Life

“I will do it no matter what. No matter how long it takes. No matter what I have to give up. No matter what I have to do. I will see it through.” Intent gets at the heart of our routine.  Why do you do what you do every day? Most of us live in response to what happens around us. We rely on what everyone else is doing and then we adapt to that. Your life will be what other people want it to be when you don’t have your own vision and are not intentional. In the vacuum of no plans, someone will fill that void with their own plans. God is not going to make you change.  You have to do your part.  It takes effort and focus to become what God wants you to be. Colossians 3:2 “And set you minds and keep them set on the things above, not on the things on earth.” From sermon by Pastor Shawn at Watershed, Dec 31 2017. 

Think of the influence of the moon upon the earth and the air upon the human lungs. Remember how silently the dew falls and how imperceptibly the grass grows. There may be far more doing than you think in your soul by your Bible reading. (JC Ryle )

When Jesus is the head, we, as part of the body, get our marching orders from the head. When one part of the body isn’t cooperating, many parts might be affected. + What is the cost of being a member of this body of Christ? Everything. + The anointing always flows down, not up. + A fruit tree does not strain or toil to produce fruit. It happens because of the life flowing through it and it is a natural by product of that. When our life becomes that of obedience to Christ, we will be fruitful as a by product.

Deuteronomy 8:6-17 You can't be grateful until you stop complaining. The world says if you upgrade, you will be happier. It's a lie. The happiest people are those that make the most of what they have, not those that work to have the most. How can you be so dead when you've been so well fed? We are living in the land of flowing milk and honey! Thank the Lord for what you see (what we learned at the kiddie table), and for that which we don't see (dining room table). Then we move to the kitchen, and we see all the ingredients that go into what's on the dining room table and kiddie table. And we thank God for all of the work He does, and all the ingredients He has put in.

Pillars Unless the Lord builds the house ... Pillar 1 Faith in Jesus Pillar 2 Fellowship as family Pillar 3 Following His way Pillar 4 Learn to fulfill your purpose You have a specific purpose given to you by God. It is not to make as much money as you can before you die. It is to fulfill your purpose, so you can be fulfilled. Isaiah 50:4 Your purpose is your fuel! Spiritual nourishment comes from taking in God's Word and acting out His will. Keys to fulfilling your purpose 1) Hear God's voice A) Learn to be sensitive to His Word 2) Let God touch your tongue, let the Holy Spirit control your mouth 3) Get free from the fear of man A) Jeremiah 1:8, Ezekiel 2:6, Proverbs 29:25 The only acceptance you need is that of God Almighty. Be in balance, with Fear of the Lord. 1 Cor 4:1-4 4) Commit to being fully faithful. A) Be faithful of what is in your hands Matt 25:23, Prov 28:20 How can you do these 4 pillars? Spend time with the Lord. Psa

You didn't choose God, God chose you. People naturally love darkness; things contrary to God. God called you. Stand firm by holding to the teachings of Jesus.

Get a grip on your identity in Christ

Lord, help me be sensitive to the people you will put in my life today.

Pillars of life: healthy, quality relationships There have been studies done that show the healthiest 80 year olds were those that have high quality relationships with spouse, family, and friends during their earlier years. Genesis 2:18 Ecc 4:9-12 "If you want to go faster, go alone. If you want to go farther, go together." An old proverb What the world is finding to be true today has been told to mankind by God in the beginning. Tips for true fellowship: -unhurried time -willingness to share weakness (James 5:16) -boldness to talk about God (Notes from sermon at Watershed church Elgin Oct 15, 2017)

Philippians 3:12 to 17 Don't become comfortable with not attaining God's best for you.

God did not create you for a life you don't have time for.

Before God rains down blessings in your life you have to give Him reins of your life and a acknowledge at all times that He reigns over your life.

Successful people do consistently what normal people do occasionally Heb 5:8-9 Luke 2:52. Jesus grew Knowledge helps you make a living. Wisdom helps you make a life. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is to knowing that you don't put a tomato in fruit salad. What is better than memorizing scripture? Doing scripture. Wisdom is ... The ability to get things done Knowing what to do next Getting God's opinion Three access points to wisdom Prayer - ask for wisdom James 1:5 People - Prov 13:20 Pain - Ecc 1:18

2 Cor 12:7-9 1 Pet 4:10 1 Sam +Grace in salvation God gave you the ability to be saved, through faith. +Grace to overcome We often pray to have an obstacle removed. In this verse we are told that the obstacle might not be removed, but you will have the ability and power to go through the obstacle. +Grace to carry on

1 Peter 2:9-12 Luke 2:49-50 Jesus understood His purpose at a young age, because He knew who He was. What you do flows out of your identity. The "I must" purpose ... 1) It will determine where you go 2) It will determine who you hang out with 3) It will determine what you say 4) It will determine how you spend your time 5) It will determine how you spend your money

2 Cor 10:3-5 Mat 16:21-23 Strongholds - where the enemy is entrenched. +Illustration: think of a map of a country in war and how strongholds in some areas of the country will result in a different way of life for whoever lives there. Now think about your mind and how the enemy might have strongholds in your mind. How do strongholds develop? 1) Long standing, secret sins. 2) Through society and culture that is anti the Word. 3) Spiritual starvation. 4) Mental or emotional trauma. Confess your sins to each other so you may be healed. James 5:6 How do you know you have a stronghold? If you can't hear, receive, accept & apply... Truth. When people are resistant and justify their actions and behavior. How do we tear down strongholds? By divine power (see Corinthians above). Any stronghold can be destroyed if you use the right weapon... A sudden demolition, not a long battle. Lastly, we all have some stronghold. And we all have to learn to take e

Demons are squatters. They move into areas that are not maintained and lived in until they are kicked out and the area is cleaned up. Demons like to attack at night. Acts 20:29 Wolves attack sheep on the fringe... they won't attack the sheep near the shepherd. Don't be a cultural Christian. Daniel 7:25 1 Peter 5:8

No... Faith it 'til you make it

Read Luke 5:33-39 When God is doing something inside of you there will be pressure and there will be adjustment that will be required. Old wineskins can't handle the pressure. Are you looking for God to give you something new? Perhaps you're not getting it because you're not ready for the pressure. Old. Old wineskins. Dry resistant brittle not flexible...dry spiritualy, cracks easily...when the littlest things begin to crack and offend you easily... Resistant to change. Young vision. Old wineskins is not about age but about vision. One can be old in age but have a young vision... New. New wineskins. Jesus came to the Jews first. But He couldn't find many old wine skins that were willing to be renewed.

Requiring God as a vital necessity Things in your life start to make sense, troubles seem to disappear when you seek God's face and require Him as a vital necessity. One thing to consider... we don't come to church to have someone show us God's face... We have to seek God ourselves. Start taking responsibility for your relationship with God. We need more face time with God.

 Gen 39:9 One way you know walking through a field if it's ready for harvest is when it is bending towards the earth. If you want to be happy in serving Jesus there's only one fulfillment in getting true joy: how much can you give... Jesus says let me show you how my kingdom works... When he washed his friends feet Do you want to be great in His kingdom? That is how you get that position... To be a servant of all, esteem everyone better than yourself

When you're in love, you will change. Change follows love. When you fell in love at first, do you recall doing things the other person liked doing?  Are you in love with God?

It is mind blowing that I would be worth the death of anyone, let alone the death of God's Son!   The value of a $20 bill doesn't change when it's crumpled up and beat up and spit on. Your value doesn't change, you are always valuable to God, as Jesus died for you when you were yet a sinner.

Unrenewed mind:  -I don't have enough money  -I don't have enough time  -Focuses on what you don't have  Renewed mind:  +God provides all we need and more  +God can redeem time  +Focuses on what God has