Our Time
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One thing that can’t change - Our vision. Blessed to bless.
This is our time! We can stay in our vision even during changes!
How God has prepared each one of us and brought us together - and is still doing it - because this is our time!
Q: How do we stay in our time? Keep and fulfill the vision?
1) Stay Prayerful
A) What Jesus said about the church - House of prayer - he will build it
”These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer.” - Isaiah 56:7
B) Why? It’s where blessings and wisdom and strength are found!
John 15:7 - “If a man remains in me and my words remains….”
Proverbs 2:1-6 - discover God’s will! Assured, confident, etc
C) How? Learn the Lord’s prayer - Wednesday nights we will be a house of prayer
”The effectual fervent prayer…”
This is our time, and we must stay prayerful! It is in prayer we find direction, strength, wisdom.
The answered prayers - OHC is seeing the blessings - Something else that is a must and that is evident at OHC
2) Faithfulness
Ever noticed how Sunday morning can become a battle zone? You have an enemy! He wants you out! Why?
The importance of church
Truth - the world is full of quitters! The honeymoon is over - “Me, myself, and I” - desire for control
The Bible has many verses about this issue - Gal. 6:9 - “let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58
HOW?
Start small and stick with it! Luke 16:10- “Little is much when God is in it”
“We are called not to be successful, but to be faithful.” - Mother Theresa
Here’s a promise for the faithful - Proverbs 2:8 - Stay faithful! Be blessed and be a blessing. This is your time!
Being critical or backbiting, or gossiping, or bringing discord is something God hates and he will not bless!
3) STAY THOUGHTFUL
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
A) How did God consider you? Worth His son’s life!
Consider others worthy, too!
B) Hebrews 11:24 - “and let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
The vision will spur! The blessed will be thoughtful!
C) Causes growth - 1) others are ahead of you - 2) the atmosphere is affirming - 3) You wake up excited - 4) failure is handled correctly - 5) a willingness to change - 6) growth is modeled and expected.
D) Honor the one who lives in you. Consider the source!
Conclusion:
This is our time! We have a vision! A process! “Facing the Giants”
Blessing God! The blessed bless, and God is blessed!
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success.”
This is our time! Commit to stay prayerful, faithful, and thoughtful. As the pastor, I will guard this vision with all my strength!