Pastor Bill's Blog

INTRODUCTION – Ed and Judy’s high rise condo – 14^th floor – looking down the river past Edison and Ford Winter homes – incredibly peaceful – peace/shalom – the verbal form, shalem, means “to make whole” and derivatively “to bring to completion”, “to complete”, “to restore” and “to compensate” – the adjective form of the word, shalem, means “whole” or “full” – “, the noun form of the word, shalom, means, basically, “wholeness”, “fullness”, “totality “completeness”. Shalom means wholeness in the sense that no component part is missing, impaired or damaged. It means also that all parts are in harmony, order and unity.

Isaiah 9:6-7(NLT) ⁶ For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

1. Peace to set the world in order

Isaiah 11:6-8(NLT) ⁶ In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.  The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all.  ⁷ The cow will graze near the bear.  The cub and the calf will lie down together.  The lion will eat hay like a cow.  ⁸ The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra.  Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm.

Ultimate restoration of God’s original intention for the world in the millennium

To complete – to restore – to compensate – Jeanne

Colossians 1:19-20(NLT) ¹⁹ For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, ²⁰ and through him God reconciled everything to himself.  He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Wonderful Counselor/Mighty God/Everlasting Father – all of God’s fullness in Christ

Current restoration in finding peace with God and to be made whole

2. Peace in the storm

Luke 8:22-24(NLT) ²² One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and started out. ²³ As they sailed across, Jesus settled down for a nap. But soon a fierce storm came down on the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in real danger.  ²⁴ The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”  When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and the raging waves. Suddenly the storm stopped and all was calm.

The paradox of living in the power of Christ in a tumultuous world

The storm raging around the boat of safety with Christ

When Jesus speaks to the storm – peace

Wholeness – fullness – totality – completeness

3. Peace within

Romans 5:1-2(NLT) ¹ Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Faith brings right standing with God – which brings peace

Coming to peace – undeserved privilege – sharing God’s glory

Ultimate harmony – order – unity

Paul in the shipwreck of Acts 27 – peace within Paul – produced peace in the storm – took him to fulfill God’s plan to redeem Gentiles/peace for the entire world – as Christ is revealed – the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace – produces a complete work – in Paul – in the storm – into the world – beyond the storm – shaking off the serpent – became the boat of

INTRODUCTION – The world record for heaviest aircraft pulled – set by Mark Kirsch – July 15, 2008 – Boeing Field, Seattle, WA – ABX Boeing 767/205,000 pounds – 100 foot course in 34 seconds – there is no competing for the title Mighty God – Jesus is the Mighty God – what does that mean for us?

Isaiah 9:6-7(NLT) ⁶ For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

1. The co-existence in creation with God the Father

Genesis 1:26-28(NLT) ²⁶ Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”  ²⁷ So God created human beings in his own image.  In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  ²⁸ Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

Our image – to be like us – connected to Son

Dominion of man in the earth – connected to Son

Redemption by – Son of God/Son of man – Mighty God

2. The most significant act of might was the work of the cross

Philippians 2:5-11(NLT) ⁵ You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.  ⁶ Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.  ⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.  When he appeared in human form, ⁸ he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.  ⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Equality of Christ with the Father

Exchange of privilege for ultimate humility

Name above all names – Mighty God

3. The righteous demonstration of omnipotence is redemption

Galatians 3:13(NLT) But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”

The curse of the law

He became sin – took our sin – law fulfilled – law vs grace

Understanding back to Gen 15 – God made covenant for Abraham – grace

Ultimate power – transforming sinful humanity to redeemed saint – Mighty God

4. The greatest opportunity is an assignment as an agent of redemption

2 Corinthians 5:18-21(NLT) ¹⁸ And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. ¹⁹ For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. ²⁰ So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” ²¹ For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin,  so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Made right with God through Christ – the power of grace

Reconciled to be ambassador of redemption – Mighty God

Peter warming himself and cursing by the fire – going fishing – DO YOU LOVE ME EPISODE – transformed in Upper Room – Pentecost – book of Acts church leader – Ambassador – container for the Mighty God – released Jesus to the world – are you living the full potential of the MIGHTY GOD IN YOU – JESUS

INTRODUCTION – workout on elliptical – different inclines and resistances – what level of workout do you want – what level of relationship do you want with Christ  – this series based on Isaiah 9:6-7 helps us to get a clearer picture of who Christ is and how we can deepen our revelation of Him

Isaiah 9:6-7(NLT) ⁶ For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  The government will rest on his shoulders.  And he will be called:  Wonderful Counselor,  Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ⁷ His government and its peace will never end.  He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.  The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

1. The counsel of Christ in the Word of God

1 Peter 1:23(NLT) ²³ For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

The dependability of the Word of God

The Logos Word becoming Rhema Word

The flow between the written Word and Christ as the living Word

2. The counsel of Christ by the witness of the Spirit

John 14:25-26(NLT) ²⁵ I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. ²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

The connection between God’s Spirit and our spirit

Listening for the voice of the Spirit

Setting proper order – you are a spirit – you have a soul – you live in a body

3. The counsel of Christ through the gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:4-6(NLT)  ⁴ There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. ⁶ God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

The office gifts – the service gifts – the manifestation gifts – The ability to discern – prophecy/tongues and interpretation – word of knowledge/word of wisdom – faith/miracles/healings

Releasing the gifts of the Spirit

Flowing in the Spirit

Maintaining order and proper structure – fruit of Spirit and gifts of Spirit balance

4. The counsel of Christ through divine appointments

Acts 9:17-18(NLT) ¹⁷ So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸ Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

Aha – suddenly moments

Unrehearsed spiritual encounters

Providential relationships

Elijah – Elisha – double portion

Samuel – David – transition from judges to kings

W. A. Criswell – Rick Warren – 1973 – San Francisco – Young man, I feel led to lay hands on you and pray for you – He placed his hands on my head and prayed: Father, I ask that you give this young preacher a double portion of your Spirit. May the church he pastors grow to twice the size of the Dallas church.  Bless him greatly, O Lord

INTRODUCTION – Homewood Suites in SW Fort Wayne – about halfway complete in 2009  - Building Commissioner stopped work – issues with drainage undermined the foundation – hotel had to be torn down and rebuilt – $2.6 million had already been spent – recently opened – costly mistake – the importance of the foundation – as we enter 2012 we must build on Christ as the only foundation

1 Corinthians 3:10-15(NLT) ¹⁰ Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.  ¹² Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Talk about God’s blessing toward the end of 2011 – particularly the Open Windows – now with 2012 both as a church and in our personal lives – expectation – revelation of Christ as our foundation – how to build the year personally and corporately

1. Material choices

1 Corinthians 3:13 – 15(NLT) ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

Building materials – gold, silver, jewels(SPIRIT)– wood, hay, straw(FLESH)

The best of what we can do – the best of what God can do

Things that don’t matter – ACCESSORIES – things that do – STRUCTURE

2. The danger of mixture

Galatians 3:3-4(NLT) ³ How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? ⁴ Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

Clear understanding of the difference between structure and accessories for life

The battle between Spirit and flesh – Romans 8

The natural tendency to go back – strength of the flesh

The Spirit always leads us forward – God will always stretch us

Anointing mixed with rebellion – ultimately the mixture will destroy

3. Anchored to the foundation

Luke 6:47-49(NLT) ⁴⁷ I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. ⁴⁸ It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹ But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

The Word of God as our compass – John 1:1-5

Plugged into the church family – under the authority of the Pastor and leadership

Devotional life – prayer time – stress daily Bible reading of Gospels

Discipleship – LBC Basics

Financial obedience in tithes and offerings – open windows

Leading of Holy Spirit and baptism of Holy Spirit – seek after a lifestyle of         living in the Spirit – not just a prophetic word to just hold onto

Serving in church, in community, and in missions

The guarantee for being anchored to the foundation is all of the above plus developing a passion for a move of God – releasing revival – personally and corporately – beginning to intercede to release Nehemiah 8:10

How do we get from Nehemiah 8:9 to Nehemiah 8:10 – ⁸ They read from the Book of the Law of God and clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage. ⁹ Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were interpreting for the people said to them, “Don’t mourn or weep on such a day as this! For today is a sacred day before the Lordyour God.” For the people had all been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.  ¹⁰ And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” – The Word of God reminds us how undone we really are – when that breaks us – leads us to repentance and a ‘spirit of repentance’ – our broken spirits are then ripe for a move of God in us and allows us to begin to stand in the gap – weep for our failure to live up to the Word of God and for the failure of the people of our city – for LBC and for Ft Wayne

It is time for us to cry out on behalf of LBC and for Ft Wayne – to repent – to be broken – and watch the wave of the incoming tide of God’s Spirit begin to come to shore – LIKE THE BEACH WHEN THE TIDE BEGINS TO COME IN – as the waves come in the dry beach begins to get soaked – the debris is washed away as the tide comes in – comes in stronger –repeated waves – larger area gets touched – more debris washed away – and the old shoreline begins to be changed – the water gets deeper and that is what God is going to do – we are in the season of Nehemiah 8:9 – wall was complete – Nehemiah and Ezra assembled the people to hear the Word of God – Word of God brought conviction of sin – began to weep – we must weep for our sinful condition until God says enough – then He begins to release the joy – the Word from Pastor Jack is yet to come – and if we will be faithful to Nehemiah 8:9 – Nehemiah 8:10 WILL FOLLOW IN WAVE AFTER WAVE OF REFRESHING – WASHING THE DEBRIS AND ENLARGING THE PLACE OF SOAKING AND THE WATERS OF THE FRESH MOVE OF GOD IN FORT WAYNE – 2012 – EXPECT –ANTICIPATE THE REVELATION OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION – video with Aaron Jackson

Luke 2:1-7(NLT) ¹ At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. ² (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. ⁴ And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. ⁵He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant.  ⁶ And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. ⁷ She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.

1. The reality that there is no room – attempts to crowd out Jesus

The circumstances around us

The busyness of the moment

The pressures of the world system

The person who got in the way – the innkeepers in your life

Ungodly or Godly positional innkeeper

Momentary incidental innkeepers

Trusted inner circle innkeepers

Are they a brother’s keeper or a brother’s brother?

Are they accountable to a higher Godly earthly authority?

Are they willing to concede fallibility?

Are they able to empty any agenda of their own?

Are they the only authority voices that shape your decisions?

You must not miss Jesus because of where the Innkeeper sent you

The repugnance of an overwhelming stench

The presence of Jesus transcends the stench of the stability

The presence of Jesus overcomes the noise of the stable

The presence of Jesus radiates life and hope in the face of darkness and despair

The presence of Jesus breaks through the walls of the stable to something larger

The presence of Jesus released in the stable resonates to the ends of the earth

The shepherds spread the word – Mary pondered

In December of 1776 – George Washington faced odds that were impossible –

Had less than 6000 men – 1700 unfit for duty and needed hospital care – General Gates delayed by snow with another 2000 men – General Lee did not respect Washington and drug his feet getting there – supplies were low – morale was low – on Dec 12 Lee was captured by the British and Gen Sullivan took over and got the men there by Dec 20 – Gen Gates arrived along with another Gen which now gave 6000 healthy troops – release of Thomas Paines Common Sense read by all the men raised morale with these words – These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. – that spirit released changed everything – so that on Dec 25 – they crossed a treacherous river – filled with ice – to begin a turnaround in favor of Washington’s cause – no accident on Christmas Day – Christ revealed in the repugnant stench of war – also in the ranks included – future president James Monroe – future Supreme Court Justice John Marshall – future Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton – Washington’s determination not only saved the day but released the future of other leaders

Push past what appears to say no room – push past the innkeepers that would stand in the way – push past the stench of life – to release Jesus in the middle of your desperation – release God’s plan and purpose in you – and release the James Monroe’s – the John Marshall’s the Alexander Hamilton’s in your boat to their destiny  – Jesus the light of the world is ready to be released in the repugnant stench of your stable – 2012 is the year for revival in Life Bridge – for you – for Ft Wayne – for the world – DO NOT MISS IT

Romans 8:38-39(NLT) ³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

INTRODUCTION – video with Caleb

Luke 2:8-20(NLT) ⁸ That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. ¹¹ The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! ¹² And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”  ¹³ Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  ¹⁶ They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. ¹⁷After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, ¹⁹ but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. ²⁰ The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

1. Perceptive awareness

Luke 2:9-10(NLT) ⁹ Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, ¹⁰ but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

On alert for the suddenly moments

The art of listening from your spirit

Anticipating heavenly intervention

Everyone could have seen and heard – why didn’t they?

2. Proactive response

Luke 2:15(NLT) ”  ¹⁵ When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Processing divine moments

The choice to remain the same or to embrace change

Compelled to action

3. Transformed messengers

Luke 2:17-18(NLT) ¹⁷After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. ¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,

The power of undeniable experience

What happened and what was said about it

Releasing transformation – shepherding your life

Nicky Cruz – born in Puerto Rico – sent to New York as a troubled teen – became a member of the Mau-Mau street gang- encountered Dave Wilkerson on streets – slapped him – did so again – went to meeting two weeks later to disrupt – was changed – over 50 years has ministered to troubled teens like himself

INTRODUCTION – video with Caleb

Galatians 4:1-7(NLT) ¹ Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. ²They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. ³ And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.  ⁴ But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. ⁵ God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.  ⁶ And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”  ⁷ Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.  And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

1. On the threshold of redemption

Isaiah 9:2(NLT) The people who walk in darkness will see a great light.  For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.

The desperate world of darkness

The power of light to dispel darkness

Jesus the light of the world – our redeemer

2. The catalytic moment for undoing Satan’s scheme

Genesis 3:14-15(NLT) ¹⁴ Then the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all animals, domestic and wild.  You will crawl on your belly, groveling in the dust as long as you live.  ¹⁵ And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.  He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Sell out in the garden of Eden

The hopelessness of man

Dominion in the earth – from man to Satan – through Christ to God

3. A new paradigm for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven

Matthew 6:10(NLT) May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

The will of man – the will of God

How heaven functions – how earth should function

Establishing the Kingdom – dominion in our hearts – authority in the earth

We are the paradigm of restoration to God’s perfect will for eternity

David Mallory – First Assembly – Naples, Florida – ministry to homeless – Campus of Care – helping God’s will on earth be like it is in heaven

INTRODUCTION – Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy – youtube video

Colossians 1:9-11(NLT) ⁹ So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. ¹⁰ Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.  ¹¹ We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,

1. Wisdom and knowledge for God’s very best in your life

Wisdom is understanding what to do with knowledge

Need wisdom to process knowledge

Awareness of God’s presence

Discerning what God is doing and saying

Living from understanding – the product of knowledge acted on with wisdom

2. The advantage of knowing God better and better

Leonard Ravenhill – Billy Graham on the phone

Access to God through His Son – Jesus – the living Word of God

Identification with the Holy Spirit in our spirits

Pursuing the wholeness of God the Father

Recognizing the glory of God

3. Endurance and patience to go the distance

Coming to terms with the enemy

Not flesh and blood but principalities and powers

Mission and assignment

Wilma Rudolph story – She was born prematurely on June 23, 1940 and weighed 4 1/2 pounds. The bulk of her childhood was spent in bed. She suffered from double pneumonia, scarlet fever and later she contacted polio. After losing the use of her left leg, she was fitted with metal leg braces when she was 6.  She grew up in a poor family, the 20th of her father Ed’s 22 children.  Despite whooping cough, measles and chicken pox, was out of her leg braces at age 9 and soon became a budding basketball star. At the 1960 Rome Olympics, Wilma Rudolph became “the fastest woman in the world” and the first American woman to win three gold medals in one Olympics.

4. The fulfillment of living out the journey

Joshua 14:10-14(NLT) ¹⁰ “Now, as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise—even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. ¹¹ I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. ¹² So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me. You will remember that as scouts we found the descendants of Anak living there in great, walled towns. But if the Lord is with me, I will drive them out of the land, just as the Lord said.”  ¹³ So Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave Hebron to him as his portion of land. ¹⁴ Hebron still belongs to the descendants of Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite because he wholeheartedly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

Living in the promise – alive and well

Supernatural strength for the journey

Give me the land of the giants

Wholeheartedly following God – blessings to future generations

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second. – William James

INTRODUCTION – Nehemiah was used of God to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem after the devastation caused by Assyria, Babylon, and Persia – 12 years after wall rebuilt returns to Persia – a few years later comes back to find things in disarray – priests and Levites not functioning – tithes have stopped – sets things back in order

Nehemiah 13:30-31(NLT) 30 So I purged out everything foreign and assigned tasks to the priests and Levites, making certain that each knew his work. 31 I also made sure that the supply of wood for the altar and the first portions of the harvest were brought at the proper times.

Provision for leadership – provision for worship – provision for tithes
1. God’s promising challenge

Malachi 3:10(NLT) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!

History of Life Bridge tithing
The Biblical basis for tithing
Put God to the test – open windows – PROVE ME
2. Settling for a lesser God
Rich young man comes to Jesus – how to earn eternal life

Matthew 19:21-22(NLT) 21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.

Establishing the value of money
Treasure in heaven – eternal perspective
Come and follow me

3. Releasing the power of corporate anointing

Acts 2:1-4(NLT) 1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

The power of together in one place
Releasing the suddenly
Everyone was filled – a corporate experience – changed the world

The challenge in front of us – the call to come together
Our opportunity to together in one place – release the suddenly – change the world – opening windows of blessing

INTRODUCTION – I am Second – http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/bethany-hamilton/

God’s working in the ‘stuff’ that happens in life – traveling mercies last Thursday

1 John 5:20(NLT) And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

1. The character of God

Psalm 103:7(NLT) He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.

Limiting God to His deeds

Discover the character of God

Explore the character of God

2. The thoughts of God

Isaiah 55:8-9(NLT) ⁸ “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  ⁹ For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

The release and the defiance of the obvious

Allow vision to be raised by revelation

Explore the mysteries of God

3. The plans of God

Jeremiah 29:10-12(NLT) ¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² In those days when you pray, I will listen.

Are being established long before it is obvious

Defy the natural order of things and transcend human seasons and rationality

Can only be explained supernaturally

Don George – the properties at Story Road – Belt Line Road – Bush Freeway – progression of God’s plan for his life – impact on others including me