Naomi

Pastor Daniel from Georgia
Message to the workers of church

Ruth 2:11-14

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹¹ Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. ¹² May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”
 ¹³ “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. “You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.”
 ¹⁴ At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.”
   When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over.

Stepping down in a journey of faith. 
Leaving making sacrfices and landed in the place where God destined you to be.
Faith mentality. "Commitment of Naomi"


Serving God requires a commitment!


Background of the book ruth...
Naomi: Pleasant
Mara: God has been bitter
From empty and transformed to something full.
"Let me go now into the field and glean" -Naomi


Attitude of a worker of God self-motivated to look for the harvest. The harvest is plenty but the workers are few things, given by Boaz to Naomi.
1. Place of service
2. Protection
3. Provision
4. Promotion under god's <- ruth became an insider when she proposed to boaz care, concern protection and provision from the family.


God will not send you away empty.
Going home with seeds was symbolic for she was the great Grandmother of Jesus!


Blessings!

All are called to serve but some cold

God has made a set standard but some are not not allowed to serve


Serving God the right way.
The reason why others are qualified and others not qualified.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

New International Version (NIV)

2 Timothy 2

The Appeal Renewed

 ¹ You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. ³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

2 Timothy 2:14-21

New International Version (NIV)

Dealing With False Teachers

 ¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. ¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. ¹⁶Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

 ²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 


Truth is, some are not qualified to serve.


Reasons
1. Because they do not present themselves properly to God (v. 15)
Present: You knock come in and say i want to serve
Diligent: speed/quickness, effort, promptness
Others give up easily


2. They do not prepare themselves properly (v.21)
Cleanse/purge/purga: external and internal cleansing
Externally and internal: testimony of other people about you
Repentance is the solution


3. They do not perserve properly or commit (v. 3-6)

• Soldier: does not stop, perseveres
• Athlete: keeps running
• Farmer: patience and perseverance like pineapple planting

Service is in season or out of season for some christians
He wants everyone to serve but wants everyone to be qualified


Blessings!

Spiritual warfare

Ephesians 4

New International Version (NIV)

Ephesians 4

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

 ¹ As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says:

   “When he ascended on high,
   he took many captives
   and gave gifts to his people.”

 ⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) ¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

 ¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. ²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; ²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

 ²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”^[d]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. ²⁸ Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.

 ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

"Demonic entry" demonized; nasisira ang buhay dahil tumawag sa hindi Diyos talaga.
Will insert a mindset apply in life, masisiraan(life will be destroyed).
Satan came to destroy lives
Under demonic influence, steal kill destroy.
How does satan implant a mindset in us Christians.
He will destroy you to have no future
Don't give the devil an opportunity wala siyang magagawa sayo(he cannot do anything to you).
Demonic entry is like a door where the devil will plant something in your mind.
Entry point can be emotions every srtong emotion can be a demonic entry:

• pagkikimkim 
• pagkakagalit/ being mad
• pagka-inlove / being in-love 
• low-self esteem 
• envy 
• matampuhin/grouchy
• nobody loves me/self-pity

1 Peter 5

New International Version (NIV)

1 Peter 5

To the Elders and the Flock

 ¹ To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: ² Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
   “God opposes the proud
   but shows favor to the humble.”^[a]
 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. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
 ¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

 ¹² With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.
   Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

To be Christian is to never be alone.
Walk with God and walk with other Christians

Financial succes is within your grasp

Part 1 Defining our value of money

1 Chronicles 29:10-14

New International Version (NIV)

David’s Prayer

 ¹⁰ David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,   “Praise be to you, LORD,
   the God of our father Israel,
   from everlasting to everlasting.
¹¹ Yours, LORD, is the greatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
¹² Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
¹³ Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name.
 ¹⁴ “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Money is a spiritual thing (v.11-12)


Main Principle: God owns everything
Any sense of expression of spending money that God's owns everything.

"If you believe you own a particular possession then the circumstances surrounding that possession will affect your attitude. If it is favorable situation, you will be happy. If its a difficult circumstance you will be discontent". - Howard Dayton

Our lives are governed by natural laws and operations like sow and reap.


Lordship. Jesus is Lord
The Holy Spirit coming into a believer gives you the ability to say, "Jesus you are lord, You are my owner, my master. Everything i am and have is under your disposal." It involves everything we are and have.

Luke 14:25-33

New International Version (NIV)

The Cost of Being a Disciple

 ²⁵ Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ²⁶ “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.   ²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
   ³¹ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? ³² If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. ³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Put your life under God's control for your blessings to come into place.


Lordship says: "Jesus I am committed to you and your values with all my heart. All i have and that I am is at your disposal."

He should be part of your financial decision!

Socialism doesn't help it says in proverbs. Rich people will have them back eventually.
1. Financial decisions must be consulted with God.
2. Raise children for God's purpose not yours.

Leviticus 27:30

New International Version (NIV)

 ³⁰ “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.


Blessing and prosperity opens up to us if we allow lordship not only in money and blessings but in good health.
He comes first financially, personally and materially.

Matthew 6:33

New International Version (NIV)

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

3 John 1:2

New International Version (NIV)

 ² Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.


Primary value in your life

1 Kings 17:13

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹³ Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.

Philippians 4:19

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Predictable in how he provides; unpredictable in how he will not provide.

Matthew 25:14-15

New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Bags of Gold

    ¹⁴ “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. ¹⁵ To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,^[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.


Be faithful with what you have no matter how small.

Luke 16:10-12

New International Version (NIV)

   ¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?


What you do with what has given will have bearing on how God will do with you spiritually.

Luke 16:13

New International Version (NIV)

   ¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

We are not capable in makig the right decision so ask the Lord.
Prosperity is not having too much but being able to be provided the right amount to survive through God.


Questions on your commitments

Deuteronomy 28:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

Blessings for Obedience

 ¹ If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. ² All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

Blessings!

Caleb the finisher

Caleb the finisher

Joshua 14:6-15

New International Version (NIV)

Allotment for Caleb

 ⁶ Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. ⁷ I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, ⁸ but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. ⁹ So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’ ¹⁰ “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. ¹² Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”
 ¹³ Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. ¹⁴ So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. ¹⁵(Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.)
   Then the land had rest from war.

Remain strong in the strong
Unfortunately...We choose to live in a spiritual wilderness

4 points about caleb

1. Caleb followed the Lord wholeheartedly "to close the gap". (v.14:8-9;14)

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.


Which area of your life are you not willing to give to the Lord?


2. Caleb believed the Lord. (v.14:12)

Deuteronomy 1:34-36

New International Version (NIV)

 ³⁴ When the LORD heard what you said, he was angry and solemnly swore: ³⁵ “No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors, ³⁶ except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see it, and I will give him and his descendants the land he set his feet on, because he followed the LORD wholeheartedly.”

See enemies as defeated; its all about perspective.

Hebrews 11:1

New International Version (NIV)

Faith in Action

 ¹ Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

3. Caleb was strenthened by the lord obstacles.
He had to overcome grasshoppers

Numbers 13:33

New International Version (NIV)

³³ We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Giants

Numbers 14:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. ⁹Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Gray hairs

Joshua 14:10-11

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁰ “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! ¹¹ I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.

4. Caleb fellowshipped with the Lord.
Hebron = fellowship


Blessings!

Barnabas the "encourager"

Barnabas the "encourager"

Acts 9:26-28

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁶ When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

Barnabas - Son of encouragement


We all become discouraged, faith has been hit
Discouragement: 

• Unwholesome (Ephesians 4:29) 
• Corrupt words (Ephesians 5:30; Romans 12:5)

Ministry of encouragement
Actually his name was Joseph
Apostles renamed


Partially a spiritual gift

Romans 12:8

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

1. Barnabas was a giver.

Acts 4:36

New International Version (NIV)

 ³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),

He built up reputation of giving


2. Believed the best out of people.


Believed that Paul had been saved willing to put reputation in life; affirm and believe the good that is in there.


3. Never held Paul's past against him.
2nd chances; past is forgiven


Holy spirit the great encourager
Not to sell but to push forward, lift up life to the world
1 samuel 20 found strength in the Lord


4. Very positive influence. 

Acts 11:25

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

Barnabas was encouraging to Paul earlier Barnabas and Paul then Paul to Barnabas.


5. He was trustworthy and dependable.
He was trusted with money and brought trust and encouragement
Encouraged people
Built a reputation of being reliable


Practical ways of encouraging people:
1. Smile and smile often
2. Warm human touch shake hands or pat in the back
3. Look people in the eye
4. Pray for others


Blessings!

Pointers in serving

A message for the youth, the 2nd generation of servants for the church.

1. Serving must always be a result and expression of worship.

Colossians 3:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2. Serving is doing what's needed and not what's convenient.


3 Serving must be an expression of faith and not a fulfillment of our need.


We can agree on the importance of serving in your home church. Keep these three things in mind every time you do something for the expansion of God's kingdom.


God Bless, ciao!

How to live a spirit filled life

Problem: Self is in throne, Christ is outside.

There is a lack of peace and we are filled with frustration.
This is what happens in a self directed life.

Christ must sit on the throne!

Galatians 5:16-26

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[a] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
 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. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

3 spiritual strategies to walk spritually with God.

1. Daily intake of God's word. 

Psalm 1:2

New International Version (NIV)

² but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, 

   and who meditates on his law day and night.

2. We must focus our desire in God and renew our mind.

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

3. We must be faithful in spending time with God in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ pray continually,

Properly Interpreting The Word of God

First 3 things we need to know about God's Word.

1. Normative - there is something to comply with
2. Informative - there is important information in the text
3. Instructive - there is a given instruction but not clear

We have to understand that the instructive part of the Bible is the deepest part of the Bible. Not apparent but it contains the deeper truth.


The passage for this preaching will come from: 


Matthew 7 
New International Version (NIV)

Matthew 7
Judging Others
1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 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 good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
The Wise and Foolish Builders
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.



The problem is some listen and some get to memorize the Bible but does not completely comprehend the Bible. The Instructive Truth.

1. It's not written there exactly but: Problems will come to both believers and non-believers. v.24
   one example would have to be like natural disasters, it does not choose which lives to ruin. Any race, any religion it will not pick which one to hit. The only difference is that in the midst of problems Christians remain victorious.
2. Do not attempt to change the lives of others if you haven't changed yourselves. v.1
   As an example in verse 1, there is the issue of hypocrisy.
3. Your ability to help is not the basis to help others but to the one who deserves it. v.6
   Now the principle here is you state the truth repeat it with different words.
   Note: Earring were symbols of holiness as this applies to the passage. So properly interpret this passage in real life. It's important to know the background of the passage as well.
4. Prayer is not a one part event, it is always a 3 part event.
   Ask! - we pray to God
   Seek! we look
   Knock! - we try
   In everything!
5. The bigger crowd is not always so correct. v13
   Do not be canned around what is popular
6. Do not be fooled by claims, the fruit is the proof. v15
   The proof of ones life is not in the tree but in the fruits.

We need the Holy Spirit to understand the Word and to grow as we read we also find joy in the midst of our problems.


Be Blessed!

1. 
   

Wisdom and Maturity in God's Word

The measure of wisdom and maturity in any given situation is in how we know will of the Lord.

Psalm 119:7
New International Version (NIV)

7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.

The life of David: he treasured the Word in his heart
Psalm 23:1-6

New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

What are the principles that we learn from David's psalm?

1. He understood the Word of the Lord. For his daily concerns: "the Lord is my provider"
Tiredness of the soul has no cure (earthly). It is the accumulation of so many things(problems)

2. During his dangerous moments the "the Lord is my protector."
We always walk through a dark valley, we should remember that God is always our protector.

3. During his difficult moment the "Lord is my program planner."
He prepares a table of feast (for you and your enemies. Plans something for you something big!
Annoint with oil, usually done by slaves to guests, but for special people head of house annoints you.
My cup overflows: means his happiness cannot be stopped.
So...Honor the presence of God!
We should not fear, or should not jave the spirit of fear in the valleys that we face.

Respond by finding the truth amd applying the truth!