The Lion’s Den

Imagine facing ferocious lions without the Lord in the den. I’m sure I would die. 

Daniel’s faith gave him victory over the lions because God was in the den. Your faith will do the same. 

1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Daniel learned what every saint can learn. God will either get you out of your trial or He will give you grace in your trial when you have faith. 

What He doesn’t take away, He makes a way. 

Faith can still part your sea, fill your barrel, walk on your storm, and multiply your loaves and fishes.  

— 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

That Secret Place

If there is a genuine desire to be near God it will be revealed by prayer, by Bible study, and by public and private worship.  

Those who want to linger near the Lord will find a way.  When we make a move toward Him, He will make a move toward us. It’s the best place to be in times of trouble. 

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

The “tabernacle”—“holy of holies”— is where the very presence of God dwelt, and the glory of God could be seen. It was there that God took David during the battles of his life.

That’s a place of refuge where all else falls away and you are left with God and Him alone. That’s the place the Lord invites those who abide to enter. 

Are you fighting battles?  Do you have the deep settled confidence that everything is going to be alright?  If you do, praise the Lord. He has already brought you to that special place.

If you lack that hope, reaffirm your confidence in the Lord by renewing your commitment. Talk to Him.  

— 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

Jesus Loves You

The greatest thought to grip the human mind is that Jesus loves us.  The second greatest thought is that there is nothing you can do to make Him stop loving you - Rom. 8:38-39. 

The death of Jesus  for sinners is the greatest, most visible and absolute final word concerning God’s love for humanity,

John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

What you do about your salvation will determine where you spend eternity. Simply take God at His word. Believe in Jesus (seek Him) and accept salvation for what it is: The gift of God, Rom. 6:23.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I’ve never regretted the moment I believed in Jesus. If it had not been for the Lord, where would I be? He made something beautiful of my life and I praise Him. 

“Something beautiful. Something good. All my confusion, He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, and He made something beautiful of my life.” Gloria Gaither

— 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

God Knows Your Need

Three days earlier, the Israelites saw the Lord destroy the greatest army in the world. They watched in awe as God parted a great sea to deliver them and use it to defeat their enemy. They praised Him in song. 

Now they stand by a pool of bitter water and they are thirsty, complaining because the Lord didn't fix it their way, in their time.  Moses prayed.

Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

God planned their journey and knew about their need before they got there. 

Nothing in our life takes God by surprise. We will never face a need that He hasn't already met. That should give us peace about all of life. 

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I’m glad I serve a God who knows my needs. I serve an amazing God!

— 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

Cast Down?

The troubled Psalmist asks his soul a question: "Since God is in control of this thing, why are you so upset?" Then he tells his soul the prescription it needs for joy in the valleys of life: "Hope in God.  He has it all under control. " 

Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

We might want to ask our souls the same question. There is no room for overwhelming sadness and fear in the heart of  believers.  

If there is really a God in Heaven, and if He is really our Heavenly Father, what right do we have to get upset over the difficulties of life? 

We don’t. Worry says, "God is dead! Life is hopeless and defeat is sure." 

Instead of letting worry sap your strength, ruin your nights, and shorten your life, take God’s prescription and let Him take care of your situation, Phil. 4:6-7. Matt. 6:7-8; Matt. 6:25-34.

— 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

I Faint Not

The perils of Paul include prisons, beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, robbers, pain, hunger, thirst, cold and neckedness - 2 Corinthians 11:23–29.

In spite of his trials and tribulations, he says, “I faint not.”

2 Corinthians 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

I’m interested in reaching the place where I can say like Paul, “I faint not.” That place is available to all of God’s children. 

While the outward man grows weaker approaching the grave, the inner man is renewed day by day. That’s why we need to feed on the Word of God and pray to the Father every day.

Each day has its own troubles, and each day demands its own supply of grace. 2 Cor.12:9

The secret for not losing faith is a proper perspective. Ask the Lord to help you to get your eyes off what you see and to look beyond this world to the glory that awaits in His presence, 2 Corinthians 4:18.

— 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 Consecrated Life

You can’t live the Christian life. It can’t be done.  If a life is to be changed and lived in the newness of God’s power, it must be lived through the Christian by the Lord Himself. 

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The genuine, consecrated life is one that longs for the power of Christ to be in control of every aspect of life. 

The consecrated life is one that has ceased to live for self. In fact, it has died to self, it’s lusts and it’s attractions. 

It is dead to the world, but it is alive to God, His word and His will. All it wants is what God wants.

— 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