THE VALUE OF UNITY

Psalm 133:1 ¶ A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity![fn]

2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!

3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Amos 3:3 ¶ "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?

Ecclesiastes 4:8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, "For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?" This also is vanity and an unhappy business.

9 ¶ Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?

12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 17:11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.

John 17:20 ¶ "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

     ***THE VALUE OF UNITY***

                            God places a high value on unity. 

There is complete unity in the Godhead. 

When the people of God come together in unity behind a common vision or goal it is a beautiful and powerful thing. 

My hope and deepest prayer is that we can become a church unified. 

              Unity may be our most obvious missing ingredient.

Pentecostals of Watson has a lot of important parts in place to become a mighty force for God. 

(1) The most important thing we have going for us is that the hand of God is on us. 

(2) Our property is in an ideal location to take advantage of the rapid growth of the area. 

(3) We have talented, anointed people, dedicated people. *2 or 3 gathered in my name*

(4) We are blessed with unlimited potential (fields white unto harvest)

(5) Pentecostals of Watson is a redeeming church where everyone gets a second chance to reach their spiritual destiny.

(6) Of course it won't be long We will soon have a great facility that God is giving us and we will learn to use it very efficiently. 

What is the mission for Pentecostals of Watson?  www.pow4christ.net

The mission of Pentecostals of Watson is to worship our Lord Jesus Christ and reach out to others in fulfillment of His Great Commission by building a loving fellowship of committed believers.  To accomplish this, we commit:

TO EXALT our God through corporate and individual worship. “Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:6).

TO EDIFY, encourage and build up one another in the Body of Christ. “So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Romans 14:19).

TO EQUIP God’s people for productive, fulfilling Christian lives and ministries. “For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12).

TO EVANGELIZE those outside the family of God. “…and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”  (Acts 1:8).

1. Pentecostals of Watson is becoming a great church in the community.      

             We need to find more community involvement 

2. Pentecostals of Watson is becoming a great church in the area of 

    redeeming lives and families.

    We want to become a church that helps redeem lives and families for the  

    glory of God.

3. We want to become a great church in Christian Care. 

    People must believe that God loves them and that we love them.

    I believe we will see a rapid growth over the next few years and it will   

    challenge us in this area. 

    We are not challenged about loving people......we are challenged in   

    showing that love to everyone consistently. 

    

4. Pentecostals of Watson is becoming a growing church spiritually as new  

    believers begin to feast on the living Word of God. We are a  

    Bible believing church and a Bible teaching church. The Word of God, if   

    fed consistently and honestly can produce mature believers. 

    

5. Pentecostals of Watson will become a great church in the area of  

    stewardship. 

    We have had a difficult time in this area. We have had to learn to do 

    more with less and that has been good in many ways. 

Great churches are unified churches!! 

We have to step toward unity in giving

Unity opens the door for God to bless 

Psa. 133:3b “For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Here is what we can expect to happen when we come together in unity.

Psa. 133:1

God promises good and pleasant when we dwell in unity. 

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.

When brothers don’t live in unity it is everything but good and pleasant. 

Disunity in a church makes God’s enemies smile because in time the lack of unity will destroy the work of God.

No one expects unbelievers or even God’s enemies to live in unity, but Christian brothers & sisters, bonded together by the blood of Jesus, are expected to live in unity. 

When we are not in unity the convicting power of God is diffused and weakened.

There needs to be joy and unity living among us when we are building this building. 

Men, women and children sweating, bleeding and shedding tears together to make this dream come true. 

We need to laugh, eat, sing and pray together to make it beautiful.

So, how then are you going to live and serve God in the Pentecostals of Watson? 

The choice is yours. If you decide to come together in unity there is no limit to what can be accomplished. 

We know it will be good and pleasant at least.

********************************CLOSING******************************************

We have two other promises to look at that unity offers.

Psa. 133:2 God pours out his Spirit in abundance

The oil mentioned in verse two is anointing oil made for ceremonial purposes. Its basic ingredient was olive oil mixed with several sweet smelling spices.

When the Levites lead worship this oil was poured on their heads and it symbolized the Spirit of God. It produced a very pleasant smell all over the Temple area. Aaron was the first Levite so he becomes the archetype for all worship and worship leadership.

The major point of interest is the abundance of the oil. It ran down their heads into their beards. It dripped on their garments. It was abundant and lavish.

When the church comes together in unity the Spirit of God is poured out in abundance.

Its smell fills the temple. It runs down the head and drips into the beard and gets on the clothes of all who are involved. It just gets all over everything. It smells up the entire community. It is impossible to overlook.

Resources may be tight, but the Spirit of God can be abundant in unity. The music might be simple and meager, but when we worship God in unity the sweet smell of our service rises to the very nostrils of God.

So, then does the lack of unity create the lack of abundance? 

Does disunity limit the Spirit’s move into the community? 

Common sense says that unity creates an abundance of the Spirit.

Let us seek unity. Let us ask God to send it among us. 

Let us bring an end to the power of evil to weaken and destroy our testimony. Let us come together in unity and watch the Spirit of God fly us to our destiny.

Now lets look at the last benefit of unity mentioned in this Psalm.

Psa. 133:3 God promises we will exist in a growth nourishing environment

Mt. Hermon is the tallest point in Palestine. It is snow covered most of the time and is the source of the Jordan River. When the blistering heat of summer oppresses the people they would find cooling refreshment on Hermon’s heights.

The language is poetic because the abundant dew and rain that falls on Hermon doesn’t reach Zion – Jerusalem -, but what a beautiful picture for this Psalm - The hot city of Jerusalem being blessed by the nourishing water of Hermon.

Like a tree planted by the water, Hermon promises a nourishing environment – even life evermore.

The Psalmist is telling us that when unity is in play the environment of the church is one of nourishment. People are filled and blessed and happy when unity prevails.

The promise here is that the Lord bestows his blessing. The people of God come together in unity and God brings the blessing.

Does disunity destroy the nourishing environment of a church? Yes, indeed it does. Disunity dries up the stream of water that the tree grows in. It keeps captives bound in sin. It keeps families in crisis and distress. It allows unbelievers to live undisturbed and unaware of their condition.

So, unity has to be one of the churches highest values. 

Don’t allow someone to divide us. Refuse to listen to negative and destructive accusations. 

Learn to love all the brothers and sisters.

Unity brings life forevermore. 

        Disunity is death.

In conclusion

Two can’t walk together unless they agree. Solomon reminds us that a cord of three strands is not easily broken. 

Jesus prayed for our unity.

Unity is very valuable to a church. 

Seek it at all costs. 

If the enemy has caused you to be filled with destructive divisiveness run to Jesus for help.

If the enemy has kept you from the unity found in Jesus through his death and resurrection run to Jesus for salvation.

SHOUT FOR THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE CITY!

Joshua 6: 8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the Lord, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them.

9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

11 So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.

13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the Lord hath given you the city.

SHOUT! FOR THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE CITY!

SOME FACTS ABOUT JERICHO

1. About 10,000 plus people in the city.

2. Jericho was surrounded by two huge walls and many soldiers.

an unconquerable, walled city. Excavations there reveal that its fortifications featured 2 stone walls, 15 ft apart, 11-12 feet high and 14-15 feet wide. At its top was a smooth stone slope, angling upward at 35 degrees for 35 feet, where it joined massive stone walls that towered even higher. It was virtually impossible to destroy.

3. At every gate there were watchmen.

"Seven principles for Victory"

1. Seven is the number of completion. Jesus had seven words at the cross, the last thing He said was; "it is finished".

2. Seven is the number of healing. Naamen the leper washed in the Jordan seven times at the instruction of Elias the Prophet.

3. Seven is the number of victory. Six times the Israelites marched around Jericho and nothing happened but the seventh time they shouted and the walls came tumbling down.

"Seven principles for Victory"

#1. A victory involves unity and fellowship.

-Being united to the vision of the Pastor/Church.

-Being in fellowship with the church and brothers and sisters in the church.

- Being united in one spirit with the other churches in the city.

"Seven principles for Victory"

#2. Victory is certain when we recognize who is in charge. 

The battle is the Lord’s.

Without a doubt God was ultimatelly in charge, but he also had a leader that was placed in charge of the battle. Verse 2, "But the LORD said to Joshua, "I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty warriors".

-Somebody has to be in charge.

-Uniting with your Joshua(The Pastor) is key in aquiring the victory.

-God gives your Pastor spititual authority and if you follow, you will see miracles like you’ve never seen before.

Elias saw many miracles. And God later allowed him to get a double portion because he was faithful to Elijah. He understood who was in authority.

The twelve disciples got to see and experience more miracles in three years than many of us will get to see in our lifetimes because they stayed close to Jesus.

-Joshua was not just a messenger but a man with the authority of God. The words were from the Lord Himself, "But the LORD said to Joshua, "I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its mighty warriors".

"Seven principles for Victory"

#3. Victory starts when you change your attitude.

*1 Corinthians 2:16, "We have the mind of Christ"

*2 Timothy 1:7 says; "God has not given us the spirit of fear but of love, of power and of a sound mind."

-Don’t be afraid to move out of your place of comfort.

-Don’t be afraid to move on God’s command.

- People may not understand but if you move they will see the results.

"For we walk by faith and not by sight".

-We are not governed by physical limitations. THE VICTORY IS YOURS, IF GOD SAID IT YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK.

"Seven principles for Victory"

#4. Victory is assured when we don’t rely on our own strength or abilities but on the power of God.

-God’s call for Joshua to envision the fall of Jericho was based on God’s power and direction, as He declared unto Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand"

"ITS NOT BY POWER OR BY MIGHT, BUT BY MY SPIRIT SAITH THE LORD"

-The Lord has given us power by His Spirit to move forward and conquer.

-If the Holy Spirit is inside of you, you have the spirit of a conqueror.

* Acts 1:8 "And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you".

Victory depends on God’s favor not mans favor!! 

Psalm 5:12; "For thou oh Lord will bless the righteous and with favor you surround him as with a shield".

"Seven principles for Victory"

#5. Being people of Vision.

It all began with a God-given vision.

*Joshua 6:2 God said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and its mighty men of valor".

The word declares in Proverbs 29:18; "Where there is no vision, the people perish".

-Joshua and Caleb were two of twelve spies sent in to spy out the Promised Land forty years prior to this. Like the others, Joshua and Caleb saw the giants and the fortified cities. But unlike the others they chose to belive God.

-They were men of vision.

THE REASON THAT YOU ARE HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE SOMEONE DARED TO DREAM!

"Seven principles for Victory"

#6. You must have the kind of faith that brings down walls.

Hebrews 11:30 says "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were compassed about seven days"

-Without faith it’s impossible to please God

Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20)

"Seven principles for Victory"

#7. Action will assure you the victory.

The Bible says that; "Faith without works is dead", (James 5:20)

(verse 15) " On the seventh day the Israelites got up at dawn and marched around the city as they had done before. But this time they went around the city seven times. 16 The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!

(verse 20), "When the people heard the sound of the horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the city from every side and captured it".

-You have endured others thinking you weren’t going to make it.

-You have been waiting to celebrate this victory.

-You have been quiet long enough! This is your seventh day.

-its time for a change!

-Its time to quit living in the land of Bondage, and start living in the land of milk and honey!

-Its time to start living in the land of plenty!

IT’S YOUR SEVENTH DAY!,

SHOUT FOR THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE CITY!

NOW, SHOUT! FOR THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE CITY!

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.