Fear of Lack

Fear of Lack 10/14/09 Kay Cardell McCullough

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Fear of running out.

“Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.” 1 Samuel 15:3-9

Saul was a coward Jonathan was courageous.

Jonathan lived his life with a mindset of abundance.

Saul lived his life with a mindset of lack.

Not enough hours in the day.

Money does not grow on trees.

A mindset of scarcity is a fear that there is not enough.


What is it for you that you cannot let go of, do without, run out of?

Monkey with hand in little hole of coconut won’t let go of rice so he gets caught.

You are in prison to that which you cannot risk losing.

If you let go God will give you something better.

1. People's approval

2. Money/things/home/food

3. Affection/love

4. Control/manipulation/no one else can do it better than me

What you have is irrelevant to what you need when you live out of a fear of lack.

The moment that we invite Christ to invade our lives everything becomes ours.


Living out of abundance starts with:

1. Knowing God as our unlimited supply not with mind but with our lifestyle

2. Knowing what He can do through me

“And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6

What happens when you live out of abundance:

1. You will pick risky fights because you have nothing to lose

· “And that first slaughter, which Jonathan and his armourbearer made, was about twenty men, within as it were an half acre of land, which a yoke of oxen might plow. And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling.” 1 Samuel 14:14-15

· You give when you are drowning in debt, and God opens up the blessings.


· Marriage falling apart? Pick a fight for your spouse instead of with them, pray that God blesses them and humbles you. God will restore.


· Praying for a child: pick a fight against your spiritual enemy and one day their ground will shake. Keep praying for them.

2. Will live recklessly selfless lives

· when you know who you are in Christ you do not have to live for yourself. God gets the glory.

· “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:34-36

When your daddy makes the donuts there is always more than enough. money may not grow on trees, but when your daddy makes the trees it doesn't matter.

When your daddy makes forgiveness and love there is plenty forgiveness and love.

It’s not about me but I thought it was.

www.lifechurchtv.com

What would you do for God if you knew you could not fail?

Needing to be in control is not trusting God.

Inspirational 10/02/09 Strength vs. Weakness

Strength vs. Weakness

Author: Unknown

The following is the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training, the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn't I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know,” the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake; He dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and the sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

“Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the sensei answered. “First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

Now our biggest weakness is that we are human but that can be turned into the biggest strength once we let go and let God. God working through us is the greatest thing in our lives.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” -2 Corinthians 12:9

“En Hy het vir my gesê: My genade is vir jou genoeg, want my krag word in swakheid volbring. Baie liewer sal ek dus in my swakhede roem, sodat die krag van Christus in my kan woon.” -2 Corinthians 12:9
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In His Service,
< Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard

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Inspirational 09/16/09 Dust If You Must

Dust If You Must
Author: Unknown

Dust if you must.
But wouldn't it be better
to paint a picture, or write a letter,
bake a cake, or plant a seed.
Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must.
But there is not much time,
with rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear, and books to read,
friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must.
But the world's out there
with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
a flutter of snow, a shower of rain.
This day will not come round again.

Dust if you must.
But bear in mind,
old age will come and it's not kind.
And when you go, and go you must,
you, yourself, will make more dust.

“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” - James 4:14

“julle wat nie eens weet wat môre sal gebeur nie. Want hoedanig is julle lewe? Dit is tog maar 'n damp wat vir 'n kort tydjie verskyn en daarna verdwyn.” - James 4:14
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In His Service, <>< Sherry and Jim Heard
Sherry’s Inspirational list

MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to be the channel, not the source, through which we pray God’s blessings may flow to others. Our ministry is not to provide counseling, advice, or doctrinal interpretation. For this we refer you to local spiritual leaders who may know and deal with your needs more personally. It is our prayer that God may truly bless your day through the inspiration we seek to channel your way. In Him, Sherry and Jim Heard

When forwarding / copying, please include the entire message.

To subscribe please send an email to:
Sherrys_Inspirational-subscribe@googlegroups.com

We invite you to visit our website at: http://groups.google.com/group/Sherrys_Inspirational

09/13/09 Rev. Steven Hedgecoth The Way – The Path

“In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” Proverbs 12:28 KJV

“Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.” Psalm 139:3 KJV

What direction is your life going?

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12 KJV

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25 KJV

If it is repeated that is a flashing neon light. Don’t run this stop sign, you might get hurt! You are going somewhere, there is a way/path. The way that seems right to man. Your path is leading you somewhere. Where is it going? If you are not going forward then you are going backward. Your choices determine your direction. Are you growing or dying? Even if you are going in circles you are going somewhere. Maybe God is trying to show you something. Look around. What are you surrounded by? Death or life? Is death all around you? Are you traveling the path of least resistance? It is the easy path to fall instead of stand, to sin instead of doing right, use drugs instead of staying clean, have affair instead of staying faithful, etc.

Our own wisdom will tell us to do the wrong thing. “I just don’t know what else to do” Beware of this statement!

But its end is the way of death.

When you are walking on a path that just dead ends – TURN AROUND!

No matter how much you have put into that path, it is death, turn around.

“Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:5-6 KJV

Thomas was REAL. He was speaking for WE, not just himself.

If your path always leads to life then you are following Jesus. He doesn’t want to drive for you. He wants you to choose to follow Him. Sometimes Jesus is telling you to make a U turn. Even if you don’t see where to turn around. Turn around. Don’t unplug Jesus (GPS) just follow him. Plug into the Holy Spirit.

“But I don’t know what else to do,” then shut up and turn around. We need to get off the death roads.

09/11/09 Meditation

I have heard it simply defined that prayer is speaking or asking while meditation is listening or waiting.

When was the last time you tried to sit still and quiet your mind to listen to God?

Why is it so difficult for us as humans to be quiet? I mean quieting ourselves outwardly is one thing, turning off the TV, radio, computer, etc., but inside. Wow that is hard! Turning off all the outward things and shutting my own mouth is nothing when compared to shutting off the human mind. Did God make us this way or is it a product of our society and this time? I wonder if the men (and women) of biblical times had this issue?

So perhaps the reason that it is so difficult is because of the rewards. If it were easy then everyone would be doing it and the rewards would not be so valuable to us. The reward is something so great that it requires effort to attain it. So many people want something for nothing today that we forget the benefit of effort. If everything is free then it loses value.

But then there is salvation. Salvation is free, and while the actual value of it has not been diminished many people’s perception of it may have.

Notes from today’s sermon 09.06.09 David Clark

Prayer

We are valuable

Be careful what you put in your heart because it will come out your mouth.

“And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp. And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle. And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:7-14 KJV)

People will see what you do and praise your earthly father, it is the same with your heavenly father.

The number one management principle is that people do what people see. We are all copy cats, think “the wave”.

You are being watched, you are being read.

Prayer is not natural for us, that is why we don’t pray.

1. Regularly – Separate yourself regularly v.7

You can overcome through prayer. Go outside the camp. The deeper relationship is in private. Seek God in every thing. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” (Mark 1:35 KJV) “And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,” (Luke 22:41 KJV) “Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” (Acts 10:20 KJV)

2. Privately – Seek God with all your heart v.7

Seek truth over popularity. Moses sought the Lord. Take time to wait on God (LISTEN). What we look at is what we think about and what we become. When Samuel showed up people paid attention. When he spoke people listened.

3. Sincerely – He was watched by the public v.8

Moses realized that he didn’t have the answers. When God told Moses that he would not go with them Moses said then I will stay here with you. Not ashamed of spouse, don’t be ashamed of God. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.” (Luke 4:18-20 KJV)

4. Powerfully – Listen & Obey God’s voice.

Prayer should be a mighty habit. Let Him talk. He already knows who you are and what you need. Are we going to believe in the world more than the word of God? Learn to listen and obey.

5. Covenant – Enter covenant partnership with God. v.9

Are we faithful? Don’t give up. We will reap in due season. He desires us more than our talents or works. Mary versus Martha.

09/02/09 Rev. Steven Hedgecoth Proverbs

MAKING WISE DECISIONS



We make life and death decisions more often than you may know.



You make life and death decisions with:

1. Money

2. Family

3. Job

4. Weakness



“For at the window of my house I looked forth through my lattice; And I beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, A young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; And he went the way to her house, In the twilight, in the evening of the day, In the middle of the night and in the darkness. And, behold, there met him a woman With the attire of a harlot, and wily of heart. She is clamorous and wilful; Her feet abide not in her house: Now she is in the streets, now in the broad places, And lieth in wait at every corner. So she caught him, and kissed him, And with an impudent face she said unto him:” - Proverbs 7:6-13 ASV



“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” -1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV



Making the right decision is hard, the wrong decision is easy, until you gain experience making the right decision.



Your life is the total of your decisions.



Do you own your decisions? Or do you blame someone else? (IE: it’s not my fault)
Your life right now is a result of your decisions.



What is guiding your decisions?



If we feel lost we will let anything guide us.



“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.” - Proverbs 14:12 ASV



“Hear counsel, and receive instruction, That thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” - Proverbs 19:20 ASV



1. Listen-hear intelligently, not selective, but smart hearing.
Counsel-to hear advice


“Apply thy heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.” -Proverbs 23:12 ASV



2. Accept discipline-choose to take hold of

We want to run away from it

If you want to be wise then learn to listen to counsel and take hold of discipline.

The fruit of wisdom is your decisions.


If you are faced with a life or death decision the first thing you should do is seek God.


“For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding: He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to them that walk in integrity;” -Proverbs 2:6-7 ASV



“Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:” -Proverbs 3:5 ASV



We only trust those that we are in intimate relationships with
I love them that love me; And those that seek me diligently shall find me.
Proverbs 8:17 ASV



If you are praying about something God has already spoken about in the word, He may not answer but instead tell you to search it out.



1. You need a relationship with the word of God. The word should be the FRIST place you go for guidance. Any issue under heaven can be answered in the Word. If you are diligently seeking the Holy Spirit will light on it

“Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him.” -Proverbs 30:5 ASV



When this word is inside of you it is what comes out during difficult moments.



2. We need a relationship with the spirit.

“Turn you at my reproof: Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you; I will make known my words unto you.” -Proverbs 1:23 ASV



“The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Jehovah hath made even both of them.” - Proverbs 20:12 ASV



“That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:” - Proverbs 1:5 ASV



If we are not increasing our learning we are not wise.



God is just waiting for you to ask.



If you want more wisdom then plan to move forward



“Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: Keep her; for she is thy life.” -Proverbs 4:13 ASV



“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.” -Proverbs 12:15 ASV



“Where there is no counsel, purposes are disappointed; But in the multitude of counsellors they are established.” - Proverbs 15:22 ASV



“Where no wise guidance is, the people falleth; But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” -Proverbs 11:14 ASV



“Every purpose is established by counsel; And by wise guidance make thou war.” - Proverbs 20:18 ASV



People not to receive counsel from

1. People who break the rules, who feel like they are above the law. “Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son; But he that is a companion of gluttons shameth his father.” - Proverbs 28:7 ASV

2. Smooth talker “A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.” - Proverbs 29:5 KJV

3. Someone without integrity “Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing.” - Proverbs 29:24 ASV



If you need a counselor first determine why you need counsel, then you can begin to choose.



A lot of times they will confirm what God has already spoken to you. Sometimes it will be something you have never thought of, but it will ring true in your spirit. Sometimes they will speak about the road blocks you keep running over, without you knowing that you are.



Know that they seek after God.



“Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.” - Proverbs 13:20 ASV



We like to mirror others, so when you hang out with wise people you want to be wise.



Life or death decision:

1. Seek God

Look into the word

2. Seek counsel