Smile: Spirit Over Strength: Zechariah 4:6-7

 

1) I Have A Problem

Then the people who were already in the land discouraged the people of Judah and made them afraid to build. 5 They also bribed officials to act against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of King Cyrus of Persia and until the reign of King Darius of Persia.
Ezra 4:4-5 (CSB)

2) I Have The Holy Spirit

So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies.’”
Zechariah 4:6 (CSB)

a. The Spirit Flows
b. The Spirit Empowers
c. The Sprit Accomplishes

‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain…’
Zechariah 4:7 (CSB)

d. The Spirit Illuminates

So he answered me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of Armies. 7 ‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!’”
Zechariah 4:6-7 (CSB)

3) When The Holy Spirit Meets My Problems It’s All Grace

“‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!'”
Zechariah 4:7 (CSB)

Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
Mark 11:23 (CSB)

“…Become a great plain.”
Zechariah 4:7 (CSB)

“‘And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it!’”
Zechariah 4:7 (CSB)

Therefore no mountain, however high, can stand before Zerubbabel! For it will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple with mighty shouts of thanksgiving for God’s mercy, declaring that all was done by grace alone.”
Zechariah 4:7 (LB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/smile-spirit-over-strength-zechariah-46-7/

Hot Mess Moms: Isaiah 43:1-2

 

Now this is what the Lord says— the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.
Isaiah 43:1-2 (CSB)

1. GOD CARES FOR YOU

Now this is what the Lord says— the one who created you, Jacob, and the one who formed you, Israel—“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1 (CSB)

2. GOD IS WITH YOU

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flame will not burn you.
Isaiah 43:2 (CSB)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/hot-mess-moms-isaiah-431-2/

Smile: God Makes Me Smile: Nahum 1:7

 

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

1. God is Really Good

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 27:13 (AMP)

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14 (CSB)

2. God is Really Strong

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4 (CSB)

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
Proverbs 18:10 (CSB)

3. God is Really Compassionate

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
Psalm 23:1-3 (NIV)

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalms 23:5 (NIV)

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff will protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.
Nahum 1:7 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/smile-god-makes-me-smile-nahum-17/

Doubters Welcome: Rescued From Doubt: Matthew 14:23-33

 

After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning.
Matthew 14:23-25 (CSB)

1. Take A Step of Faith

When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear.27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.”
Matthew 14:26-29 (CSB)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

2. Keep Your Focus

…And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink…
Matthew 14:29-30 (CSB)

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”  5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything.
Luke 5:4-5 (NIV)

When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. 68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
Mark 14:67-68 (NIV)

3. Ask For Help

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Matthew 14:30 (CSB)

4. Receive His Grace

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:31-33 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/doubters-welcome-rescued-from-doubt-matthew-1423-33/

Doubters Welcome: Don’t Doubt God Out: Matthew 11:1-15

 

1) Clarify Your Christ

When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV)

2) Discover What Scripture Says

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:  The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.  Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:4-6 (NIV)

Yet faith comes from listening to this message of good news—the Good News about Christ.
Romans 10:17 (NLT)

3) Don’t Let Circumstances Distract

John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Matthew 11:2-3 (NIV)

4) Remember Jesus Is Patient

I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
Matthew 11:7-15 (NIV)

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24 (NIV)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/doubters-welcome-dont-doubt-god-out-matthew-111-15/

Doubters Welcome: Unbelievable: Luke 24:36-53

 

 

1) PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS

They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
Luke 24:3-5 (CSB)

But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.
Luke 24:11 (CSB)

The disciples thought he was a ghost But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.
Luke 24:37 (CSB)

2) JESUS HAS ANSWERS

HE SPEAKS TO OUR FEELINGS

As they were saying these things, he himself stood in their midst. He said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought they were seeing a ghost.
Luke 24:36-37 (CSB)

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
John 14:27 (CSB)

HE SPEAKS TO OUR SENSES

“Why are you troubled?” he asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave him a piece of a broiled fish…
Luke 24:38-42 (CSB)

HE SPEAKS TO OUR MIND

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luke 24:44-46 (CSB)

3) JESUS’ ANSWERS EVOKE RESPONSE

SHARING

You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”
Luke 24:48-49 (CSB)

JOY

After worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
Luke 24:52 (CSB)

WORSHIP

And they were continually in the temple praising God.
Luke 24:53 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/doubters-welcome-unbelievable-luke-2436-53/

Thank You: Grace Made Me Get It: Luke 7:36-50

 

Three Marks Of a Grace Filled Life…

1. PASSIONATE WORSHIP

Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.
Luke 7:36-38 (CSB)

2. SACRIFICIAL GIVING

She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.
Luke 7:37-38 (CSB)

Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT)

3. EXTRAVAGANT LOVE

Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you. ”He said, “Say it, teacher.”41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” “You have judged correctly,” he told him. 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. 46 You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Luke 7:40-50 (CSB)

source https://edgechurchcolorado.com/thank-you-grace-made-me-get-it-luke-736-50/