Current Message - Are you frustrated? 1/04/09

In the words of Pastor David Paul ( pastordavidpaul.org ), “it’s time for the church to stop lying to the world. As a Christian I’ll be honest and tell you that not everything is perfect in my life. There are a few things I would like to have, things I wished I had or had not done, things I would like to go back in time and do differently. I will not sit here and tell you that God has answered all my prayers within a 24 hour period. I don’t wake up every morning leaping out of bed full of joy and glee. They say money won’t buy you happiness, but it sure is an necessity in this society of houses, cars, toys and gadgets. And most folks I know wish they had more cash so as to purchase more of these things. However one cannot help but notice that many of those who seem to have it all, at times , experience more problems and issues than the common folk!

A few words from ‘Bishop T.D. Jakes’ - “Life is hard. It will shift and change on you, you’re up one minute, down the next. At one point all is well, you have plenty of money, you are even able to help some folks out, then the next thing you know you’re the one in need. Life is hard. I don’t care if you’re male or female, black or white, educated or not. I don’t care if you have more degrees than a thermometer, life is hard it will leave you sitting on the edge of the bed wondering what went wrong“?

Many people feel that if they had a good paying job, got rid of the boss from hell, get all of their co-workers to love them, find the spouse of their dreams, buy a nice house, drive a nice set of wheels, then they’ll be happy as bees are with their honey. J Also we have to admit that many of our circumstances we got ourselves into, and now we want God to provide us an instant heavenly bail out package, with minimal efforts on our part.

The fact of the matter is that all of us are living on this planet, and not many realize that the physical and spiritual state of the planet is not as it was when it was first created. 

7 steps in man’s fall 

1 - Doubt of God’s word (Gen. 3:1)

2 - Adding to and misquoting God’s word (Gen.3:2-3)

3 - Contradicting God’s word (Gen. 3:4 (the lie); cp. Ez. 18:4, 20-24 (the truth) , Rom 6:16-23; 8:1-13; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:9-11; Gal.5:19-21; 6:7-8; 2Tim. 2:12; Jas.29-10 )

4 - Misinterpretation of God’s word (Gen. 3:5)

5 - Temptation to transgress God’s word (Gen. 3:6; 2Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14 )

6 - Transgression of God’s word (Gen. 3:6)

7 - Results of transgressing God’s word ( Gen. 3:6-19; Rom. 5 :12-21; Jas. 1:13-15)  

What Man Lost in the Fall

1 - Spiritual, physical, and eternal life ( Isa. 59:2 ; Rom. 5:12-21 ; Eph. 2 )

2 - Communion with God ( Isa. 59:2 )

3 - Fellowship with animals ( Gen. 9:2 )

4 - His full dominion over all things (Ps. 8 )

5 - Freedom from Satan ( Jn. 14:30 ; 2Cor. 4:4 ; Eph. 6:10-18 : Rev. 12:9 )

6 - Perfect God Consciousness ( Gen. 2:25 ; 3:7 )

7 - Full power to do good ( Gen. 6:5-7 ; Rom. 7 )

8 - Perfect self - control ( Eph. 2; Gal.5 )

9 - Right to the tree of life ( Gen . 3:22-24)

10 - Garden home (Gen. 2:15 ; 3:22-24

11 God’s glory ( Rom. 3:23 )

12 - Righteousness and true holiness ( Eph. 4:22-24 )

13 - All benefits of perfect union with God ( Rev. 21:1-7 ; 22: 1-3 )

14 - Perfect health ( Gen. 3:16-19 ; Mt. 8:17 ; 1 Pet. 2:24

Judgment for sin ( Gen. 3:14-19, 23-24 ) Because of his sin man reaped sickness, pain, sorrow, misery, condemnation, death, loss of soul, fellowship and union with Satan and demons, an inferior position, power to do evil and be evil, a life of self-gratification, unclean lusts and habits, unbelief, separation from God, hardships, sufferings, hell, eternal damnation, and other curses too numerous to mention. He became depraved (Rom.1), darkened (Eph. 4:18), blind in mind (2Cor.4:4), defiled in conscience (heb. 10:22) , obstinate and rebellious (Isa. 28:14 ; Rom. 8:1-13 ), lustful ( Eph. 2:1-3 ), evil continually (Gen. 6:5 ) , full of abominations ( Jer. 17:9 ; Mk. 7:19-21 : Rom. 1:18-32 ; 1 Cor. 6:9-11 ; Gal. 5:19-21, Col.3:5-10 ), and lost - making all his offspring, with all their faculties, constituted sinful by nature ( Rom. 5:12-21; Eph. 2:1-3 ) and children of the devil by choice and practice ( Jn. 8:44 ; 2 Cor. 4:4 ; Eph. 2:1-3 ; Jn.3:8-10 )

As we can see our present state is totally whacked out of it. And you thought the economy was bad! This present situation is far worse than most people can imagine. All I can say is thank God for Jesus Christ, and that’s something that should be on every human being’s mind.

Something else we need to address and that’s our adversary………..

Rev. 12: 7-9 - And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels *fought against the dragon: and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev. 12:12 - therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

* Just a note on fighting angels - ref. Dakes bible pg. 515 ( letter b ) - angels fight by bodily contact in the same way men do. They are capable of operation in the material and earthly realm. After all , heaven and other planets are of material substance like the earth. Angels have done and can do all things that men can do , plus some things men cannot do before becoming resurrected, immortalized , and being given glorified bodies like Christ who can appear and disappear, going through material substances ( letter k , Jn. 21:14 ). Angels are capable of being captured and confined by chains and prisons like men ( Dan. 10:13-21 ; 2 Pet. 2:4 , Jude 6-7 ; Rev. 9:11, 14 ; 20:1-10 ). Here one army of angels is going to defeat and cast down another army of angels to the earth and confine them there ( Rev. 12:7-12 ). All fallen ones will be confined to hell forever Mt. 25:41 ; Rev. 20:10.

Another area of frustration that Christians have to deal with is when we expect God to move when we say so. I recall , before I began to grow in Christ, that during my prayers , I would give God specific instructions on how I wanted him to use his almighty power to be put towards the fulfillment of whatever I wanted. Many times in my life I would be thinking that God is moving in one direction only to find out he’s speaking to you about something totally different. Many attempt to analyze God by means of using their human intellect , God tells us this in his word……Isa. 55: 8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts , neither are your ways my ways, Saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth , so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Christians have this ongoing battle between fleshly things and spiritual things. This is an area where many checkout of the kingdom of God. Jesus said….. God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Jn. 4:24)

Another area dealing with frustration is the subject of time. We are familiar with the big three , past , present , future. However , God lives outside of time , God created time , and he lives in eternity , where things are a little bit different than this three dimensional system we live in. Psalm 90:4 - For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past , and as a watch in the night.

2^nd Peter 3:8 - But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years , and a thousand years as one day.

Bill Watson of the ‘ Church of God International ‘ , during one of his teachings, put together the following. If 1000 years to God is as one day then…..

* 1000 yrs divided by 24hrs = 41.66 years per hour

* 1 minute to God is about .7yrs (7/10ths of yr.) , roughly ¾ of year per minute

* 2 yrs. of praying - is about 1.5 minutes to God

* 4 yrs. of praying - is about 3 minutes in the throne room

* 6 yrs. Of praying - is about 9 minutes in his eyes

* A human lives 70 yrs. On this planet - to God this is about 1.5 hours

So the next time you hear someone say, or you may think this yourself, “ I’ve been asking God for something for the last 5 years , just remember in God’s eyes you’ve only been there for a few minutes. 

I strongly suggest digesting the word of God into your system on a daily basis , by using any means possible. I have and use bibles, DVDS , CDS , videos, tapes, ( you can get complete narrated version of the bible on CD) , books , pamphlets , etc. I also have a habit of talking to God. Not a day goes by where I don’t talk to God! Many profess to have a relationship with him , but I often wonder just how much attention folks actually give to God. Not only should you commune with God throughout the day but try to set aside a certain time during the day when you can get alone with God. You can be in your car , the shower, while your doing chores around the house, etc. On work days I get up a half an hour early , and stop at a rest area, , to pray and commune with God , and this is after my 30 mile drive to work , during which time I’m either talking to God, or listening to tapes and CDS. People may laugh at this but I don’t worry about what people think I concentrate on God.

I also have certain scriptures that I bring to mind when I need some encouragement. Here are some examples……

Isa. 41:10 - Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Jude 24 - Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.

Jn. 14:1-3 - Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go now and prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Rom. 8:38-39 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Cor. 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1 Cor. 2:9 - But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1 Cor. 2:12 -now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1 Thess. 4:16-18 - or the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Jer. 9:23-24 -thus saith the Lord,let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understand and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

1Cor. 10:13 -there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Eph. 1:3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will ( according to the good pleasure of his will simply means “ because he felt like it! “ ) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1Cor. 15:52 -behold I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Rom. 8:18 -for I considered that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Rev. 3:5 - he that overcometh; the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his 

name before my Father, and before his angels.

James 1:12 -

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

James 2:5 -

Psalm 91 -

Matt. 5:3-12 - The Beatitudes

* Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

* Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted

* Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

* Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

* Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy.

* Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God.

* Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

*Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

* Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely , for my sake. Rejoice, and become exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

From the study guide “ Christ in Prophecy “ by ‘Dr. David Reagan ‘ (Lamb & Lion Ministries) , Mr. Reagan , on page #107 , categorized some scriptures that deal withEternal Life - Matthew 19:29; Matthew 25:46; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; John 3:15-16; John 5:24; John 6:27, 40, 47, 51-54; John 11;25-26; John 12:25, 50; John 17:3; Acts 13:46, 48; Romans 2:7; Romans 5:21; Romans 6:22-23; Galatians 6:8; Titus 1;2; Titus 3:7; Hebrews 9:28; 1 Peter 1:4; 1 John 2:17, 25; 1 John 5:11, 13; Jude 21; Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 3:5 (listed above) , Revelation 3:12; and Revelation 21:1-17

My friends there are many, many more scriptures which are there for encouragement, comfort, faith, understanding and love. There are many pamphlets and small inspirational books available, that are easy to carry along with you. And when the enemy starts his assault on your emotions and spirit being………just open fire with some scriptures, and praises, and call on the name of your big brother Jesus!

In my Dake’s Bible, Mr. Dakes has a whole section devoted to showing just what happened when man had a falling out with the good Lord. This is the root of the problem, this is why life sometimes is so hard and frustrating.

The following was taken from The Dake’s Bible “Genesis notes” page 87