You Can Depend on God; He’s Faithful – [2]

Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: 
I will work, and who shall let it?  
Isaiah 43:13

Like the biblical giants of old, it takes the love of God, faith, strength and perseverance, to remain relevant in this journey!  A fundamental element that strengthens the heart for endurance is keeping our eyes on the Lord or staying focused on Him as the victorious Savior. While He is physically invisible to us, He is nevertheless revealed to us in the written Word. He is described by His sovereignty; He is known as:

 

Ø ELOHIM:                                          Creator God

Ø YAHWEH:                                         LORD Jehovah

Ø EL ELYON:                                       Most High God

Ø ADONAI:                                           Lord Master

Ø EL SHADDAI:                                  Lord God Almighty

Ø EL OLAM:                                         The Eternal God

Ø JEHOVAH JIREH:                         The Lord Will Provide

Ø JEHOVAH RAPHA:                         The Lord That Heals

Ø JEHOVAH NISSI:                            The Lord My Banner

Ø ​EL QANNA:                                       Jealous God

Ø JEHOVAH MEKODDISHKEM:    The Lord Who Sanctifies

Ø JEHOVAH SHALOM:                     The Lord Is Peace

Ø JEHOVAH SABAOTH:                   The Lord of Hosts

Ø JEHOVAH RAAH:                           The Lord My Shepherd

Ø JEHOVAH TSIDKENU:                  The Lord Our Righteousness

Ø JEHOVAH SHAMMAH:                 The Lord Is There

 

It’s there, in the Word, that we keep our eyes on the Savior.  I brought endurance into this conversation because even though I’m sharing how we can depend on God because He is faithful, it takes faith on our part to believe that we can depend on Him.  So, no matter what the negative circumstances of our life, we still look to the invisible one to see us through.  That takes perseverance; no matter what it looks like, no matter what it feels like, we endure.  We build our relationship with God from our experiences – good and bad.

People rejoice over the wonders of God, the goodness of God but don’t really care to hear how we get to or what it takes to have goodness and mercy follow us.  But, when we look at Jesus, He endured a great deal of suffering and yet remained faithful unto the end. To endure means to bear with or put up with; it means “to bear with" either someone or something -  

 

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love Ephesians 4:2  

Or as a difficult pressure or affliction -  

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:  2 Thessalonians 1:4

Endurance is a Christ-like quality that God wants to develop in our lives as a part of our spiritual growth - 

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.  2 Thessalonians 3:5

The word of God has to be fully rooted and grounded in our heart.  There’s one parable that lets us know how are hearts have to be in receiving, keeping and walking out the word of God:

 

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  

 

Ø Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  

Ø They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  

Ø And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

 

Because of the hostile pressures mentioned in the various soils, bearing fruit takes time and requires growth which here requires a steadfast endurance, just as it does for the farmer.  The first 3 types of ground aren’t good for cultivation but the 4^th type of ground is what we need and what we should strive for.  This ground is what makes a smooth transition when you think about the potter and the clay.  Just like the clay, the ground has to be pliable.  This is the 4^th type of ground:

Ø But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:11-15

So we hear the word, our flesh [our self-nature] may not like it, the enemy may not want us to receive it; it’s contrary to the standards of the world and because we are still conformed to the world and have not yet been transformed by the renewing of our mind, our ground – which is our heart – does not allow us to cultivate the word of God and we end up with nefarious, stoney and/or thorny ground.   But the word of God tells us:

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. James 1:2-4
 

The fruit of the spirit not only aids us in becoming the image of God but it aids us in not yielding to the works of the flesh.  The two aspects of the fruit that I’ve emphasized in this study is faith and endurance (which is a part of longsuffering).  We already know that it is through our experiences that our faith is built.  But you may be wondering what endurance has to do with God being sovereign and faithful.  If you can’t stand against the negative that comes against you, against the wiles of Satan and even against your own flesh warring against you, you’ll never know of the dependability of God.  Your faith will never grow to the knowledge that God is faithful. The scriptures I’m sharing with you relate endurance to the issue of spiritual growth and maturity. The relationship of suffering, endurance, and hope in the growth and maturity of believers is also discussed by Apostle Paul in Romans: 

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance; and endurance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:3-4

Words for “endurance,” are often used in connection with trials or tribulation, but never in the sense of mere resignation or a ‘grin and bear it’ attitude. 

 

Ø   They are often used in connection with God’s use of trials as tools for our growth and maturity

 

Ø   Endurance under affliction is also a means of establishing the reality of Christ in a believer’s life or of attesting to the character of one’s walk with the Savior.   

Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Endurance and patience are both used in connection with joy because the believer’s endurance under trials or patience with others or in situations should never be a matter of grim resignation to a situation or a person who might try our patience. You know; the ‘grin and bear it’ routine where underneath the grin is a sigh of impatience. But, because both are to be motivated by hope in the person, purposes, promises, and principles of God as found in His Word, biblical endurance and patience is to be encapsulated with joy.  Apostle Paul tells us:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  Romans 5:2-5

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  Romans 12:12

We are strengthened and comforted by the Holy Spirit within us:

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:   Colossians 1:11-12

Remember the work of Christ did not end on the cross!  We have continuous access to Him!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Hebrews 12:2

 

Therefore beloved, be strong in the Lord in the power of His might; have faith, endurance and rejoice knowing that God is sovereign, He is the great avenger and all will work out to those who endure to the end!  He is faithful and we can depend on Him!

 

Sermonette

We can Depend on God [He’s Faithful] - [1]

 

"God is the same yesterday, today, and forever" 
Hebrews 13:8

This lets us know that God is unchanging and always good, loving, and all-powerful. It can be a reminder that even when the world changes, God remains consistent. 

God works on our behalf just as he did in biblical times!  The same God that intervened in Moses’ life intervenes in our life. Despite our obstacles, our shortcomings, our fears, struggles and weaknesses, there is a one that is capable of stepping in and making everything alright.  That one is Jesus!

 

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

 

That same one that overcame the world allows us to overcome that same world through faith in Him! 

 

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 15:5

 

Despite everything that is going on in the world today our reality is this:

 

God himself is always at work around us, in us and through us!

 

God is faithful; it’s recorded in His word just how faithful He is.

 

Thank God for Jesus! Jesus paved the way for us to make the journey from earth to heaven by promising us the gift of His Holy Spirit which intervenes on our behalf. Sometimes we forget that this journey here on earth is to lead us to eternal life in heaven. Jesus’ prayer in the garden describes eternal life:

 

This is what Jesus prayed as he looked up into heaven, “Father, the time has come. Unveil the glorious splendor of your Son so that I will magnify your glory!  You have already given me authority over all people so that I may give the gift of eternal life to all those that you have given to me.  Eternal life means to know and experience you as the only true God, and to know and experience Jesus Christ, as the Son whom you have sent.  John 17:1-3

 

God granted Jesus the authority over our life:  that we may know our heavenly Father and with him have eternal life.  That we may know God is the only true God (progressively becoming more acquainted with Him); experiencing God more clearly and more strongly.  [Jesus helps us to do this]!

 

We have to trust that God is able; that He is capable of seeing us through each and every obstacle we come against.  The only way we can accomplish this is to know God in a better way; in an intimate way; understanding that He is the only one that is in full, complete control.  He is the potter, we are the clay.

 

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.  Isaiah 64:8

 

Some of us have forgotten our position in God.  God is the potter; we are the clay!  God is the one who is at work:  the clay doesn’t ask the potter; doesn’t make demands or give suggestions; the clay is wherever the potter needs it to be.  The clay is patterned after the will of the master. 

 

The prophet Isaiah understood this when he asks:

(How foolish can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay! Should the created thing say of the one who made it,  “He didn’t make me”?  Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?)  Isaiah 29:16

 

That begs the question, are we operating outside of the mold that God created us in?  The question should be what are you doing God?  Let’s look at Jesus, he didn’t try to act outside of the mold that God created Him in.  He knew what His purpose was and he fulfilled it.  We should be the same – whatever we see the father [God] doing that is what we should do.  Jesus said:

 

. . . My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.  John 5:17-20

 

God intervenes in our life and molds and shapes us; not just for ourself but because He is seeking to save that which is lost. 

            

God seeks out an individual and puts that individual in the midst of the people of God and then works through him.  [God’s plan is to bring the people of God together corporately]. 

 

God shows up in the midst of our activity (normal traffic place of our life) and speaks to us and makes His will known.  Look at the life of Moses in the exodus from Egypt:

 

Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.  Exidux 3:10

 

and Paul:

 

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  Acts 9:15

 

Expect that God will do the same with us today.  The natural or fleshly part of man never seeks the will of God but God causes us to seek His will.  Immediately adjust your will to His. 

 

God’s standards are different than man’s:  There is a consequence to sin that man has lost sight of.  God says deny self, God says lose your life for His sake to save it.

 

There is a conflict in what we see and what God wants us to see.  We need to make our ways God’s way.  This is the only way that we can be victorious in Christ; that we can fulfill the purpose that He has destined for our life.

 

Take the scripture at its word! 

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  Isaiah 55:8

 

Remember without God we are nothing, without God we can do nothing.  Everything we have and everything that we are in Him is because

 

He is the vine, we are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  John 15:5

 

How is it that we become disgruntled, discouraged, and defeated in our negative situations, when we know that by faith in Christ Jesus, we are victorious. God gives us not the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power to endure that which comes against us.  

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7

Moses’ fearlessness and endurance was that, in faith, he kept the one who is invisible continually before his eyes. 

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.    Hebrews 11:27

We, like Abraham, Moses, Apostle Paul and many others in the bible chronicles, must remain faithful and committed to endure the journey we began with God.  

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, we must get rid of every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and run with endurance the race set out for us.  Hebrews 12:1

 

Like the biblical giants of old, it takes the love of God, faith, strength and perseverance, to remain relevant in this journey!  A vital element that strengthens the heart for endurance is keeping one’s eyes on the Lord or staying focused on Him as the victorious Savior. While He is physically invisible to us, He is nevertheless revealed to us in the written Word. It is there, in the Word, that we can keep our eyes on the Savior.

 

Jesus endured a great deal of suffering and yet remained faithful unto the end. To endure means to bear with or put up with. As such, it means “to bear with" either someone or something -  

 

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love Ephesians 4:2  

Giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not blamed:  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.  2 Corinthians 6:2-11

 

Or as a difficult pressure or affliction -  

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:  2 Thessalonians 1:4

Endurance is a Christ-like quality that God wants to develop in our lives as a part of our spiritual growth - 

And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.  2 Thessalonians 3:5

Similarly, 

 

But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.  Luke 8:15

 

The word of God has to be fully rooted and grounded in our heart:

 

Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. Luke 8:11-15

Because of the hostile pressures mentioned in the various soils, bearing fruit takes time and requires growth which here requires a steadfast endurance, just as it does for the farmer.

My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. James 1:2-4

These scriptures relate endurance to the issue of spiritual growth and maturity. The relationship of suffering, endurance, and hope in the growth and maturity of believers is also discussed by Apostle Paul in Romans: 

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance; and endurance, character; and character, hope.  Romans 5:3-4

 

Words for “endurance,” are often used in connection with 

trials or tribulation, but never in the sense of mere resignation or a ‘grin and bear it’ attitude. 

 

Ø They are often used in connection with God’s use of trials as tools for our growth and maturity.   “Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance; and endurance, character; and character, hope”.

 

Ø Endurance under affliction is also a means of establishing the reality of Christ in a believer’s life or of attesting to the character of one’s walk with the Savior.   

Happy is the one who endures testing, because when he has proven to be genuine, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

Endurance and patience are both used in connection with joy because the believer’s endurance under trials or patience with others or in situations should never be a matter of grim resignation to a situation or a person who might try our patience. You know; the ‘grin and bear it’ routine where underneath the grin is a sigh of impatience. Rather, because both are to be motivated by hope in the person, purposes, promises, and principles of God as found in His Word, biblical endurance and patience is to be encapsulated with joy. 

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.  Romans 5:2-5

 

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;  Romans 12:12

We are strengthened and comforted by the Holy Spirit within us:

 

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:   Colossians 1:11-12

Remember the work of Christ did not end on the cross!  We have continuous access to Him!

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Hebrews 12:2

 

Therefore beloved, be strong in the Lord in the power of His might; rejoice knowing that God is the great avenger and all will work out to those who endure to the end!  He is faithful and we can depend on Him.

Sermonette

 

Kingdom Released [2] - Hearing God when He Speaks.

 

 

I just want to start by saying that I’ve truly been blessed by what I’ve heard during this Solemn Assembly.

I also want to take this time to acknowledge Bishop Lofton for his vision for the Solemn Assembly and bringing it to pass.   If you haven’t been watching, I encourage you to listen to them and glean so you can continue to grow and solidify your citizenship in the Kingdom.  We’ve heard a lot about obedience and repentance in this solemn assembly and I want to add to that, Hearing God when He Speaks. 

The bible says in several different places that the day we hear his voice to harden not our hearts.  Apostle Paul put an urgency on it when he said:

While it is said, Today, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.  Hebrews 3:15 

This is not just instruction to the sinner; it is to all of us who have a desire to be pleasing in the sight of God.  Being baptized in Jesus’ name and filled with His Holy Spirit is just the beginning of our journey.  We take the next step by developing a relationship with God that is based on His word.  That’s why we need to listen to Him through the reading of His word and however else He presents Himself to us and then be obedient to what we hear and apply it to our lives. 

When God speaks, we can’t stay where we are as if we didn’t hear Him.  We have to make the necessary adjustments in our life and sooner rather than later.  

We hear Him through His word as He tells us to:

Ø Forsake not the assembling of ourselves together – not do everything but assemble 

Ø Love Him with our all – not everyone and everything but Him 

      Ø Love others even as we love ourselves – not treat them as less than 

      Ø Follow peace with all men – not just the ones that we think are advantageous to us 

      Ø And holiness – because he said it:  Be ye holy for I am holy! 

      In this Kingdom Release, God wants to reveal Himself to us and those around us.  

Apostle Paul said ‘today’, so what’s hindering us from doing the things that God has spoken to us through His word? 

God would have us released from every hindrance (the weights that so easily beset us [Hebrews 12:1] as well as all ungodliness.  He wants us to be released to release His Kingdom to the world.  Our speaker from Wednesday morning read the account found in Acts 3 regarding the man with an infirmity or impediment that caused him not to be able to function in his full capacity.  His was a physical hindrance, but we have emotional and mental and carnal infirmities and impediments that are hindering us from hearing God or if we do hear Him, not being able to make the necessary adjustments to act out that good, acceptable and perfect will of God. 

So, what I see is God making Himself known to us in ever increasing dimensions in order to make Himself real to us – in order for Him to become a reality in our life and not just fantasy or a fairy tale that may or may not come true or grant us our whims.  The more we allow God to be a reality in our life, the more we’ll come to know Him in a better way.  The more we allow God in our experiences the more real He is to us! 

So, then there’s some realignment that must take place in the body of Christ as well as in our life.  The church has gotten so misaligned with programs, false teachings, and compromise that there must be some major adjustments made to join God in what He is doing today. 

So, here’s our first Reality Check:  

We come to know God by experience as we obey Him

When God begins a work in us; old things must be set aside so that we are completely available and prepared for the new.  Isn’t that what the bible tells us regarding the wine skins:

New demands new—new wine for new wineskins.  Luke 5:36-38

You can’t put new wine in old wineskins.  No good will come from it.  It’s the same with us; we’ve got to be cleaned up from the inside out so that we’re releasing God and not us. 

God transitions us from one place in our life to another in order for His will to be accomplished.  Note the pattern: 

 

• 
  David transitions from shepherd to king, 
• 
  Peter – fisherman to apostle, 
• Moses – backside of the wilderness to God’s servant, and 
• Paul – Christian slayer to apostle.

In order to begin this transition, repentance; a change of heart and action must occur in order to turn from what we were doing to what God is doing.  It’s not the time to procrastinate or insult God by saying ‘Let me to pray about it’.  The moment God speaks He is telling us immediately to do something.

Realignment may include our family, our job, our church life and any other aspect of our life.  Whatever God says, we have to make the adjustments rather we like it or not; rather it feels good or not.  Just know that during our adjustment, God has not left us; he is still with us – he might be working behind the scenes but He’s still there and He’s at work with us and within us.   It’s not always comfortable getting into the right position with God, think about Apostle Paul:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.  Acts 9:4-6

He had to stop and completely adjust his route and it was comfortable especially since His intervention with God left him blind.  Adjustments are costly but the reward and experience of knowing God outweighs it all.  We have to obey God in order to experience Him working within us.  Obedience is key!  We can’t call Him our Lord and savior while we walk in disobedience to Him.

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?   Luke 6:46

Following obedience means to: 

v  Come to Jesus 

v  Hear Jesus’ words

v  Put Jesus’ words into practice or action

The moment of deep experience with God comes at the time of obedience.  Obedience is crucial. And as crucial as it is to be obedient, it is just as detrimental to be disobedient!

Disobedience causes the invitation of God to move on, but we can repent and turn back to God; forgiveness is possible but the assignment may not come again.

There are consequences to disobedience:  

ü Moses was denied entrance into the promised land and, 

     ü David lost his son;

     ü Zacharias struck dumb 

     ü King Saul rejected by God

      - all results of their disobedience in some fashion to God. 

Be prepared; there is a price to pay for disobedience.  God lets us know ahead of time what He wants us to do:

Ø Love Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength

Ø Love others and treat others right according to His word

Ø Be full of the fruit of the spirit

Ø Obey His commandments

Ø Seek His kingdom and righteousness

All of these things are obedience to His word.  You’ve heard the saying: 

The more we do these things the more the old self dies and the new creature is released!

God will affirm what He’s doing.  I’d rather be obedient and benefit from the blessings than disobedient and suffer the consequences. 

The enemy will send you distractions but doesn’t tell you what it will cost you not to obey God.  

There are times when God’s will allows for second chances:  as with Peter who denied Christ 3 times. 

The second chance is saying:  

I don’t want you to miss what I am doing because I love you too much.

Learn obedience the way that Jesus did.  The same Jesus who became the source of eternal salvation.  The bible says that

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  Hebrews 5:8-9

Let God re-arrange your life in such a way that He can use you.

ü      No matter what it cost -

ü     Reverent submission and obedience

Let God bring you to the deepest experience you have ever known!

Hear God when He speaks – through His word or through the one that He chooses to speak on His behalf and then be obedient to what He tells you!

 

I pray something was said this morning to encourage, enlighten and empower you in God.

Sermonette