Stand: Grace to Stand and Not Stumble

My lesson today will be, “Stand: Grace to Stand and not Stumble.” We will study from 2 Peter Chapter One,  that says in part, “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue…” (v. 2-3)
 
The conclusion of the text reads, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble….” (v. 10)
 
We are going to do a “deep dive” into understand how God’s grace and faith work together to cause us to stand strong and victorious in every circumstance.

Mind the Gap: Close the Distance, Remove Danger, Help People

2 Peter 1:3, As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the [a]corruption that is in the world through lust 5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
Ezekiel 22:29 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the foreigner, denying them justice. 30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
Nehemiah 4:6-8 New International Version (NIV) 6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it.
Think about gaps in three ways: 1) Closing the distance, 2) Removing dangers, 3) Helping others and receiving help.
In life there are a lot of things that do not need dramatic change. Much in life is already better than we think it is. The old saying is that “perception is reality” is mostly inaccurate because our limited perception is not capable love and bracing the entire reality of any situation. For example, a sad looking expression on someone’s face does not necessary mean that a person is sad, we only have a perception of sadness.
“Greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Act Like Men - The Mandate, The Malady, the Motivation

A MANDATE
1 Cor 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love. 15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 
1 Cor 16:13 (NASB) Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.
There are two kinds of people and men: 1) Those who are living mainly for themselves and their ambitions: 2) Those who live mainly to serve others. 
The end of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church offers sound advice for men and fathers (and everyone by example). Be on the alert
Stand firm in the faith
Act like men
Be strong
That all that you do be done in love
Greek word for "act like men" means, "to make a man of, or make brave...to show one's self a man, be brave"
Brave definition: Ready to face and endure danger or pain
Here’s a good question: How does a man act?
A MALADY
There are a lot of negative perceptions about men. Part of this comes from the bad things that some men have done that are highlighted over and over again. This bad behavior gets assigned to all men, especially black men. 
Frederick Douglass said in a different day and time: "You degrade us and then ask why we are degraded. You shut our mouths and ask why we don't speak. You close your colleges and seminaries against us and then ask why we don't know.
A MOTIVATION
Good men are already motivated to do the right thing, even against all odds. 
If you encourage and honor a father and a man, that will empower him raise above all challenges and shortcomings.
What blesses men and fathers is honor. A lack of honor for fathers and men is reflection of a lack of honor for the Lord. Remember this Scripture, 1 John 4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
In his book “Honor’s Reward,” John Bevere shared the following: 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.
Flattery is insincere praise, especially that given to further one's own interests.
The antonym for “honor” is “dishonor” or to treat as common or ordinary, to not show respect or value.
Honor can be shown in actions, words, or thoughts, but all true honor originates from the heart. This is what the Pharisees and most religious leaders in Jesus’ day lacked. This is why they lacked power and moral authority.,
Even Jesus had to deal with a lack of honor and is hindered the release of God’s power.
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. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
What I have seen all of my life is the extraordinary things that men do in service to the community, family, business and ministry. Just here in Indy, there are men I have met and worked with who “act like men” in extraordinary ways. We have men who are well known doing great deeds, but we also have men acting like men under the radar.
Men like Brian Carter, Denell Howard, Derris Ross, Jonathan Thompson, Robert Townsend, Jim Strietelmeier, Eugene Potter, Anthony Beverly and many more 
 
Godly men won't lose motivation for a lack of honor, though he might lose heart. Motivation is the will to act and do what is necessary and right. Losing heart is to lose confidence or to stop believing that you can succeed. Godly men do not throw their hands up in defeat. Motivation has to be inward. This is something that separates men from boys. Boys have to be told what to do. Men know what to do.
 
If you waited for someone to encourage or help you to do something, you would not get a lot done. Help and encouragement follow action – and it often comes from unexpected places and people.
 
Later in life, and especially after your father is gone, you will appreciate how much he loved you, how much he did, how hard he worked. Don't let people hear all that at his funeral, tell him now. That’s way I honor my father with words and deeds.
 
The Bible says "Honor your mother and faith." A lot of people don't understand what honor is or how to honor.
 
How does honor affect our identity and blessings in life?
Mark 6:5 – Jesus goes to a city looking for the messiah – “Now he could do no mighty work there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.”
What really got my attention was that he could do no mighty work. I understand if he would do no mighty work. He says “could” do no mighty work. He was restrained.
We’ve got to know what restrains Jesus, because if we know what restrains him, we’ll know what restrains us.
A lack of honor and reducing Him to something lesser and familiar, 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 beyond the natural.
Jesus comes to this city that is looking for the Messiah, and the result is that even though he comes with the spirit of God without measure, only a few people get healed. They get a small reward because of honor.

Stand - Put On the Whole Armor of God, Part One

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles [strategies]  of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Strategy: A plan of action or policy designed to achieve a major or overall objective.
Tactic: The actual means used to gain an objective,
The devil overall aim is to hinder and disrupt God’s plan in the lives of believers and prevent unbelievers from coming to faith in Christ. 
His tactics involve the use of dark spiritual forces, people, circumstances, and our own carnal minds. The most effective strategies are specifically designed and tailored to disrupt you.
 
Some well know strategies and tactics of warfare:
1. When the enemy is too strong to attack directly, then attack something he holds dear. Somewhere there is a gap in the armour, a weakness that can be attacked instead.
2. Delay entering the field of battle the others have become exhausted fighting amongst themselves. 
3. Never directly attack an opponent whose advantage is derived from its position. Instead lure him away from his position thus separating him from his source of strength.
4. Prepare a trap then lure your enemy into the trap by using bait. In war, the bait is the illusion of an opportunity for gain.
5. When faced with an enemy too powerful to engage directly you must first weaken him by undermining his foundation and attacking his source of power.
6. Disrupt the enemy's formations, interfere with their methods of operations, change the rules in which they are used to following, go contrary to their standard training. 
We also see this tactic manifest as “hidden agendas” were people keep something purposely hidden from people, usually authority figures, in order to accomplish a usually illegitimate, illegal, immoral or self-serving purpose.
7. Hide behind the mask of a fool, a drunk, or a madman to create confusion about your intentions and motivations. Lure your opponent into underestimating your ability until, overconfident, he drops his guard. Then you may attack.
8. Defeat the enemy from within by infiltrating the enemy's camp under the guise of cooperation, surrender, or peace treaties.

Expectation: The Key to Excellence in Leadership and Follow-ship

Expectation: The Key to Excellence in Leadership and Follow-ship
Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. O my soul, you have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You. And to the saints who are on the earth, "They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."(Psalms 16:1-3)
For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (Romans 8:19)
According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. (Philippians 3:1)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Hebrews 13:7, 17)
Expectation defined: The state of one who looks forward to something; Expectancy, Anticipation, Something that is expected; Hope, Intention, Motive, Notion, Prospect
Expectation is cultivated by focus, placing our attention to the right/best things, having high standards, mutual submission, and good ethics.
One of the greatest things we can do for one another, and for ourselves, is to have high expectations. We live in a world of low expectations followed by low achievement and low morals. It has been shown that people will rise to meet the reasonable expectations of parents, leaders and other key persons in one’s life.  Leadership and fellow-ship are essential ingredients.
Leaders’ and followers’ characteristics and expectations. 
We all alternately lead and follow. How will we follow creates moral authority to lead. Leadership and follow-ship must be in balance as it relates to mutual responsibility and covenant relationship.
Philippians 2: 2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others
LEADERSHIP
L oving support, direction, and re-direction when needed 
E ncouragement during difficult seasons
A ccountability to others
D evotion to God in every area of life
E ffective prayer life that bears fruit
R eadiness to go first where others are expected to follow
S teadfastness in doctrine and service
H igher goals and standards which lifts others to new dimensions of living
I ntegrity and honesty in all dealings
P reaching and teaching anointed of God, born of extensive preparation
FOLLOW-SHIP
F earlessly, strongly and visibly support recognized leaders
O pen heart to new understanding and new directions
L ove your leaders with covenant love; do not allow others to “run them down” 
L earn from their example; be inspired by the works of God manifested through them
O ppose satan in any way he tries to manifest himself; cover your leaders and God’s vision through intercessory prayer and supplications
W ork and move constantly toward the stated vision and shared goals; search for the wisdom of God in helping to bring the vision to pass
S upport leaders publicly and privately, recognizing the enemy’s efforts to “smite the shepherd and scatter the sheep”(Zechariah 13:7)
H helping leaders by responding quickly and removing concerns
I  nsight on mission, messages, methods
P reared to serve when called upon and helping when not called upon

The Process of Your Paradigm Shift

Isa 43:19, Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert....21  This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. A paradigm is an example serving as a model or pattern. A paradigm shift is an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking and doing is replaced by a new and different way.
 
On this side of the paradigm we only know the way things have been and the way that things are. Only other side of your paradigm there is innovation, creation, and new levels of provision.
 
One of the ways to detect a paradigm shift in progress is when God challenges your comfort zone. God begins to challenge your methods and call for doing things differently.  A shift is coming when you begin looking at things that have seemed useless, neglected, and barren, like a wilderness. Complaining brings a mandatory paradigm shift because God will not tolerate complaining. It is an indication of a bad mindset.
 
Every new assignment and journey in God requires a paradigm shift. A lot of our methods, habits, and ways of thinking and acting have to change.
 
Look for new things in "barren" places. God is already working on your behalf!

The Power of Promise, Part 2, The Process of Promise

Hebrews 10:35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise
Hebrews 6:13, When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself,
2 Peter 1:3-5, As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust,
Today, I would like to talk about one of the greatest blessings in our lives. That is, the blessing of a promise.
The best things in life come as fulfillment of a promise from someone who has the power to make and fulfill promises. A promise is a covenant agreement between the promise maker and the receiver of the promise. We are aware of many promises that have been made to us and kept. But we’re not aware of many more promises that people, like parents, have made on our behalf that have resulted in blessing and provision in our lives growing up.
Anybody can make a promise, but that’s not what is most important. What is most important is this: Does the one who makes the promise have the will and power to fulfill promises. In life, we have to navigate a landscape that is full of promises fulfilled and promises broken. We learned about the of a promise and we grow to appreciate the power of promises, or what a promise can produce in our lives.
The Bible talks about many severe problems in our day. We know about violence, neglect, abuse, cheating, lying, and much more. To that list we add problem of covenant breaking or breaking promises. What makes promise breaking so troublesome is that the promise maker raises the faith, confidence, and expectations of others, only to dash those hopes. We are not talking about something we are unable to do, for which we apologize. We are talking about empty promises that had not potential of being fulfilled.
The basic ability to trust is something people learn as children. When promises are made and broken, this actually hinders a persons concept of trust and faith in God.  We also understand that broken promises can inflict emotional trauma on a child. What we sometimes interpret as bad behavior is actually the conditioned response of a traumatized child or youth.
One of the great lessons in going to school is that we gain the skills of responsibility and keeping promises in the areas of our school assignments. In going to school or taking training, we essentially promise to study, learn, for complete assignments and become both skillful and confident in our learned abilities. We’ve had parents, mentors, teachers and coaches who helped us understand that we have the ability to keep our promises, including promises to ourselves. 
 
It’s always important to have faith in God and to have confidence in what God has giving you. We don’t have faith in ourselves because we don’t have to power to do what God can do. We should have confidence in what God has given us and what He has asked us to do. For all of this He gives us grace.

The Power of Promise, Part 1, Heaven is the Mother of Us All

Galatians 4:21 (NLT)  Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? 22 The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. 23 The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise. 24 These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them. 25 And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery to the law. 26 But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother. 27 As Isaiah said, “Rejoice, O childless woman, you who have never given birth! Break into a joyful shout, you who have never been in labor! For the desolate woman now has more children than the woman who lives with her husband!” 28 And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. 30 But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31 So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.
This story about two mothers, Hagar and Sarah, became a lesson about God’s greater purposes and grace. In your life, there is always the tension between doing things your way and doing things in a manner inspired by God.
The power of promise in your life is born out of the covenant He has made with you. The Covenant is His promise to you. You don’t want to allow human effort to spoil the promise. This is the mistake Abraham made.
 

Character In Focus, Part One

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely...”  ~ Proverbs 10:9
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” ~ John 17:17
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” 
1 Tim 3:14 ...I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Webster’s Character defined: Mental, moral and spiritual qualities distinctive to an individual, strength and originality in a person's nature, a person's good reputation
Greek Definition “dokimē:”  Approved, tried character, a specimen of tried worth, proved through affliction,
Abraham Lincoln said, “Reputation is the shadow. Character is the tree.“
The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith. ~ Billy Graham

Release The Greater One Within You

Release the Greater One Within You
(Audio clip from "Troy" movie. @2004 Warner Brothers Pictures)
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
Philemon1:4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
The greater one within you is your new creation nature in Christ. He is the “greater” one who is greater and more powerful than the world! Realizing “every good thing” inside of you is a key to effective faith.
Paul knew he could count on Philemon. More than almost everything else, we want God and people to have confidence in us.
Philemon1:21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 
Who is “Them” in John 4:4? 
In explaining the ways of God, John often contrasted the concept of the world and God. The world, as we have seen before, is human nature apart from, and in opposition to, God. 
The man whose source is God will welcome the truth; the man whose source is the world will reject it.
How can a man whose motivation is competition even begin to understand an whose motivation  is service? 
A man can hear only what he has fitted himself to hear and he can utterly unfit himself to hear the Christian message.
Paul’s greater one was awakened
Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
 
Three perspectives to unleash the greater one within you: 
1. Confidence in God. 
2. A strong sense of purpose. 
3. A made up mind.
Unleashing the greater one requires resolving inward conflicts. This is essential for your progress. Paul described his inner conflict shared his resolution. Your deliverance is in your decision.
In the Bible the word “law” has one of three meanings: 1) The Law of Moses: 10 commandments and do’s and don’ts. 2) A principles or reality like the “law of gravity” 3) Grace empower word of God (“law of God”).
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law [of Moses] is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law [of Moses] that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law [principle], that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law [principle] in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin [principle] which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
You can have confidence without arrogance
Arrogance: Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities. Behaving as if you are better or more important than other people
“I can do all things....”
Confidence: Belief in one's God-given ability to succeed. 
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Arrogance undermines confidence because it is not based on God’s ability, but in our ability alone. Self-righteousness is arrogance. Arrogance does not unleash the giant. It unleashes a little guy with a big head.