Joy Has Nothing To Do With Circumstances

Notes: Joy Has Nothing To Do With Circumstances

Pastor Levi Lusko

Proverbs 15: 15-17

June 17, 2018

Harvest OC

Fathers Day!

Eli’s first church service

1. The is a joy that has nothing to do with circumstances.

Proverbs 15:15 NLT

[15] For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

When we focus on a love for God and a love for people, it can make a feast out of any circumstances.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT

[17] Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, [18] yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

When we find our worth in God, He unlocks a joy inside us that will always let us find a blessing.

Acts 16:25 NLT

[25] Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

Paul and Silas had the ability to find joy even in prison.

2. There is a peace that can’t be purchased.

What is spent on your family, is not as important as what surrounds your family.

Even if you have the fatted calf, you may not be there to enjoy it.

Proverbs 17:1 NLT

[1] Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house filled with feasting-and conflict.

3. There is a power worth fighting for.

The best thing you can do is have your children see you.

Pastor Greg gives us a great example.

Proverbs 20:7 NLT

[7] The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them.

Fight for the power for integrity and example.

4. There is a hope that can not be overcome

We are not only teaching our kids how to live, but how to die.

Luke 23:46 NLT

[46] Then Jesus shouted, "Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!" And with those words he breathed his last.

That during Jesus’ time was a common bedtime prayer.

It’s a Gift of God to Celebrate

Notes:It’s a gift of God to celebrate.
Pastor Mike Jonker
Harvest OC
May 1, 2018
Esther 9 and 10

There’s an urgency to be obedient to God. Time moves on.

Esther 9:1 NKJV
[1] Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month of Adar, on the thirteenth day, the time came for the king's command and his decree to be executed. On the day that the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the opposite occurred, in that the Jews themselves overpowered those who hated them.

Esther, a Jewish girl, became the queen of Persia.

Haman tried to genocide the Jews. That never happened, what man meant for evil. God meant for good.

Esther 9:2-3 NKJV
[2] The Jews gathered together in their cities throughout all the provinces of King Ahasuerus to lay hands on those who sought their harm. And no one could withstand them, because fear of them fell upon all people. [3] And all the officials of the provinces, the satraps, the governors, and all those doing the king's work, helped the Jews, because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.

1. God can turn things around.

As believers we are instructed to love God’s people.

Sometimes there is an unnatural hatred towards God’s chosen people.

Israel has been attacked even in recent history. Just recently Israel shot down Iranian drones. Just in the last couple days, Israel has proof that Iran is violating their peace treaty.

God is the redeemer, He will turn things around.

Ephesians 1:7 NKJV
[7] In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV
[19] Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? [20] For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

God wants to be glorified through our lives.

God will always do his part, we need to do our part.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
[14] if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

That’s a promise.

Joshua 24:15 NKJV
[15] And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 NKJV
[5] You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. [6] "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Ephesians 5:25-28 NKJV
[25] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, [26] that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, [27] that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. [28] So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

Malachi 3:10 NKJV
[10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.

Honor the Lord, God’s way.

James 2:17-18 NKJV
[17] Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. [18] But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Esther 9:4-5 NKJV
[4] For Mordecai was great in the king's palace, and his fame spread throughout all the provinces; for this man Mordecai became increasingly prominent. [5] Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them.

2. God will be strong on our behalf

God has the power.

We have the greatest power protecting us.

1 Peter 1:5 NKJV
[5] who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV
[3] as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, [4] by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Acts 1:8 NKJV
[8] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

We need God’s power in our live.

3. There is a judgement

Esther 9:5-10 NKJV
[5] Thus the Jews defeated all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, with slaughter and destruction, and did what they pleased with those who hated them. [6] And in Shushan the citadel the Jews killed and destroyed five hundred men. [7] Also Parshandatha, Dalphon, Aspatha, [8] Poratha, Adalia, Aridatha, [9] Parmashta, Arisai, Aridai, and Vajezatha- [10] the ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews-they killed; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder.

Isaiah 51:5 NKJV
[5] My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait upon Me, And on My arm they will trust.

There will be a judgement.

Revelation 22:12 NKJV
[12] "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Colossians 2:16-17 NKJV
[16] So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, [17] which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Esther 9:11-17 NKJV
[11] On that day the number of those who were killed in Shushan the citadel was brought to the king. [12] And the king said to Queen Esther, "The Jews have killed and destroyed five hundred men in Shushan the citadel, and the ten sons of Haman. What have they done in the rest of the king's provinces? Now what is your petition? It shall be granted to you. Or what is your further request? It shall be done." [13] Then Esther said, "If it pleases the king, let it be granted to the Jews who are in Shushan to do again tomorrow according to today's decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged on the gallows." [14] So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman's ten sons. [15] And the Jews who were in Shushan gathered together again on the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and killed three hundred men at Shushan; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. [16] The remainder of the Jews in the king's provinces gathered together and protected their lives, had rest from their enemies, and killed seventy-five thousand of their enemies; but they did not lay a hand on the plunder. [17] This was on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. And on the fourteenth of the month they rested and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

4. There is a time to enjoy and celebrate 

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 NKJV
[12] I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, [13] and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor-it is the gift of God.

It’s a gift of God to celebrate.

Staying Cool When Things Get Hot

Notes: Staying Cool When Things Get Hot
Greg Laurie
End of Days
Sunday, April 29, 2018


Daniel 3:14-18 NLT
[14] Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you refuse to serve my gods or to worship the gold statue I have set up? [15] I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" [16] Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. [17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. [18] But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up."

It’s never good to challenge God to a fight. You will always lose.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were kept being told to worship. They would never bow down because you will end up serving what you worship.

Luke 4:8 NLT
[8] Jesus replied, "The Scriptures say, 'You must worship the LORD your God and serve only him.'"

One decision can lead to a lifetime of regret.

A lifetime of service comes from a moment of worship. Be careful what altar you bow down to.

Many will start at the altar of marijuana. It starts small and always get big.

Be strong in the small things now so you have the strength for the big things later.

Better to burn on earth and bow in Heaven than to bow on earth and burn in hell.

Daniel 3:17-25 NLT
[17] If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. [18] But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." [19] Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. [20] Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. [21] So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. [22] And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. [23] So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. [24] But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied. [25] "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!"

I believe it was Jesus Christ walking in the furnace with them, it was a Christophiny 

Hebrews 13:5 NLT
[5] Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

James 1:2-4 NLT
[2] Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. [3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. [4] So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Why does God allow trials? God allows trials in our lives so we will grow spiritually. Trials help us grow stronger.

Trials will provide strength that good times can not produce.

James 1:3 NLT
[3] For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

If you want to grow spiritually then you have to get through trials. If you pray for a blessing sometimes God will give you a trial, which in the future can produce a blessing.

We will all be pressured to bow before some idol in life.

An idol is anything or anyone that takes the place of God in your life.

A statute, a car, a cell phone, a job, lots of things can be an idol.

As you stand up for God, He will stand up for you.

Hell or Heaven is a choice we make in this life. I believe I am going to Heaven one day, are you coming with me?

Do you have that hope?

God is Never Late, He Will Vindicate

Notes: God is Never Late, He Will Vindicate
Pastor Jason Powell
Harvest OC
4/17/18

We go through spiritual attacks.
Satan would  have you feel you’re alone.

When God is your defense, you don’t need to be so defensive. God loves and protects His people.

God is never late, He will vindicate.

Esther 7:1-10 NKJV
[1] So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther. [2] And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!"

[3] Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. [4] For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss."

[5] So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?"

[6] And Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman!" So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.

[7] Then the king arose in his wrath from the banquet of wine and went into the palace garden; but Haman stood before Queen Esther, pleading for his life, for he saw that evil was determined against him by the king. [8] When the king returned from the palace garden to the place of the banquet of wine, Haman had fallen across the couch where Esther was. Then the king said, "Will he also assault the queen while I am in the house?"

As the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. [9] Now Harbonah, one of the eunuchs, said to the king, "Look! The gallows, fifty cubits high, which Haman made for Mordecai, who spoke good on the king's behalf, is standing at the house of Haman."

Then the king said, "Hang him on it!"

[10] So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king's wrath subsided.

What Esther did, is what you should do in your life.

Esther stood for truth.

Silence is agreeing with what is happening around you.

What makes a person like Esther? She stood while others may have shied away.

Cowardice is caring  more about man’s approval than God’s approval.

Knowing a great God inspires great confidence.

One confident voice in truth will inspire others.

Great leaders have great resolve.

World changers are truth tellers.

Many men have a plan, but God has the power!

Proverbs 26:27 NKJV
[27] Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

God will be standing in the final court we will all enter.

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV
[12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:2 NKJV
[2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience

The enemy is real. Satan is out to wreck your life.

Why does God allow this?
1. To keep us humble
2. To build your faith: “God I trust you”
3. It teaches us compassion

God has our backs... Haman was hung in the end.

When you know God will set it right, you don’t need to lose sleep over it.

God sees your situation and promises to step in.

Satan is on a leash and has a future judgement coming.

God is on the throne!

We are in the protective custody of God.

Dream On!

Notes: Dream On!
Greg Laurie
End of Days - Book of Daniel
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Daniel 1, Daniel 2
Music: Harvest Worship Band

https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/webcast/watch/dream-on

Peace in the Middle East. Will that ever happen? Yes and no.

The U.S. is in a conflict with Syria now. If Russia is modern day Magog, then we should be paying attention.

Daniel is the Old Testament counterpart to the book of Revelation in the New Testament. 

Daniel teaches us to live a Godly life in an Ungodly place.

Romans 13:12-14 NLT
[12] The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. [13] Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. [14] Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Daniel helped us with living with character. 

You are being put to a test all the time. 

1. These men had purpose and conviction

Daniel 1:8 NLT
[8] But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

2. Little compromises turn into big problems.

4. God will bless you when you make a stand for Him

Proverbs 16:7 NLT
[7] When people's lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

A little with God is better than much without Him.

Compare notes 40 years from now as a child of God with a nonbeliever.

You will be a happier person if you walk with God.

Daniel 1:21 NLT
[21] Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.

His whole life, no one had a negative thing to say about Daniel.

Like Billy Graham he lived 99 years. The evening of your life is determined by the morning of it.

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of the future. 

Daniel 2:8-11 NLT
[8] The king replied, "I know what you are doing! You're stalling for time because you know I am serious when I say, [9] 'If you don't tell me the dream, you are doomed.' So you have conspired to tell me lies, hoping I will change my mind. But tell me the dream, and then I'll know that you can tell me what it means." [10] The astrologers replied to the king, "No one on earth can tell the king his dream! And no king, however great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, enchanter, or astrologer! [11] The king's demand is impossible. No one except the gods can tell you your dream, and they do not live here among people."

Daniel 2:17-19 NLT
[17] Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah what had happened. [18] He urged them to ask the God of heaven to show them his mercy by telling them the secret, so they would not be executed along with the other wise men of Babylon. [19] That night the secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven.

What should you do about a hardship... pray!

Lots of prayer, like Esther or Nehemiah.

The believer has a better handle on what is going on in the world toady than many experts, because we know what the Bible says.

Daniel 2:27-30 NLT
[27] Daniel replied, "There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians, or fortune-tellers who can reveal the king's secret. [28] But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future. Now I will tell you your dream and the visions you saw as you lay on your bed. [29] "While Your Majesty was sleeping, you dreamed about coming events. He who reveals secrets has shown you what is going to happen. [30] And it is not because I am wiser than anyone else that I know the secret of your dream, but because God wants you to understand what was in your heart.

Joseph from Genesis was an example available to Daniel.

The word of God will help us know the will of God.  Build your foundation on God’s word.

1. It had a head of Goal.

That is Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom.

His dream starts with Babylon and ends with the antichrist.

Daniel 2:44 NLT
[44] "During the reigns of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed or conquered. It will crush all these kingdoms into nothingness, and it will stand forever.

1. We win in the end.

Romans 11:15 NLT
[15] For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!

2. When crisis hits we need to pray.

3. We need to hold our course to the very end.

Pastor Chuck said we should “hold the course.”

4. We should be people of character and purpose.

Daniel 1:8 NLT
[8] But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.

Dare to be a Daniel.

My purpose is to know God and follow God and making Him know.

Do you know God?

Pride the Dangerous Sin

Notes: Pride the Dangerous Sin
Esther 6
Pastor John Collins
Harvest OC
4/3/2018

Lives can be radically changed by Christ. People find Christ in so many amazing ways.

This chapter God gets the attention of the king when he can’t sleep. 

Mordecai’s good deeds were told to the king that night.

Mordecai and Esther put their future in God’s hands. Xerxes and Haman try to control their own destiny.


Esther 6:1-5 NLT
[1] That night the king had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him. [2] In those records he discovered an account of how Mordecai had exposed the plot of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the eunuchs who guarded the door to the king's private quarters. They had plotted to assassinate King Xerxes.

[3] "What reward or recognition did we ever give Mordecai for this?" the king asked. 

His attendants replied, "Nothing has been done for him." 

[4] "Who is that in the outer court?" the king inquired. As it happened, Haman had just arrived in the outer court of the palace to ask the king to impale Mordecai on the pole he had prepared. 

[5] So the attendants replied to the king, "Haman is out in the court."
"Bring him in," the king ordered.

God sometimes will use time to work in our lives. Timing can be everything.

God always shows up just at the right time.

All of God’s delays are His maturing.

God uses the intentions of men in His own plans.

Esther 6:6-9 NLT
[6] So Haman came in, and the king said, "What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?" 

Haman thought to himself, "Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?" [7] So he replied, "If the king wishes to honor someone, [8] he should bring out one of the king's own royal robes, as well as a horse that the king himself has ridden-one with a royal emblem on its head. [9] Let the robes and the horse be handed over to one of the king's most noble officials. And let him see that the man whom the king wishes to honor is dressed in the king's robes and led through the city square on the king's horse. Have the official shout as they go, 'This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!'"

Proverbs 16:18 NLT
[18] Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

Haman’s fall is gong to be fast and hard.

Pride is a dangerous sin. The best way to avoid it is to recognize it.

Esther 6:10-14 NLT
[10] "Excellent!" the king said to Haman. "Quick! Take the robes and my horse, and do just as you have said for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the gate of the palace. Leave out nothing you have suggested!" 

[11] So Haman took the robes and put them on Mordecai, placed him on the king's own horse, and led him through the city square, shouting, "This is what the king does for someone he wishes to honor!" [12] Afterward Mordecai returned to the palace gate, but Haman hurried home dejected and completely humiliated. 

[13] When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, "Since Mordecai-this man who has humiliated you-is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him." 

[14] While they were still talking, the king's eunuchs arrived and quickly took Haman to the banquet Esther had prepared.

Give a prideful man enough rope and he will hang himself with it.

Haman was building his own gallows.

God was protecting His own people.

If God is for us, who can be against us.

Humble Brag

Notes: Humble Brag

Pastor Adam Eaton

Esther 5

Harvest OC

Valor

Haman,’s life

Proverbs 16:18 NKJV

[18] Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

Psalm 7:14-16 NKJV

[14] Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. [15] He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made. [16] His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown.

Esther 5:1-5 NKJV

[1] Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. [2] So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. [3] And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you-up to half the kingdom!" [4] So Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him." [5] Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

Philippians 2:3-5 NKJV

[3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. [5] Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

A humble person puts the needs of others in front of their own.

Romans 12:3 NKJV

[3] For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1 Timothy 6:6-7,11 NKJV

[6] Now godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [11] But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Proverbs 8:14,17 NKJV

[14] Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. [17] I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me.

2 Timothy 2:16-17 NKJV

[16] But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. [17] And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,

Proverbs 26:12 NKJV

[12] Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

James 3:14-16 NKJV

[14] But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. [16] For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Revelation 3:17-19 NKJV

[17] Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'-and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked- [18] I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 NKJV

[4] Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; [5] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; [6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV

[3] Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

James 4:6-8 NKJV

[6] But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." [7] Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. [8] Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

You Reap What You Sow

Notes: You Reap What You Sow

Greg Laurie

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Esther 5

Music: Harvest Worship Band

https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/webcast/watch/you-reap-what-you-sow

Esther 4:15-16 NKJV

[15] Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: [16] "Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!"

Esther was wisely waiting for the right time and the right place to approach the king.

Esther 5:1-8 NKJV

[1] Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. [2] So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in his hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. [3] And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you-up to half the kingdom!" [4] So Esther answered, "If it pleases the king, let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for him." [5] Then the king said, "Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said." So the king and Haman went to the banquet that Esther had prepared. [6] At the banquet of wine the king said to Esther, "What is your petition? It shall be granted you. What is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!" [7] Then Esther answered and said, "My petition and request is this: [8] If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, then let the king and Haman come to the banquet which I will prepare for them, and tomorrow I will do as the king has said."

Why God Chose You - If You Knew the Future

Notes: Why God Chose You - If You Knew the Future 
Pastor Greg
Esther 3
https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/webcast/watch/why-god-chose-you

Jesus chose Peter even though He knew already that Peter would let Him down. Peter came back stronger.

Esther 3:5-6 NLT
[5] When Haman saw that Mordecai would not bow down or show him respect, he was filled with rage. [6] He had learned of Mordecai's nationality, so he decided it was not enough to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Instead, he looked for a way to destroy all the Jews throughout the entire empire of Xerxes.

Today Iran wants to wipe Israel off the planet. Haman’s plan is something that happens over and over in history.

Esther could not stay isolated.

Esther 4:13-14 NLT
[13] Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: "Don't think for a moment that because you're in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. [14] If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?"

God does not need us. 

God wants us because loves us.

He reaches others through us.

Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT
[4] Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. [5] God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Before the world was made, God chose us.

He didn’t choose us because of us. He chose us in spite of us.

Try to explain election and you may lose your mind, try to explain it away and you may lose your soul.

God says He loves the world, not the elect.

Romans 5:6-8 NLT
[6] When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. [7] Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. [8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Whether we like it or not, the Bible teaches predestination and free will.

“The Whosoever wills are the elect, the whosever wonts are the non elect.” - D.L. Moody

Romans 10:13 NLT
[13] For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."

John 11:26 NLT
[26] Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?"

Ephesians 1:5 NLT
[5] God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 1:6 NLT
[6] So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.

John 17:22-23 NLT
[22] "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. [23] I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

On the cross God, the Father, treated His Son as if He committed all the sons of All of us.