Album Party Faith Has A Voice

ALBUM PARTY

NOVEMBER 10TH

SATURDAY

3:00 pm

at

LIFE Church and Training Center

5895 E. Thompson Rd.

Indpls., IN 46237

317-786-5460

FAITH HAS A VOICE

Peace in Uncertain Times

How to Have Peace in Uncertain Times

                Ever have those times where things seem out of control? Where everything in your life seems to just go wrong?  You try and fix the situation and it seems like it gets worse. This is where we tend to get stressed and anxious about what we perceive as problems. Combine that with satan whispering all sorts of lies to you and you've got a hot mess on your hands. That’s when you’re most vulnerable to be deceived by the devil.

How do you keep from getting to a point of worry and stress? Simple, by casting your cares on Him because He cares for you (1^st Peter 5:7). I have had people tell me, “Well Pastor Ben, I tried that and I still worry.”  Well that’s impossible, if you truly cast your cares to the Lord. Proverbs 16:3 says “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” The word commit literally means to roll or to roll away.

When you roll all your heavy burdens to the Lord and truly trust Him with it, your mind will be at peace knowing your God works everything out for the good of those who love Him. How do you get to the point of trusting God like that? Know who He is. Know that God is your strength, your rock, your fortress, your deliverer and your shield (Psalm 18:1-3). He will never leave nor forsake you, and is able to deliver you with a great deliverance (Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm18:50). This is how you have peace in uncertain times.

                                  

Change

Change is Good.

As we approach our church wide day of prayer on September 29^th .   I have been examining myself for areas where God wants me to make changes.  The basis of this is really wanting a closer relationship with God. Growing up, I had always heard change was a bad thing. I developed the mindset that resisted change.

Recently, I heard a story of a snake that escaped its cage at a local school. Despite efforts by school officials and the animal control agency to find the snake, it was nowhere to be found.  Someone decided to leave the cage door open and turn the heat rock back on. The snake returned.  Many times, we behave the same way. We find a comfort zone and park ourselves there. We may venture out but usually return to what is familiar or comfortable.

The Bible teaches us that God wants us to change to be like Him.

Ephesians 4:22 – 23 says : That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 The word renewed in verse 23 means to “renovate”.   I have to examine the way I think, my beliefs and behaviors. If they don’t line up with the Word of God, I am are required to change.  That is serious renovation or change.

So how did I begin the process? During Sunday church service we were told to routinely say,” I believe God, I belong to God, I serve God”  I also added “ I love God.”  We were also instructed to start saying, “Without Him, I can do nothing, know nothing, have nothing.”

I began to say those things, then I would ask God to show me where I had pride in my life that would prevent me from seeing areas that needed renovation.  I would sit quietly and listen for instruction.  God started showing me where I needed to change. 

 Changing a lot of times is simply saying, God you’re right, forgive me, I repent of that. Instead of that wrong behavior or belief,  I replace that with Your Truth and the power of your Holy Spirit then I move on. 

The change brings peace, freedom, and a closer relationship with Him, the Creator of the universe. All because He loves us and gave His best for us.

He wants us all to be more like Him.  Let’s step out of our comfort zone, and live recklessly for God.

                                   

Isaiah 44

“This is what the Lord says—

Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:

I am the first and I am the last;

apart from me there is no God.
Isaiah 44:6

Do not tremble, do not be afraid.

Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?

You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?

No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
Isaiah 44:8