2009-01-29 - Jesus with People - God Come Looking John 9:25 - One thing I do know, I was blind and now I see
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2009-01-31 - Jesus with People - No Dogs in Heaven Matthew 15 - The Canaanite Women Jesus was silent and by his silent he tested and revealed both the hearts of his disciples and the heart of this woman Perhaps the instructions given earlier by Jesus send then to find the lost sheep of Israel was still in their mind Maybe thought: "he sent us to find the lost Israelite. too bad, she is a Gentile. Send her away." Jesus did not send her away but said - I was only sent to the lost sheep of Israel - Matthew 15:24 Jesus - it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their gods - Matthew 15:26 Savior was willing to be misunderstood in order to flush out faith or faithlessness in the heart of this woman In the end, Jesus affirmed her faith and admired her grit He did not see the woman as unsubmissive or rebellious or undeserving; he saw her as full of faith Jesus was more concerned about helping someone grow in their faith than he was keep up the nice-guy image |
2009-02-01 - Jesus with People - The Bleeding Woman The crowds followed him to point of his exhaustion Why did Jesus' life draw a crowd? Jesus was willing Jesus was not just a servant but was a selfless servant We get caught up with the duties of Christianity - serving the weak and the lost With more responsibility we have, the easier it is to administer rather than minister. Consistent delegation cause our hearts to harden - just organizing and managing If you are not seeing the crowds, develop the heart of selflessness After she touched his cloak, he could have let the woman leave anonymously, but her called attention to her so he could lift he up He was concerned not only for her sickness, but her emotions as well Jesus had forceful faith and expected it of others |
2009-02-02 - Jesus with People - Seeing and Not Seeing Luke 7:36-50 - Simon, I have something to tell you Jesus is able to cut through the muck - right to the heart He had outspoken clarity - Luke 7:40 In truth Simon saw neither the woman or himself for how they really were Jesus did see the woman - Her sin was obvious as her brokenness He actions came from her new sense of reality Once she saw Jesus, she responded the only way she could have - compelled by love - 2 Corinthians 5:14 Jesus' words should have cut Simon deeply - But he who has been forgiven little lives little He wants to have a relationship with us Think of trying to have a relationship with ant - talking with it, caring for it and especially dying for it - it is unfathomable! How many times did Jesus change people's view if God? Who am I most like: Simon or the sinful woman? |
2009-02-03 - Jesus with People - Give or Take? World seem to be divided into givers and takers Usually we feel as though we are the givers and everyone else is a taker We can draw back and become cynical - before long we cling to possessions, our rights or our feelings At that point we have become takers We would never admit it - and many of us do not see it Jesus meet a man that was a taker - Matthew Matthew was no different than us - he probably had a family with mouths to feed As he left the office and crept closer toward the crowd surrounding Jesus He heard the words - You must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me Jesus then walked up to Matthew and said "Follow me" His life changed forever - became a disciple of Jesus How did Jesus know? do it? Jesus knew that he was sick and need to get well - Mark 2:17 We need to see people as they ready are and what they can become Is there some in your life you can share with but haven't because you don't think they are open? |
2009-02-05 - Jesus with People - Realness When it comes to friendship, Jesus again sets the standard Jesus knew John:
Incredible thing about John is that it would seem that he never doubted Jesus' love He refered to himself 5 times as the "disciple that Jesus loved" |
2009-02-06 - Jesus with People - Closeness Jesus, knowing he would have to face the cross alone - would be have been easay to maintain his distace Closeness reuires spending time together At the last supper, John was seated to Jesus' left - John 13:23-26 |
2009-02-07 - Jesus with People - Openness Jesus opened his heart to his friends Jesus completely bared his very soul to his three closest friends - Matthew 26:38 All the while knowing that they were unworthy of his trust and fell sleep when he needed them the most |
2009-02-10 - Jesus with People - Heart Determined to Preach Jesus did not avoid his persecutors; he confronted them.
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2009-02-11 - Jesus with People - Heart Determined to Love Jesus' strongest and clearest denunciation of the Pharisees came in Matthew 23
His last and strongest words were spoken to wake them up He was trying to open their hearts and win them over to God |
2009-02-12 - Jesus with People - The Better Choice Martha and Mary - Luke 18:29-30 Jesus and his disciples were passing through the village when Martha opened her home to them - Luke 10:38 Jesus didn't stop to correct Martha in her preparation Martha - Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work myself? With compassion - Martha, Martha Explained that Mary's choice was right and a lasting one What Jesus wanted most was to see her have a single-minded desire to know him and his teachings Sometimes we get so wrapped up in preparing to server others that we are either too distracted or too exhausted to server them when they arrive |
2009-02-13 - Jesus with People - Jesus Wept Upon hearing about the death of his close friend Lazarus, Jesus wept... Jesus really felt the emotions that we feel Why did he cry? Scripture does not say. Could be because:
Who are your deepest relationships in the church? |
2009-02-18 - Jesus with People - Doing What We Ought 1 Timothy 6:13-14 Compared to previous struggles, the "Jesus dilemma" made the governor's worries look minuscule Jesus was accused of
Masses that had given homage were the same crowds asking for his death Jesus always did what was right Pontius Pilate knew what he ought to do and what he wanted to do but did not do it |
2009-02-19 - Jesus with People - What is Truth? Upon hearing the charges made by his fellow Jews, Jesus did not even rely to a single charge - Matthew 27:14 Governor was amazed; Jesus' self-control stumped Pilate Ill-fated Jews were forcing Pilate to face "truth" head on All he wanted to do was avoid another political blunder; he responded - What is truth? Jesus stood before him as the truth For this reason I came into the world, to testify to the truth - John 18:37 Everyone on the side of truth listen to me - John 18:37 |
2009-02-21 - Jesus with People - Devil in Disguise John 13:27-31 Jesus knew all men - John 2:24-25 Have I not chosen you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil! - John 6:70 Jesus not only tolerated Judas, he lavished love on him |
2009-02-23 - Jesus with People - Will He Find Faith? Luke 18:1-8 - Jesus tells of a parable about praying not giving up; concluding, 'will he find faith on the earth?' After Jesus was crucified and resurrected he could have gone home to the Father but chose to remain with his friends again He wanted to know their hearts. Where was their faith? - They still did not get it He did not walk away in disgust and give up on them |
2009-02-28 - Promises of God - Being Fully Persuaded Abraham shows us that faith is all about having confidence in the promises of God Yet he did not weaver through unbelief, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised - Romans 4:20-21 Abraham was justified by faith - Romans 4:13 We must learn God's promises and never waver in unbelief in trusting them. |
2009-03-12 - Promises of God - Carry and Rescue Paul: My God will meet all your needs - Philiippians 4:19 God most certianly allows us to have needs He allows situations where we are left to wonder how things will turn out He has not promised to keep us free from need As we grow older, all kinds of needs are created I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you - Isaiah 46:3:-4 Old age and gray hairs = symbols of all the things we can not control and tend to worry us I will rescue you: deliver us from danger - did not promis we wll never be in danger From every evil attack and bring me to safety - 2 Timothy 4:18 |
2009-03-30 - Promises of God - God Sees and Cares When feeling that no really understands.... Did God cause this situation? Is here angry with me? Is he disappointed in my reactions? Does my fear mean I don't trust him? David displayed many of these emotions Even with these emotions, we also see a firm trust in God God so aware of the pain David was suffering that God kept a record of every tear that was shed - Psalms 56:8 |
2009-04-05 - Promises of God - Noahs Faith Confidence in God's promise must be so great that we obey "even though" we don't understand and it does not make sense By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen - Hebrews 11:7
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2009-04-06 - Promises of God - Abrahams Faith By faith Abraham, called to place even through he did not know where is was going - Hebrews 11:8 Obedience to God is the only thing that makes sense Ludicrous to think that our limited and mortal minds can out smart an omnipotent and omnipresent God We will never find the blessing of God if we constantly question the wisdom of God How do you feel about the word of obey? |
2009-04-18 - Why We Need God - He is Our Creator GOD AS OUR CREATOR...
a. Where did I come from? |
2009-04-20 - Why We Need God - He is Our Redeemer GOD AS OUR REDEEMER...
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2009-04-25 - Why We Need Jesus - He Reconciles Us to God HE RECONCILES US TO GOD...
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2009-05-01 - No one like him - Differences from Jesus and the prophets (part 2) 4. Forgiving sins Prophets – God can forgive your sins5. Called himself “Son of Man” / Savior Prophets – God saves6. He is a judge Prophets – God judgesNo genuine prophet ever preached like this
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2009-05-02 - No one like him - His dependence on God (part 1) No one claimed to be able to do what he did He knew the result would be if he completely depended on God – gave confidence Dependency can have negative connotations; those who are dependent sometimes are looked down on. Bible says not to depend on ourselves or other men … but on God.
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2009-05-06 - No one like him - His servant heart (part 1) People dream of having servants Most consider a servant’s life a life to avoid Jesus was willing to go to the lowest position
Jesus’ disciples were looking for a forceful liberator Suffering, serving were on Jesus’ agenda |
2009-05-07 - No one like him - His servant heart (part 2) Many ways to set our mind
Not looking for comfort Not about the way he looked Jesus saw himself as a servant, leading others to be servants How would this thinking change – marriage, family, church, workplace, neighborhood? Jesus was about meeting needs
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2009-05-08 - No one like him - His servant heart (part 3) To serve means
No one can save himself and still fulfill the mission of God Luke 17:7-10 – we have only done our duty Thinking not in terms of rights but of responsibility Slave to all – Mark 10:44 We need to empty ourselves with being a doormat |
2009-05-13 - No one like him - Jesus and the Scriptures How did Jesus view the scriptures?
Didn’t accept views about: Samaritans, Gentiles, women, leapers, tax collectors Jesus hung around the wrong people, wrong parties, and wrong trainees Jesus had great confidence found in the scriptures 11x in gospels (20x mores by gospel writers) in where Jesus said he was the fulfilling what had been written |
2009-05-15 - No one like him - Jesus believed scripture settled issues Parable of the Tenants - Mark 12:10 Haven't you read the scriptures? - quoting Psalms 118:22-23 In error because they did know the scriptures; badly mistaken - to religious leaders - Mark 12:24;27 Thinking:
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2009-05-28 - No one like him - Conflict and Controversy (part 1) Established positions were threaten Again and again Jesus said “You have heard it said … but I say to you…” Some say Jesus was the ultimate nice person but he was a prophet (reputation for being offensive) Examples in Matthew 23:
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2009-05-29 - No one like him - Conflict and Controversy (part 2) Like the earlier prophets, Jesus spoke bluntly to the religious leaders Ungodly religion must be rebuked; Nice words will not drive the point home; Too much is at stake Jesus did not enjoy the rebukes but wept over cities (Luke 19:41) Jesus made sharp contrasts between traditions and the word of God (Matthew 15:3) Religion that avoided sinners at all cost vs a religion that seeks after sinner at all cost The goal of a physician is not to spend time with the sick but to help the sick get well |
2009-05-30 - No one like him - Conflict and Controversy (part 3) Jesus did not just hang around the sick but he had a message and plan for them to get well Today is the opposite problem – association with all kinds of people; but without a message – bring the spirit without the truth Sin must be dealt with at the heart level; not just outwardly like the Pharisees – could not be cured by rules or rituals Living like Jesus (living a totally different life) will cause conflict and controversy Living like Jesus entails:
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2009-05-31 - No one like him - Even Death on the Cross All during Jesus life, his brutal death was on his mind; he struggled and submitted to it (John 12:27) At Gethsemane, did not try to do it alone but asked for help from his friends (Mark 14:32-34); Peter and Judas did not ask for help One of the most important words in the Bible, Jesus – not as I will, but as you will (Mark 14:35-36) The image of the cross was so gruesome that it took 500 years to appear in art |
2009-06-03 - No one like him - The Empty Tomb (part 2) What it means for us: 1. Jesus can be trusted a. Jesus taught with truth and compassion i. No man can come to except through me c. Gives us a place to stand – embolden the disciples2. Shows the kingdom has come 3. God fully intended to continue Jesus mission a. Jesus was the foundation4. Those who follow him also share in the resurrection a. Died with Christ, now we can live a new life with him – Romans 6:4,5,8 |
2009-06-04 - No one like him - Count Cost (part 1) Not a question of how hard or difficult but if it is true Not all struggling is bad Jesus calls us to:
Jesus was not out of touch – Matthew 9:36 Jesus had a clear view of love and generosity – John 10:33 Kingdom now in the present age Fix our eyes on Jesus We need to deal with OUR heart Jesus did not just come to amaze He came to call people to change their lives He was upfront with commitment level Must deny self |
2009-06-15 - A Life of Impact - The Challenge The Challenge Mark 1:19-20
Vision
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2009-06-18 - A Life of Impact - Compassion Compassion Mark 1:40-45
Humility
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2009-06-19 - A Life of Impact - Opportunism Opportunism Mark 2:1-2
Commendation Mark 2:3-5
Forgiveness
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2009-06-20 - A Life of Impact - Selfless Authority Abandon Mark 2:6-12
Selfless Authority
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2009-06-21 - A Life of Impact - Focus on the individual Focus on the individual Mark 2:13-14
Acceptance of others Mark 2:15-17 · Jesus did not seem to worry about ruining his reputation |
2009-06-22 - A Life of Impact - Nonconformist Mark 2:15-17 Nonconformist
Protector
Challenger
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2009-06-23 - A Life of Impact - Conciseness and Boldness Conciseness Mark 2:27-28 - Direct statement, only a few words. Boldness Mark 3:1-6 - Exposed the evil intentions of their hearts Anger
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2009-06-25 - A Life of Impact - Radical and Reasonability Radical Mark 3:20-22
Reasonability Mark 3:23-30
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2009-06-30 - A Life of Impact - Dream Shared Dream Shared Mark 4:26-32
Choice words Mark 4:33-34
Actions speak louder
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2009-07-02 - A Life of Impact - Reinvestment of Dividends Reinvestment of Dividends Mark 5:18-20
Tenderness Mark 5:21-34
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2009-07-03 - A Life of Impact - Assertiveness Assertiveness Mark 5:35-43
Fear Sensitivity
A Simple charge
Privileging
Consideration
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2009-07-05 - A Life of Impact - Patience and Challenger Mark 6:1-6 Patience
Challenger
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2009-07-06 - A Life of Impact - Forcefulness The Sending Mark 6:7-13
Forcefulness
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2009-07-08 - A Life of Impact - Shepherding Shepherding Mark 6:30-44
Work Ethic
Crowd Appeal
Visible Sincerity
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2009-07-09 - A Life of Impact - Toughness and Excellence Toughness Mark 6:45-46
Unwavering Excellence Mark 6:47-56
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2009-07-13 - A Life of Impact - Communicator Communicator Mark 7:31-37
A standard of excellence
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2009-07-15 - A Life of Impact - Prudence Prudence Mark 8:11-13
Moving On
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2009-07-17 - A Life of Impact - Second effort Second effort Mark 8:22-26
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2009-07-19 - A Life of Impact - Timing Timing Mark 8:31-33
Approachability
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2009-07-21 - A Life of Impact - Magnetism Magnetism Mark 9:14-29
Frustration
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2009-07-25 - A Life of Impact - Friend or Foe? Friend or Foe? Mark 9:38-41
Hell-Fire Speech Mark 9:42-50
Teacher Mark 10:1 – We must good teachers and in teaching mode. |
2009-07-26 - A Life of Impact - Taking the Offensive Taking the Offensive Mark 10:2-12
Judgment
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2009-07-29 - A Life of Impact - Leading the way Leading the way Mark 10:32-34
Mark 10:35-40
Mark 10:41-45
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2009-08-01 - A Life of Impact - Anger Anger Mark 11:11-19
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2009-08-12 - A Life of Impact - Unconditional Love Unconditional Love Mark 14:17-26
The Memorial
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2009-08-15 - A Life of Impact - Emotional Transformation (part 2) Openness
Deliberation
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2009-08-17 - A Life of Impact - Mark 15 Unforgettable Words Mark 14:66-72
Mark 15:1-32
Mark 15:33-47
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2009-08-19 - Wild at Heart - Intro (part 1) Eve was created with the lush beauty of Eden’s garden Adam was created outside the garden – wild from the beginning Men have an insatiable longing to explore When most men come alive Discover it when they first cross the street or when they first ride their bikes to the store Adventure – all the danger and wildness (longing into the soul of men) Man needs a place where it is not prefabricated Moses – in the desert of Sinai Jacob – wrestling with God (somewhere east of Jabbok) Elijah recovered his strength in the wild So did John the Baptist and Jesus |
2009-08-20 - Wild at Heart - Intro (part 2) Deep within man there are some fundamental questions Who am I? What am I made of? What am I destined for? Today’s man Endless hours at the computer Requires man to be efficient and punctual Is this what boys dream of? Where are the real men? Did you ever dream of being a nice guy? We are told we don’t know how to: Keep our promises Talk to our wives Raise our children Some women want passive men Wonder why they have no access to their heart God made the masculine heart – Come live out what I meant you to be He does not make generic people – man/women |
2009-08-24 - Wild at Heart - A battle to fight Christ draws the enemy out, exposes him for what he is, shames him in front of everyone Nice guy? Egyptians – plagues … Samson – killed a lion with bear hands, stripped thirty Philistines, killed 1,000 men Every man is from a victorious stock He is an original Who are you? Are you bored by him? What impact does he have on others? Are you too nice? Jesus was one with out fear – Did not shrink back but faced things head on - John 18:4-8 Jesus was no paled faced alter boy He commanded the loyalty of dockworkers Will return on a white horse There is something fierce in the heart of God |
2009-08-28 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 2) Every man knows there is something wrong, but can not figure out what it is Man’s deepest fear is being found out – discovered as a impostor and not really a man Every man feels that the world is asking him to be something he doubts very much he has it in him to be How do you see yourself as a man? Are words like: strong, passionate and dangerous word you would choose? Do you have the courage to ask those in your life what they think of you as a man? Manly to – hunt, fix cars, survive in the wild Why don’t men play the man? Why don’t they offer their strength to a world that needs it?
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2009-08-30 - Wild at Heart - Question that haunts every man (part 4) Eve (helper or lifesaver)– fails her design too Eve is deceived Eve was convicted that God was withholding something from her Now every daughter of Eve wants control her surroundings
We are hiding - not what we are meant to be - afraid of exposure |
2009-09-03 - Wild at Heart - The wound (part 3) Masculinity – boy craves (passed between men) Boys love to wrestle
Is it growing, real, substantive? Mother does not give new respect to son - hurts Clinging mother - she feels rejected and son feels guilty Many adult resent their mothers and do not know why Mom did not let go and dad did not take him away We do not grow up wondering if we are going to be a nice boy. Be wild and we need to know that |
2009-09-09 - Wild at Heart - The fathers voice (part 2) When we see Jesus, Joseph is out of the picture – true father God – he had to learn who he really was and made of. Initiation involves a journey and a series of tests. We try to make our lives easier. What are you trying to teach me here? What issues in my heart are you trying to rise through this? What is it you want me to see? What are you asking me to let go of? Men are taught that a wound that stops you from playing is a girlish wound. No wonder we walk with our guts hanging out Most men minimize their wound David did not act like this at all - openly - “my heart is wounded within me” - Psalms 109:22 Suck it up, as the saying goes God is fiercely committed to you Wound that goes unacknowledged and unwept is a wound that cannot heal You’ve embraced and deserve is a would that cannot heal Whatever is denied cannot heal Certainly denial that it’s shaping the way they live today. |
2009-09-18 - Wild at Heart - Healing the wound (part 4) Forgiveness is a choice Do not wait for the feeling of wanting to forgive because it will not come Not “It didn’t matter” and “I probably reserved it” “It was wrong, it mattered, and I release you” Masculinity is passed from father to son Adam, Abraham, Jacob, David leaned who they were out of their intimacy with God the Father New heart and put a new spirit in you - Romans 8:1 What God sees when he see you is the real you, the true you, the man he had in mind when he made you You must ask God what he thinks of you, and you must stay with the question until you have an answer Last thing the Evil One wants you to |
2009-10-04 - One Another - Teaching One Another With all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another - Colossians 3:16 Teaching translated from the word "didasko" = to give instruction, to impart information or wisdom In Christianity to applies to spiritual development
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2009-10-05 - One Another - Admonishing One Another "noutheteo" meaning to or counsel, translated admonish:
Not uncommon to pay to have a life couch We should have a # of relationships with people who know us and can help We must also realize that we can give others couching as well |
2009-10-08 - Wild at Heart - The Strategy (part 1) 1. I am not here Satan says, “ I am not here, it just you” You cannot fight a battle that you don’t think exists Satan prowls around like a roaring lion - 1 Peter 5:8-9 Assume you are under spiritual attack When you ignore the enemy, he wins He simply loves to put everything on us Get us to feel hurt, misunderstood, suspicious and resentful Before an effective military strike, must take our the lines of communication Marriage is a living example – Satan loves to divide and conquer Sends a message – you are blowing it – “I thought you were disappointed with me” They did not send this message Most of all the Enemy tries to jam communication with Headquarters Commit yourself to prayer every morning for two weeks and just watch what happens Satan tries to make our mind wonder and cause interferences |