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How Much is Too Much to Ask God For - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2009-01-18T10:30:00.001-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday January 18, 2009
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR

INTRODUCTION: We’re in Day 8 of 21 Days of Fasting and Prayer. Since the beginning of the New Year we’ve been focusing on prayer in our Sunday messages.
Let’s review some scriptures that we’ve already looked at.
Matthew 6:6- “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 7:7-11
John 14:13,14- “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
James 4:2- “…….You do not have because you do not ask God.”
1John 5:14,15- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
1John 3:21,22- “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.”
Something happens when we pray that only happens when we pray! God says ASK!
God has chosen to work through mankind for His will to be accomplished on the earth. The vehicle in which God has chosen for His will to be accomplished through man is PRAYER!
Matthew 6:10- “your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Something happens when we pray that only happens when we pray. God says ASK!
TRANSITION: This leads to an interesting question that the Holy Spirit dropped in my heart. (When God ask you a question it’s not because He doesn’t know and needs you to answer.)
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR?
Ephesians 3:20(AMP)- “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] Ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams.]”
Whatever you can think to ask God for, He can do more!
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR?
If something happens when we pray that only happens when we pray, and God can do much more than we could ever ask or think, I wonder how many of our prayers are actually limiting God?
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR?
TRANSITION: Why do we pray prayers that limit God or pray “small” prayers?

I. WE FILTER OUR PRAYERS THROUGH OUR OWN INABILITY
Exodus 3:11-14
Moses says “Who am I?” He’s focused on his own lack of ability.
“There was something more than humility here; there was a tone of self-depreciation which was inconsistent with a true faith in God’s selection and appointment. Surely it is God’s business to choose His special instruments; and when we are persuaded that we are in the line of His purpose, we have no right to question the wisdom of His appointment. To do so is to depreciate His wisdom or to doubt His power and willingness to become all that is necessary to complete our need.”
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR?
When the prayers you pray are filtered through your own ability or inability, God’s power is limited.
But when your prayers are filtered through God’s ability there are no limits!
TRANSITION: Why do we pray “small” prayers?

II. WE FILTER OUR PRAYERS THROUGH OTHER PEOPLES INABILITY
1Kings 17:7-16
Thank God that Elijah didn’t focus on this woman’s inability to meet his need. But if not careful we’ll look at the people around us and focus on there inabilities.
Instead we should focus on what God can do through them!
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR?
When the prayers we pray are filtered through other people’s inability, God’s power is limited.
But when your prayers are filtered through God’s ability and what He can do through someone, there are no limits.
Luke 1:37- “For nothing is impossible with God.”
TRANSITION: Why do we pray “small” prayers?

III. WE FILTER OUR PRAYERS THROUGH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES
Genesis 18:9-14
Sarah laughed when the Lord told her she was going to have a baby. She was focused on her circumstances.
Many times we focus more on our circumstances than God’s power and we limit God.
“IS ANYTHING TO HARD FOR GOD?”
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR?

CONCLUSION:
Mark 11:22-24
What produces the doubt? (1) When we focus on our own inability (2) When we focus on other peoples inability (3) When we focus on our circumstances.
What produces faith? When we focus on God and His unlimited ability!
Ephesians 3:20- “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD FOR
PASS OUT PRAYER REQUEST FORMS

Forgiving Others - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2009-01-11T10:30:00.000-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday January 11, 2009
FORGIVING OTHERS

INTRODUCTION: Have you ever been hurt by someone? Have you ever hurt someone?
Hurt people, hurt people!
I’ve been around people that anywhere they went they were always hurting people and getting hurt. Without exception these people were hurting deep down.
Today we’re talking about FORGIVING OTHERS!

TWO MAJOR THINGS THAT HINDER OUR WALK WITH GOD AND KEEP US FROM RECEIVING FROM GOD
1. We don’t feel forgiven by God. There’s always a guilt factor involved.
Romans 8:1- “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…”
2. Not forgiving others the way you want God to forgive you.
When you live in the world of these two points you’re always looking back at your mistakes or the mistakes of others.
GOD SAYS, “LOOK FORWARD!”
Philippians 3:13,14- “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
There’s a reason your windshield is bigger than the rear view mirror in your vehicle.
GOD SAYS, “LOOK FORWARD!”
Jesus Christ our Lord is very good at forgiving and He set the standard high. While in agony on the cross, bleeding from all over His body, with stakes in hands and feet and stripes on His back He said, “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing.”
JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT FORGIVENESS
Matthew 18:21-35
Ten Thousand talents- 12 million dollars
A hundred denarii- 17 dollars
The servant choked the man because it was Roman law.

3 THINGS TO REMEMBER CONCERNING FORGIVING OTHERS
1. REMEMBER YOU’VE BEEN FORGIVEN
Maybe this servant didn’t forgive the other for such a small debt because he didn’t feel forgiven. Maybe he was still eaten up with guilt. Maybe he feeling condemned. Hurting people hurt people.
You can’t give something away you don’t have yourself!
I’ve had Christians tell me they just can’t stand another Christian. Maybe that’s because deep down they can’t stand themselves.
Remember you’ve been forgiven!
2. RESENTMENT DOESN’T WORK
It didn’t work for this servant. He was cast in prison himself.
How many people are in a self-imposed prison because of resentment? They’ve built the prison, put themselves in the cell and locked the door. They hold the key to being set free and don’t even know it!
Resentment doesn’t work!
3. FORGIVENESS GIVEN IS FORGIVENESS RECEIVED
Matthew 6:14,15- “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? JUST WHAT IT SAYS!

TWO THINGS FORGIVENESS IS NOT
1. Forgiveness is not reducing the devastation of the offense.
Genesis 50:20- “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Joseph didn’t reduce the devastation of the offense. But he did maximize God!
2. Forgiveness is not trust.
Forgive and forget is not in the Bible!
It may take years to rebuild trust but forgiveness is in an instant!
God knows what happens to you when you live in a world of resentment.

HOW TO GET OUT OF UNFORGIVENESS
1. ACKNOWLEDGE MY OWN IMPERFECTIONS
How many of us have ever hurt others? Many times we forget that when it comes to forgiving those who hurt us.
We must humble ourselves and remember our own imperfections.
You are not designed by God to live life alone!
Ecclesiastes 7:20(NLT) “There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.”
2. ABANDON MY RIGHT TO GET EVEN
We think resentment is between us and the other person. But it displays itself best when we’re around others.
Ephesians 4:31,32- “Get rid of all bitterness rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
3. APPLY GOD’S GRACE TO MY LIFE AND FUTURE
Romans 5:20- “…But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”
God’s grace is more powerful than the hurt you experienced!

CONCLUSION: TWO MAJOR THINGS THAT HINDER OUR WALK WITH GOD:
1. We don’t feel forgiven by God
2. We haven’t forgiven someone that’s hurt us.
DOES EITHER OF THESE APPLY TO YOR LIFE?
TODAY IS THE DAY TO TAKE THE KEY AND UNLOCK THE PRISON DOOR AND EXPERIENCE FREEDOM!

A Lifestyle of Prayer - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2009-01-07T19:00:00.000-06:00

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The Secret to Answered Prayer - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2009-01-04T10:30:00.001-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday January 4, 2009
THE SECRET OF ANSWERED PRAYER

INTRODUCTION: Through these series of messages I believe the Holy Spirit is preparing our church for 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting.
Remember we are joining with many churches across America for “Awake 21.” Twenty One days of prayer and fasting that will begin January 11 and end January 31.
Last week we talked about “The secret of Prayer, Alone with God.” The following was our text.
Matthew 6:6- “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
We learned last week that God expects us to pray and He wants to be alone with us in prayer.
The first thing Jesus taught His disciples about prayer is that they needed to be alone with our Father or in what we call the secret place.
The secret place is where God is waiting on us and it’s where He will be found.
You and I will never discover the “good gifts” our Father has for us until we discover the secret place of prayer.
WHAT ARE THE GOOD GIFTS I’M TALKING ABOUT? This question leads to our text for today and our topic, “THE SECRET OF ANSWERED PRAYER.”
Matthew 7:7-11
I’m absolutely convinced that our Heavenly Father answers prayer and He loves to give good gifts to His children!
God not only answers prayer but He loves to answer prayer. He desires to answer our prayers that’s why He says “ASK.”
WHAT KIND OF FATHER TELLS HIS CHILDREN TO ASK IF HE DOESN’T INTEND TO ANSWER?
John 16:23,24- “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
Doesn’t joy just explode in your heart when you’ve been praying for something and God answers?
1John 5:14,15- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
GOD NOT ONLY ANSWERS PRAYER BUT HE LOVES TO ANSWER PRAYER!

THE SECRET OF ANSWERED PRAYER
1Samuel 30:1-8, 18-20
David prayed, God answered and David recovered all that had been stolen.
BY THE WAY DAVID PRAYED A NOW PRAYER! GOD WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO RIGHT NOW?
I believe David’s answer to prayer was not only a result of him asking but also a result of what he did before he asked!
1Samuel 30:7- “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, Bring me the ephod. Abiathar brought it to him.”
The ephod was part of the garments the priest had to wear when they performed their priestly duties in the temple of God.
Exodus 28:1-7
The Ephod was two pieces joined together at the shoulder. Two shoulder pieces attached to two of its corners.
The number two in the Bible symbolizes Fellowship or Union with Christ.
To pieces joined together!
When David put on the Ephod it represented his heart that was joined together in Fellowship and Union with God!
Before David ever prayed this prayer he already had secret place of prayer in his heart where he met with God.

THE SECRET TO ANSWERED PRAYER IS THE CONDITION OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD BEFORE YOU PRAY.
When we are joined together in relationship with our Heavenly Father we can experience the “good gifts He loves to give us.
John 15:7- “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.”
When David put on that Ephod it represented his heart of fellowship and union with God.
Matthew 15:8,9- “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”
TRANSITION: Before David prayed he put on the Ephod. He had a heart that was already in fellowship with God.
Maybe your heart is far from God today. Before you leave this service it can be close to God.
The second thing the Ephod represented that is a secret to answered prayer.
Whoever wore the Ephod was set apart to serve God!
Exodus 28:2,3 (NLT)- “ Make special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God-beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work. Instruct all those who have special skills as tailors to make the garments that will set Aaron apart from everyone else, so he may serve me as priest.”
What was David saying when he put on the Ephod before he prayed? God I’m set apart to serve you. My heart is set apart to serve God! God my heart, my life belongs to you. I’m here on this earth to serve you.
GOD, SINCE I’M SET APART TO SERVE YOU, WHATEVER YOUR WILL IS, THAT’S WHAT I’LL DO!
BEFORE I’M THE ANOINTED KING, BEFORE I’M THE LEADER OF THESE MEN, I’M YOUR SERVANT!
FIRST AND FOREMOST I BELONG TO YOU GOD.
Galatians 1:10- “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
1John 3:21,22- “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases Him.”
Our heart is set apart to serve God!
CONCLUSION: 1Peter 2:5-9
The secret to answered prayer is to have a heart that is in fellowship with our heavenly Father and a heart that is set apart to serve Him!
Let’s pray

Alone With God - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-12-28T10:30:00.000-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday December 28, 2008
THE SECRET OF PRAYER
Alone with God

INTRODUCTION: For the next few Sunday’s we’re going to be talking about prayer and fasting in preparation for the 21 days of prayer and fasting.
No better way to close out 2008 than discovering how we can be close to God. No better way to enter 2009 than talking about how we can be close to God and put Him first in or lives.
My goal is not to make you feel guilty because you do not spend enough time in prayer or any time in prayer. My goal is to entice you to pray!
Entice- to set afire, excite, to attract by offering hope of a reward or pleasure.
OUR KEY SCRIPTURES FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
Matthew 6:6
Matthew 7:7-11
Now these scriptures come from what we know as the “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew chapters 5-7.
Matthew 5:1,2- “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and He began to teach them…”
Jesus begins to teach them all about the life and the laws of the Kingdom of God. Who better to do the teaching than the King of the Kingdom.
Now it’s important to note that this is Jesus first public teaching after beginning His public ministry. You might say He laying some foundational teachings of the Kingdom of God.
These are some very important teachings relating to your life in the Kingdom.
How appropriate it is for Jesus in chapter 6 of Matthew to begin to teach about prayer. Because the Kingdom of God is more than just rules and regulations. It’s more than a bunch of laws to follow. Being part of the Kingdom of God has everything to do with a relationship with God which comes through prayer.
WHO BETTER TO TEACH ON PRAYER THAN JESUS
Luke 11:1- “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray…”
WHO BETTER TO TEACH US TO PRAY! Jesus practiced prayer and modeled it before His disciples.
No one can teach like Jesus! There is no better teacher and Jesus teaching is never flawed!
TRANSITION: With this in mind let’s go back to Matthew 6:6.
Keep in mind this is Jesus first mention of prayer in His teachings. This is the first thing on the mind of Christ when He teaches His disciples and others concerning prayer.
Matthew 6:6 (NLT) – “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Then your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”
TRANSITION: What can we learn from this teaching of Christ?

I. GOD EXPECTS US TO PRAY
Jesus said, “When you pray..” Again He is our perfect example.
Luke 3:21- “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as He was praying, heaven was opened.”
Philippians 4:6- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The manifestation of a prayerless life is anxiety.
The manifestation of a prayerful life is peace.
Ephesians 6:18- “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
TRANSITION: God expects us to pray! “But when you pray!” But I believe there’s a missing ingredient in many of our prayer lives.
Matthew 6:6- (NLT) “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father secretly. Your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you.”

II. GOD WANTS TO BE ALONE WITH YOU IN PRAYER
The first thing Jesus taught His disciples about prayer is that they must have a secret place for prayer.
The secret place is where God is waiting on us and it’s where He will be found!
Listen! Father God is waiting on you and me in the secret place.
You and I will never discover the “good gifts” the Father has for us until we discover the secret place of prayer!
Again Jesus is the perfect instructor when it comes to being alone with Father God.
Mark 1:35- “The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray.”
LET’S BE HONEST! Many of us pray on the go! That’s not a bad thing but we’re missing out on a very valuable and precious part of our relationship with Father God.
A few years ago there seemed to be a lot of strife in my marriage. Jeanie and I just were not getting along. There was no harmony and unity in our marriage like there should be.
That’s all change now. What brought about the change? We started having a “date night.” This opened up a new level of intimacy between us. We started communicating with one another without any distractions. Jeanie knows at this time she’s not competing with anything else in my life and vice versa.
We have a “secret place” in our marriage.
Mark 1:35-39
Jesus had a “secret place” where He met with the Father. Even though the disciples and the crowd were looking for Him He allowed nothing to distract Him from the secret place of prayer.
GOD DELIGHTS IN BEING NEAR US!
The secret place is where God is waiting on us and it’s where He will be found!
Jesus teaches us that we must take the first steps to enter the secret place and be alone with God!
(1). Go away by yourself, (2). Shut the door behind you, (3). Pray to your Father secretly
James 4:8(NLT) “Draw close to God and God will draw close to you…”
THERE ARE REWARDS IN THE SECRET PLACE
Secret prayer cannot be fruitless! It will be rewarded and its blessings will be evident in our lives!
Hebrews 11:6- “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”

CONCLUSION: What is the best advice I can give you for 2009? I believe it’s the Word of the Lord for us.
God expects us to pray and He’s waiting to spend time alone with us in the secret place.
May the following verse become our hearts prayer.
Psalm 84:10- “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere….”
Father, better is one day in the secret place alone with you than a thousand elsewhere.

We Need a Savior - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-12-21T10:30:00.000-06:00

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Family Fuel, Part 5 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-12-17T19:00:00.001-06:00

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God's Way, My Response - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-12-14T10:30:00.000-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday December 14, 2008
CHRISTMAS
“God’s Way, My Response”

Colossians 1:9,10
Message:- “Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven’t stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to His will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you’ll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work.”
INTRODUCTON: Today we’re going to look at the Christmas story and learn how God works and what our response to should be.
TEXT: Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:38 (NLT)- “Mary responded, I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever He wants. May everything you have said come true.”
TRANSITION: Three things we can learn about the way God works from Mary’s encounter with the Angel Gabriel.

I. WHEN GOD NEEDS SOMETHING DONE HE CHOOSES TO DO IT THROUGH MANKIND
When God said it was time for His Son to come to planet earth He chose a women, His creation to bring Jesus Christ into planet earth.
The angel told Mary that Jesus would be great. Mary had greatness inside her sent from God!
Mary was chosen for a specific purpose. Each one of you God wants to do something great through.
When God needs something done on planet earth He chooses to do it though mankind!
Genesis 12:1-4
God wanted to bless the world, so He picked a man and said “I am going to bless you so you can be a blessing.”
What was Abraham’s response to the way God works?
Verse 4- “So Abram left, as the Lord had told him to…”
So what should be our response to the way God works?
Luke 1:38- “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.”
TRANSITION: When God wants something done He works through men and women.
What’s the next thing we learn about the way God works from Mary’s encounter with the angel?

II. GOD SHOWS UP AT UNEXPECTED TIMES AND UNEXPECTED WAYS
Let’s be real. If someone today were to tell us they had an encounter with an angel just like Mary did, what would we think of them?
Mary, you’re pregnant and you’ve never had sex with a man! Right!
On top of that what kind of an interruption of plans was this for Mary and Joseph?
What God has for you and when He has it for you might night be in the package you’ve perceived.
WHY? Because God shows up in unexpected times and in unexpected ways when He has something for you to do on the earth.
Isaiah 6:5-8
What was Isaiah’s response to God asking Him to do something at an unexpected time in an unexpected way?
Verse 8- “Here I am, send me.”
So what should our response be when God shows up at an unexpected time in an unexpected way because He needs something done on the earth?
Luke 1:38- “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.”
TRANSITION: The next thing we learn from Mary’s encounter is that

III. GOD MANY TIMES ASK YOU TO DO SOEMTHING YOU CAN’T DO
God tells Mary she’s going to have a baby, but it’s going to be a virgin birth. There was no-way, in Mary’s eyes, that she could get pregnant with being with a man.
When God wants you to do something great on planet earth He always ask you to do something you can’t do.
Ezekiel 37:1-6
When God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel had the right response, “Only You know God.”
What was Ezekiel saying? God I can’t do it!
So God tells Ezekiel to begin to prophesy.
So what was Ezekiel’s response?
Verse 7- “So I prophesied as I was commanded.”
What should our response be when God shows up and ask us to do something we can’t do?
Luke 1:38- “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever He wants.”
CONCLUSION: When God needs something done He chooses mankind to work through. Often it’s at unexpected times and in unexpected ways and it’s something that man can’t do.
Jesus is our perfect example.
Philippians 2:5-11
When the world needed a Savior. Jesus became a man. He came to this earth at an unexpected time in an unexpected way. He did something that we could not do. He paid a price we could not pay for our Salvation!
This is God’s way, now what’s your response?
Let’s pray

Conflict Resolution - Chris Isaac

2008-12-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

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Warnings - Jamie Greer

2008-12-07T10:30:00.000-06:00

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Family Fuel, Part 4 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-12-03T19:00:00.000-06:00

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Learning to Listen - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-30T10:30:00.002-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday November 30, 2008
“LEARNING TO LISTEN”

INTRODUCTION: All kinds of waves surround you right now! Radio waves, microwaves, television signals, cell phone frequencies. (Story of cell phone unlocking a car.) It’s amazing!
It’s interesting because these signals are bouncing around this room right now but you can’t hear or see them. You would only be able to hear them if you tuned in with the right device.
If you wanted to tune into the radio frequency you’d need a radio. To catch the right television broadcast you’d need a television and a cable hook-up.
All this is going on around us yet we are totally unaware of these frequencies. They go right by us every second of our lives yet they would not benefit us unless we tuned in.
There’s another frequency that’s all around us yet many people never pick it up. It doesn’t entertain us with some music or a movie but it’s the most life-changing information a person could ever have.
Yet sadly most people miss it. That life-changing frequency speaking to us directly to us all the time is God!
GOD’S FREQUENCY!
Little do we realize that God is speaking directly to us! He has since the beginning of time.
Job 33:14- “For God does speak-now one way, now another, though man may not perceive it.”
John 1:1- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…”
Hebrews 1:1,2- “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son..”
God is declaring! God is speaking! God is sending out signals-instructions and guidance-targeted just for you and me!
You are surrounded by the presence of God!
The question then is not, is God speaking? Rather it is this: are we listening?
God’s presence is all around us speaking directly to us and the tuning device is our hearts. Are we listening to what God has to say? If not then what are we listening to?
ARE WE LISTENING?
We live in a fast paced world where busyness is equated with importance and success. We think because someone is busy that person is important. But that’s not the way God sees things.
One of the illnesses that many people struggle with today is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). We’re hyper! So hyper that we don’t slow down to listen!
In Christianity, we have a similar illness called Spiritual Attention Deficit Disorder. The acronym for it is S-A-D-D.
And when we’re S.A.D.D. we can’t hear God. We’re not slowing down to hear God!
LET US LISTEN!
Luke 10:38-42
Only one thing is necessary and Mary had chosen it-listening! She was seated at Jesus feet listening to His Word!
Listening is something we have to make a conscious decision to do in the midst of a busy world.
When was the last time you just sat at Jesus feet and just listened? Think about it, when was it?
I have to confess that many times I identify with Martha more than I do Mary in this story. I tend to get to busy to listen.

I. LEARNING TO LISTEN
Listening to God is really the only way to succeed in life. The only way to listen to Him, however, is to first hear Him and catch His transmissions.
God is continually speaking to us but we must slow down, stop and be still and listen. We can’t be so consumed with our lives that we miss the most important thing-Jesus!
Otherwise we’ll be like Martha, Jesus can be staring us in the face and we’ll still miss Him.
Luke 10:41-42- “Martha, Martha, the Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.”
One of the lessons we learn here is that prayer has to more than just talking to God. Prayer is a two way street where we talk to God but we must also listen to Him!
In fact, the way God created our anatomy is a great reminder to us that we should listen twice as much as we should talk. He gave us two ears and only one mouth.
Ecclesiastes 5:1,2
PRAYER IS A TWO-WAY STREET
Listening in prayer is how we get to know the Father and hear His instructions.
We pray but we still don’t know God. An indispensable life lesson we must learn is that we must listen!
When was the last time you just sat under a tree or somehow sat at the feet of Jesus and just listened? When was the last time you just let your heart dwell on your relationship with God?
How will I be different today because of what Jesus has just said to me?
Psalm 46:10- “Be still and know that I am God….”
Message- “Step out of traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God…”
SEE THE VALUE OF LISTENING!
If you don’t listen you cannot know God! We must learn to listen!
Luke 8:18- “Therefore consider carefully how you listen…”
Psalm 131:2- “But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”
TRANSITION: If we are going to learn to listen we must quiet our souls. We must be still and listen.
The second prerequisite for having ears that hear is this (and you must catch this) , when God speaks you must obey!

II. OBEY
If we only listen and don’t obey it defeats the whole purpose. Why should God keep speaking?
We must follow through on our part and complete the process of hearing by obeying!
THEY’RE ONE AND THE SAME! WHEN YOU HEAR HIM SPEAK, YOU AUTOMATICALLY OBEY! ONE CANNOT HAPPEN WITHOUT THE OTHER.
LISTENING =HEARING AND OBEYING
If we only hear and don’t obey it defeats the whole purpose doesn’t it. Why should God keep speaking?
Have you ever made this statement to your children: “You better listen to me!”
You didn’t just want your kids to hear you, you wanted them to obey you.
LISTENING IS OBEYING!
In the Hebrew the word for listening includes the word obey!
If God revealed something to me and I didn’t obey, why should He keep trying to instruct me? What’s the purpose of continuing to reveal things that I never use or heed.
It’s so important for us to tune in to God’s frequency and hear His voice and then obey!
John 14:21- “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”
God is saying that if you will truly listen, not just hear, you will get to know Him.

CONCLUSION:
Proverbs 1:33- “but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease without fear of harm.”
One time Mother Theresa was asked why she spent so much time in prayer-whether she was praying for all the orphans or praying for all the request she received from people all over the world?
She replied: “I spend hours in prayer listening to God and following His counsel.
Luke 10:42- “….Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The Trichotomy of Man - Pastor Richard Vaughan

2008-11-23T10:30:00.000-06:00

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Family Fuel, Part 3 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-19T19:00:00.000-06:00

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Remember - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-16T10:30:00.000-06:00

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Family Fuel, Part 2 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-12T19:00:00.000-06:00

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Rejoicing in Times of Trouble - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-09T10:30:00.000-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday November 9, 2008
BEING THANKFUL IN PERILOUS TIMES
“Rejoicing in Times of Trouble”

Philippians 4:4- “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
(AMP) “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!”
(Message) “Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!”
Revel- to make merry; be noisily festive, to take much pleasure
Revelation- a revealing or disclosing, something disclosed, especially when it comes as a great surprise, God’s revealing of Himself and His will to man.
God revealing Himself to you, His nature, His will, His plan and purpose, is found in your desire to rejoice and celebrate in Him even in difficult times!
Psalm 37:4- “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
(AMP)- “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.”
TRANSITION: But how can I rejoice in troubled times?
It is our duty and privilege to rejoice in the Lord! To rejoice in Him always, at all times in all circumstances!
(Matthew Henry) “If good men have not a continual feast it is their own fault.”

HOW TO REJOICE IN TROUBLED TIMES
We are going to look in scripture to a time when Jesus followers were rejoicing.
Luke 10:17-21
(verse 20)- “However do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you…”
REJOICE NOT! Don’t allow this to be the source of your joy!
Many times we can’t rejoice in troubled times because we have an unreliable source from which we draw our joy!
Don’t allow success to be the source of your joy! Don’t allow money to be the source of your joy. When things are going your way don’t allow that to be the source of your joy.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)
Matthew 7:21-23- (Message)
We read of those who did in Christ name cast out devils and yet will be disowned by Christ on the judgment day!
No wonder He told His disciples in Luke 10 to not rejoice that the demons were subject to them.
Luke 10:21- “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Rejoice that you are children of God by faith! The power to become the children of God is to be valued more than the power to work miracles!
Your ability to rejoice in the Lord is connected to two separate actions that must come together in complete unity to form an inward joy that reveals itself in an outward expression of rejoicing.

First Action: God’s love! It’s already been done. It never changes, it’s always there. Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Second Action: You’re SURRENDER! You surrender your will to the will of God!

We can see it in the life of the Apostle Paul.
Philippians 1:12-24
Galatians 2:20- “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS, AND AGAIN I SAY REJOICE!”
This is possible when you surrender you will to the will of God because He loves you!
CLOSING:
Isaiah 58:13,14 (NIV) and (Message)

Family Fuel, Part 1 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-05T19:00:00.000-06:00

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Dedication Service - Dr Ron Hammonds

2008-11-02T18:00:00.000-06:00

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Simple Church - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-11-02T10:30:00.000-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday November 2, 2008
“SIMPLE CHURCH”

Luke 24:50-53
Acts 2:46- “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.”
Going to the House of God is not only mentioned in the New Testament but in the Old Testament as well.
Psalm 122:1- “I rejoiced with those who said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Ecclesiastes 5:1- “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.”
Matthew 16:18- “….and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
The Church is Jesus idea! In fact the church is called to represent Jesus in the earth.
TRANSTION: But I believe many of us have made church far to complicated when what we really need is just “SIMPLE CHURCH.”
Today we’re going to talk about the ingredients of simple church. Why are we here today? What’s this church service about? Why are we here?

I. TO CELEBRATE GOD
THIS NEVER CHANGES!
We are here to celebrate the creator of the universe.
We are providing a place that you and I can come together and celebrate God!
Psalm 107:31,32- “Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.”
Psalm 34:3- “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.”
Psalm 29:1,2 – “Ascribe to the Lord, O mighty ones, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
Message- “Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, Encore! In awe before the glory, in awe before God’s visible power. Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor Him!
Revelation 19:7- “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.”
This is what we’re going to be doing in heaven. Why not practice here.
Transition: SIMPLE CHURCH! We are here to CELEBRATE GOD!

II. TO CONNECT TO GOD’S FAMILY
Ephesians 2:19 (LB)- “You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.”
YOU WERE MADE FOR GOD’S FAMILY!
Romans 12:5- “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”
Message- “A chopped off finger or cut-off wouldn’t amount to much would it.”
Relationships are what life’s all about!
Acts 2:42-47
Being included in God’s family is the highest honor and the greatest privilege you will ever receive.
TRANSITION: SIMPLE CHURCH. Why are we here! To celebrate God and to connect to God’s family!
The closest you will ever come to experiencing God on the earth is to experience His church!
The third ingredient to SIMPLE CHURCH. Why are we here?

III. TO CONTRIBUTE
Three things contribute.
a. Time
You have time for what you value the most!
b. Talent
1Peter 4:10,11- “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 4:11-13
Jesus didn’t save you to sit, He saved you to serve!
c. Treasury
1Chronicles 29:1-3
Acts 4:32-37
1Corinthians 16:1,2- “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collection will have to be made.”
CONCLUSION: Simple church. What to do in the household of God? Celebrate God! Connect with the Family of God and Contribute to the House of God.

Happy Trials - Chris Isaac

2008-10-29T19:00:00.001-06:00

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Power - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-10-26T10:30:00.002-06:00

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Obedience - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-10-22T19:00:00.001-06:00

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New Life COTR
Wednesday October 22, 2008

“Obedience”

INTRODUCTION: We all love babies, their so cute. But as they grow there’s something very important that takes place. They have to learn obedience!
Hebrews 5:7-10 (Also Read from message commentary)
Even Jesus had to learn obedience!
Luke 5:1-11
TRANSITION: Important points to remember concerning obedience. Understand that God always has a purpose for obedience. He’s not just some dictator.
In the above scripture the disciples learn something important about obedience and more so for Peter.

I. GOD IS IN RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF US
Do you think Jesus just accidentally used Peter’s boat? The man who was going to an important tool in preaching the gospel from a firsthand experience. The man who was instrumental in the birth of the early church.
God pursues us when no-one else does.
Jesus saw something in Peter that no-one else saw!
In His pursuit Jesus never gave-up on Peter. We must submit to the pursuit!
TRANSITION: God is in relentless pursuit of us.

II. IN GOD’S PURSUIT HE USES “NO-FISH” MOMENTS
The longer the no-fish moment the more of our attention God gets.
Things to do in a “no fish” moment.
a. Review what God has done
b. Remind yourself of what God can do.
c. Remember, God doesn’t waste a season.
TRANSITION: God is in pursuit of us and he uses no-fish moments to get our attention and

III. TO LEAD US TO “BECAUSE YOU SAY SO” MOMENTS
Obedience to trust God!
Read from “The Rest of God” Pages 97& 98
Joshua 5:2,3
The “no fish” moments are getting you ready for the “because you say so” moments!
I’m going to be obedient, regardless! The test of obedience! If there’s no test of obedience at some time in your life then you’re not growing!
Because you say so Jesus I will obey and leave the results up to you!
TRANSITION: God is in pursuit of you and in this pursuit there will be no-fish moments to lead us to “because you say so moments.” Because you say so moments will lead to

IV. BOAT SINKING MOMENTS
Luke 5:7- “So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full they began to sink.”
Boat sinking moments are not about the fish!
Peter was a commercial fisherman. He could have said, “wow Jesus this is great, let’s go in business together.”
But this moment was about destiny!
Luke 5:8-11
CLOSING: Okay here it is. What is God asking you to do! What is you next step of obedience?
God rewards obedience!

"No Fear" Identity Theft, Part 4 - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-10-19T10:30:00.001-06:00

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New Life COTR
Sunday October 19, 2008

“NO FEAR”
Identify the Thief

INTRODUCTION: For the past three weeks we’ve been finding our identity in Christ. Let’s be reminded.
1. A sinner Forgiven by God’s Mercy and Grace
2. A New Creation’
3. A Child of Father God
4. You are Salt and Light
5. You are an Ambassador to the World
6. You are a Co-Heir with Jesus Christ
7. You are a Temple of the Holy Ghost
8. You are part of the Body of Christ in the World
9. You are a Servant of God put here on earth to fulfill His purposes
10. You are blessed to be a blessing
Your identity makes a difference in how you live this life and how you see yourself. Can’t you imagine the Christian who’s walking in their full identity?
John 10:10- “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
The enemy will do everything he can to keep you from discovering who you are in Christ or he will cause you to loose focus of who you are.
HE WILL ROB YOU OF YOUR TRUE IDENTITY AS A BELIEVER!
When you’re confused about your identity the world will begin to identify who you are.
2Corinthians 2:11- “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.”
TRANSITION: How do you protect yourself from identity theft? By recognizing the tools of the enemy.
This morning we’re going to identify three tools the enemy uses to rob you of your identity.

I. MANIPULATION
1Kings 21:1-16
Here a woman named Jezebel finds two men of Belial and told them to lie against Naboth and say that he had blasphemed God and then they drug him out and stoned him and killed him so she could get the vineyard and give it to her husband.
SHE COULDN’T STAND TO BE TOLD NO SO SHE MANIPULATED THE DEATH OF THIS GOOD MAN!
Through manipulation Naboth lost his identity!
Whenever someone is involved in manipulation it means to order the events behind the scene and not up front but if everybody knew what they did how would they look?
If everybody heard what they said how would they be judged? You can know manipulation because it has hidden agendas. It has hidden motives, it has to be done in the dark.
When you won’t tell everyone what you’re telling a few trying to get them on your side that is called manipulation.
Trying to control other people behind the scenes with hidden agendas! It’s wrong, it hurts people, and it hurts the Body of Christ.
TRANSITION: If you’re involved in manipulation the result of you’re robbed of your identity in Christ.
Now the second tool of the enemy to rob you of your identity.

II. INTIMIDATION
When someone stands over you trying to get their way by making you afraid of them, that’s intimidation. It causes you to loose your identity as a believer.
1Kings 18:36-46- Elijah knew who he was as a Prophet of God!
1Kings 19:1-4
Elijah killed the 450 prophets of baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah that ate at Jezebel’s table.
Ahab runs home and tells Jezebel again. When you have to go somewhere else to find out what you think about what just happened someone’s exercising a control over your life that’s unhealthy.
Ahab ran home and told Jezebel and Jezebel sent word back to Elijah. I’m going to kill you, and Elijah runs in fear and ends up hiding in a cave.
WHY? Because he was intimidated! And he lost his identity as a man of God!
To intimidate or be intimidated is wrong! TO FEAR THE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU DON’T OBEY SOMEONE IS A WRONG MOTIVATION TO OBEY THEM.
Some people are intimidated by wealth because money intimidates.
Many churches are led around by the rich person instead of the Holy Spirit! Many are led around by the rich guy or the most educated instead of the Lord, the one who died for it.
TRANSITION: Many people and many churches have lost there identity because they’ve been intimidated and manipulated.
The third tool of the enemy to rob you of your identity.

III. DOMINATION
Jezebel completely changed the whole worship of Israel.
Jezebel was a mean woman! Her name means that baal is her husband. Married to baal the false god. YOU SEE, IF GOD WON’T EXALT ME I KNOW A WAY I CAN EXALT MYSELF. DOMINATE!
She robbed Israel of their identity as Children of God! She insisted that baal be the god of Israel.
She tried to exterminate all the prophets of Jehovah. She tried to get rid of anybody who would speak out against her. DOMINATION!
She didn’t want to be king, just wanted to control the king!
1Kings 21:25- “There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife.”
Through her domination Jezebel changed the whole worship of Israel.
You know what dominating is? There’s no way but my way. Micromanagement domination. To dominate or be dominated is wrong.
It robs you of your identity in Christ.

CONCLUSION: I pastured a church one time that a man in the church owned the church building and the land it set on. He was rich. The church was buying the building and land from him. He also bought all the hymnals they sang from every Sunday. When we stopped singing only from those hymnals he became very upset. He tried to manipulate, intimidate and dominate me. I just about lost my identity as a pastor.
Why are these the tools the enemy uses to rob you of your identity?
Manipulation, Intimidation, Domination: IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTROL! WHO’S GOING TO CONTROL YOUR LIFE?
These are the counterfeit to God’s control of your life.
Romans 8:14-16
Let’s Pray

Overcoming Friendly Fire - Pastor Kenneth Woolf

2008-10-15T19:00:00.002-06:00

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New Life COTR
Wednesday October 15, 2008
“Overcoming Friendly Fire”

INTRODUCTION: Tonight I’m going to talk about overcoming “Friendly Fire.” As you connect to the Body of Christ and fulfill the destiny God has for your life it’s possible that somewhere down the line you’re going to be hit by friendly fire.
It’s a shame it has to happen from time to time. What a shame that those Jesus left to carry on His name and work can live so far from the scripture that says, “By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
One of the greatest shocks to us is that sometimes fellow Christians can be cruel. If you’ve been hit by friendly fire just know that you’re not alone.
Galatians 5:13-15- “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by EACH OTHER.”
It’s never healthy to turn friendly fire into a fire fight!
TRANSITION: Tonight I want to give you three steps to overcoming friendly fire.
Ephesians 4:29-32

I. ZIP IT- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth.
James 3:5-8
Proverbs 12:18- “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Proverbs 15:4- “The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”
To overcome friendly fire you first need to ZIP IT, or do not return fire. Next you need to

II. GET RID OF IT
Bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Colossians 3:8- “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Hebrews 12:15- “See to it that no-one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
The first step to getting rid of these things is to recognize it in your life. Ask God to show you and be open and honest.
But here’s the best way to tell, what’s coming out of your mouth about that person?
To overcome friendly fire you must ZIP IT and GET RID OF IT!

III. LIVE IT
Be kind, compassionate, FORGIVING EACH OTHER! JUST AS IN CHRIST GOD FORGAVE YOU!
If you’re going to claim that God has forgiven you of your sins and washed your sins away, then you need to forgive others just as He has forgiven you.
Mark 11:25- “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.”
Here’s a good test to see if you’ve forgiven someone: Can you be kind and compassionate to them.
If you’ve been hit by friendly fire, then you need to ZIP IT, GET RID OF IT, LIVE IT and then

IV. GET FULL OF IT
When you can zip it, get rid of it and live, you allow the Holy Spirit to flow in your life and you can GET FULL OF IT!
Ephesians 5:15-20
Zip it, get rid of it, live it and get full of it. Overcome friendly fire.