings. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  Matthew 7:7-8

Jabez prayed for God to bless him. He sought God’s blessing on his life. He was not worried about being selfish, he wanted God’s best and believed that God wanted to give it to him.

God wants to bless you and reward you with prosperity, good health, and happiness.

“Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.”  Psalm 35:27

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

“Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” Psalm 144:15

If you want to have more so that you can give more, then that is an acceptable prayer. If you want to be able to give more to missions or an outreach program so that people will come to know Christ, then by all means pray for material prosperity. 

If you want wisdom so that you can help other people then pray for wisdom, for the Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).  If you want to serve others with more talents and resources, then pray for those things in order that your life may be a blessing. 

Blessing means responsibility. Serving God by serving people takes time. If God gives me more, I have to do more.

“Enlarge my territory” This is taking the limitations off God in your life!

This is saying God, “I am not going to limit You in what you can do through me.” Remember, it is us who limits the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives The word for “enlarge” also means – to bring in abundance, to increase, to bring up, to multiply, to make greater, to extend the dimensions…”  Many people never have a purpose larger than themselves.  Jabez prayed that God would enlarge his borders.  A leader is a servant of other people. Jabez wanted to be used by God more than anything else.  

Do you want to be blessed by God?  Be a blessing Then pray for God to enlarge your life and your sphere of influence. Ask him for something so big that you cannot possibly do it by yourself. Ask him to enlarge your territory. Surely there is more to life than trying to make yourself happy.   God wants you to see beyond the circumstances. He wants to enlarge your life if you will join Hm by praying and believing for His blessing. 

The third thing to consider is: Jabez prayed for God’s hand to be upon him. Jabez knew that what he was praying for was bigger than what he could accomplish himself. He was praying for something so big that only the hand of God on his life could accomplish it.  Begin to pray for the hand of God to be upon your life so that you can accomplish something great for Him. Hopefully, it will be something so great that when it comes to pass, you and everyone else will have to say, “This had to be the hand of God, because there is no way I could have done this by myself!” 

But the final part of Jabez’s prayer is the most important. We need to consider the fourth part of his prayer: Jabez prayed that God would keep him from evil.  He wanted his life to be a blessing. He wanted to be protected from the harm of evil, but he also wanted to be kept from sinning, because he knew that sin causes pain. It brings pain into the world. It brings pain into the life of the one who commits it, and it brings pain into the lives of those whom the sin was committed against. 

Jabez called on the One who could, would and wanted to make the difference in his life. His prayer let loose God’s will, power and blessing in his life. It can do this in your life also.  Are you willing to be like Jabez and do the "extra" to bring about the extraordinary work of God in your life? It all starts with a prayer.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

THE HOLY SPIRIT - PART ONE

THE HOLY SPIRIT - PART TWO

THE HOLY SPIRIT - PART THREE

THE HOLY SPIRIT

by Pastor Mark Taylor

In the Apostles’ Creed we say: “I believe in the Holy Spirit”.  Christians believe in one God. "The Lord our God is One" (Deuteronomy 6:4); we're not "polytheists" - we do not believe in many gods. We do believe that God has chosen to reveal Himself in three different ways – The Father, The Son (The Lord Jesus Christ), and The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit was present at creation with the Father and the Son.  “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (Genesis 1:1-2).  “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness” (Genesis 1:26).  The Bible teaches that we are a trinity of a body, mind, and soul, yet we are one.  Nature illustrates the Trinity in trees: the tree, the fruit, and the seed.  An egg is a shell, white, and yoke.  Water (H₂O) can be liquid, ice, or vapor.  While these can be separated, God the Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are always with each other and are one substance. Yes, it is a hard concept to understand because God is much greater than you or I, and His ability to create Himself in three forms, and remain one is not completely understood by human minds.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8, 9). 

Our Lord and Savior spoke often of the Holy Spirit as a person.  “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "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 28:18-20).

The Holy Spirit, who is the Third member of the Trinity, is a gift to us in this dispensation, the "Church Age." The Holy Spirit's work is to give believers gifts or talents to enable him to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. 

When the Lord Jesus ascended into Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to become present in the lives of every believer.  He teaches and helps us to understand the Word of God.   “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but you know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).  

Our Lord in His physical body could only be present at one place at one time, but through the Holy Spirit He can be every where all the time.  

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7-9). It is the Holy Spirit that brings you to God the Father through His Son, the Lord Jesus. “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Romans 8:8-9).

When you accept the Lord Jesus as your personal Savior, the Holy Spirit comes and lives in you. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:38-39).  “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand…I and My Father are one.” (John 10:28-30).  The Holy Spirit seals that promise. “That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.  In whom you also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:12-14).

God gives us the Spirit so that we can know what the right thing is and how to do it. He could of given us a huge manual to study with the right thing to do in every situation that would ever come up in life. But instead He gives us the Spirit so that we have the answer right then as it comes up.

The second thing that the Spirit does for us is allow us to live as children of God. There is a big difference between being led by the flesh and being led by the Spirit. When we were led by the flesh we were slaves. We were ruled over and had no choice in the matter. But, by the Spirit we are led as children are led.  How do I lead my children? First, I lead them gently. I take them by the hand, or if the way is too difficult I carry them.  Second, I lead my children in the way they need to go. I am not going to take them anywhere that is dangerous or unhealthy. No, I am going to take them to the best places for them.  Third, I lead my children personally.  I set the example for them. We talk along the way. I answer their questions and guide them through it encouraging and instructing.  

Another work of the Spirit is intercession for us, helping us to pray. Almost like a translator allowing us to speak the language of heaven. “Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).  In our spiritual lives there are many times when we do not have any idea what is wrong, all we know is that something is not right. At these times the Spirit that is dwelling in us knows exactly what the problem is and is already taking the issue up with God.

There is much more to the Holy Spirit but this is a great start to understanding God in our hearts, making us truly alive, children of God, intimately linked with the Father, guaranteed of an inheritance and interceded for perfectly because He knows our hearts and knows the will of God. What a blessing to be led by the Spirit!

THE VALLEY OF DECISION

“THE VALLEY OF DECISION” 

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.” (Joel 3:14)

It is natural for everyone, everywhere, during their lives to be in the valleys of hard times in their life.  In other times they may be on the mountain tops of victory, renewal and rest.  Mountains and valleys are connected and it is important to understand how the personal mountains and valleys of life are important to you.  As Christians and children of God, it is His will that we make good decisions in the valleys of life and enjoy more mountain top experiences.

The mountain top experiences are where you appreciate what you have and you reflect on what is important.  It is the place where you have reached a goal and you achieved success.  It is a place we all what to be.  It is a place of contentment and peace.   A mountain is not a place to escape reality, but a healthy place to just relax and rest, pray, reflect, trust, and be thankful for what God has given you.  Our Lord often went to the mountain to spend time with His Heavenly Father.   “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.”   (Matthew 14:23).

Moving from a valley to a mountain requires that you make good decisions and plant good seeds so you will have a good harvest.  When someone gets ready to plant a new crop it is important to remove the weeds and things from the past seasons.   "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26).  The good seeds will not grow if your heart is not right.  Make sure you have a real relationship with the Lord Jesus, and that you are not just playing church.  Ask the Lord to “give you a new heart”.

Nothing is more exciting than leaving the valley and moving to the mountain. But you can’t get to the mountain without leaving some things behind.  You can get out of a valley sooner, when you manage to get outside of yourself.  Bitterness and unforgiveness are to heavy to carry with you on this trip.  When you get to your mountain top you will find love and peace which will replace those things you left behind in the valley.

Whether you are in the valley or on your way to the mountain top, it is important that you follow the Lord’s example of doing good. Don’t stop doing good things just because you are in a valley.  Don’t stop coming to Church.  Don’t stop giving to God’s work.  Don’t stop using your gifts and abilities to serve the Lord Jesus. 

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10).  For every act of kindness and love given, a life of love will be returned.  For each seed of encouragement given to another, encouragement will return.  “Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.” (Ecclesiastes 11:1).  Good decisions and being good to others will get you out of the valley and bring you to the next mountain quicker.

To get to the mountain top more quickly and experience and feel the presence of God, we must put time and effort into walking out of the valley.  We have to spend time reading the Bible and listening to tapes and programs that lift up the Lord.  “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)  

A sensible vision is like looking at a map.  It is a practical way to help you get where you want to go. You need to read, memorize, and pray verses like this one: “Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9:23).  Some people have a “fearful” vision that they see and it keeps them from achieving the things in life they want to accomplish.  You are always creating a vision of your future whether you are aware of it or not.  It is either a fearful vision, or a faith vision.  And it’s just a question of which vision you follow.  A personal mountain is a victory over fear.  Fear blocks you, but the truth helps you succeed.  “I will lift up my eyes to the hills  From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)

Each day is given to us a new opportunity to move out of your valley.  Each day is an opportunity to move forward to a mountain top.  The thoughts, deeds, dreams, and efforts of today will provide tomorrow’s trip out of the valley.  To neglect the opportunity given to us today, will delay our reaching the next mountain top..  There will be no better time to begin than at this current moment.   If you are in the “Valley of Decision”, it is time to make the decision to move forward.

You have to make the right decisions when you are in the valley if you want to get the right results in the future.  Many people are in the “Valley of Decision”.  The problem is that they continue to make the wrong choices, over and over again. Learn from your experiences in your valley as you leave it.  Try not to repeat the things that brought you into this valley. If you are not sure why things are not going right for you, get Godly counsel and listen to preachers and other speakers about finding out God’s way of doing things that will bring you success.  Read books and listen to CD’s from people who have been in the valley and were able to walk out and head to the mountain top.

Today you may be in a “Valley of Decision”.  What you do in your valley of decision is up to you.  The Lord Jesus wants to help you and be your partner, your friend, and your Savior.  Take some time visiting with Him in His Word and in His presence in prayer.  He is waiting for you on the mountain top.

JONAH AND THE WORM

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMONS TO THE WORLD

JONAH AND THE WORM - PART ONE
JONAH AND THE WORM - PART TWO
JONAH AND THE WORM - PART THREE
JONAH AND THE WORM - PART FOUR

“JONAH AND THE WORM” 

By Pastor Mark Taylor

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Jonah is an incredible book about the grace of God to receive back to Himself those who have fallen and then returned to God.  

“Jonah builds himself a little shelter against the sun and the hot wind, and God is gracious to him and he “provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine. 

But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered. When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?"  "I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die." But the Lord said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city.” Jonah 4:1-11

Nineveh prays for deliverance; Jonah hopes for destruction.  Jonah goes outside the city, builds a private retreat and becomes a spectator waiting for God to destroy the city.  When God has mercy, Jonah becomes very angry at God.

God goes to incredible lengths to communicate to Jonah.  God provides an additional shelter to Jonah’s.  It is a kind of vine with broad leaves and it is a comfort for Jonah.

For the first time in this narrative, Jonah is happy. He is absolutely delighted.

He is perfectly happy to be the beneficiary of God’s concern.  It is a wonderful relief!

But just as soon as God provides the vine, he also provides a worm that destroys the plant.  Then the heat of the desert comes, a blasting wind out of the east with severely hot temperatures.  Jonah is scorched and dehydrated.  And once again Jonah is angry…and ready to die.

But God said to Jonah, “Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?” “I do,” he said. “I am angry enough to die.” But the LORD said, “You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.”

This is Jonah’s problem, for he is not seeing the world as God sees it.  And Jonah is not seeing himself as God sees him.  Feelings become more important than faith. Jonah got his feelings hurt.  Feelings can control you and defeat you.

Jonah values a plant, but does not care about a whole nation. He is angry about the death of a plant over which he never had any control. He is absorbed in a self-centered pettiness while watching a lost nation on a one way track to destruction.

As far as he was concerned, mercy was all right for him to receive, but not for that city.

So while God was into reconciliation, Jonah was into retaliation.

Maybe God has not answered all your prayers like you have wanted, and you have become angry at Him.  Maybe you were comfortable in your life and a worm came and destroyed the thing or things that were making you comfortable.  Possibly God has blessed someone that you do not feel deserved His blessings.  

“God is loving and compassionate to all of us: It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.”  Lamentations 3:22.  But sometimes God has to send a worm to eat our shade tree to show us that we are wrong in our thinking and in our life decisions.

“The Lord is merciful and gracious,  Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.” Psalm 103:8

Some important lessons God is trying to show us in this Chapter of God’s Word are:

GOD’S LOVE IS FOR ALL PEOPLE.

GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES, EVEN WHEN I AM ANGRY WITH HIM.

GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I DISAGREE WITH HIM.

GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I AM SELFISH.

GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I STOP COMMUNICATING WITH HIM.

GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I AM CONSTANTLY “UP-AND-DOWN” IN MY LIFE.

GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES EVEN WHEN I AM DEFENSIVE AND REFUSE TO CHANGE.

GOD’S LOVES ME EVEN WHEN I SELFISHLY CHOOSE NOT TO LOVE OTHERS WITH THE SAME LOVE GOD LOVES ME.

Try to see God from His viewpoint and understand that worms that destroy things in our lives should drive us toward God and not away from His loving care.  We don’t know what happened to Jonah or if he ever got over his anger.  But we do have an opportunity each day to ask for God’s forgiveness and allow Him to create new vines for us to rest beneath.

DOING GODD

VIDEO LINKS TO THIS SERMON

DOING GOOD - PART ONE

DOING GOOD - PART TWO

DOING GOOD - PART THREE

(Two children helping an elderly man)

(A man giving his shoes to a homeless girl)

“Doing Good”

by Pastor Mark Taylor

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  (Galatians 6:9-10).

Whenever we are tempted to do less than our best, or perhaps to quit completely, we ought to remember this verse and the truths that it contains. Whenever we find ourselves getting tired of or burned out from or losing enthusiasm for the Lord's work we need to remember the words of our text. this is excellent advice for anybody who is seeking to serve the Lord and accomplish His work. In the Lord's service, it is always too soon to quit. In the Lord's service, it is never time to slacken our efforts. In the Lord's service, we never come to the point of giving up.

As Christians, what is our calling? It is "doing good." Each one of us is called to do good. That is what Christian life and service are all about. We Christians are not only believers; we also are behavers. As James puts it: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22).  We are not only called to faith but we are also called to do the will of God and the work of God.  It is clear from the Bible that God expects all of His people to be involved in doing good, not just being good.

We are to do good to all people. But it starts off with fellow Christians. It makes no sense to do good in the world if we don't first do good to those in the household of faith. It makes no sense to help out our unbelieving neighbor if we ignore our own family.  “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, "but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8).

When we do good, we are simply following the example of Christ. Paul tells us in another place to adopt the mind of Christ, to imitate His example.  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). He healed the disabled – the lame, the deaf, the blind. He embraced outcasts – lepers, prostitutes, tax-collectors. He made time for widows, orphans, and children. He took the side of the poor, the little guy, and the underdog against those who were rich, powerful, and influential. He fed the hungry. He befriended the lonely. He went out of His way to minister to the sick. He not only had compassion on the crowds but He also taught them.  "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” (Acts 10:38) . Every time we do good, we who are Christians are simply following in the steps of the Master.

Paul speaks to us not only about our calling to do good, but also about a danger. He speaks about the danger of growing "weary in doing good." It has often been said that though we get weary in the Lord's work, we must never get weary of the Lord's work. For when that happens we cease to be God's joyful servants. We then begrudge doing good. And, instead of helping people we end up hurting them and making them miserable.  Sometimes Christians develop a weariness of the mind and heart, a loss of excitement and challenge; they become tired of doing the same old thing. It produces a ministry that is dull, lifeless, routine, and ineffective. Before long, we start to get critical and resentful.

Sometimes Christians are tempted to quit doing good because it seems to do no good. No matter how many times you help someone, it never seems to be enough, it seems they always need more.

Sometimes Christians get turned off with doing good because those they are helping are taking advantage of them or are being lazy or are spending money foolishly. Or, those they help whine and complain instead of being grateful and thankful.

Sometimes Christians think they don't have the time. It takes away from my work. It takes away from my leisure. It takes away from my family.

Regardless of the situation or the circumstances, Paul's advice to us is this: "Let us not become weary in doing good." Keep on helping, keep on ministering, keep on serving, keep on doing the Lord's work. 

"Let us not become weary in doing good." Look at doing good as a privilege. If you keep reminding yourself that it is a privilege to serve the Lord, you are not likely to become weary in doing good. Say to yourself, "God has chosen me to be His servant." And be amazed at the wonder of this.

The last thing Paul speaks of is a promise. "Let us not become weary in doing good," says Paul, "for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

The image here is of a farm. If there is one worker who knows what it means to stay on the job, it is the farmer. He must prepare the soil, sow the seed, pull the weeds, and water the plants. He can never afford to give up or quit. Regardless of the long hours, the heat of the sun, or the cold of the rain, he must keep on working. And in spite of all this he has no guarantee of reaping a harvest.

The farmer has no guarantee of the harvest, but the Christian worker does have a guarantee. God promises a harvest to those who not give up on doing good. God promises a harvest to those who do not become weary in doing good.

YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE

                                                     

                         

“YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE” 

By Pastor Mark Taylor

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." – Matthew 10:29-31

You are more valuable than you think you are.  You are more valuable than others think you are.  You are of great value to the God that created you and to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave His live for you.

In our technological world we are seeing the de-personalization of our lives. As we go through the day, we feel like a number instead of a person. A statistic instead of a human being. 

Did you ever notice how important individuals are in the Bible? Individual men and women, with names, and families, and histories, and personalities, and strengths and weaknesses?

He called one man, Abraham. And then again, when God brought his people out of slavery in Egypt, He called one man to lead them, Moses. Finally, when the second Person of the Trinity, God the Son, entered into humanity in order to become our Savior and Redeemer, He did it as a man; Jesus the son.

Our Lord Jesus ministered to individuals. Yes, He taught the multitudes. Yes, He fed the five thousand. But when He healed people, it wasn’t in great masses. If He wanted to, He could have waved his arms and cured hundreds at a stroke. But instead, He placed His hands on them, one at a time, and He healed them, one at a time. In the gospels, we see Christ constantly interacting with individuals – the woman caught in adultery, the rich young ruler, the woman at the well, a demon-possessed man, a paralytic, a blind man, a centurion, a tax collector. When Jesus saw five thousand people, He didn’t just see a crowd. He saw five thousand individuals, with names and histories and futures. In the same way, when Christ looks at you and me, that’s what He sees – not anonymous faces in the crowd, but his precious, beloved children, whom He knows intimately and cares for deeply. 

God’s plan for each of us is unique.  He loves variety and diversity. God is working in your life differently than He is in mine or in someone else’s, it doesn’t mean that He loves you more or less. His plan for you isn’t better or worse than His plan for someone else, it’s just different. 

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." – Romans 12:4-6

When you or I go to God in prayer, He doesn’t say to Himself, "Oh, someone is praying." He doesn’t even say, "one of my children is praying." He says, "______ is praying.” (Put your name in the blank)

God’s personal love serves as a model for us to emulate in our love for one another.  We all have our own faith journey to follow, and someone else’s may not look like yours. That’s OK. Let God deal with them as He sees fit.

The fact is that God knows and loves us by name, personally and intimately – that fact should motivate us to seek after Him, so that we might know and love Him in the same way. Just as we shouldn’t be satisfied with a superficial relationship to one another, we shouldn’t be satisfied to have a superficial relationship with our God. Christ, through His death, has removed every barrier, has removed every obstacle, has made it possible for us to truly know God. Not only that, but He invites us to do so, and desires that we do so.

God says, ‘Don’t be afraid’ every time you are afraid.” When you are knocked to your face in fear Jesus reaches down and touches you and says, “Don’t be afraid, it’s going to okay.”

You are loved by God and that is something you need to remind yourself of every day.  You should love yourselves, because God loves you.  You will be able to stand before God one day and understand His love for you.  Understand that you are chosen by God to be one of His children, and He feels you are worthy and valuable.  Learn to love yourself with your words, your smile, your actions.  The more you love and accept yourself as God has made you, the more others will accept you.  “I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:14).

Our Lord said to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).  Since Jesus said that we are to “love your neighbor as yourself”, then we can imply that He wants us to love ourselves. God has accepted you just as you are, with all of your hang-ups and problems.   “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).  Yes, He wants you to become better, but He died for those who had problems.

You are more valuable than the mountains, flowers, birds, and planets, that God created.  Use your life to be a blessing to others and to show your love to the God who thinks you are more valuable than any other thing in His creation.   Memorize and say this verse to yourself every day.  “I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14).