Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Battle plan part 1


This past Sunday we continued CONCLUDED our series "TEMPTATION." This entire we have looked at the reality temptations are inevitable so we should learn how to navigate successfully through them. We also looked at a few keys to becoming stronger in resisting temptation" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

We ended the series talking about "The Fight of your life." You and I are in a spiritual battle until we cross over from this world into the next. So, what can we do to become stronger in the battle? What can we do to not grow weary in the battle? I am going to spend the next few posts going over different ways we can not only prepare for the fight but grow in the fight.

Tactic #1- Worship 


Romans 13:14—Instead clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

We talked about the battle between our flesh and spirit. Even as followers of Christ we have thoughts and desires that are not pleasing or honoring to God. We are under no obligation to fulfill those desires and urges. 

Paul says in Romans to clothe yourself with the presence of of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we do that we will not be thinking about the evil desires that want us to stray. 

When you and I begin to worship we taking our thoughts off of ourselves, our situations and our desires. Instead we fix our thoughts upon God's glory, holiness, power, grace and love. It is during worship when we realize how big God and in a healthy way how small we are. It is during worship we realize He is is with and He is able to overcome any battle we are facing. 

How can worship become a greater part of your day? 

a) I encourage you to set time aside every day simply to worship. It works best first thing in the morning. It allows you to get your mindset right before the chaos of the day. It helps you have the proper perspective on life and on the coming challenges. 

b) Listen to worship music in the car ride on the way to work and back or to school and back. Here are a few suggestions...
   -Here as in Heaven Album by Elevation Worship: Here is an example: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxTc98K9OeU
   -No Longer Slaves by Chris Tomlin off the Passion 2016 Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLaDzHL_Yx4
   -Other great groups are Bethel Music, Citi Live Worship and Jesus Culture
 c) Make corporate worship a priority. Find a local church and be faithful on a weekly basis. When you make worshipping with other believers a priority it will always increase your faith and strengthen your spirit in the battle

Friday, May 27, 2016

How pursuing God helps me overcome temptation part 2


This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "TEMPTATION." This entire we have looked at the reality temptations are inevitable so we should learn how to navigate successfully through them. We also looked at a few keys to becoming stronger in resisting temptation" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

This is part 2 in my blog series. If you haven't read part 1 yet, pause, read it and then come back.

In my message we looked at David and how he stayed back from battle. He had spent his entire life pursuing what God had called him to do. When he was a shepherd he pursued the lion. When he was helping his dad and brothers and pursued a Philistine giant. When he served Saul he pursued his enemies. When he became King of Israel he pursued and led in many battles. 

Yet in 2 Samuel 11 we see in the spring when kings go out to war, David stayed behind. He delegated his calling to Joab his army commander. As leaders we need to delegate authority. We need to delegate tasks. However, we should never delegate calling. God has a specific plan and purpose for your life and you and I cannot delegate that to others. 

You cannot delegate your prayer life. You cannot delegate sharing your faith. You can not delegate obedience to God's voice. You cannot delegate the role that God has called you to. You and I are called to pursue the very role or calling he has placed on our lives. 

What has God called you to do in His Word? What has God called you to do in ministry? What has God called you to do at home? What has called called you to do in your community? Whatever he has called you to do pursue it with all of your heart! If you are not pursuing God's calling you will find yourself pursuing other things like David. When you pursue other things, the results will not be what you truly wanted for your life. Pursue God and his calling on your life! 


Wednesday, May 25, 2016

How pursuing God helps me overcome temptation part 1


This past Sunday we continued our SERIES "TEMPTATION." This entire we have looked at the reality temptations are inevitable so we should learn how to navigate successfully through them. We also looked at a few keys to becoming stronger in resisting temptation" You can listen to the podcasts or download it by clicking here WYANDOTTE FAMILY PODCAST You can also watch the sermons on our NEW You Tube Channel  CLICK HERE 

This past Sunday we talked about not just resisting temptation but pursuing God and his calling for your life. The sermon was based off of these 2 verses...

1 Timothy 6:11But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.


2 Timothy 2:22Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 

One key to overcoming temptation is to not just resist the devil, sin and temptation but to run towards God. BUT HOW DO WE DO THAT? I am going to post several blogs about pursuing God and His calling on our lives. 

First of all pursue your relationship with God through daily prayer. Jesus said himself in Matthew 

Matthew 26:41Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!"

Prayer is like oxygen. It is our communication with God; both talking and listening. Prayer is not getting God to do what we want but more of aligning ourselves to what God is already doing. Prayer is the pathway to God's peace according to Philippians 4. Prayer is powerful. 

Here is a powerful prayer that I mentioned on Sunday that you could pray every morning. It is based on many scriptures and is taking those scriptures and making them faith statements for your personal life. 

Thank you God You have given me authority and victory over every lie, temptation and attack of the devil. I thank you I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, the old is gone and the new has come. Thank you God I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus. Thank you no weapon formed against me will prosper. Thank you I have the mind of Christ. Thank you I can be everything you have called me to be and I can do everything you have called me to do. Thank you I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I render every attack of the enemy powerless through the authority of Jesus Christ. I will move forward today. I will walk in victory today. I will fix my mind upon you today. I will pursue you God and you alone. I will walk in constant connection with You and be led by Your Holy Spirit. I will pursue everything you have for me today. IN JESUS NAME!!! Amen. 

Prayer doesn't solve all of our temptations. But when we are pursuing God daily through prayer we will find ourselves being more and more consumed with His love and purpose for our lives and less with the sins that so easily entangle us. 

ACTION STEP: Pick a time daily you can spend time in prayer. When are you most alert? (in the morning or at night) Where could you get alone and pray? How can you remind yourself?