God determines the purpose of our gathering. What if He asks us to . . . shout and dance and sound the trumpets? What if God shows up and it’s unfamiliar – but is still God? Will we choose the unfamiliar, even if it costs us some familiar? Or will we reject the unfamiliar and go back to the familiar?
Exodus 33:7-11, 2 Corinthians 5:1, Matthew 14:23, I Corinthians 6:19-20, Ephesians 2 : 19- 22
We gather to meet with God, and HE designates the purpose of why we gather.
We’ve created tabernacles of meetings called churches – the original purpose of the Tabernacle of Meeting was to be a dwelling place, a habitation at a particular time for a purpose designated by an authority. A place for people to encounter God, but became a place for people to meet people and merely talk about God.
Who’s the authority that designates the purpose for why we gather? NOT US!
Exodus 33:7–11, Matthew 14:23, Matthew 6:6, Ephesians 2:19–22, Deuteronomy 4:29
Hopelessness is a result of discouragement unchecked that develops into depression. Depression has moved in and settled into people in record numbers. According to the World Health Organization an estimated 3.8% of the entire population experienced depression. Approximately 280,000,000 people in the world have some form of depression.
We need HOPE in our lives! The world needs HOPE! There is no long-term hope without God!
3 Essential Keys to establishing and maintaining a life filled with HOPE:
1) Peace with God
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Romans 5 : 1
2) Access into Grace
“through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5 : 2
3) Glory in Tribulations
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;” Romans 5 : 3
Ephesians 2:12, Romans 5:4–5, Romans 8:24–25, Romans 5:1–5
JESUS did everything for us that He can do! And now, the question is – What will we do for Him?
Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. It’s uncontestable. BUT knowing that will not get me to Heaven. I must BELIEVE that He is the Resurrection and the Life. That’s what gets me into His presence.
Is what Jesus did enough to give your life to Jesus?
5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2 : 5 – 11
Philippians 2:5-11, John 1:4-5, 12, John 10:17-18. Hebrews 2:14-15, I Peter 5:6, John 11:25-26, Romans 10:9-10
“His Presence is a MIGHTY RIVER. Will you drink of it?”
This is a must watch message for the Church today. Promise Bradley brings a challenging word about the River of His Presence, revival, and our responsibilities as believers to steward all these things well.
His Presence can not be organized, it can only be stewarded.
We can not create The River, all we can do is JUMP IN.
“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground. I will plant trees in the barren desert— cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine. I am doing this so all who see this miracle will understand what it means— that it is the Lord who has done this, the Holy One of Israel who created it.” Isaiah 41 : 17 - 20 NLT