God’s Plan

When we make plans for our lives we always try to stack the deck in our favor. That’s human nature. God usually has a different plan.        

David was just a shepherd, but God had a different plan.

Job was a wealthy man who just wanted to worship his God, love his family and enjoy his wealth; but God had a different plan.

Joseph and Mary were a young couple who wanted to get married and raise a family, but God had a different plan.

Saul of Tarsus just wanted to destroy Christianity, but God had a different plan!

The test of a truly consecrated life is that it is willing to submit to the plans of God. Jesus gives us an example. 

Luke 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

The surest path to knowing God’s plan is to practice Rom. 12:1-2.  If you walk in His plan, which is the best plan, you will never walk in defeat!

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.—

Contentment

Are you content with where the Lord has brought you in life or are you bitter that things haven’t turned out like you planned?

The best thing to do with the past and its broken dreams is to let it go.   

Thank God for what He has done in and through your life. Learn the lesson of contentment that the Apostle Paul talked about. 

Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I’m sure Paul never dreamed he would suffer the perils in his life, but he was content to allow the Lord to have His way. Are you?

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.—

The Infallible Word Of God

When we read the Bible we are exposed to the very mind of God. The Holy Spirit will reveal it’s truth. We need to know its Author intimately.

The Word of God reveals the will of God. We have to slow down long enough to read it, to meditate on it, and to understand it. 

Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

God’s Word is without error, infallible, inspired, and eternal. It’s food for the soul. 

Knowing the Bible gives us peace, hope, help and strength. It helps us know the God of Heaven and knowing Him teaches us how to walk in this world—how to make our lives count for God’s glory. 

Do you have a Bible? Read it! Learn it! Love it! Live it!

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.—

Run With Patience

Believers are told to "run with patience the race which is set before us."

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sometimes life is good. The road is smooth and the way is easy. 

And sometimes it feels like you’re running blindfolded uphill through a minefield. 

When life becomes a struggle get rid of fleshly hindrances and run the race with "patience". 

The only way we can run the race with patience is to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. 

God never said it would be easy. He said the opposite. 

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.—

Peace, Be Still

The disciples had seen the power of Jesus over disease and demons.  Now they will see His power over the deep. They were placed in a storm to teach them more about Jesus. 

Mark 4:37-38 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Jesus knew what they didn’t know. He knew what was ahead—that He would not drown at sea because He was headed to a cross. 

He knew the disciples would not die at sea because they too were destined for greater things. That’s why He could sleep while they sweated. 

Jesus knows what’s beyond the storms in your life and mine—how He will use us and bless us. He also knows whether or not we will die in the storm. 

Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Jesus will keep you safely through the dark stormy nights of your life, 

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

The One True God

What makes God different from other gods? Because He’s the God of grace, love, mercy, and provision. He’s the God of miracles and power. 

Elijah and Daniel could tell you a thing or two about Him. When you get to Heaven ask the disciples to tell you about Jesus and the stormy waters.  

He hasn’t changed. He is the same God now that He was then. He is still able to see you through whatever you may face in this life. Heb. 13:5; Phil. 4:19; Matt. 6:33)

The one true God is the God Who moves heaven and earth and suspends the very laws of nature, if necessary, to meet the needs of His children. 

Jeremiah 32:27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Regardless of what lies in your path know that if you are His, you belong to the God Who made it all. If He can make everything out of nothing, He can be trusted to take care of you.

Did I mention that Jesus can take the black heart of the worst sinner and make it whiter than snow by His red blood? Only believe. 

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.

A Servant’s Heart

Being willing to sacrifice for your master is a sign that you have a servant's heart. 

Whether the service is time, tithe or talents, it’s willingly rendered at the request of the Master and for His glory. 

The greatest sacrifice you can offer, of course, is yourself. That is a sacrifice that no one else can give.  When He has you, He has everything you have. 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Real servants of God are ready and willing to serve Him on a moments notice. 

When there are no orders to follow, they continue to do the last thing He told them until new orders come. They are lost in His will for their lives.That is a servant's heart. 

— Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.