June 24, 2023

Cast all your cares on Christ

[I actually took this out of one of my other sermons. I felt that this snippet says something that is important for people to hear. ]

The Devil can really mess with our minds and get us depressed, feeling lonely, angry, hateful, irritated, and hopeless to say the least. As followers of Christ Jesus, the Bible tells us that we can take all of our concerns to Him. the Bible says that we can do this because He loves us and that He will give us rest. Many of us have struggled way too long with life’s battles, we need a Savior that truly loves us and will give us victory. Jesus is that Savior!

From the Bible:
1 Peter 5:6-11 ‘Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen. having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. ‘
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light.”’

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June 24, 2023

Taking Time to Pray and Listen to God

Have you ever had one of those one-sided conversations where one person talks for the entire time and the other person cannot say a word? To make it worse is when they speak until they are finished and then finish by saying something like, “I gotta go, talk to you later”. You may feel like you had so much to add to the conversation, but wasn’t given a chance.

When we pray to God, let’s give Him a chance to be involved and give input; not just as a listener.

This video message is about learning to speak and listen to God. Prayer is talking to God, but what is listening? How do you hear from God? Does God have a voice? How do you discern God’s voice?

Jesus says that people who believe in him will know His voice. That is very important to know that it is possible to hear from God.

Bible verses about Prayer:
Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Matthew 6:7

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

1 John 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.

1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

1 John 5:16

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that.

John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Ephesians 1:18

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,

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 Lord’s people.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

James 5:13

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

Jeremiah 29:12

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

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