A message summary of November 16, 2014 from Pastor Gus Brown:
It takes work to modify your lifestyle. Are you willing to work in order to make your life different from where it is?
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
His creation – poiema (Greek) – a product; something that is made…to be used of God the Creator.
God is reworking your life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.
Titus 2:3-5
3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 so they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, homemakers, kind, and submissive to their husbands, so that God’s message will not be slandered.
You have to set the example and be willing to teach, and not allow people to get in the way of the teaching process. Avoid bad influences and teach against them.
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.
Philippians 1:6
I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
God has applied Himself to work in your life. You will not be able to accomplish anything without Him. He works, molds and shapes us. It is God’s business to correct your business.
God works with you, but He wants you to work with Him–He will guide you in your efforts.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.
Your work will earn your changes that you set out to accomplish. The end result is God being glorified.
If you don’t want to change, you won’t do it. You won’t grow because you don’t want to work.
Change will occur when you believe it is possible.
People will choose to blame their struggles and problems for the reasons they do not perform. In reality, your problems and struggles are opportunities to adjust your life–to rework your life.
For every problem, God has a solution. For every struggle, God has an end, and you will see His purpose in it.
Romans 12:11
Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Proverbs 18:9
The one who is truly lazy in his work
is brother to a vandal.
Proverbs 24:30-34
30 I went by the field of a slacker
and by the vineyard of a man lacking sense.
31 Thistles had come up everywhere,
weeds covered the ground,
and the stone wall was ruined.
32 I saw, and took it to heart;
I looked, and received instruction:
33 a little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the arms to rest,
34 and your poverty will come like a robber,
your need, like a bandit.
Ecclesiastes 10:18
Because of laziness the roof caves in,
and because of negligent hands the house leaks.
To modify your life, where do you begin?
- Repent – ask God for a spirit to accept correction.
- Believe that God wants to add to your life.
- It’s about starting from the beginning–not about stopping what you were doing.
- Start loving yourself with a godly love. Let God love you.
- Start talking with God throughout the day.
- Start wanting to please God over yourself and others.
- Start asking God for knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
James 1:2
Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials.
Principle: God will give you much more than what you believe He is taking from you. Let go of the bad and start by doing what is good, and you will find out for yourself.
Look at Caleb–
Joshua 14:7-11
7 I was 40 years old when Moses the Lord’s servant sent me from Kadesh-barnea to scout the land, and I brought back an honest report. 8 My brothers who went with me caused the people’s hearts to melt with fear, but I remained loyal to the Lord my God. 9 On that day Moses promised me: ‘The land where you have set foot will be an inheritance for you and your descendants forever, because you have remained loyal to the Lord my God.’
10 “As you see, the Lord has kept me alive these 45 years as He promised, since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel was journeying in the wilderness. Here I am today, 85 years old. 11 I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength for battle and for daily tasks is now as it was then.
See it, say it and go after it. This is all about having a conviction to take action according to God’s purpose. God will be the help that you need to accomplish it, and you will achieve it.
Look at Abram–
Genesis 13:14-15
14 After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west, 15 for I will give you and your offspring forever all the land that you see.
God wants you to see where you are in the present and trust in Him for what He can give to you. Wait on the Lord, and you will see what He will do. It begins with your willingness to change as you seek Him.
Akron Alliance Fellowship 