Who is God?

Joyce Meyer Ministries

Who is God? In Psalms, He's our Shepherd. In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He's our Wisdom. In the Song of Solomon, He's our Lover and our Bridegroom. In Isaiah, He is the Prince of Peace. In Jeremiah, He's our Righteousness. And boy, then when you get over to the New Testament, it really gets good. In Matthew, He's the Messiah. In Mark, He's the Wonder Worker. In Luke, He's the Son of Man. In John, He's the Son of God. In Acts, He's the Holy Spirit. In Romans, He is our Justifier. In 1st and 2nd Corinthians, He is the Gifts of the Spirit. In Galatians, He is our Redeemer from the curse of the Law. In Ephesians, He is the Christ of unsearchable riches. In Philippians, He is the God who supplies all of our needs. In Colossians, He is the fullness of the godhead bodily. In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is our soon coming King. In 1st and 2nd Timothy, He is our Mediator between God and man. In Titus, He is our faithful Pastor. In Philemon, He is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother. Got a few left, can you take it? Come on, who is God? Who is this God that we serve? In Hebrews, He is the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant. In James, He is our Great Physician, for the prayer of faith shall save the sick. In 1st and 2nd Peter, He's our Chief Shepherd, who shall appear with a crown of unfailing glory. In 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, He is love. In Jude, He is the Lord coming with 10,000 of His saints. And in Revelation, He is the Lord of lords And the King of kings

Giving

God does not need our money.

Esther 9:21-22--give as part of our celebrations. Live to give--make it your lifestyle.

Philippians 1:2-6--from the first day, they were immediately desiring to help Paul preach the gospel to others. Giving is for us. We cannot out give God. Givers help God bring others into the kingdom.

One way to push through with spiritual warfare is by giving. Don't get entrenched in your problems, but seek ways to help others. Don't reach in but out, and you will be blessed. Takers are miserable people. If all we do is breathe in, we will pass out. Breathe out with giving.

1Kings 17:1-ff Elijah's brook dried up. Then he was sent to widow of Zarepeth. She said all she had was enough to make one meal for self and son. Fear not, but first make me a little cake, and then make some for self and son. God provided. God didn't need the widow. She needed God's miracle. She allowed for the anointing of God in her life and saved the life of her son.

Follow God's principle. Lend to many nations, but do not borrow. Don't be stingy nor a taker. Christians need to stay connected to each other and do for one another.

Romans 12:21

Acts 10:1-ff Cornelius prayed and gave to the people, and stood before God's mind. When you are praying and giving, He will use people to come to you. Also, don't expect others to be responsible for your joy. You can give your way out of trouble and debt. We all have seed, planting, and harvest.

If you give with the right attitude, you give to bless God, others, and to expect God to give His favor on your life. God wants to be good to His people.

Mark 12:41-44-?? Jesus sat and watched how people gave into the offering. Widow's mite.--gave all she had out of her need. Not size of gift but size of sacrifice. David-- I will not give God that which cost me nothing. We will receive back joy unspeakable.

Is God waiting for us? Tithing is the Law, grace enables us to do more.

once we let down our walls, we can open ourselves to blessing.

Sit, Stand, Walk & Run--Joyce Meyer

Sit-- be seated in the heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Learn to trust God and enter His rest. Endure regardless of what happens to challenge our rest.

Stand--against the devil and other stuff that comes against us.

Walk--with God, in love, 

Run--your race to win.

Hebrews 12:1 we can't just run. We need to do all four.

1 Peter 5:8-9 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

David had to endure a lot after being anointed before becoming crowned king

Ephesians 6:12--stand firmly 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

The more mature we become, the more rare opposed,but the less we allow it to other us.

Love God anyways and know the situation will end good. Stop letting your problems derail you. When you don't know what to do, do what you know to do. You can have your problems and not let them have you.

Part of our victory is about not getting caught up in the ups and downs.

Pray for your kids. God is faithful, and will honor that you raised your kids in the Word. Just keep doing what you know God has called you to do in obedience to Him.

Be a real Christian who ministers through.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 Jesus is coming back. We will live forever. So what if everything I want doesn't happen here. Hebrews 11 last part of chapter. Live ready for the trumpet.

Acts 20:22-2722 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17

Do not eat your tithe when your troubles come.

Matthew 24:20-24 don't wait to forgive, do anything good that you would do if you knew Christ was coming this Sunday. It is time to stop letting petty things stop you from what God has for you.

Joycemeyer.org/Phoenix

Deception--Joyce Meyer

If I believe a lie, it's true for me. But Jesus says. "I am the way, the truth, and the life.

The Bible is the only truth that changes lives across cultures around the world.

Self deception

Reasoning

Sin

Riches

Christians need to live what we preach, and we will be witnesses for The Truth.

One of the lies she believed is that she was right about everything. If we are so busy judging and criticizing others, we won't hear the truth He is telling us about what needs to change in our own lives. We need to renew our minds according to the truth.

Being angry at others and worry accomplish nothing.

If you want people to like you, you need to let them have their way some of the time.

The wisdom of God is greater than all the wisdom of the world. Believe that you are created in the image of God and for His glory.

God is love. He loves us no different when we are good than when we are bad.

James1:26-27

Do LIFE with God. It is not a one hour Sunday  morning faith. Unbelievers would be saved if it weren't for having to submit to God.

Getting to know ourselves, if we are living right before God.

If you continue I my Word, you will know the truth and it will make you free.

1 Corinthians 13

Don't shut down the enthusiasm of the new believer by telling them where the verse is found.

We must love God truly all week long.get to the point where we can sit and listen to the excitement of a new believer for half an hour over something you may already know.

Don't live or do with the wrong motive. Face truth. Then you can grow.

Her dad, mom, and aunt all needed care at the same time. She didn't want to do any of it. But it was her Responsibility before God. Be honest with God, but ask God for the grace to do what He has called us to do.

Luke 18:9-14

Be real. Want to do it right at church and at home.

Rich and poor both can be deceived by riches. Being possessed by riches can happen whenever we have them take over our heart. Be a steward and not an owner.

The red dress was new. She didn't want to give it to bless another. How can I bless Ruth Ann. 

Gemstone was worth far more than she thought. Still gave it away.

Living with God is an adventure every day.

Sin Hebrews 3:13

Sin will always cost more than you are willing to pay. Freedom to do something can become not free to escape the bondage of that thing.

The high cost of low living: Proverbs 5

Don't just live for the moment. Later is going to come. Be willing to pay the price of discipleship. Yet price of its lack is even higher.

Casting Down Strongholds

Casting Down Strongholds by Derek Prince
Study Notes
CD4326

I. Two Invisible Kingdoms (Matt. 12:24-28)
  A. Satan's kingdom (Eph. 6:12)
    1. Wrestling match with persons without bodies
    2. Against rulers with various areas and descending orders of authority
    3. Against the world dominators of this present darkness
    4. Spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies
  B. "Heavens" are plural (Gen 1:1)
    1. Third heaven/Paradise (2 Cor. 12:2-4)
      a. Third heaven = God's dwelling place
      b. First heaven = visible heaven: sun, moon, stars
      c. Second heaven = Between God's heaven and visible heaven: Satan's kingdom
    2. Jesus ascended above all heavens (Eph. 4:10)
  C. Picture of angelic battles in the heavenlies (Dan. 10:2-3, 12-13, 20-11:1)
    1. We must pray "through"
    2. Satanic power over:

      a. Cities
      b. Nationalities/racial groups; i.e. American Blacks & Native Americans
      c. Earthly kingdoms (Persia and Greece)
    3. Christians alone have been given the weapons to intervene in this spiritual war:
II. How to Wage Spiritual Warfare
  A. We must be equipped to play our part (Eph. 6:13-18)
    1. Waist girded with truth
    2. Breastplate of righteousness
    3. Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
    4. Shield of faith
    5. Helmet of salvation (thought life) (I Thess. 5:8) Optimism vs. pessimism
    6. Sword of the Spirit--the Word of God
    7. Praying always (v. 18)
  B. First identify, then bind the "strong man" (Matt. 12:29)
  C. God has provided the necessary spiritual weapons (2 Cor. 10:3-5)
    1. Prayer (Matt. 18:18-20)
      a. Bind
      b. Harmonize
    2. Thanksgiving (John 6:11, 23; 11:41)
    3. Praise (Ps. 8:2; 2 Chron. 20:21-24; Acts 16:25-26)
    4. Proclamation (Rev. 12:7-11)--pattern of Moses' rod (the Bible)--use what's in your hand
  D. Need for revelatory gifts (I Cor. 12:7-11)
Copyright 1990--Derek Prince Ministries--International

Five misdiagnosed symptoms

by Jim Stitzinger

In the Emergency Room, decisions of life and death are regularly made with extreme pressure and very limited information. Symptoms present themselves and a trained, discerning mind diagnoses the real issue. Get it right and the treatment plan takes over. Get it wrong and not even the best treatment plan is able to fully help.

But what about diagnosing spiritual problems? Only God is omniscient and has a full, uninfluenced view of the human heart (1 Samuel 16:7). As believers, our discernment must be driven by the insights and fruit Scripture directs us toward as His Word exposes and corrects issues of the heart (Matthew 7:20; Hebrews 4:12-13). Many more could be added, but here are five symptoms that are commonly misdiagnosed by pastors:

1. Remorse misdiagnosed as repentance

Remorse is the reaction to the temporal, human consequences of sin. It springs from guilt and often seeks to halt the sin for a season. Mere remorse does not require any supernatural power. Remorse is not repentance. True repentance is God’s supernatural, sanctifying work in our hearts! It is both forsaking sin and turning to righteousness (2 Corinthians 7:10-11). It is the abandoning of self as the Spirit works in us to put off sinful thoughts, words and actions and works in us to putting on righteousness (Colossians 3:1-11) producing His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). Guilt and God’s wrath are not erased by remorse and His discipline will continue to remain until a believer is brought to repentance on a given sin issue (Hebrews 12:6).

2. Selfish ambition misdiagnosed as God’s direction

There is a world of difference between wanting to do something and presuming upon a divine commission. Sanctification, in all its components is God’s stated will (Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Before you “take the moon for Christ”, root out selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3) and presumption (James 4:13-16). It is one thing to humbly seek God’s leading and move out in faith, trusting Him to direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5,6;16:9). It is another to presume God’s anointing and appointment is on you. Saul did that and look how that turned out (1 Samuel 15:9-11). Follow James on this one (James 4:15).

3. Rebellion misdiagnosed as Spiritual drought

A powerful Christian life is filled and fueled by the Holy Spirit, producing His fruit in us (Galatians 5:22-23). With His unchanging love (Romans 8:35-39), He promises to “never leave us nor forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5). As the Father model’s love for His Son, Christ said, “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. (John 15:9-10)”.

Christ’s obedience was the key to the intimacy of abiding in the Father’s love. Christ says the same is true for us. Rebel and intimacy is obstructed (Psalm 66:18) and the Spirit is grieved (Ephesians 4:30). Whether our sin is failing to trust God’s character (Romans 8:28) or the proud self-righteous of wanting sanctification of our own design, we should never expect to enjoy God’s love as we abuse His mercy!

When a season of “spiritual drought” appears, submerge yourself in God’s Word, reset your mind on the person and work of Christ (Colossians 3:16). If your heart struggles at that point, prayerfully confess the sin of looking for intimacy with Christ apart from the way He has revealed Himself. The self-righteous sin of our heart will long for an easier pathway of sanctification and fickle emotions are seldom an ally in the fight against sin. Yield your will to Christ’s loving commands and in faith, trust His Spirit to do His transforming work.

If you are striving toward holiness, repenting of sin, submitting your will to every command of God, and ready to embrace whatever His providence allows, then rest assure He is doing everything through you that He intends to do at this moment. Leave sanctification in the hands of the One who does it.

4. Attendance misdiagnosed as Holiness

Filling a chair is no more a gauge of holiness than wearing a uniform makes you worthy to wear it. Yet it is easy to assume that being present also means being prepared to engage in corporate worship. Corporate worship services for believers are non negotiable and should be the predictable pattern of life.

However, perfect attendance at every event is not necessarily a mark of holiness. Sometimes it is a cover for a guilty conscience. Just the same sporadic attendance at a peripheral ministry meeting is not necessarily a symptom of sin.

Before clenching down on the jugular of attendance, ask! Consider several options, (1) Is there a conflict that can be worked through (work, rides, etc.) (2) is the meeting an obstacle to ministry and should be revamped or canceled; (3) is there something of greater spiritual importance is requiring their attention or (4) yes, maybe there is a heart issue being exposed. Pursue the heart issue. Don’t assume attendance equals holiness, Don’t assume absence equals sin. If godliness was gauged by attendance, Judas gets an “A”.

 

5. Discipline misdiagnosed as Persecution

Scripture assures us that our loving Father will discipline His children (Hebrews 12:6). But dismissing the consequences of sin as if it was “persecution” only cultivates spiritual blindness.

When sin provokes or prompts another to sin in return, it is not persecution. No matter the intensity or longevity, it is part of the manifold consequences of sin (1 Peter 2:20). Those consequences serve as painful reminders of the heinous offense our sin is to God (Psalm 5:5), the price He paid to forgive our sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and how dependent we are on His strength to embrace whatever follows as part of His refining, humbling work in us. When we are taking full responsibility for our sin, we are able to see how even the most sever consequence is used by God to press us toward holiness (Hebrews 12:5-11).

Persecution is totally different. It is the hatred the world directs at Christ on display in our life. It fills the range from insults, lies, and slander to physical threats and attacks (Matthew 5:11-12). In every case, it is the world’s venom against the working of God in and through a believer (John 15:18-21). Persecution produces endurance (James 1:2-3;12). Consequences of sin produces righteousness (Hebrews 12:11). Job was persecuted (Job 1), David was punished (2 Samuel 12:13-14).

The Apostle Paul urged us to “admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Misdiagnose the issue and you may end up encouraging the unruly, helping the fainthearted, admonishing the weak, and being patient with no one!

We will get it wrong. Our flesh is deceptive (Romans 7:18), humanity limits our knowledge (Psalm 139:2) and we must guard against presumption (Proverbs 18:13). Yet we know the Holy Spirit is at all times working to sanctify each child of God (John 17:17). His Word exposes our hearts (Hebrews 4:12-13) and HIs love truly does cover all of our sin (Colossians 2:13-14, Romans 5:8). His diagnosis is always both accurate and precise and along with His Word, He gives 24 hour supervision and power in sanctifying Christ’s bride (Ephesians 5:25-29; 6:17).

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About Jim Stitzinger: Jim is the pastor of Grace Bible Church in Naples, FL, a new church that began just over three years ago.

Praise for report on shoulder

Thank you Lord, for hearing my prayer and sending Maureen, Judy, Connie, Karen, and others to pray for me. I am so grateful for you that Dr. Rohrbough has recommended a shot of cortisone and two months of physical therapy rather than surgery. Please help me to take care of myself and to heal.

Tina