A Place Called Forward

Exodus 14:13, And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14]The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." 15]  And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16] But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
Forward defined: To cause to proceed or progress toward a goal. To cause to go or be taken from one place, person, or condition to another.
Forward is a place to which God leads people of purpose and destiny. Forward is a place that stretches your faith and exercises your prayer life. Forward is the place and the direction the vision takes you.
F.O.R.W.A.R.D. is...
F Follow instructions. Face your God given responsibilities. Stop complaining and do something! Carry your weight. Be an effective part of the body of Christ. 
O - Open your heart to God. Turn to Him and not to fear. “Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Love people enough to touch them (for ways to touch)
R - Remember your covenants with family, leaders, and brothers and sisters in Christ. “Remember” is a covenant word. Remember the people that helped moved you forward. Thank God for the circumstances that moved you forward, even though that did not appear to be the case at the time.
W - Walk by faith, not by sight. Don’t trust your feelings or your carnal mind. Only through prayer will you be sensitive to what God is doing and saying. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Activate spiritual principles.
A - Act on the Word. Act on spiritual principles. Be doers of the Word, so you won’t deceive yourself. (James 1:22, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.) Mrs. Lot deceived herself. Be faithful, supportive, and obedient. 
R - Roll with the punches, and then punch back
D - Dream big and get to Work! Work on and invest into your dreams.

My Story for His Glory - The Purpose of Your Testimony

Luke 8:38 Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.
This is a dramatic story. Many of us have heard that story many times. The most impactful part of the story is when Jesus told the man to go back home and tell what great things Jesus has done for him. It is easy to focus on the tragic part of stories, but it is more helpful to others to share what God has done to bring you out.
Your testimony is your story to God's glory. What God has done for you is the greatest evidence of his presence and power. There is nothing anyone can say to contradict an authentic experience with the Lord. As we say, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
Your testimony is the story of God's glory and grace in your life!
A testimony is the statement of your faith in God.
A testimony is an explanation of what Jesus has done for you.
A testimony represents your chosen lifestyle, not only what circumstances have forced upon you.
A testimony encompasses your purpose and predicts your future actions
Your testimony of faith and expectation also completes the circle of your prayers, even before you see the answer.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 
When we obey God and do those things he wants us to do, God both recognizes our actions and testifies of our gifts. It is as if God tells the host of heaven about the good things that we have done. It's just like parents who want to talk about the accomplishments of the children, or teachers that share the good work of their students, or employers who boast to others about their best employees.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 4 - Abounding With Thanksgiving

Colossians 2:6, As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 
Giving thanks is not some kind of a pep rally. Giving thanks is a real life way to handle difficulties. Stop and think of times when you have felt overwhelmed by problems and difficulties. If you can remember, those seasons lacked a time of deep thanks giving to God. There's absolutely no way to successfully handle problems without the balance of rejoicing and giving thanks to God which releases his grace into the situation.
Rooted and Built up
Just as the great tree is deep-rooted in the soil and draws its nourishment from like giant Sequoia redwood survive fires. it , so the Christian is rooted in Christ, the source of his life and strength. Just as the house stands fast because it is built on strong foundations, so  the Christian life is resistant to any storm 
Thanksgiving keeps your heart clear of darkness
Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Again, Thanksgiving is a lifestyle. It is a way of living and thinking. Giving thanks to God actually keeps our heart clear and our minds positive,
The apostle Paul ministered in person and by letter with a mixture call reality, encouragement, instruction, and Thanksgiving. He also talked about something that's going to sound a bit unusual but I wanted to get a hold of this. One of the characteristics of believers who are active in the kingdom and making a kingdom impact is appreciating the significance of something that the Bible calls mystery.
In our culture, the word mystery is a genre of style. The mystery genre is a type of fiction in which a detective, or other professional, solves a crime or series of crimes. We sometimes call it “who-done-it.’
Colossians 2:2, For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
1 Corinthians 2:7, But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
What is the mystery of God? Why would treasures of wisdom and knowledge be hidden?
A mystery is something perfectly plain to the person who has ears to hear, but is completely hidden to the person who doesn’t care and will not focus.
Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV) He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
Paul then tells us the reason why God reveals truth to us in a mystery.
God wants the things He shows you to be more important, more impactful and more enduring there anything else you ever hear or learn.
Colossians 2:4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.  9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 3 - Triumph, Always

2 Corinthians 2:12, Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the fragrance of his knowledge by us in every place.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle Part 2 - Rescued & Transferred

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Paul’s prayer
Colossians 1:9 (NLT) So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. 13 For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, 14 who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.
Anytime you see the expression of being thankful it is not there as a filler word, it is there for a very specific purpose. Giving thanks is in the central part of any prayer because Thanksgiving opens you to something greater.
You remember that the first mention of Thanksgiving was connected to something called a peace offering. The peace offering was a free will offering unlike any other offering for Israel back in that day of law, requirements and mandates.
You will remember that we said, Thanksgiving comes from peace and peace leads to thanksgiving.
Giving thanks opens your heart and mind to God and to his supply quicker than anything else. The text says the word thanking God who has enabled us to partake of an inheritance in the light. Stop and think about that: we actually have access to something that God has provided to us. Giving thanks is like a key or combination to open the door.
RESCUED
Have you ever faced a danger, such as a near miss while driving, or some other situation that could've ended badly? What's the first thing you said? You said thank you!
We are all escapees! We are like escaped slaves! We been delivered! We got out! We made it over!Think for a moment what your life would be today without Jesus Christ, without the family he gave you, without the church and Teachers he gave you.
Jesus literally purchased our freedom and forgive us our sins. Where would we be without Jesus and his church?
The great Mahalia Jackson performed a songHow I Got Over
How I got overHow did I make it over?You know my soul look back and wonderHow did I make it over?
Tell me how we got over, LordHad a mighty hard time coming on overYou know my soul look back and wonderHow did we make it over?
Tell me how we got over, LordI've been falling and rising all these yearsBut you know my soul look back and wonderHow did I make it over?
But, soon as I can see JesusThe man that died for meMan that bled and sufferedAnd he hung on Calvary
And I want to thank him for how he brought meAnd I want to thank God for how he taught meOh, thank my God how he kept meI'm gonna thank him cause he never left me
TRANSFERRED
Have you ever had experience of experiencing a transfer to something better or an upgrade?One of the best things when you travel away from home is to be booked into one hotel room and get upgraded to a better room.
When I travel to Raleigh North Carolina last month to be a part of the 20th ministry anniversary of Pastor Williams I checked into a new Hampton hotel. I came early so I room wasn't ready for me, but because I was a Hilton rewards member, the lady gave me a king suite. I walked in there put my bag down a big smile came on my face! I received a transfer! I didn't deserve it, I could've done without it, but I received it anyway! There is no better transfer than your heart and mind to be moved out of the realm of worry, fear, anxiety, and all the limitations connected with this world the kingdom. To be transferred into the kingdom of the son of God's love is an incredible reality!
New king James version says, 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Not only have you been transferred into a kingdom, you've been transferred into the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ, who is the Son of his love!
There are four keys to this transfer
It is a transference from darkness to light. Without God men grope and stumble as if walking in the dark. They know not what to do; they know not where they are going. God has given us a light by which to live and by which to die.
It is a transference from slavery to freedom. In Jesus Christ there is liberation.
It is a transference from condemnation to forgiveness. He knows now that he is no longer a condemned criminal at God's judgment seat, but a lost son for whom the way home is always open.
It is a transference from the power of Satan to the power of God. Through Jesus Christ man is liberated from the grip of Satan and is able to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. Transferred into the Kingdom of the Son of his love. Redeemed by the blood and forgiven of all sins
Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance. 16 In Your name they rejoice all day long, And in Your righteousness they are exalted.

Thanks-Giving is a Lifestyle, Part 1: The Peace Offering

1 Thessalonians 5:18, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Romans 15:4, For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
First reference in the Bible to giving thanks or thanks-giving is Lev. 7:11-14
Leviticus 7:11 ‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which he shall  (or “may offer”) offer to the Lord: 
(NIV- “‘These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the LORD:)
12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer, with the sacrifice of thanksgiving, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, unleavened wafers anointed with oil, or cakes of blended flour mixed with oil. 13 Besides the cakes, as his offering he shall offer leavened bread with the sacrifice of thanksgiving of his peace offering. 14 And from it he shall offer one cake from each offering as a heave offering to the Lord. It shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offering. 
This first mention of giving thanks was connected with a special offering called “the peace offering” also called the “fellowship offering.”
The peace offering was different that other offerings which were mandated for reasons of sins committed, dedication, or ritual purposes. The peace offering could be a spontaneous offering connected to nothing more than wanting to thank the Lord for his goodness! 
When we think of the OT, we think about the law, regulations, mandates, and consequences for disobedience. However, grace was present in the OT because God is always a God of grace for people who can see it and receive it.
Because many believers operate in either indifference or legalism, they miss the joy of worshipping, giving, and serving simply out of love for God - without a sense of obligation! As important as it is to give tithes and offerings, we don’t do it out of obligation, we do it out of love and appreciation for God, for His church, and all the things of God.
Worship as an offering was one of the promised benefits of the New Covenant. For New Covenant believers, every offering should be a peace offering!
Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 

"Come to me, I'll Give You Rest" - An Invitation, An Instruction, An Insight

"Come to me, I'll Give You Rest" - An Invitation, An Instruction, An Insight
Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
We all know about the importance of physical rest. We know how a lack of rest negatively affects us and how good rest brings refreshing and renewal. I pray the Lord gives you good rest, especially during this difficult season.
Jesus talked about a different kind of rest. Physical rest is connected to slowing down and sleeping. Rest for your soul is connected to Christ. Jesus said three things:
1. He said, “Come to me.” - We can call this: His Invitation2. He said, “Take my yoke and learn from me.” – We can call this: His Instruction3. He said, “My yoke is easy and my burden in light.” - We can call this: His Insight

Stand Firm by Patricia A. Hudson

One definition for stand is to remain or be set in place. 
Firm can be defined as being solid and unyielding. 
For the purpose of our lesson this morning, we will consider two thoughts.  
To stand firm means to remain set in a solid place of believing God. 
To stand firm means to have unyielding and unwavering faith in God. 
 
As we study together this morning, we will consider seven keys to standing firm in our faith in God. 
 
1.  Have Faith in God
Hebrews 11 New King James Version (NKJV)  (By Faith We Understand)
11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Having faith in God, can be viewed like the bridge that connects believers from Point A, confident trust and hope in what God has promised to Point B, the manifested evidence of the promise. 
 
2.  Do not doubt in your heart
James 1: 2 – 8 NKJV 
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
 
3.  Stand firm on the Word of God which reveals all that God said to you, all that God said about you and all that God has for you. 
Hebrews 4:1-3 New King James Version (NKJV) The Promise of Rest
4 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. 3 For we who have believed do enter that rest. 
 
4. Pray and agree with the Word! Identify a few scriptures that align with your request.
Say what you believe, speak the Word!
Mark 11:20 – 26 AMP
The amplified version emphasizes two conditions for the things I ask for in prayer. 
First, I believe and pray in accordance with God’s will. Verse 23 in part reads, If he believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you.
 
Second, If I have anything against anyone, I must forgive him.  Verse 25 reads, Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others].
 
5. Be Established on the Firm Foundation 
Build on the Rock  Matt 7:24-27 NKJ
24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
 
Build on the solid rock of hearing the Word and obeying the Word. The difference between the two people, one person heard, followed, became wise and withstood the storms. The other person heard, didn’t obey, became foolish and was destroyed.  
 
6. Trust God to Renew Your Strength 
Isaiah 40: 28 – 31 NKJ
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
 
7.  Having done all to stand: Stand Therefore and Keep Standing 
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.   14 Stand therefore. 
 
In summary, the most important key to remember is:
Have Faith in God. As a believer, my mindset is to have confident trust in what God has spoken to me, what God has spoken about me, and what He has planned for me, He will perform it at the right time and in the perfect way. He just asks me to trust Him!

The Rest of God: Using the Power of Another

Hebews 4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
Rest is an important word! Rest is essential physically and spiritually. We know the benefits of physical rest to our bodies and minds. Most of us can do better getting good rest.
Spiritually, rest is essential to living a life of purpose and empowerment. Entering God's rest is a recognition that we are operating on the "finished works" of the Christ, such as salvation, grace, abilities, wisdom provision and health. 
Rest is far from "doing nothing," it is "doing" through the strength of God. It is using the power of Another. Just as a surfer uses the power of the wave, we rely on the grace of God.
This teaching will help you enter into God's rest!
 
 
Rest comes from using the power of Another (Jesus).
Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29) "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30) "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
 
What is REST?
R - Return to God. Use the power of Another
E - Expect renewal through being refreshed in the Lord
S - See the new way God is showing you. Relying less on your own strength and more on the Lord’s strength.
T - Testify to the goodness of God. Tell someone about the goodness of God in your life
 
What Rest Looks Like: 
1. Having God’s peace in your heart and life. 
2. Entering into you places of purpose
3. Resting from your labors because of completion. 

Honor

Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. 40 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
We’ve got to know what restrains Jesus, because if we know what restrains him, we’ll know what restrains us. 
Mark 6:1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. 4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And He marveled because of their unbelief.
A lack of honor and reduced Jesus to something lesser and familiar, and this attitude among the people blocked the blessing they could have received from Him. To his family, friends, and neighbors, Jesus was just the kid down the street, or “the carpenter.” He was more than his occupation, but “familiarity” hindered their ability to see Jesus’ greater purpose and ability. 
Even though Jesus came to the city with the spirit of God without measure, only a few people got healed. They get a small reward because of a lack of honor. 
Many times God will send you what you need in a package you don’t understand or like. 
The greek word for honor literally means “a valuing.” The picture is one of something valuable, precious or weighty, such as gold. Other definitions: appreciation, esteem, favorable regard, respect.