"Losing Expectations Frees Us to Live Expectantly"

20161127 "Losing Expectations Frees Us to Live Expectantly"

Ed Smith

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Advent            

·         The arrival of a notable person, thing, or event.

·         The first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays.

·         The coming or second coming of Christ.

The Advent begins…

Luke 1

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

What is the back drop to today’s passage? The nation of Israel had lost their expectations about the Messiah after not hearing from God for 400 years. Zechariah and Elizabeth had lost all expectations for both a child and performing his ultimate priestly duty.

Expectation does not require me to act.  Only the other person has to act in order to live up to the expectation.  This is not a relationship.  This is a dictatorship.  (This is what I deserve.)

Expectancy requires that now I become an active part of the solution.  No judgments, just faith and excited anticipation of what will happen next.

  8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Expectancy can turn back into expectation.

18   And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And the kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

Luke 1:24   After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

Expectations can paint God into a box of our making. Living expectantly frees us to have faith and allows God to surprise us and surpass our imaginations!

Eph. 3:20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

The Message Version - God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

 WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         Ephesians 3:14-21
Tuesday:         Isaiah 55:6-9
Wednesday:    Daniel 3:16-18      
Thursday:       Proverbs 3:5-6  
Friday:           Matthew 6:25-27
Saturday:        Philippians 4:19

"Holding the Heart in Unanswered Prayer!"

20161120 Holding the Heart in Unanswered Prayer!

Delton Weiser

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Holding the Heart in Unanswered Prayer!

What should we make of “unanswered prayer” or “no-answered” prayer?

It is in these times we are most vulnerable to drawing false conclusions about prayer, about God and about ourselves!

 Luke 22 39 And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. 40 When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”41 And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. 45 When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

 How does Jesus help us?

 2 Corinthians 12 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hard-ships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 How does Paul’s encounter help us?

 When struggling with anxiety, disappointment, struggle with unanswered or no-answered prayer we must be very careful with our own hearts, hold onto a true view of our Father in Heaven while giving thanks in all circumstances!

 1 Thessalonians 5 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

 There are some helpful prayer resources at:

·         the Connection’s Center in the commons and

·         www.ransomedheart.com under “Prayers that Work”

·         Use the Ransomed Heart app-Prayers, Podcasts and Daily Readings

 WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Tuesday:         Luke 22:39-46
Wednesday:    Philippians 4:6-7      
Thursday:       1 Thessalonians 5:16-18  
Friday:           Philippians 1:3-8
Saturday:        Psalm 107:1-9

"Prayer for Inner Healing!"

20161113 "Prayer for Inner Healing!"

Delton Weiser

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Prayer for Inner Healing!

 Isaiah 61

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Our hearts (souls) are damaged, wounded, broken and LOVED!

Jesus came to heal and comes to heal our hearts!

Prayer is an incredible tool for inner heart healing!

 Mark 7 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

 Galatians 5 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

 Psalm 51 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

 Ephesians 3  16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

The essence of prayer for inner heart healing is inviting Jesus to bring His presence, healing and love!

 Helpful prayer approach: (Moving Mountains p.194)

·         Invite the presence of Jesus into the wound or broken-ness (Ask for His help! Sometimes it is helpful to “follow the pain”)

·         Forgive those involved in the wounding (self and others)

·         Renounce the message, the lie, breaking any agreement with it as well as any sin involved!

·         Invite the presence and healing love of God into the wound or brokenness!

 Psalm 23  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul.

 There are some helpful prayer resources at:

·         the Connection’s Center in the commons and

·         www.ransomedheart.com under “Prayers that Work”

 WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         Isaiah 61:1-4
Tuesday:         Ephesians 3:16-19
Wednesday:    Psalm 23:1-3      
Thursday:       Galatians 5:19-23  
Friday:           Romans 5:1-5
Saturday:        Psalm 51:1-8

"Warfare Prayer!"

20161106 "Warfare Prayer!"

Delton Weiser

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Warfare Prayer!

John 10 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ephesians 6 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and re-quests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Colossians 1 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins……2 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

James 4 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Significant Realities to Embrace

1. Evil is real and significantly affects me and my family!

2. Jesus was and is victorious over Evil!

3. In Jesus and in His Name I can bring His victory to bear in my life and domain! Prayer is a significant weapon to use in the battle.

·         I can use prayer to put on the armor, “submit to God”, “stand firm in the faith”!

·         I can use prayer to shut down evil’s access through my own brokenness and the broken people that affect me!

·         I can use prayer to take the offensive, to “resist the devil”, “bind”, “banish”, “renounce” and “come against” the forces of evil in Jesus name!

There are some helpful prayer resources at:

·         the Connection’s Center in the commons and

·         www.ransomedheart.com under “Prayers that Work”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         Luke 10:1-3, 17-20
Tuesday:         Ephesians 6:10-13
Wednesday:    Ephesians 6:14-18      
Thursday:       Luke 8:27-33  
Friday:           Matthew 4:1-11
Saturday:        Psalm 18:37-40

"Hearing God!"

20161030 "Hearing God!"

Delton Weiser

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Hearing God!

Listening (in) Prayer!

Can I hear God?

Is a conversational relationship with God possible?

John 10 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life

 1 Samuel The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.  2 One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” 5 And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down. 6 Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

 Isaiah 30 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 22 Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away

 John 16 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.

 Listening Prayer and Listening in Prayer

·         Listening to God through Scripture is vital!

·         For grounding…

·         As a regular part of our relationship…

·         As we ask the Holy Spirit to speak...

 ·         “Words and promptings from God”

·         We get to “ask Jesus …”!

·         Is it good, loving and like Jesus!

·         First thoughts!

 ·              Challenges

 ·        Rival voices—distractions!

·         Seeking information from God over intimacy with God!

 Hebrews 12 let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         John 10:1-5, 10
Tuesday:         John 10:14-18,28
Wednesday:    1 Samuel 3:1-10      
Thursday:       Hebrews 12:1-3  
Friday:           John 16:12-15
Saturday:        Psalm 121

"Set Apart Christ as Lord in Your Hearts!"

20161023 "Set Apart Christ as Lord in Your Hearts!"

Delton Weiser

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Set Apart Christ as Lord in your Hearts!

John 15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

“Remain in Me”….. How do I do that?

Prayer is essential to remaining in Christ!

Prayers of Consecration are very helpful.

Prayer that intentionally

aligns us with Jesus,

refreshes us in our faith,

rehearses God-reality into our lives,

soaks our hearts and souls in Truth,

helps us surrender to Jesus in faith,

recommit ourselves and all that is ours to Him and

express, renew and restore our love for God and faith in Him!

 1 Peter 3 15 but set apart Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

James 4 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without rea-son that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Joshua 3 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

Why do we need this renewing, restoring regularly—daily?

Remember we wake up each day in a world at war!

It is a collision of Kingdoms!

The Kingdom of Light (Jesus) is colliding with the Kingdom of Darkness!

The Un–Holy Trinity!

        Devil

Broken Sinful World         Sinful Nature

How do I now Pray?

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         1 Peter 3:13-15
Tuesday:         John 15:1-10
Wednesday:    James 4:4-8      
Thursday:       Joshua 3:1-5  
Friday:           Joshua 24:14-16
Saturday:        Psalm 1

Does Prayer Make a Difference?

20161016 "Does Prayer Make a Difference?"

Delton Weiser

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Does prayer change “things”?

Does prayer change “me”?

How?

Prayer to God our Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ His Son by means of the Holy Spirit changes“me” and changes “things”!

Ephesians 2
18 For through him (Jesus) we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Romans 7
15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Through prayer I change!

 Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Jeremiah 29

 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord

 Courage and Persistence in prayer!

Luke 11
5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Luke 18 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 

 Through prayer things change!

Acts 12 It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread. 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 

Through prayer I play a vital, important role in “things” changing but I do not play an absolute role! 

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:         Philippians 4:5-6
Tuesday:         Luke 11:5-8
Wednesday:   Luke 11:9-13      
Thursday:       1 Peter 5:5-7  
Friday:           Jeremiah 29:11-14a
Saturday:       Psalm 62
 

"Bold Authority! Under-Over-Through"

20161009 Bold Authority! Under-Over-Through

Delton Weiser

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Authority — “There is a Way things Work!”

 Matthew 8
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

 What amazes Jesus?

            The centurions grasp of authority!

             Under-

             Over—

             Through—

 Why did Jesus teach us to pray this way?

 Matthew 6 9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Our Authority Story

            Given

            Lost

            Redeemed

            Restoration

            Authority : Under—Over—Through

 Colossians 2  9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 
13 When you were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

 Luke 10 18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority ….. to overcome all the power of the enemy;              

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

Monday:  Matthew 8:5-13
Tuesday: Matthew 6:9-13
Wednesday:  Matthew 28:18-20                                                           Thursday:  Colossians 2:9-15
Friday:  Acts 3:1-8
Saturday:  Psalm 1