The Choosing of the Twelve

The Choosing and Sending of the Twelve And Us Mark 3. 13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted, and they came to Him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. This event happened to ensure the foundation and continuation of the work of Jesus. He prayed all night (Luke 6. 12 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night. 13 At daybreak he called together all of His disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles.) We call the Twelve “Disciples” and they were. Jesus designated the Twelve to be “Apostles” apostle=sent. Look what Jesus did with the Twelve. These things speak to us today. We are the children of God. What blessings and joy we have in God our Father in Heaven. The things Jesus did with the apostles He continues to do today. * They were with Him. We have talked a lot about this lately. Amos 5:13
Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time. We don’t want to argue politics, policies, foolish interpretations of the Scripture. This is a time for thoughtful and careful words. God has called me aside. Matthew 20.25 But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.…” He wants us with Him. He wants us to be with Him each day, early. Mark 1.35 Henry Nouwen wrote, “ The more I read this nearly silent sentence locked in between loud words of action, the more I have the sense that the secret of Jesus‘s ministry is hidden in that lonely place we went to pray, early in the morning, long before dawn. “ He wants us to fellowship with Him, pray to Him, converse with Him throughout the day and night. Luke 5:16
But Jesus would often withdraw to desolate places and pray. We have talked about ocean time, beach time, alone time, time to just “be” with God. solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited, a desert, wilderness, deserted places Get away from the phone, the television, the newspapers, people. Sit with your Bible, journal and God. Listen. He speaks to us in the middle of life, even serving Him and the busyness that often accompanies it. The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6.31 The Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus said would be with in us, directs us each step of the way. John 14-16 He wants us to be with Him in Heaven. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am…” John 17.24 Not only were they with Him… * They preached the Good News. Our lives… II Corinthians 2. 2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men Our lives speak with us saying a word. People see what our priorities are. They see how we react when things are done against us. They see how we handle our successes as well as our failures. They pick up on the Master Passion of our life. Carl Leth “The Christian faith is grounded in the incarnation. God revealed who He is and what He is like. Going out into the world, then should not just be an activity we do, but an acting out of God's nature and heart in us, being like Him." Oswald Chambers wrote… Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed. But the first thing that will hinder this joy is the subtle irritability caused by giving too much thought to our circumstances. Jesus said, “…the cares of this world,…choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). And before we even realize what has happened, we are caught up in our cares. All that God has done for us is merely the threshold— He wants us to come to the place where we will be His witnesses and proclaim who Jesus is. When necessary use words… We speak when God prompts us, in the power of His Spirit. Remember it is the Good News. So many people need hope today, lots of broken-hearted out there. Lots of people are lonely and in pain. Isn’t preaching for the Pastors and Evangelists? Numbers 11:29 But Moses said, “Are you jealous for me? Would that all GOD’s people were prophets. Would that GOD would put his Spirit on all of them.” Now He has Acts 2.16 …this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams. 18  Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy. 19  I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20  The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21  And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ We can all share the Word. Here is a thought to those watching us by Livestream… Invite people you know who do not attend church to join you in your home. You can say, “I would like to invite you to come over Sunday Morning or Evening to my house. I will make some coffee. We watch a service online from Bay Shore, Long Island. Would you come and watch it with me?” If you have someone open their heart to you about the pain in their lives here is a great opportunity. We become like Jesus as we see people as He did. Matthew 9.36 When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. * They cast out demons I do not believe we have a large amount of demon possession here in the United States. I have seen some on the Mission Field. I do believe we will have more as our nation moves further away from God. I do believe we have Satan’s minions, demons, fallen angels at work around us, tempting, harassing us. Ephesians 6.12 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. We do have authority over them. Jesus has given it to us. We have been given power to break the strongholds of the enemy. II Corinthians 10.4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We ought to ask the LORD to cover souls and homes with His blood in the event of demonic activity. Don’t rejoice that the demons are subject to you. Rejoice that your names are written down in Heaven. Oswald Chambers this week, Jesus Christ is saying here, “Don’t rejoice in your successful service for Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship with Me.” The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service— rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour “rivers of living water” through you (John 7:38). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Romans 12.21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Spend time with Jesus, be with Him. Share the Gospel… always. When necessary use words Fight the good fight of the faith.

He Is Risen

He is Risen! Mark 16.1-7 I do not believe emotions could be any lower than they were among the eleven and the women who followed Jesus on that Sunday Morning after His crucifixion and burial. It was the third day since it happened. They had lost hope. If you have been with a person who has lost hope you know it is heartbreaking. You name a low emotion it was there: Disbelief/ Shock (Remembering last Sunday) “How did this happen?!” Sadness Disappointment Fear Guilt Disillusionment Confusion Dejection Heavy hearts Maybe you can identify with one of these this morning. * You could be living in the torment of fear. There is certainly enough events going on in our lives to make us give to fear. Just watch five minutes of the News. Fear paralyzes us. It kept the Disciples of Jesus locked up in a room in Jerusalem. Maybe you are fearing the future. So many anxious souls today. Jesus has something to say to you this morning. * Perhaps you have lots of disappointments. They can cripple us. Things have not worked out the way you had hoped. Luke 24.21 … but we had hoped He that He was the One Who was going to redeem Israel. It could be your dreams have been shattered. Life has not turned out the way you had hoped. I have pastored over four decades and watched people tell me “their plans” and have seen some of those dreams turn out to be a nightmare. “Are you sure this is God’s will?” -Jay Patton * You may find yourself, although I don’t understand, where you feel as if God Himself, has disappointed you. Perhaps you, like some, have said to me over the years, “I have a lot of questions for God.” Someone said that to me once 25 years ago here in the church, “You must have a lot of questions for God.” I responded, “No.” I have to admit however I have wondered what God is doing from time to time. Like the book I was telling a couple of you about on Good Friday, “God Never Has Failed Me… But He Sure Has Scared Me To Death A Few Times.” * Or maybe you feel trapped, like the Eleven. They were between a rock and a hard place, these men from Galilee. They did not feel safe leaving that room, locked behind closed doors. They could not go out freely in Jerusalem. Even if they could get back to Galilee, they had left everything to follow Jesus, particularly their businesses. What was Peter, James and John going to do, say nothing about Matthew? * Perhaps there is confusion in your life. These Eleven Disciples were confused, perplexed and in despair. They go together. Confusion comes from the enemy. Peace from God. You can leave with peace in your heart even if there are troubles in your life. * Some of us are in deep grief today. We are here but our hearts hurt over the losses we have recently experienced. Does Jesus have something to say to us today? How can I go on? Maybe you have been grieving for a long time… These women were grieving the loss of their Master. They were devastated. And then there were the Eleven. They did not even go with the women for fear of being seen. Here is what we see that first Easter morning. Before they discovered the risen LORD there were things that were happening in their lives that we can relate to. My prayers this morning is that we will rediscover that not only is Jesus alive but that He lives within your heart! * The Concerns of the Women Love “LORD, You know my heart. You know I love You.” The Spices Their purchase of them Their bringing them to the Tomb. In their minds, eye witnesses, Jesus was dead. The Stone A little pebble in front of the Tomb was not worth comparing with the rock of ages inside. That very evening they would learn that Jesus could walk through locked doors as they gather in the upper room and He came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you.” There was no scolding, no I told you so’s. He proclaims peace to troubled hearts. Let not your hearts be troubled… Troubled from John 14.1 Agitate by movement to and fro Inward commotion taking away calmness of mind Restless, stir up Anxious, distress Perplex the mind by doubt Jesus said, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Our concerns Why are you downcast O my soul? Why? Finances… riches do not bring happiness, peace or contentment Children away from the good path Family members struggling with addictions People we love making bad decisions Grief Fear, guilt, doubts What unmovable thing is in your life today. What stone needs to be rolled away? * Their Thoughts About the LORD Incorrect They had him in their minds in the tomb when in reality He was risen. We have things buried and they are alive. We feel we are at the end. And God shows us it is the beginning! That is always His way. Lack of faith in His Word This could be a lack of time in His Word. Hebrews 4.12 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Definitely a lack of understanding of His Word. He told them He would rise from the dead. We often do the same thing… we have the Word of God, we have the Promises of God… Marinate yourself in the Word of God and you will see that His mercies are new every morning. Downcast “Put your hope in the LORD.” Jesus knows all about our struggles * The Empty Tomb They did not know what happened. Stop trying to figure God out! There ought to be a childlike wonder in our lives. Mark 16. 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Mary Magdalene thought perhaps the Gardener had moved His Body. When we are in unbelief it is amazing what we can concoct in our minds. When we lack faith we can think all kinds of things. John believed but still went back to hiding. Some of us are there. We are afraid of our enemies. Mary Magdalene John 20. 15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.” Psalm 27.1The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid? We are afraid of what others may think… Fear God. Ask the LORD for a holy boldness. Gospel Annie, Dr. Airhart * The Risen Christ! Mark 16. 6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, Who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as He told you.’” Here is the Hope we have! Jesus conquered our last enemy. He reversed the curse. He triumphed over the grave. He is LORD! * The Exalted LORD Jesus Christ Philippians 2.5 have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made Himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    He humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place… What is that place? Seated at the right hand of God Mark 16.19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Praying for us Romans 8.34 Christ Jesus Who died—more than that, Who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Whatever comes to trouble your soul (Agitate by movement to and fro Inward commotion taking away calmness of mind Restless, stir up Anxious, distress Perplex the mind by doubt), Jesus is praying, interceding for you. He understands. He stands with us in our trouble, even if it is our own doing! * The Coming of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom Philippians 2.9     and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father. He died and rose again. The Christ of the Empty Tomb is the answer to an empty heart, a troubled mind, a broken heart, to Fear! Guilt! Disillusionment, Confusion, Disappointment and any other human condition. Live in the power of Christ’s Resurrection. Romans 8. 11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you. He is with us right now.

Directions From The Counselor of Wonder

Directions From The Counselor of Wonder Matthew 2.19-23 Joseph moved the Holy Family to Egypt. He also moved them back at the appropriate time to Israel. Joseph played a key role in the early years of the life of the Word becoming flesh. He was the protector and provider for the family. He led them according to his heart and the direction he received in the dreams he had. Joseph sets an example for all of us who are fathers on earth. He listened to the LORD and obeyed Him fully. He put the LORD and his family first. My Dad was like that. His example stays in my heart today. I have wonderful memories of him, sitting next to him in church, being in his Sunday School Class, serving as a Sunday School Teacher when he was Superintendent… and much more! Working with him, learning how to garden from him, laughing, singing, being together, going to Mets Games together, 1986. How we need the direction of God’s Spirit in our lives today. We have an Everlasting Father Who is the Wonderful Counselor! We have His Word for spiritual direction. We need His Spirit for what steps to take, our present and our future. Way too many people, God’s people, lean on their own understanding and end up settling for less than what God has for them. God’s people have been pragmatic when they should have been prophetic. Too often we have been about our comfort rather than God’s Kingdom. More concerned about monetary investments than the advancement of God’s Kingdom! With hearts that have not been refined or purified we follow our own desires, then wonder why we are in a mess! Pastor Mauricio and I yesterday afternoon. We have more than enough. Way better than most of the Pastors in the world. Yesterday early morning… Too many have floundered. As I look back on my life I am thankful for that guiding Hand of God, the direction of the Holy Spirit and the godly people who spoke into my life in times of major decisions. God has provided wise counselors to this very day, at 65 years old and on Medicare! As I interact with and observe those who lost all for the sake of knowing Christ my heart is filled with joy. I have learned from them. Blessed is the person who has nothing but Jesus! Fritz Chrysler, “The person who has everything and Christ is not a bit richer than the person who only has Christ.” * God Gives us the Direction We Need vs.19-20 When we need it. He does not lay the whole plan of our life out for us. One step at a time. A good man’s steps are ordered by the LORD. The life of following Jesus is a walk. We never see Jesus running, rushing or making haste, on the contrary! He does gives clues, visions and dreams. While we wait and work. Waiting does not mean inactivity. On the contrary it means watching and working. There is a great deal of work to be done. Sometimes, the vision or Dream is not for the immediate fulfillment. Habakkuk illustrates that. Habakkuk 2.1 I will stand at my watch
    and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
    and what answer I am to give to this complaint. The Lord’s Answer 2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation
    and make it plain on tablets
    so that a herald may run with it. 3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
    it speaks of the end
    and will not prove false.
Though it linger, wait for it;
    it[c] will certainly come
    and will not delay. Sometimes we can not get going fast enough. Joseph showed us that last week. This dream to return was not a matter of immediacy due to an emergency. He did not leave in the middle of the night. The LORD shows us the way. Genesis 12.1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Many times it is this way as we follow the LORD. We encounter difficulties when we try to usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit for our own purposes. God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus.” -Oswald Chambers * Obeying the LORD is the Key to Living an Abundant Life v.21 He got up and left. It doesn’t seem like this was the middle of the night. Three times so far Joseph obeyed the dreams given. Matthew 1.24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the LORD had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. Matthew 2.14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And this time v.21 * God Works In A Mysterious Way vs.22-23 He brought them back to Israel He brought me back to Long Island. He brings us back some times. He is desiring the church be brought back to the manger, back to the simplicity of His birth, Back to the meaning of it, Back to the Son of a man Who had no place to lay His Head even at His birth! Some of you listening by livestream, God is calling you back to the church, to be part of His Kingdom. He brought them back home to Nazareth. Their hometown but not the most desirable place in Israel. The Father, the Everlasting Father, the Waiting Father is desiring to bring all people to His Home. Jesus was called a Nazarene. Isaiah 9.1-7 Galilee of the Gentiles by the Sea Nathaniel would ask, “Nazareth, can anything good come from Nazareth?” Not a compliment “Come and see,” said Philip. John 1.46 That is what we need to be doing! Inviting people to come to Jesus. Psalm 34.8 O taste and see that the LORD is good. As God deals with our lives it so important to follow His direction fully. Obedience to the LORD does more than we can ever dream of or envision! ❤️ There is peace and joy and blessing in following Jesus. It is the only way to have abundant life.

Warnings From The Wonderful Counselor

Warnings From The Wonderful Counselor Isaiah 9.6-7 Matthew 2.1-12 Joseph Magi 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 13 When they had gone, an angel of the LORD appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the LORD had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” We hear and see warnings every day. Hess Truck small parts, not for children under 3 years old Warnings= A Divine Command To teach from Heaven Admonished, instructed God warns us through His Word Proverbs, Hebrews He warns us through other’s lives, their examples God warns us through dreams * These warnings came from the LORD. We may take certain warnings of man very seriously. Covid Protocol So strict, unbending We should all the more with the LORD’s warnings. I have found in my ministry people argue, debate, get angry at times when I have warned them. Neither Joseph nor the wisemen did that. They did what God instructed them. Joseph was a wise man. Few have heeded the warnings. Don’t be like them. Submit to the LORD’s will Submit to His Word Submit to His Plan for you. We spend the first half of life wrestling with God, wanting to work for Him, our way, according to our dreams. In the second half we submit to His will, His dreams and visions… the dreams and visions of Christmas. We need to remember: Jesus was born in obscurity. Jesus discouraged news about Him spreading. No self advertising. Jesus humbled Himself continually. He had one purpose: to do the will of His Father in Heaven. He told His disciples. Luke 10.20 “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.” Luke 17.10 “when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” * Ignore the warnings of the LORD at your own peril, Listen to them and live, a full abundant life He is not trying to make life hard, on the contrary He is trying to spare you the consequences of grief and pain by making poor choices. Proverbs 3.1-17 The first nine chapters of Proverbs are full of warnings. Immerse yourself in the Proverbs Live and learn Warnings: Bees in backyard in Bellmore. Tried to drown them… didn’t work Waited for my father. He knew what he was doing. Our Father in Heaven always does. Listen to Him, listen to the warnings. Wait. Jesus, Everlasting Father, Counselor of Wonder… if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father! This is My Beloved Son, listen to Him. Bees with Tony a two summers ago. Night, warnings Taking down the tree in my Mom’s backyard… Tristan and I… all the others fled! Missed the warnings… first day of deer season… at Camp Taconic. Prayer Retreat. He keeps us in our ignorance but expects us to use our heads. You will understand what Jesus was talking about when He said in John 10.10 I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. I have come that they might have life and that more abundantly. I have come that they might have life to the full. The warnings of God are to enhance our lives, to make them full, abundant, more and better than we have ever dreamed of. * Be wise and listen to and heed every warning! Proverbs 3.7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. Joseph could’ve said, “I just got set up here in business in the local guild. I’m getting to finally make a living and now I have to move to another country?” There is no record of Joseph or his name’s sake ever complaining about “inconveniences” that took place in his life. We do well to suffer quietly, when we are going through it. Share with your closest spiritual friends. Don’t broadcast or out on the social media your deep pain. Quietly, submissively bear it as Jesus did. If we are following Jesus there will be unexpected places and situations His leadership brings us to. Psalm 23 tells us that. Death’s Valley A Table prepared in the presence of my enemies God warned the Magi, the wisemen not to go back to Herod but to return to their own country bypassing Jerusalem, another route. -v.12 Following Jesus in your travels, where you are going to live My parents… moving upstate in 1973. Praying, deep praying. Found a church first, then work, then property. So when I came here, back to Long Island in 1984, I has their example. Mine was all wrapped up in one! But I remember asking Dr. Mucci for another week for praying.I wanted to be sure. My kids all around me. Grandkids all around me. God warned Joseph in a dream to get out of Bethlehem. an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. Immediate Obedience Undaunted Faith Total Surrender No doubt the Hand of God was in the census. It is what brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. God spoke to Joseph in a dream in Nazareth, now in Bethlehem. My dream, “You’re going the wrong way!” Letter. “I was going the wrong way.” January 2000 Missionary Robert Collins in the DR. Told me he had a similar dream and wrote a letter too. Same response. Your old men will dream dreams. Listen to the warnings of the elderly. Listen to their advice. Imitate their lives. Heed the warnings! Listen to the LORD. They will keep you from disaster.

The Counselor of Wonder Speaks To Joseph

The Counselor of Wonder Speaks To Joseph Isaiah 9.6-7 Matthew 1.18-25 Try to imagine, if you will, the dilemma of the Joseph was faced with. He was in love with Mary. They were in the betrothal stage. They had made plans for the rest of their lives together. They were looking forward to a happy future, a simple life in Nazareth. At this point would be considered legally husband and wife. Although the marriage had not yet been consummated, if Joseph had died during that period Merry would be referred to as a widow who is a virgin. To break this agreement would require a divorce. It seems that Mary had told Joseph that she was pregnant and about her vision, her visitation, the Annunciation that she would be the mother of the Christ, the Messiah. When asked how this would be the angel of the LORD said to her that the Holy Spirit will come upon her so that the child would be the Son of God. It could be she never got to tell him anything but, “Joseph, I am pregnant.” Or maybe he saw she was. Perhaps she told him the whole story. Whatever was said or not said we know this Joseph was not buying it. One thing he knew for sure. Mary was pregnant and he was not the baby’s father! Joseph we are told in the scripture this morning had in mind to divorce her quietly. He was thinking about this when he had a dream. All dreams that are from God are in perfect alignment with His Word. God never contradicts His Word either in prophecy, dreams, and or visions. There is perfect harmony between the Word of God and the way that He manifests Himself and direction and warning and encouragement in dreams visions and words of wisdom and knowledge. We are told that Jesus would be called the Counselor of Wonder. What God said through the angel in Joseph’s dream was wonderful counsel. * Do not be Afraid Afraid: to put to flight by terrorizing, to scare away To be struck with fear, seized with alarm, startled with strange sights or occurrences A man who finds out his wife or fiancé is expecting a child that is not his is devastated. Fear is part of this dilemma. Anger and betrayal are as well. She has broken the relationship. How could things be right again. How could he ever trust her? Hosea the prophet had that problem with his wife. Homer had children by someone else. It was a lesson in spiritual adultery for the nation of Israel and the message from God through Hosea. In fact the direction God gave Hosea is a very strange message: Hosea 1. 2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” 3 So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son. Talk about fear! One of the 365 times this phrase is in the Bible in one form or another Now Joseph…Calls him by name, full name Speaks of wonders He was doing with Mary and now Joseph. Mary’s response to her unplanned, unwed pregnancy was, “I am the LORD’s servant. May it be to me as you have said. Only the servants knew. Wine at a wedding and things God is doing in your life that no one else understands! Fear not, Joseph, son of David… David committed adultery with Bathsheba. He was forgiven. The greater sin was having her husband Uriah killed. Matthew 1.6 David became king. 6-11 David had Solomon (Uriah’s wife was the mother), Fear not, Joseph, Fear is perhaps one of the worst prisons emotionally and mentally that a person can live in. Jesus Christ has come to set us free from fear. That is why throughout the Bible all the New Testament you will find these words do not be afraid, fear not. Always is because the Lord is with us. As He was with Joseph so He will be with us. He will speak to us. He will come to us. The way may not be easy. But it’s possible because of Jesus. That’s what Immanuel means, “God with us.” Fear paralyzes us. Joseph was moving away from God’s Plan. God was patient with him. He is patient with us. Fear makes mountains out of molehills. It enlarges problems. Fear is an insult to God, His character and His Word. * You Are Part Of God’s Plan Every day! Even the Quiet Ones. Psalm 139.16 You are here not by chance. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else. You are one of a kind you like nothing it is Grace can’t give you he is allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill his special purpose for this generation you are God servant in God‘s plan and God‘s perfect time. Roy Lessin I believe so why should I worry or fret? I know Who holds the future. I know Who holds my hand. I know just as sure as I’m singing this song I’ma part of His Almighty Plan. In times where you are saying, “Where are you, LORD?” You are still part of His plan. In this time when Joseph thought the worse, God was bringing about the best. True this couple lived with people drawing wrong conclusions. The amazing thing is they did not care about anything but doing what God wanted. There will be times, if you walk closely to the LORD, when you will have to walk a lonely road. People often misunderstand what God is doing in some else’s life. It gets more painful when they assume and even gossip. Being falsely accused puts you in the company of Jesus. Obey the LORD no matter what. * Joseph Obeyed Matthew 1. 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. The way of worry free obedience is the way of peace of heart and mind. Do not worry. Psalm 37.8 Do not fret—it only causes harm. It will eat at your soul and body. It will rob you of joy. You will never be able to enjoy the present. It will rob you of sweet sleep. You will be full of guilt. I know I should not worry. Go over the things you know are true. Look back over your life. All of your worry has been vain. God is all powerful. God is on my side. Go is in control. * God Took Care of Him, Baby Jesus and Mary He always does for those who trust in Him. A virgin pledged... God saw that His Son would be cared for as He grew in a family. He is a God of incredible details. He takes care of His people. He is always preparing a place for us! Egypt, Church of the Holy Family Old Cairo God spoke again in a dream to Joseph Matthew 2.19 After Herod died, an angel of the LORD appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. The LORD used dreams, dreams that Jospeh had, to reveal His plan to him. Today, primarily, He speaks to us through His Word and when needed confirms it with a dream or vision. Sometimes He speaks to us through a dream for a specific purpose. Father and daughter… going the wrong way. Father and son in DR. God is at to work in your life greater ways than you could imagine or even dream of. The wisest thing you can do is trust Him. Let the Counselor of Wonder be your guide. Get into His Word like never before. Pray about everything. Rest in Him.

Dreams and Visions of Advent

Dreams and Visions Acts 2.1-21 V.17 in the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams. You may think that I’m picking a strange section of scripture to begin Advent. This message is an overview, a preview, an introduction to our theme throughout December, The Dreams and Visions of Christmas/Advent. I’m not talking about “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”, nor am I speaking about the “visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.” What is Advent? Over the month of December we are going to be looking at the dreams and the visions of the Christmas story. Before we get into that next week I want to talk to you this morning about dreams and visions according to God‘s Word. We are in a time where we have the whole counsel of God in the old and the New Testament’s. In the first book of the Bible and the last book of the Bible we have dreams and visions and all in between. Does God speak today through dreams and visions? I believe He does. But we need to test the spirits just like we read last week from I Thessalonians 5. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. Dreams and visions cannot be completely understood immediately all the time. The LORD spoke to Habakkuk the prophet, Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2.2-3 I do not believe that Dreams and Visions ought to sought after. As we are seeking God, seeking to be filled with His Spirit they do come from time to time. Having said that I have known some godly people that have said they had neither a dream or a vision. Yet whole works of God contain. It is indicated that since the Day of Pentecost they would be happening. * God spoke to Mary, Joseph and the Wisemen through visions and dreams. He also spoke through the prophets about Christ’s Coming. We will be talking about that during Advent. These were dreams and visions of information, warning and direction. We need that and we get that from God’s Word, the Logos. John 1.1 There is another word for word. It is rhema. It can come in two ways. From our reading the logos, a specific passage takes on special meaning. Someone speaks a Word of Wisdom, or a prophecy. From a dream, vision or prophecy. Helen Wilke. The rhema word can happen when you’re reading a particular passage of Scripture, perhaps one you have seen many times before, and you see it in a new light and see how it applies to your life personally. * We must test these. Psalm 105. 17  and He sent a man before them—     Joseph, sold as a slave. 18  They bruised his feet with shackles,     his neck was put in irons, 19  till what he foretold came to pass, till the Word of God proved him true. The Word of God is true. Wait. I John 4.1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. * Many times dreams and visions come when we are going about our lives. * We must be discerning but also not be closed to God speaking to us. * God often using His Written Word with A Vision or Dream He did so with Nehemiah and Haiti He did so with my coming here. Spanish speaking people moving into the area. Ron Posey’s word… three directly involved, others a hand in. Pastor Mauricio’s vision… Elisha’s vision, Belgium Block statement He did so with Joseph and Mary. Saturate yourself with His Word. Marinate in it. Dwell in it. Continue in it! God is speaking in these last days. We are in an epoch time. Things are happening that have never happened before. the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, Habakkuk 2.3 * We are in an appointed time. We are seeing things happen we have not seen until now in our lifetime. Through God’s Word, through Him speaking to us in unusual ways, we can be like the Men of Issachar, men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. I Chronicles 12.32 The new potentially more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in more European countries on Saturday, just days after being identified in South Africa, leaving governments around the world scrambling to stop the spread. Because of fears that the new variant has the potential to be more resistant to the protection offered by vaccines, there are growing concerns around the world that the pandemic and associated lockdown restrictions will persist for far longer than hoped. God is at work in our lives. I do not think we are understanding fully Christ in us. He resides in us by His Spirit. He is with us. He is in us. He is our Hope of Glory. * In these last days let’s be open to His Holy Spirit. * Let’s remember that He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ever ask or imagine. * Be discerning. Joseph got in trouble for telling his dreams, of course God used it. * Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Devoted To Prayer

Being Devoted To Prayer Acts 2.42-47 Colossians 4.2 Luke 18.1-8 Revelation 16.15 Prayer= addresses to / conversations with God, places devoted to prayer/ synagogue and outside if there was no synagogue Prayer is conversation with the LORD God Almighty. Missionary and evangelist E. Stanley Jones wrote, “The first thing in prayer is to get God. If you get Him, everything else follows. Allow God to get at you, to invade you, to take possession of you. He then pours His very prayers through you. They are His prayers—God-inspired, and hence, God answered. “Prayer’s like the fastening of the cup to the wounded side of a pine tree to allow the resin to pour into it. You are now nestling up into the side of God—the wounded side, if you will—and you allow His grace to fill you up. You are taking in the very life of God.” Devoted= regular and continually, persist, constantly diligent, committed, dedicated, persevere Colossians 4.2 “devoted” to adhere to one, be his adherent, constant to one, to be steadfastly attentive unto, to give unremitting care to a thing, to continue all the time in a place, to persevere and not to faint, to show one's self courageous for, to be in constant readiness for one, wait on constantly So important being devoted to prayer is that Jesus ruthlessly cast out everyone who bought and sold in the temple, and said, “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations…. But you have made it a ‘den of thieves’ ” (Mark 11:17). We need to be on our guard for those things that can enter our temples and take the place of prayer. The devil has an arsenal full of stuff… everything from bitterness to busyness. He told His disciples the parable of the widow, the friend at midnight and the unjust judge to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He calls us to faithful, persistent, importune, persevering prayer. Romans 12.12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. If you pray only when you have a great need in your life then you are not devoted to prayer. We are to pray always and not give up. What do we need to be devoted to prayer? * Faith Believing prayer makes a difference Believe God answers prayer. Believe that God is able to anything. Believing we receive answers Matthew 21.22 We are to pray from our hearts and have our hearts and mind in prayer. It is not just a recitation. It is communion with Almighty God. The early church depended upon it. They were devoted to it. Faith is believing what God says He will do. * Persistence the quality that allows someone to continue doing something or trying to do something even though it is difficult or opposed by other people. Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. Praying for people who need the LORD. They may not feel they do. Praying for people who are addicted. This is very hard. Why we need a fresh move of God’s Spirit today. Lunch with the District Superintendent this week, spoke about the move of God in the 1970’s, how people were delivered from drug addiction instantly. Praying with faith can be so challenging. Not because we do not need it but because we are Laodecian times. Feeling we are rich and have need of nothing. Wealth management. Praying for one another. James 5.16 offered in faith Being devoted to prayer… * Importunity persistence, especially to the point of annoyance. Widow Luke 18.1-8 Friend at midnight Luke 11.5-8 Keep on asking, seeking, knocking Matthew 7.7-8 Inconveniencing ourselves and others. shameless audacity Grayson in Haiti, “Mommy,Mommy, Mommy…” Kimberly mimicking him. We do not inconvenience God but it may look like it. He Who watches over Israel neither slumbers or sleeps. We can call on Him any time and any place. Luke 11.9-10 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. * Perseverance Persistence: Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Perseverance: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Both terms imply that strength and tenacity are needed. Praying always and not giving up. The widow The friend at midnight Jacob, “I will not let You go until You bless me.” Genesis 32.26 We are in demanding times. We need to be devoted to prayer, right up to the end. * It is a spiritual battle for most. Ephesians 6.10-18 Spirit led prayers, Spirit filled prayers are needed for us to be devoted to prayer. Romans 8.26-27 * We need the LORD to open our eyes to the needs all around us. * To be devoted to prayer we must abide in Christ * There is nothing like the joy of answered prayer! Let’s pray. We have a personal account of the genesis of "I Need Thee Every Hour": Hawks writes, "One day as a young wife and mother of 37 years of age, I was busy with my regular household tasks during a bright June morning [in 1872]. Suddenly, I became so filled with the sense of nearness to the Master that, wondering how one could live without Him, either in joy or pain, these words were ushered into my mind, the thought at once taking full possession of me -- 'I Need Thee Every Hour. . . .'"