Alternate Endings series “Small Steps” by Pastor Tracy (notes & video)

Alternate Endings: Small Steps that Lead to Big Destruction

Sunday, July 22, 2012            Pastor Tracy Boyd

Review: Although we may not be where we want to be right now, we can have an alternate ending:

• OATS has shaped our choices, which determine our destiny. Our OATS have been manipulated by the enemy who pushes for lust of the eye, flesh and pride of life.
• God had a great plan for Samson’s life to truly lead and help the people of Israel but he cooperated with “I want it, I deserve it, I can handle it” which led to his down fall.
• Samson was emotionally led instead of spirit led; we’ve been given the privilege to pull on the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome anything negative attacking our life
• Failing forward; failure is an event not a person! Your mistake may be your stepping stone to your next level.

This week we are going to show that it is small steps that lead to big

 destruction.

• Whether positive of negative, where we are today did not happen over night. There were small choices that led to small steps. How many of us have replayed in our minds, “If I only would have done this instead of that.” Samson’s down fall did not happen all at once; there were small steps that led to his big destruction.
• We know he was given instruction how he was to conduct his life to be the most successful leader. We see however he did not follow.

Patterns in the Word:

David:

Small steps that led to His success- a worshiper in the fields, lion a bear then Goliath, refusing to touch the anointed to king even though he was trying to kill David, dancing wildly before the ark of the covenant that his clothes fell off!

• Called a man after God’s own heart, extremely successful

Small steps that led to destruction: didn’t go to war when suppose to, was bored and looked at a woman bathing, knew she was married but took her anyways, killed her husband and then tried to cover it all up.

• Samuel 11:1-11
• Somehow there was a shift from God dependence to self- preservation.
• Nathan the prophet exposes David and David quickly repents/he doesn’t make excuses as his predecessor did.
• Samuel 12: 13-14

 So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”  And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.

• • Grace: death was required by the law for both murder and adultery, however, because of David’s deep repentance with out excuses, God’s grace was available.  His family, however, would experience the effects of his sin (Amnon rapeing Tamar, Absalom killing Ammon, Absalom trying to overthrow his father and eventually dying- David did not deal with his kids mistakes either!)
  • More Grace: Samuel 12:24 “then David comforted Bathsheba his wife and he went into her hear and lay with her. So she bore a son and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him.

Solomon:

Small steps- asked for wisdom to lead God’s people, worshipper, fair

Deut. 17:16-20

⁶ The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself⁽or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the Lord has told you, “You are not to go back that way again.” ¹⁷ He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulatelarge amounts of silver and gold.

2 Chronicles 1:14
Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 1:16
Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue —the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.

1 Kings 11:1-2

But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— ² from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love.

Ecclesiastes 2:8
I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man.

This is what we do! We know in our heart, “This is not good for me…” yet we still do it. Nothing happens so we do something else. We keep doing this then the hammer comes down!

James 1:13-15

 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (lured away from the place of self restraint) and enticed (wanting something forbidden).  ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, (made you a prisoner) it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Example of Seeds of separation

If this works in the negative, it works in the positive as well

• The woman at the well.

• What’s your small step towards God?

Our faithful God

I just have to give my God a little glory here. I was just entering all of my business info this week as I usually do, and thought I would see how we were doing in comparison to last year at this time. Before I tell you how awesome we are doing, I just want you to know that we have always been faithful tithers for the most part. Once we became Lifer’s, we increased our faithfulness to tithing and also began giving an offering most weeks.

We have been speaking prosperity and fruitfulness over our lives and confessing the following scriptures: Proverbs 8:18 With me (God) are riches, honor, enduring wealth and prosperity and Psalm 35:27 Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Well I’m magnifying Him today as much as I can, because He is definitely doing his part so now I’m doing mine! So the facts are this; just this month alone my business increased 73%!!!! Holy cow! We only gave 10% plus an offering, and He totally out gave us!! So my curiosity drove me to see how much we increased for the year thus far…. 58.6%!! Yes that’s right He increased us more than 5x’s the percentage that we gave. The word works, and I cannot wait for the end of the year to see the complete work! I have to also add that my work is extremely seasonal and we made more this month which is usually a very, very slow month than we did in December which is high season in Naples. Another 58% increased difference! Hallelujah!! Glory to God, He is so faithful.

Alternate Ending series “A Yielded Will” by: Pastor James Boyd

the plan taking place

God’s ways are awesome!
You know, I couldn’t figure out why God led me to get a job at a payday advance place that charges people 391% interest on a loan. I wondered if I should have been working there as I recognize this as usury, (don’t know if I’ll be working there much longer either)! I got promoted to full time which is almost unheard of in this business except for managers. Also was told I was getting a .50 raise, also unheard of in this business, most csrs only get like .19 cents after being there a year! Anyway, being there full time I got to know a lot of the customers, their stories are very sad. I started telling them I would pray for them. I’ve talked to some about faith and God. I’ve also been led to pray for the company. One day, I overheard my manager telling a customer she would pray for her! God is working, I got so excited! Our corporate headquarters are in Ohio. Ohio just voted to put into effect a law that limits the interest these places can charge to 28%, it now goes to the senate to be voted on. This will shut down these places in Ohio, they can’t afford to stay in business, GOD? My corporate office is planning on moving out of Ohio. How do I know my prayers make a difference? I see changes for one , I see hope in my customers faces, (one lady with cancer stood at my desk and cried), I see my manager following suit-in praying for the customers, and most of all I have become a target for the enemy! Persecution comes! My hours were suddenly cut to 20 a week-lost half my paycheck and all my benefits! My pay raise is being fought by corporate, I have to work every Saturday-mandatory (that’s what they think ,I just got one off) all kinds of persecution is flying at me, I’m finding out that you know how they say if you have an un-honest person working for you your company will suffer? Well it works the same when its the opposite way! When you have a child of God working in a dark place the enemy is coming down! By being obedient to God and praying and standing He can Move! I am really excited about being persecuted! It confirms for me that God is using me to make a difference! I am excited because I get to see Him move not only in those around me but also in other States! And also, that lady with cancer? She wants info on Life Bible Institute (LBI)! Hope this all makes sense to you guys, I just get so excited. I don’t know if I’ll have a job much longer but I know God has a plan so it doesn’t matter, though the enemy comes at me one way he’ll flee from me seven!

Heroes Series “Paul” notes & video – Pastor James Boyd 11/13/11

Heroes – Paul  – by: Pastor James Boyd

Paul’s early days – history

Acts 7:59-60

Stephen prays for his persecutors…Saul.

Acts 8:1-3

• Saul ravages the church and it scatters. He was in full agreement with Stephen’s death
• Saul intended for bad, but God used for good.
• Multitudes saved by Philip who fled due to Saul’s persecution
• Acts 9
• Saul received permission from the high priest to take folks out of their church bound to prison
• Then, Jesus showed up
• 2 Big lessons in chapter 9 – the start of Paul’s understanding
  • Acts 9:4, 5 NKJV – Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him,  “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said,  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It  is  hard for you to kick against the goads.”
    • “kick against the goads” – doing something that is not winnable.
    • 1 Corinthians 15:56 NKJV – The sting of death  is  sin, and the strength of sin  is  the law.
    • He’s telling Paul that he’s been under something that is harder and has no good in it…the Law. You can’t win with a Law mentality.
    • You are persecuting Me.
      • It looks like Stephen in the natural, but it’s Me.
      • Lesson 1 – not alone: the folks that follow Jesus aren’t alone. It hurts Jesus when you hurt and He won’t stand for it. He already beat it at the cross and resurrection.
        • You can’t come against Jesus’ kids and win. (Galatians 2:20)
  • Acts 9:6 NKJV – So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord  said  to him,  “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
    • Lesson 2 – your strength and His: there are things I’m going to ask you to do in your strength, but when you go where I ask, I will be there.
      • Eyes open but couldn’t see (not in your strength); leading him by the hand (leader to follower); Jesus talks to Ananias and lines him up (uses another follower, not Jesus Himself); behold he is praying (immediately Saul turned from His way); Saul prayed and saw in a vision (prior to his direction from Jesus)
        • The second that you decide to put other things aside, Jesus shows up.
        • Saul left his job, immediately. He didn’t take a leave of absence. Reminds me of the disciples with their fishing careers. (Philippians 3:13)

4 themes of Paul sprinkled thru his life

1. Righteousness by grace – 2 Corinthians 5:21

For He made Him who knew no sin  to be  sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2. Not ashamed of the gospel – Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written,  “The just shall live by faith.”

3. Crucified with Christ (living thru Christ) – Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the  life  which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

4. Ability to forget – Philippians 3:13

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing  I do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

• Immediately Paul starts preaching
  • Acts 9:20-22 – Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this  Jesus  is the Christ.
    • Bad name but confounded the Jews “by proving” Jesus
      • No matter what people think about you, and what you did in your past…don’t let that stop you!
      • How could Paul do this?
        • Look back at themes

• Paul studies OT
• Acts 13:16 (about strangers in the land of Egypt) – Paul studied the Old Testament just like the Jews and religious leaders; however Paul took Jesus out of it and the religious leaders took Law out of it.
  • Paul studied Jesus, and that was his proof to preach
  •  Acts 13:33 – God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son,  Today I have begotten You.’
    • Psalm 2:6-8 – “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You  are  My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give  You  The nations  for  Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth  for  Your possession.
      • Go back to the Themes

• Grace mentioned 9 times in Acts
• 19 times in Romans
• 17 times in 1&2 Corinthians
• 6 times in Galatians
• 10 times in Ephesians
• 2 times in Philippians
• 5 times in Colossians
• 5 times in 1&2 Thessalonians
• 7 times in 1&2 Timothy

• Acts 14:3 – Reliance on God – bearing witness to His grace granting signs and wonders be done

• People tried worshiping Paul
• Acts 14:14-18 – the people wanted to worship Paul, he was drawing them to him rather than to God, so he took responsibility and guided them back to grace.
  •  Tore their clothes to plead with the crowd about who to worship. Them or God
    • Tearing your clothes showed imprisonment or judgment or control given away
    • Why was Paul so adamant? He knew he couldn’t do it without Jesus. By the people worshiping him, it probably scared him that Jesus could be looked at smaller than what He was. Paul believed the themes and surrounded his life work with them.

• Acts 18:9-10 – God’s word to Paul – “Do not be afraid any longer.”
  • Right after this the Jews rose up against him again.
    • The dilemma: trust Gods word, or the circumstance in front of you?
      • Gallio tells the Jews to get bent and Paul goes free. The tables turn and this time someone else gets beat up instead of Paul.
      • Gods word is truth and it will never return void. When it returns void, we’ve trusted the circumstances and believed them over Gods word.
      • Stay in the “red” - the only good time to be in the red.
  •  Acts 19:11-20
    • Miracles at Ephesus
      • Very bad city. Brothel right next door to the church and theatre that Paul taught in. Major Port city.
      • Paul was the real deal with the spirit moving mightily thru him. Others tried to mimic in is name, but they had one thing wrong…they did what they saw of him and what they interpreted of him. They turned it into law. “I’ll do exactly as he did.” They got leaped on, subdued, and over powered. All of them.
        • This was a spirit thing thru Paul, not a law thing. They found that out really quick.
    • Your workplace is the same thing. This isn’t a show off thing. This isn’t a keep up with the Joneses thing. This isn’t a tell them “I’m doing great thing.” This is a God moving thru you thing. They will notice the success that this spirit thing brings. You’ll see.
      • Even if everything looks great for these folks that don’t serve the Lord. They will need the spirit that resides inside of you, and you will be ready when they are in need.
• What we can do (application):
  • Acts 24:16 – Do my best to maintain a blameless conscience

11/13/11 Paul – Pastor James Boyd from Life Christian Naples Campus on Vimeo.

supernatural in the natural

In my previous pregnancies’ I have suffered from constant migraine headaches that would last for days…no medication that I could take during my pregnancies would work. Many times I would just end up in the E.R. and last time they admitted me for 2 days, I could not keep anything down and all of their drugs weren’t working.

After I found out I was pregnant this time I knew I was in for a battle…. so I prepared myself in trying to strengthen my faith and using the authority that God has given us…sure enough I had another attack. I was up all night and that morning I woke up in even more pain…I tried so hard to not lose control…I breathed in and out, did neck exercises, massage, pacing the floor, speaking to the pain and ordering it to leave. Then the vomiting started, (in the past once I would start I would not be able to stop to the point of dehydration).

I kept on keeping on, and then something very amazing happened; I was pain free! I was so amazed! Praise God he is sooooooooo good! Never, never has this ever happened where a migraine would just lift off of me and my vomiting would just cease…like I said I normally would just end up in the E.R.

So praise God! We are so hopeful, and we are believing for a supernatural pregnancy.

business success…God is good

A week ago Saturday, Linda went to corporate prayer, and had Pastor Marie pray that I would get a job. Pastor Marie said that I would get a job that paid 3-4 times more than what I made at my previous job.

Last Tuesday at Bible Study, I asked the group to pray that I would have a job by Labor Day. Last Wednesday I received a phone call from a company that I sent a resume to, although I didn’t remember sending it to them. The lady asked me a couple of questions, and told me what the job paid & asked if I was interested. I said yes. I went on the interview on Thursday. The interview went well and Christine said that I was what they were looking for. She said they received 100 resumes for 10 positions, and they didn’t know how they were going to thin the list down. She told me to call on Friday afternoon. I called her on Friday and she said no decision had been made, and asked if I was still interested in the job. She told me to call Tuesday afternoon.

Just before 3 pm, I started to get anxious and I could feel stress starting to build up. I remember Pastor Tracy’s message on Sunday about stress. I made a decision to call 5 minutes early, instead of worrying about the situation. When Christine answered the phone she said no decision has been made yet, maybe by Thursday. Shortly afterward the phone rang and it was Christine. She said that I don’t need to call her on Thursday, as they are going to hire me right now!! Tomorrow (Thursday) I fill out the paperwork and start my new job next week!!!!

From the very beginning I claimed the job as mine and that I was the best candidate for the position, and it worked!!

A Year At Life…

A Year At Life…

The story of Jesus is celebrated in our hearts always. Yet, at Christmas we reflect more deeply in the amazing gift of God’s immense, deep love for us in Jesus.

At Life Christian Church, I have come to know Jesus, my Lord and Savior, in a new way through the anointed teachings of God’s Word. First hand, I have experienced Jesus at Life Christian Church through many people ‘being’ Jesus and walking in and extending God’s love. Truly, I have been restored to ‘Life’ during this past year at Life.

Before attending a service at Life Christian Church, I occasionally participated in a small group with Nancy, Sarita, and Sasi who is a work teammate now living back in India.

Nancy is a gifted and compassionate leader. To Nancy, I am thankful for her encouragements, especially as I was ‘facing my giants’.

In spite of Sarita’s enthusiastic attempts, I did not take her up on invitations to attend services at Life Christian Church as I was comfortable at my old church. Last December, I did accept the invitation to attend the Dangerous Women’s Christmas event (another one coming in March of 2011). As this was a life changing event for me, gratitude cannot appropriately be expressed to Sarita for her continued encouragement for me to come to ‘Life’.

At this Christmas brunch, through Pastor Tracy, God spoke so loudly to me and life lines were cast out. In her words, “your church matters” and “Jesus is your master Healer and better than any counselor”, I received God’s encouragement to “Live Again”. Pastor Tracy’s book, teachings, encouragement, and support have been instrumental in my healing journey and finding ‘Life’ again. For Pastor Tracy, gratitude is so deep in my heart and I find no way to articulate my appreciation. So, in exchange for words, I give my life over to God to be an instrument of His Message.

Michelle was the first bright, shiny face illuminating the light of Jesus I came upon when attending my first MORE service (check the church calendar for updates on More Service times; on Friday nights) at Life Christian. Michelle has been ministering to me from the moment I walked through the church doors and remains walking with me and supporting me in my faith walk. Michelle not only guided me in my Baptism of the Holy Spirit, but both of ‘my’ Stephanies that have come to Life, as well. In Michelle’s passionate support as a parent, she has equipped me with scriptural confessions. Family connections have begun, and I have great expectancy that God will be glorified through this bond.

Walking with Kim in the student ministry has been a blessing. She is an inspiring example of Jesus’ compassion and love. Before my water Baptism, God divinely orchestrated a ‘healing’ conversation with Kim to help free me from a broken past experience that she could relate to. To Kim, I am eternally grateful for the encouragement of healing. From her empathetic words, guided by God’s truth, I was able to be break free of the chains which bound me.

Michelle and Kim are filling a spiritual support role that I have never had in my life. I thank you for your love of Jesus, affirmation of His Word, and prayers which strengthen me; in my authority, in overcoming Satan’s evil ways, and in claim God’s promises for my life. You help me to remain full to overflow.

James has been a great encouragement in my serving at Life, especially that my joy and service will be complete in Him. Always, I am moved when he speaks God’s promises to the students. I am grateful for the opportunity to be learning from him as I serve.

Of course, there is the entire pastoral staff, Pastor Marie, Pastor Dino, Pastor Anton, and Pastor Tracy all who have contributed to my spiritual growth through their anointed teachings. Through them, I continue to grow in knowledge of the Word and become better equipped as a leader, especially with my young professional women’s small group. God’s tapestry never stops weaving. As these young women, in turn, are growing through their teachings and walking as inspiring examples of faith in the lives they touch.

So, to you, my friends at ‘Life’, I write this note in thanksgiving for your role in helping me to experience the fullness of ‘Life’ that Jesus promised.

Blessings and love…

shoulder work

One of our members was injured at work and when the doctors examined her, they said that there was some extensive damage done to her shoulder.

She came to Pastor Marie for prayer and when she laid hands on her she knew that there would be nothing wrong.

America the beautiful

I flew back to Brazil not knowing if I was coming back to the US. I didn’t have the money for the plane ticket, but I wasn’t worried I had put my trust in God. Three days before my interview I didn’t want to go anymore. I was so happy being with my family. Thank God for my father because he was there to encourage me. He told me to go to the interview and I wouldn’t have any problem getting my student visa.

The day of my interview, I was in line praying, I put myself in God’s hands. There, I met a boy and a girl and they were trying to get their student visa too. The boy and the girl were called to be interviewed and I waited another 50 minutes for my turn. Finally they called me. The boy and the girl weren’t back yet they were being asked for a lot of papers, papers I didn’t have.

My interview was less than 3 minutes and they asked me only 2 questions and that was it. I told to my parents that I had my visa to come back to the United States but here was a problem, I didn’t have the money to fly back, so I talked with my dad to see if he could help me.

The next day I was in my bedroom praising and worshiping God for my visa when my father came and said I didn’t need to worry about the money anymore, because he had the money I needed!

We both started crying. As my father left my room I started praising and worshiping God because I had my visa, and I also had the money to fly back. It’s amazing how God works in our lives, we can’t see Him but He is always there for us. Like Pastor Marie says, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If we do our part God does his part.