My brothers and sisters in Christ, “Because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one, do not love the world, or the things of this world. For, if anyone loves the world, the love of God is not in him. For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are not of the Father, but of the world, and the world is passing away and the lust with it, but he who does the will of God abides forever.” Therefore, stand firm in your faith that you are born again, that you are born of God, and whatever is born of God has overcome the world, by faith we have gained the victory, I have overcome the world, you have overcome the world, therefore, let us be in the world but not be of the world. Praise the Lord!

God has done great things for all for us, but, how many are out there telling their friends and all who will hear, the greatness of the Lord? This should be our aim, to tell out our souls the greatness of the Lord, for the unnumbered blessings that we have received, so that others could believe, and have hope in the resurrected Lord. My brothers and sisters in Christ, God is not ashamed or will ever be ashamed of us, therefore, let us not be ashamed of him, let us not be afraid to share his good news, proclaim it from day to day, for what the Lord has done for me and for you, no one else was willing or able to do. Therefore, make known God’s might, and the deeds his arm has done, the proud hearts and stubborn wills that he has put to flight, the hungry he has fed, and the humble he has lifted high, the poor he has made rich, the lame he has made to walk, the sins he has forgiven, the pathways he has made clear, and for his mercy and goodness which is forever sure. There is so much that the Lord has done and continue to do for us. Why are we not telling out our souls, the greatness of the Lord? “Go home and tell your friends what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he had compassion on you.”

But then, indeed, when you did not know God you served those which by nature are not gods, but now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, why do you turn again to the weak and beggarly to be again in bondage? Galatians 4:8-9. I wonder, I wonder this morning, how many have been freed by God and have turned back to again be in bondage of sin? When you know God, when you have seen his handiwork, why would you turn to the weak and beggarly, to be again in bondage? My brothers and sisters in Christ, whom the Lord sets free is free indeed.  For when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Therefore, we are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, heirs of God through Christ. Let us serve Him and Him only faithfully.  Praise the Lord!

My brothers and sisters in Christ, what have you given in exchange for your soul? Is it a job, a house, a car, or friendship with the enemy? All of these things will not last, only what’s done for Christ will last. Therefore, seek after the things of God and his righteousness and all that you need will be added unto you. There are many who have nothing but peace and are happy, and there are those who have a piece of everything and are miserable. Which bracket are you in this morning. Better is a little with contentment, than great gains with trouble. I’d rather have Jesus that anything this world affords today. I will not give anything of this world in exchange for my soul, for what will it profit me if I gain the whole and lose my own soul?

My brothers and sisters in Christ, what it is that lies within you this morning that is threatening to defile you?  Out of the heart of man proceeds all kinds of evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, covetousness, thefts, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, jealousy, blasphemy, pride and foolish thoughts. All these comes from within us and defiles us. Scripture reminds us, that he who is well does not need a physician. But, are we well? No! We are all sick with the evils that lie within us. Do we what to be made well? My brothers and sisters in Christ, God does all things well. Will you join me this morning at the well, knowing that God already knows all that we are, and sees the evil that lies within us? God knows about our secret faults, God is able to create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us, God is able to say to us, “Thy sins be forgiven, go and sin no more.” Will you come to Jesus? Plead with me this morning. “Lord Jesus I long to be perfectly whole, I want thee forever to live in my soul, break down every idol, cast out every foe, Lord, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Thank you Lord!

We are a new creation, the old things have passed away and we have been born again. Therefore, we testify in the Lord, that we should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in  the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart, who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, and all works of uncleanness, but we have not so been taught of Christ, we have been taught truth by Him, so that we are able to put off concerning our former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Let no corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear. Praise the Lord!

How many of us are modern day Israelites? No matter how much God does for us, it is never enough; we test him at every turn, we rebel when he does not answer our prayers the way we expect him too, we trust in man, rather than trust in him, we continue to sin against him. My brothers and sisters in Christ, God’s spirit will not always strive with us. God has been sustaining us, he has satisfied our needs in parched places, he has delivered us from those who were too strong for us, he has healed us of our infirmities, he has fed us with spiritual food, he has provided food for our bodies, clothes on our backs, and roofs over our heads, but, just like the children of Israel, we cannot stop our cravings, we never seem to have enough, we continue to sin and rebel against God despite all that he has done, we have no faith in his wonderful works. Many of us are going to be like Moses, so close to the promised land and yet so far. Will you allow disobedience to God to cause you to lose out on his promised blessings?

There are many this morning who have heard the Gospel of Christ, but are yet to receive Him as Lord and Master of their lives, many who are struggling to let go and let God take control. Dear Lord, have compassion on all those who do not know you, bring them to remembrance of all that you have done and continue to do for them, make them long for your justice and your truth, and open their hearts to it, so that they may come to know you and accept you. Lord, turn the hearts of those who resist you, and bring home to your fold, all those who have gone astray, and make them one flock under one shepherd, in your holy name we pray, amen!

Heavenly Father, we are your children and you desire nothing but good for us, we are tested, we are tried, we are tempted, but we are confident that you will hold us up lest we fall, we may falter and we may stumble, but your right hand will hold us up. Thank you Lord, for this season of repentance, this season of fasting, this season of reflection, where we are so mindful of the sacrifice you made for us, the cross you bore so that we might be free, therefore, we will hope in your strength to see us through whatever we may face, and be assured, that you will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we could bear, but understand, that with every temptation, you will make a way for us to escape.  Thank you, Lord!

Dear God, we come before your throne of grace each day asking for forgiveness for our presumptuous sins which we commit from time to time. We justify the reasons for walking out of your will, we blame the temptations that we face, instead of admitting our weakness of heart, a heart which is deceptive, and ask you for strength in the face of all temptations. Help us to remember O Lord, that you were tempted, yet, you did not sin, your heart was clean and your spirit was right, bring us to that understanding Lord, create in us clean hearts and renew right spirits within us, so that we may be tempted, yet, not sin. Let us therefore commit to use this period of Lent as a time of new beginnings, to wipe the slate clean and begin afresh, for though our sins be scarlet, you O lord, can make them white as snow. Praise the Lord!