It’s Coming Back

"It’s coming back!!"

2 Kings 6:1-7

1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.

2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.

3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.

4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.

5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.

6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.

7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.

I don't know what it is that you have lost but God wants you to know you can get it back

"It’s coming back!!"

Who am I talking to tonight? I know you're here, (like that Young prophet in our text you’ve lost something valuable and necessary.

I want to prophesy to somebody tonight. (It's coming back.)

Somebody needs to prophesy to themselves it's coming back.

You may be in a similar situation to the young prophet in our text. You’ve lost something and from all the evidence it's gone.

You look but you can't see.

It is out of sight.

There's something you need to know:

just because you can't see something does not mean its not there.

(It may be lost from your sight, you may not be able to touch it, you may not be able to hear it or feel it. But that doesn't mean it's gone!)

Our scripture text brings to mind the prodigal son, (Like the axehead that fell into a Water hole) The prodigal son fell into a hole. (A pig pen) we don't know how long he was gone, but we do know how low he went. He went to the bottom, like this axe head did.

Then he came to himself.

The father couldn't see his son, like this axe head, he was out of sight, he was on his way home before his father could see him.

In an unseen place something happened. (He got up from the bottom of the pig pen and headed home.)

And I need to prophesy to some moms and dads who have prodigals that are living in the pig pen.

Don't quit praying, don't give up, something is happening, you can't see it, but something is happening. They may be at the bottom of the pit, as low as low can go. But something is happening right there.

This young prophet couldn't see it but down at the bottom of that water hole something miraculous was happening, an iron axe head was lifting up, it was getting up.

Just like the prodigal son, I will arise and go home.

And then the axe head started swimming, it started coming toward an expectant young prophet.

The prodigal started coming toward an expectant father. We know that's true because he saw him a far off.

That means he was praying, praying is watching, that means he was expecting.

I don't know what it is that is lost to you today. I don't know what is out of sight in your life. I don't know what it is that is missing from your life.

But the Lord told me to prophesy to you and tell you, it's coming back. You've got to expect it, like the prodigal sons Father Expected.

Look for it every day, Prepare for it.

The father already had a calf being fattened for the sons homecoming.

He already had a ring ready for his finger, shoes ready for his feet, and a robe ready for his back.

When you expect something you make preparations for it.

Like the mom and dad to be, in their expectations they buy clothes, they make the nursery, they make preparations.

What are you expecting? What are you praying about?

Prayer gives you the right to expect an answer.

The axe head swim within reach of the young prophet, but he still had to reach out his hand and take it.

The hand of faith must reach out and take it.

Faith is the substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen.

Faith has actions, one of the greatest manifestations of faith is to praise God before the manifestation of the blessing.

Anybody can praise God after the victory that's not faith.

Faith looks up walls and mountains that are still standing and says, 

I'm praising God for the walls falling.

I'm praising God for the mountains being removed.

I'm praising God for my healing, there's pain in my body but his words says by his stripes you are healed so I'm praising him for healing me.

I'm praising him for the breakthrough in my finances, I'm in a bind right now, but the Word says my God shall supply all your needs, So I'm going to praise Him.

I'm going to praise him for my prodigal coming home.

I'm going to praise him for fighting my battles.

I'm going to put out the hand of faith, I'm going to praise him like I already have it.

I praise him for a new anointing.

For restoring joy in my life.

I praise him for new doors.

I praise him for a new dream.

I'm praising for a new beginning.

I praise in because my fire is coming back.

My passion is coming back.

My desire is coming back.

It's coming back, it's on the way, Its not far away, (It's within reach now.)

I remember where I lost it, I refuse to go on without it, I don’t want an imitation, ( I want the real thing.)

Faith must reach out for it. Faith must bring it in.

I believe something is happening in the body of Christ today, I believe there is an awakening taking place.

Just Like that axe head, and like that prodigal son, the church has also sunk very low, but like the young prophet who lost his power when he lost the axe head, We lost our power.

But its coming back.

That's what I came to tell you. I came to prophesy. 

It's coming back.

The church is coming to herself. (She's waking up.) She's coming back to the father's house.

She's coming back to holiness, she's coming back to the cross and the blood, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Somebody right now you're on the verge of your miracle. (It's within reach.)

Now is not the time to give up.

Now is not the time to start murmuring and complaining.

Now is not the time to doubt God and His promises.

Now is not the time to drop back.

NOW is the time to break out in praise, now is the time for faith to express itself.

Now is the time to put out the hand of faith and take it.

It's coming back.

Somebody needs to put your faith in action tonight, and praise God like you already have it.

Praise him like the walls of already fallen.

Praise him like your body is already healed.

Praise him like your dream has already come true.

Praise him like your prodigals have already been restored.

Praise him like your marriage is already been healed.

Praise him like you've already been promoted.

Praise him like you're already walking in a new anointing.

Praise him like you've already been delivered.

Praise him like the doctor just said, there's not a trace of cancer in your body.

Somebody said it doesn't make sense to praise him for what I can see.

You're right; it’s not sense, its faith.

Faith operates in the unseen, that's what faith does, that's how faith operates (faith reaches out into the unseen and takes hold of the promise of God and says thank you I believe it's coming back.)

"FEELING THE SILENCE OF GOD"

"FEELING THE SILENCE OF GOD"

Psalms 13:1 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death

Psalms 28:1.Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

2.Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

I am not sure about all of you, but I know that there have been some times in my life where I have cried out to God … asking Him for some kind of answer … and NOTHING!

NO response! NO answer! Just absolutely NOTHING!

SILENCE!!!

I have, at times, felt so let down … so hurt that I have prayed similar prayers to what David prayed in the verses we read!

I have cried, “God, where are you?”

Do you know what I heard? Nothing!!! 

Tell story of brother passing away

I was crushed … my faith was shaken … that was one time I felt the SILENCE OF GOD!!!

Best friend Joe passing away

I hear the deafening sound of THE SILENCE OF GOD … CRUSHED AGAIN!

I asked God, “WHY?” And do you know what I heard … “SILENCE.”

Other experiences....One door closing and waiting for another to open......*****daughter being molested by her grandfather*****

In April … I walked into a packed Funeral for my granddaughter.......that was one of the saddest days of my life … I'm a preacher who should have had the answers … only heard the SILENCE OF GOD … I could not offer hope, because I NEEDED HOPE AND HEALING!!!

I thank God that I have had prayers that where answered over my many years of serving God … many of them I have been HUGE answers!

But, alongside those immediate answered prayers are many other prayers which "didn’t get past the ceiling."

DID ALL THE PRAYERS OF THE GODLY MEN IN THE BIBLE GET ANSWERED?

Moses begged God to let him lead his people into the Promised Land. Moses died on Nebo’s peak, his request refused.

Paul prayed three times for the removal of that "thorn in the flesh." Instead, he was compelled to make the best of it for the rest of his life … God did not answer!

Even Jesus himself in the garden cried out for release from the cross. Instead he had to suffer the pain of it.

Young person, there are going to be times in your devotional/prayer life where you hear God’s voice, but there will also be times when you feel the SILENCE OF GOD!!!

I want to share with you some simple thoughts on the SILENCE OF GOD!

1. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … KNOW

THAT HE IS ALWAYS LISTENING TO YOU

John 9:31 says that “he is ready to listen to those who worship him and do his will.”

Psalm 34:15 reads, “The Lord watches over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.”

Psalm 66:19 declares, “But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer!”

Have you ever wondered if God listens to your prayers?

Have you sometimes felt like it’s a waste of time, that the heavens are closed to your petitions?

Despite how you feel or what you might think, please be assured that God is listening.

He may be SILENT, but He is always listening!!!

2. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … DON’T ALWAYS BLAME YOURSELF FOR HIS SEEMING SILENCE

Friend, I have seen a lot of people beat themselves up … feeling like God has rejected them because they do not hear the VOICE of God!

Look into the life of David … the man “after God’s very heart” … he was always begging God to answer.

Psalm 4:1 … “Answer me, O God …”

Psalm 69:17 reads, “Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble.”

Psalm 13:1-3 says, “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!”

David was a man after the heart of God, but he even felt the SILENCE OF GOD!

But it did not mean that David had abandoned the Lord … it did not mean that David failed God!

Young person, when you feel the SILENCE OF GOD … do not beat yourself up … do not let the enemy lie to you and say that you are a wicked person … “You are God’s chosen person … He loves you!”

3. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … NEVER FORGET THAT HIS ANSWER IS USUALLY FOUND IN HIS WRITTEN WORD

The Bible contains the answer to every area of your life … it is the fix all to life’s problems!

There are so many times in the life that we crave the SUPERNATURAL RESPONSES to our prayers … yes, they will come … but most often God responds to us through His Word!

John 1 teaches us that “The Word became human, and lived here on earth among us” (1:14).

That means … that IN Jesus are the answers! And where is Jesus revealed? IN The Word!

When is seems as though you are faced with THE SILENCE OF GOD … read the Word and you may just discover THE ANSWER!

Hebrews 1:1-2 reads, “Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son …”

God’s Son is The Word (John 1:1) … and if this is true, then God speaks to us through The Word!

4. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … HOLD ON

TO WHAT HE HAS ALREADY SAID

But this time … something was different … I WAS DIFFERENT!!!

Because God has already spoken to through HIS WORD … and this was the WORD God has given to you … “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

You see, I could not understand in my own mind what was going on, but I HEARD GOD SHOUT TO ME IN HIS WORD!!!

I held on to that … I was going to TRUST IN God no matter what …

Young person, when God speaks to you, HOLD ON to it … never forget the Word of God … because there will be other times when you do not hear Him … and in HIS SILENCE … you must have something to HOLD ON TO!!!

5. WHEN YOU CAN’T HEAR HIM … HANG IN THERE BECAUSE GOD HAS THE RIGHT PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE

Jeremiah 29:11 teaches us that God has plans for our lives!

Psalm 102:17 reads, “The Lord listens to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.”

Many times we are asking God for things that we were never meant to have … things that are not a part of His perfect plan for our lives!

In those times, young person, IN HIS SILENCE … wait … because God has a great plan!!!

"Young mans story of moms cancer"

Then there are times, when you are faced with a HUGE problem … like I was in May of 1995 … when my mother was diagnosed with cancer and had to have immediate surgery … the day she told me I FELT THE SILENCE OF GOD … my mom went through the 6 hour surgery … 2 hours in recovery … 3 weeks in the hospital because of an infection … and was scheduled for radiation and chemotherapy!

I was crushed again! Feeling like God had abandoned my mom … who was never perfect … but who was always faithful and there!

The Church was praying … my family and friends were praying!

The SILENCE OF GOD was interrupted by the WORD OF GOD!

Matthew 8:8 … “Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.”

To the amazement of the doctors … NO CHEMO … NO RADIATION!

MY MOTHER WAS HEALED!!!

What was God’s plan for my mom’s cancer? That many doctors and nurses would hear about Jesus Christ and know that there is a GOD THAT ANSWERS!!!

When you feel like God is SILENT … wait … He does have the right plan!!!

CONCLUSION

There are going to be times when you are faced with the SILENCE OF GOD!

Young person, hang in there … hold on … because God is there!!!

JUST BECAUSE GOD IS SILENT DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE DOES NOT LISTEN!!!

"Prayer is the means by which men communicate with God. Revelation is the means by which God communicates with men."

Marion G. Romney

"I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000-step process."

Thomas Edison response to a reporter who asked how it felt to fail 2000 times before successfully inventing the light bulb.

"WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE"

"WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE"

Psalms 85:1 Lord, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.

2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

3 Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.

4 Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

5 Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?

6 Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land.

10 Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven.

12 Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase.

13 Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps.

Israel had walked in Revival victory, but notice in vs. 8...not turn

again to folly... Definition of folly; the state of being foolish or the lack

of good sense. Revival is renewing our Walk, our Worship, and our Work.

It's effective but also elusive. At one time Israel had the refreshing of

His presence, the realness of His power and the reassurance of His

promises. But now turned to folly! David knew what it was to walk in

Revival fires, but he also knew rebuke, reproof and remorse.

2 Samuel 11 and 12...... His mistakes where he tarried behind when he should have

been in battle.... 2 Sam.11:1...he lingered with his looking on a bathing

beauty....2 Sam.11:2... and he lost control in his lust and sinned. 

2 Sam.11:4...But he knew what it was like to rejoice over battles won, in

bringing back the Ark and in blessings in general...but now it has fled

and he cries out to God!

WHY REVIVAL DOESN'T LAST AFTER THE EVANGELIST IS GONE......

1. BECAUSE WE WANT STIRRINGS WITHOUT 

   CHANGE....only want it to work inside the Church

 A. Being a reservoir without being a river....but 

     something that's holding in and not putting out is     

     Dead Sea !

 B.We want the benefits of His blessings but not be       

     a blessing to others.

 1. No charitable spirit.

 2. No giving of ourselves.

 C.We want shouting and sing with joy bells ringing      

     without personal involvement.....Spectators not 

     Partakers.

2. BECAUSE WE WANT SOUND DOCTRINE  

    WITHOUT COMPLIANCE.....(without doing the command or request) 

     WE........

 A. Want it told like it is, but live like it isn't

 B. Want it straight on Salvation.....but not give it all 

      in our witness

 C. Want it settled about separation, but live like the 

      world

3. BECAUSE WE WANT SERMONS TO SHOUT  

    ABOUT BUT NOT TO CHALLENGE US......

 A. No challenge to Give.....Our Silver.....that's          

     Tithes and Offerings.

 B. No challenge to Grow.....In Our Service at the 

      House Of God.

 C. No challenge to Go...... In Search for others .....  

      Warning....Winning.

4. BECAUSE WE WANT THE SAVIOUR TO 

    BLESS WITHOUT US  KEEPING HIS 

    COMMANDMENTS.....

 A. To Love one another..... Gal. 5:13-14

 B. To Learn through Study.....2 Tim. 2:15

 C. To Leave the world and gather at church.....    

      Heb. 10:25

 5. BECAUSE WE WANT SATISFYING 

     EXPERIENCES WITHOUT COMMITMENT.....

 A. Committed Hands to Work in the Vineyard.

 B. Committed Hearts to Worship in Victory.

 C. Committed Home to live the Way of Christ....a 

      vital part.

 We don't have lasting Revival because We won't 

 deny Self ! And

 Jesus said, in Luke 14:33 - " So likewise,  

 whosoever he be of you that

 forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my

 disciple." 

*Be The Kind Of Church That People Need....Not What People Want*

 

Many churches mission is to be the kind of church that appeals to everyone. That is an impossible task! I also believe it to be an unholy task. In order for us to be the church that everyone wants or is looking for....we would have to compromise our principles......condone sinful practices.... and change God’s plan. Jesus did not commission the church to be everything to everybody....but he said..........Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 

It should not be the mission of the church to entertain....but to evangelize....and to edify. 

Our purpose should not be that we exist to meet everyone’s wants....but be a church that everyone needs. 

Acts 2:41-47 

3 FIRES

In 51 days, Peter visited 3 fires that were to transform his life and make him the man God wanted him to be. 

God wants us to visit those 3 fires too!

1. THE FIRE OF PURGING (Luke 22:54-62) 

Before this fire, Peter was trying to hold onto both this world and God’s kingdom. After this fire (purging), he let go of this world. It caused the death of the old Peter and the beginning of the new Peter. 

2. FIRE OF OBEDIENCE (John 21:15-17)

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he said, ‘you know that I love you.’ Jesus said, Feed my sheep. 

Jesus repeated 3 times *Feed my sheep* 

We are to be obedient in feeding His sheep!! 

3. FIRE OF EMPOWERING (Luke 24:49)

(Acts 1:8) (Acts 2:1-4)

It’s good to be purged from the world. It’s good to be dedicated and be obedient to the work of the the Lord. But there is something more....you need to be filled (empowered) with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit which is evidenced by speaking with other tongues.

Are you prepared to go through the fire? 

Bro. Kenneth Stewart 

“HUMPTY DUMPTY”

Isaiah 61:1-3 

1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek. The word meek is translated poor or in other cases as depressed. The enemy’s complete desire is to use the tactic of fear and terror to bring oppression and depression upon man and woman. Once someone has brought another person to the point of absolute fear and then they become obsessed with that thing that they fear, then oppression kicks in.

Then they discover that they are alone can’t do anything about the situation depression kicks in.

Even though Jesus promised “If ye have faith as a grain of a mustard, yea shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 17:20. The thing which are impossible with men are possible with God - Luke 19:27.

The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek. The depressed. The downcast. The dejected. The downhearted. The blue. The low-spirited. The sad. The weary. The meek. What are tidings? Tidings are a good word. Tidings are good news. Christ was to be a comforter. He is sent to comfort all who mourn. We are to do the same works or Christ and even greater.

What is the good news? The good news is that Jesus is no longer dead. He is alive. He rose on the 3rd day. He conquered death and the grave. He rose with all power and authority. You may be meek. You may be low. You may be depressed. But I know a man who is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or think. There is healing power in the name of Jesus. There is deliverance in the name of Jesus.

I remember a song that said, “Who can I run to?” 

The verse in the song says As I stand here contemplating, on the right thing to decide. Will I take the wrong direction, all my life? Where will I go? What lies ahead of me? The chorus says...Who can I run to? To share this empty space. Who can I run to? When I need love? Who can I run to? To fill this empty space with laughter.

I am here to tell you to run to Jesus. I am here to tell you to run to the savior. That is the good news. That’s the glad tidings!

A lot of us have been running to the wrong source. A lot of us have been looking to the wrong person for good news. These days women are looking to other women…men are looking to other men for the good news. Just cause you get a man/woman or get married....that ain’t the good news. You should be rooted and grounded in Jesus. Before the man/woman come and after he/she leaves. The right husband/wife will be a blessing. The wrong husband/wife will be a curse! Accept that good news! So many men/women are sitting in church picking out their perfect wife/husband. Planning the perfect wedding. Already planning the honeymoon night. You need to get another dose of Jesus. The bible says, he that findeth a wife findeth a good thing and obtaineth favor from the Lord. Let me be real careful here. You better make sure it was the Lord that told him/her to find you. That there were no hidden agendas or ulterior motives behind it. A lot of people are fame seekers. A lot of us have made ourselves sick and depressed trying to make someone want us that don’t want us. No gift is going to sway him/her if that is not who God has ordained for you.

The word says, He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. The word bind means to cover, as with bandage or dress. You can bind up a wound. Some people are stinking from their wounds. God has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted

Psalms 147 reads Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God. How pleasant and fitting to praise him! The Lord builds up Jerusalem he gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is the Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

In order for the Lord to build. Something was in ruin or non existent. Some ashes were there. You might have a broken heart. That might be your ashes. Broken or wounded hearts require as much care and time as any other wound.

God has sent me to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. God wants to free your mind. Free your thoughts. Some of us are prisoners of our mind. The battle ground is the mind. If you are constantly replaying the memories of the broken heart the devil is having a field day and has enslaved you. But God holds the key to set you free!

Every wound needs 3 things. Cleansing. Protection. Time to Heal.

The bible says the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, CLEANESETH us from every sin 

 1 John 1 :7

 

Are you feeling vulnerable? Suffering with feelings of low self-esteem, emptiness, loneliness, sadness or depression? It is during your most vulnerable time that you need others to PROTECT and comfort you. God is the closest to those with a broken heart. The bible says he sent Jesus to heal the brokenhearted. Jesus wants you to know that your value comes from who you are, not from who you are with. You are beautiful in his sight. He loves you unconditionally. That means you don’t have to perform to get his love. Jesus knows and understands your pain and wants to heal your wounded heart. But you have to turn over all the pieces to him. Remember, the Joy of the Lord is your strength!

You need TIME TO HEAL. Have you ever picked the scab from a wound before it is properly healed? The same can happen when you have a wounded heart. You can go back and pick and relive things that happened in the past. There has to be a time of forgiveness, time of releasing the one who has hurt you and moving on. The bible instructs us to “Release and you will be Released  Luke 6:37. 

To release someone you have to forgive them. If you truly forgive someone (or yourself), you cannot blame that person, even though to the normal mind he/she is blameworthy. If you don’t blame  a person, you cannot resent. In the same way, if you don’t resent, you cannot hold bitterness and so if we don’t hold bitterness then you do not hate or dislike or talk about the individual. If you do not hate, then you are not held in bondage. If we release through forgiveness the one who has hurt us, we are released also and can move on to greater things!!!!!!!!!!!!

God is going to complete you and make you whole. When you give him your pieces. He will make you whole. Some of you are like Humpty-Dumpty that sat on the wall. You’ve had a great fall. All the Kings horses and all the Kings men cannot put you back together again. But a man named Jesus wants to step in and meet you in your time of trouble. God wants to comfort all who mourn. God wants to give you Beauty For Your Ashes. Double for your trouble. The bible says, weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. God declares new things!!!!

The Spirit of Contention .....(anger and disagreement)

The Spirit of Contention .....(anger and disagreement)

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love the law of the Lord and that  nothing shall offend them”. 

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 

 

The Bible says..."Great peace have they which love the law of the Lord and that  nothing shall offend them”. 

When the spirit of contention is manifesting, or in a more practical way, when there is contention in the air....it does not matter whether you talk or not.....and it does not matter what you say or how you said it. 

If you talk....then that becomes the subject of the contention...in the sense of not just what you said but especially...how you said it....

If you do not talk...then it becomes don’t tell me you have nothing to say about this or that.  

So how do you deal with the issue of contention? 

How do you resist the spirit of contention?

 

Psalm 119:165 (KJV) says “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them”.

 

Offence causes people to stumble. Consider how great the peace Jesus had at the time of His crucifixion...to the extent that whatever they did or said to Him...or how they said it or did it....did not stir up offense in Him. 

In the midst of it....He said Father forgive them…

Does this kind of response come out of an offended heart or mind?

How do you respond to what people say to you? 

Do you get offended and justify it by saying that you are offended because you do not like how they said it? 

This does not mean that it is okay for people to talk in nasty ways to others but we cannot really control how people talk to us.

Day in and day out we are being constantly subjected to these in various mixes. Jesus went through them all until He got to the cross where all of them came on Him.  

Sometimes people may talk to us in ways we consider as rude...often not intentional...but because of pressures of life. 

We must understand in Psalm 119:165 not to get offended but to walk in such a great peace.....that NOTHING offends us.  

It is like choosing to forgive no matter what people do to us. 

Shake your religion for a second. 

Jesus said in Mathew 5:44 to love your enemies.

So what does that mean??

The purpose of your enemies is to learn to love better.

**Another Lesson from The Lord's Prayer**

When we asked forgiveness from God it was for our own good....same thing when we need to forgive others..it's for our own good. 

We can't be healed, never really move toward wholeness, we will never really get on with our lives until we are able to let go of the resentment, until we can give up gaining revenge...and forgive. 

When we have been wronged, we need to look at who God is and what God has done for us. 

How far am I to go with this forgiveness ?.......

How far has God gone with you?.............

We are to forgive them. Not because of who they are or what they have done; but because of who God is, and what God has graciously done.

Take a look at Matthew 6, verse 12. Right in the middle of the Lord's Prayer is a prayer that you and I, if we are not careful, just pray as a motion when we say the Lord's Prayer. ***Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors***.

We are asking God to treat us, to forgive us, exactly the way that we deal with other folks who have wronged us. 

Father, please forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. In Jesus name. Amen.

After all the Bible says that we should grow in grace 2 Peter 3:18 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. 

The less you are offended by things that are thrown at you....the more you are lining up with The Word in Psalms 119. 

By the time you have grown in grace to the point where nothing offends you....then you have lined up with the word of God.

We should grow in the grace of not becoming offended...by growing in great peace.  

We can choose not to get offended....no matter how people talk to us....just like we choose to forgive no matter the offense. 

We should take responsibility to deal with our own response to the things we face in life....because you do not have the means to control them all.

Contention must be avoided as it will generate more contention. 

It produces loss of spiritual energy. 

Contention and offense go together and they create strife. “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them”. 

This tells us that the biblical answer to offense is to have great peace....and this great peace comes from loving the law of the Lord.