More Than Bread

Deuteronomy chapter 8 going to read a passage of scripture there and then Matthew chapter 4 move forward. What I feel like the Lord has for us today and I wasn't thinking too much about it, but on Wednesday night sister Lindy talked about bread in the table I believe, and then today I'm going to talk about more than bread. So either we're hungry a lot you're with a child though so at least you have an excuse I'm just hungry. But the Lord knows the Lord knows Deuteronomy chapter 8 I'm reading from the English Standard on this one verse. Just like how it's worded it says and he humbled you and let you hunger, and he fed you with Mana which you did not know nor did your fathers know that he might make you to know that men does not live by bread alone. Everybody say not by bread alone but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord, and then Matthew 4 we see Jesus is here and it says then Jesus was led up by the spirit Into the Wilderness to be tempted.

By the devil and when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights afterward he was hungry pretty sure that's a true statement it's kind of funny I you know. Why I had to put that in there four days he'd been hungry four hours hours for me I'd have been hungry number three. Now, the tempter came to him and said if you're the Son of God command that these Stones become bread, and he answered and said it is written man shall not live by bread alone we see that he is quoting Deuteronomy man shall not live. By bread alone but by every word that predes from the mouth of God I was reading Deuteronomy 8 this week. Just in my own personal Bible reading and I was at that time preparing for a procedure that the doctor had required me to do, and that particular proc procedure required me not to eat for a period of 24 hours.

So I was during that period of 24 hours that I read that verse of scripture, and it had a little bit different impact. When you're hungry and you read that but it was in this as I was I was reading this, and had this desire myself to partake of anything bread sounded pretty good especially like a big fat yeast roll with some butter am I ministering to anybody. Right now that's what I think about I know it's not that way when you read scriptures. But when I read scriptures I think of any anybody remember quincies half a generation in here has no idea. What I'm talking about you remember Quincy on Broad and their big fat e rolls that explains a lot of the way I'm in the shape that I am right. Now, I'm drawn to big fat East rolls let me ask you a question because when I was reading that I felt the Lord speak to me in that moment, and ask me do you desire me the same way you desire bread do you desire.

Me so I'm asking you a question are you hungry for a move of God are you hungry to be in the presence of God do you hunger to spend time with him every day. And before you answer quickly I will ask you to be honest with yourself do you genuinely hunger for him you have a desire to be in his presence. See, the truth to these questions is that we need him more every day than we need food we need him did you understand I said need I wasn't even talking about want I'm talking about a need we need him in our life every day. I know there's some days and if I'm being transparent I always am up here my wife was just talking about that she's like you guys know everything about my husband. Just like I do because he tells it at all I don't know how to be anything other than me I'm just me then if I'm going to be transparent here's a transparency there are sometimes that I have found myself being more upset that I didn't.

Get a cup of coffee than being upset that I didn't spend that morning in prayer with him it's me I should have I should have willingly pass the coffee to spend five minutes in his presence I don't know about you maybe this whole sermon. Today is just meant for me and you guys got to endure it, but I would dare say that there are more individuals. If you were honest and transparent with yourself would say like I do that there are times where I don't desire him the way that I should you guys okay okay I know you're already like man this is one those he's going to get on my toes. It is one of those I want to get on your toes, but my toes are out too my toes are out too I can't live one moment without him you can't live one moment without him we can't you can't we have to have him even.

When we're not aware even when we're not engaging him even when I'm not acknowledging him it takes him for me to exist he gives me the air in my lungs he's the one. Who started my heartbeating he's the one that does those things he's the one who gives me my abilities, and the capacity to think and the way that I can do it's all. Because of him I cannot live one moment without him so God please help me keep a right perspective of your need in my life every day every day with this in mind I want to preach about the word of God. Because without a doubt we need his word in our life every day and here's the deal here is the truth here's a statement that you can build on that you cannot defeat the enemy without his word you cannot defeat the enemy without the word.

Of God in you can't and it has to be more than just a Sunday experience or just a Wednesday night brush up it has to be something that you commit yourself to on a daily basis that is being with God it is prayer in his word. It is prayer in his word it is prayer in his word it takes those things. If you're going to defeat the enemy if you're not doing those things you're already defeated you're backing up 2 Corinthians 10 I'm going to read a lot of scripture today I'm not apologetic about it I want to take you to the word cuz we need. The word we need the word we need the word in our life we need to immerse our minds in his word 2 Corinthians chapter 10 verse number four says for the weapons of our Warfare are not carnal.

But Mighty But Mighty but I don't have a weak weapon I'm not showing up with a red rid or BB gun Michael Bardwell showed up at a men's thing one time we were going to go shooting he showed up with a red rid. Or BB gun I said a lot about Michael that day he was inferiorly equipped to do the job at hand. But we have Mighty weapons yes do you get that don't let don't you don't skim over that word cuz here's what's going to happen you're going to find yourself in a dark place you're going to find yourself with your back against the wall you're going. To find yourself where you're overwhelmed in your own mind I'm speaking to somebody right. Now, where you feel like there is no way out I want you to know that you have a mighty weapon on your side you can engage with the Enemy, and not have to worry about being overrun.

If you get down in the word if you're close with him it's not carnal. But Mighty for the pulling down strong casting down arguments and every High thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought into captivity to The Obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all Disobedience. When your obedience is fulfilled if we're not living by the word of God then we're going to be defeated I'm just going to preach an old you got to pray, and you got to read the word of God I'm not I'm look I'm already. Pulled the curtain back that's that's what my message is about today so I'm going to spend the next 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 or 60 or 70 minutes whatever it takes to get it through across to you that you need to be praying. And you need the word of God you need to be praying and you need the word of God.

If you don't pray and you don't have the word of God I don't know. What to say for you cuz we got a real enemy who fights dirty and he's real good about paying attention at the things that caused you to stumble and causes you to fall. And those are going to be the very areas he zeroes in on, but I promise you every tactic he has can be counteracted through prayer, and the word of God prayer is a must it is the key to the power. And without prayer there is no power simply because we are not in communion with him first Kings 8:44. When your people go out to battle against their enemy wherever you send them and when they pray to the Lord toward the city which you have chosen in the temple which I have built from your name. Then hear in heaven their prayers and their supplication and maintain their call Psalm 6:9 the Lord has heard my supplication the Lord will receive my prayer.

Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly. Why because I'm talking to the one who has never been defeated he has never been conquered he have never met a foe or enemy that he could not overcome that's why I tap into what he has on my own I'm not strong enough on my own. I will fail every time but when I partner with my God he and I make a majority, and there is no foe that the enemy can throw against me that I can't get through as long as I hang onto his hand wo it's more. Than bread say more than bread it's more than bread prayer prayer puts me in contact with God prayer allows me to have one of the most intimate relationships there is regular consistent prayer allows me to know. What his presence feels like it allows me to know what his voice sounds like it allows me to discern between right, and wrong it allows me to know.

What pleases my God and what makes him unhappy why because I'm in constant contact with him what are you praying for what are you praying for think with me for just a minute. What are you praying for are you simply praying to only Escape hell are you simply praying an hour lay me down to sleep I park my car across the street. If it rolls before I wake I pray the Lord will push the break is that your prayer I hope you have a deeper prayer than that like. What are you praying for let me ask you another question have you made prayer a PRI it because you need it you need to know. What his voice sounds like in your life because we have so much noise coming at us we have so many distractions trying to grab our attentions we live in a world right.

Now, where the attention span is that of a knat and there's all these things that are trying to get us here, and to get us there and again you've heard me say many times. If he can't make you bad he'll make you busy either way it's the same thing as being accomplished you're not talking to God you need to know. What his voice sounds like I've said this a few times, but I think it's a good example for those. Who never heard it before when I was dating my wife they had a they had a two phone line house you remember those days that's back. When the phones were actually attached to things like the wall they had a cord, and there was the upstairs line and there was the downstairs line and Chassis and her brother lived upstairs. And I would call sometimes the upstairs line and chassis's Mom Beverly would be upstairs and she would answer the phone.

Now, when we first started dating I had not really tuned into to chassis's voice. So much so when someone just says hello I'll be like hey babe and bever will be like hey I like. What are you doing nothing and then it hit me I'm like wait a minute something. Don't feel right and then all of a sudden Beverly be giggling on the other line you want to talk to chassie. Well, I don't want to do this with you, but over time I learned to tune into the voice. Because it was something I was familiar with because it's something I do on a regular basis, and now I know I can pick her voice out of a crowd I can pick her voice out.

When she's singing I know it because it's something that I that I do every day I talk with her do you know. What his voice sounds like are you able to distinguish it in a crowd are you able to pick up on it in all the noise that's going on in our world, and our life around you and you can only do that if you're tuning. In on a regular basis if you're talking to him on a daily basis if you're spending time in his word, and you understand and know that there are going to there are going to be things that are going to come at you that are going. To sound really close all right but they're not his word Did You Know The Enemy can appear as something good 2 Corinthians 11 talks about that it says it teaches us that he has the power to transform himself verse number 14.

And no wonder fors Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of Light so you got to be careful that's why I'm telling you this is vitally important to you being successful here in this life that we live is learning. How to pray and learning how to divide and go into his word in our opening scripture in Matthew we see that the first thing that Satan did as a part of the Temptation was to use the word of God. But he misused the word subtle it was a subtle thing it sounded really close it sounded almost like the same that's why it's important that you know that you understand. What he sounds like and you know what his word says because the enemy is going to come in very subtle he's good the devil's really good at being the Devil he's really good at it, and he can he can present you with some things.

That on the surface sounds right it sounds like well I think that might be the word of God that's why you got to know that you know that you know. What the word says you need to be able to rightly divide the word and if you're not able to do that because sometimes we're early in our walk with God. Then you have a you need to have a man of God in your life that can help you rightly divide the word. What the enemy really wants to do is to Rob scripture from the heart of the believer. Because he can blind you from the truth with strongholds with strongholds some of you know. What I'm talking about because you come out of some strongholds there's some stuff that had you bound had you pinned back had you held under because you had not you didn't develop the right relationship with God.

And you took a wrong turn you didn't think it was necessarily bad not everybody that ends up in despair got there. Because they willingly did it sometimes they wouldn't they didn't fully comprehend or understand what they were doing in a moment. Because the enemy Sly now there's some people that just boldly ran off the cliff. But not everybody's that way sometimes it was just you were just trying to pull over for a rest area next thing you know you're you're in the ditch according to Luke number 13 he can bind up people Luke 13- 15. And the Lord then answered him and said hypocrite does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or Donkey from the stall, and Lead it away to the water it so ought not this woman being a daughter of Abraham. Who Satan has bound who Satan has bound who Satan has bound who bound her think of it for 18 years be loose from this B Bond of the of the on the Sabbath yeah the enemy he wants to tie you up he wants to get.

You so wrapped up that you don't you don't feel like you're worthy to talk to him I'm G to tell you what the enemy. Doesn't have the right to tell you whether you're worthy or not he's not the one. Who determines your worth oh I'm speaking to somebody right now you you've allowed that voice too much too much air time in your mind I'm here he's never going to tell you what your true value is, but I'll tell you you're a child of the king. I don't care how dirty you are I don't care what kind of mess you've gotten yourself in I don't care. What they've said about you or what label's been placed on you or what you have done or you have not done or what you said or what you didn't say you're a child of the king he died for you that's how valuable you are he went.

To calary and he died you are of great Worth to him quit listening to the enemy you're his child and he loves you much. But the enemy he tries to get you he tries to get you in a corner Satan's goal in Matthew 4 is to try to get Jesus to give into the hunger and The Thirst. And the miss use his power to create something to satisfy the flesh that's why we always get in trouble. When we're trying to satisfy the flesh man that is a daily fight it is a daily fight every day I get up I fight my flesh I know some of you think that I get up. And I walk on air between the bed in the bathroom every morning that I go into the my closet, and I just do this and the clothes jump on me that she'll tell you that ain't.

How it happens no no I still I gotta put my shoes on just like you do I have I have problems. Just like you do my air conditioner is not working at my house right now y'all can say a prayer for me I'd appreciate that drive by the house lay your hand out there in Jesus name I have problems every day I got to get. My fight my flesh every day you do the same every day we get up you've heard me say this before we're asked to be a Living Sacrifice which means every day I wake up my default setting is self-preservation I have to determine Lord will you please. Sit on the throne of my life and let me get down on the altar Where I Belong. Because of what you God you purchased me I belong to you all of me belongs to you not.

Just part of me not just the easy stuff, but all of me belongs to you it's more than bread say more than bread living for God is more than bread we get in trouble. When we allow our flesh to speak instead of the spirit that's why you got to tune in and understand. What the word says because the word will help you determine whether that's flesh that's Spirit his second goal is to get Jesus was to try to tempt him to prove his word by telling him to cast himself off from the Pinnacle you remember that he takes. Him up to the high of the Pinnacle and says won't you just cast yourself down, and he and he says the angels will give charge over you that you'll happen. Again, what we see is something that's lifted up in Pride the enemy wants to get you lifted up in Pride wants you to get you caught up in that want him to cast him to, but you can't do this once.

Again, Jesus counteracted what the enemy was trying to do with the word he said in Matthew 4:7 it is written you shall not tempt the Lord your God the third thing that the enemy tried to do was worldly possessions to get him to Bow. Down and Worship Him Matthew 4:8 and again the devil took him up to exceedingly high amount, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory and he said to him all these things I'll give to you if you will just fall. Down and worship me did the enemy understood things were going on and said look. What we can shortcut the pain we can shortcut Calvary we can shortcut the cross, and the beatings and the crown of thorns we can short. If you'll just if you'll just go ahead and bow down it's just me and you here.

But if you'll just worship me I can give you all these things and Jesus replied there in verse number 10 away with you Satan for it is written you shall Worship the Lord your God. And him only shall you serve so we see here through the power of Prayer in the word of God the enemy is defeated every time prayer in the word prayer in the word prayer it's not by your might. And it's not by your power but it's by his Spirit that's how you got to be tapped into the spirit. If you're not you're going to fail every time I mean maybe you don't like that maybe you prefer me to use another method of saying I don't know. How else to present it to you that if you don't pray and you don't read the word of God I don't know. What to tell you Jesus always answered with the word of God said the word of God said in your daily life circumstances do you have an answer.

When Temptation comes I'm getting down real with you do you have an answer when the Temptation comes your way. Because you're going to get tempted you may have been tempted already today if not for the day is over with I promise you you're going to be tempted do you have an answer are you just going to try to use your own might I'm going. To ask you this how well have you done on your own anybody up here. Just like man on my own I am awesome I am amazing CU you need to come on down to the altar right. Now, you need to get a head start on your prayers before the rest of us get here. How many how many will be will be transparent with Pastor today and say I'm terrible by myself I am I'm terrible yeah I mean.

If you guys knew the crazy random junk that goes on between my ears I mean half the time I'm like. What in the world you got to have an answer you got to be able to say I got to take every thought captive I got to grab it you know. Because things happen you you're going to have anybody willing to be transparent me say you have crazy thoughts yeah. But you can't you can't let those things linger you got to grab them you got to grab them, and you got to bring them into obedience you got to go back to his word you got to put them where they go they they'll wreck. You they'll wreck you I just again thank me for just a minute how many times have you let that thought linger up there for a little while where does it go crazy town that's where it goes Full Speed Ahead crazy town.

And if you let it go for 5 or 10 minutes next thing you're like man I can't believe like. What is wrong with me yeah cuz you got to bring those things, but you don't know that if you don't have the word the word tells you that you got to bring those things captive. What so what are you doing in your daily circumstances do you have an answer do you seek an answer are you reading to find the answer I've been doing this for a long time there's some some interesting things that have come my way interesting. Things in my own personal life and there's been interesting things in the ministry that have caused me to go back in here to try to find an answer. Because I didn't have any answer all right and there's been times when I've been pouring myself out to God in prayer and still.

Didn't get the answer but after I prayed and went to his word I got an answer. Because this is the Living Word this is different this isn't just a book you pull off the shelf like anything else this. Isn't think yourself happy that's not what this book's about, but I tell you what child of God. If you're full of his spirit and you're facing something in your life you spend some time in prayer. If God doesn't answer you in that prayer then you pray and then go here go here go here sister systematically study this out. Because I promise you there have been so many times in my life when I've opened up the word of God, and within 5 minutes I just sit back and go.

Well, there's the answer God was speaking to me through his word it's the Living Word. If you're going to win look it's more than bread it's more than bread it's more say more than bread it's more than bread it's what you need in your life every day you need this more than bread you need this more than air you need. This in your life this is the key to success prayer and the word of God after Jesus visited with the woman in Samaria she was drawing water from the disciples came to him and get him to eat. And Jesus said this in verse number 31 of chapter 4 in the meantime his disciples urged him saying Rabbi eat. But he said I have food to eat what you don't know of and they're like what's he talking about he stopping McDonald's in the way while we wern't paying attention no he's talking about I got food you don't know about well you boys are bickering.

About who's the greatest who's got the coolest shoes on I've been in the word I got something that sustains me I got something that's much better than what you can physically eat I got something that feeds my soul something that can sustain Me In Time. The apostles were like a lot of people in the church today that they're following. Didn't really understand what it was all about Jesus was leading he was teaching he was guiding he was continually giving them Direction in prayer, and relationship he knew that it was going to battle the flesh he knew that it was going to be a hard. Fight and that he going to have to go against your will will and your tendency, and your self-reliance and your self-c centeredness this. Why that you have to continue to push in prayer that's why I said what I said at the beginning of this message for everybody.

Who met us in the prayer room back there before service thank you for doing it because what we do right there is we take care of a lot of obstacles before I come in here far too many far too many of us we get. In here and it takes us two or three worship songs before our mind's even in the right place to worship that's why pre-service prayer is so amazing. Because I can go in there and just on my junk out and I got myself in the right mind I got myself in the right attitude. So that I can come in and worship Him from the moment the first note hits I can just be lost in the presence of God I don't have to dig myself out of a hole I did it in the prayer room our goal is to get. The world out of us and God into us when Peter was being released from prison you know Herod had killed James, and he put Peter in prison chained him to all the guards.

And Story Goes that he was there on the inner side he was just kind of laid out, and all of a sudden the angel kind of knocks him over and says hey that's time to go you know things are shaking. And quaking and he walks out I'm just imagine how that would have been you know. Just kind of like is this real going all the gates and the gates are just keeps looking back like is this a joke it goes all the way to where the prayer meeting was at because there was folks praying for him to be released. This is such a funny funny story we know how it goes because poor Roa she takes it on the chin every time she comes to the door he's banging on the door she opens the door. And slams it in his face and she goes back and says I think Peter's here where's he at I left him outside.

So he comes inside because the people people in the middle middle of an answer prayer this God does things prayer opens doors prayer unlocks prison sales prayer still does that that's not. Just Bible stories that that's just something from last century that's something that's right now in our world I know there's not a lot of headline stories that talk about that, but I'm telling you prayer still works prayer still unlocks doors prayer still takes people. Out of prison cells and here God used prayer to bring Deliverance to Peter, but it wouldn't happen without prayer, and the word of God has held a church together all these years it's Prayer by increasing our knowledge on prayer. And his word we can defeat the enemy you ever saw I mean when troops are in battle. How do they know how to move forward they stay in contact with their commanders we're in a fight ladies, and gentlemen we're in a fight every day at least those of us who are trying to live for God we in a fight every day.

If you had fight maybe you need to reevaluate where you're at maybe you've given the enemy too much room, and he's not even worried about you, but I promise you if you're a child of the king. And you're being obedient he's nervous he understands how powerful you are when you get down on the word you get to pray, and it's a big deal Hebrews 4:12 for the word of God is living. And powerful and sharper than any two-edged short piercing even to the division of the Soul, and Spirit and the joints and tomorrow and is the discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart that's why I said many times. When I'm going through a situation I'm and I'm praying about God to do a work, and help me out I go to his word and in his word I discover that it's me that needs to change it's not my neighbor that needs to change.

It's not my coworker that needs to change it's not my wife that needs to change it's me why. Because that's what the word of God does it's sharp it gets in there it's like a surgeon scalpel it's Precision cut as many times that I go in, and I find out it is my bad attitude it's me that needs to get down. And get right with God and ask him to forgive me of what too many people misunderstand that not every time you pray it's about somebody else being changed not every circumstance in life is brought. Just just just because more often not the things I go through in my life is to help shape, and change me I I've done this for quite a while I keep saying it, but I've been through I've been through some stuff. And I don't like going through the stuff necessarily, but I've been through it and I can look back in hindsight, and tell you that there's been many a times in those low dark moments God was working in Me In Me In Me it took.

Him taking me through that Valley for me to get a right change of attitude, and perspective to understand that it wasn't always about me it's not always about you it's not always about you being comfortable boy that went flat. Didn't it it's not always about your convenience it's not always about your happiness it's not always about you being joyful the missions you know the enemy has a mission is to distort prayer he don't you know something here here's the deal the devil is not. Omniscient he's not omnipotent he is not omnipresent okay he is not God all right this. Isn't a classic battle between one and two there is God and then you can't even figure out. How much distance there is between God and him it's not the same don't put them on an equal playing field they're not the same he tries to act all big and bad.

But I'm telling you not he can't be everywhere at all times he is not all powerful he is not all known he is very observant, and he's got a lot of demons and they take real good notes. But he's not all powerful he is not more than my God I said before my God's not been defeated not one time not one time not one time not even from not even a moment to even worry about it he never stumbled not one. Time people ask want know how it's possible for him to have such evil destruction. Well, I going to tell you what a lot a lot of this we bring on oursel yeah yeah we can blame the devil. But a lot of this mess we do to ourselves say that yeah a lot of it is just plain old sin it's just following after fleshly desires, and the broken of humanity that is here.

Now, the devil reeks Havoc he does he likes to capitalize on those things, but too many times we're trying to give him credit the credit goes right here. Come on and right there and right there and there and there and you two back there even that Booth up there Lord knows that Booth's in trouble we can see that the demonology is actually set in God's word they are intelligent according to Mark. 1:24 They can possess people according to Matthew 8 they can overcome man Acts 19 they know their Destiny they know where they're going, and they're fighting hard Matthew 8 tells us that they create eror. And lies according to First Timothy they can produce harm according to Mark chapter 5, and they are assigned to try to keep you from praying that's why James says in 5:16 to confess your trespasses one to another.

And pray for another that you may be healed the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man Avail must lead you up there for just a second do you see that confess trespasses King James says your faults. How much confession You' been doing well pastor Kevin that's really really uncomfortable when I read that I don't think James said in the verse before when it's convenient, and it feels good confess your faults one to another. And look at it confess your faults one to another and pray for one another that you may be healed it brings in accountability we're the most connected generation that has ever lived. But yet we are the most lonely generation that's ever lived the most connected and most informed generation that has ever lived in all of humanity yet anxiety, and depression is that is that unbelievable record high. If there's ever a time we needed each other it's now I don't need you to like my post okay of my hamburger or my duck lips or that I went on this vacation.

And I really just want to rub it in your face yeah I want how about you go somewhere and don't tell a soul. How about you eat one meal and not post a picture how about you have a life event that nobody knows about, and the next time you have dinner with them you can say oh hey. Let me tell you what I did because we're so connected, but yet we're alone and James says confess your faults. Because he knew if I do this it brings a level of accountability into my life brings a love of accountability. When I have to say to you hey man I'm really struggling with anger I lost my temper last night, and I acted like a fool and it made me feel. So ashamed and I trust you and I know you're a person who prays will you help me pray will you join me in prayer that God will help me be a better man.

Because I don't like the man I am right now I don't like the way I feel I'm disappointed in me will you help me Haven will you help me pray that I can be a better man. Because James knew that it takes a lot to reveal that and if someone comes to you, and thinks enough of you to confess. Then you love and respect them enough back to pray because that's how we can be healed with each other not. Just so did you see that pastor Kevin has an anger problem and I seen him at Kroger's, and the lady in front of him she was taking too long at the checkout line. And he flipped his lid and lost his mind and he used all kind of his Christian cuss words no being able to go in, and say I need help right I need help.

But and I think enough of you that I feel like you will help me pray will you help me pray for us like. What a beautiful thing that is that the body of Christ becomes the body and that we help each other out in these situations. Because here's the thing none of us are perfect none of us are perfect matter of fact I don't think there's a one of us among a whole bunch, and there's some really great folks in here. But I don't think even the best of us need to go a day without repenting not one day there was only one perfect one, and you heard me say it so many times he died for us so that we have the ability to live. An overcoming life but part of that overcoming life is learning how to confess your faults, and then you can be healed and in that time the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much part of that is understanding that my righteousness has to be rooted.

And grounded in him and his word and not my self rightous a self-righteous man or woman I never ask for help. But one to understands the word in the process willingly goes to someone that says I need you I need the accountability in my life. How are we doing how are we doing ladies and gentlemen in this confessing business when's the last time you sat down with a trusted friend and you really. Just opened up how are you praying are you using the word of God if not you're going to be defeated. When you pray the scriptures you're using the exact same thing that Jesus did when he defeated the enemy that's why you need the word of God pray the word of God. If you don't know where to start just just open up the Psalms and start reading them back to him read them back that's what read the words of David as he was so poetic.

And what he was doing just just open himself up just you do that read the word back to him him in your prayer time. Listen, to scripture do what you need to do in Jude we have a beautiful example of the Archangel is defeating Satan, and Jude it says this in verse number nine of Jude Yet Michael the Archangel in continu with the devil. When he disputed about the body of Moses dared not bring against him a rival accusation. But said the Lord rebuke you and sometimes you just look at the enemy and say the Lord rebuke you I'm not even going to listen list to you I'm not going to allow them thoughts to take any root in some the Lord rebuke you and then start. Counteracting with the word of God because the word of God has power Proverbs 18:21 says death, and life are in the power of the tongue and those.

Who love it will eat of its fruit so I'm going to ask you do you quote scriptures or do you simply go by your feelings we say that we are sick. But the word of God says that by his stripes we are healed by his stripes we are healed Psalms 107:20 he sent his word and healed them yes. But here's where it goes on and I'm I gotta get I got to start drawing this down they got a timer on me now in case you ever curious I've been going for 39 minutes. And N seconds means absolutely nothing to me in the climate of today and I really am I got five minutes I'm going to be done I've never seen a day in my 48 years of breathing where. Everybody that's an absolute statement a lot of people a lot of people in our world are so easily offended.

Just offended like there can never be a time when you can just be wrong there's never a time. When you can be reprimanded there's never a time when you can get in trouble there's never a time no matter. What you do you're it's okay it's almost as if the opposite is true the every bad decision is glorified that that's the world we're in people that call evil good and good evil. What the Bible says what the word says we're living ladies and gentlemen that's the day we're in right. Now, if ever that verse was true it's today it's today and people get so upset, and are so offended and Jesus said in Matthew 18 He said woe to the world. Because of the offenses for offenses what's it say offenses look at your neighbor and say do you know it that offenses must.

Come but woe to the Man by whom the offense comes and then you go down a few verses same chapter few verses 15 go from 7 to 15 says moreover. If your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault how do you do it what's the words do you see that between you, and him how not on social media. Didn't say between you and him don't mention him in your post don't be passive aggressive. Because everybody knows what's going on and even though you don't say the exact words we all get the point no here's it amazes me that I have so many people. Who claim to walk with God and know God yet they're not obedient to his word confuses me because offense is going it's a part of life. When something comes the offense when the hurt or stumbling block you go look the word up there it's like it's 15 times it's translated in scripture the word offense the word is there 15 times majority the time it's being offended.

Or a stumbling block or hurt something that comes against you okay who living hasn't had their feelings hurt it's a part of life to think you're going to live life, and not get your feelings hurt it's just. What happens okay but how you react see he didn't just tell you that offenses are come they must. Come those are his words they must come, but he goes on to tell you what you do when it does come is that you go to the person, and say hey we need to talk I'm a little upset I'm trying to work through this. The right way I feel like maybe it was a little harsh whatever the case may whatever your circumstances are we're we're told to do that then he says verse 16. But if he will not hear take with you one or two more that by the mouth of two or three Witnesses every word may be established okay there's been sometimes that maybe maybe that person's still mad at you and you go in there.

And they just they they're still railing on you okay it says well take somebody else with you this is a situation in the church find another find an elder okay find. Somebody that's respected and say hey I got this going on between me me and this person will you come go with me I'm trying I'm trying to be obedient I'm trying to follow the word of God will you go with me and it says go. And it says if he still can't handle it because sometimes these things are pretty Grievous it says take it to the church, and you let the body try to work through the situations go to your pastor let your pastor try to sit down work. These things throughout you then it says then only then does it say you're able to walk away from it because you've done your part.

But look says 17 if he refuses to hear them tell it to the church refuses even to hear the church. Let him be like a heathen or tax collector Verse 18 ass surely I say to you whatever you bind on Earth will you be bound on heaven. Now, I'm going ask you look look at me okay don't look at that look at me what are we talking about in this in this verse right here. What are we talking about Matthew 18 we're talking about being being offended right we're still talking about offenses, and how you handle the offenses and then it says that I say to you whatever you bind on Earth okay we didn't leave the subject matter. We're still talking about offenses whatever you bound on Earth will be bound on Heaven whatsoever you loose Earth shall be loose in heaven. Again, I say that if two of you agree on any Earth concerning any one thing, and ask it will be done by my Father in Heaven.

What are we talking about we're still talking about offenses don't orphan this scripture and use it for another purpose it happens especially this next one verse 20 for were two or three gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them now. We'll say there's only a couple of us here tonight and I've been in some of those church services where there's only two of us, and like you know we're two or three gathered. Praise God we're here God's going to be here too now I'm not saying God's not there. When two or three are gathered but the verse wasn't referencing a church service the verse was referencing. What offenses and what he's saying is that if you'll go in two or three you get together, and you're trying to work through this I'll. Come down with you I'll come down with you don't have to go it alone I to encourage.

Somebody because some of you have been some very difficult things in your life and some stuff has kept you a bayy some stuff has kept you from moving forward in your walk with God. Because you've been hurt I'm not trying to undermine the hurt or the pain I'm not trying to take it away someone that is real life stuff and it's hard and it's difficult. But I'm here to tell you that if it's difficult then pray hard that God will give you the courage to go to the person and talk or take. Somebody with you because if two or three of you are gathered there and you're you're touching the one thing I will come down, and be there with you and what happens. When he shows up all things are possible wonder how much more healing and restoration there would be in our world.

If we would just simply be obedient to the word of God it's more than bread say more than bread you got to have it in your life I know I've went over look as I bring this to an end. And musicians can come it is of the utmost importance that we make God's word the final Authority in our life. So important that his word becomes the final Authority this is the authority of my life it's certainly not my feelings oh goodness my feelings my feelings are crazy my feelings are all over the place I can't trust my feelings I can't trust my heart. I mean how many times has that thing led me astray I can't trust my feelings I can't TR. What I can't trust I can't trust the government oh my goodness we can't that's terrible what's going to be the authority of my life I need something that hasn't changed I need something that is committed.

And in is bedrock his word is forever settled things change in our in our in our culture things change in our society the word of God. Doesn't change regardless of who decides to pay it respect or not it doesn't change and here's the deal this. Doesn't mean it doesn't need me to defend it it's done real good all by itself real good all by itself I don't have to get up here, and I don't have to be apologetic about I hey it's the word of God this is Paramount. That this becomes the authority that you build your life on we must be convinced in our heart knowing clearly that the word is there, and it has it has life for me if I will apply it every day we have to make up our mind. Not to settle for anything less there's so many things that are promises there so many.

So many things that God has for us so as I end today I want to know. How you doing how are you doing how are how are you doing in your prayer life. How are you doing in your prayer life how are you doing in your in your in your reading of the word. See, this is more than just checking off a bread chart okay I I'm thankful, and then for many years I read the Bible through and one year I did the bread chart and then I discovered one day that I was speedreading my way through. Because I wanted to put that little check all right again I'm just transparent maybe y'all y'all never do that, but I've done it you know like beat batat beat beat he beat beat beat levitical law wash sacrifice p. And Stones consuming fire there rods over here the connecting rods in three cubits by five cubits by three spans by four hand breaths that's just me maybe y'all never done that at the end of the day I can say did you read the word.

I did I did physically read the words out loud please don't give me a quiz. Then I few years ago decided you know what I want to take that pressure off. Because I'm not gleaning because what I've learned about the word of God and this please. Again, you all you bread readers read it good you your brains are way better than my brain my brain is slow I have to settle in it because there are some chapters I can just read. And there's nothing there but more often than not I'm going to say 90% of the time are greater there'll be a verse that just kind of just kind of there you know and I've learned to just stop. Just put the brakes and there there are some days I'll read the same chapter four or five times.

Because I can't get off of it there's something there God I know and all of a sudden it'll. Just Clarity comes and it's what I need it's what I need because I pray in my morning prayer time God give me from your word today. What I need Lord you know what I face today you know what is before me, and you walk with me so help me today and there have been times. When I've read a verse and it just kind of stuck with me I didn't know. How to apply it and then later on that day something happens and I'm like oh hey Lord, and I we're we're talking about this I didn't know I was going to face this today. But now I have a word now I have a word if we're going to if we're going to be successful.

If we're going to be Overcomers if we're going to be victorious in this life we have to pray, and we have to have the word of God will you stand with me today. Now, here's here's what I know I have preach the truth of his word and when his truth goes forward it can accomplish his word will go it'll it'll do everything he wants it to do so I feel in my spirit that God wants to move. Right now so I'm going to pray and if anytime in this prayer you want to come down to the Altar for whatever your reason is this is between you, and God whatever the reason is the altar is open we're going to spend some time. In prayer today I'm going to kick it off by praying if you don't mind bowing your heads, and Clos your eyes Jesus I feel you here Lord I know I know you're in this room with us right.

Now, God I know your desires that we would have an intimate relationship with you god there are so many things that fight us in our world there's. So many so many distractions there's so much noise around us God I pray in this moment there would be clarity I speak peace in jesus' name in this room right. Now, God I pray that you would open our eyes to see the things that we need to change in our life. So that we can be closer to you lord your word tells us that your spirit is drawing. So I pray that you would draw us to a place where we can develop that relationship further with you God give someone the courage to step out today to trust you like never before God do a work in this place that only you can do let. There be restoration let there be healing let there be an outpouring of your spirit in Jesus name it's prayer time I would encourage you to find a place to pray for just a few minutes.

Let's let God MO.