What Do You Need?

Scripture Text

Luke 18:35-43

Intro: Many people go through life doing things the same old way and expecting different results. This story from the bible gives us five things that a person must do to change an unwanted lifestyle or to receive any need from God. May God reveal to us today through His Spirit the power, compassion and love of Jesus Christ toward people who seek Him.

I. We must recognize our need. Luke 18:35 (NKJV) Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging.

 a. What is the greatest need in your life? Be very specific!

 b. This man was blind and poor. He was as needful as one could be!

II. People must hear about Jesus. Luke 18:36-37 (NKJV) ³⁶ And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. 37 So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by.

 a. The purpose of the church. Romans 10:14 (NKJV) How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? The very reason the church exists is to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. Matthew 9:35 (NKJV)  Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

III. We must believe the word concerning who Jesus is? Luke 18:38 (NKJV)  And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

 a. The blind man believed the Old Testament scriptures concerning who Jesus really was.

 b. Son of David was the Jewish name for the Messiah whom God prophesied would come to save them and be their King and rule and reign over the earth.

 c. The New testament tells us that Jesus is the only begotten of the Father. He has come so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. We must believe He is the Son of God and possesses the awesome power and authority of God over everything.

     Matthew 28:18 (NKJV)  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

IV. We must cry out in earnest and persistent prayer to Jesus. Luke 18:38-39 (NKJV) ³⁸ And he cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" ³⁹ Then those who went before warned him that he should be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" What if he hadn’t asked? There  were many people around Jesus but they didn’t ask!

 a. Don’t be discouraged by people. Some will try to dissuade you from praying for your earnest need. Some of the people with Jesus rebuked the blind man. They tried to silence and stop him from crying out to the Lord. He had every reason to be discouraged, for he was blind and could not see to make his way through the crowd. All he could do was shout out even though they were trying to stop him from doing that. He could have easily quit and given up, for it seemed so useless. He would not quit and would not be silenced. Jesus was his hope, the only chance he had for mercy. No other man could have mercy upon him or meet his need. For a true change in your life to happen, Jesus is the only One who can make the change needed.

     We must come to Him in believing, trusting faith. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of [those who diligently seek Him.]

V. Jesus responds to our earnest persistent prayer of faith.  Luke 18:40-41 (NKJV) ⁴⁰ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, ⁴¹ saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight."

 a. Must be specific in our prayers. [v:41] Sincere prayers are to be specific.

 b. The blind man believed in the One who stood before Him, believing what he had heard: that this Jesus was the Messiah who possessed the very power of God. He was able to do anything, so the blind man asked for the greatest need in his life to be met. There was no need to ask for anything less, for Jesus was the One possessing the power of God. In verse 42 Jesus answered his prayer request! his faith had made him whole Jesus said! Jesus is asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?

Invitation: If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord, you definitely need a change in your life. You need the change that Christ’s forgiveness brings. You must be born again the bible says to be able to have eternal life in Heaven. Confess your sins against God to Jesus and ask Him to forgive and save you from Hell right now.

When!

Scripture Text Psalms 56:3-4

Intro: Anxieties will arise in our lives, not only because this is a fallen world, but God can use them also in order to teach us faith. Sometimes we must be brought to the end of ourselves so we will choose to trust the Father. This is a necessary lesson and a vital part of maturing us as believers. God desires that we grow in our trust of Him.

I. Times of fearfulness will come into our lives. Psalms 56:3 (NKJV) Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

 a. David said when I am afraid. We have many enemies and problems to face each day. Psalms 56:2 (NKJV) My enemies would hound me all day, For there are many who fight against me, O Most High. 

 b. There are physical and spiritual enemies who hound and fight against us. Enemies are sent of Satan to destroy us. They come to keep us from experiencing God’s best for our lives. Fighting against these enemies burden us down and put pressure on us.

II. When fearful times come we choose our course of action. Psalms 56:3b I will trust in You. I will not fear!

 a. We either choose to be afraid and succumb to those fears or we can trust in God. It’s a matter of the will. David I will trust in God. The bible says in  Philippians 4:6-7 ⁶ Be anxious (fearful) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  III. Our trust is in the character of God and the faithfulness of His promises. Psalms 56:4 (NKJV) In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

a. God is more powerful than all our foes combined, and He has promised in His word to protect us from harm. Nothing can penetrate the protective hedge which He sets up around us except by His permissive will. This is why we can trust in God without a fear. What can man do to us? Romans 8:31 -32 (NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

CONCLUSION: So today, is your heart in despair? Are questions, painful thoughts, or fears flooding your mind? Is there an overwhelming situation that you cannot handle? So Do as David did and come back to the truth of your Father’s perfect provision and unfailing care for your every need. God has not and never will abandon you. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵b For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" [Isaiah 41:11-13] Isaiah 41:11-13 (NKJV) ¹¹ "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. ¹² You shall seek them and not find them-- Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing. ¹³ For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.' Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that God is holding you by your right hand. Nothing can separate you from His presence. Trust Him to help you!

Invitation: Have you trusted in God’s Son Jesus to forgive your sins against Father God and save you from Hell? If not you can choose this day to be forgiven and set free from the penalty of your sin by Asking Jesus to forgive you and save you!                                  Prayer: Lord, speak to the heart of those who may need to trust in Jesus for their salvation and give them the grace to respond. Lord, help us that are Your children when we are afraid. Help us to trust You and have faith in Your provisions and protection. Thank You for loving us and draw us all closer to You in Jesus’ holy name. Amen!

Overcoming Problems

Scripture Text John 11

Intro: In John Chapter 11 we are given some keys as to how to overcome every problem we might face in this life. If we do what Lazarus’ family did, we will have the same result. All we need is faith that Jesus hears our prayers, loves us, and cares for us at all times.

I. We are to call on Jesus for help. John 11:3 (NKJV) Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."

 a. The very first step in overcoming life’s situations is to call on Jesus. This family had a very serious problem but they knew what to do because they had an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus is waiting for us to call on Him. He is always near!

II. Remember Jesus is never late. John 11:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. ⁷ Then after this He said to the disciples, "Let us go to Judea again."

 a. Jesus knows when it’s the right time to answer our prayers. He is always working out His plan for our life. When He seems to delay the answer it is for a good reason. In this case Jesus waited two days before He begins to answer their prayer, but there was a very good reason. John 11:4 (NKJV)  When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, “but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." John 11:15 (NKJV)  And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, “that you may believe.” Nevertheless let us go to him." These underlined scriptures give us the reason why Jesus waited. We are to wait on Jesus to answer our prayers knowing He is working out His will for all concerned. Every prayer Jesus answers is to bring glory to God and Himself and to increase our faith in Him and His love for us. A strong faith in God can overcome every obstacle.

III. Remember Jesus loves and cares for us greatly. John 11:5 (NKJV)  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. John 11:35-36 (NKJV) ³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"

  a. They loved Jesus and He loved them in verse 5. If you ever doubt Jesus’ love for you look at the cross. Look at what God says in His word in Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV) ³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

 God handed His own Son over to die for us—in our behalf, in our stead, in our place, as our substitute. God spared not His own Son; He delivered Christ Jesus up for us all. What a glorious, marvelous, wonderful love! And just how wonderful His love is can be clearly seen in this: it was while we were sinners, acting and rebelling against God, that He gave His Son to die for us. Then He asks us a question. Will God not also freely give us all things through this same Jesus who died for us all?

IV. Remember Jesus has power over every circumstance we face. John 11:41-42 (NKJV)
⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."

 a. Lazarus had been in that tomb four days so there was no doubt that he was truly dead. Jesus told them to take the stone away from the tomb. Jesus had prayed and then He thanked the Father for the assurance that He always heard Him. God also hears every prayer we pray if we have that faith in His word because His word tells us so.

 b. The great shout of power! John 11:43-44 (NKJV) ⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go."

     Jesus’ voice is effective and life giving!

     Jesus cried out with a loud voice and dead Lazarus came forth out of the tomb bound in his grave cloths and face wrapped in a cloth. Then Jesus commanded them to take off his grave wrappings and let him go.

Conclusion: Jesus will always answer the prayer of faith! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What He did then He will do today when we go to Him in earnest and mountain moving faith just believing Him to always answer us with the right answer. Sometimes we will have to wait for His timing because He is working out His plan for the good of all concerned. We must remember Jesus loves us greatly and cares deeply about our situation. We are to always remember that Jesus has the power over all situations and circumstances.

Invitation: Have you asked Jesus to forgive and save you from your sins? If not, the bible says today is the accepted time, the day of salvation if you will hear His voice. May this message today penetrate your heart and soul so you never forget it and may you live with the assurance of Jesus’ love and care for you and your family forever!

True Worship

Scripture Text Ps. 95:6-7

Intro: The ‘Dictionary of Bible Themes” states that worship is mentioned hundreds of times in the bible. Scripture stresses the importance of regular corporate worship, while at the same time recognizing that believers may worship God spontaneously.

When was the last time you truly worshiped God?

I. What is “True Worship”? [v:6] Psalms 95:6 (NKJV) Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Worship means to show reverence and adoration for a deity.

 a. True worship is bowing down and kneeling in surrender to the Lord our Maker. [v:6 above] Worship in the truest sense takes place only when our full attention is on God, on His beauty, His glory, magnificence, and majesty, His power, splendor, love and compassion. It’s not in doing religious things but being in complete awe of God and all He is! If we are honest this doesn’t happen very often. Even in church or in times of quiet devotion, we get distracted and fail to see God as He truly is. It’s easy to be distracted! We must “cast down arguments [about God] and every high thing [rebellious thoughts] that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV) When your mind wants to wander bring it back into the obedience of Christ.

 

II. Things That Prompt Worship. Psalms 95:3-5 (NKJV)
³ For the Lord is the great God, And the great King above all gods.
⁴ In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also.
⁵ The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.

 1. True worship recognizes that God is the Lord. He is the sovereign, supreme, all-powerful over all so called gods (idols). God made everything and holds in place the universe. [Vs:3-5]

 2. True worship recognizes that God made us. [v:7] Psalms 95:7 (NKJV) For He is our God, And we are the people of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice: Psalms 139:13-18 (NLT) ¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. ¹⁶ You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
¹⁷ How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
¹⁸ I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

We are not here by accident. We are here by God’s perfect design and He has a plan for each of our lives. When we worship God we draw close to Him and we find His direction for our lives. He restores our soul and fills us with His Holy Spirit power.

Then He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name sake. [Ps. 23:3]

 3. True worship recognizes God has made us a part of His forever family. [v:7] We are part of His flock which means We are under His care. God constantly watches over us.

     Psalms 139:7 (NLT) I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!  God also provides for our every need.

     The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. [Ps. 23:1]

 4. True worship recognizes that we can never be separated from God and His love. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion: We must learn to shut out the distractions that keep us from truly worshiping God. We must turn our mind and heart to Him every day, praising Him for who He is, what He has done for us, what He is doing and what He has already prepared for our future.         We must not to forget to thank Him for His everlasting, faithful love for us in Christ Jesus.

Invitation: You cannot worship God until you have a personal relationship with Him. If you do not have a personal relationship with God, it comes by confessing your sins to Jesus Christ and asking Him to forgive you and save you from Hell. Then invite Jesus into your life to take charge of you and your daily affairs. Then be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then you can begin to truly worship God and receive His blessings for the rest of your life here on earth and then forever throughout eternity.

Pray for All Men!

Scripture Text 1 Tim.2:1-6

Intro: This Friday we have a new executive branch of government being installed. As Christians, We must be aware of the need to pray for the incoming administration. This is most important as we see those who are already stirring up trouble and rumors. The new administration will need God’s help to be able to make the changes that are necessary to make us truly one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. We must pray for God to change the hearts of those who oppose His will on earth. We are to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will be done on earth as in heaven.

2:1 Paul encourages Prayer for all men! 1 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. It is both a privilege and an obligation. It is a sheer privilege for us to have audience with God in behalf of our fellow men. And it is an obligation, too, for we are debtors to all with the good news of salvation. The apostle lists four aspects of prayer—supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. In modern usage, supplication has the thought of strong and earnest request, making specific requests for specific needs. The word here translated prayers is a very general term, covering all kinds of reverent requests to God. Intercessions describe those forms of petition in which we address God as e Supreme Authority in behalf of others. Giving of thanks describes prayer in which we realize the grace and kindness of our Lord, and pour out our hearts in gratitude to Him. To summarize the verse, in praying for all men, we should be humble, worshipful, trustful, and thankful.

2:2 We are to pray for government leaders. 1 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. This includes Kings, presidents and all who are in authority. These must occupy a special place in our prayers. In (Rom. 13:1) Paul reminds us that the authorities that exist are ordained of God and in (Rom. 13:4) he says they are ministers of God to us for good. Without government we would have chaos. Terrible persecutions were inflicted on the Christians of that day by the wicked ruler Nero, but the apostle Paul says that should not affect the fact that Christians should pray for their governmental heads. The NT teaches that a Christian is to be loyal to the government under which he lives, except when that government orders him to disobey God. In such a case his first responsibility is to God. We may simply refuse to obey any order that is contrary to the word of God and then quietly and submissively take the punishment as we have seen some do. A Christian should not engage in revolution or in violence against the government, but take lawful ways to change government when we believe the government is wrong. The reason Paul gives for praying for rulers is that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness [conforming to the laws of God] and reverence [deep respect for God]. It is for our own good that the government should be stable and God fearing so that the country is preserved from revolution, civil war, turmoil, and anarchy and have God’s blessings.

2:3 Prayers are good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, God is pleased and accepts our prayers when we pray for all mankind. Therefore, to pray for all men is to promote the will of God in this regard. Prayer proves we depend on God for everything that we need in this world! We don’t depend on mankind alone because God is Supreme and is our Savior.

2:4 God desires all men to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 (NKJV)  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. No one is beyond salvation if they desire it. There is the divine and the human aspects of salvation. The first half of the verse indicates that man must be saved. The verb here is passive; man cannot save himself but must be saved by God. This is the divine side of salvation. In order to be saved, man must come to the knowledge of the truth. God does not save men against their will. He does not populate heaven with rebellious subjects. Man must come to Jesus who is: “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ and Him alone. This is the human side.

2:5 God desires that all men know the truth about salvation! 1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, The truth is there is only one God because God said He is one; there is not a different god for each nationality and religion. Therefore, He is the God of all men, no matter what their race or nationality and prayer should be made to Him in behalf of all men. As the one God, He desires the salvation of all men and the truth is there is only One Mediator between God and men. Paul identifies the Mediator as the Man, Christ Jesus. This declares the deity of the Lord Jesus. In order to be the Mediator between God and men, He must be both God and Man. The Lord Jesus is God from all eternity, but He became Man in Bethlehem’s manger for us. He represents the whole race of humanity. No man can come to God in any other way. A mediator is a go-between, who can stand between two and communicate peace between them. Through Christ, who is Perfect Man, God can approach men with forgiveness of sins. Consequently any poor sinner can approach Him, and will by no means be rejected.

 This verse effectively contradicts the teaching so common today that there are many ways to God. God says there is only one Mediator, and His name is Christ Jesus.

2:6 Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all. 1 Timothy 2:6 (NKJV) who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, The emphasis is on the fact that God desires the salvation of all men. This is further shown by the fact that Christ was a ransom. Notice that the ransom is for all. A ransom is a price paid to release or set another free. This means that the work of the Lord Jesus on Calvary’s cross was sufficient to save all sinners. This verse teaches that the death of Christ was substitutionary. He died as a Substitute in behalf of all mankind. Whether all will accept it is another question, but the fact remains that the redemptive work of Christ was sufficient for all who will believe.

     To be testified in due time means that the testimony concerning Christ’s substitutionary work was to be given in its proper time. Now is the proper time. God has decreed that the gospel message should go out in this age in which we live. This is the purpose of the church. We are to keep telling the old, old story, of Jesus and His love. The church is designed to demonstrate the overwhelming longing on the part of God to save and bless mankind.

     Invitation: God’s desire to save all mankind includes you. God gives you a personal invitation right now to come to Him, so you can know the truth and be saved. Confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to save you and invite Him into your life to take charge of you till you come to be with Him in Heaven. Then be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! If you are already saved, will you make a determination today to pray for our new government leadership and all mankind everywhere?

This will be pleasing and acceptable to God!

Guided by "The Shepherd"

Scripture Text Psalm 23

Intro: We all must daily make the choice of whom and what will guide us in the affairs of our lives this New Year. We must pray and read God’s word each day for His guidance because He knows the best and prosperous way. We would be wise if we started each day with Psalm 23 and claimed the promises of this chapter for ourselves in addition to our other readings and prayer. May we pray this Psalm and meditate on it to begin each new day this coming year. As we do we will see a big difference in our attitudes and the direction of our lives! We will experience the blessings and favor of Father God on our lives each day!

I. Daily declare the Lord as your Shepherd. Psalms 23:1 (NKJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 a. Lord means Master, Owner, Mentor, Supreme authority. He is the “Self-existent One.”

 b. The sheep follow the shepherd because he is the One who feeds, takes care of, and watches over His sheep. Jesus calls Himself the Great Shepherd in John chapter 10. Shepherds name their sheep. Jesus the good Shepherd calls His sheep by name   and His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. They will not follow a stranger. If we read and focus on His word each day this year and pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit, it is sure to set the direction of our lives in the blessed and favored way of God. As we follow the good Shepherd, Jesus, We shall not want, but we will be stable and secure through whatever circumstances or situations we face throughout the year.

II. We will be blessed with spiritual nourishment and refreshment. Psalms 23:2 (NKJV) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.       

  a. The first blessing of the Shepherd is spiritual nourishment. As a shepherd leads sheep to fresh grass for feeding, so the Lord leads His people. Not only to feed, but He makes us lie down to rest, and enjoy tranquility, peace, and safety; (in green pastures) —Where there are both delight and plenty. “The image is that of a flock feeding in green, lush meadows, and relaxing in quietness by the streams of water running gently through them. This image conveys the idea of the provision made for the soul as well as the body. Jesus opens his hand and fills His sheep with every need and more. One who follows the Lord does not lack any spiritual nourishment or refreshment either because He makes us lie down and rest in peace as He provides us with everything needed for a fulfilled and blessed life.

 III. We will have vitality and moral direction. Psalms 23:3 (NKJV) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

  a. He restores our soul each day as we look to Him. I shall not lack spiritual vitality because the Lord restores and refreshes my soul with His forgiveness, love, peace and joy as I follow Him. We all need our souls restored during rough times in our lives. I shall not lack moral direction because the Lord is leading and guiding me in the right way (paths of righteousness). A good shepherd knows the right paths on which to bring the sheep home safely. So too the Lord loses none of His sheep, but guides them in the right way. He does so because of His reputation (or name’s sake). Our part is to make sure we follow the Shepherd’s leading through daily prayer, bible reading, and meditation as He speaks guidance and direction to us by His Spirit. Then as we follow His leading, Ps.1:3 says we shall be like a tree planted by streams of living water bringing forth fruit in season, our leaf will not wither and we will prosper in all we do.

IV. We will have the Lord’s protection. Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)
⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

  a. There is no need to fear through the rough places in life, even in the face of death because the Shepherd is right there with us. If one finds himself in a valley of deep darkness, depression, (or shadow of death), he need not fear. The Lord is with us and will protect us. The rod and staff are the shepherd’s equipment to protect the sheep in such situations. The rod is used to fight off the wolves and the staff is used to gently bring a straying sheep back into the fold. David was comforted by the Lord’s presence and protection. Believers are never in situations the Lord is not aware of, for He never leaves or forsakes His people. Hebrews 13:5-6 (NKJV) ⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

V. We will have the Lord’s provision. Psalms 23:5 (NKJV) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

  a. In this verse the scene changes to a banquet hall where a gracious host provides lavish hospitality. Under this image the psalmist rejoiced in the Lord’s provision. What was comforting to David was that this was in the presence of his enemies. Despite impending danger, the Lord spread out a table for him, that is, God provided for him. Food is placed before him, while his enemies stand frowningly at the door.

 b. He also anoints our heads with oil. Shepherds anoint the heads of their sheep to soothe the scratches and wounds. For priests the anointing oil speaks of consecration to their work. For kings the anointing oil is associated with coronation as ruler. For the believer the anointing oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit the moment he receives Jesus as his Savior. This anointing of the Spirit seals us for God and guarantees the believer victory over Satan, sin and the world. The Spirit is also our teacher. He takes God’s word and teaches us truth. The Spirit gives us the power of to live the life God has called each of us to live and do what He called us to do.

When we think of all the riches of grace which we have in Christ Jesus, we burst forth with the grateful acknowledgment, “My cup runs over!” with God’s blessings and favor.

   

 VI. We will have God’s loyal love. Psalms 23:6 (NKJV) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

  a. David realized that the Lord’s good loyal love (mercy)(grace) would follow after him everywhere through all his life him as a result of God’s anointing on him. God’s blessings on His people remain with them no matter what their circumstance may be. So he concluded I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. The house of the Lord referred to the sanctuary (tabernacle). David said I had rather be in the Lord’s house than anywhere else on earth. For the rest of his life on earth he would enjoy full communion with the Lord in His sanctuary and then when this life is over face to face communion with Him and Jesus forever in Heaven.

INVITATION: Is the Lord your Shepherd? Have you confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you? If not, you will not dwell with the Lord forever. Ask Jesus now to forgive your sins against God and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him to be your Shepherd and lead you through all the storms of life to the dawn of that beautiful day there in Heaven.

“If My People”

Scripture Text 2 Chronicles 7:11-14

   

 Would you join me in day of prayer for our nation and “Persecuted Christians” this Sunday?     

 We see our nation falling away from God and His laws into the very sins that He says He hates the most which are abortion (the murder of children in the womb) and homosexuality which is a perversion of God’s law. Our government and courts are all full of perversion; corruption and lies. People are turning away from God in record numbers. The churches are declining instead of growing. 2 Chronicles 7:11-14 (NLT) ¹¹ So Solomon finished the Temple of the Lord, as well as the royal palace. He completed everything he had planned to do in the construction of the Temple and the palace. ¹² Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said, “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. ¹³ At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. ¹⁴ Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. God encouraged Solomon by the promise that if His judgment should fall on the nation for their sin, they need only turn to the Lord in earnest humility and repentance and they would find forgiveness and restoration. This promise was given because God’s presence among His people Israel is eternal, and at that time was focused particularly on the temple. We Christians are also His covenant people through the eternal covenant of blood we have in Christ Jesus and this promise is also good for the body of Christ. Our bodies are the temple of the living God and He is focused on us.

We must take these words of God’s wisdom seriously that He gave to Solomon telling him what to do when He begins to judge the nation. Today Nov. 6^th is the ‘International Day of Prayer for Persecuted Christians. Christians around the world are facing persecution in unprecedented numbers.

100 million Christians around the globe are currently suffering. They are real, and they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 says that “We are one body. If one member suffers, every member suffers with it; if one member is honored, every member rejoices with it.”

      Because we have freedom of religion in the United States, we can freely and openly worship Jesus Christ. Let us stand in the freedom we have to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. A Nigerian pastor had this to say, “Only guns of love can silence guns of hatred. What better way to love someone than to pray for them?"

During this 2016 International Day of Prayer, join me in praying for the persecuted church. We pray that God will protect believers in persecuted countries. We pray that believers would see Christ in deeper ways. Lastly, we pray that Christ would soften the hearts of their persecutors. Jeremiah 33:3 says “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you don’t know.” Since we have this invitation from God, we must as the body of Christ in unity, take time to go before the Lord in prayer for our nation and our persecuted brothers and sisters all over the world. God said in 2 Kings 19:20 “I have heard your prayer.”

 Invitation: If you are reading this and you are not a Christian, you can become one by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive you and save you from the penalty of those sins which is eternity in hell. He will give you a home in Heaven when this life is over. If you have just asked Jesus to save you, go to church as soon as possible and tell the pastor you have received Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord and you want to be baptized in obedience to His command. God bless you in your decision to follow Him.

What God Says and I Agree

I am a new creation in Christ, old things have passed away, and all things have become new.  (2 Cor. 5:17.) It doesn't matter what anyone else says, this is what God says about anyone who knows Jesus Christ as their Savior. What does it mean for a man to become a "new creation"? Very simply, it means just what the Scripture says: the man actually becomes a new creature—his whole being, nature, life, and behavior changes:  When unsaved a man is dead to God, in Christ he becomes a "new creation" alive to God. When unsaved a man has no relationship with God, as a new creature in Christ he is given a relationship with God. And unsaved man is not sure about God, as a new creature in Christ he is absolutely certain about God. As an unsaved man he never fellowshipped and communed with God, as a new creature he fellowships and communes with God all the time. An unsaved man is living in sin and immorality, as a new creature he lives in righteousness and holiness. An unsaved man has to face death, as a new creature he never has to die. An unsaved man is doomed to judgment and eternal separation from God, as a new creature he is destined to live eternally in the presence of God because Jesus has died on the cross as payment for his sins.                                                                                                                            2.  How does a person become a new creation? Note the words of this Scripture: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation." It is being "in Christ" that makes a person a new creature. When a person truly believes in Christ as his Savior, God places and positions him in Christ, in all that Christ is. Christ lived and died and arose, so to be in Christ means that a person lives, dies, and rises to new life in Christ. The person who believes in Jesus Christ is identified with Christ: that is, he is counted and considered to be "in Christ," reckoned and credited as "in Christ." His sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ. The believer's faith actually causes God to identify the believer with Christ...as his sins are already paid for in the death of Christ and he is given the righteousness of Christ. God counts the believer as having been raised in Christ. Therefore, the believer has received the "new life" of Christ. Just as Christ had a new life after His resurrection, even so the believer receives the "new life" of Christ when he believes in Him. From this, it is clearly seen that a person who is "in Christ" is a new creature. This is what is meant by such Scriptural terms as being "born again" and becoming a "new man." However, no better words describe the experience than the words of this verse: "old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) This is the message of the Christian ministry: a man can start life all over, no matter how corrupt he has become or how far down he has fallen. God longs to make a new creature out of him. When Nicodemus asked Jesus how can a man make it to Heaven: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

          Have you been born again by confessing your sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive you and save your soul from Hell? If not you can do that right now where you are. If you will, you too will become a “new creation” in Christ. All your sins will be forgiven and you will have eternal life.