Sermons

Daniel 1: 8-16 [NKJV] But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Everyday we make decisions. What to wear, what to eat and what to say are just a few of the choices we make each day. Do our choices honor God? We see in the book of Daniel that God caused Daniel to have favor and goodwill. God has the ability to help us have favor too. Jesus said if he was lifted up he would draw all men to him. Let’s endeavor to lift Jesus up and follow his example in everything we do.

by Emily Wooten

If you haven’t yet told your young one about the miracle of the Great Exchange, today is the day. Jesus Christ who knew no sin, became sin for us. He exchanged his perfect health, righteous spirit and sanctified mind for our imperfect being. Because Adam sinned, we all are born into a sin nature. Without Jesus Christ we have no hope beyond this life. 

Romans 3:23-24 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin (Christ Jesus) to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 8:3-4 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son (Jesus Christ) in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God sent this son to take our place, our punishment. The Great Exchange happened over 2,000 years ago. When we accept Jesus as Lord, we accept ever benefit of the exchange. 

James 5:14-15 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

David, in Psalms 103 reminded us some of the benefits of the Great Exchange.

Psalms 103:2-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,  Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

It is finished. All we ever needed or will need has been purchased by the blood of Jesus. Once and forever, it is a forever settled subject.

All we have to do is take what he has provided.

by Emily Wooten

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalms 27:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
To “wait upon the Lord” is not about passive inaction, but rather an active state of faith and expectancy, trusting in God’s timing and guidance. It involves continually seeking His presence, through prayer, reading and reciting scripture, worship, and trusting that God’s will is revealed in his promises. We can see how he helped others in the scriptures and expect him to help us too. Those who wait upon the Lord can expect his grace and ability to work through them.
Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
We see that it is God’s will to inform people about the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Why would Jesus have sent his disciples out to preach and heal if it was not his will? It was and is God’s will, according to Luke 4:18-19, to preach the gospel to the poor; heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised or bound and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Jesus did all those things and now we are equipped with the tools to do the same. In time with God we learn out to use our tools.
We see in Matthew 14:23 where Jesus went alone to pray. Mark 1:35 and Luke 5:16 In the early morning, he got up and departed to a solitary place, and there he prayed.
Spending time with God and giving him our attention is the most important decision we will make every day. It is by hanging with Jesus, listening to his Spirit and considering his word that we grow and are enabled to face life’s challenges equipped to win every battle.
Luke 14: 10-13 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Praising God for all he has done and is doing is exercising our faith and declaring God’s promises are ours too. We can expect God’s word to come alive in our understanding as we spend time giving God our attention.

by Emily Wooten

The scriptures reveal God’s heart. God is not a respecter of people. What he has done for others we can expect him to do for us if we obey his word. Let’s begin with Luke 5:12-13 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Proverbs 4:20-23 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
We see in these scriptures provision. God has provided a way for us to be in health. He promises that if we keep his word foremost in our minds and conversations to do what it says, they are life and health to all our flesh.
We believe that the scriptures are inspired by God. God caused humans to record the scriptures so we can understand and know what he expects of us, what he has promised us and how to please him by doing his word.
Psalms 107:20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Ephesians 1:17-23 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.
Paul prayed this over the church at Ephesus. We can ask God to give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him too. Ask God to open the eyes of your understanding so they are enlightened to know the will of God.

by Emily Wooten

Matthew 21: 12-16 (ESV) And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.” And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read, “‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise’?”
When we talk about Jesus overturning the money changer’s tables, we don’t often say the first thing he did was to teach. He didn’t throw a fit and storm off at all. His actions were one of cleaning house. He told them what God expected of them and where their error was. The results were miracles happening. They were given opportunity to correct their behavior. God wants us to be a house of praise. It is our privilege and opportunity to share his love everywhere we go. Forget pomp and circumstance of pageants and programs. What God really desires is a people who will consider him every morning, noon and evening: to see what he wants to do with our day.
In 2 Corinthians 6:2 we are reminded today is the acceptable day; now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
There is nothing more important than sharing the good news in our speech, in our demeanor, in our lifestyle.
Hunting Easter eggs does not glorify God or point anyone to Christ. What you do 365 days a year is more weighty than any program on a holiday.
Remember 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Let’s practice considering God in all our ways and make every day an expression of his will in us. Then we can have all the programs we want knowing we have put God first and pleased the Lord with our whole life.

by Emily Wooten
Malachi 3:10-12 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.
From the New English Translation it reads “Bring the entire tithe into the storehouse so that there may be food in my temple. Test me in this matter,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “to see if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out blessing for you until there is no room for it all. Then I will stop the plagues from ruining your crops, and the vine will not lose its fruit before harvest,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “All nations will call you blessed, for you indeed will live in a delightful land,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
What a wonderful promise and hope. God asks of us that we honor him with 1/10 of our increase.
God left a message for us in Leviticus 27:30-32 And all the tithe (the tenth part) of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord.
When we start talking about our money, sometimes it is easy to disconnect. If we believe Malachi 3, God’s promises compel us to connect with him and honor him so he can honor us.
Remember Proverbs 3:5-10 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear (respect and honor) the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

by Emily Wooten

Ephesians 6:18-19 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel…
Paul requested they ask God that he would be given utterance to boldly make known the mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If Paul who was highly educated and well traveled needed prayer for God to help him speak the truth in love, how much more do we need to pray for our preachers and teachers today? Before Pastor Ron gets up to speak we should approach God, coming boldly to the throne of grace and ask him to help our Pastor have liberty to speak without hindrances.
Melissa spoke last week about corporate prayer. It is true there is power in numbers. Consider what Jesus said.
Matthew 18:18-20 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Here Jesus tells us to agree together touching a subject in Jesus name. What does that mean to “come together touching”?
1 Corinthians 12:18-20 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.
A few, or many, acting as one is powerful. One mind, in one accord, these statements encourage us to join our faith in God while approaching him as concerning a thought or subject. We request the same thing expecting God to act on our behalf.
Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Acts 2: 1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Let’s approach God today in one mind and in accord asking God to give the preachers and teachers words that will change our hearts. Ask him to give us grace to receive the truth with understanding, discerning what his will for us is. We bind every distracting force in Jesus name and loose the Spirit of the Living God to speak to us, move is and amongst us. Get glory to yourself God and be blessed in your children acting in obedience to your word.

by Emily Wooten

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
God clearly intended for us to stand against the works of the enemy and everything about him.
Colossians 1:10-14 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
You might be surprised at the things in your life that were sent to you, not by God but the enemy. Things we simply don’t deal with and actually allow to work in our lives. One of the wonderful works of the Holy Spirit in the church is to help us recognize the enemy and his attacks.
Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
The world system operates under the course of this world, according to the devil.
Look at Daniel when he was praying for 21 days. He did not comprehend he was praying against: principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
If we aren’t going against it, we are flowing with it. One of our favorite champions from the Old Testament is King David. He said in Psalm 101: 1-3 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Scripture tells us to study to show ourselves approved, a workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed. This week, let’s study Ephesian 6: 12-18 and practice doing what it says.
We are to arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Paul set the example to pray for our teachers and preachers that they would be enabled to open their mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

by Emily Wooten

Have you considered there are several types of prayer? A prayer of submission is one where the individual approaches the throne of grace to submit their will to God. Surrendering and repenting is what happens when a person is born again. We can learn from Daniel, that we need to surrender to God every day.
Daniel not only prayed prayers of submission, he also prayed prayers of supplication. In Daniel 10 we read where Daniel had been praying and fasting for three weeks. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and showed him how God had ordered the answer of his prayer before he asked.
Daniel 10: 12-14 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
Daniel was praying or supplicating for Jerusalem. Supplicating is an humble request to God for you, your family or others. So we can submit in prayer and we can supplicate in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
For those of you who have received the infilling of the Holy Spirit and pray in an unknown tongue as the Spirit gives you utterance, Paul is telling us to pray in the Spirit. What we find is, as we submit our physical being to prayer in the Spirit, God causes our understanding to increase so that we know how to pray for that person or situation in words we recognize.
It is reasonable to see that we would not of our own knowledge or understanding be equipped to pray for all saints intelligently. Without the Holy Spirit to guide us we are clueless as to the needs of others. Our heavenly father knows what they need and he can through a word of wisdom, word of knowledge or interpretation show us what to ask for.
Scripture tells us we have not because we ask not. [James 4:2]
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Every day we should be asking God to help our government leaders, pastors, teachers, family and friends. Daniel didn’t pray once daily and be done. He found it necessary to go to God in prayer morning afternoon and night. We see the same example from Jesus. He often removed himself from the crowds and took time to refresh his spirit by praying. Fellowshipping with God is the best way to stay informed and know what God has intended for our lives and his people. Reach out to God today for wisdom and understanding how you can be a vital part of the body of Christ in prayer.

by Emily Wooten

God sent his son and Jesus the only begotten son of God too our griefs, sorrows, sickness and sin on himself in our place.
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Isaiah 53:4 -5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Luke 9:1-2 :Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
Matthew 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
If it is Jesus will that we rest in the health he provided 2000 years ago we have every right to ask God for his healing virtue to be manifest in our bodies.
Luke 8:43-44. 46-48 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stopped.
And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
If you haven’t seen the results you’ve been looking for, don’t give up or quit. In Ephesians 6 Paul told us when we’ve done all to stand to stand therefore: making sure that our loins girt about with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet ready to go and tell the gospel of peace, taking the shield of faith and the shield of faith. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching. The woman with the issue of blood came to Jesus looking for results. We can follow her example. Scripture tells us she pressed in to get near to the savior. When obstacles try to distract or sidetrack us we can keep our minds stayed on God and what he said!
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous human availeth much.