Offering message: Matt. 6:1-2. Never let tradition steal from you that God wants to reward you. He wants us full and overflowing so we can bless others for His kingdom. We need to believe God is a rewarder. Sermon message: Eph. 5:23-2. Do we love the church and are we ready to give ourselves for it? How committed are we? God gave us Jesus, who gave His life for us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The individual has value. When Jesus left the ninety-nine to go after the one, they had to make it on their own. Follow the Holy Spirit. Pastor Dale told about rescuing children who lived in the sewers and how the former “sewer rats” ministered to the young new additions. This is a picture of what the church is to be: the ones who have been set free ministering to the lost and the newly saved ones. Comparing it to the role of a coach, the five-fold ministry (Eph. 4:11-13) is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body. The saints are to do the work. We need believers who are servants.

Offering message: Realize: Jesus is alive! Heb. 7:4. Pastor Dale prayed over Gene English, and Kevin Burrows had a word for him. Sermon: The disciples raised up a crippled man on their way to prayer (Acts 3). They had the discipline of praying at certain times in the day. Don’t let go of your prayer life. We need the discipline of prayer. When you keep your eyes on the goal, the discipline needed to reach it isn’t drudgery. Pastor Dale explains discipline from the perspective of desire, such as saving for a trip to Hawaii. Discipline is not drudgery if you keep the desire. Have the desire and discipline for prayer in your life. The devil hates prayer because he’s afraid of it. Discipline in doing natural things takes time and money. Acts 16 tells how prayer changed things. If we want to see things happen, we need to bathe and birth them in prayer. In Rev. 3:15 God says that He will spew out of His mouth those who are neither hot nor cold for Him. Prayer avails much (James 5:16-17). Christianity is a relationship of love and prayer with God and the Holy Spirit. Let your desire for prayer determine your discipline for prayer. As you go through your day, “see” the call to prayer. Be a people of desire. Desire brings you into prayer. Fasting is putting away carnal desires for spiritual ones, which results in spiritual fervency.

(Kevin Burrows shared a vision the Lord showed him, and there was an altar call for repentance of unforgiveness. Kathy Neff told about a picture she had about receiving our inheritance.) Sermon: John 15:1-7. The goal of our Christian walk is to abide in Jesus. Don’t get your eyes on the fruit but on abiding and seeking God. The first indication of fruit in a disciple’s life is answered prayer. If you’re abiding in Him, then ask what you desire. The only reason Jesus prayed, “If it be Your will,” is that He didn’t know the Father’s will. We can know what His will is by reading His Word. Abiding is being at home with God, thinking like He does, seeing things like He does. When we know His will, we can be confident that we’ll get what we pray (1 John 5:14). Don’t pray, “If it is Your will,” and if your prayers failed, don’t say it was God’s will not to answer it. Don’t blame God if your prayers failed, but agree with God’s Word (Mark 9:14), Abide, let the Word get in you, and stand in faith. You should have a daily time of prayer. Get into the presence of God. Consecrate to unite with the will of God. Ask for your daily bread. Forgive.

John 15:1-7. If a fruit tree isn’t pruned, the “suckers” take away from the fruit. If we are to bear fruit, we need to cut some things off. Your life will change when you prune it. If we abide in Him, we’ll bear much fruit. The root of failure is our lack of daily time with God. Get into the Word to know God’s will. When you abide in Him, you can trust your desires. Prayerlessness is a sin. Pastor Dale tells about almost losing his wife and son and how it changed when they prayed. There are turning points of answered prayer or negligence. Someone’s life could depend on your obedience to pray. When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was at a breaking point, but He knew the Father’s will and obeyed Him. We need to have the Word in us and be prayed up, so we can handle the pressure when it comes. During the Finney revival there was the prevalence of prevailing prayer, spontaneous prayer, and intercessory prayer groups. Be hungry after God

An 8 minute audio clip of Dale’s challenge of the government’s view of gun control. Pray for the churches in Syria, as Muslim sects are persecuting Christians. It is imperative for Christians to be good citizens. Politics tries to hide the real issue, such as changing the rights of a baby to life being changed to a woman’s right. The original meaning of the right to bear arms was to protect the citizens from government that had gone the wrong direction and to keep the balance of power. We need to pray for our country and government. Wake up!

Offering message: In the Parable of the Talents, the man in Matt. 25:14-21 gave talents and then left to come back later. Just as those men were to put to use what was given them, so we need to use what God has given us. Your problems are opportunities for God to show up. Sermon: Text: Matt. 18:11-35. Pastor Dale explained the process of dealing with someone in the church who has sinned. We are the church, and when as an apostle, Pastor Dale is away, we should be able to carry on, because we are caring for one another and are gathered together, agreeing on the Scriptures in Jesus’ name. He has given us authority to bind and loose and to bring reconciliation to others. Pastor Dale desires to see that the sheepfold increased when he comes back from being away. There are many open doors, but beyond those doors are many adversaries (1 Cor. 16:9). To see a need is a call to serve. We are family, and we all need to work for one another. The focus of this church is missions. You need to develop what God has given you, whether it’s like Moses’ rod or the talents given out. Pastor Dale shared some of the “open doors” and asked for prayer for him on his long trip to Siberia. Find your place in this family. We need watchdogs. What’s in your hand?

Pastor Dale outlines his trip to Siberia and tells of Jesus Christ’s amazing life changing power in men in Siberia and how they are being used by the Lord in Russian churches. He shared his prayer requests for Teri and himself and his family, as well as for the Siberian pastors and people. Dan and Betty, Pastor Syd, and the congregation prayed over and for Pastor Dale and Teri.

Before the sermon, Pastor Dale shared experiences of a former pastor who walked away from his salvation, even though he was miraculously delivered and filled with the Spirit. God doesn’t give up on us. Don’t give up on Him. Psalm 37: 18, 33. Focus on the next step and not the whole plan. God knows the days of the righteous, and their inheritance will be forever.

In 1 Cor. 12 Paul tells believers what we need to know about spiritual gifts. God wants to use each one of us differently and distributes the gifts as He wills, so listen to Him (He does speak to us      !!!) and be led by His Spirit. When He speaks, the gifts are close, and be ready for more than one gift to be in operation. For example, a word of knowledge may be followed by the gift of healing. When He starts using you, don’t get so excited you stop the flow of the gifts after the first one is manifested. Go by the voice of the Lord. When someone prophesies over you, check if it reflects on Jesus. Obey Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives the ministries (v. 5), the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, and God works the gifts in all the ministries. Eph. 4:7 says that each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Rom. 12:4-6 says that all members do not have the same function or office. We are members of one body (the Church) and are members of one another. We have different gifts according to the grace that is given to us. First there’s a call, then God gives us the grace we need to do what He has told us, and then He gives gifts to give away. 1 Cor. 14:1 Pursue love, desire spiritual gifts, but especially prophesy. Say, “I want to be used by You, Lord!”

Text: 1 Cor. 10:13. God wants you to escape temptation. Learn how to get out of what you’re in. Satan wants to isolate you, so he lies to make you think your situation is unique, and you’re the only one experiencing what you are. Temptation can mean to solicit to do evil, but it also means a trial or test. Faith doesn’t mean that you won’t have problems, but that you’ll get through them. So, how do you escape temptation? The #1 way is praise/joy. James 1:2 tells us to count it all joy when you experience trials/temptations.  Your response to a temptation will be your first step out. Joy is a spiritual force and belongs to believers. Neh. 8:10 says that the joy of the Lord is our strength, and it’s there for those who choose it. Temptation reveals that the devil is at work. Whatever is out of line will draw you like a magnet bringing Satan, trying to keep you depressed, etc. What’s the cure? Praise! (Ps. 33:1-2; 33:1; 8:1-2). Hit Satan with praise to God. Stop looking for answers. Praise – that is the answer. Praising God has a mirror effect so that whatever God is, we participate in. Praise is the weapon that shuts up the devil and is our declaration of God’s worthiness. Paul and Silas praised God when they were in prison and were delivered overnight. (Acts 16:22). Give thanks to the Father for He has delivered us and translated us into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:12). Instead of spending your energy fighting, praise! God is faithful. If you have a big problem, magnify God and choose to praise Him.

Communion: Taking the cup means that we are baptized with the baptism that Jesus was baptized with, the baptism of death (Matt. 20:20-28). Sermon: In 1 Cor. 10:13 God tells us that no temptation has overtaken you (personally) except what is common to man, and that God is faithful to make a way for you to escape what you are not able to handle. Jesus has already been through whatever you’re going through (Heb. 4:14).  Pastor Dale tells of a man who God delivered from cocaine, but the same man couldn’t overcome his nicotine addictions. God knew he couldn’t handle the cocaine addiction, so he gave him an instant deliverance, but he could win over cigarettes. Every test has a way of escape. Obedience is more than victory, which can be based in self. We are incapable of fighting sin. Our fight is that of faith. You don’t resist sexual sin. You flee from it! You don’t need victory over it; you need to escape from it. You aren’t strong enough to overcome. So how do you get out? The number one way is to praise the Lord as a lifestyle, and number 2 is to have a prayer life. Luke 22:40 tells you to pray that you do not enter into temptation. The way of escape is to realize that you need a prayer life. Heb. 5:7-8. Jesus was tempted to not go to the cross. He didn’t try to be strong. He asked for prayer. Let the trials of life take you to your knees. Pray for yourself (James 5:13). Don’t pray for people who don’t want it or who aren’t believing in faith. The presence of temptation is the call to pray.

John 2:1-11 is the account of Jesus’ first miracle of changing the water to wine. Mary, Jesus’ mother, expected a miracle, which brought glory to God and caused His disciples to believe in Him. How do you receive a miracle? Pastor Dale shares his and others’ experiences of God’s miracles in his/their life/lives. #1 Learn to expect miracles. Look for them and expect the impossible from God. There’s always victory and deliverance. #2 Respect God’s timing. Don’t let defeat destroy you and keep you from seeing the miracle. #3 Instantly obey God. #4 Exactly obey God. John 5:3-8 tells of the healing at the pool of Bethesda. You have a choice to respond or to rationalize when the Spirit is moving. Respond and don’t wait until the anointing has passed. #5 Prepare for your miracle. There’s something you can do to prepare for your miracle. Act on your faith. It causes your mind to be creative. Dream again and get ready to receive. #6 Act on your miracle. Faith is an action. Take a step of faith. PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR MIRACLE!

(Tongues and interpretation were given about God’s love, joy, and peace in us.) Be a magnet for blessings. They should overtake you like your dog greeting you when you come home. John 5:1-4 There were multitudes of sick and needy people, but Jesus ministered to certain ones and mainly those who came to Him. There are seasons for miracles. When the Spirit moves, move with Him. Get yourself ready for God to move. In Mark 6:1-7 the people were offended because of a spirit of familiarity. Jesus taught the people to build up their faith when they didn’t believe in Him.  If the gift of the Spirit (the supernatural) isn’t in operation, healings can happen based on faith in the Word. Don’t be offended at the Word. It is Jesus. Mark 5:25-34 tells about the woman who was healed of the issue of blood because she heard of Jesus. Whatever she heard was enough to cause her to press in for her healing. Desperate people take drastic moves to get dramatic results. Press in. Pastor Dale told of Norvel Hayes commanding a woman, who didn’t know how to play the piano, to do just that for worship in a service.

A young lady name Anatasia testified to Jesus healing her back while she was in her seat during a CWI healing service. (It was the same service that another man’s back was healed.) Sermon message: The Body of Christ should be more positive than the world and should magnify the Lord, because He is bigger than any problem. There is a way out. Pastor Dale shared about the way the Lord took him out of extreme depression/suicide. Lighten up. Job, the first book of the Bible to be written, records Job saying that “at famine and destruction I will laugh.” God is faithful, and He won’t give up on you. Talk about Jesus. Look at Jesus. He knows how He is going to come through for you. How do you escape? #1 Praise Him with joy. #2 Have a prayer life. Every failure in a Christian endeavor is a prayer failure. Spiritual problems require spiritual solutions. In Luke 22:39-43 Jesus was saying that if you have a prayer life, you won’t have a sin problem. You can say, “Not my will, but Your will be done” only if you have a prayer life. Heb. 4:15 Jesus was tempted but was without sin. Boldness comes before grace. You are going to make it.

Offering Message: We are like living stones being built into a spiritual house … to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). God doesn’t accept all offerings. We give to the Lord in faith our best first-fruits (Heb. 13:16; Gen. 4:1; Heb. 11:4). God is our Source. Sermon Message: The woman with the bleeding problem for twelve years pushed her way to Jesus by faith. How did she have faith? She heard testimonies of what Jesus had done (Mark 5:22-36). She knew she could be stoned for being around people in her time of uncleanness. Jairus, a synagogue leader, was right there with Jesus, going to his sick daughter. He could have been a threat to the woman with the bleeding problem. Her fear and her sacrifice concerned the testifying of what Jesus had done for her. While she was getting ready to testify, Jairus didn’t know that his daughter was already dead. Although the woman looked like an obstacle to his daughter’s healing, she was actually a source of faith for Jairus to believe that his dead daughter would be all right. [A friend from Titusville, Cindy, shared a testimony of Jesus’ healing her of leukemia, and her interceding for Pastor Dale’s son who was being operated on for appendicitis.] Sharing a testimony can be a basis for faith for someone in a test. Heb. 13:15 tells us to continually offer the sacrifice of praise and thanks to God. Make testifying a part of your daily life. TESTIFY AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD. When you identify yourself as who you are in Christ, fear goes. Testify and praise God. (Remember to pray for the team going to Honduras.)

Text: 1 Cor. 15:57-58; 2 Cor. 2:14. God gives us the victory through Christ Jesus, so be steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the Lord’s work. Keep your eyes on victory. The Word can’t be bound, and God always leads us into triumph in Christ. Don’t submit to fear and terrorism. Ps. 91 is a powerful chapter to stand on. Run to the Lord when you’re in trouble. Great victories come from great battles. Make the Lord your dwelling place. Even though Jesus’ death on the cross looked like terrible defeat, there was a wonderful victory on the other side of the cross. JESUS IS LORD! That’s our position of victory (2 Cor. 4:5). We either bind or loose (Matt. 18:18-20). You have to take victory by agreeing. Walk in victory and pray that our faith does not fail (Luke 22:31-32). (Pastor Dale shared an update on the changes to the plans for where we meet.) Walk in faith and keep your eyes on Jesus.

We need to apply faith to every aspect of our lives, whether it’s for healing or for direction in a church move. Likewise, we must discern if any hindrances are from the devil or if the Lord is stopping certain movement. In Rom. 1:9-13 Paul speaks about the hindrance that was keeping him from getting to the people in Rome. Again in Rom. 15:22 he tells how he was “much hindered”. Kenneth E. Hagin relates how he had his greatest fight for three years against demonic forces when he was starting Rhema Bible School. In 1 Cor. 16:9 Paul said that when a great door opened for him, he had many adversaries, and in 1 Thess. 2:17-18 the Bible says that Satan hindered them. Some things are just demonic. When Satan hinders, it’s to kill, steal, and destroy. On the other hand, sometimes God hinders, but it’s to bring life (John 10:10). In Acts 16:5-10 the Holy Spirit forbid Paul to preach in Asia. His “open door” led to a prison where he and Silas prayed and praised God, and then they saw all the doors open (Acts 16:11; 2 Cor. 2:13-14), and people were saved. It’s about salvations. Let God’s peace rule your heart (Col. 3:15) and don’t be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Cor. 2:11-14). Know these three things concerning decisions: See deliverance; know the devil is mad because he hates progress; and be guided by God’s peace and Spirit.

Text: John 7:37-38. If you are thirsty, came to Jesus and drink. In 2 Chron. 17:1-6 and 18:1 we see that Jehoshaphat strengthened himself in the Lord, but after he prospered, he got into pride and allied himself with the evil king of Israel, Ahab. Don’t allow God’s blessings to cause you to disdain why you were blessed in the first place. Put yourself in remembrance and stir yourself up. (Pastor Dale shared how he was born-again, filled with the Spirit, and called to the ministry.) The Gospel changes lives. The people left Jesus, so He asked the disciples if they were going to leave, too. You will be tested when Satan brings accusations against you for receiving from God. But, when you are thirsty and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, rivers will flow through and out of you (John 7:38). God will work where hearts will receive Him. Eph. 5:18 tells us to not be drunk with wine, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It means to keep being filled, and it’s a command. Being filled with the Holy Spirit will bring life to the Scriptures for you and is like being born-again all over again. Acts 19:2 Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?  Get in the river and be filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in other tongues. (Pastor Dale and others ministered for those who were thirsty to receive the Holy Spirit.)

Offering message: 1 Peter 2:5; Phil. 4:16-18; Mal. 1:6-9. Don’t give because of compulsion or need, but give unto the Lord being led by the moving of the Holy Spirit. If your offering carries no value to you, it carries none to God. What you don’t value and give in faith doesn’t bless you. Sermon message: In John 7:37-39 Jesus said that the believers should receive the Holy Spirit. He was not yet glorified, so the Holy Spirit had not been sent to us on earth. When the Holy Spirit came, He came to reside in us, just as Jesus had resided on the earth before He sat down beside the Father. Most people don’t know what belongs to them and have false ideas about the Holy Spirit. (Pastor Dale compared hunger for the Holy Spirit to learning to eat and appreciate sushi.) The Holy Spirit gives you power (Acts 1:8). If you’ve been filled with the Holy Spirit, appreciate your victorious living. Luke 11:11-13 tells us to ask for the Holy Spirit (after you are born-again John 3:16) – the first infilling and then a refilling on a frequent basis. John 14:16-17 says that He is the Helper. To build yourself up, pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20). The Spirit and the Word only help you when you apply them and put them to action. Discipline yourself in spiritual matters and pray in the Holy Spirit and with the understanding (1 Cor. 14:13-15; Acts 9; Acts 19; Acts 2:1). You have to turn on praying in tongues. Ask God for more and receive His power today.

Text: John 7:37-39. The promise of power is the Holy Spirit, whom we can receive after we are born-again (John 3:16; Acts 2:33; John 14:16-17). We have to ask for the Holy Spirit to live in us and be hungry and thirsty for Him (Acts 2:1-6, 11). Jesus commanded His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). When He came, they began to speak in tongues and continued as the Spirit gave them utterance. They all heard them speaking in his own language. It was tongues and interpretation. The Holy Spirit doesn’t force you to do anything. We can be refilled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10:44-46 the Holy Spirit fell on everyone who heard the Word. The Jews were astonished that the Gentiles spoke in tongues and magnified God. You don’t need interpretation when you’re praying personally. Obey the Lord. Follow after love (1 Cor. 14:1). Desire spiritual gifts and be thirsty.

(This was the last church service held at Greenfield. Next week’s service will be in Landisville, Saturday night, 6:30 PM.) Text: 1 Peter 2:1-10. Pastor Dale shared about some past churches that he and others pastored. Jesus is the chief cornerstone, and we are living stones building a spiritual house for a holy priesthood. People in personal revival can become a holy nation. Keep your eyes on Jesus and be in communion with Him. CWI’s peculiar, unique, and distinct purpose is to be a strong “Word” church with a pastor who is sent out frequently as an apostle.  Numerous people shared testimonies of how God changed their lives while they were at CWI in the Greenfield building.

John 7:37-39. Do you want the truth? You must get into the Word yourself. Don’t compromise, stay comfortable, or be lukewarm, but be hungry and thirsty for the Word. Take a drink of the Holy Spirit and out of you will flow rivers of living water. Come to Jesus and make sure your life is right, cutting off what shouldn’t be there. Be passionate about Jesus and don’t be afraid of what God asks you to do. In Acts 8:5 the people heard Philip preaching, and they saw the miracles he did. Simon the Sorcerer was saved but then wanted to buy the ability for people to receive the Spirit from him. Is there enough power in your life for people to want? Be hungry for God.

(LISTEN TO THIS ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.) Text: John 7:37-38. Are you hungry for Jesus and His Holy Spirit? Seek Him and eternal things. One of the first steps of directing your hunger and thirst is to check your priorities. Out of those who believe will flow rivers of living water (the Holy Spirit). The Spirit is poured out when Jesus is glorified. He wants to flow through you. Some people are perishing now in sin, and Jesus came for them (John 3:16). Don’t give up on people. First you must believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, because the world can’t receive the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17). After salvation there’s more, including the baptism of the Holy Spirit (John 20:19). Tell people how to be born-again (Rom. 10:9, 10). When you’re born-again, you have the Spirit, but it’s not the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is for you, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit is for power and service to others. After salvation, ask for the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:11-13). Some haven’t heard about the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-6). You are a spirit and God is Spirit; yield to Him, allowing Him to flow like a river out of you. Study the Bible for yourself, reading Acts 2, 8, 9, 10, and 19. Praying in the Spirit will bring you peace, bless others around you, and change you. Let the Holy Spirit have His way in your life. (There was ministry for salvation, being filled with the Spirit, and receiving a fresh in-filling.)

Text: John 7:37-39. We are a spirit living in a body and having a soul. When our spirit leaves our body, we’re dead (James 2:26). Your mind is part of your soul. God doesn’t speak to you through your body, but through your spirit (Prov. 3:5). Learn to listen to your heart, because that’s where you’re expected to live. God’s Word doesn’t do you any good unless it’s in your heart. The shield of faith quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and the sword of the spirit is the Word of God prayed (Eph. 6:16, 17). We must keep (guard) our heart, because out of it springs the issues of life. Sanctify your heart for Jesus (1 Peter 3:15). The easiest evangelism is “glowing with the love of Jesus”. Your body has a voice. Your soul has a voice. Your spirit has a voice. The Word of God feeds your spirit, because it is alive (Heb. 4:12). God wants your spirit operating correctly. Receive in your spirit first, and then the soul can proceed (Luke 1:45-47). What’s in your heart? When your life is led by the flesh, it will never be satisfied. You have to control the flesh. Instead, yield to and give into the Spirit and go with your heart. The mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.

Text: John 7:37-39. If we aren’t seeing God move, it’s our hunger that is the problem. Love for people will pull down God’s power. Our hunger and thirst should be centered on Jesus. Promote and present Jesus to His glory! Go into the promised land and let go of the things in the past. When Jesus was here on earth, the Holy Spirit wasn’t given, because He was not yet glorified. Deut.8:14 warned the Israelites that they would forget the Lord and would take credit for their prosperity. Watch that you don’t think that you did what the Lord did. Be humble and give God the glory. Now that Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit empowers us to do greater works. Glorify God in your temple (body). Jesus had to go away to give us His Holy Spirit (John 16:7). It’s a sin to think that God hasn’t come through for you. Live for Jesus. You’re accountable to Him, not to the world. The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9-13) says, “For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory”. Are we thankful? Don’t forget you are forgiven. To Him be the Glory!

When you use the name of Jesus, you invoke His presence. Don’t live without the presence of God in and on your life. Jesus is alive, seated in heaven, ruling this world. Jesus Christ always causes you to triumph (2 Cor. 2:14). You don’t know how anointed you are, because when you conduct the anointing, you don’t feel it. When you walk in the light, people in the dark see you glow. There should be a savor of victory around us. Liberty is an unveiling and being in the presence of God in mercy and truth. His presence is not a place. We should praise God for what He has done in the past, as well as for things more recent. David praised God for what He did for Moses. You become what you worship. Heb.4:14 tells us to hold fast our profession. A profession or confession is positive if it’s based on the presence of the living Christ. He is easily touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15). People run and hide from His presence because of sin and condemnation, but we should come boldly (freedom of access) before the throne of grace, not crying and hiding (Heb. 4:16). Boldness comes before grace. The main point is that we have a High Priest (Heb. 8:1). We must offer something to Him. What is that? Heb. 13:15 tells us that we are to offer the sacrifices of praise to God continually, giving thanks to Him who always causes us to triumph… who redeems us… who sets us on a firm foundation. Hosea 14:1 notes prophetically that our sins are taken away when we repent and sacrifice praise.

Texts: Luke 5:15-26; Hebrews 11:1-3. The people in Luke’s Scripture came to hear first and then to be healed. The power of God was there to heal, but the one who was healed was the one who showed his faith when his friends lowered him through a roof to reach Jesus. You can see faith, and it works. Jesus told the blind men, “According to your faith be it unto you.” Faith puts the priority on the living Word of God. Faith brings God into the now. Faith is the substance (reality) of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. You need hope for your healing or for your prosperity first, but do not confuse hope for faith. Make sure that you are not parroting what someone else has said when you are “confessing” or “professing” your faith. If you are wavering or in doubt, do not even think you will receive anything from the LORD (James 1:3-6). If you are in hope and not in faith, or your faith is wavering, get more Word in you (Romans 10:17). Faith is a measure of God’s faithfulness. We can be confident in Him and believe what we have heard God say. We can believe God’s report (Isaiah 53:1). Locate your faith. Am I in hope or in faith? Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14). Hold fast to your profession of faith (Hebrews 10:23).

Text: Hebrews 11:1, 6. You can apply your faith to anything you do not see but which is promised in the Word. We should be like Jesus. That means that we should please God with our faith. In Mark 9:23 Jesus told the father of the child who had seizures: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” In Matthew 9:29 Jesus told the blind men, “According to your faith let it be to you.” Where you are in life is a measure of your faith. We must speak the Word (Romans 10:8-17) and have it in our hearts. You were saved by speaking the Word after hearing the Word. You cannot make someone else receive salvation. You have to receive salvation (John 1:12). Your faith cannot rise above your knowledge of the Word. God loves everyone equally. Jesus healed all who came to Him. The faith that you used to get saved is the same faith that you can use to be healed. Faith does not come by miracles or praying or reading. It comes by hearing the Word of God. Have you run out of faith? You have to stir up your salvation. You cannot live off of thirty-year old steak or a thirty-year old experience. The Word in Romans 10:17 is “Rhema”, the spoken Word. You do not have a faith problem, but you have a “Word” problem. Get into the Word. The carnal mind is enmity with God, so if you are fighting a habit or a lust, double-up on your Word intake. Experiences of the past are not faith. Faith is now. Do not think that you would believe if you saw a miracle or an angel, because faith does not come that way. They cannot save people or give people faith.

(This was the first Sunday morning service at the Landisville Church.) Texts: 1 John 3:1-4; 4:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:16). God loves us so much He calls us the children of God. People in the world can’t understand spiritual things until they are born-again. As we move farther away from the world and closer to a supernatural, spiritual life, supernatural things should become the norm. Revelation is a good thing: every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus is Lord. When you see Jesus, He changes you. Learn to love people, especially other believers. You can know the Spirit of God, because every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is of God. He has come and does come in human flesh- that means in your flesh. False religions can’t believe that Jesus can come into our human flesh. The inward man is renewed daily. The Greater One lives in you. You are full of God. We don’t look at things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen. Speak the Word boldly.

Hebrews 11:1-6. When you value spiritual things and the Word of God, your priorities will line up. Faith becomes easier when you value the things of God. Faith and understanding are two separate things. Faith is a spiritual process, not an intellectual one like understanding. Believing (faith) is in your heart and probably won’t make sense. The visible has its origins in the invisible. Truth always trumps facts, and what is spiritual overrides the natural. It is impossible to please God without faith, and we must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We believe in His presence even more than His existence. In Mark 5:25-27 the woman with the issue of blood risked her life to go to Jesus for healing, based on what she heard about Him. That’s where her faith came from, and hearing the Word is where our faith comes from, too. It comes from communing with the Living Word. What she heard brought her to action and changed her. IF FAITH DOESN’T BRING YOU TO ACTION, IT IS NOT FAITH AT ALL. The woman had no other options. WHEN YOU PUT VALUE IN THE RIGHT PLACE, IT WILL CHANGE YOUR PRIORITIES, AND THEY WILL LINE UP. Proverbs 2:1-5 tells us to seek and cry out for God. The awe-inspiring presence of God will give you the fear of the Lord. What is the fear of the Lord? It is putting the right value in the things of God above the things of life. Faith is not repeating words but is sitting with Jesus. Don’t let the issue of faith condemn you. Recognize faith in your life. There’s no difference in healing warts and cancer, except our fear. God is not afraid of cancer or any disease. Use the faith that you already have to come to Him, speak to the disease, or to respond to an altar call. FAITH WILL DRAW YOU TO GOD. God does not teach us with bad things. The woman with the issue of blood again risked her life when she fell at Jesus’ feet, telling Him the truth. You can stake your life on the Word of God.

Text: Romans 12:1, 2.One time when Pastor Dale was in Russia, he prayed for a woman whose leg was gangrenous. He didn’t know it at the time, but she was going to have it amputated the next day. When he laid hands on her, he didn’t feel anything, but the next day her leg was as normal as the other one. Last night there weren’t many people here, but God healed people. God set us up with intent. Sometimes we need to be away from unbelief. Some things you need to flee, such as sexual sin, and some things you need to resist. Sometimes Jesus cleared a room from unbelief. There is something about corporate faith. You need to realize you are a believer. Present yourself before God. Get rid of the spectator mentality because of condemnation. You are a Christian, a devil-defying participator. We do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Condemnation needs to be dealt with in the minds of people, because it makes people feel that God is against them. If you have a mindset of condemnation, you can’t hear what God is saying. While he was in Russia, a pastor stole his church (in PA) from him. He was convicted by the Spirit’s telling him that no one can steal what you give. Teri confirmed what the Lord told Pastor Dale. When they met with the other pastor, that man became angrier and angrier, and he didn’t even hear Pastor Dale say that he was giving him the church. It wasn’t until his wife told him to shut up and that he was giving the church to him that his countenance changed. Condemnation puts you in a negative view, and you’ll judge everyone else negatively. Second Corinthians 5:19-21 says that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ and should be reconciled to God. For He made Jesus to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. He has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation. God is not imputing our trespasses against us. If you have a negative view, you won’t hear the Word. His grace is sufficient for you. Men died for that grace. A negative attitude toward yourself brings defeat. Get into the Spirit. We do not war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Don’t try to war by using your flesh. The first stronghold you need to pull down is condemnation. How do you cast down strongholds? You replace the stronghold with a Word thought and then erect the foundations of righteousness.

Texts: Psalm 107:20; John 6:63; Hebrews 4:12, 1, 2. The Spirit gives life, and the words that God speaks to us are life. His Word is living, active, powerful, and sharp. The Word of God gets into the heart of man and divides spirit and soul. You can find out who you are based on the Word of God. If you try to figure out your past, you will not live up to the glory of your future. Speaking the Word to people can change their lives. (Listen as Pastor Dale shares various testimonies of this truth.) You do not want to miss one promise God has for you. The Word has to be mixed with faith. God is sovereign (all-powerful). You can be bold if you know you are right (Philippians 1:20-24), and if you’re wrong, be bold to change. Choose life. Mix faith with what you hear. Choose to live. Choose to prosper. Choose to have a good marriage. Choose not to fear. Mark 4:14-15 tells us that the Word is seed, and the devil comes to steal the Word right after you hear and receive it. Why? He does not want you to get truth, because the Word is your answer. Endure and do not let go of your faith. The Gospel should benefit you.

Text: Philippians 4:6-8. How can the peace of God keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus? God is interested in you, spirit, soul, and body. Your physical body affects your mind and that affects your spirit. Your thought-life has a bearing on your spiritual life. The peace of God comes after you think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. You can filter the thoughts that you are meditating on. What is the priority in your thoughts? Is it going to benefit you? Apply the filter of Philippians 4:6-8 to what you are thinking. What is the pattern in your thought-life? If that pattern is negative, cut it out! Write down what you think about before you go to bed, and then write down what you think about when you wake up. Those are the thoughts you are meditating on. You can wake up with thoughts of peace, joy, holiness, victory, and prosperity. How? Your mouth controls what you think. Think on what is true, honest… In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 we are told to cast down imaginations and to bring into captivity every thought. Your thinking is not your identity; it’s an activity. Your filter is: #1 What is the priority in my thought-life? What is important for me to be thinking on now? The Word should be your importance. What does it say about my thoughts? #2 What is my focus? You can’t stop thinking about something by not thinking about it. You need to replace it with another positive thought- the Word of God. Focus with your mouth by speaking it aloud. #3 See what your patterns of thinking are. How do I interpret what I see? Tear down imaginations and strongholds in your life and think the Word and victory.

To be wise, obey the Word of God (Matthew 7:24-28). Storms and problems come to everyone, but you can measure your life by your victories. Prepare before the storms by acting on the Word. Search the Scriptures and seek honor from God and not from man (John 5:39-40, 44-47). Put Jesus first in your life. Miracles don’t cause people to repent and have faith (Luke 16:19-31), but hearing the Word does. You need to hear and obey the Word (Romans 10:16-17). Build faith on the priority of the Word. Our experiences should lead people to the Word to get faith. Meditate on the Word day and night (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2-3). Martha was rebellious because she wouldn’t put a priority on the Word. In Matthew 8:6-8 the centurion showed faith when he said, “Speak the Word only.” Jesus said in Mark 5:35-36 to only believe. Don’t add to the Word. Don’t do things because the devil manipulates you based on fear or convinces you that your prayers didn’t work. Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:20-23). Your faith will overcome the world. Praying in unbelief is worse than profanity. Speak the Word only.

Text: John 7:14-17. God sent Jesus, and Jesus sent you. God wants you to live out your purpose. The issue is man’s willingness to obey God’s will. You will not know God’s will until you are willing to obey, so you must consecrate yourself to do His will first, and then He will reveal His will for you. God waits for your consecration first, and you must obey first. Once you are willing, He will give you His ability. Saul thought he was serving God, but Satan had deceived him by leading him in the opposite direction of God’s will. (Caution: Satan tries to do that to us, too.) When Saul met Jesus in Acts 9:3-5, he recognized Jesus as his Lord, his King, his Ruler. We are God’s slaves, and He is our Lord. God wants people’s eyes to be open to Him and to their purpose in Him (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). You are saved when you confess Jesus is Lord in your life and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Jesus is alive. Are you willing to obey Him, or are you afraid to step into His plan for you? The issue is that He is Lord. Lordship is salvation.