What We Need. Not Want

If you could ask the Lord how to make the rest of your life the best of your life, what do you think He would say? I think I know.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

God doesn't give us everything we want but He does give us everything we need. 

One of the greatest blessings of God is found in those things He doesn't give us. 

An unknown confederate soldier wrote the following:

I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked God for health that I might do greater things.  I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy.  I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men most richly blessed.

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.

Walk In Victory

Are there areas in your life where you need victory? Do you think Jesus is hiding from you?  No. Victory is your's for the taking. 

Whether it’s a problem an issue or anything worrying you, have a little talk with Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  

It’s about time the Lord's people started taking Him at His Word, walking in the victory that He says is ours. 

And Jesus is not hiding from you. He was there all the time. He will never leave you. Trust Him.

“He was there all the time. — He was there all the time. — Waiting patiently in line. — He was there all the time.” Gary S. Paxton 

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. 

If You Abide

Psalm 27:5-6  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. 

[6] And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

As believers, when we abide in that precious place close to the Lord, we possesses some blessed assurances that the rest of the world knows nothing about. 

In these days we need that assurance as we fight the battles of life. Even when life is at it’s best, we are still in the midst of perilous times, 2 Tim. 3:1. 

If you will abide, and that is the key word, you will enjoy God's best. 

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

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. 

To Be Like Jesus

Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

The greatest expression of love the world has ever witnessed was the love that sent Jesus to the cross to die for us. 

We certainly didn’t deserved anything from Him, but Jesus did what He did simply because He set His sovereign, unconditional, gracious love on us.

Everything Jesus does is out of love. His people have experienced that love. 

Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Since He is love, and since He has placed His love within us, we are to walk in love as well.

“To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, — All i ask, to be like Him; — All through life’s journey — From earth to glory — All i ask to be like 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. 

Only Believe

2 Kings 4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.

She owed money and couldn’t pay. The law allowed her sons be taken for slaves to pay it.

Learning she only had a tiny amount of oil, Elisha told her to borrow lots of containers and fill them with the oil and she did.

She may may have said, “Boys, God is going to fill every one of these vessels out of this little flask.” 

With that, they hand her the first vessel and she fills it. She fills one after the other and oil keeps pouring out of that little bottle until every vessel is filled. They sold it, paid the bills, and lived on the rest. 

When the Lord shuts us up in a place of total dependence, we will see Him come through for us time and again. 

When the Lord moves in power, the child of God receives a lesson in faith that can never be taken away.

Do you have a need? Lay it at the feet of Jesus. Only believe. He is able to do more than you can imagine if you give Him the opportunity. 

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. 

Oh, What A Morning!

Luke 24:2-3 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

Oh, what a morning it was when Jesus rose from the dead, when He pulled the stinger from death and gave life eternal to all those who place their faith in Him. 

The resurrection of the Lord Jesus has effects that reach down to this very day. 

HE IS ALIVE!

Because Jesus lives you and I can be saved by the grace of God — can have our sins washed away forever.

Because He lives, we can go to Heaven when we leave this world.

Because He lives, the grave has no power over those who believe.

Because He lives, eternal life is our present possession.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow — there is hope and help and I am never alone.

Because He lives, I am alive.

His death will not mean anything until you bow before Him in repentance and humility and confess you sins? 

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. 

What Is Precious

The gospel message is precious because God loves man and died to save him, then arose from the dead to offer justification and eternal life to all who  believe in Him. 

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

The Word of God is precious because it tells mankind about the Gospel and about the God who designed the perfect plan of salvation.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Spirit of God is precious because He gives us the words to speak as we witness and He gouges the heart of the lost person we are witnessing to. He is a faithful companion 

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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. 

How Big Is God?

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out.

All one has to do is read Job 39-40:1 to see that no man understands the depth of wisdom and knowledge of God. 

We are not His counselor. He does as He pleases and we are left to praise Him for what He does.

Have faith in God. He sees the future and knows what’s best for now and then. We do not. 

So, bow before Him and His glory and exalt His worthy Name.

Romans 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

“Though men may strive to go beyond the reap of space. — To crawl beyond the distant shining stars. — This world's a room so small within my Master's house — The open sky's but a portion of his yard.

“How big is God? How big and wide His vast domain? — To try to tell these lips can only start. — He's big enough to rule his mighty universe — yet small enough to live within my heart.”  Stuart Hamblen

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.