Sunday, May 7th, 2006

 

“Prayer That Moves” (Part II)

(James 5:16-18)

Miracle Sunday… Kelsey is back home safely!

When we pray to God our prayers should reach higher than the ceiling, as a matter of fact a selfless prayer should reach heaven and prompt God to MOVE on our behalf!

Pastor Dix reminded the congregation that God loves us just as we are but He loves us too much to leave us as we are. Prayer is our direct line to God's ears and heart and He is never too busy shopping, napping or checking e-mail that He can't hear us. Prayer was instituted by God (I John 3:22); therefore, it should not be taken lightly, misused or abused. When we pray we must know that prayer is not about us and our desires but about God's perfect will being fulfilled in our lives! Prayer transcends our needs so that God can be glorified! Pastor put it plain and simple when he described the four groups of prayer avoiders and prayer warriors:

• (Group 1) Those who don't pray or those who don't know how to pray. You are in trouble!



• (Group 2) You only pray when you have a need or trouble is brewing on the home front. These are individuals who pray eventful or occasional prayers when it's convenient for them.



• (Group 3) These are individuals who pray but are not getting the desired results when they pray. You maybe reflexively praying self-centered prayers with impure motives instead of God's will.



• (Group 4) You are praying on a regular basis but want next dimension results!

Which group are you in? The Word of God clearly states that when we don't pray we're placing ourselves in the midst of the enemy. I'm sure none of us want Satan to have first grabs at our family, friends, finances or health. So we MUST make sure we are covered in meaningful prayer that will MOVE God as He takes us to an ever expanding realm of power, glory and provision!

Quote of the sermon:

"God is not a candy store! You don't just walk up to Him when we get ready, get what we want then walk out!" -Pastor George Dix Jr.

Scripture References:

 

Sunday, May 7th, 2006

• James 5:16-18 - "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much..."
• Mark 9:23 - "...All things are possible to him that believeth..."
• Mark 11:24 - "What things soever ye desire..."
• I John 3:22 - "...and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands..."
• Matthew 26:41 - "Watch and pray..."

Sunday, May 14th, 2006

 

“Prayer That Moves” (Part II)

(James 5:16-18)

Pastor Dix demonstrated to that when we pray prayers that are not self-centered, God moves from His throne and begins to work things out for our good and for the good of those He loves. Prayer is not designed to move our situations but to move God!

During our prayer time, we should ask ourselves "who we are praying to". Once we acknowledge that it is the Almighty God, we should then follow His terms and conditions. In the real world when we violate the terms listed in contracts, whether it’s a mortgage, automobile or other property, the contract is void, which comes with heavy penalties.

Pastor Dix said that when we engage heaven, we should make sure that we are not giving God a “wish list.” God is all-knowing and He already knows our every need…be it a husband or wife, a new job, or a new home. When we focus on God’s will, then our desires will be granted (Luke 12:31). When we pray, we should make sure that our prayer requests will ultimately accomplish the following items:

• God is glorified
• His kingdom is advanced
• God’s will is the focus of every prayer

Quote of the sermon:

“We won’t have the power to withstand Satan if we don’t pray a prayer that moves God.”
-Pastor George Dix Jr.

Scripture References:

 

Sunday, May 14th, 2006

• Matthew 8:14-15 - Prayer & Scripture (Assoc. Pastor Alvin Gaither)
• James 5:16-18 - "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much..."
• Mark 11:24 - "What things soever ye desire..."
• Luke 12:31 , Matthew 6:33 - "...seek ye first the Kingdom of God... and all these things shall be added unto you."
• I John 3:22 - "...and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands..."
• Luke 1:37 - "For with God, nothing is impossible."

Sunday, May 28th, 2006

 

"It's Worth The Wait"

(Job 14:14)

It's not always comfortable to wait, but Pastor George energetically encouraged us to "try the door one more time." Waiting on God's next move in our lives is a test of patience and faith, but it's worth the wait.

To wait is to "confidently understand that God is in control, and that we will move according to the promise of the Word". So even when things seem their darkest, "In all things, give thanks." (Psalm 34:1). We are not smart enough to understand every move of God (Isaiah 55:8-9), but rest assured that everything works in divine order and in accordance with the will of God.

As Job experienced, God's will and plan for our lives involves trials. On the journey to that divinely apppointed place, storms arise to help prepare us for where God is taking us. Pastor Dix reminded us to ask God these two important questions whenever we encounter adversity:

1. Lord, what do you want me to get from this?
2. Lord, in the midst of my trial, how may give you glory?

If given the choice, we'd all want things to go our way and blessings to occur in our timing and under our conditions. The devil will remind us of our frustration and we will be tempted to "make our own blessings" or simply give up in defeat. But Pastor Dix encouraged us to be faithful and not worry, for God says in his Word to "stand still and see the salvation of God" (1 Samuel 12:16).

You may have waited and waited on a move from the Lord. You may have tried the door and it was locked. You tried again and it still did not open. But Pastor George admonished us to "try the door one more time."

Remember, many of the trials we encounter are divinely placed in our lives to build our character and to prepare us for where God is taking us. "At the altitude where God is taking you, the buzzards can't breathe." No matter what's going on in our lives, nothing can separate us from the Love of God, which is in Jesus Christ, our Lord. (Romans 8:30-39).

"Can you wait long enough for God to get the glory?"

When Jesus healed the man who was born blind (John 9:1-12) or when he raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-43), some works of God are done simply to give God glory. The trial you're going through may be a way for God to obtain glory by your deliverance. Pastor George continued to tell us that, although God doesn't orchestrate evil, he will permit things to happen in our lives so that he may be glorified.

Pastor ended his message with this thought provoking sentence: "You can preempt or cancel your blessing, if you abort your trial." So be patient and wait on God, for we have the victory through our Lord and savior Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57) and it will be 'Worth the Wait"!

Scripture References:

 

Sunday, May 28th, 2006

• Genesis 32: 24-30 - Prayer & Scripture - Associate Pastor Eugene Phillips
• Job 14:14 - "...all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."
• Psalm 34:1- "I will extol the Lord at all times..."
• Isaiah 55:8-9 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD..."
• 1 Samuel 12:16 - "Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes."
• Romans 8:30-39 - "...nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• John 9:1-12 - "Jesus heals the man born blind"
• John 11:1-43 - "Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead"
• 1 Corinthians 15:57 - "But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."