“We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.10 And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” 2 Cor. 1:8-10

read it again.  and again.

Now get up and get going!

Here is a link for Genesis 1 & 2.

Here is Colossians 2:7–⁷ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Here is a link to download a really cool wallpaper for your computer.

See everybody on Sunday!

One of my greatest privileges as a pastor is to preach the Word of God in such a way that it stimulates wholesome thinking (that we might have the mind of Christ) and to remind people of the amazing things God has done.

What an incredible honor it is to be able to do such a thing!

1. Choose your legacy.
2. Do first things first.
3. Beware of Ministry Negligence
4. As goes the leader so goes the team.
5. The underdog isn’t always the underdog.
6. In leadership, you will be lied about.
7. Let God fight your battles.
8. Pride rides on the heels of victory.

Every great vision is followed by opposition. The moment you begin to step up to what God is calling you to do somebody is waiting to knock you down.  It’s true.  There are vision vandals out there that want nothing more than to keep you from achieving God’s best in your life.  The Bible says that there is a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy…and he’s good at it. You may face opposition from someone in the community or another church or you may face opposition from those close to you, your friends and family.  Opposition may come internally with doubts and thoughts that you aren’t good enough.

Opposition happens! We would be wise to learn from the Old Testament Character, Nehemiah.  He received an incredible vision to rebuild and restore the wall around Jerusalem.  No sooner than he casts his vision talk to the people his vision is quickly attacked.  His opponents “jeered and despised” their plan.

The true test is not what you do with your vision, but rather what do you do when your vision is attacked?

Nehemiah 2:30 says, “Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”

In the face of opposition Nehemiah returns to the initial vision that God gave him, he rose up, and he started to build.  When your vision is challenged will you rise up and build or shrink back and postpone?

How do you handle victory?

Often times, pride rides on the heels of victory.

Hezekiah is no exception. The bible says that after God gave the victory that Hezekiah became sick and his heart became proud. As a result of a prideful heart God’s wrath came upon him and Judah.

For a moment I thought that my friendship with Hezekiah was about to be over. However, in 2 Chronicles 32:26 He “humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.”

Hezekiah didn’t let pride lead to his downfall. When all is said and done Hezekiah started well, led well, and finished well.

I am grateful for our friendship!

Today i want to share another simple principle that Hezekiah is teaching me. Here it is…Let God fight your battles!

Hezekiah has been slandered. The people of Judah have been lied to. They have been intimidated. Yet, rather than lashing out Hezekiah seeks God.

2 Chronicles 32:20–Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven.”

Hezekiah and his boys pray to God and God brings justice. The following verses tell about how the army of Assyria was stopped in their tracks and that when the king of Assyria went home his own sons killed him! It’s crazy! God brought the victory and Hezekiah didn’t have to lift a finger.

When faced with criticism and attack let God fight your battles!

Hezekiah and the people of Judah refuse to back down to the King of Assyria. The king has tried to discourage Hezekiah and it didn’t work. Since the King of Assyria couldn’t sway Hezekiah he began to spread lies about him to the people he led.

In 2 Chronicles 32:11, the King of Assyria says to the people of Judah, “Is not Hezekiah misleading you, that he may give you over to die by famine and by thirst…” Nothing will bless you more as a leader than someone else spreading lies about you. Do not be surprised!

If you can’t be swayed your adversary will try to sway those who follow you.

1. Choose your legacy.
2. Do first things first.
3. Beware of Ministry Negligence
4. As goes the leader so goes the team.

Today Hezekiah teaches that the underdog isn’t always the underdog. Just because someone is projected to lose or appears to be outmatched doesn’t mean they really are. In the spiritual world there is more than meets the eye.

In 2 Chronicles 32, Judah has experienced a radical transformation and sure enough opposition rises up. BIG TIME OPPOSITION! The king of Assyria, who is pretty much the baddest of the bad, sets up camp outside the fortified cities so that he can take control of them. Naturally the people of Judah start getting a bit freaked out when Hezekiah steps up and speaks truth into their hearts. Listen to what he says…

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

As a result, the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah.

In that simple speech Hezekiah teaches us that there is more than meets the eye. Just because you appear to be the underdog doesn’t mean you are the underdog.

With God on your side, no obstacle is too big.