Experiencing God Today
Experiencing God's Power
July 26, 2020
Two Keys to Encounter God’s Power: Impossible Prayers Joshua 10:8 (NLT) – “Do not be afraid of them, for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.” Joshua 10:12-13 (NLT) – “On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, ‘Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.’ So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.” Joshua 10:14 (NLT) – “There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!” Ruth Haley Barton: “What is the use of praying if at the very moment of prayer, we have so little confidence in God that we are busy planning our own kind of answer to our prayer.”[i] 2. Irrational Faith** Mark 5:25-26 (NLT) – A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. Mark 5:27-28 (NLT) – She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Mark 5:29-32 (NLT) – Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” 31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Mark 5:33-34 (NLT) – Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, YOUR FAITH has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Tim Keller: “There is nothing illogical about miracles if a Creator God exists. If a God exists who is big enough to create the universe in all its complexity and vastness, why should a mere miracle be such a mental stretch.”
Receiving The Spirit of God
July 19, 2020
Be Born of the Spirit John 3:3 (NLT) – “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:5-8 (NLT) – “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:16-17 (NLT) – “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” Romans 3:22 (NLT) – We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Titus 3:4 (NLT) – But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Be Filled with the Spirit Matthew 3:11 (NLT) – “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Acts 2:1-4 (NIV) – When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:14-17 (NIV) – Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:36-39 (NLT) – “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” 37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God [SALVATION], and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins [WATER BAPTISM]. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [SPIRIT BAPTISM]. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Acts 1:4-5 (NLT) – Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:39 (NLT) – This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” Be Led by the Spirit Romans 8:14 (NLT) – For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Galatians 5:16 (NLT) – So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
God's Presence
July 12, 2020
Three Insights from Moses about God’s Presence: Moses Valued God’s Presence Go up to this land that flows with milk and honey. But I will not travel among you, for you are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I did, I would surely destroy you along the way.” 4 When the people heard these stern words, they went into mourning and stopped wearing their jewelry and fine clothes. 5 For the Lord had told Moses to tell them, “You are a stubborn and rebellious people. If I were to travel with you for even a moment, I would destroy you. Remove your jewelry and fine clothes while I decide what to do with you.” 6 So from the time they left Mount Sinai, the Israelites wore no more jewelry or fine clothes. —Exodus 33:3-6 “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. 16 How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” 17 “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” —Exodus 33:15-16 Moses Practiced God’s Presence It was Moses’ practice to take the Tent of Meeting and set it up some distance from the camp. Everyone who wanted to make a request of the Lord would go to the Tent of Meeting outside the camp. 8 Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. —Exodus 33:7-8 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. —Jeremiah 29:13 As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the Lord spoke with Moses…Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. —Exodus 33:9, 11a