The Walk Isn't Easy but God Makes Us Stronger

You know this morning going to talk about how this walk isn't always easy.

God makes us stronger. That's the thing, right? If you're an athlete you don't say. Hey, let's take some weights off the barbell cuz I've been working out for a while. You put some more weight on why you do that because you can handle it when Jesus says if someone says Waka moly walk with him.

We carry each other's burdens and it stops being about ourselves and what we're going through in our own experience that starts being about. How can I tell people about this Jesus? How can I tell people that were lost in the found at the smoke and that is real?

We're Saints and we're priests to God. We have an obligation. We have an obligation don't you ever be ashamed of this Jesus and what he did to your like? He's so good Hallelujah. Somebody have a Bible here this morning Olympians 413. I think almost everybody knows this. I can do all things through him who Christ who strengthens me. All things that's right. You know what I'm going to press this Slide the amen slide, that's right. And you know, if we really if we really start getting like, you know, just just breaking it Loose up in here. I'm going to the Hallelujah slide. It's right over there anyways, so we're going to talk about today is that the walk isn't easy but God makes you strong. That's the message right coming to my mind. I don't know why maybe was for me. I don't know if it's for you, but it's here if this is what we're going to do so I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me a tanker message. We're going to be all over the place today. So being a Christian has more benefits than we can count. Amen. So many benefits their salvation for one the insurance that our faith in Jesus Christ will make sure that have it is our Eternal home. Amen. There's Fellowship it support of other believers.

Hallelujah we have each other to lean on their skin is to do that if we can learn how to serve others. Joyfully not just serve out of obedience are treasury but enjoy it. The fact that we can have access to the king of Heaven through prayer that we can access him for guidance and wisdom and hope and healing and just to say I love you exposed it safe in the presence of the most powerful being in all of existence that in itself demonstrates the love of God, Amen. The Bible has 5467 promise. None of the other week instead of a 5000 but I want the narrow down and his purpose is unchangeable because God is unchangeable. Okay, but the promises are conditional their condition on our beings as Believers Hallelujah said differently to cash it on the Promises of God. Amen. Jesus came to pay the price for us and he he alone is the Hope for our lives. How do I cope with or how do we count to others that have trials and circumstances and they're down and they're broken in there in pain. How do we explain them? How good God is when your life is completely Fallen apart. How do we tell them that the Lord heals when they're suffering are there injured or they're dying. How do we tell them that the Lord the Lord is there for them in and help watch them when they lost their? Are there homeless if they don't have any money to buy something to eat? How do we tell them about the marriage covenant when their husband or wife beat them or leave somewhere like some stranded or just totally broke the marriage covenant and every possible way. How can we tell them to spiritually stay on track with everything they have going on in this situation? How can we make it real to them? Jesus told us to Matthew 16 chapter 16 verse 24 through 26 if anyone would come after me. Let him deny himself and take up his cross. And follow me whoever would save his life will lose it.

What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world at 4% so or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? UCR walk only will get easier because God makes us stronger right that crossed and death. It's not an analogy for some easy pain free life. It's not this means in contrast. This is the spacing like in contrast to the promises. We were speaking up but listen to have Cheese's can tie it all together for 25. He says if we try to save our lives, we will lose our lives for his sake you don't lose your life. Just because you don't lose your life. It's in you lose your life for his sake for his sake another way of saying the first today would be if we try by being complacent just lazy Christians, then we're going to miss out on all of us.

What if we fully commit ourselves fully commit ourselves to everything that Jesus had Sports? so much for so much for us. And it's greater than our circumstances and it's greater than our comfort. I believe there are for the taking the fruit is on the tree and as many of you can testify. I can testify God will bless us. He's so good to us. He's so good to us if we would have taken them. We're grateful for him. What happens when circumstances change and we feel like we're losing it. We feel like we're not getting what we deserve that crossed. Yeah, I can carry CrossFit in our situations that we thought were improving. How do we keep our eye on the prize realize that the point of serving Jesus is not to be comfortable in this life but to develop in Eternal relationship with God never ending or find him.

Also to be safe from judgement and he'll we don't wallow we deserve never asked God to get what you deserve.

He just might give it to you. You don't want you want you to deserve and neither do I? We want to be safe from the judgement in hell. Is he having his forever? This life is a blink of an eye the blink of an eye. It's over just like that. The point that I'm getting out here is as a Christian to walk can only possibly it easier. Because God makes a strong smell. Okay, but the Holy Spirit comes to live in us and the holy spirit gives us power from above. We can look at Acts chapter 1 verse 8 says but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my Witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the Earth Hallelujah. So good. The scenario here is that the resurrected Jesus has just appeared for 40 days providing signs and proof and continuing to speak about the kingdom of God. I've defeated the grave.

You know, he didn't cower for what happened to that shy away from when he was embarrassed that the Roman soldiers crucified him because there was a purpose in his pain. He came to tell us about it. So nobody could say that this is it true what we preach he told his disciples to depart from Jerusalem right now because because what I said was going to happen meaning that John baptized with water, but I'm baptized with the holy spirit. It's, it's coming right there's something in there like that's coming. If you can't leave. So you get it. It's something's coming and you like us the disciples asked questions have a lot of questions if it changes uncomfortable. It's always understand the scriptures. Tell us the disciples were asking if the Kingdom of Israel will be restored at this time. They wouldn't be asking Jesus. What's going to happen to us? What are we going to do the flop in your life and gives you a hoarder gives you a call when you think I'd how how in the world how in the world the natural response is like we don't feel the security of God. That's what it comes down to it. We don't really feel the security of God in our situation. We can anxiety will talk about don't have to fear and we're not supposed to have fear. But the truth is we do. And Jesus reminded the disciples and us that win the win the win of events.

Thanks.

Does it matter? The win is not the point. The winner of your blessing is not the point the plant the factors is coming and trust him. He reminded them to be patient in there waiting and see if we do that then the holy spirit will lead us to the time and the place in which God has a people work for you as a place and a time for you just like everybody in the story in the Bible. Everyone was there for specific place and time take Rahab the Harlot who was there for the spies for Joshua?

And she lived with she was there for that particular purpose in your whole lot about her after.

You're here for a specific point in a specific time. The city of Martinsburg needs you whether you realize that or not. We do with the Holy Spirit tells us to do in the right time it'll happen. But when we deal with that pain or bursting in our lives just left the disciples were dealing with losing Jesus because they're broken hearted never try to move forward when you're broken hearted. You're broken hearted. It's cause he's going to leave. But the power of the Holy Spirit that's what's going to equip you to keep moving forward God in you is what if what you keep moving forward, not your circumstances. That doesn't mean that we don't grieve or feel pain. We do. It's okay to be human. It's okay to cry. It's okay to break down. It's okay to say I need someone to talk to it's okay to say God help me. I can't handle this. It's okay to do that. But when you can't let it do what you can't let it cripple you you are not crippled in the kingdom of God and it's not an excuse. If you go to heaven you said I was going to serve you but my life was too hard if that's not enough that doesn't work, but doesn't cut it. You get to question. Did you know my son and what you do with your life? You can't get talk your way out of that. You're not doing a car deal. It's your like I didn't have to give you life. He gave me life for gift to give you like to use it and if you don't you. But you see good thing is the good thing is nothing can cripple us nothing. It's a choice and when we share the gospel Jesus Christ with other people and we continue to have faith in Jesus in our life and in heaven

Just because you don't see this picture here. You got victory in heaven on the most beautiful moment in my life. But I remember he was a couple days for dieting or let him for the Loire elderly man, but to be sitting there and face with his own mortality and his own thought. And the way that starting to sit in on someone that's life is slipping away. You can be that to somebody. You can be that person. Holy Spirit can work through you just like because we're pastors. It doesn't mean we got it. We got a monopoly on different stuff. God has stopped and everyone of you but you got to be available. You say like what Angel did that she was her whole family, you know who rejected her. He could have rejected her. It didn't matter. It's worth the risk and investing and other people for the glory of God for the Salvation is worth the risk is worth the risk. So, how was the Holy Spirit make us stronger?

Give me a spirit. Of course the Holy Spirit we see in John Chapter 14 verse 25. Jesus says these things have spoken to you. But the helper the Holy Spirit and the father will send in my name. He will teach you all things and bring your remember. It's all that I said you peace I leave with you my peace. I give you the Holy Spirit not as the world gives to you. Let not your hearts be troubled neither. Let them be afraid. So how do we get paid? And how are we not afraid by the Holy Spirit In The Name of Jesus?

You heard me say I'm going away and I will come to you sounds contradictory. Doesn't it? He's going away but he's coming to them. He's going to tell me what's going on. If you loved me you would have Rejoice because I'm going to the father father is greater than I truly truly. I say to you whoever so that's why life is fair cuz everyone has the opportunity to whoever believes in McDonald have a pity party this morning. Everyone has access to God who ever Believes In Me will also do the works. I do and greater. So if you are unemployed in the Kingdom, it's on you get your work on. Get your work on. Greater Works than these we will be able to because I'm going to the father. So whatever you ask in my name, I will do Jesus will work for you. Jesus will work for you this I will do why that the father may be glorified by the Sun. Natalie really do it for the praise Glory Hallelujah.

In John chapter 14. Jesus was speaking to the disciples at the Last Supper in the previous chapters leading up. Jesus is already washed the disciples feet and Judas Iscariot has already dip the morsel of bread. And left to turn Jesus to the Jews Jewish authorities who promote Drive alone is the way the truth and the life and that he alone is Doorway to heaven the father Philip asks Jesus.

You see me. So you've seen the father, right? We know this as two parts of the trinity. Jesus told him to believe not just because of his words but also because of the works he did. Jennifer's 12 Jesus Christ speaking of the third part of the train leaving him at the Sun and now he's bringing The Trinity you see they didn't have the Bible. They didn't have Bible schools. They didn't grow up in church. It was a mind-blowing like just practical thing that he's telling them about. The first one is truly truly. I say to you whoever believes in me will also do the works. I do a Greater Works than these will do because I'm going to follow whoever adds to my name this I will do that. The father may be glorified in the son. If you ask anything I will do. So again Jesus's confirm that he is in the father already Jehovah Rapha. We've been starving him forever and you're here and you're the same. That's a lot to digest for the disciples. You know and then he's telling them that he's going to leave it at that the same God that is the father in his him is the holy spirit. It's going to be inside of them. It's so radical. We serve a living God he's alive in us God is alive in us.

It's separated from every other thing. There isn't a single religion that has God live in. It's that love relationship God loving us the greatest of being so good. If verses 25 to 28, we're at a moment ago. Jesus states that the holy spirit is coming. He's going to help us not only will spirit and bring the remember. It's all that Jesus said but the spirit will give us the peace but Jesus left for us so that our hearts do not have to be trouble or frame. So does your heart have to be troubled or afraid this morning? Why did you send?

How how much does how much does God make us stronger? See the word of God makes us stronger right one of the Holy Spirit about that but the word of God the Bible the word of God.

How did they do that? He does that because the word of God is a powerful sword. We can see in a fusion 6:17 and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Paul speaking in Ephesians 6 10 through 20 about putting on the whole armor of God to protect us from the evil one that speaks. Dharma's and the word of God is the powerful sword of the spirit that we use along with the other parts of the armor of God to win battles in spiritual Realm. You see Jesus Jesus use the word of God use the word of God to defeat Satan. We try to tempt him and Matthew 4 verses 1 through 11, Jesus let up by the spirit of the Lord was tempted by the devil and after fasting 40 days and nights. He was hungry and the temperature came and said to him is if you're the Son of God command stones to become bread. He answered is written man. Shall not live by bread alone. But by every word that comes from the mouth. Then the devil took him to the holy city instead of on the Pinnacle of the temple. He said if you are the Son of God through yourself down for it is written he will command his angels concerning you and on their hands. They will bear you up unless you strike your foot against a stone. Jesus said him again. It's written. What is it? It is the word of God again. You shall not put the Lord and again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their Glory.

He said to him all these things. I will give you if you fall down and worship me. Then Jesus said him for it is written. What is written the word of God. The word of God is written you shall Worship the Lord your God and him only and I double left him and behold the Angels came and were ministering.

You see the scripture shows has too many things worse the word of God again and does defeat Evil all day everyday. Daily things that sometimes with powerful Spirits like dating in this case. Don't try to manipulate the word of God to deceive you. That's why you got to be careful whose pouring Indie. It's got a line up with the word of God all day long every good pastor preacher will tell you hold me accountable to the word of God. That's right. You know what I want. The other thing is that we need to know is that it's critical that we read our Bible for ourselves and we understand the scripture not just the memorization. You don't respond Sunday school, but we know the context of what's going on. I share this with you guys many times before but the very first thing they taught us when we went to church of god for it to become ordained ministers was when you study your Bible. It's all about the time. You got to know what's going on. You got to know what's going on not so that you can say that was for those people in those time, but just so you can understand the whole situation and then when you pick versus and things out of there, you can pick a single verse but you can use it in a way that lines up with the way it was intended and not make it wrong, right? Well, it's true the Bible never contradicts itself and all God's worth. His word is truth. We can see from 5 and 6 verses 5 and 6 the same as going to try to use God's word against Jesus who is God he tries to use the word against God use your words against you right you go. There you go is not do that this week, but I'm telling you it if someone has a misunderstanding with you, that's one of the reasons the Bible said to go to them and talk to them so that they can get the whole nine times out of ten. It's a partial misunderstand. And once you talk about it, you know the whole thing.

But if we do the will of God against so against Jesus the word of God against them. So if he's going to do that against the all-powerful Savior King, then certainly he's going to try but just like any powerful weapon with the proper training we can be very effective extremely precise Precision effective Effectiveness, as Jesus immediately is able to rebuke Satan.

He's got that storage now just like a samurai style or something. I don't know. I did watch to make kung fu movies as a kid, but I can just see him slicing and dicing the devil there. But with proper training we can do that too. And you know it when you use the word of God correctly. It's that powerful sword and you'll know exactly when the Satan tries to attack you or someone else what verses to go to wear. What ammo to use you know, the military they know what ammo to use they know exactly. Where do we need this this in this right? They don't just say will use whatever bullet for whatever they have. They know what they're doing. So what else does the word of God do to help us to help us grow stronger? The word of God is powerful sword. We just talked about Jesus use the word of God and the word of God develops are fake. I meant Romans 10:17 all the time because it's so important to see in Romans 10 Paul is writing to explain that everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved. He emphasizes that if no one is preaching or teaching the word of God, then people who are not already saved or not going to have the opportunity to be safe because don't have the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because if we don't There's going to be someone along the path that if we don't have his church open isn't going get saved. It has everything to do with me other than being available forgot. There's people that wasn't doing what you're doing.

There's people that when you're leading worship wouldn't have a connection with God if you didn't show up and do a guy called you to do that's just the way it is. We have a purpose. We have a plan. There's people that you can reach that I can never reach you can share with them and talk with them. We all have something to do for God bright and that faith that faith comes from hearing the word of Christ. So he have teaching the word of God. Otherwise people that aren't saved will never get saved because we'll never hear Same thing for us as Believers. We got to spend time consistently reading our Bibles listening to sermons and teachings and Christian music to develop that Faith further right don't pollute your body mind and soul with the things of the world. But invest in things of God it matters what you watch it matters what you listen to it matters where you go it matters who you spend your time with like Pastor Angela saying evangelized everybody, but do your work and then do your people who pour into you make sure the Christians make sure the Christians Does meat turn your back when everybody doesn't mean disowned everybody? But you know, if your I'll give you an example K. This is practical. This is the end in the notes. It's just practical something somebody can use if you have a family and your family party Gleason, you don't want to sell your family already. Probably looking at you like you owe you the eyeball Christian person that they're not saved but you know you go there you let the light of Jesus Shine through you you visit you love them and then you don't stay around till it gets bigger. It's right. You don't sit down with them and crack a cold one. Obviously, you don't sit down beside him and pretend that you're okay to crack in the cold. Because you know what the word advocate means most people think the word advocate means. That you agree. That's not what it means. The word advocate means allowed to happen look it up. I know that for a fact the word advocate means to allowed to have so if you are around someone who sending and you're sitting there like it's all cool, and you're going to let that your presence and your Spear of influence your education whether you know it or not, so I can't you don't have to just don't people you can check in with him. How you doing? So good to see you. But I do a lot of times I'll stop and say hi. How you doing? Good to see everybody and then I'll schedule follow-up. Hey, you know and it's true. I am always busy. But I'll say hey, can we do how about I don't feel comfortable being around things that I don't get it. So that's just a little practical thing you guys can have so again faith is desperately needed and that's why we got to hear the word of God and have it poured into is continually that faith is desperately need it when when the valley and things are not going according to plant strong faith gets his confidence confidence know that God is still with us everything. We can't really know how many great men and women of God persecuted. You see why is it important? That means that if you don't know the Bible and you don't know that everybody in there was persecuted for the glory of God and you goes through some stuff in your life. You're going to feel like you're distant from God and God's not with you, but he was with all them and just wants you to stop just happens in life. We're not in heaven yet. But if we realize that God's people from Abraham to Moses to the prophets to Jesus to the disciples to preachers and teachers of arm pain adversity rejection as well. It's time to join peace. Known as the circumstances do not define who we are our love of God through Jesus Christ and living a lonely life serving others. That defines Who You Are that defines Who You Are So what's up? We heard your house Galway Spirits the stronger. We heard your house the word of God makes us stronger. So so what else prayer? Prayer makes us stronger. Sprayer real prayer is more than just asking God for things. prayers our relationship it matters we can see here that Jesus prayed to the father.

Luke chapter 22 verses 39 through 46 is one of my favorite parts of scripture because this we see Jesus your heart out to God I could read this over and over and over. Again. This is Luke chapter 22 Verses 39 through 46. I'm from the English Standard Version cuz I'm Evangelical. That's what we were and he came out as was his custom to the Mount of Olives and when he came to the place, he said to them pray that you might not enter into temptation. And he withdrew from them that's important safe. There's times when you got to get a loan. This time you can't get along with. From them about stone's throw away. He knelt down and prayed same father. If you're willing remove this cup from me. He's talking about his crucifixion father. If you willing remove this cup from me nevertheless not my will but yours be done see how that is. It. In suffering, but if not God, I'll do your will cuz you're gone and I love you. See that's it. And there appeared to have an angel from heaven.

And being an Agony he prayed more earnestly and sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground and when he rose from prayer came to the disciples and found them sleeping and he said then why are you sleeping rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation? God is so good. What are the things that first always speaks to me is that it's okay for us to have vulnerability.

What does it mean that were fearful that were terrorized that that we don't have faith. It just means that we're hurting is entirely appropriate to go to the father's arms the loving father just like anyone who has children if they're hurting you want them. You want to grab them and hug them and love them and tell them it's going to be okay. You don't see Minister. There's a lot of times for me where I feel like I got to be so confident so, that God's going to work out my situations all the time. And it's difficult for me. Sometimes to be really honest about my stress in my paint it is I'm just I'm just telling you the truth, but the reality is this I'm not special. I'm not that special. I'm like everyone else Ministries difficult life is difficult, you know, it takes a tremendous time investment with Ministry emotional financial and you're almost always trying to help other people. So absolute truth, even if you're confident that God has called you to do it. But to be able to listen and speak to God The Great I Am who's omniscient and omnipresent and compassionate that's going to provide a refreshing for you and your circumstances and your walking in your ministry and in your life. I don't talk about Ministry everything. That's just an analogy that could be your work that could be your marriage and you cry out to God you see his presence and the Holy Spirit that nothing else can many of you know my testimony and I'll tell you I've tried those things I should have done in all these things. Nothing can touch the holy spirit that stuff is just a cheap counterfeit attempt this with things that have a physical Sensation that feels good for a short. Of time, but he doesn't tell you about the pain. He doesn't tell you about the poison in the apple. He doesn't tell you about the thorn in the Rose. He doesn't tell you about the death that sin. Cos I see with God. You can feel the Holy Spirit. Raven and n and if you're blessed with a gift and you get that Heavenly language, and you just don't even you don't even know what you say, but you're just crying God God God. I know he's there and he fills you up and it's a water that never runs dry.

1st Peter chapter 5 verse 7 says cast all your cares for you because he cares about it. I told my kids all the time. I'm never going to be disappointed. I'm never going to disappoint in then I don't care what they do for a career. I care about the relationship with Jesus.

And that's it. I never be disappointed that but would want to make them feel like they couldn't talk.

People want only but it's the truth. People are not talking to you.

But I struggle with that personally I struggle with that.

So get First Peter chapter 5 verse 7 says cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you. I can testify to you this morning that Jesus cares and he will refresh you when you seek him in prayer. It is a real thing. It really happens. He will be there for you. He will pour into you. So we see that Jesus prayed to the father one. He had to deal with difficult circumstances.

Let me just tell you this morning. If you have a decision to make it in life, don't make it until you talk to the prayer closet and got your answer. Don't do it. It's got to wait got to wait the people get hurt. They get hurt. They got understand we're Christians. We don't move until he says move.

And if they get it there spiritually mature and they're going to realize you're doing that. Luke 6:12 Luke 6:12 and these days he went out to the mountain to pray. This is Jesus and these days he went out to the mountain to pray and all night. He continued in prayer to God. And when the day came he called his disciples and shows from the 12 whom he named a pop.

Jesus knew when important choices had to make it was critical for him to seek the Father and Jesus is our example and he seeks to bother you didn't just give a quick prayer, but he persisted until the answer was given he stayed there until he got the word from God. In our lives, we got to realize that if we're spending more time discussing our problems with or seeking counsel from other people than praying about. It's a God, we're not following the example of Christ. This is not a lonely Broken Hearts Club. It's a church. We cast your cares to God and you can talk to one another you can talk to me. Whatever you want.

Until God because I can't do anything for you. God can That's who you need. I'll check you into the hospital. I'll put a good word in for you. I talk to the doctor.

See you in our lives. We got to realize that if we're spending all that time doing that. We're not falling price example, and that's not to say to suppress our feelings are not talk to people. We all know that suppress your feelings. But what I'm saying is that it's important when it comes time to make the choice. We got it all out and now I got to make a choice. I got it. I got it. I got to do this thing. That it's God's Voice through prayer and his word that gives us the council that we need. You see. I'll talk to a lot of people about things. And I'll go okay. That's cool, but it's really great ideas. But at the end of the day, it doesn't go to the topic at the end of the day. I don't let that influence my decision and some people.

And if you're mad that I don't do what you told me to do that's on you. That's not on me about that people respect what they need to hear about that. No one else. Sushi by following the example of Jesus in this way We can have peace knowing that God is here in our prayer and working on our situations to his will. his world's best that's going to strengthen us and give us Clarity to make the best choices we can make The wrapping it up conclusion.

I was up late last night didn't make the conclusion slide, but that's okay because she has time to write down with anyway, have a good memory. Look at YouTube things were talking about right the Christian walk only gets easier because God makes us stronger.

Second the leading of the Holy Spirit and the reading of the word of God and the effective fervent prayer and power us and give us the tools. We need in our Christian walk.

And following Jesus is the most important decision that anyone can ever make at any point. It is a life of joy in a promise of Eternity and a promise with God but life can will be difficult at times. However, if we realize that the lord loves us and develops us and makes us stronger what adversity comes our way while we still make feel pain. We're not going to lose. Hope or feel discouraged or feel overwhelmed. Instead we can lean on the power of the Holy Spirit. The word of God and prayer to strengthen us. Tell boys to keep doing the good work of God and putting God first in our lives above all things. And never forgetting to treat everyone the way we would want to be treated. Above all never forget the Great Commission as well which Jesus gave in to teach all all people. That's why I talk about we want a diverse Church diversity is so important. Diversity is not marketing diversity is all God's people coming together to worship. God diversity is so important in church. We need that there should be no barriers. This is a church for all people because we serve a God for all people. Never forget the Great Commission that we got at each other's with Jesus told us and guess what if you don't read your Bible and you know pray and you don't go to church and you're not filled with the Holy Ghost you got nothing to teach nobody. or if you did remember once you forgot She can always turn around come back to Classics getting School get engaged do something for God. Please remember if you remember nothing else. Remember God loves you so much. He gave himself for you. He paid the price for your skin and his spirit will dwell inside of you. His spirit is inside of you and that is why even though life is not easy. God makes you stronger because God makes you more like God.

God makes you more like butter spray