Harvest Sunday Message

Personal Prosperity - The Key

2012-01-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

SEEK GOD IN YOUR LIVING

Matthew 6:33 says “Seek First the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”

'Seek' means 'to aim for OR to strive after'

'First' means 'to be given priority over other things in regard to order'

ILLUSTRATION video: Kurt Warner -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-N1YQM7ssP0

We want to make our primary goal to have God rule in our life and to live right!

Acts 20:7 says that the Early Church met together on the First day of the Week to hear God’s Word being preached.

“Church on the first day of every week sets you up for success the rest of the week!”

SEEK GOD IN YOUR GIVING

“Honour God with everything you own, give him the first and the best” ~Proverbs 3:9

“The proof of generosity is that when you give, you always give your best!”

ILLUSTRATION Video: Answering another guy’s phone -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT7NgewVV2Q

“Put God first, be patient in the process and God will look after you.”

...take some of the firstfruits of all that you produce from the soil of the land the LORD your God is giving you and put them in a basket. Then go to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name [the temple] ~ Deuteronomy 26:2

'First Fruits' simply means 'the first and best part'

There were 2 MAIN PURPOSES for this Offering:

To THANK God for what He’s done.

So the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey; and now I bring the firstfruits of the soil that you, O LORD, have given me. Place the basket before the LORD. ~Deuteronomy 26:8-10

We’ve got to give God thanks for where He’s brought us from and where he’s taking us to.

‘Brought out’ means ‘to move forward to something’

To TRUST God for what’s to come.

When we choose to put him first we can trust that He will look after us the whole year through!

CHALLENGE: When you give to God first, he takes care of the rest. Putting God in first priority in every part of our life brings his favour and his help. Take the challenge to make getting to church EVERY week a priority. This puts God first and it will empower you. Choose to give God the first tenth (tithe) of every cheque that comes to you and watch him look after your needs AND even go above and beyond.

Personal Prosperity - Future

2012-01-22T14:02:00.000-05:00

"A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous." ~Proverbs 13:22

Inheritance means 'quality, characteristic or possession received from a preceding generation.'

"I want my inheritance for my children to be more than cash but character as well."

WEALTH is ONLY about the Money You have...

-When you have WEALTH you have made a good LIVING

PROSPERITY is about every part of your life whole and happy...

-When you have PROSPERITY you have made a good LIFE!

You can be Rich and not be Prosperous AND You can be Prosperous and not be Rich!

LEAVE A LEGACY OF PROSPERITY in 2 WAYS:

A Legacy of Faith

Where we Place God in our Lives

"O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do. O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me."

~Psalm 71:17-18

HOW do we leave a legacy of faith:

Make going to church every week a priority
~Luke 14:6
Take time to pray every day
Read the Bible and follow what it says
When trouble comes our way – FIRST choose to pray

"A good name (literally "character") is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold."~Proverbs 22:1

"The Character comes before the cash!"

There is a difference between Character & Reputation:

Reputation is what you are considered to be;
Character is who you really are.
Reputation is what you have when you come to a new community;
Character is what you have when you go away.
Reputation is made in a moment; Character is built in a lifetime.
Reputation grows like a mushroom(quickly);
Character grows like an oak (over time)
Reputation is learned in an hour; Character is does not come to light for a year.
A single newspaper report can give you a reputation; a life of hard work gives you your
character.
Reputation makes you rich or makes you poor;
Character makes you happy or makes you miserable.
Reputation is what men say about you on your tombstone;
Character is what angels say about you before the throne of God.
Your reputation is what men think you are. Your
character is what God knows you to be. ~William
Hershey Davis

Your Character will impact generations to come!

A Legacy of Finances

"Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it." ~Proverbs 21:20

Remains means 'being left, or stays behind.'

VIDEO: George Jefferson does it right... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCKP5HcX2I4

Dangers of NOT Preparing a Will and Power of Attorney

WITHOUT A WILL...

ASSETS ARE FROZEN:
FUNERAL OR BURIAL PAYMENTS can be delayed
MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED– according to a preset formula determined by the province you live in.
CHILDREN’S GUARDIANSHIP – is determined by the courts (NOT the family)
COSTS will SKYROCKET. – meaning your family will get less and the government will get more!

"A prudent [wise] person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions." ~Proverbs 22:3

Where there’s a WILL - there’s a WAY for you to have your say!
Where there’s a WILL there’s a WAY – to honour God by giving to him.

“Honour the Lord with your wealth...” ~Proverbs 3:9

Where there’s a WILL there’s a WAY – to care for our family and friends.

You need to establish a GUARDIAN for your kids

Someone who is Godly
Someone who will keep them in church
Someone who will have the same standards that you have

5 Important DON’Ts when it comes to WILLS

Don’t put it off!
Don’t Do it Yourself!
Don’t ONLY have a WILL – you need a Power of Attorney!
(A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the power to make decisions for you in the event that you can’t make decisions for yourself.)
Don’t Put it AWAY and FORGET about it!
Don’t put it in a PLACE that NOBODY KNOWS ABOUT!

Personal Prosperity - Present

2012-01-15T15:00:00.000-05:00

Many people think that money is for spending... but the truth is, Money is for MANAGING.

In today's message, Pastors Kevin & Pam Begley discuss PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES FOR MANAGING MONEY!

Handle With Care!

Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds. ~Proverbs 27:23

KNOW means 'to be fully acquainted with.'

Know (be fully acquainted with) the state of your accounts, and put your heart into carefully watching the money you manage.

Have a look at the following video entitled "Hands In My Pocket":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iVCfYQPUUI

When we use other people's money, their hands are always in our pockets!

How Can We Know Where Our Money Goes?

PLAN out your spending. Plans are essential for success!

"Good planning and hard work leads to prosperity" ~Proverbs 21:5

To fail to plan is a Plan to Fail!

Our Plan NEEDS to Include: Handling our Finances God's Way!

GIVING
GETTING out of DEBT
SAVING
LIVING

Determine to STICK to the plan.

great way to do this is to have someone to be accountable to:
a friend, your spouse

Have Money to Spare

"Every prudent man acts out of knowledge." ~Proverbs 13:16a

Prudent means 'one who uses good sense.'

Statistics Canada reports that the average Canadian household spends $241 per person onon food each month.

SHOPPING EXPERIMENT:

We reviewed grocery flyers from the weekly newspaper to look for items that would be on a typical weekly grocery list. With the majority of grocery stores now being willing to price-match, we were able to go to a single grocery store and buy all the groceries needed - for a significantly reduced cost. Then, we compared the price we paid for each item to the exact same products at a grocer located much closer to us - which also offered 'Air Miles'.

RESULT:
Using sale flyers and going to a Price Match Store
Total Cost WITH Price Matching Sale was: $97.53 + tax.

The exact same items at Regular Price, from a different store who doesn't Price Match
Total Cost WITHOUT Price Match sale was: $255.32 + tax

TOTAL SAVINGS: 62% less by Price Matching with the sales flyers

Avoid the Snare

The trap is DISCONTENTMENT. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." ~1 Timothy 6:6

How to Attain Great Gain:

Great Gain is "an unusually BETTER acquisition." We Attain Great Gain Through:

Godliness means 'Faithfully following God'
Contentment means 'Fully satisfied'

Personal Prosperity - Past

2012-01-09T15:17:00.000-05:00

Canadian Debt Statistics:

The Average Canadian has 3.4 CREDIT CARDS
HOUSEHOLD DEBT in Canada is over $1.3 trillion
Canadians CHARGED $267 billion on credit cards last year
Average INTEREST RATE for credit card is 19%
That Means - Canadians are paying $920 in interest
EVERY month
(not including interest on their mortgage)

WHY SHOULD I BE DEBT FREE?

DEBT HOLDS US BACK FROM OUR FUTURE:

The Bible says "The rich rules over the poor and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave" ~Proverbs 22:7

SLAVE means 'a person being legally owned by another, having no freedom'

DEBT IS A SHACKLE! IT KEEPS US PAYING FOR OUR PAST: BUT HINDERS OUR FUTURE

Video: Interest Payments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz05A6cP6Iw

It’s time to determine "WE WON’T LET DEBT HOLD US BACK OR KEEP US IN LACK!"

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT DEBT?

"Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law." ~Romans 13:8

DEBTS are something you are obligated OR bound to pay OR committed to pay

PAY means 'to satisfy in full'

GET OUT and STAY OUT of debt

Decide to Give to God First

Malachi 3:10 tells us "Bring the WHOLE TITHE (10% of what comes into our hands) into the store house that there would be meat in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

Determine No New Debt

"The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, you will only be above and not beneath" ~Deuteronomy 28:13

Important KEY: LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS!

Develop a Plan

"The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." ~Proverbs 21:5

YOUR PLAN:

Know what you Owe
Pay a little every day

The Bible describes being DEBT FREE as a BLESSING:

"You will receive this blessing if you carefully obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today. The LORD your God will bless you as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow!"
~Deuteronomy 15:4-6

Why Jesus Is The Greatest Gift Ever! (PT 4)

2011-12-11T11:35:00.001-05:00

GOD'S INTERRUPTION OF OUR DESTRUCTION

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by
nature objects of wrath." ~Eph 2:1-3

"BUT… because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions, (disobedient behavior or sin) -it is by grace you have been saved." ~Eph 2:4-5

AMAZING Grace – so incredible you cannot fathom it

GRACE means 'God’s unearned or undeserved kindness and favour'

WE deserved to PAY but JESUS made a WAY!

SAVED means 'rescued from the penalty of judgment owed'

The Law of Double Jeopardy:

you cannot convict or punish

for the same crime twice.

He became sin – that we might become righteous
He was cursed – that we might be blessed
He became poor on the cross – that we might become rich
He wore the crown of thorns – that you might wear the crown of peace

Condemnation points to our PAST – we can’t do anything about it

GRACE has provided for our PRESENT AND our FUTURE – we were bound up, messed up BUT GRACE SET US FREE!

"My life is no longer a disgrace -
because Jesus has given me grace!"

ABUNDANT Grace - so immense you cannot comprehend it

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." ~John 1:16

God doesn't want to give you just one gift - God's grace is so good that he is piling up his gifts for you!

Grace also means 'His power to help us live an abundant life and accomplish what we could NEVER do on our own'

ABOUNDING Grace – so immeasurable that you cannot contain it

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need." ~2 Cor 9:8

ABOUND means 'to overflow in a continual stream'

His grace isn't bound (restricted) - but it is 'abounding'!

There is NOTHING I can't FACE because of HIS GRACE!

There are Seasons when we know the MIRACLE God
There are Seasons when we know the SUSTAINING God

Why Jesus Is The Greatest Gift Ever! (PT 3)

2011-12-04T11:17:00.001-05:00

LIVING HOPEFUL in TOUGH TIMES

“…And his name will be the Hope of All the World.” ~Matt 12:21

WHAT IS HOPE?

HOPE means 'a confident expectation that rests on the Promises of God.'

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! ~Psalm 43:5 NLT

And His name will be… 'a confident expectation that rests on the promises that God has made to every one of us.

WE ALL NEED HOPE!

To Hope is to carry on; to push through.

WITH JESUS we are ‘HOPE-FULL’ – We are full of hope!

**We can COPE with EVERYTHING in LIFE when we put HOPE in CHRIST!

HOW DO WE GET HOPE?

BELIEVE that Jesus has Great things for you
PRAY and ask Jesus to help you through
EXPECT that Jesus will fulfill His great promises for you

CHALLENGE: Hope… that’s what we all need; it’s what we all want. If we could have access to hope 24/7, it would be a much better world. Hope… that’s what Jesus came to give everyone, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, culture or religion. We do not have to live for one minute without this hope. Jesus is our hope and we do have full access to Him every moment of every day! In Romans 15:13 we read, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Stop right now and ask Jesus to be your hope. In the midst of what you are going through, reach out to Jesus… He is reaching out to you with hope today!

Why Jesus Is The Greatest Gift Ever! (PT 2)

2011-11-27T20:07:00.000-05:00

WHO'S BACKING YOUR PROMISE?

Jesus answered, "I am the Way and THE TRUTH and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." ~John 14:6

Last week we learned about Jesus as 'The Life'. This week, we get an understanding of Jesus as 'The Truth'. We have unfortunately let society give us a counterfeit definition of 'truth'. We have allowed ourselves to think that we are defined by our clothes, our vehicle, our house or even our circumstances.

Sometimes we make choices with counterfeit information we believe to be truth. We can also make choices based on information we get from others, only to discover it wasn't the truth. The thing about counterfeit is that it is a way of robbing the recipient. It's such a subtle form of robbery, it's not a burglary in broad daylight. Nor is it a pickpocket where you find out after the fact once you start looking for what was taken. Counterfeit actually requires someone else pointing out to you that you've been taken. In good faith you think what you have is real and then someone points out its fake, it's not the real thing.

When this happens, we can become frustrated:

It isn't what we thought it was
It's face value ends up not being what we thought
We didn't know how to identify something as being counterfeit and we got stuck with it

He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ~John 8:44

A LIE:

Perverts the truth
Tells people what they want to hear
Mixes enough truth to make a lie appear realistic

How Do We Identify The Truth?
We need a 'benchmark' or a standard. If we spend time studying a counterfeit, another counterfeit could come by and we could be fooled by it, because we don't have a benchmark - the real thing. When we spend time with the authentic, we have a standard (the truth) that we can compare anything with, to see if it matches up. This way, any counterfeit will be quickly exposed. However, learning how to identify the truth isn't instant. It takes time to be trained to be able to know the authentic from a counterfeit. The more time you spend with the authentic (the truth), the easier it will become to identify the various counterfeits that may come your way.

Jesus Is The Real Deal... Jesus Is The 'Truth'!
The good news is that we have received the greatest gift ever. We have received the gift of Jesus Christ. Jesus came that even in the midst of all of the counterfeits, we might be able to know the truth. Jesus is not in agreement with the standard... Jesus is the standard. He doesn't rely on the original... He is the original.

What Is Truth?
TRUTH is defined as 'constancy, agreement with a standard or original, accurate-without fault, truth is opposed to falsehood.'

There are many facts out there that over time are proven incorrect. Facts are not constant. They are subject to change. However, the Truth never changes. For example, gravity has always been and will always be gravity. It will always work the same way... something falling at a constant 9.8 metres per second, squared.

How Is JESUS The TRUTH?

Jesus is CONSTANT ~Rev. 22:13

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. ~Hebrews 13:8

Sin is a debt and it will come due. What will you pay for that debt with? Christ came to pay our bill for us. We are free from the debt of sin by Christ's finished work on the cross. You can trust that Jesus paid your debts because He is constant, always backing His promises!

The value of the dollar goes up and down; it's not constant. It fluctuates because those who trade currency change their belief in the ability of a government to back their currency with their federal reserve.
A dollar is a 'promissory note' that is backed by a promise made by the government that they will have the money to guarantee that dollar.
Jesus has the capacity to back His promises... without fluctuation. He owns it all! You can be assured. He has always kept and will always keep his promises!

Jesus is in in AGREEMENT with God the Father ~John 15:15

Jesus understood His source, God the Father.
Jesus' purpose came from the Father, Jesus life on earth worked towards the purpose of the Father.
Jesus came to unite the world to their creator. Everything He did was in agreement to that.
Jesus is truthful but more than that He IS THE TRUTH. He IS THE TRUTH because of what He accomplished here on earth.

Jesus is WITHOUT FAULT ~Hebrews 10:14

In order to have relationship with God, people in the Old Testament days had to make continual sacrifices because there was nothing that could be given to a perfect God that could take care of our sin issue.
That was before Jesus; He came and once and for all paid the price as the perfect sacrifice.
Jesus OPPOSES Lies - Satan is the father of all lies - no lie comes from the truth.

Knowing THE TRUTH will SET YOU FREE.

"Then you will know THE TRUTH, and THE TRUTH will SET YOU FREE." ~John 8:32

We have been incarcerated by counterfeit. We're trapped by it, shackled and imprisoned by the lies of that thief that Pastor Kevin talked about last week. The awesome thing is that we don't have to be!

We don't have to be Trapped
We don't have to be Shackled
We don't have to be Imprisoned

You Can Be Free!
And not free for a moment. It's not a parole or time off for good behaviour. It is complete Freedom given freely when you know THE TRUTH because... "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" ~John 8:36

NOT COUNTERFEIT FREEDOM - BUT TRUE FREEDOM
NOT COUNTERFEIT HEALING - BUT TRUE HEAING
NOT COUNTERFEIT WHOLENESS - BUT TRUE WHOLENESS
NOT COUNTERFEIT LIFE - BUT LIFE TO THE FULLEST

The whole purpose of a counterfeit is to rob you. You in good faith thought you had the real thing, but you were being robbed. When you get to know the Truth, you don't have to settle for counterfeit any longer.

CHALLENGE: Down through the ages many people have been askingthe same question Herod asked Jesus in John 18:38: “What is truth?” In today’s message, Pastor Austin answersthis ever-popular question by breaking down ‘The Truth’ from the New Testamentscriptures. We quickly discover that inorder to know truth, we need a benchmark or standard. Jesus is the standard of ‘Truth’ because Jesusis the Truth. We must compare anythingproclaiming to be truth with The Truth, the Living Word of God, our standard. When you have a relationship with Jesus, you have The Truth living inside of you. You have access to and can draw on this giftof Truth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Why Jesus Is The Greatest Gift Ever! (PT 1)

2011-11-20T09:04:00.000-05:00

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…

'Thief' means 'burglar or pick-pocket, kleptomaniac'

He wants to depleat you so he can defeat you! He wants you to feel hopeless and helpless. But it's time for the thief to stop givin' you grief! He's been exposed and it's time for the thief to re-pay seven-fold!

So what's the point of Christmas?

Isn't it like every other holiday?
Isn't it just about gifts?

Jesus Christ has come to give LIFE!

The enemy wants to destroy you but Jesus wants to deploy you! No more strife - Jesus came to give you life! And 'Life' means 'absolute fullness, complete joy, strength and satisfaction'

The natural present will wear out but Jesus' gift of love will never wear out! He wants to bring you a life that is absolutely FULL!

COMPLETE JOY - “…in your presence there is fullness of joy…” ~Psalm 16:11

'Fullness of Joy' means 'completely satisfied in God'

STRENGTH – "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" ~Phil 4:13

He will give you the strength you need to succeed!

SATISFACTION - "With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation" ~Psalm 91:16

'To the Full' means 'not just to the top, but overflowing, superfluous, having a surplus'

GOD DOESN’T WANT YOU TO RUN DRY –

HE WANTS TO GIVE YOU A CONTINUAL SUPPLY

CHALLENGE: The Christmas season is quickly approaching and with it, the annual and very predictable shopping trips to buy gifts for those we care about. In today’s message, Pastor Kevin points us back to the Greatest Gift ever given. Jesus truly is the reason… not just for the season, but also for our ability to have eternal life, life more abundantly. His is truly the gift that keeps on giving! Giving JOY; Giving STRENGTH; Giving SATISFACTION. Jesus is the gift of LIFE! Christmas is the most opportune time to give this gift of Life to everyone you know. If you don’t have this Gift of Life, today you can have Him. Just let Jesus know you’d like to receive His Gift and you will have it. If you already have this great Gift of Life, remember to share it; to pass it on to those around you. Jesus is the only gift you can actually ‘re-gift’ and still get to keep for yourself!

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 8)

2011-11-15T18:33:00.001-05:00

The New Testament Gives Us Some Very Important Principles About Money:

Our Faith and our Finances are Connected

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Giving Faithfully Transfers our Trust from Wealth to God

Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."

Wealth means abundance of riches and possessions
Poverty means lack or insufficiency

A Change of Money Attitude Reflects a Change of Heart
Attitude

Luke 19:1-10 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' " But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."

Acts 4: 32-35 - All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Tithing is the starting block on the Journey of Generous Giving

The tithe is a way to get us started on the path of Christian giving It is not the finish line of giving, but only the starting blocks.

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 7)

2011-11-06T11:01:00.000-05:00

Tithing is a powerful principle found in the Bible from Beginning to
End:

Abraham COMMENCED it ~Gen. 14:18-20
Jacob CONTINUED it ~Gen. 28:20-22
Moses CONFIRMED it ~Lev. 27:30
Malachi COMMANDED it ~Mal. 3:8-10
Jesus COMMENDED it ~Matt. 23:23
God COMMISSIONED it ~1 Cor. 9:13-14
Paul CONFIRMED it ~1 Cor. 16:2

THE TESTIMONY OF THE TITHER

Tithing makes your Money HOLY and not your POCKETS
HOLEY!

Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? This is what the LORD Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! ~Haggai 1:4-6

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. ~Lev. 27:30

HOLY means 'set apart TO God and blessed BY God'

When we give the 10th God will BLESS the REST

It is a CONNECTION to God’s PROTECTION

Abraham's tithe was NOT a REQUIREMENT from GOD - BUT A RECOGNITION OF GOD and A RESPONSE TO GOD.

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying , Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Shield means 'protection and defender'.

God says in Mal 9:11 "I will prevent pests from devouring your crops…"

Prevent means 'to restrain, to set a guard to deter'

It is God’s Strategy for Prosperity

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Blessing means 'Benefits, gifts, the favour of God ';

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 6)

2011-10-30T21:34:00.000-04:00

Tithing is through the entire Bible

Abraham COMMENCED it – Gen 14:18-20
Jacob CONTINUED it – Gen 28:20-22
Moses CONFIRMED it – Lev 27:30
Malachi COMMANDED it – Mal 3:8-10
Jesus COMMENDED it – Matt 23:23
God COMMISSIONED it – 1 Cor 9:13-14
Paul CONFORMED it – 1 Cor 16:2

PROMISES OF PROVERBS: 11:24-25
One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Responsibility: GIVE FREELY ~v. 24

GIVE means to distribute or share

FREELY means without hesitation

Reward: GAINS MORE

Gains More refers to BLESSINGS - both material and spiritual

WHEN I GIVE FREELY….I AM TRUSTING GOD’S ECONOMY

Character: GENEROUS ~v.25

Generous means a person who willingly and liberally gives

Reward: PROSPER

Prosper means satisfied and abundantly filled in ALL areas

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously ~2 Cor 9:6

WHAT IS THE BASE FOR THIS TYPE OF GIVNG:

Our DETERMINATION
Our MOTIVATION

Our MOTIVE for giving our tithe and our offering comes down to 2 simple things:

Love – for GOD
Obedience – to GOD

RESULTS:

GRACE ABOUNDS ~2 Cor 9:8

Our OWN needs

MORE than enough: for every good work ~Eph 4:28

MADE RICH IN EVERY WAY ~2 Cor 9:11

Purpose: Generous on EVERY Occasion

"Tithe if you love Jesus - any fool can honk."

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 5)

2011-10-23T12:28:00.001-04:00

Tithing is a practice that is not limited to the Old or New Covenants, but instead is a Part of God's order for humanity.

WHAT I BELIEVE ABOUT TITHING: "It’s central in God's system to deal with Money and the Issues of the Heart. It's an indicator of Obedient Faith and Releases the Blessing of God" ~Kevin Begley

THE BOTTOM LINE: Our use of Money and attitude towards it, will impact our life Now and in Eternity!

WHAT DID JESUS SAY ABOUT OUR GIVING?

"That which I spend is gone when I'm dead but that which I give is sent on ahead" ~KB

Jesus said: IF YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH LITTLE, YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH MUCH

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ~vs. 10

THE CONNECTION: faithful with little – faithful with much. This text is about MONEY: not Time or Talents.

TRUSTED means entrusted, depended upon to do the right thing.

Even when it's tight, you've got to do what's right!

Jesus said: HOW YOU HANDLE MONEY IS AN INDICATOR OF HOW YOU HANDLE 'TRUE RICHES'

So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? ~vs. 11-12

THE COMPARISON: Worldly Wealth vs. True Riches

Jesus said: YOU CANT SERVE TWO MASTERS: MONEY IS A MASTER, GOD IS A MASTER! WHO WILL YOU SERVE?

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. ~vs. 13

The CONFRONTATION: It's ONE or the OTHER - God or Money.

MASTER means the owner who has control of the person's decisions

Money will lose it's value but Jesus will never lose its value.
Money has to be earned but Jesus love is always free!
Money can bring worry but Jesus brings peace.

HATE means to love less

Jesus said: A WARNING TO THE RELIGIOUS (with bible knowledge):

The CAUTION: Loving Money will give us the wrong attitude

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering. ~vs. 14

Jesus said: some religious people (even some leaders) LOVE MONEY

LOVED means greedy, wanting more than they currently have

Love God and Use Money - Don't love money and use God!

Jesus said: some religious MOCKED Him.

SNEERING means to turn up their noses at

Jesus said: GOD KNOWS YOUR HEART

He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight.' ~vs. 15

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 4)

2011-10-16T13:30:00.000-04:00

Please remember to comment at the bottom of this
message after reading the blog today.

So … That Leads Us To The BIG QUESTION:

A. WHAT’S THE POINT OF TITHING?

1. An ACT of Obedience to God and His Word

· Abraham COMMENCED it – Gen. 14:18-20

· Jacob CONTINUED it – Gen. 28:20-22

· Moses CONFIRMED it – Lev. 27:30

· Malachi COMMANDED it – Mal. 3:8-10

· Jesus COMMENDED it – Mat. 23:23

· God COMMISSIONED it – 1 Cor. 9:13-14

· Paul CONFORMED it – 1 Cor. 16:2

By our Obedience with Tithing, we areacknowledging:

· We Trust God . . .

· I acknowledge that He is My Source

By Tithing, I acknowledge that GOD OWNSEVERYTHING

2. An ATTITUDE to Assist us in Keeping our Priority in the Proper Order

“Love of Money” is root of ALL Evil~1 Tim 6:10

MONEY is not the problem – it’s ourATTITUDE about money that causes all kinds of problems.

The wrong attitude about money producesthe wrong priorities with money

3. ADVANCES the Kingdom of God Mal 3:10

GOD’s CHURCH WILL THRIVE, WHEN WE GIVEOUR TITHE

NOT ONLY does the Church Thrive buttithing is also…

4. An AVENUE for God to meet your needs Matt 6:33

When we come to the end of ourresources, God steps in with HIS resources

5. Teaches us NOT to be Selfish

Selfishness is opposed to the veryNature and Character of God ~ACTS 20:35

6. It’s a DNA Test ~Jhn. 3:16

KEY word: GAVEa word that is repeated over and over in the Bible

7. Attacks and Releases God’s Multiplied Blessing Mal 3:10

“I RELEASE THIS MONEY FREELY AND GODMULTIPLIES IT EXCEEDINGLY”

B. HOW SHOULD I PRESENT MY TITHE? ~2 Cor. 9:6-12

a) CHEERFULLY

- CHEERFULLY means hilarious or boisterously joyful

b) FREELY (not grudgingly or under compulsion)

- FREELY means purposefully choosing

- GRUDGINGLY means reluctance or unwillingness

- COMPULSION means unduly pressured, not of freechoice

c) WITH A SENSE OF JOY AND LOVE

See and hear this amazing message of truth at:
http://www.kbmlive.tv!

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 3)

2011-10-09T11:03:00.001-04:00

Please remember to comment at the bottom of this
message after reading the blog today.

"But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every [little] herb, but disregard and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone."
~Luke 11:42

"Honour the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine."
~Prov. 3:9-10

This verse could read like this... "Honour and respect the Lord with your:
Possessions, what you currently have AND with First Fruits, the first part of ALL your income and ALL your revenue. SO… your barns will be filled with PLENTY, and your vats will overflow…"

WHAT DID JESUS SAY?
“How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law -- justice, mercy, and faith. YOU SHOULD TITHE, YES, but you should not leave undone the more important things.” ~Matthew 23:23

This word OUGHT – is a powerfully significant word that is “a moral imperative”.

Moral Imperative means “something that must happen because it is the right thing.”

This means that tithing is a practice that goes beyond the Old or New covenants;

It is a Part of Gods order for humanity.
Tithing isn’t something that wasjust for a specific time or culture

TITHING IS PART OFGOD'S PROCESS TO BLESS!

WHAT DID JESUS PROMISE?
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” ~Luke 6:38

Good Measure means "a generous portion".

See and hear this amazing message of truth at:

http://www.kbmlive.tv!

MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT 2)

2011-10-02T12:18:00.000-04:00

Please remember to comment at the bottom of this message after reading the blog today.

"Honour the Lord with your possessions, And with the first fruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine."
~Prov. 3:9-10

This verse could read like this... "Honour the Lord with your:
Possessions, what you currently have AND with First Fruits, first part of ALL your income and ALL your revenue. SO… your barns will be filled with PLENTY, and your vats will
overflow…"

KEY: Tithing is the TAP that opens the Spout, for God to Pour Provision Out

God has a reservoir of blessing – provision and protection for your life - BUT TITHING is the Tap that can turn on the abundance of Gods reservoir.

God tells us HOW MUCH to Give:

WHOLE 10%

God tells us WHERE to Give:

Bring it to HIS HOUSE
*His House is local church where you are getting cared for

God tells us WHY to Give:

so He can get involved with our finances

TEST means to “try it to see the results”

God Tells Us HOW To Give:

IMMEDIATELY give to GOD FIRST ~2 Chron. 31:5
FAITHFULLY – keep on giving ~1 Cor. 16:2

"Whether a little or whether alot -
I will give God the first of what I've got!"

CHEERFULLY – tithers don’t give grudgingly they give cheerfully (hilariously) ~2 Corinthians 9:7

God Tells Us WHAT HAPPENS When We Give:

God opens up His RESERVOIR of PROVISION& PROTECTION

Pests – that which is annoying or troublesome, eats up our provision and profit
Crops – represents the result of labour

God promises to prevent those annoying troublesome things from eating up the results of our labour.

See the service again for the first time at:

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MAXIMIZING YOUR FINANCIAL POTENTIAL (PT1)

2011-09-25T12:05:00.005-04:00

Please remember to comment at the bottom of this message after reading the blog today.

Financial Priority

Obedient Giving – Our tithe (The first 10% of everything we earn)
Generous Giving – Our offering

TITHING is simply returning the 10% of my income to God
GENEROSITY is giving to him above the 10% - giving from our possessions

"But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also Excel in this Grace of Giving."
~2 Corinthians 8:7

OBEDIENT AND GENEROUS GIVING,
PRODUCES PROSPEROUS LIVING

There are 2 RESULTS for LIVING

Barns will have Plenty – Barns are for your future – saving/ giving
Vats will Overflow – what your work produces – your work will be blessed

Root Financial Problem

"In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." ~Prov. 21:20

'Devours' means "consumes quickly and without thought."

We don’t have a wealth problem, we have a spending problem!

We need to be MORE THANKFUL for what we HAVE
We need to be MORE RESPONSIBLE for what we DO with it

PART of that PROCESS is to challenge us

NOT to be CONSUMERS but to BE GIVERS!

We think twice about giving and once about spending. We need to turn that around and think once about giving and twice about spending!

We don’t want to be THOUGHTLESS SPENDERS
We want to be THOUGHTFUL GIVERS

PRACTICAL QUESTIONS to ask ourselves:

IS THIS PURCHASE PRACTICAL RIGHT NOW?
WILL THIS PURCHASE IMPACT MY ABILITY TO GIVE GENEROUSLY THIS WEEK?

"You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God."
~2 Corinthians 9:11

You Are Blessed To Be A Blessing!

Give Generously
Spend Carefully
Live Wisely

Financial Potential

How to Walk in Your MAXIMIZED Financial Potential

focus and work hard ~Prov. 10:4
be loyal and faithful ~Prov. 3:3
live for God and love others ~Prov. 21:21
be honest ~Prov. 28:10
be willing to receive instruction from GOD and others ~Prov. 16:20
positive attitude and actions ~Prov. 4:23

See the service again for the first time at:

http://www.kbmlive.tv!

HE OWNS IT ALL!

2011-09-18T11:32:00.001-04:00

Prov. 11:25 “The generous prosper & are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

God’s Primary Principle For Financial Prosperity is Generosity
1. Generosity is Giving Freely
Why God Wants You Prosperous

REFRESH means “To help fulfill the needs of others.”

God Wants You Be Prosperous:

For Others:

Meet their Spiritual Needs – to give generously to the Lord – to tell others about Jesus
Meet their Physical Needs – to see a need and meet it ~Phil 4:15-16
When you give generously, you need to also give anonymously

For Us: (will himself be refreshed – have our needs met & be satisfied)

When we look after others, God looks after us;
What We Need: Daily Provision (2 Cor. 9:8);
When You’re Generous You Will Not Lack;
What We Want: Desires of our Heart (Mark 11:24, Ps 37:4);

WHEN YOU GIVE WITH THE RIGHT HEART YOU CANNOT LOSE!!!

Today's service has been archived for your viewing pleasure at www.kbmlive.tv.

BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION To Live in Greater Prosperity

2011-09-11T08:53:00.000-04:00

God will not violate his word to accomplish something in your life. He wants to keep you out of a mess and set you up for success!
There are caution signs for things that hold us back and keep us in lack. Here are some things to avoid in order to live in greater prosperity:

Loving Pleasure - Prov. 21:17 Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches. Buy now - Pay later; it will hold you back and keep you in lack!
Talk - Prov. 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. Idle chatter - all talk and no action. - Idle talk will hold you back and keep you in lack!
Laziness - Prov. 10:4 Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.
Being Stingy - Prov. 11:24 It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything.
Get-Rich-Quick - Prov. 28:22 Trying to get rich quick is evil and leads to poverty.

WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE?
Some of our life issues are only symptoms or results of wrong root issues in our life and some life issues are through no fault of our own!
CRUCIAL QUESTION:
When do I need to change? When do I need to hold on?

One is STUBBORN (sin)
One is FAITH (righteous)

To hold on and stay the course when we need to change will trap us in poverty. BUT to give up when God is preparing us will limit our future full-life prosperity!
Wrong Reasons to Change our Action:

Fear: outcome OR others perception
Pressure: from friends OR family
Problems: "My life would be easier"
People: "They are holding back my blessing"
Potential Prosperity: "Show me the money"

HOW DO WE STOP OURSELVES FROM MAKING THE WRONG DECISIONS

We must be Led by:

His Word - not the World
Faith - not Fear
His Spirit - not by Flesh

See the service again for the first time at:

http://www.kbmlive.tv!

HOW DO WE GET & STAY OUT OF DEBT?

2011-09-04T13:16:00.000-04:00

Don't pacify your flesh - get God's true peace! God has given us his word so that we can avoid pitfalls.

"Let the Lord be magnified, who takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants." ~Psalm 35:27
"And the Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children." ~Psalm 115:14,15
"You will make your way prosperous and have good success." ~Joshua 1:8
"My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus." ~Philippians 4:19
"I pray that you would prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers." ~3 John 1:2

If We Are Not Careful, Our Practices Can Get In The Way Of God's Promises!

“The rich rules over the poor and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave.” ~Proverbs 22:7

SLAVE means 'one who works for a master to whom he belongs'

Most of us have a 'Rat Race' mentality. There is a bumper sticker that says, 'I owe, I owe, so it's off to work I go!' We don't purposefully do it, but we borrow and become slaves. We borrow for our car, for our house, etc. We become like a dog on a chain and the lender pulls us wherever they want. Most people borrow with the full intention of paying it back; but things always come up and we end up going

deeper into debt.

"Debt Doesn't Keep You From having Eternal Life, But It Will Keep You From Experiencing Abundant Life!"

DEBT WILL:

Limit what you can do for God
Slow down the pursuit of your destiny
Keep you up at night with worry

"It was for freedom that Christ has set us free" ~Galatians 1:5

DEBT IS A YOKE (A BURDEN, A WEIGHT) THAT WILL KEEP YOU BROKE!!!

HOW DO WE GET & STAY OUT OF DEBT?
1. Be Patient ~James 1:4

Don't be a slave for what you crave!
Wait for what you want

2. Trust God More ~Philippians 4:19

Work hard
Live within your means
Don't spend what you don't have

3. Be Content ~Philippians 4:12

Less Money is Spent When We Are Content

4. Have a Plan ~Proverbs 21:5

Practical Plan:
STOP Spending
START Paying
CONTINUE Giving

Today's service has been archived for your viewing pleasure at www.kbmlive.tv.

HOW to Perpetuate a Prosperous Life

2011-08-28T13:54:00.002-04:00

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
~Prov. 11:28

Refuse to Trust in Riches

There is a huge difference between HAVING Riches and TRUSTING in Riches
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
To Have: means you posses something

To Trust: means you depend on something

To Have: means you obtained it for your use

To Trust: means you obtained it for your security

To Have: implies a “loose hold” on it

To Trust: implies a “tight grip” on it

There are a FEW HITCHES to TRUSTING IN RICHES:
Hitch #1 – Money can disappear ~Prov. 23:5

Hitch #2 – Money Can’t Buy HAPPINESS ~Eccl. 5:10

Hitch #3 – Money can cause you to miss true prosperity ~Prov. 16:20

FALL= “to be caught in a trap”
Money is Unstable – God Never Changes

Money can come & go – God is Always There

Money brings satisfaction for a moment – God brings Joy & Happiness
for a Lifetime!

Choose to Trust in God & His Way

Righteous means "doing our best to live right according to God’s Word"
Righteousness is NOT Perfection

Righteousness is DOING YOUR BEST to obey God

Righteousness is following God’s Process and Expecting Success!

It is choosing to live:
In humility rather than pride

In integrity rather than dishonesty

In generosity rather than greed

In Godliness rather than Selfishness

Thrive means "to flourish to be prosperous, superabundant"

Trusting God

2011-08-21T11:09:00.004-04:00

WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT WHEN:

We show Loyalty and Kindness
- GOD gives us Favour and a Good Reputation
We pursue Godliness and Love
- GOD gives us Life, Prosperity and Honour
We have humility and Fear the Lord
- GOD gives us Riches, Honour and Long Life

GOD DOES NOT LEAVE US BUT HE LEADS US TO A PROSPEROUS LIFE

1. DO Trust in the Lord and Acknowledge Him ~Prov. 3:5

Trust means "to have complete confidence in"

- EVEN when you feel like you're in the dark and don't know what's next - TRUST GOD

- EVEN when everything is turned around - TRUST GOD

- EVEN when life feels overwhelming - TRUST GOD

- EVEN when you're a bit confused - TRUST GOD

God never changes! You can trust Him! But how do we trust God?

- Pray: ask him to show you

- Get godly counsel: different from you friend’s opinion

- Do it the way the Word says: NOT the way the world says

“There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.” ~Proverbs 14:12

· DO NOT Depend on your own understanding

· DO NOT Trust in your LIMITED UNDERSTANDING

· DO TRUST in HIS LIMITLESS KNOWLEDGE

RESULT: He will direct your path

Direct means "make smooth or level out"

2. DO NOT be impressed with your own wisdom

Understanding - is about our learning. What we've learned before.

Wisdom - is about our life experience. What we've done before.

DO be impressed with God

RESULTS will be: HEALTH AND VITALITY

See the service again for the first time at:

http://www.kbmlive.tv!

Wisdom For Making Right Choices

2011-08-08T15:58:00.000-04:00

God has been teaching us some Powerful Life Principles from Proverbs. Over the last number of weeks we’ve been looking at characteristics that the scripture pairs together, that will produce a prosperous life.

We have discovered that when...

We show Loyalty and Kindness - there’s a boomerang of blessing
- GOD gives us Favour and a Good Reputation
We pursue Godliness and Love
- GOD gives us Life, Prosperity and Honour
We Pay Attention to Instruction and Put our Trust in God
- GOD gives us Prosperity and Happiness

From Last week we see that…

True HUMILITY and FEAR of the Lord LEAD to RICHES, HONOUR AND LONG LIFE

My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck ~Prov. 3:21-22

2 Principles to Making the Right Choices:

Make Good Decisions - Not Quick Decisions

Sound Judgment means effective wisdom

Our Personal Philosophy: If this is God – I can do my Due Diligence

STEPS FOR DUE DILIGENCE:

Make sure it lines up with the Word; is there anything that goes against God’s word? If so, then STOP right there; you don’t have to go any further!

Pray and ask God to give His wisdom and direction;

Godly counsel; ask those who you know have godly wisdom in this area.

Word to the Wise: Fools Rush In

Knowing What to Do - NOT Guessing what to do

Discernment means to recognize or perceive a situation clearly

The #1 problem in making a bad decision is Being Fooled By Your Emotions

Word to the Wise: Don’t be Led by Emotions

GOD WILL LEAD YOU TO A PROSPEROUS LIFE

2011-07-31T13:04:00.001-04:00

WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT WHEN…

We show Loyalty and Kindness
- GOD gives us Favour and a Good Reputation
We pursue Godliness and Love
- GOD gives us Life, Prosperity and Honour
We Pay attention to Instruction and Put our Trust in God
- GOD gives us Prosperity and Happiness

True HUMILITY and FEAR of the Lord LEAD to RICHES, HONOUR AND LONG LIFE - Prov. 22:4

GOD WILL LEAD YOU TO A PROSPEROUS LIFE

If you want what God offers, you've got to get there God's way

TRUE HUMILITY

If there is TRUE HUMILITY then there must be such thing as FALSE HUMILITY. False Humility is a subtle form of pride! So what is True humility? It is holding others in high esteem, rather than ourselves. Humility relates to the ATTITUDE that we have:
Toward Ourselves
Toward Others
Me and Mine is a sign of immaturity... Humility is a sign of maturity – because it’s not about me! Think modestly about yourself and extravagantly about others!

FEAR OF THE LORD

FEAR IS a distressed emotion such as anxiety, terror or panic. But…that’s NOT the kind of Fear this text is talking about. Fear of the Lord is an awe, a reverence a great respect. We don’t Need to be FEARFUL, we need to be RESPECTFUL. The Fear of the Lord is Paramount to Produce a Prosperous Life! Respect for God will propel you toward your Destiny of Greatness! The fear of the Lord will produce benefits in our lives:
Knowledge - Prov. 1:7
Wisdom - Prov. 9:10
Lengthens your Life - Prov. 10:27
SECURE and a Fountain of life - Prov. 14:26,27
Rest Content - Prov. 19:23
RICHES, HONOUR AND LONG LIFE - Prov. 22:4
When you are truly humble, you will be blind-sided by God's blessing!

See the service again for the first time at:

http://www.kbmlive.tv!

PURSUE YOUR PURPOSE AND YOU WILL PROSPER!

2011-07-18T12:44:00.000-04:00

Whoever pursues righteousness (godliness) and Unfailing Love will find Life, Prosperity (godliness), and Honor - Prov 21:21

Pursue Your Purpose and You will Prosper:

Pursue Righteousness – right relationship with God
Pursue Unfailing Love - right relationship with Others

God First: Pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS

Righteousness means character and conduct consistent with God’s Word

SIMPLE: Trying to live right, according to the Word

Pursue UNFAILING LOVE:

Unfailing Love is an eager desire to care for the needs of others

Prosperity Process:

KNOW YOUR PURPOSE
PUT YOUR PRIORITIES RIGHT

AND THESE PRINICPLES WILL CAUSE PROSPERITY IN YOUR LIFE

LIFE – vibrant, energetic living

the grass is brown and dead
it’s dark when you go to work and dark when you come home

Living that is exciting and producing

growth
increase
an excitement about what is coming next

PROSPERITY – wholeness
“Whole in your Spirit, Your Body and Your Soul!”

HONOUR – abundance and a good reputation

Loyalty and Kindness

2011-07-11T10:08:00.001-04:00

Watch the service at http://www.kbmlive.tv.

What 2 things do WE NEED TO DO?
A. Don’t forget the things I’ve taught you
B. Keep my commands in your heart

2 Things: GOD SAYS WILL HAPPEN:
A. They will give you a long life – anyone want a long life?
B. AND a Satisfying or Prosperous Life.

Satisfying or Prosperous means "health, wealth, peace and contentment"

Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart. 4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will gain a good reputation.
- Prov. 3:3

Our GOAL is showing Loyalty and Kindness;
The FRUIT of that is Favour and a Good Reputation

Loyalty and Kindness will create a 'BOOMERANG BLESSING'

Loyal means "unswerving in allegiance"

We need to GET BACK ON THE LOYALTY TRACK!

Loyalty – focuses on "WE" not on "ME"
Loyalty – is the foundation of Unity

"Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice."
- Woodrow T. Wilson - 28th President of the United States of America

"Loyalty develops Unity which impacts Prosperity"

Kindness is "expression of love or thoughtfulness that is not seeking anything in return."

Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you? Even the sinners do that! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, is that so wonderful? Even sinners do that much!

- Luke 6:32-33

We need to be people who do random acts of kindness!!

Kindness with no strings attached;
Kindness to people you don't know;

Kindness just to be Christ-like brings God's favour and prosperity!

Watch the service at http://www.kbmlive.tv.

God Hates What Hurts Us And Others

2011-07-04T17:41:00.013-04:00

We need God's Direction, Protection & Correction. Proverbs 6:16 tells us about the things God hates. It's easy to look for the things God hates in other people's lives, but we need to look in the mirror and be aware of things that may be in our own lives that God hates. Every one of the following things will hurt us and hurt others.

4 PARTS OF THE BODY THAT CAN CAUSE INIQUITY:

God Hates EYES that look down on others

When someone looks down on you, they think they are higher than you.

For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. - Romans 12:3

TWO MAIN AREAS WHERE PRIDE COMES IN:

IN NATURAL THINGS:

What they HAVE
What they KNOW
How they LOOK

"Be careful of pride 'cause it's a quick slide"

IN SPIRITUAL THINGS:

What they DON'T DO compared to others

In 2 Corinthians 12:6-7 Paul tells us could boast of many things but he chose not to. He didn't want anyone to think any higher of him than what they can see in his life and message. We have to make sure our walk opens the door for our talk.

1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourself If you look down on others you won't be lifted up. If you look up to God you won't be taken down. Don't get taken down - get lifted up!

God Hates HANDS that shed innocent blood

The Bad News: We have all shed innocent blood because of our sin - Hebrews 9:22

The Good News: HERE is an INCREDIBLE truth:

GOD HATES the SIN but he LOVES the PEOPLE!

God Hates a HEART that devises wicked schemes

To direct our thoughts toward doing things that displease God

"What we justify in your mind - it's only a matter of time before we are living it out."

Proverbs 4:23 says 'Above all else, guard your heart!'

Guard means to set a post like a night-watchman

Heart means the mind, thoughts, and seat of emotions

The guard will discard all evil thoughts - 'I gotta guard & discard!'

How do you Guard Your Heart?

Ask YOURSELF – Will these thoughts result in obeying God... or fulfilling the flesh?
Ask GOD – to set a protection around your mind
Ask a Godly Friend (HWC, Life Group Leader) – to pray for you that you will overcome every temptation

God Hates FEET that run into evil

Your thoughts…will eventually become your actions
Your future is your current thought life - all grown up!
We don't fall into sin... we choose to sin!
You’ve got to GUARD what you THINK and GUARD where you go! 'We can't play, we've got to run the other way!' 'You have to embarrass sin before it embarrasses you!'
For your PROTECTION set your feet in the OPPOSITE DIRECTION! - 1 Timothy 6:11-12

"Because I belong to God, I'm going to run from evil; I'm going to pursue a godly life!"

CHALLENGE:
We need to guard our thoughts. What comes into our thoughts becomes our talk and will eventually become our walk. We need to guard the way we think, the way we speak and they way we go. We need to run away from evil and pursue godly things, a life that pleases God.

CONFESSION:
"I declare over my life today that I choose to set a guard over my mind; that my thoughts and words will build up and not tear down and that I will pursue a godly life. I declare that my feet will run from evil and run to the things of God. I choose to set my feet in the right direction and go the way that you desire me to go!"

CARELESS WORDS ARE DANGEROUS WORDS!

2011-06-12T11:31:00.004-04:00

Careless Words Can Create a Disaster

Can create wounds
Can Create misunderstandings
Can create unnecessary frustration
Can create barriers between you and others
Can create a trap to hold us back from promotion
Can create curses over our lives, and the lives of those around us

We need to master blessing other people!

If we are going to LIVE WISELY then we need to choose to use 'CAREFUL' - NOT 'CARELESS' WORDS

Careful Words Can:

Build Others Up
Clarify Situations
Strengthen Relationships
Bring Hope and Joy

Careless Words are Many... Careful words are Few – REFRAIN from talking too much - Proverbs 21:23; Proverbs 10:19

Trouble means "Distress or Unnecessary Grief"

Sometimes we need to turn off the flow
(zip it before we flip it)!

Careless words Flow Freely in the heat of a moment.

A few practical guidelines when:

You're tempted to talk about someone – turn off the flow
You're tempted to talk about yourself and your accomplishments – turn off the flow
Talk becomes negative – turn off the flow
You`re not giving someone an opportunity to speak – turn off the flow

I gotta know when to turn off the flow! "Even a fool when he holds his peace is considered wise!" - Proverbs 17:28

It's better to keep silent and let people think you're a fool - then to open your mouth and remove all doubt! - Abe Lincoln

Careful words are Filtered – RESTRAIN from responding quickly in conflict - Proverbs 17:27

Our words need to be helpful - not harmful!

TWO POWERFUL METHODS for Filtering My Words:

Restraint: means to quietly depart from someone, to withdraw from something

Politely walk away – before you say – something you’ll regret!

Even-tempered: means "not easily angered, remaining cool, calm and self-controlled"

Take a moment to Pray before you Say

Careful words are Favorable – RETAIN a Christ-like quality - Proverbs 8:7-8

True means "reliable, ethical" AND "lining up with God’s word".

Wholesome means "beneficial to the well-being of others".

They build others up
They bring life into situations
They boost people’s faith

Good means "upright, exemplary, pure"

My Words will be "True, Wholesome and Good"

God's Prescribed Way - Pastor Dave Tunakitis

2011-05-22T13:15:00.000-04:00

Glorify means 'to make God look good!' Deuteronomy 4:7

He's God and We Are Not!! Jesus gave us His prescribed way for success in our Christian walk in John 14:6 when He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” - Mark 2

Jesus proved he had the authority to forgive sin by laying down his life and taking it up again. He made God look good by dying on the cross to save us from our sins. People don't like Jesus' prescribed way so they make up their own rules for getting to heaven. 'As long as my good outweighs bad...'

Examples From the Bible :

Cain & Abel:
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it. - Genesis 4:2-7

The bible doesn't tell you everything you want to know. It tells you what you need to know but not what you want to know. At this point in scripture we haven't been instructed on blood sacrifice. Abel works with livestock, but Cain was a produce farmer, so he decides to give of his best produce. Cain thought, "What's the difference?" We need to approach God in the prescribed way. He is God & we are not!

Moses:
Moses had to go to God because the Israelites were grumbling again, in need of water. Moses was not instructed to strike the rock this time - like last time. God doesn't always do it the same way. He always has a prescribed way. We can't reduce God to a formula. Every day, He has a prescribed way.

Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them. - Numbers 20:8-12

Moses was having a bad day. He was frustrated with the people grumbling. Because he did it his own way (he assumed this time was like the last time) and not the prescribed way, he dishonoured God and did not get to lead the people into the promised land.

David:
David wanted to bring the ark back to Jerusalem. It seemed right to the people.

Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul. The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. So David assembled all Israel, from the Shihor River in Egypt to Lebo Hamath, to bring the ark of God from Kiriath Jearim. David and all Israel went to Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim) to bring up from there the ark of God the LORD, who is enthroned between the cherubim—the ark that is called by the Name. They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets. When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. - 1 Chronicles 13:3-11

David's motive was sincere towards God. But he was not God. He was required to honour God. There was a prescribed way to move the ark and they did not honour that. And so they tried again...

It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the LORD our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the LORD.. - 1 Chronicles 15:13-15

People today make certain assupmtions about God. They try to say that there are many ways to get to God. Things like, 'As long as I am a good person...' or 'I am a part of a sincere religion...' or 'I will be a giving person...' But there is only one prescribed way to get to God and that is through Jesus. The only reason people don't want to follow the prescribed way is because they don't want to surrender their lives to God and follow his rules, his prescribed way.

Jesus is... the prescribed way.
The cross made God look good. God has a prescribed way of doing everything. Each day we need to seek him for his prescribed way for everything he calls us to do. Jesus tells us in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Paul wrote, "By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also." - 1 Corinthians 6:14 He goes on to write, "Because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence." - 2 Corinthians 4:14

The bible declares the prescribed way in Acts 4:12, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

You possess THE POWER OF LIFE AND DEATH

2011-05-01T17:00:00.004-04:00

Over 150 times in Proverbs it talks about our lips, our tongue, our words.

2 Reasons Words are Important:

Volume - we speak enough words each year to fill 66 x 500 page books!
Value - the content of what we speak can either tear down or build up.

‘The tongue has the POWER of Life and Death’ - Proverbs 18:21

LIFE means substance, that which strengthens and sustains.

This verse is saying YOUR TONGUE HAS THE ABILITY TO DRAIN the Life out of someone or SUSTAIN and bring STRENGTH.

"My words can drain them or sustain them!"

POWER means within one's ability.

PRACTICAL WAYS TO SPEAK LIFE:

Speak THOUGHTFULLY – THINK BEFORE WE SPEAK

‘The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words’ – Prov. 15:28

THINK means to meditate on what to answer.

‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD…’ - Psalm 19: 14

Our THINKING affects our SPEAKING
Our SPEAKING affects our LIVING
Our LIVING affects our DESTINY

Speak CAREFULLY - Watch Every Word

‘Those who control their tongue will have a long life…’ – Prov. 13: 3

CONTROL means to guard, to keep a close watch on the effects.

Speak SPARINGLY – Holding our tongue

‘When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise’ – Prov. 10: 19

HOLD means restrain, keep in check, use sparingly.

Our words are like toothpaste that's out of the tube... once they're out, it's virtually impossible to get them back in!

You cannot blame what you say on a bad day!

'Nothing I say today is going to teach me anything... so I'd better listen!' - Larry King

Speak ENCOURAGINGLY - Build Up, Don’t Tear Down

‘The godly speak words that are helpful…’ – Prov. 10:32

Sometimes we've got to delay what we say and find another way!

Speak PLEASANTLY – Words That Bless

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones - Prov. 16:24

PLEASANT means words full of grace , kindness, blessing.

GOOD NEWS from the GRAVEYARD!

2011-04-25T13:49:00.001-04:00

It was on a Friday…When they took Jesus down from the cross.

He was covered with blood
There was a hole in His side
His face was horribly disfigured
The flesh hung from His back in tatters

BUT... SUNDAY MORNING Changed Everything...

GOOD NEWS FROM THE GRAVEYARD! Luke 24:1-9

GOOD NEWS – HE’S NOT HERE! HE IS RISEN! Luke 24:6

We can have the confidence of an ETERNAL LIFE. Romans 5:21

GOOD NEWS – HE IS Who He Said He Was. Luke 24:6-7

We can have the confidence of an ABUNDANT LIFE! John 10:10

ABUNDANT means “superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon”

An Abundant Life is NOT Just about Money, A House or a Spouse. An Abundant Life is about:

Having Peace of Mind
Prospering in your Relationships and in Your Finances
Being Healthy in Your Body and in Your Soul
**COMPLETE in Every Part of Your Life and Being

GOOD NEWS – The WORK OF THE CROSS WAS COMPLETED! Luke 24:6

We can have the confidence of an FULFILLED LIFE. Romans 6:4

NEW means “greater quality of life, a new kind of life”

CHRIST: The Anointed One and His Anointing - Luke 4:18-19 ANOINTED TO:

Preach Good News
Free Those in Bondage
Give Sight to the Blind
Empower Those Who Have Been Oppressed
Declare God’s Favour

God Gave His Best, so You Could Live LIFE at Its Best!

Click Here To Watch An Easter Celebration Video

FOUR ACTIVATORS FOR YOUR MIRACLE

Believing is an activator – “If you believe, you will receive” Matthew 21:22
Asking is an activator – “Ask and it will be given to you” Matthew 7:7
Living the Word is an activator – “Be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” Joshua 1:8
Sowing is an activator – “Unless a seed goes into the ground it dies alone” John 12:24

**The moment the seed is sown there is an Activation of Multiplication!

3 Keys To Walk In Miracle Power

2011-04-17T12:42:00.002-04:00

2 IMPORTANT FACTS We Must KNOW:

FACT #1 – Satan is our enemy and he has a plan for our life
FACT #2 – JESUS is on Your Side and he has a plan for Your Life
- John 10:10

Abundant means superior, extraordinary, surpassing or uncommon. Jesus came to give you an uncommon life.

TRIPLE THREAT to the Devil’s Scheme:

PRAY IN FAITH - Mark 11: 22

MOTIVE: Why Pray?

To PREPARE our lives - James 5:16

'The prayer of a person striving to live right, has the authority and might to accomplish something.'

To Increase our Faith - Mark 11:24

METHOD: How To Pray

Here are 3 SIMPLE GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE PRAYING:

THANK HIM - Psalm 100:4-5
TELL HIM - Isaiah 55:6
ASK HIM - Philippians 4:6-7

FAST IN FAITH

When we fast, we GIVE UP something our FLESH wants, so that we can RECEIVE something our SPIRIT needs.

MOTIVE: Why Fast?

ACT of Fasting – ACTIVATES:

Closer Relationship with God - James 4:8
Hearing from God - Acts 13:2
Increases our Confidence in God - Esther 4:16
Defeats the Enemy - Mark 9:29
Releases Miracles - Daniel 10:3,11

METHOD: How We Fast

DON'T Make a Big Deal - it's for God and not for others - Matthew 6:17-18
DO take part in "LEAVEN FREE FAST" - 1 Corinthians 5:6-8

GIVE IN FAITH – Luke 6:38

Giving in Faith is trusting God that He will provide for you.

MOTIVE: Why Give?

GIVE – because we LOVE God
GIVE – because we TRUST God
GIVE – because it PLEASES God
GIVE – because it’s a BLESSING TO OTHERS

When you make your giving about God, He'll make His blessing about you.

METHOD: How We Give

RIGHT ATTITUDE

Willingly – 2 Corinthians 8:12
Cheerfully – 2 Corinthians 9:7

RIGHT ACTION

Consistently
Generously – 2 Corinthians 9:6
Sacrificially – 2 Corinthians 8:2-3

Our GENUINE obedience to God always produces great victory in our life!

Principles For Giving - Generosity

2011-04-03T11:47:00.003-04:00

God Has a Pattern for Giving to Release Kingdom Living
- 1 Corinthians 16:2

Giving shows that God, not money has first place in our lives. God set the example by giving his best. In John 3:16 the Word says that God loved us so much that He gave His Son! He put us first by giving His best - His only Son! We need to follow His example by putting God first and giving our best. Giving is God's process to release prosperity into your life.

As we increase our giving, we increase our capacity for receiving.

Are you ready to attack lack in your life? To move from 'not enough' to 'more than enough'? Are you ready for a release of increase?

How we give is as important as what we give. Proverbs 11:25 "The generous will prosper..." God never gives us something that is outside of our reach. We all have the ability to be generous, therefore we all have the ability to prosper.

The characteristic of a generous person is one who gives generously and who doesn't cling to their cash. Generous means "one who gives freely". A generous person doesn't try to manipulate God but is obedient to God. A generous person returns the tithe, brings their offering and looks for an opportunity to share what they have. True generosity has no motive behind it. You can't bribe God and you can't buy a miracle!

You can grow in generosity. What you considered as generous many years ago will most likely be much larger today.

Principles for Generosity: 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

God is our source. He supplies seed for you to sow and He supplies bread for you to eat. Your bank account is not your source; your job is not your source: the government is not your source. Generosity teaches us that God is our only true source.

God brings the increase of resources you can give and He enlarges you. Your generosity increases as you are generous. Give first - and live on what remains. Then, God will cause what you sow to grow. Remember not to eat your seed. Canadians spend 102+% of what we make. That means debt. That is why we struggle to be generous.

God makes you rich in every way. Rich means "abundantly supplied". Why does God do this? So that you can be generous all the time - on every occasion.

Generous giving produces prosperous living. It's not for once in a while, it's a lifestyle.

GOD’S PATTERN FOR GIVING, TO RELEASE KINGDOM LIVING

2011-03-28T16:50:00.002-04:00

1 Corinthians 16:2 NLT - "On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once."

Giving shows God is first place in your life, not money. God's nature is that of a giver. Giving is a process to release prosperity into your life. As We Increase Our Giving, It Increases Our Capacity for Receiving - Luke 6:38 "...the amount you give will determine the amount you get back."

WHAT IS GOD’S WAY? “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.”

Proverbs 11:24 NKJV - To walk in increase we must release!
THE HOARDER

WITHHOLD means “accumulation that is carefully guarded, to hoard” - Having stuff does not mean you have provision!

Hoarding is a Self-Preservation mentality
Hoarding prevents giving
Hoarding is based in fear
Hoarding prevents giving.

There is Wisdom in Preparation but NOT at the expense of OBEDIENT Giving!!!

RESULTS OF HOARDING:

POVERTY means “insufficiency or lack of necessities” - WHEN YOU HOLD BACK – YOU LIVE IN LACK!

THE SOWER

SCATTER means “to disperse or sow”. Plant the seed and pray for the harvest! The seed only GROWS when someone SOWS. Tithing and Giving doesn’t affect your salvation but it does affect your blessing as you walk in obedience to God’s Word! Sowing always precedes reaping. Our motive for giving is not to get more stuff.

WHY DO WE SOW?

We love God
We want other people to be blessed
We are blessed to be a blessing!
We don’t want to consume all we have on ourselves Acts 20:35 “…It is more blessed to give than receive” - JESUS

RESULTS FOR THE SOWER:

“There is one who scatters, yet INCREASES more…”

Hold Tightly - Have Less
Give Freely - Gain More

BE GENEROUS & PROSPER! - Proverbs 11:25 says "A Generous Person will Prosper…"

IT PRODUCES: TREASURES IN HEAVEN
IT PRODUCES: PROVISION AND MULTIPLICATION NOW

What You Keep is ALL You Have, What You GIVE Multiplies. John Wesley said "Earn all you can, give all you can, then save all you can."

Challenge:
At HWC we are known as "The Friendly People" and that's good; now let's trust God and covenant to be generous on all occassions so that we become known as "The Friendly, Generous People".

Wisdom From Proverbs for Success @ Work!

2011-03-20T14:03:00.000-04:00

POWERFUL PROMISES OF HARD WORK

Want to be RICH? “Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get RICH.” - Proverbs 10:4
Want to become a LEADER and have SUCCESS? “Work hard and become a LEADER; be lazy and never succeed.” - Proverbs 12:24
Want to be someone who GETS THE JOB DONE? “A lazy life is an empty life, but ‘early to rise’ GETS THE JOB DONE.” - Proverbs 12:27
Want to PROSPER in ALL areas of life? “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will PROSPER.” - Proverbs 13:4
Want to live on the EASY PATH? “A lazy fellow has trouble all through life; the good man’s PATH IS EASY!” - Proverbs 15:19

WORKING HARD Isn’t Something We Do Once In A While, IT’S A LIFESTYLE that produces success!

WORK DILIGENTLY - Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 10:4

DILIGENT means “constant in effort to accomplish something”

We want to be the ONE who GETS THE JOB DONE!

Hard work is doing whatever your hand finds to do and doing it with all your might! - Ecclesiastes 9:10

'Laziness is the parent of poverty while diligence is the parent of wealth.' - Kevin Begley

WORK RELIABLY - Proverbs 22: 13

PRACTICAL STEP:
Set YOUR alarm AND your children’s alarm one half hour earlier than usual. Prepare everything you can the night before.

WORK ENERGETICALLY - Proverbs 20:13

LOVE means “to have an appetite for”

PRACTICAL STEP:
Develop a healthy sleep pattern. Go to Bed at a reasonable time, get up early. If you watch T.V. before bed – set a timer to go off ½ hour before you want to go to bed.

*National Sleep Clinic tells us that 6.5 to 7.5 hours of sleep will cause you to live longer & healthier!

WORK COMPETENTLY - Proverbs 22:29

COMPETENT means “skilful, knowledgeable, well qualified”

PRACTICAL STEP:
HOW do we become competent? Take upgrading courses that are for your field; Ask someone who is respected and does well in your field or company if they would mentor you; On your own time learn more about the company or the career; Attend workshops.

*If you never get a promotion, ask your supervisor, “What can I do to improve my performance?” Then, whatever they tell you to do – DO IT!

IMPORTANT: PROMOTIONS don’t come as a right, but as a reward – for a job well done!

WORK SELF-SUFFICIENTLY - Proverbs 6:6-11

WORKING HARD IS NOT SOMETHING SOMEONE ELSE CAN FORCE YOU TO DO, IT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE FOR YOURSELF!

“The work of our hands brings many benefits” Proverbs 12:14 - Benefits in Finances, Relationships, Home, God, Church & Workplace

Wisdom from Proverbs for Relationships

2011-03-15T14:33:00.002-04:00

There are Friendships That Can MAKE You or Friendships That Can BREAK You!

"SHOW ME A PERSON’S FRIENDS, I WILL SHOW YOU THEIR CHARACTER!"

HARMFUL FRIENDS

FAKERS – Proverbs 29:5
There is a difference between a compliment and flattery. Motive Is The Key. When someone pays a compliment, the motive is about others; they aren’t looking for anything in return. When someone flatters, the motive is about themselves; they have ulterior motives. It’s ok to be nice, but don’t put people in a vice.
TAKERS – Proverbs 19:6,7
Many will entreat the favor of a liberal man, and every man is a friend to him who gives gifts. All the brothers of a poor man detest him - how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.
SQUAWKERS – Proverbs 22:24
These people are often critical. WARNING: They phrase it nice but it’s Dangerous & Contagious! Quarantine relationships that have squawkers.
TALKERS – Proverbs 16:28; 20:19
Stay away from people who talk too much! Fools Will Be Found Meddling – Proverbs 20:3. CAUTION: Those who talk WITH YOU about OTHERS will talk WITH OTHERS about YOU.

HELPFUL FRIENDS

TRUSTWORTHY – Proverbs 20:6
FAITHFUL means Trustworthy LIFE LESSON: Loyal people are not necessarily trustworthy people – BUT – Trustworthy people are loyal people. They have your best interest at heart!
DEPENDABLE – Proverbs 17:17
LOVE means Dependable, Steady, Constant
ENCOURAGERS – Proverbs 27:9
HEARTFELT means Sincere words that bring life. We need to be people who bring sweet words of encouragement, even in the midst of a bad atmosphere.
WISE – Proverbs 13:20
WISE means Give Careful Thoughts To Your Words & Actions

2 characteristics of WISE people:

They seek to please God and not other people. Do we want to be people-pleasers or God-pleasers?
A wise person considers other people before themselves - Proverbs 12:26

CHALLENGE: Proverbs 12:26 tells us, 'The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.' We need to use wisdom in choosing our friends, but first, we need to BE a good friend. Do I make people better people and better believers as a result of their being around me? Am I building people up with my words? Can people rely on me? Am I a giver, not looking for something in return? We need to be trustworthy people of character.

Wisdom from Proverbs for Marriage

2011-03-07T18:46:00.000-05:00

Today we are going to increase in wisdom in the most important decision you will ever make in your life - after knowing Jesus. The first most important decision you can make is the decision to follow Jesus; that is an eternal decision. After that, the most important decision is not your career, your clothes, your shoes, your house, where you will live or what church you go to. The decision that will impact you most after choosing to become a Christian is who you choose to marry! This decision will impact your life like no other decision. This is the one decision that can determine if you live in a war zone or in peace; in poverty or prosperity; in frustration or happiness; in chaos or order!

QUALITIES FOR A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE

What a MAN'S ATTITUDE should be toward marriage:

The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favour from the Lord - Proverbs 18:22 A wife is a RARE TREASURE to be cared for and cultivated. Most women respond to a loving attitude. Choose to: WORK HARD AND WORK TOGETHER – she needs to know she’s your priority and you are on her side!

What a WOMAN'S ATTITUDE should be toward marriage:

A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown; a shameful wife saps his strength - Proverbs 12:4 A husband is to be SUPPORTED and RESPECTED. A wife's attitude is NOT to NURTURE or NEGLECT but to RESPECT. Shameful means 'Disinterested and disrespectful'

Great Marriages don't just happen, they take work!

So we need to become SKILLED in HOW WE BUILD!

ATTITUDES THAT TEAR DOWN:

Main Ways a Woman Tears Down is With Her WORDS:

Nagging – A nagging wife annoys like a constant dripping - Proverbs 19:13
Arguing – It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home - Proverbs 21:9 Contentious means 'argumentative'
Complaining – It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife - Proverbs 21:19 TO COMPLAIN WILL ONLY DRAIN YOUR MARRIAGE!

Main Ways a Man Tears Down is With His ACTIONS:

The Main thing Proverbs WARNS men to guard against is LOOKING & LONGING - Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman? - Proverbs 5:20 Captivated means 'thrilled or fascinated with'. Men are VISUAL – they are VISUALLY under attack all the time. A second glance makes an image an imagination. Don't allow inappropriate images to turn into an inappropriate imagination. Looking at images is cheating on your spouse! You begin to compare your spouse with the images. Nothing devalues a wife more than when her husband looks after another woman - Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. ….May you always be captivated by her love - Proverbs 5:18-19

ATTITUDES THAT BUILD UP:

HEALTHY INTIMACY

A wife needs to be VISUALLY GENEROUS toward her husband. Honey seems tasteless to a person who is full, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry - Proverbs 27:7

Give him an eyeful every day and he won't stray!

TRUST EXPLICITLY (Trust means 'to put one’s confidence in')

Her husband can trust her and she will greatly enrich his life - Proverbs 31:11 Trust takes years to gain, minutes to loose and when lost may never be gained again. If trust is broken, understand that it will take time to earn that trust back.

WALK IN UNITY

She will not hinder, but help him all her life - Proverbs 31:12 Unity means 'to be pleasant and agreeable'. Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? - Amos 3:3 Couples need to AGREE IN UNITY! They should talk and pray together.

LIVE GODLY

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour - Proverbs 21:21 Righteousness means 'to desire to live right'

More than anything else this will BUILD A STRONG MARRIAGE AND A GREAT LIFE!

Wisdom For The Family

2011-02-27T12:06:00.000-05:00

BY WISDOM A HOUSE IS BUILT, AND BY UNDERSTANDING IT IS ESTABLISHED - Proverbs 24:3

'ESTABLISHED' means 'to be set firmly, to be stable.'

PROVERBS OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR PARENTS

A Parent is to Give DIRECTION:

“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” - Proverbs 22:6

'TRAIN' means 'to put something in their mouth to be tasted.' If we don’t give them a taste for the right things, others will give them a taste for the wrong things. The message kids hear clearest is NOT the one we SHOUT OUT but the One we LIVE OUT!

A Parent is to Give CORRECTION:

PARENTAL KEY - They may not always RESPOND, but you STILL have to SAY it!

“A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but discipline will drive it away.” - Proverbs 22:15

“Discipline is the tool, to keep our children from becoming a fool.”

“If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them” - Proverbs 13:24

'PROMPT' means 'ready to act whenever necessary.'

The purpose of Correction is Reflection to get them back in the RIGHT Direction

The KEY is BALANCE: CORRECTION & DISCIPLINE AND AFFECTION & PATIENCE

A Parent is to Give AFFECTION: Prov. 15:17

Set an atmosphere in your home and take time to DISPLAY AFFECTION to your children with your time and with your talk. Provide boundaries for your children your best and trust God to do the rest!

Wisdom - A Road Map

2011-02-20T12:48:00.000-05:00

I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns. Hold tight to good advice; don't relax your grip. Guard it well! - Proverbs 4:11-14 (Message)

Don't get distracted from good advice. Hold onto wisdom. Say, "I want to stay on Wisdom Way"

What is wisdom? WISDOM is knowing the right thing to do, what to do and then making the choice to do it.

WE ALL HAVE TIMES WHEN WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED GOOD ADVICE

We Think We Know Better
We Want To Do It
It Only Affects Me, It’s Not Hurting Anybody Else

If you walk in wisdom's way, were you are today is not where you'll stay!

RESULTS- Then we FIND OUT:

We Really Didn’t Know Better
We Might Have Wanted the Actions, But We Didn’t Want the Consequences to the Actions
We Not Only Hurt Ourselves But We Hurt Somebody Else

When We Don’t Follow Good Advice – We Are Following the WRONG WAY

God Does NOT Want You to Live in a MESS; God Wants You to Live in SUCCESS!

HOW DO WE LIVE IN SUCCESS?

GOOD ADVICE

Proverbs 4:13 Hold Tight To Good Advice

From Our Parents
From Other Wise, Godly People
From Our Pastors

GOD'S ADVICE

Proverbs 4:21 Keep My Message in Plain View at All Times. Concentrate! Learn it by Heart!

Joshua 1:8 says: “…You Will Make Your Way Prosperous and Have Good Success”
Psalm 1:3 says “In All You Do, You Prosper”
Proverb 8:14 says “Good Advice and Success Belongs to Me”

STRATEGIES TO INCREASE IN WISDOM - Proverbs 2

2011-02-13T13:13:00.001-05:00

We seek for things like more money (most make millions in a life time), more time (most spend 9 years of their life watching TV) or a better spouse (when we need to be a better spouse). We should not seek these things, we should seek more wisdom from God. We need wisdom in our work, our relationships, our family, our mouth and our money.

Proverbs 2 starts with ‘IF’. Promise and blessing is CONDITIONAL on our action.

Accept His Word – Proverbs 2:1

Accept means to lay hold of, to seize. The bible is our handbook or manual for living. We need to learn it and live (do what it says). It makes sense that the manufacturer knows best what to put in the manual and how to operate the item.

Apply Our Will – Proverbs 2:2

Heart is referring to your mind, your thinking, the determination of your will. Wisdom does not happen on its own; we need to seek after it. Why do we let other's decisions guide our actions? We need to be determined to be wise and make good decisions.

Ask For Insight – Proverbs 2:3

Insight is clear understanding of complex situations. You don't need counsel on situations that are pretty obvious, but for complex situations, you can ask God for insight. We don't need worldly wisdom but godly wisdom. James 1:5 encourages us to ask God for wisdom. He has a generous portion for you!

Actively Pursue – Proverbs 2:4

Seek wisdom like it is a treasure! Don't be casual in your seeking or you may not find what you are looking for. What you need is already there, you just have to search for it. It may be an inconvenience or put you out of your comfort zone. When you are looking for treasure, you can't always look pretty; sometimes you have to get messy or get out of your comfort zone. We need to realize there is value in being wise!

BENEFITS OF SEARCHING FOR WISDOM - Proverbs 2:5-20

Knowledge Of God - Proverbs 2:5
Victory And Protection - Proverbs 2:7
Good Judgment For Living - Proverbs 2:9
Discretion is forethought, foresight, caution in practical affairs - a word from God does not displace getting wisdom; in fact, in justifies getting wisdom all the more!
Deliverance From Evil People - Proverbs 2:12
'Perverse' means foolish or deceitful
Empowerment To Live Right - Proverbs 2:20

We need to become treasure seekers. The treasure of wisdom will empower us to live blessed and not stressed!

THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF SEEKING WISDOM IS THAT WE WILL GROW IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST!

In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden - Colossians 2:3

If we gain godly wisdom then the effort to actively pursue that wisdom was all worth it. Wisdom is the beginning of Exponential Increase!

Wisdom - The Most Important thing

2011-02-06T13:27:00.006-05:00

GETTING WISDOM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO! – PROV. 4:7

Scripture: Proverbs 1:1-7

Prayer For Wisdom - Proverbs 1:1

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God..." James 1:5

Purpose of Proverbs - Proverbs 1:2-3

To Teach Wisdom and Discipline
Wisdom is the ability to make good choices.
If you know the right thing, you’re knowledgeable - if you do the right
thing, you’re wise. Don't equate knowledge with wisdom.
Wisdom is the application of knowledge.
You don't have to have a degree to be wise.
Wisdom is the skillful use of knowledge.
The book of Proverbs is not a book of promises, its a book of wisdom to
help us skillfully use our knowledge to guide our lives.
2 Ways That You Can Get Wisdom:
Trial and Error (knowledge)
- personal experience
Instruction of Others (wisdom)
- benefit of learning from their experience

Pursuers of Wisdom - Proverbs 1:4-6

"Study to show yourself approved..." - 2 Timothy 2:15 - get into Proverbs!

Proverbs Was Written For:
Those who can be easily influenced – will increase in discernment
Young People – will give them knowledge and good judgement
Wise – will increase in learning
People of Understanding – will receive increased guidance
We need to increase our capacity for wisdom. Luke 2:52 tells us even Jesus grew in wisdom...

Prerequisite for Wisdom - Proverbs 1:7

A fool is one who acts without counsel and disregards Godly instruction. Characteristics of a Fool:
Cannot receive instruction;
A know-it-all;
So strongly opinionated, you can't tell them anything;
a talker and never a listener (a listener - engaged in process with right heart and attitude)
These qualities will hold you back from increasing in God.

Wisdom can be found in LIVING FOR JESUS and LIVING LIKE JESUS - "In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." - Colossians 2:3

HOW DID JESUS LIVE HIS LIFE? “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of Wisdom” Proverbs 1:7 Fear is reverent submission, to honour, to respect, to submit to.

The foolish person will live in a way that pleases himself and others but a wise person will live in a way that pleases God.

2011-01-31T18:44:00.001-05:00

Put God First In Our Giving & Put God First In Our Living

CHALLENGE: To have the Courage to say that ‘I WILL put God first’ and the RESOLVE to make it happen!

'If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time!' As a believer, when you make a resolution, you don't have to do it by yourself. Philippians 2:13 God will help you when you rely on him. I am going to rely on the Lord and resolve to live right.

4 Ways to Live Right: - Psalm 101:2-4

You will not accomplish any goal unless you have determination! Four times in this verse, David states, “I WILL”. He didn't say he would try or he might. That means absolutely nothing. There is no determination or intention whatsoever. David was determined to
put first things first!

Live Right Among Others - I WILL behave wisely, in a perfect way

To 'behave wisely' means "to act circumspectly" - 'circumspectly' means "to encircle, to see or inspect something". “The Perfect Way” is God’s way of living. We are not perfect, but we are being perfected. We are being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Romans 12:2

Live Right at Home – I WILL walk within my house with a perfect heart

At home there are many distractions that make it difficult to live right. We let down our guard due to familiarity; but we can't let our flesh rule! “Perfect Heart” (vs. 2) DOES NOT mean ‘without fault’. It DOES mean ‘Completely Committed to Doing What is Right’. "I'm gonna commit my life to doin' what's right, both day and night!"

QUESTION: How do we walk with a Perfect Heart?

Take time to pray each day! - Ps 119:147 Just pray - it's a great way to start your day. It's the First Fruit of your day!
Be quick to forgive one another! - Col 3:13 Allow people room to grow - not an excuse for bad behaviour, but grace to change. We all grow at different speeds in different areas.
Be quicker to admit when you’re wrong. - Isa 57:15; Eph 4:26,27 Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. It will give a foothold to the devil and a foothold becomes a stronghold!

Live Right With Your Sight - I WILL set nothing wicked before my eyes.

'Wicked' mean 'worthless, unprofitable, unbeneficial' Putting God first requires removing anything that qualifies as 'wicked' from your eyes.

The Law of Gravity states “what goes up, must come down”
The Law of Garbage states “what goes in, must come out”

What you look at long enough is what you think about, talk about and then live out in your life. When you learn something by visual, you double your chances of retaining it. That goes for both good and bad. 1 John 2:16 Impure visual images will stimulate impure thoughts and actions.

Live Right in your Thoughts - I WILL NOT know wickedness!

“I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil!” Psalm 101:4; "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7

Sometimes we're sinking because of our stinking thinking! When we change our thinking we can change our life!

Scriptures on right thoughts: Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:97-99; Philippians 4:8 These scriptures all come with a promise!

CHALLENGE: Have the Courage to put God first - and RESOLVE to make it happen! Live right among others, at home, with your sight and in your thoughts. This week, journal your journey with the Lord and reflect on what God is doing as you resolve to 'LIVE RIGHT'!

The Purpose of Firstfruits

2011-01-25T18:03:00.000-05:00

"But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]."
- Hebrews 11:6

"But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides."
- Matthew 6:33

The word 'SEEK' means, 'to aim for or to strive after'. In the year of Exponential Increase, we at HWC need to PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST! "My first goes to You & I will trust You all year through!"

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-4, 8-11

'FIRST FRUITS' simply means 'the first and best part'.

PURPOSE OF FIRST FRUITS:

Offering of APPRECIATION – Deuteronomy 26:8

Proverbs 3:9 "Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (increase)."

We’ve got to give God thanks for where He’s brought us from and where He’s taking us to. When you trust God and give Him your all, you can thank Him for where He's taking you because you know it will be good!

'BROUGHT OUT' means 'to move forward to something'.

Offering of ANTICIPATION – Proverbs 3:9

Your barns will be filled with plenty. - Proverbs 3:10

'BARNS OR STOREHOUSE' means 'a depository for goods, a warehouse'.

Offering of CELEBRATION – Deuteronomy 26:11

It is a time of teaching your children how you are thankful and how you celebrate God's faithfulness and goodness.

PROMISES OF THE FIRSTFRUITS OFFERING:

A Blessing will rest on your house - Ezekiel 44:30
Give God the best and the rest will be blessed! - Romans 11:16

What We Do With the First - Will Establish the Rest!!!

Get ready for: BLESSING! FAVOUR! INCREASE!

YOU’RE SETTING THE PATTERN OF PROVISION...
FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR!

Increase & Multiplication

2011-01-16T12:13:00.000-05:00

Exponential Increase is not something that we have to wait for. It’s something we simply need to activate by our faith!

3 IMPORTANT THINGS ABOUT GOD'S BLESSING! - Psalm 115: 9-15

His Blessing is For You! – Psalm 115:12

MINDFUL – 'to mark something or someone for future purposes, specifically for recognition!'

People might be impressed with your performance but God is impressed with your obedience!

FEAR - 'to reverence to the point of obedience' When you passionately put God first, it marks your life with blessing!

His Blessing Is For Now! – Psalm 115:15

God's blessing is not for someday; it's for today! It's more than just having stuff. We are connected to an almighty God. Sometimes we get distracted by what's happening around us and we get stressed. We need to confess: I’m Not Stressed – I’m Blessed!

In John 10:10 Jesus said, "I have come to give you life to the full!" When we confess stress, we loose our peace. When we confess we are blessed, we don't allow stress to steal our peace.

His Blessing is for Increase! – Psalm 115:15

BLESSED – 'divine or supremely favoured by God' You may know someone who has great connections, but when you are blessed of the Lord, you have the best connection in the world - God! You can call in a favour any time when you have God's favour on your life!

This specific word BLESSED is always connected with increase and multiplication! Reflect on these scriptures on increase: Genesis 12:2; Genesis 22:17; Psalm 67:6. Get ready for increase and multiplication in every area of your life.

Isaiah 51:2 says, “Look unto Abraham.... for I called him and blessed him, and increased him”. The word 'called' means 'set apart'; the word 'blessed' means 'God’s favour on your life'; the word 'increased' means 'every part of your life prospers'. The first area God wants to increase us is spiritually! Matthew 6:33

CHALLENGE: In a society as busy as ours, it is so easy to get distracted. If you get distracted, it can be very stressful. In the year of Increase, it is important that you focus on the blessings of the Lord and not allow stress to distract you. Meditate on today's word and ask the Lord to help you to stay focussed on His blessings so that you can experience increase & multiplication in all you do.

CONFESSION:
His blessing is for me, for now, for increase! God has called me - I am set apart to obey God; God has blessed me - His favour is on my life; God has increased me - Every part of my life prospers; I am marked for blessing!

Exponential Increase: A Chain Reaction

2011-01-09T21:38:00.004-05:00

NO LIMIT to what GOD CAN DO – IN AND THROUGH YOU!

God is a Covenant God

A covenant is a formal agreement or promise made between two people. Both parties have a part to play.

GOD’S PART: (Psalm 115: 9-12)

Provision - He is your helper
Protection - He is your shield
Increase - God will bless us

OUR PART:

Obedience
Trust

The Bible says we need to Fear God. Fear in this context means "reverence to the point of obeying".

God is a God of Increase.

To increase is to move forward, to advance , to proceed, and to profit by the hand of God. As much as God has done for you... He still wants to increase you more! Are you ready for a Release of Increase? Here’s HOW God wants to Increase you:

EXPONENTIALLY
GENERATIONALLY

Exponentially: MORE AND MORE - a repetitive, perpetual action. An example of what happens when you experience exponential increase can be seen at this link: Folding Paper in Half 12 Times

God is going to remove the limits from your life in 2011! You will know no boundaries in the year of Exponential Increase!

A video example of a chain reaction to your action can be seen here: Chain Reaction

Get ready for a chain reaction of God's blessing in your life. Your capacity to receive is directly related to your obedience and action. Set off the trigger of Exponential Increase in your life right at the start of the year by getting 'Under Cover'.

The word 'Capacity' means 'The maximum amount that can be contained'. God wants to Increase our capacity in 2011! In order to experience Exponential Increase in every area of our lives, we must increase our capacity in every area of our lives. God has set everything up for us to experience Exponential Increase. However, our action is required to increase our capacity to receive. We have a part to play. We've got to pray and lead the way!

Generationally: 'CHILDREN' refers to natural offspring AND spiritual offspring. We're buildin' for our children! God gives a Generational blessing of increase. Your children will do greater things than you did. Ps 90:16 - "Lord, let our children see your glory at work."

CHALLENGE: In order to experience Exponential Increase in every area of our lives, we must increase our capacity in every area of our lives! We must increase our time spent in the Word; we must increase our time spent in prayer; we must increase our service in ministry and we must increase our giving. Where do you want God to increase you more and more? Spend time increasing your capacity in your walk with God and watch Him exponentially increase you, your children and your children’s children!
In 2011, you will truly know no boundaries.

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Mary, Jesus' Mother

2010-12-12T11:54:00.001-05:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Luke 1:26-56

Today We Are Looking At The Life of Mary, Jesus' Mother. What Took Mary’s Life from Ordinary to Extraordinary?

If there was anyone who was average, it was Mary. We first hear about her when she is 15 years old and it was one of the most exciting times in her life. It was normal in that culture, for a 15 year old girl to get married.

Suddenly God steps in and says to Mary, "I have better plans for you!"

LIFE LESSON #1: You May Have Plans, But God Has BIGGER Plans!

Character - vs. 30

FOUND FAVOUR - 'one's character is discovered and has attracted blessings.'

Mary made a choice to have godly character and it attracted God's Favour. The Angel declared "God has seen your character and it has attracted His blessing.”

LIFE LESSON #2: We Don’t Live A Godly Life Because We Are Blessed By God; We Are Blessed By God Because We Live A Godly Life!

The blessing came on Mary's live simply because she desired to please God.

Seek God - His Favour Will Follow

Commitment - vs. 38

Mary had committed herself to God.

SERVANT - 'one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will'

Mary was His servant. She said 'yes', no strings attached.

LIFE LESSON #3: When We Choose To Submit OUR Life, We Choose to Permit HIS Will!

We have to let go of our own will. Some of us are strong-willed - and not only the outspoken ones. Are you willing to say, 'not my will but thine be done'? Saying 'Yes' to God will come at a high cost. Mary being committed to God and being with child (out of wedlock) came at a high cost!

LIFE LESSON #4 When You Say “YES” to God Others Will Be Blessed.

CHALLENGE: Will You Say “YES” At Any Cost?

LIFE LESSON #5 Don’t Go To Just Anybody – Go To Somebody Who Has Wisdom & Faith

Continual Praise - vs. 46-47

LIFE LESSON #6 “In All Things Give God Praise”

When you are in the midst of a problem, let praise rise up within you.

CHALLENGE: When you are committed to God, He will use you. But it won't necessarily happen the way you expected. Your commitment will be tested. Those around you won't have necessarily heard from God as you have. A committed person says 'YES'; a committed person continues to praise Him - to rejoice in Him. Even when those around you may not understand what God has said and is doing with you, stay committed and continue to say with Mary, "Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour!".

God, I am committing myself to develop godly character; I will lift up a praise when things get challenging while doing your will!

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Walking With The Greats - The Life of Joseph, Jesus' Step-Father

2010-12-06T20:11:00.000-05:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Matthew 1:18-25

Have you been in a dilemma you can't solve?
Have you ever had a situation where you weren't 100% sure how to handle it the right way?
Has someone ever let you down?
Have you ever felt alone and didn't understand what's happening?

Then today's message is for you!

Today We Are Looking At The Life of Joseph, Jesus' Step-Father

Joseph was not just part of the supporting cast - he was hand-picked by God to handle the task of raising Jesus! So what kind of man did God choose to raise His only son? The qualities He saw in Joseph, He is looking for in every believer.

Righteousness - vs. 19

RIGHTEOUS - 'desiring to observe the Laws of God'. Righteousness is a characteristic of God. The Word does not say that Joseph 'became' a righteous man; it says he 'was' a righteous man. The Bible records that Joseph was LISTENING and Not Speaking! It had nothing to do with what he said and everything to do with how he lived.

CHALLENGE: If you never spoke a word, what message would you give to those around you?

LIFE LESSON #1: God’s Not Listening for Rhetoric - but Looking for RighteousnessRighteous is not based on your ability to debate or persuade.
Slow to Act - vs. 20

The text says, 'Joseph considered this' - What was Joseph considering? He was
considering that he didn't want to shame Mary! Wow! Now that's character! How would we have responded in the same situation?

CONSIDER - 'To Deliberate, to Carefully Weigh One’s Actions'

LIFE LESSON #2: When you are Slow to React, You Will Stay On Track.

When situations don't go right, we need to be careful not to react, but to stop and patiently think through the situation. Passionate people need to learn not to be impetuous - while keeping their passion.
Quick to Obey - vs. 24

In Matthew 1:20, God spoke to Joseph through an angel, but in Matthew 2:13-15 and Matthew 2:19-21 God spoke to Joseph through a dream. Either way, God spoke and Joseph obeyed. It would have been easy for Joseph to make excuses or come up with his own interpretation of the dream, but because of his character, he obeyed God.

LIFE LESSON #3: We Don’t Live By "What Feels Good, Do It!"; We Live by "What God Says, DO IT!"

Joseph had an assignment to impact lives. The same holds true for all believers. People's lives are impacted by how we live. Live Right - Follow God's Word! Joseph had character that counts! Character that allowed him to trust God! Your life can be an open book when you have the character that Joseph had.

CHALLENGE: If you never spoke a word, what message would your life give to those around you? If there was a 'wiki-leak' on your life and the things you did in private were exposed, would you have some things to answer for; would it destroy you and your witness? If you could never speak another word, would your life lead people to Christ; to God's mercy & grace? Ask God to help you to bring glory and honour to Him through your life, both in public and in private.

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of John The Baptist

2010-11-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Matthew 3:1-12

What Made John The Baptist Great Was…

CALL (Luke 1:15-17)

Before you were formed, God knew you and He has great plans for your life! There is a call on your life just like the call on John the Baptist's life.

LIFE LESSON #1: God's Got a Great Call... For Us All

COMMITMENT

It was not always easy, but John obeyed God. It wasn't convenient but John obeyed God.

LIFE LESSON #2: The World Measures Greatness By Achievement; God Measures Greatness By Obedience!

When someone has mastered obeying God completely, then they are great in God's eyes. John did everything God told him to do. What he wore, what he ate... John understood crucifying the flesh. He understood that this was about total commitment and not about him. Sometimes obedience requires inconvenience! We can't have a half-hearted commitment and expect a whole-hearted blessing! Commitment is a two-way street!

LIFE LESSON #3: To Fulfill God's Call, We Have To Give Our All!

COURAGE

Religious rulers and leaders of the day like Herod, came to hear what he had to say. But he didn't try to work those relationships for his own benefit. in fact, John rebuked Herod and told him to repent. Luke 3:19 John wasn't willing to compromise the message or his
lifestyle.

LIFE LESSON #4: We Need to be More Concerned with What God Wants From Us, Than What Men Think

It's more important what God wants than what people want.

CLOTHED IN HUMILITY

People were coming by the thousands to hear John. Some even asked if he was the Messiah. John's pride could have gotten the best of him. When God uses you, you can't allow that to make you think more highly of yourself than you ought. God wants to use you but he doesn't need you. He can raise up another at any time.

LIFE LESSON #5: Our Humility Should Never Give Way to Popularity - Matthew 3:11

John's humility caused him to realize he was merely a vessel God was working through. Weneed to put our pride aside. Pride is the enemy's #1 tactic to get us off track and into sin. The same spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in all believers - so there is no room for spiritual pride. You are not better than another, just because of your assignment. There will always be one who comes along with a greater assignment than yours.

CHRIST-FOCUSED

John's purpose was not to draw people to himself; 'another is coming after me...'; his whole purpose was to announce the coming of Jesus. John was the launching point of Jesus' ministry. When Jesus started baptising, John's disciples went to John and complained. John had to explain to them that this Jesus is the very one he was preaching about that was coming. Don't miss the point and miss Jesus because of your pride.

LIFE LESSON #6: Our PURPOSE: Is to Point People to Christ

We are never to draw people to ourselves. Our purpose is always to draw people to Christ. John said, "I must decrease that he might increase" This from a man that Jesus called great.

CHALLENGE: We must decrease so that Jesus would increase in and through us. This way, the world will see a reflection of Christ in us and not be distracted by us. Christ in you is their hope of glory. There is a call on our lives that requires commitment and courage. We must be clothed in humility to decrease and when we are Christ-focused, He will increase. Make sure that when people look at you, they see Jesus and not you. Christ is attractive to all who see Him in His true light. Allow that light to shine through clearly.

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Timothy

2010-11-21T13:09:00.004-05:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Phil 2:19-24

Important Things We Can Learn From The Life of Timothy

LIFE LESSON #1: You Determine Your Reputation With God & With Others

Your actions determine your reputation. What do you want to be known for by those around you and by God? Timothy stood out in the crowd. Paul said, "I have no one like Timothy!" Do you stand out in the house of God; in your neighbourhood; in your workplace? What's your reputation in your sphere of influence?

LIFE LESSON #2: While Many Are Trying To Fit In, We Need To Try To Stand Out!

Don't try to be like anyone else! Stand out because of what's on the inside, not the outside. Paul didn't talk about Timothy's outward achievements or accomplishments. He said Timothy was sincere, humble, faithful and hard-working!

LIFE LESSON #3: It’s Not About WHAT You’ve Done, But WHO You Become

Timothy's character was such that he could be counted on! His character stood out. Remember though that your character will be tested. Don't take the position, "Everyone else is doing it..." Timothy had a sincere love for and took a genuine interest in others;
“...who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.” We live in a generation that says, "Me First!" We will move mountains to get what we want; to reach our goals. Philippians 2:20

LIFE LESSON #4: We Should Develop An Attitude that says, “AFTER YOU.”

We need to learn how to say, "You First!" We need to help our neighbours. We need to prefer others before ourselves. Romans 12:10 You will grow strong through testing - “But you know Timothy has proved himself” Philippians 2:22 . The word 'PROVED' means, 'To be approved after being tested'. Timothy went through some stuff before he was approved. We need to be tough enough to make it through the stuff!

LIFE LESSON #5: The Blessing Comes After The Testing!

You may have people and situations opposing you - don't run from it; don't give up; stand strong in the test because after the testing there will be a blessing! Timothy served as a son - “As a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” Philippians 2:22. Timothy wasn't just hired help. He was like a son. He could be talked to without getting offended. In Timothy's culture, the son was virtually 'an apprentice'. It was expected that things would get better from generation to generation.

LIFE LESSON #6: The Goal Is Not Simply To Have Success, But To Have A Successor

Paul was reproducing himself in Timothy. Timothy allowed Paul's influence to mature him. How are you influencing those around you? Who will be your successor? Your goal should be that you would influence everyone around you for the glory of God and raise up successors! Our outside perception should match our inside reality - the world needs to see the character of Christ in us! Make those around you better because they knew you, spent time with you and were influenced by you. Change the environment and create successors.

LIFE LESSON #7: We All Influence People; Let’s Influence Them for Eternity

As God deals with our heart, it manifests visibly in our life!

CHALLENGE: When people spend time with you, do they leave having been influenced by you in a godly way? Do people want to be like you or have what you have? Things like being humble, having peace, filled with joy, compassion & understanding and not being judgemental. Do you have the heart of God and your Pastors? Are you being poured into so you can pour into others? Get with God this week and tell Him you are ready to sit under the mentor he sends to you, whether it be your Pastor or a Life Group Leader. Tell him that you will submit to the influence of His Man or Woman of God so that you too will be able to have influence over others who he sends to submit under you. So, if somebody followed you, where would they end up?

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Paul

2010-11-14T17:14:00.006-05:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Acts 9:1-19

Important Things We Can Learn From The Life of Paul

LIFE LESSON #1: An Encounter with Jesus Will Change your life!

When you encounter Jesus, you will witness sickness, disease, death, even your past, leave you. One encounter with Christ and you will be completely transformed! In a moment your past can be erased. It's personal.

Jesus considered Paul’s actions against the church as being against Him personally. – Acts 9:4-5

Life Lesson #2: How We Treat Other Believers Is How We are Treating Christ

So, how have you been treating Christ this week? How you've been treating other believers is the answer to how you've been treating Christ. If you act differently when the Pastor or your Life Group leader are around, you should really be more concerned with Jesus, who is always around. Instead of hearing Jesus ask you why you are persecuting him, you should want to hear Him say, 'Thanks for taking care of me.' When we encounter Jesus, things have to change.

God sends mature, Godly people into our lives to help direct and guide us. – Acts 9:10-17

Life Lesson #3: We All Need Mature, Godly Counsel

If you heard from God, then you will have no problem submitting it to Godly council for confirmation. Paul didn't submit to whom he wanted, but God sent Ananias, a mature leader, to bring confirmation and teaching to Paul. What did Ananias do before he was sent to Paul? No one really knows. Ananias wasn't famous like many of the other disciples, but he must have been a faithful man of God, for God to use him to pour into Paul! You don't have to be famous for God to use you, just faithful! When you are faithful, God will use you to strengthen others in the Lord. As we receive mature, godly counsel, God will raise us up to give mature, godly counsel!

"Those who have become my sons, I am sending to you Timothy"

Those who are sent have the same heart and Spirit as the leader of the house. 1 Corinthians 4:17 (Timothy); Philemon 1:10 (Onesimus)

Following Christ means an Abundant Life, Not an Easy Life! – Acts 9:16

"Go and tell Paul he will have all these things, but he will also suffer." Many believers think once they come to Christ they won't have any challenges. Expect battles but expect to win. Paul's life was a series of challenges. How we respond will determine the outcome. Paul was content in every situation. Under house arrest people got saved, in prison his praise breaks the chains that bind. Even the jailer came to know Christ with his entire family. He writes letters of encouragement to the complaining church after having been flogged and imprisoned once again. What would we do in these circumstances? We need to make the best of every situation!

Life Lesson #4: In the Midst of Adversity, Don’t Focus on Your Problems!

Life Lesson #5: You Will Have Problems – Just Don’t Let Your Problems Have You!

Don't focus on the problem, focus on the problem solver! Trust God that He will bring you through, because He will! What do we do with the challenges when they come. 2 Corinthians 11:24-12:10

The Lord’s Strength is enough for You!

"My grace is sufficient for you!"

2 Corinthians 12:9 Don't let the challenges make you give up - His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness! When I am weak, He is strong! The word 'Grace' means 'strength to sustain'. His grace is enough... His grace is good enough... His grace is sufficient... for you!

CHALLENGE: Have you had an encounter with Jesus; not just a simple prayer to receive him but an encounter where your life has been transformed? Saul thought he knew about Jesus, but when he encountered Jesus personally in the midst of persecuting him, Saul was transformed... so much so that even his name was changed! When God transforms you, He always confirms the encounter by sending a mature, godly leader to mentor you. Who are you being mentored by? Is it your Pastor or one sent by your Pastor? Did you choose your mentor; do you even have a mentor? Godly counsel sent by God to you will teach you that you shouldn't focus on your problems but on the Grace of God which is the strength you need when you are too weak to deal with those problems. Get a hold of God's 'strength to sustain' today and allow God to develop you and then send you to mentor others.

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Stephen

2010-11-07T13:20:00.002-05:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Acts 6:1-15

Stephen came on the scene when the church was exploding. He was involved and helping in the local church. He was not an Apostle or Pastor, but a deacon - one who served tables. Stephen even had influence on the Apostle Paul. Stephen is one we need to emulate and imitate. The Apostles didn't try to do it all - serve and preach. It would be too much for them. They knew they needed help, so they agreed to appoint seven people to help get the work of the ministry done. They laid hands on Stephen and blessed him to serve. Not as a Pastor or a Missionary, but a servant.

Serve "FaithFULL" Acts 6:1-7 - 'Full of faith'

Stephen lived full of faith, as a deacon. He was launched into serving and the church grew. When you meet the people's needs, the church will grow!

ACTION: Godly people serve the people - Apostles increase prayer & preaching. The Apostles had to be free to do what they were called to do. The results were greater because of people like Stephen who were helping to serve. Every person has an assignment. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" Did the action hurt the ministry? Absolutely not! They understood that everyone has an assignment. And the results were that the Word of God spread and the disciples increased!

LIFE LESSON #1: When the leadership serves 'faithFULL' then the church grows rapidly.

It's not enough to pray for growth. We have to be prepared to care for the household of faith. When you do your part, it causes the church to grow. People in the local church where Stephen served were full of faith and serving faithfully. You may ask, "Why do you have to be full of faith just to serve?" As those who served did so, they were speaking with people. Not complaining; not whining that he should have a greater position. "I'm just saying..." or other comments that would impede the growth of the church. Fussy people - even nice fussy people - hinder the growth of the church. They tell four people who tell another four people each and the gossip spreads - and hinders the growth of the church. Build the people up as you communicate while you serve. If you serve in faith, your faith will spill out of you and influence those you serve. Influence doesn't just come from the pulpit. You influence people with your words and your actions. You must serve faithful and faithfully. The seven who were appointed to serve were FULL of the Holy Spirit.

Serve "PrayerFULL" Acts 6:5 - Full means 'having a full measure'.

Don't have just enough Holy Ghost. Don't compare with anyone else. Get full of the Holy Ghost yourself. Give those you serve the clear, fresh and refreshing drink of the Holy Ghost, not tainted or mixed with anything unholy.

LIFE LESSON #2: When you are FULL of the Holy Spirit, You can’t be full of yourself.

When someone is full of the Holy Ghost, they talk about how good God is; you leave impressed with God, not the person. Focus is on God when you are full of the Holy Ghost. It doesn't mean you are perfect, but it does mean you are submitted. And that means you need to spend time in His presence; at the beginning of each day and throughout the day.

Serve "PowerFULL" Acts 6:8 - "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people"

We need to live a life full of Faith, Holy Spirit, Grace & Power. God's power then flows through us to make an impact on people's lives. Serving is a great way to see miracles released. When you see and learn of a need, you release your faith into the lives of those in need.

LIFE LESSON #3: When you live FULL, expect miracles, signs & wonders.

Expect that when you serve, you will see miracles, signs and wonders. 1 John 2:20 - We all have 'an anointing from the Holy One...' but there will be those who come against us.

LIFE LESSON #4: When God is working through you, you can expect some opposition.

Stand BOLDly Acts 6:12-15 - Stephen was stoned to death

Paul (called Saul at the time) stood there watching as they stoned Stephen to death. He supported what was happening. Some think that if you have great faith you won't have opposition. In fact, your faith is there to help you respond to opposition with God's grace. Stephen's example both in living and in dying impacted Paul's life. In fact so much so that the first message Paul preached was the same message Stephen was preaching when he was stoned. Paul actually started where Stephen left off and finished Stephen's message! WOW!!

LIFE LESSON #5: When the world tries to shake your faith; let your faith shake the world!

Stephen prayed for those persecuting him and Paul heard this. It affected Paul - it influenced Paul - it shook Paul's world.

Acts 8:4 - The persecution that the church was experiencing at this time caused it to be scattered. The scattering turned out to be a good thing because it took the message of the gospel out to the rest of the world.

LIFE LESSON #6: When walking through persecution it releases greater reward.

CHALLENGE: The church is supposed to be growing. Is what you are doing on a daily basis playing a role in local church growth? What are you waiting on to happen before you decide to serve the local church body? God wants to work through you to release miracles, signs and wonders. Step up - there is so much to do - get involved in serving in the local church. The Pastor can't do it all. The leadership team is not big enough to meet every need. The growth of the church is hindered while believers watch without taking action. As you listen to the voice of God and step out, God will use you to make a difference in people's lives. You will be credited eternally with helping the church grow and those you set the example for will be given a real model that they too can follow.

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Martha

2010-11-03T22:37:00.005-04:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Luke 10:38-42

Have you ever felt like you were trying to do things on your own?
Have you ever felt like it would be nice to get a little help?
Have you ever felt like you pray but God isn't hearing your prayers?
Have you ever felt like saying, "What's the use, there is nothing more I can do?"

In the whole bible there are only about 25 verses that refer to Martha, yet most have heard about her.

Martha followed Jesus
She opened the doors of her home to Jesus & the disciples
Martha's life was marked by serving

Martha will be one of those who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven because she served without agenda. (Luke 22:26)

Many people serve only when they get something from it; they have an agenda that benefits them. "If I get benefit, I serve", but that's working towards a goal, not serving. That does not get eternal reward. Martha understood the value of serving! Martha chose to serve willingly. She welcomed strangers into her home. The word 'welcomed' means "to show hospitality, to receive strangers in a friendly, generous way." True hospitality goes beyond ourselves and our circle of friends. It is what a believer is supposed to do.

LIFE LESSON - Hospitality is not an event but an EVERYDAY LIFESTYLE! - Luke 10:38

Hospitality is not just an action - it's an attitude that requires action. Hospitality is at the very core of our belief system.

Why is hospitality so important: because it displays two foundational Christ-like characteristics - 'Loving' and 'Serving'. These two characteristics are absolutely essential in the lives of believers; not one or the other but both characteristics in our lives! The Word summarizes it as "Love God - love others". Hospitality demonstrates love to those around us. The principle of washing feet is to serve others. Since we don't have a culture of sandals and dirty feet, we have lost the understanding of the requirement to serve in today's culture. Serving is a foundational principle in the Kingdom of God.

Hospitality creates an atmosphere where strangers feel accepted, included and loved. We need to create an atmosphere of hospitality in both the church and in our homes. If you feel it's not your personality, then change your personality to be Christ-like.

The challenge is this: We need people to see the word before they hear the Word. Some people will not hear your words until they see you live out your words. Sometimes we try to share with people but what we are sharing doesn't line up with our life. People will understand what you are saying only when they have seen you walking it out. Don't cop out with the excuse that you don't say anything because you aren't perfect and therefore can't demonstrate hospitality. Work on your character while you are sharing. Then your words will have more authority. People need to see that there is something unique or different about you; a distinction that is obvious before you ever pull out a bible. We want to give people something to become like. If they don't see a difference in you then there is nothing in them that will change, there is no need for them to change.

"Let people see the Word in you before they read the Word!"

Here's the challenge: If we are not hospitable, people will never be able to really closely read your life because they don't really know you. Being hospitable opens the doors to opportunities for them to know you and for you to share. You've earned the right to share through loving and serving, being hospitable. Martha willingly opened her home to Jesus and his many disciples (Luke 10:40-41) so she knew that there would be lots to do. It was inconvenient but she did it because hospitality was integrated into her lifestyle.

Martha was distracted with her serving and when she saw Mary worshipping Jesus, it bothered her to the point where she interrupted Jesus and said "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." Because Martha was strong in serving, she was distracted by those around her who weren't serving. Here is a caution - when we choose to practice hospitality and to serve, we need to be careful not to focus on others.

LIFE LESSON - Don’t let someone else’s actions become a distraction to your assignment - Luke 10:40

It's interesting to note that Jesus didn't tell Mary to stop receiving and He also didn't tell Martha to stop serving; He identified Martha's problem of worrying. We don't need to get all worked up and then just stop serving when we see others not serving. We need to allow our character to be formed in these times. Keep serving; keep being hospitable; keep caring for others. We've got to learn to serve and receive at the same time. We need to have His peace and His presence together at the same time. This is not a rebuke to Martha for serving but a challenge to do so in the presence of God.

LIFE LESSON - In the middle of chaos, Christ-likeness shines the brightest!

The more you stay at peace in His presence, the more His character shines out of you and is attractive to those around you who are not at peace.

John 11:14-27 Lazarus dies and Mary runs to meet Jesus. Here you see two different responses from these two ladies. Mary, the one who sat at Jesus feet and received, is upset because Lazarus has died. When Jesus arrives at Bethany, Mary stays home with the attitude of, "what's the use? It's too late, he's already died and Jesus did nothing!" But Martha's attitude is, 'It may look like its too late but no matter what, Jesus is the answer; it might look hopeless but Jesus is the answer.'

LIFE LESSON - Jesus comes in the right time, just not in OUR time - John 11:21

Sometimes we want pre-packaged miracles that are ready in minutes. But we have to trust him and believe that He is still in control.

John 11:15 What appeared to be the end for Lazarus was not the end, only an opportunity for a miracle. We must trust Jesus in the process. Don't look at the moment. Martha has changed; her next statement was, "But... even now I know that whatever You ask from God, He will grant it to You!"

John 11:39-40 Lazarus had been dead for four days and Jesus instruct them to open the tomb; Martha said that by this point Lazarus would be stinking. Your situation might stink but Jesus knows what He's doing.

LIFE LESSON - Even when things stink - you are on the brink of your miracle - John 11:39

Martha went from being a worrier to being a warrior! It's time to learn and turn it around! It's time to trust God!

CHALLENGE: Are you a hospitable person? Have you been serving out of what you have received while in His presence? Do people see God in you because hospitality is part of your DNA? If you want to make a difference in your world and win the lost, you need to be hospitable. You need to love and serve people out of a pure, hospitable heart. The reward of a servant is to be great in heaven, not necessarily on the earth. Let people see your great God operating in your life through your hospitality and then you will be able to introduce Him to them and it will make an eternal difference for both them and for you.

Thanks for visiting!

God Will Take Care of You By Himself - Bishop Wesley Dear

2010-10-24T21:32:00.008-04:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Elijah was a man like us subject to the passions we are. It is worth noting that Elijah lived his life always putting confidence in God. In many cases, the church of today has reduced its reliance on God and placed it more on things like technology and giftings. The bible tells us 'The just shall live by faith.' Romans 1:17; and 'Without faith it is impossible to please Him...' Hebrews 11:6. Elijah said 'The rain won't fall until I say so.' 1 Kings 17:1 It was the beginning of an economic downturn. No rain meant no harvests. In this season, it was also a time of supernatural miracles. God sends Elijah to the brook and commands the ravens to feed him. When God is getting ready to bless you, He never begs; He commands people to bless you!

After a while, the brook dried up and Elijah left that place. Because God had commanded the raven, it kept feeding. But He hadn't commanded the brook, so eventually, it dried up. It was because of the dried up brook that Elijah left. Where Elijah went, God commanded a woman to feed him. If a raven would feed Elijah by God's command, surely He would feed him by the woman. The widow woman didn't believe there was enough to feed him, but Elijah encouraged her in God. "Bake me a cake first..." 1 Kings 17:13 Instead of eating the only food she had left and was holding in her hand, she sowed sacrificially in response to the request of the man of God; she didn't eat her seed but rather sowed it. Because of her sacrificial gift in a time of economic downturn, God provided for her and her family for many days, even during a recession. Has the church today mistaken their seed for their harvest?

God is working both on and through the faith of Elijah and the woman's faith. Their faith is now greater than it was before. They understood that man's faith in God will produce every time, not because we have faith but because God is faithful! The enemy wants you to believe God is not faithful. You need to recognize that your faith has enemies. These are some enemies that will come against your faith:

Doubt
Grief
Fear
Intimidation
Disappointment

How are we to respond to these enemies? In the midst of her faith growing, the widow woman's son gets ill and dies. Her faith is being attacked. She is compelled to question God's faithfulness. Even in her questioning, Elijah prays for her dead boy and he comes back to life. Elijah presents him to her alive. Both of their faiths are now restored and increased. The widow woman now comes to know Jehovah Jireh, her provider, as Jehovah Rapha, her healer.

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and destroys them and their works. Then in 1 Kings 19, Jezebel threatens Elijah and he begins getting fearful, stressed, discouraged and filled with doubt. Now Jezebel is long dead, but her spirit still lives, even in the church. The spirit of Jezebel (witchcraft) disrespects authority. It manipulates. And the problem is, it is difficult to deal with a spirit if you haven't identified it. Now understand that the Jezebel spirit tries to threaten the life of the man of God. Elijah felt like he was forgotten, forsaken and all alone. The man of God felt like throwing in the towel. It is at this point, you can lose the will to live. He laid down, closed his eyes and prayed that he wake up dead. Every now and again, regardless of the faith God has built up in you, there will come times where you feel like giving up, but there is a dimension of your faith that has the capacity to draw on and connect with the faithfulness of God when you would come to the end of yourself. It will move God to do the absolutely incredible on your behalf to show you He is still God, still faithful. God came to Elijah at that point, when there was no ravens or widow women to bless him, and personally baked Elijah a cake and gave him water. God is saying that He doesn't need the raven or the woman to bless you. He can bless you all by Himself. David told us in Psalm 23:5 that God will prepare a table before you (provision) in the presence of your enemies! When it looks like no one is there for you and no one cares, God will command a blessing in your life! He will personally bless you because HE IS FAITHFUL! God will take care of you - all by Himself!

CHALLENGE: The God of Elijah is here for you today. He is looking to raise up men and women of faith in the body of Christ. Men and women that he can use as examples in this nation to show that He is still God, the God of the impossible. Will you trust Him even when the enemies of your faith try to threaten your life? Remember that when your faith is being attacked, that means you have come to a place where your faith will connect with God's faithfulness to work miracles on your behalf. God will command people to bless you, but understand that He wants you to come to the dimension of faith where you recognize He wants to bless you... Himself!

Thanks for visiting!

At First... - Pastor Dave Tunikaitis

2010-10-17T13:22:00.002-04:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

Today's Scripture: Revelation 2:1-5

"At First..."

To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of Him who holds the seven stars in His right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Revelation 2:1-3
Because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. Romans 5:3-4
The things that mark an apostle --- signs, wonders and miracles --- were done among you with great perseverance. 2 Corinthians 12:12
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1
The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. James 5:10
I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Psalm 101:2-4
But there will be false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them — bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2 Peter 2:1
For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:4
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workman, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:13
Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all persecutions and trials you are enduring. 2 Thessalonians 1:4
Let us not grow weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:4-7

AT FIRST - When you were courting...

You Looked Different - You made sure you looked good for them;
You Sat Different - Your posture was such that you appeared interested;
You Dressed Different - You made sure your clothes matched;
You Acted Different - You treated them with fresh respect;
You Smelled Different - You made sure you cleaned all 2,000 body parts;
You Ate Different - You watched what you ate;
You Talked Different - Your words were always uplifting and polite;
You Listened Different - you were attentive when they spoke and paid closer attention.

The question is... what happened?

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
AT FIRST - When you first gave your heart to Jesus...

You Looked Different - People around you could tell something was different;
You Sat Different - Your posture towards life was better;
You Dressed Different - You learned how to put on the full armour;
You Acted Different - you wouldn't accept those forwarded emails or the out-of-taste jokes;
You Smelled Different - 'We are the aroma or fragrance of Christ' 2 Corinthians 2:15;
You Ate Different - You feasted on God's word daily;
You Talked Different - You didn't know Greek or Hebrew, but like the blind man Jesus healed, you simply said, 'Once I was blind, but now I see... Jesus!';
You Listened Different - You heard the voice of God and listened to what the Spirit was saying to the church.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5
Return to your first love. Love Jesus again... for the very first time!

CHALLENGE: Listen to what the Spirit is saying to you today. He is calling you... go back... to how you first responded to Jesus. It will transform your relationship with Him; it will transform your life. When you go back to courting Jesus, you will find the hunger you once had for Him. Hunger to worship him, hunger to feed on His Word, hunger to serve Him and love Him, hunger like you once had when you first loved Him. Jesus wants to be your Lord; He still wants to take care of you today like he once did... at first.

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of John

2010-10-10T13:11:00.003-04:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Have you ever felt like you have too many rough edges for God to use you? Have you ever felt like you don't always seem to say or do the right thing? Have you ever felt like you keep messing up?

Today we are going to look at the life of John. Here is John's Resume:

John was the youngest of 12 disciples
John was the first cousin of Jesus
John wrote 5 books of the New Testament
John was only one at the cross as Jesus was dying
John was the last to see Jesus suffer
John was charged with looking after Jesus mother
John was the first to recognize Jesus at the resurrection
John was banished to exile on the island of Patmos, where he received the vision and recorded The Book of Revelation
John lived the longest of all the disciples
Paul called John a 'pillar of the church'

John's journey was a journey of change and development. In Mark 3:14 Jesus appointed his twelve disciples. John was one of the twelve and was called a 'Son of Thunder'. This nickname was because he was like the proverbial "bull in a china shop". In Mark 9:38-39, John told the person to stop driving out demons in Jesus' name and Jesus rebuked him saying, "If he's not against us, he's for us." In Luke 9:54, John said they should call down fire from heaven. Jesus rebukes him again. John, James & Peter were considered Jesus 'inner circle'. Judas, the one who was 'the money man', wasn't in the inner circle. It isn't always those who have or handle the money that get close to Jesus. It is the ones with the passion. John was passionate for Jesus!

Life Lesson #1 - Jesus Isn’t Looking for Perfection, But Passion

You may not always get everything right but if you have passion, God can work with you. Jesus rebuked John, his own cousin, twice in a very short period of time. John didn't respond by talking negative about Jesus or get offended. He doesn't go and look for another leader to follow. He doesn't go and join another church or start his own church. John was teachable! As Jesus disciples, we must be teachable.

Life Lesson #2 - Being Teachable in Every Situation Will Bring About Transformation

Jesus finds us in our imperfection - but He doesn't leave us that way. He teaches us and as we become teachable, He transforms us. In every situation, when you are teachable, your character will be transformed and you will move closer to your destiny, being refined into the person God has designed you to be. He calls us with our bad tempers, pride, personal ambitions and selfish desires, old habits and hang-ups, to follow Him. Jesus says, "Learn from me and what I teach you because I see your potential."

It doesn't matter who you are, but who you are becoming.
It's not where you've been, but where you are going.

When you go through a challenge, let it be a refining moment. In Mark 10:35, just after coming down from the Mount of Transfiguration, James and John, the Sons of Thunder asked Jesus, "Do for us whatever we ask." Jesus said "You don't know what you are asking."

Life Lesson #3 - Sometimes We Ask for Things and We Don’t Understand the Journey to Get There.

Have you ever noticed that if you ask for patience, you have to be patient in waiting for it to come? There is a journey and you must be teachable in the journey. Not everything you ask for will come the way you had in mind. "You will have to be baptised with My baptism; you'll have to drink from My cup;" James and John had no idea what Jesus was talking about. They needed to understand that to receive what they asked for, they would have to go through some of the same things Jesus was about to go through. Jesus wanted greatness for them and He also wants greatness for you! But you need to understand what that greatness will require. Greatness requires refining; it requires being misunderstood; there will be challenges.

Life Lesson #4 - It Is the Process of Present Challenges that Bring Eternal Changes

The challenges we are going through right know are bringing eternal changes. In fitness, they say, 'No Pain - No Gain!' How will you know if you have faith and trust God if everything always goes perfect? It's the challenges that cause us to grow. Refining brings lasting change. John experienced some serious challenges:
He had to witness his Saviour being crucified
He saw his brother James be crucified for Christ
He was beaten for his faith
He was banished
He was lonely
But in the midst of this process, his character was being transformed. He goes from being called a 'Son of Thunder' to being called 'John, the beloved of Jesus', or 'the one Jesus loved'. Now, the one who was quick to cast judgement with a lot of noise was healing people, blessing people and working miracles, all without a lot of noise. Now, John is a man of faith and vision. He records that vision as The Book of Revelation. John went from being a stumbling block to others to being a pillar of the church.

In this Year of ACCELERATION God is Bringing TRANSFORMATION

CHALLENGE: You have faced obstacles and challenges? Don't despise the process you are in. Don't get upset that you are on a journey. You asked God to make you great. That's exactly what he is doing. He is causing your faith to grow through the challenges you are facing. Embrace these challenges. Allow God to refine and change you, to transform you in this Year of Acceleration. You don't want to stay the way you are. As a child of God, you must be transformed. You are being prepared for greatness. Who are you... becoming?

Thanks for visiting!

Walking With The Greats - The Life of Peter

2010-10-04T20:53:00.004-04:00

This week's service can be watched at
http://www.kbmlive.tv/

"Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

Today's Scripture Text: Matthew 14:24-29

Have you ever made a decision before thinking about it? Have you ever spoken before you thought? Well, you are not alone. Peter was the same way but yet he was greatly used by the Lord.

Here are some facts about Peter:

Peter is mentioned 146 times in the New Testament!
Peter is mentioned 57 times in the Book of Acts alone!
Peter seems to be a born leader.
Peter was quick to ask questions and give advice.
Peter was the first to reveal Jesus as 'The Christ'.
Peter was the only one in the Garden of Gethsemane who tried to protect Christ.
Paul said in Galatians that Peter was a pillar in the church.
In the Book of Acts, Peter's shadow healed people.

Do you want your life to count? Peter did. Make this confession: "I will be a faith-filled, miracle-working, overcoming believer."

When the storms were raging and the disciples were in fear, they saw a shadow and they weren't sure what it was. Peter recognized it as Jesus and asked Jesus to call him to join Jesus on the water. Jesus did call Peter and Peter jumped out of the boat, walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when Peter's focus shifted from the Lord to the storm, fear gripped him and he started sinking. Peter thought everything would be ok when Jesus called him. He didn't think he would get his feet wet; he didn't think he would run into set-backs; he didn't think he would face trials. The call is not a guarantee of fair weather.

Life Lesson #1 - Jesus will show up in the middle of our storm, in the darkest hours of the night. Matthew 14:24

The disciples weren't sure if it was even the Lord. Many times when God speaks to us, we say, "I'm not sure if this is even God or not." Just because you are a believer, it doesn't mean you won't have a storm, but rather that Jesus will show up in the midst of that storm. Some things the Lord asks you to do don't make sense. Peter getting out of the boat didn't make sense. If the Lord asked you to do something in the midst of a troubled time or that didn't make sense, would you do it?

Peter is accused of being someone who acted without thinking; but at least he acted. Many of us are more guilty of thinking and not acting than acting and not thinking. You need to understand that your faith grows when you act on it.

Life Lesson #2 - Faith grows in the middle of a storm. Matthew 14:28

When I have a storm, it actually causes my faith to grow! The challenge is that in the midst of the storm we don't feel like acting, but that's when we need to trust Jesus! While the other disciples were shaking in fear, Peter stepped out of his comfort zone, which increased his faith even more. Step out of our comfort zone and watch your faith grow! It's easy to be like the rest of the disciples and stay safe in the boat with your friends around you. But that will do nothing for your faith.

When the storms are raging in your finances, you need to step out in faith and tithe... and watch your faith grow. In any area where you are experiencing a storm, step out of your comfort zone and go to Jesus and watch your faith grow. Can you trust him when it's easy as well as when it's difficult?

When you find yourself in a storm, you need to stay focussed on Jesus. The miracle power was working and Peter still sunk... because his focus shifted. We see God work, a storm comes and we tend to negate what God was doing. Fear entered in and circumstances took over. When you experience a miracle, a test will come. Will you now sink? You must be quick to call on the name of Jesus.

Life Lesson #3 - Focus on Jesus builds Faith, Focus on our problems brings fear. Matthew 14:30

Fear will destroy our faith and we will sink. The moment Peter took his eyes off Christ, he began to sink. When the storm comes, we start looking at our circumstances and confess in fear that we can't do it. We must cry out to Jesus and say, "I'm not lettin' fear up in hear!" Peter may have wavered for a moment but he remembered Jesus was with him and cried out to Jesus who quickly saved him. When Peter realized he had messed up, he quickly confessed his sin and called on the Lord. Don't wallow in it; don't wait in it; quickly call on the Lord.

Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane and the pressure was great. Just prior to this, Judas had betrayed Jesus and Peter had denied Jesus. The difference was that when Peter recognized his sin, he repented, while Judas went and took the cowardly way out and killed himself.

Life Lesson #4 - When you fall, QUICKLY call on Jesus. Matthew 14:30

When you make a mistake, that's the time to call on Jesus! Don't run or hide from God - call on Him! It's interesting that Jesus brought Peter safely back to the boat in the midst of the storm. Only when they got back in the boat did the storm stop. A Life Lesson for Peter would be, "Even when Jesus has
His hand on us, the storm can still rage!"

My friend, understand that the storm has nothing to do with you. Your faith is not whether or not there is a storm. Your faith is your response or action in the midst of the storm. Jesus will keep you through the storm. Focus on the Lord and not the storm. Don't let your circumstance defeat you, but let the Lord release you.

CHALLENGE: Are there storms raging in your life? Do you find yourself in a comfort zone, with a false sense of safety - hanging with the crowd? Do you wish you had greater faith to face the storms of life? Then it is time for you to follow Peter's example and step out of your comfort zone; cry out to the Lord and ask him to bid you - 'Come!' But you must be willing to forsake what has held you back thus far and step out... right out and trust Jesus to be there for you. If He called you, surely He will keep you! The storm will pass only when the miracles are done and Jesus has delivered you out of the storm!

Thanks for visiting!