Teachings 3 -- love and peace and forgiveness

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Date Posted: 08:32:22 02/10/17 Fri
Author: c
Subject: Teachings 3

Teachings 3

intouch.org radio 10/31/14

12:07

How do I get this Holy Spirit power released within me in those situations (when we're tempted, making decisions, difficulties, trials, etc.)?

3 words

Acceptance - accept the truth that we are absolutely powerless within ourselves to live the will of God. It means I will give up all attempts to do in my own strength. That opens the door to the Holy Spirit to move and release His power within us.

Surrender - surrender my entire life to the guiding of the Holy Spirit - everything.

Faith - Trusting and believing the Heavenly Father in that moment/situation/circumstance. Trust for direction and guidance. Simple and childlike - "ask and it shall be given you" (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9)

18:13

In a moment of temptation – you’re pulled in 2 different directions. And everything in your naturalness wants to pull you one way and the Spirit of God is pulling you the other. At that moment we know we’re powerless. At that moment, we’ve told Him He can have everything. At that moment, it is a matter of saying: “Father, I am trusting You – You know the pull and the tug of my flesh. You know what something inside of me wants to do, but Father, I’m trusting in You to enable me to make the wisest decision”. The Spirit of God’s power is released in the moment you are willing to trust Him and He will enable you to make the wisest and the best and the most righteous decision.
(Also explored in intouch.org radio 7/7/15)

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intouch.org Daily devotion 5/18/15 How to increase your faith

Read | 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4

What are some practical steps you can take to increase your level of faith today?

1. READ THE BIBLE. Romans 10:17 explains, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” That is, you must feed your faith a steady diet of God’s Word.

2. EXERCISE YOUR FAITH. A bodybuilder doesn't begin by lifting 500 pounds the first day. Rather, he exercises daily, gradually increasing his strength. Regularly exercising faith can bring about similar growth spiritually.

3. EMBRACE TRIALS. First Peter 1:3-9 reveals the difficult truth that adversity, when addressed in God’s power, creates greater faith. Just as a fire purifies precious metals, hardship strips away all but the pure core of faith.

4. EXAMINE THE TESTIMONIES OF OTHERS. A testimony is an individual’s own account of the Lord’s activity in his life. No one can ever deny, refute, or downplay someone else’s testimony. When you hear of God’s mighty deeds in another person’s life, your own faith grows.

5. PRAY. You get to know someone by talking to him. That’s what prayer is: your personal communication with God. But don’t just talk; be sure to spend time listening. God wants to speak to you.

6. PRACTICE OBEDIENCE. You will never grow in your faith if you consistently disobey what God tells you to do. Perfect faith is a by-product of obedience. Put yourself in a position to see God’s best for your life, and your faith will soar.

Faith does not increase by accident. Growth takes time, dedication, and intentionality. Ask the Lord to help you exercise your faith today.

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intouch.org Daily devotion Jul 06, 2015, How to Walk Wisely

Proverbs 3:5-6

Living a life that’s committed to Christ calls for following His wisdom. Let's look at attitudes necessary for consistent Christ-centered lifestyle:

Determination.Walking in wisdom is not something that happens automatically. We must decide ahead of time to pursue godly living wholeheartedly.

Focus. To stay on the path of the Lord's will, we must fix our attention on His Word. As we meditate on Scripture and absorb its truths, our minds will align with Christ's, and our choices will be in tune with biblical principles.

Spirit Sensitivity. With determination to live a holy life and with close attention to Scripture, we become more sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit, our Guide Who indicates the direction we are to take.

Trust. Sometimes the Lord's choice for us doesn't appear sensible. It may seem foolish or require sacrifice. Trusting in His perfect wisdom is necessary if we’re to walk according to His plan.

Courage. Some things God requires of us may cause us to react with fear. As our trust in Him deepens, courage grows, and we discover the joy of embracing His choice for us.

Perseverance. It is one thing to start out on the right path; maintaining the course for a lifetime is something else. By depending on God, we can persist and choose wisely over a long period.

Walking in wisdom requires that we continually practice a few basics: Know God, trust Him, listen, and obey. Is this your pattern for living? Remember, a lifetime of godliness develops one choice at a time.

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intouch.org radio 12/31/14 (edited portion of a message)

12:37

What must I do, humanly speaking, in order – not to get – not for God to send down – but in order for the Holy Spirit Who is already living within me – to release through me that dynamic energy, that added dimension and touch of God in my life? What must transpire in order for the release of this energy – this strength, this wisdom, this knowledge, this understanding, this added dimension? What must happen?

1. A conviction of my inadequacy: Not just a feeling. A willful conviction on your part: “God, I cannot do this apart from the power of the Holy Spirit in my life. Lord, if You don’t surge through this body and this mind and this will of mine: Your dynamic, Your strength, Your energy, Your wisdom – if You don’t add Your potential to my life, it won’t get done.”

2. Purity of purpose and purity of life. A clean life - not perfection. Confession and repentance of sin.

3. Prayer.

4. Belief. Believe that God will do what He says He’ll do. Cannot be based on feelings. Must be based on the promises in the Word of God.

5. Service.

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Charles Stanley

As we search to discover God’s plan for our lives, we should consider three things:

1. Glorifying God. We are commanded to let our light shine before men so we will bear spiritual fruit that glorifies the Lord. As our life increasingly follows the pattern of the Savior’s, our thoughts and responses will bring Jesus praise and point other people to Him.

2. Conforming to Christ’s likeness. In considering any decision, we should ask ourselves, Will this help me become more like Jesus or tempt me in my weaker areas and cause me to turn away from Him? If we submit our minds and emotions to the Lord, His Spirit will build Jesus’ character qualities into our life. As we rely on the Holy Spirit, He will help us make wise decisions and guide us safely past temptation.

3. Following the Lord’s will. When deciding how to proceed, it’s wise to ask, Is this in line with God’s known will? Throughout the Scriptures, the Heavenly Father has revealed what pleases Him. His commands are clear regarding the way born-again believers should live. Our home, business, and community life are to function according to His will.

Wherever you are, don’t let yourself be pressured into actions or decisions that would be displeasing to God. Train yourself to stop and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal whether each choice will bring God glory, help to develop Christ’s character in you, and keep you in the center of God’s plan and purpose. Wait on Him, and do not step ahead until you have an answer.

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intouch.org radio 1/7 - 1/8/13, 1/17/15, 1/24/15

Walking in step with God

6 essentials for the christian walk Charles Stanley.

Summarized – not direct quotes

1. Surrender
2. Sensitivity - Listen
3. Scripture
4. Supplication: prayer
5. Self-denial: The Heavenly Father's plan comes first
6. Service

How to listen to the Heavenly Father

Priority
pursue
persist
pray

Must have:

teachable spirit
attentive spirit
humble spirit
submissive spirit
expectant spirit

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Beside the Still waters

2/7/11

The gall of bitterness

(edited message)

Though we are constantly warring against the devil, the Christian life is a life of peace and security. However, many professing Christians are not at peace. And others conclude that Christians are miserable people.

Today, all around us, we find hypocrites - unhappy, bitter people who call themselves Christians but do not submit to the cross. That is not the way it was meant to be. God's way is the way of victory. Christians are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). Christians are victorious (1 John 5:4).

Stephen Leinbach

There are two spirits: good and evil. Which one controls you?

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Beside the Still waters

8/9/16

A perfect heart

(edited message)

But how do we obtain that perfect heart which God values so highly? Such a heart cannot be realized by our most virtuous and strenuous efforts. We first need to recognize our inability to overcome the sinful nature by our own power. Then we must make a conscious choice to surrender self in all its forms to the only One Who can give us a new and perfect heart. The transformation of our heart into a thing of rare beauty and virtue is an initial act as well as a continuous process. This can be painful to our carnal nature, yet the finished product is well worth all the discomfort. Is your heart perfect in the sight of God?

Pete Lewis

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

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intouch.org radio 3/10/15

2:27

If I believe this Book (the Bible) and I listen to what God says, and I listen purposefully, I am going to follow what He says. Otherwise, I’m going to listen to other people and I’m going to be easily deceived and I’m going to drift into sin and then I’m going to make excuses for my sin.

4:38

If I’m going to learn to listen, I’ve got to get into the Word of God….if it contradicts the Word of God, God didn’t say it….The Word of God is the basis. If I’m going to listen to Him, I have to start with the Word of God.

5:16

Secondly, I must have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me to interpret…God speaks to His Spirit – the Holy Spirit Who speaks to our spirit - our mind our heart (as we would call it) and gives us instruction and helps us to see what’s going on….

Then there must be prayer. That is: if I’m going to learn to listen, I’ve got to talk to Him. And prayer is talking to Him and listening to Him. And so often, we spend all of our time doing the talking instead of listening.

Somebody says: “well, my goal is to read through the Bible in one year.” Wonderful goal, but let me say this: it is more important that you read a portion everyday and listen for God to speak to you and give you instruction and that you implant it within your soul, that you absorb it in your life. That you begin to say: “how can I live this out every day?” than just reading through it all in one year. That’s wonderful, but if you just happen to read, read, read so you can get through it – listen, that’s not the motivation of the Word of God. The motivation of the Word of God is change my life…

He speaks to us through circumstances….He works through circumstances. And so, something happens in your life and you think: “God, why did You allow this to happen?” or “what’s happening, Lord?” And often times it’s through circumstances that He guides us. He closes this door – opens this door. He shows us this and helps us to realize that this over here is error….

Sometimes He speaks to us through others….We have to often times listen to others about things….but here’s the bottom line: whenever God speaks, He never speaks in a way that contradicts His Word…Somebody says: “well, suppose they misinterpret a verse?” Ok, then, you just can’t pluck a verse out of context and say: “well, here’s what I think this means.” How does it fit the whole context of the Word of God?...There is a right interpretation. And that interpretation must fit what God has been teaching all down through the Scriptures.

10:20

There are requirements to listening to Him…We start with meditating on the Word of God…When I read a passage of Scripture and the next morning I’m still in that passage of Scripture, I know that God is trying to say something to me. There’s some passages that I’ve read for days and sometimes off and on for weeks and all of the sudden at some point I’ll say: “yes! I finally got it! Thank You, Jesus!”…God speaks to us when we are ready to hear Him…We get the message when we’ve done certain things.

12:22

Secondly, I must listen to Him prayerfully: “Father, what are You saying to me?” “Lord help me how to apply that to my life.”

13:19

With a submissive spirit: “whatever You say, God, enable me to abide by it.” …Purposeful listening – not passive. That is: if it’s purposeful, then what I want to do is grasp it, understand it, apply it to my heart and begin to try to walk it out. So I must listen with that in mind.

Then I must listen expectantly: expecting God to speak…Anticipate, expect God to speak to your spirit. You say: “well, I’m not perfect.”… Nowhere does He say: “you must be perfect to hear Me.” Now, if there is known, willful sin, I can tell you exactly what God is going to say…He’s going to keep pointing His finger right back to it….”you’ve got to get rid of that.”….

I have to listen submissively, listen intently, listen carefully, listen with purpose – expectantly…listen patiently….I’ve read the same passage over and over again until finally it all came clear. You say: “why would God do that?” Sometimes it’s because He wants to alter our thinking about something…He is maturing our faith and, as we listen to Him, what happens is: we become more and more confident, more and more courageous, more and more bold, more and more sure, more and more strength…

When you start listening, your life is going to change and secondly, you’re going to hear Him more often. Why? Because now that you’re willing to listen, God is ready to say what He wants to say to you…

18:04

If you value something else more than you know, and you value something else more than you value learning this awesome lesson, you may never learn it. We spend our time on things we value the most. We love those things we value the most. I don’t of anything any more important in life: listening to the God of this universe…Who has all power to meet every single need that I have, answer my prayers, give me direction, strengthen me, encourage me, help me, aid me, heal me, whatever. What’s more important than that? …Don’t you really and truly want to walk intimately with that kind of Person? You can, but first of all, you must learn to listen.

22:34

You get out the Word of God - you can either turn to your favorite passage or one you’ve never turned to before…And here’s what you do. You say: “Lord, I want to learn to listen to You. I choose to listen purposefully for You to speak to my heart in this passage…Lord, I’m committing myself today to learn how to listen to You. Because I want to be what You want me to be and I want to be to accomplish what You want me to accomplish. Lord, this is my heart’s desire. And I’m going to trust You to teach me, in Jesus Name.” Will He answer that prayer? Guaranteed, yes He will.

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intouch.org radio 8/10/16 "A Helper for all occasions - part 3"

3:18

Do you really and truly want to have a better understanding of the Word of God - say yes - I'm going to tell you how - you ready? Say amen. Number 1 - this isn't going to be what you think - "God, show me the sin in my life." You weren't expecting that, were you? Say amen, you weren't. "Show me the sin in my life so that I can repent of it, so that my heart can be clean, so the Spirit of God can speak to my clean heart, mind and spirit so I will have a deeper understanding of Your Word." Listen, God is not going to pour out truth to a dirty heart. Listen, He'll convict a dirty heart - He's not going to pour out truth into a dirty heart. Clean heart, pure heart, godly heart.

You want to understand God's Word? It takes two things: clean heart and dependence upon the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind - listen - watch this - if the Spirit of God illumines your mind to the truth and you don't apply it to your heart, don't come back the next day saying: "God, I want to have a deeper understanding - Lord, I just want to know more truth" - because you know what? He's going to say: "go back to the last passage. When you do that, I'll give you better understanding."

Just picking up - listen - this is not your normal book. This is the revelation of God. It has stipulations, regulations and listen, there are requirements for understanding this and it is not going to a theological seminary. This is not a normal book - this is God's revelation of Himself. And we understand It by the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. Then - listen - when that happens, and we're inspired in our heart to do what God wants us to do, then we are required of God to be obedient to Him to do exactly what He's shown us.

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Beside the Still Waters

4/10/16

(edited message)

With all your mind

God calls us to love Him with all our mind.

As long as our mind runs after carnal and worldly things, we cannot love God. A cleansed heart and a saved soul will love and cherish the One Who did the washing and delivering. A renewed mind will love the One Who restored it. That precious One is Jesus Christ, and we love Him because of all He has done for us.

An ancient sage said that an hour should not pass wherein we do not mention the Name of God in prayer. The secret here is to dwell in the secret place of the most High and to abide constantly under the shadow of His wings (Psalms 91:1,4). Our mind can then love the One in Whose care we live.

Christ promises to take up residence within us....With our mind we remember the things Jesus said as the Comforter brings them to us. With all our mind we can love God.

James Baer

To be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6)

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The Common Made Holy by Neil T. Anderson & Robert L. Saucy

p 183

Chapter 10

Making God’s Life-changing Truth Personal

p 184

Balancing the sanctification teeter-totter requires some delicate maneuvering. It is easy to see how the board can be tipped one way or the other if you look at the two extreme views of sanctification. Adopting either extreme will cause us to experience negative results in the process of conforming to the image of God; that’s why balance is so important.

One end of the teeter-totter emphasizes the past tense or positional aspects of sanctification and overlooks the progressive, present-tense instructions. The tendency is to claim holiness and overlook the reality of sin in our own personal lives and the necessity to assume responsibility for our growth. This can lead to a denial of our own imperfections, and we end up having to pretend that we have it all together.

The other teeter-totter emphasizes the progressive aspects of sanctification and overlooks Scripture’s more numerous references to the past-tense realities of sanctification. There are some people who don’t overlook these verses, but they treat them as if they were irrelevant to our present practical, present-day benefit. This orientation usually leads to a negative view of Christians and fails to see them as new creations in Christ. The result is believers who struggle all life long to become somebody they already are.

Humility in Christ is always found in the center of the board. Go to either end, however, and we’ll find pride. At one end of the board are those who think more highly of themselves than they ought (Romans 12:3). They say, “We’re already holy in Christ. We don’t need to concern ourselves with sin or growing toward holiness.”

Going to the other end of the board can lead to false humility. By insisting they are just sinners with desperately sick hearts, these people can claim their “humility” while at the same time have an excuse to continue in sin or have an explanation for why we still sin. But this professed humility is false. “Look how humble I am” is a subtle form of pride.

p 185

True humility is properly placed. We are to “glory in Christ Jesus, and…put no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3)……

Ironically, the people at both extremes have a tendency toward legalism. One group has to behave as though they are completely sanctified, which they believe they are. The other group emphasizes obedience to the commandments of Scripture…..To avoid the Galatian heresy (Galatians 3:1-5), we must understand that we are both saved by faith and perfected by faith.

Paul said, “I am confident of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NASB). We ought to have the same confidence that the seed which was sown in our hearts will bear fruit, and that we can present every person complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28). If truth is the means by which we are sanctified, then faith is the means by which truth is appropriated through thought and action.

p 190

Storing the Truth in Our Hearts

The faith that will actually change our character and consequently our behavior involves appropriating the truth in our hearts so that our faith is not just mental assent.

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Beside the Still waters

2/5/11

Owning nothing

(edited message)

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple - Luke 14:33

Am I a disciple of Jesus? Have I forsaken all that I have? Well, how can I forsake everything? Surely Jesus knows I must have a place to live. I must have a truck to drive to work. I must have some food in the freezer to eat. Surely Jesus didn't mean that I must forsake my wife and my son.

Being a disciple of Jesus is a heart decision, and to forsake everything is also a heart decision. In our hearts we must acknowledge that we do not own anything. Once we have told God that all we have is His, then we have forsaken all.

So then, all the things that we use every day are not ours, but God's. And He can do anything He wants to do with His things.

Your little child belongs to God. He is God's little child, and so all the hospital bills are God's hospital bills. No problem! "The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the LORD of hosts" (Haggai 2:8). He will see that our need is supplied.

As humans, we ask questions like Peter asked, "Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed Thee; what shall we have therefore?" (Matthew 19:27). And God says, "And every one that hath forsaken...for My Name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life" (Matthew 19:29).

Are you a disciple of Jesus? Ask your heart.

Daniel Allgyer

To forsake all is to inherit all.

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intouch.org radio 8/31/16

The requirements of servanthood

(summarized points of a message – not direct quotes)

1. Awareness – learn to be sensitive about those who need help, those who are hurting – don’t be self-centered.

2. Availability – take time to be there for others

3. Acceptance – don’t require people to “improve”or “clean up” before you help them. Be willing to forgive

4. Abiding - John chapter 15. John 15:4,5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. 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.

5. Abandonment – Deny self - John 12:24 – 26 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honour.

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intouch.org radio 9/1/16

The key to servanthood

(summarized points of a message and some direct quotes)

A true servant does not wait to be asked… The true servant discerns the need and goes to meet the need.

A true servant is not concerned about recognition/attention.

A true servant serves without the expectation of return. A true servant is satisfied and contented with the overwhelming sense of joy that comes by serving.

A true servant must learn to receive as well as give. A true servant must not be proud. A servant may be in a condition of needing the help of others because the Heavenly Father wants a true servant to understand how those who need help feel.

A true servant has to be willing to serve those who reject him or her. A true servant serves even when he or she is rejected, disliked and/or criticized.

A true servant doesn’t choose the people he or she serves, a true servant just serves as the Lord calls him or her.

Remember, whoever we serve, we are really serving Jesus Christ.

Remember, God honors those who serve.

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intouch.org TV Broadcast 9/2/16

Making wise decisions

(summarized points of a message)

A saint needs a plan when it comes to making wise decisions

Step 1: (clarification) Clear your heart of any known sin

Ask the Lord to show you if there is any sin in you that would keep you from hearing the truth.

Then confess to the Heavenly Father to agree that it is sin and then repent of the sin.

Step 2: Bring your desires to a position of neutrality.

"Lord, I want what You want" - saying this at first won't seem genuine or be effective in the face of your usual desires, but saying that continuously might change your mentality eventually.

"I'm willing to listen to You. God, what is Your will? What are You trying to say to me, Lord?"

"Lord, I really don't know what to do, but I want to know."

God will begin to work in your life.

Step 3: Have patience. Waiting for the answer allows God to get us ready for the answer.

Waiting is not simply to mark time, rather it is to live in a confident expectation and anticipation of God's actions on our behalf; to refuse to run ahead of Him, trying to solve our problems for ourselves.

Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

The Heavenly Father knows our emergencies and when we are ready for things. The Heavenly Father knows the things that need to change to make us ready to accept His answers to our situations. Our attitude might need to change first.

Step 4: Be alert to pressure. Be careful who you are listening to. Trust the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ above even close friends and family members. Others who love you might want something that seems good in their eyes for you that might not be truly the best for you.

Don't let internal expectations make you go off-track with worrying, etc.

Step 5: Persist in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing.

When the Heavenly Father does not answer when we expect Him to, the Heavenly Father is teaching us to trust Him. His delays are on purpose. The Heavenly Father's delays teach us to pray, listen to Him and trust Him.

Don't move ahead until you get direction.

Step 6: Rest in God's promise.

Reading the Word sifts our desires and builds our faith. Reading promises in the Word assures us to trust the Heavenly Father and be patient.

Step 7: Wait for His peace.

Colossians 3:15 let the peace of God rule in your hearts. And be thankful.

When you have the Heavenly Father's peace, you know that you have the answer to the situation.

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