Neil Miers uses the example of Moses in Exodus 3:7-10 and chapter 5 to teach us what we may face when God gives us a promise. The enemy tries to get our eyes off the promises of God and onto our problems, but God wants to see us establish Kingdom principles. To get to the promise, we must break through the obstacles, strongholds, thoughts, and voices. Negativity and faithlessness, etc., are our prisons that we must break out of. Moses, like us, had to get the people out of oppression and into a place of liberty. BUT, the place of liberty is already inhabited. In order for God to get us in, there are things, such as inferiority and insecurity, that we need to get out. God takes us out of something to take us into something. God tells us what to do, but we must do them. Second Cor. 4:16-18 tells us that there is a war between our flesh and spirit. We are the ones who are to go and be carriers of the Gospel. Was Pharaoh impressed by Moses’ declaration about the Lord God? No, and when we share the Gospel, people may reject us, and we might not see the results we want right away either. God needs strong Christians. We are not building Satan’s kingdom, but God’s, and He sees us as His army. When you start pushing toward the promise, things often get worse. Every plague challenged the gods of Egypt. After plundering Egypt, they faced the Red Sea. Besides that, they realized they were being chased by the Egyptian army. What did Moses do? He looked to God and asked Him what He wanted him to do. Walk into what He told you to do so He can destroy your enemies. Give, invite people, share the Gospel. Pray for people’s needs and keep trusting God. Your greatest enemy is your flesh. You must break through the obstacles.
Breakthrough to the Promises
Hearing the Voice of the Lord in the Time of Harvest
Offering Notes: Dale Armstrong: Eph. 3:20 God’s ability and power are not a question. We must cooperate with God on His terms for salvation and healing. God wants to fine-tune us and He expects us to be more obedient because He has more to give us. Joshua 1:8 Meditate in the Word that you may observe to do according to what is wirtten. Prosperity is more linked with meditation than giving. Meditate prosperous thoughts and be specific. Mark 11:24 Whatever you desire with description when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. In Andorra, Pastor Dale taught someone how to use his faith by the example of putting his faith with his desire. Expect and release faith. Bob Hawk “Hearing the Voice of the Lord in the Time of Harvest” Sermon notes: Deut. 28:1 It shall come to pass if we diligently obey the voice of the Lord to observe His commandments … John 4:34-38 tells us that Jesus’ food was to finish His work. That’s ours also. The fields are already white for harvest, now. We must aggressively win the lost. Look at your field and don’t take your salvation for granted, but be inflamed with the fire of God. Listen to what God is saying. In 1 Cor. 3:6-8 we are told that we are laborers with one another and with God. Everyone will receive his own reward according to his own labor. We must listen to His voice and be in His will, regardless of our circumstances. Rev. 2: 7, 11, 17, 29; 2:3, 6, 13, and 22 say, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…” Rev. 3:19-20 We must listen to what God is telling us and be where we belong. Things that are hidden will be revealed, so let your light shine (Mark 4:20-25). Be aggressive and don’t miss the greatest awakening. Hear, and He will give you more. Isaiah 1:19 tells us to be willing and obedient and that we will eat the good of the land. Other texts: 1 Peter 1:14; John 10:1-5; Rom. 8:12-14; John 16:13. Are we willing to spend time in fellowship long enough to hear what He wants to share with us? Don’t listen to the voices of past “strangers”. Listen to God with an open heart. Be specific in what you desire or are asking. Live by the Spirit, and He will guide you and tell you things to come.
The Anointing Part 2
Offering message: III John 2- your finances will never prosper more than your soul prospers. See your soul prosper in the Word of God and change your thinking. God doesn’t talk about limited resources. God is your source, not your paycheck, Social Security. your employer. Think abundance. The world has limits, but God has abundance. If your thinking is limited, you will consider what one person has as taking from what someone else can have. Sermon message: A word was given through Lee Jones about a new wind stirring up the dormant wind in the CWI body. It’s like a fire that can’t be shut up. We need to give place for God to move; we need both the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. II Kings 2:8-14 is the text for learning about the seven things about the anointing. #1 You need to ask for the anointing. #2 The anointing can be measured. #3 The anointing can be increased. #4 The anointing can be transferred from one person to another. #5 The anointing can be lost. #6 The anointing can be transmitted materially (such as through mantles, bones, handkerchiefs). #7 You must qualify for the anointing. James 4 tells us that we don’t have because we don’t ask. Ask for the Lord to use you. THERE’S AN ANOINTING FOR YOUR CALL. ASK THE LORD TO ANOINT YOU TO DO WHAT HE HAS FOR YOU. Ask, seek, and knock. There are intensities of asking. Enlarge your praying and asking. In the anointing there is access to all things. Get hungry for the anointing. It will keep you safe. Pray for the anointing of God’s favor. Pastor Dale tells of a “scary” encounter with an angel in Armenia and how we can limit God’s anointing, which has no limits. Fear can cause us to limit the Holy Spirit’s anointing, but yokes need to be broken by the anointing.
Jesus Walked on the Water
Offering message: Luke 6:36. Sowing begins long before your giving. Being merciful, not judging or condemning, and forgiving all come before giving. Watch what you’re sowing. If you want to change what you are reaping, sow something different. Look at and remember what God and others have given you. Sermon: In Matt. 14:24-31 as Jesus was walking on the water when the wind was contrary, He told His disciples, “Be of good cheer. Do not be afraid.” You do not need to be afraid, but you should also be of good cheer. Jesus is with you. There is some victory or good thing you can remember experiencing. A little taste of victory can change you. Peter obeyed Jesus when He said to come. He did walk on the water, too. When God tells you to do something, have faith in Him and do what He tells you to do. Peter got his eyes off of Jesus and onto the wind and “began to sink”. Again, Jesus told him to not be afraid, and Jesus immediately saved him. What did Peter doubt? He doubted himself. People doubt their ability to receive from God. In Luke 4:17-18 Jesus quoted the Scriptures that talked about Himself. Find in the Bible what tells about you and your situation and speak it. Problems help define who you are when you defeat them, such as David was defined by taking care of the Goliath problem. Don’t back down, but stand on what the Bible says about you and get your eyes on Jesus. Laugh at your problems.
Repent and Pursue God’s Presence
Our assignment is to go to the next level for this region, this nation, and other nations. Pray for a demonstration of His power. Take authority over the strategies of the enemy and do what you are to do. There is power, but there is a cost to pay. Don’t miss the will of God for your life. It will take greater seeking for His presence. God wants our heart. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we are told to 1) humble ourselves, not others. Pride is thinking you can do it yourself. 2) Pray. 3) Seek His face (presence). 4) Turn from your evil ways. We must produce. Don’t allow heart issues to continue. Mal. 3:1-3 tells us that God was sending a messenger who would be like the refiner and the launderer. We need to deal with any heart issues and sin in our lives. The fire refines and purifies what is gross. The baptism of fire must be invited. It can be resisted if you don’t want to change. Luke 3:16. God wants His church to reflect His image. Matt. 3:1-5 tells of John the Baptist calling for people to repent, think differently, change their conduct. We can change the atmosphere for miracles. Matt. 4:17 Jesus said for people to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. In Mark 1:2-15 Immediately after Jesus received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, He was sent into the wilderness. We must repent and believe and do. Doing is where the manifestations of glory take place. Mark 6:7-12 The twelve disciples also preached that people should repent. Allow your heart to be changed by the fire of His presence. Acts 3:19 Repent and be converted that your sin may be blotted out and times of refereshing from the presence of the Lord. Conversion will change people and they way they think and act. Worship the true God and turn back to the love of wisdom and righteousness. Pursue God and His presence. Repentance is not a bad message.
The Anointing Part 1
Judges 6:13-16 If there weren’t any miracles, then God has forsaken His people. Gideon said his clan was poor. God said, “Surely I will be with you. You shall defeat the Midianites as one man. Gideon, you don’t have to do it alone.” Two together can strike the enemy as one man. Insist on upholding one another.Is. 10:24-27 The anointing establishes the covenant of God and breaks off the yoke of bondage. Moses and Gideon were anointed to do what they had to do. It was like the five-fold ministry as one man. In 2 Kings 2:8-15 Elijah’s mantle (the double anointing) was passed to Elisha, but both Elijah’s and Elisha’s servants left or failed their masters. DON’T DROP THE BATON! Build on what went before. See with the eyes of the Spirit. The anointing does not come easily, and the devil will try to rob it. In 2 Kings 13:14 Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, failed because of the lust of money. When Elisha tried to transfer the anointing to the king of Israel, the king only smote the arrows three times, meaning Syria would be defeated only three times. When Elisha was buried and a dead man was put in his tomb, the bones of Elisha caused the man to revive and stand up. Anointings need to be passed on. DON’T BURY YOUR ANOINTING! We are anointed as believers, whereas under the Old Covenant, only priests, kings, and prophets received the anointing. If you want results, there must be an anointing. There was a time of prophetic ministry to individuals.
The Goodness of God
The benefit of the Good Shepherd hinges on our believing that Jesus Christ is our personal Shepherd. If He is your Shepherd and Lord, you will not want and lack. You will be in a place of peace, your soul will be restored, He will lead you in paths of righteousness, you will fear no evil, you will eat a feast while your enemies watch, and goodness and mercy will follow you. In Matt. 4:4 Jesus said that it’s written that man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Don’t draw back from God’s table and His Word. He is the Bread of Life (John 6:35). This is a time to worship and to gather together. The devil is intent against you, and you can condemn him. As part of Body of Christ, you are infused with power from God. Ps. 34:1-10 tells us to bless the Lord at all times and praise Him continually. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear God. Your life should be worship. Matt. 7:7-11 instructs us to ask, seek, and knock and that He gives good things to those who ask Him. Keep Jesus Christ in the Shepherd and Lord position in your life.
Abounding Grace
Texts: Eph. 2:1-10; II Cor. 12:9; II Cor. 8:9. God is rich in mercy, and He is in love with you. He wants to show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us. Giving requires receiving. What you have, give away. However, you must be able to receive in order to give out, which requires humility. Do you know how to receive? Give up the pride, set your heart to receive, and say, “Thank You, Jesus.” The power of God is the grace of God. Your faith pulls in God’s free gifts. Jesus became poor, so that you can be rich, but you must receive it. The work you have grace for is the work He has called you to. Sowing starts in the heart. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you will have all sufficiency in all things. Are you questioning God’s ability? Focus on Him and His grace. Grace is the power to produce what you need. Tap into the grace of God. He gives you grace, because He wants you to get the work done that He has called you to do. Don’t limit God. There was ministry to those who have businesses by people who have creative abilities.
Watch! and Be Witnesses in These Last Days
II Tim. 3:1-5 tells about the perilous times of the last days. This passage of scripture is describing our present time. In Acts 1:6-11 we are told that we are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, because the Holy Spirit has come upon us. Mark 13:32-37 is a call to watch and pray. We have Jesus Christ’s authority to minister- to work. Prayer is our assignment. Allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse you and be alert and awake, not letting Satan to pull you down. Maintain the mind of Christ, and don’t take on the cares of the world. This is a time to use your faith and not be self-deceived. We represent Jesus and He will never leave us. He needs us to walk in His power and demonstration of Jesus. Joel 3:0 Prepare for war and wake up the mighty men of war (spiritual warfare), because multitudes are in the valley of indecision. Be bold. Rom. 13:8-14 Love one another and pray for the deception to be broken off of people. Assist people to make a decision for Christ and make no provision for the flesh by putting on Jesus. I Cor. 15 tells us to wake to righteousness and sin not. Be people of truth and worship God in Spirit and truth. Get rid of the complacency, deception, and hidden things in your heart. You are not getting away with anything. Will you walk worthy of the Lord? Do your reflect Jesus?
Offering Message: Ps. 112:1-4 Our seed will be mighty on the earth. Wealth and riches shall be in your house. You have to take wealth and riches by faith before you see it. You can be a believer and be sincere, but still be in darkness. Don’t stay there. Don’t hold onto the darkness, but hold onto hope, joy, and light. Sermon: Acts 3:1- There is a connection with prayer and miracles. Make prayer a habit. When you are praying, you won’t enter into temptation. The disciples had been on their way to pray when they passed by a man, and their ministry to him brought many to salvation. Pastor Dale told of when the Lord set up several situations which put him in connection with people and ministry in other countries. In Acts 16:13 Lydia was a person of prayer, and she was the first person to receive Jesus in Asia. Go to meet God, and He will get you to meet people. Talk to God about men before talking to men about God. Seek the Lord and spend time with Him. Use a time of loneliness for intercessory prayer. You can have confidence to act on what God tells you to do, if you have spent time with Him. Pastor Dale shared how being hungry at night in Argentina put him in connection with Ukranian men who had been praying in tongues, trying to find him. Prayer should be a delight and serving Him should be fun. Don’t let religion and the devil beat the fun out of you. Col. 4:17 Take heed to the ministry you have received from the Lord. You have to receive it, not achieve it. Relax and worship God.
The Use of the Name of Jesus
Ps. 8. God’s name is excellent. Jesus’ name is far above all other names (Eph. 1). God has perfected praise. To Jesus perfected praise is strength over our enemies. (Remember: people are not the enemy or the problem.) Praise shuts up the enemy. When Satan torments your sleep, praise the Lord and pray in tongues. James 4:7 tells us that we first submit to God (by praising Him), then resist the devil, and he will flee. In Ps. 8:5 we learn that God made man a little lower than the angels, but in the Hebrew language it was “God”. In Heb. 2:7-9 the Greek translation is “angels”. Jesus restored dominion to man. John 14:13 says that if we ask anything in Jesus’ name, He would do it … that the Father may be glorified in Jesus Christ. In John 16:23 He told His disciples that in that day they would ask Him nothing, but whatever they would ask the Father in Jesus’ name, He would give it to them. We can use Jesus’ name as a command of faith, like Peter did in Acts 3:1-11, in which he spoke to the lame man rather than praying for him. Pastor Dale told of a time in Armenia when the Holy Spirit told him that He was going to preach. In that service a deaf mute was healed, and he saw Jesus going through the congregation and touching people. Is. 45:11 tells us to ask Him of things to come and concerning the work of His hand, we are to command Him. Value Jesus’ name. You can decree a thing, and it shall be established for you. Pastor Dale told about Boris, a Russian prisoner who had received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and had a desire to become a translator for American missionaries. He didn’t know English, but he wrote his desire with a rock on a handkerchief and hung it up. He later translated for Pastor Dale. We can use Jesus’ name when we are praying to the Father. Praise and the name of Jesus are weapons for us to use. Ps. 149:5-9 tells us about the weapon of praise.
Jesus Is The Lamb of God
Offering Message: Text: Mark 4:20. Your money is not your seed; it’s your faith behind your giving. Sow the seed in your heart and give in obedience to God. Your confidence should be in the Word. Do you want to see a 100-fold return? Communion: I Cor. 10:16 The bread represents the Body of Christ, and the Cup of Blessing represents the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Body of Christ is one. Acts 2 says that they were in one accord. Satan likes to divide. When anyone in the Body does not fulfill his/her part, the whole Body suffers. Sin breaks us up, and the communion table instills unity. The point of agreement with the whole Body of Christ is the Blood of Jesus Christ. Sermon: John 1:29 Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. I Peter 1:18, 19- Know that you were redeemed with the Blood of Christ, as a lamb without blemish or spot. The Jews disagreed about resurrection. The Body of Christ does not agree on everything either, but the non-negotiable is the Blood of Christ and its power. You cannot buy or earn or work for your redemption; it is only grace and faith in Jesus’ blood. Do you realize the sinfulness of sin and its consequences? His blood was the price paid for the sins of the world. Do not hide from God when you sin. I John 2:1. God takes us as we are, but He does not leave us the same. The purpose of His grace is to get you out of sin. In reality, we sin, but we have an Advocate- Jesus! He is our lawyer. He does the talking for us, when we are accused by our sin. He is the propitiation for our sins; God’s wrath was poured out on Jesus, not us. Propitiation means the one who receives the penalty. Jesus paid the price and took the punishment for our sins. Don’t take the punishment yourself! Jesus was our “whipping boy”. We put Jesus on the cross. Surrender the worst things to Jesus, and He will turn them around. I John 1:7-10 As we walk in the light, He gives us more light to walk in. When we are in His light, we are forgiven and cleansed, and Jesus argues our case. God wants us clean.
Who Am I
II Cor. 5:17 tells us that when we are in Christ, all things have become new. Transformation is the forceful power of death and then life. Saul died. Paul was alive to do God’s will. God does not forgive the old man, because the old man is dead. Salvation is of the spirit, not of the body. Heb. 5:14. You can get your body to respond before your mind does. When you get saved, your mind does not get saved. You still have memories; you have to renew your mind. Your spirit is what gets saved. You are spirit, have a soul, and live in a body. Your emotional state is not your identity. Heb. 4:12 tells us that the Word of God divides the soul and the spirit. You can’t trust your emotions, because they can change. What you have is not your identity. The real you is inside of you; it’s your heart. You are the sum total of all that Jesus gave you. It’s not what happens to you that makes you what you are, but it’s what you do in response to what happens to you. In Matt. 15:19 Jesus said that out of the heart come evil thoughts. In Gal. 5:19 Paul is speaking to born-again people and said that the works of the flesh are evil. Before you are saved, evil comes out of your heart, but after salvation, evil comes out of your flesh. John 3:16, 17 God loves you! He loves sinners. God sent Jesus to the world that the world through Him might be saved. Don’t condemn people. He wants to set people free and to make them clean.
God’s Grace
Offering message: II Cor. 8:9 Through His poverty we might become rich. The favor of God toward you is to make you rich. God’s favor and grace is not like taking a Tylenol. Ps. 30:5 tells us that His favor lasts for a lifetime. God doesn’t change, and you can’t make Him change His disposition toward you. It’s because of what Jesus went through that He can pull you through what you’re going through. Realize He wants you to be blessed. Jim delivered a word to the congregation. I Cor. 15:9. Our faith will increase based on your knowledge of God. We can only take advantage of grace if we know it’s there for us. We are saved by grace through faith. We have to put our faith in the grace of God. GOD ALWAYS MOVES FIRST. God’s grace toward us should not be in vain. We need to receive it as a gift. Paul said that he labored more abundantly than the other apostles by the grace of God. Grace will never leave people where they are, because it removes sin. We must participate with God’s grace. God puts a grace in us and a desire for something, and then we put labor to it. We must see the grace behind a person’s labor, whether it’s a Michael Jordan or a Tiger Woods or whomever. Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:17-19. God’s power is released in response to our faith. His power reflects His character. His exceeding greatness- exceeding means to surpass, be higher than some other level. GOD CANNOT DO LESS THAN HE DID BEFORE. God is the God of increase. We should always get something better than what we had. That’s grace. God’s favor is not for a season; it’s for a lifetime. It will empower us to surpass. Pastor Dale gave a word about a career adjustment that would mean the person can surpass in money or influence or learning or position… Pastor Dale told of how John Adams had to choose between being a preacher or being a lawyer. He chose being a lawyer and greatly moved the Continental Congress and influenced George Washington at a critical time in our country’s history. If you’re not following grace, you are in works and self-will.
Strategic Conversions
Text: Rom. 12:1-3. Paul used the word “beseech” meaning to plead or beg, to relate how you are to give your body to God, namely as a living and holy sacrifice, which is your reasonable form of worship. You are to renew your mind, which is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. When Paul said to not think more highly of yourself than you should, he was talking to very confident people, not to people of low-esteem. You are to apply the scriptures soberly to your walk with the Lord. Are you in the good or the acceptable or the perfect will of God? What is the will of God? It is getting people into heaven. Financial prosperity is a truth that helps when it is applied to being used to meet the needs of humanity and living to give. Prayer is the highest form of evangelism. Prayer for the lost is the perfect will of God. The truth is the person you are praying for has a choice. When you pray for people’s salvation, don’t quit. There is God’s grace. Rom. 12:12 tells you how to hope- rejoice in hope. Hope should make you joyful. Hope is not faith. Hope expects something tomorrow. Faith has to do with your will now. Faith will NOT work without hope. (Pastor Dale shares how the common denominator in his answered prayers was desiring the answer greatly.) Hope works toward people. Faith works toward agreement. Start treating the one you are praying for as if they are saved. Faith and hope work together; patience and longsuffering work together. Patience is toward things and circumstances; longsuffering is toward people. Be sensitive to situations and people you should be praying for in an instant, such as seeing an accident. Gal. 4:19 tells about travailing in birth again. A Christian who is mature reproduces spiritually. Is. 66:8 Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day, or shall a nation be born at once? Our intimacy with God and knowing Him is like that of intimacy between husband and wife, only in the Spirit. The outcome of that spiritual intimacy is a birth- the spiritual birth of the person you are praying for. Father Nash prayed and saw individuals and cities come to the Lord by birthing them in the Spirit. When a person is born-again, his/her will is changed. Things can be birthed in the Spirit that will not be birthed any other way. You cannot really describe being saved or speaking in tongues. It must be experienced. In Mark 10:23-27 a rich man did not want to be saved, but we are told that that’s not impossible with God. Pray for wicked sinners to be saved.
Sit at Jesus Feet and Then Act
God is giving “must do” assignments to His people, and we must say, “Yes, Lord.” If we get His thoughts, we will get His ways. Wait in His presence to get the word He has deposited in you. Take time to seek Him for the anointing for revelation. II Chron. 7:12-15. We need the fear of God and His grace. Be faithful with what He has already given you. National revival belongs to the USA. We are to carry revival to all nations, so that God’s Spirit can bring life whenever He comes on someone. Are you a believer? You have power. Humble yourself. Pray. Seek God’s face. Turn from your wicked ways and distractions. Then, He will hear from heaven, forgive your sin, heal your land. This is a time to be totally dependent on Him. We need more favor. We need to share the revival spirit with the compromising, lukewarm, and cold church. Luke 10:38-42 is the story of Mary and Martha. Martha was distracted, but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Busyness takes us out of the place where we can seek Him. We must see the adjustments we need to make. God wants to deposit more upon CWI that is beyond natural reasoning. Make spending time with Jesus a top priority. Don’t be distracted by the cares of this world. John 6:27 Labor for the food which endures to everlasting life. Ps. 138:7-8 God will revive us and perfect that which concerns us. Put action to His Word. God loves us so much. Matt. 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things (food, clothing, shelter) will be added to you.
Chasing Lions
II Sam. 23:20-23. Benaiah chased lions. We need to be lion-chasers. Face and deal with the issues in your life. Fight or flight; scared or scarred. Choose to fight and have scars. Paul had many “battle scars” from fighting for the Lord Jesus Christ. God is raising up an army running to, not from, the battle. There are times when we need to fight in order to fulfill God’s will. What are you chasing? Is it bigger than you? Others are watching your life to see if you are for real. When Benaiah chased the lion into the pit, he could have stopped there. Don’t be an “almost Christian”. Get a word from God and get ahead. Benaiah had a faith resume. What matters most is what you do with what you have. Benaiah didn’t stop at the side of the pit, but he got into the pit and killed the lion. Obey God and don’t be a nay-sayer. David killed Goliath and said that the battle is the Lord’s. He ran to the Philistine. Benaiah was more honored and became David’s bodyguard. He was in the presence of the king the rest of his days. Step out in faith and be in God’s presence.
Marriage Seminar: Glue Conference
Patty tells how to to fight fair in a marriage. 1) Don’t remain silent, but talk through conflicts. 2) Learn to fight in a healthy, understanding way. 3) Be a peace-maker. 4) Don’t involve other people in your conflicts. 5) Don’t be historical. 6) Don’t find fault and blame your spouse. Paul taught on wedding crashers. 1) Unrealistic expectations. 2) Different priorities and goals. 3) In-laws. 4) (Extra-marital) affairs. 5) Not appreciating your spouse’s God-given personality. 6) Influence of birth order. 7) Growing apart rather than growing together. Patty shared about wedding builders: appreciation of and valuing of your spouse: completing each other, not competing with each other, and encouraging each other. Focus on your spouse’s good points. Paul taught on how a man can meet his wife’s emotional needs: #1 Build up her self-esteem. (A woman needs to hear her husband say these 10 things: You are beautiful. You’re a great lover. You’re so smart. You’re my best friend. You’re the most important person to me. How much money do you need for shopping? You’re the only one for me. I’d be lost without you. You’re funny. I love you. #2 Make her laugh and have a sense of humor. #3 Surprise her with good surprises often. #4 Pray together. Paul ended the session by reminding everyone to pray, focusing on the power of the cross as a place of forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.
Marriage Seminar: Relate to Your Mate, Communicate
Patty Endrei shares how we are to love each other in our marriages. Communication and loving your mate the way that pleases him/her are important. We communicate through: tone of voice, eye contact, smile, and touch. The areas of communication are consistent, planned heart to heart exchanges which bring life. Listen and consider the timing of what you share. Put action behind your words, and communicate by focusing on the positive in the other person. What you say about your mate, you’re saying about yourself because the two of you are one. Words are powerful, and we will be judged by our words. Communicate with love and spend time with Christ and each other. Paul Endrei: Communication is the lifeblood to your marriage. Our marriages are testimonies for the Lord. If communication stops in a marriage, the devil will start communicating. Have a date night. Men, give your wife your full attention when she is talking. Listen to and compliment her publicly and privately. There was an exercise in which each spouse separately responded to these sentence beginnings: I am happiest when… and I am saddest when… The five languages of love according to Gary Chapman are: 1) Gift-giving, 2) words of affirmation, 3) physical touch, 4) quality time, and 5) acts of service. Men are visually wired, and women are verbally wired. Sex is a God-thing (Gen. 1:3-2:24, 25). Sex is spiritual. Sex is sacred. Not having regular sexual relations in your marriage affects your spiritual and prayer life. Paul explains the old Jewish way of a man’s proposal and his and his wife’s marriage consummation. The glory of God was an important part of the wedding and the sexual part of the marriage. Sex represents the glory of God in our marriages. God opened and closed the Word with a wedding. What keeps couples apart? Time, energy levels, fear of getting pregnant, change of life issues, kids… Did you know that having regular sexual relations is spiritual warfare and helps you live a longer life? Sixty-eight percent of women are not satisfied with their sexual partner. What can help decrease that? Sex is like a sports game. It takes pregame warm-up; throughout the day, men communicate your love for your wife and choose the words that you speak carefully. Someone gets hurt when there is no warm-up. In a real game, there are four quarters, but the average male only lasts two minutes. It’s a pacing, not racing, event. It takes a woman eight to twelve minutes of stimulation. The game isn’t over until both get to score. The post-game is the time to love one another, communicate with compliments and constructive criticism what is the good, the bad, and the uncomfortable. Talk and touch.
The Shift, The Move of The Holy Spirit, and Assignments
Bob delivered a word concerning the flow in business. He prophesied about adjustments in relationships and management of financial affairs. “Weird” people would be used by God and come into the church after going into places many wouldn’t want to go. The church will have compassion and love for those who are coming in. Bob continued to preach from last Sunday night’s sermon, starting with Deut. 1:11. God is giving assignments to you. II Cor. 12:1-9 God’s grace is sufficient for you. His strength is made perfect in weakness. Satan tries to control and take you out before you complete your assignment. Remember, His strength allows us to glory in Him, take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions… for Christ’s sake. His gracious favor is all you need. Phil. 4:13 Christ strengthens you and infuses you with inner strength. Eph. 3:14-16. You are strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man. Is. 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might. Is. 11:1, 2. It’s the same Spirit in you that baptized Jesus and raised Him from the dead. Eph. 6:10, 11. Be strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS might. Col. 1:9; Eph. 1:17-19.