The LORD sitteth upon the Flood

Ps 29:10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. 11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

Introduction:Floods generally creates great disaster than other natural calamities. There are so many casualties in the flood. It is longer and painful than storms, lightning, thunder and other natural calamities.

Spiritually speaking, floods talks about long testing or trials.
Sometimes God does not test us with storms in life or fire or any other testing but through the flood.

David himself, the writer of this Psalm experience flood in his life before he reign as king in the nation of Israel – he was 17 years old when Samuel anointed him to be the next king of Israel and he was 30 yrs when he reigned as king of Israel – therefore it was 13 years of hardship and difficulties – it can be called a flood in his life.

But because of that David became God’s standard and was the yardstick of every succeeding king that reigns in Israel. He was called the man after God’s own heart, the sweet psalmist of Israel and God give him a covenant of the restoration of David’s kingdom in the millennium reign of Christ.
Flood will also came into our life – Matt. 7:24-27 talks about the wise built his house upon the rock then floods came… What we can see in the midst of the flood – The LORD (Triune – GOD) sitteth upon the flood…

1. God is in control -
The LORD sitteth King forever… v. 10
David knew that in a kingdom, there’s a king who sits and reigns and controls the kingdom realm.
It was God that commanded those waters to be upon the earth. It is God who governs and controls…
In the time of the great flood in Noah’s time, God used the flood to separate Noah from the rest of the wicked generation.
God gives us a flood in order to test us – to separate us, to know what is inside.
But God does not test a worthless soul. If you experience the flood in your life God wants to test you to use you more
Somebody quote : “For developing a character an imperfect man needs the stimulus and discipline of a developing environment,…- a world of struggle and resistance: obstacles to be overcome, battles to be won, baffling problems to be solved…”
Everything that strengthens, hurts – God never wastes His children’s pain.

And if God is in the midst of the flood, if God is in control therefore we need to give to God all the glory. In time of trials and in time of rest.
We should not blame others or satan but listen to God – God has always a message for us in the midst of the flood.


2. God allows the flood to bless us –
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

First, He will qualify them for his service: He will give strength to his people, God uses the floods to fortify them against every evil work and to furnish them for every good work; out of weakness they shall be made strong; he will perfect strength in weakness.

Illustrate : strong trees are trees survived in the floods
Illustrate: Before an OT priest will be ordained to perform his duty he is made to cry and mourn for one-month – in order to have a heart for God and compassion for others.

Secondly, He will encourage them in his service: He will bless his people with peace. Peace is not the absent of trouble but joy and comfort in the midst of trouble. Peace is the promise of God in time of the flood and not to be exempted in the flood. Because peace is a blessing of inestimable value, which God designs for all his people.

The work of righteousness is peace (great peace have those that love thy law); the end of righteousness is peace; it is endless peace.

Illus. The Nile river of ancient Egypt...

In Noah’s time, after the flood, God repented and give a rainbow as a token of His covenant towards us which represent HOPE.

2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Ro 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Conclusion:

The LORD sitteth upon the flood – it means:
God is in control – He loves you so much and all things work together for good for you God allows the flood to bless you more and use you more. God will give you strength and will bless you with peace in the midst of the flood.

Building Our Altar

2Sam. 24:18-25

Introduction:

Jebus - (threshing-floor), one of the names of Jerusalem, the city of the Jebusites.
a. David is a type of every believer b. David’s greatest sin: He committed adultery – with Bathseba He murdered one of his valiant captains Uriah - Both offences means death by stoning He mishandled or misjudged the case of his sons, Amnon and Absalom. He married to several heathen women, and others sinful.

But the good thing about David is his repentant heart.
That is why God called David the man after God’s own heart.
He always yearns to have a close relationship of God.
Though he always fall he riseth up again – For the just man falleth seven times and riseth up again.

This time again he committed one of the greatest sin of his life – a sin of pride by numbering or counting Israel – The problem is not on counting but his motive on numbering Israel.

Maybe David thought in his heart that he is formidable, that he made a great kingdom by his own strength or that he thought no other kingdom can exceed or defeat his kingdom.

What we sometimes though as a small offence, may be a great sin in the eye of God, who discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Pride is the greatest sin against God. It cost the life of about 70,000 Israelites in just one day. These number of death does not happen in the entire life of David as a soldier and king.

Why? Because of pride – the good thing is that God did not allow to end David’s life of destruction – God said build an altar for God rather than building your name. God said to David – Don’t build your name but rather build an altar for God.


I. The Place

In threshing floor of Jebus or present day Jerusalem
Treshing machine - farm machine for threshing plants: a static power-driven agricultural machine formerly used to beat or rub harvested plants in order to separate the seeds from the rest of the plant - a place or instrument to separate seed from the plant

a. Our altar represents our threshing floor – we need to be separated in order to be useful. Just like a wheat is not valuable not unless its seeds is separated from the sheaves.

We cannot also usable with God who is a just and holy if we don’t have this place of separation – our altar.

Our altar is the place wherein we are cleanse – wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed of the word of God. It is our place of our devotion to God by reading and meditating his word.

b. This altar is our present day church – Jebus is the present day Jerusalem – the place of the Solomon’s temple and the center of worship of the Jews.
It is our place to separation from the world and the system of this world.
The church of the living God – the pillar and ground of truth.
This world offered counterfeit truth through tv, church inside mall, other recreation area.
But Jebus or Jerusalem is very significant and important place. A place of Abel’s offering, Jacob dream , Abraham offered Isaac, David altar, Solomon’s temple.

c. It is our personal devotion with God
Our ultimate place of separation 2 types of separation of the child of God 1. Separation from the world to church 2. Separation from the brethren unto God Threshing floor is the place of sepation
Our quiet time with God alone – It is our time wherein we have an intimate relationship with God


II. The Cost

It cost David 50 shekels.
It will cost us our time, efforts and money to go to church and minister.
It will cost you to wake up early to spend an hour with God.
David said – neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

That include our time, treasure and talent.


III. The Sacrifice

Threshing floor is a place of labor and sacrifice.
You cannot separate the seeds from the sheaves without sacrifice.
This altar is an altar of sacrifice. In O.T. times the offered sacrifice in the altar.
Today we need to built an altar of sacrifice
Prayer is the greatest sacrifice we can offer to God.
Spurgeon’s success was done by his 70 or 700 praying men while he preached.
Allan Brainard reached American Indians not by eloquence or talent but by his prayer.
E.M. bounds spent his last days by praying 4-5 hours a day – What a shame for today’s Christian workers who cannot stay just one hour with God.
Jacob wrestled with God and blessed him from being a supplanter to Israel - who prevails with God, Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel got a blessing from God change his name from Jacob to Israel because "as a prince he had power with God and prevailed.
Jabez – bless by God change his name from sorrowful and become honorable because of his sacrifice of prayers.
God is worthy of our praise and worship.


Conclusion:

God said to David – Don’t build your name but rather build an altar for God.
We can’t build our Christian life without building our altar first – I’m talking about your faithfulness in our Chritian services and our personal devotion with God.

We can’t build a Christian home without building our altar first.
We cannot be usable if we are not cleansed - 2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
You cannot win any battle without a wrestling time with God.
The saddest thing about modern day Christianity is to see Christians working for God without power from God.

Our altar is our source of power.

Making Decision That Honor God

Matt. 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Introduction:

There are many verses that we memorize and we claim and apply from time to time.

But there are also many verses in the Bible that we memorize but doesn’t give any llttle attention or worse we really don’t obey. One of this verse is our text verse…

We memorize and claim John 3:16, John 1:12; Phil. 4:19, etc.

We want to be bless, everyone want to be bless – what’s the secret of blessing?

It is found in Matt. 6:33 and in Deut. 28:1-2 - blessings will be added and overtake us if we are willing to obey God.

Add in Matt. 6:33. prostiyhmi (pros-tith'-ay-mee) - to place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat:--add, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further, speak to any more.

Overtake in Deut. 28:2 means nasag - a primitive root; to reach (literally or figuratively):--ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to, can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, X surely, (over-)take (hold of, on, upon).


We are always making a decision –
Some are small some are life changing decision…


1st Step is Principles:
Psalm 119:105 – The Word of God is a lamp and a light by which we make good and godly decisions. We cannot disregard or disobey the principles of the Word of God and expect to “live happily ever after.”

Our decision must not base on our emotions or feelings, not based on our tradition or culture, not base on superstitious belief or not even base on zodiac sign.

But our decision must be based upon the principle found in the Word of God.

But be careful also to apply the Word of God in your life –
Illus. the how the foolish man apply the word of God


2nd Step is Prayer:
Read James 1:5-8 .

God promises wisdom to those who will ask for it. Wisdom is “spiritual common sense.” A needed quality for decision-making.

Our failure is always because of our failure to pray…

Matt. 7:7 Ask… seek… knock…

One of the ingredients of a successful Christian is in his secret closet…

Pray and ask God to help you and guide you in every decision you make.


3rd Step is Patience:
Wait – Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Most of the time God wants to prepare us in order to be useful

Illustrate: The life of David and the life of Joseph how to suffer but waited until God fulfill His promises to their life


4th Step is Priorities
Making God the first priority of your life - Matt. 6:33
In decision making one’s priorities come into place. Whatever is important to you will determine the decision you make.

God first - Personally I used it as my guiding principles with regards to my priorities - God first, family second, self is third, work is fourth


5th Step is People
There is safety in multitude of people – multitude of councilors

Prov. 11:14; 12:15; 15:22

God has placed around us wise and godly people who can help us arrive at sound decisions.

Pastor, Sun. School Teacher, Area leader,

So we need a church to find people. People who can help us making right and godly decision, decision that will honor God. Not emotional, selfish, vain glory type of decision that we always made which is based only on temporal and not base on eternal things


6th Step is Peace
Colossians 3:15

Do not make decisions that will disturb the peace of God in your heart.


7th Step is – It is Perfect?
Let us go unto perfection. Don’t settle for good or better decision but always look for the best.

Is this decision the perfect one? it the best?
A Christian should not settle for good or better but the best.

Be ye perfect for I’m the Lord is perfect

Being perfect means being matured…

1 Kings 20:40

When making a decision you need to consider: How will this affect my future, family and my spiritual life

What will Christ will tell me if He is now at my side? Will this decision bring glory to God? Can God will tell me welcome thou good and faithful servant at the Judgment Seat of Christ?


Conclusion:
Making decision that will honor God
1. Principle
2. Prayer
3. Patience
4. Priorities
5. People
6. Peace
7. Perfect

A Minister’s Daily Delight

Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
1Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you

Introduction:


Every time God will going to judge a nation or anybody He used an able spokesman. Just like in the days of Noah or in the case of Jeremiah and even in other time of the prophet.


-We are in the last days and it means the coming judgment is near, and who is God’s able spokesman of today? Or God’s mouthpiece or even God’s modern day prophet? Whether you like it or not it is you – soulwinner


Now it is not an easy task. I do believe that it is the hardest and toilsome task to do in this whole planet earth. This is the highest calling.


The Bible says that we an ambassadors for Christ, a royal priesthood, a soldier, a sower, a fisherman, a labourer, a servants, etc.


I. COME
Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

All of us experience weariness especially if you labour for God. God is calling us labourers.. 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God:. Being a labourer is not an easy job. It means hard work, toiling and tiring work and we of course experience to be weary. And here in the passage God has a personal invitation not to all people but to His labourers.


Isa 40:30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:


It means it is normal to get weary. But the good news is that God has a solution. Come unto Him.


Come unto Him and pray. Come unto Him and read your Bible.


Maybe you live with a sinful lifestyle – no power.


Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.


1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Most of the time the weariness and heaviness that we felt towards the ministry is because we are not really in the center of God’s will – that’s why God has a personal invitation to all of us – just come unto Him.

II. CALL

Jer 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

If we are going to analyze the verse, this verse was really a promise to his weary servant Jeremiah. (see v.1&2)


God promise a second visit and He promise an answer to our prayer.


I personally call prayer as my oasis in the wilderness…
(Explain an oasis in the wilderness…)


D. E. Hoste, the man who took over for Hudson Taylor, wrote a book titled Behind the Ranges. He was trying to analyze why the people with whom he lived and worked were not doing very well. But the people in the other village across the ranges were doing great! He visited them only now and then, but they were always doing fine, so he began to ask the Lord what was going on. How could those across the ranges be doing better than those with whom he lived and worked? The Lord showed Host the answer. Although he was spending much time counseling, preaching, and teaching with those whom he lived, he spent much more time in prayer for those across the ranges. He concluded that there are four basic elements in making disciples: 1. Prayer 2. Prayer 3. Prayer 4. the Word of God in that order and in about that proportion.


III. COMMIT
Pr 16:3 ¶ Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

The word commit means to deposit. Just like in the bank if you deposit something, someday you can withdraw something. What are the things that we need to deposit into God’s bank – our works and what will happen – thy thoughs shall be established…
Let us be reminded that we are not doing any man’s work or any personal work. This is God work. We need to do it God’s way and we can only be sure that it is really God that is working if we commit our works to Him.


God must be magnify and glorify in all our works and labour. Not unto us but God must be seen.


It is God who saves man, it is God who can only and truly regenerate man. It is God also who gives an increase.


We are perplexed and troubled sometimes because we thought it is our work. No, we cannot do God’s work because it is God’s work.


Let God do His work. I am just His tool – a poor instrument and unless God do His work cannot accomplished anything. For without me ye can do nothing…


IV. CAST
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you

Maybe some here have some cares. Financial, family, ministry, interpersonal, other pressure, love life, etc.


And the devil use these things in order to make you ineffective in your area or other ministry.


But this morning God has a promise for you. 1 Peter. 5:7


to cast means to throw away. Just like a fisherman casting his net. The fisherman after casting his net does not swim to catch fish but he let the fish come into his net and afterward he get the net.


Do you have any care this morning? The Bible says throw it away to God – and God will replace it with a blessings – great and abundant fishes…


Conclusion:

Are you weary or heavy hearted – Remember to drink C4 the spiritual drink of the weary minister’s of God…
COME
CALL
COMMIT
CAST

Put Off Thy Shoes

Exodus 3:5 "And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. " 

What God wants us to see and know when He ask us to involve in His work?

I. HOLINESS OF GOD
Put off thy shoes. The shoes represent the dirtiest apparel of man especially during those times wherein the road is not yet cemented and their means of travel is mostly by walking.

When God said put off thy shoes, He simply means put off those dirt from your body or God wants to see His servants holy and clean.

The work of God requires holiness - 1Pe 1:15-16 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The word be ye holy for I am Holy was mentioned many times in the Bible, In the book of Leviticus alone, this phrase was mentioned more than 10 times (ex. Lev. 11:44-45, Lev. 19:2; Lev. 20:7; Lev. 20:26; etc.)

God wants holiness in our life – shoes represents sinfulness as we walk in this world. God wants to put it off. Because God hates sin!

God’s greatest attribute is holiness - It is what Isaiah, Jeremiah, Joshua and other Bible character saw when God manifested in their life and called them to His works. see Isaiah 6:3-5; Joshua 5;15, etc.

The basic meaning of holy is to be set apart for God’s purposes. A holy person is a person who has become God’s possession.

A holy person transform and conform to the image of Christ, but to the unholy, Christ is but a name which he can use as a tool to accomplish his own ends and establish his own glory among men.

2Ti 2:19-21 "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, havi ng this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. "

II. HARMLESSNESS OF THE WORK OF GOD
Harmless means: 1. not dangerous: not likely to cause damage or injury 2. unobjectionable: not likely to cause offense or upset

Shoes is our natural protection of our feet. Protection against dirt, rocks, hard soils and object, thorns, slippery, etc.

Having no shoes means you are not protected when traveling. Take note that in those times they travel by feet.

When God said take off thy shoes… God simply said walk with me, involved in my work and I will be the one to protect.

Isa 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD

Ps 91:9-11 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

Moses himself experienced God’s protection in his entire life-beginning from his birth when God protected him from killing of Pharaoh and God even buried him in his death because satan wants to stole his body.

God simply said to Moses, Take off thy shoes… I will be the one to protect you. The world and the system of this world cannot protect you. UN cannot protect you, SSS cannot protect you, Medicare cannot protect you, PhilHeath cannot, Philamlife cannot, your shoes cannot, your father in law cannot, Pharaoh cannot and they cannot hurt you either.

Why? Because the safest place is inside the will of God
God wants us to see and know that nobody can harm us or hurt us when He ask us to involve in his work. Yes, sometimes some people will try to hurt but God always take good care of them.

It is God who calls, it is God who promise, it is also God who protects.
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward

Egypt has treasures, in fact at that time Egypt was the richest nation in the whole world.


III. HUMILITY OF THE SERVANT OF GOD
Putting off the shoe was then what putting off the hat is now, a token of respect and submission.
God does not want to use a proud person for God always exalts the humble.

Note the word content in ch.2 v.21 - Moses life though exuberant in the beginning at Pharoah's palace, found himself in the lowest form of a work as a shephered. But still he live a life of contentment.

He was keeping the flock (tending sheep) near mount Horeb, Ex 3:1. This was a poor employment for a man of his parts and education, yet he rests satisfied with it, and thus learns meekness and contentment to a high degree, for which he is more celebrated in sacred writ than for all his other learning.

Exaltation and promotion always comes from God – Ps. 75:6. If we check our Bible it comes through humility see 1 Pet. 5:6; James 4:10;
1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are

Conclusion:

What God wants us to see and know when He ask us to involve in His work?

1. Holiness of God
2. Harmlessness of the work of God
3. Humility of the servant of God

Smooth Stones Out of the Brook

Text: 1Samuel 17:38-40;48-50 c.v.40


"And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine."



Introduction:

Today we will speak about the smooth stones out of the brook. It seems to us that this is insignificant and an unworthy topic. But many little, base and insignificant things bring precious gems if carefully attended. God does not forget little things.


Zec 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? (for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth)
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting
1Sa 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
It was a little maid that gave hope to the great & valiant but leprous man called Naaman.


It was a little boy with 5 bread & 2 small fishes that fed 5 thousand men beside women and children in the earthly ministry of Christ.


There are several truths and principles (precious gems out of the Word of God) that we can learn out of that small, little and somewhat insignificant thing.


I. God Does Not Necessarily Use Great And Mighty To Kill A Giant.

Of course we know that David, the little boy killed the giant Goliath, but what David used in killing that Goliath give as an interest though somewhat insignificant.


In verse 38-39 King Saul wants to wear his armour, helmet, coat and his sword but David did not used it instead he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, (v.40)


When David went back to the mountain probably because the brook is a river in the valley of mountains, he did not choose a lion or bear or any wild animal to accompany him against Goliath. He did neither chose a hard tree to be used as a rod or spear against Goliath but a smooth stones out of the brook – an unknown, insignificant, unseen things out of the great mountains.


1Cor. 1:26-28 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:


God did not choose philosophers, nor orators, nor statesmen, nor men of wealth and power, Not the mighty and noble, the famous in the world, the renown the Ayalas, the Cojuangcos, the Zobels to publish the gospel of grace and peace.


But God called the weak, base, little and somewhat insignificant people… But to those who are called and saved he is the wisdom of God, and the power of God.


But God seeth not as man seeth. He hath chosen the foolish things of the world, the weak things of the world, the base and despicable things of the world, men of low rank, of no liberal education, to be the preachers of the gospel and planters of the church. His thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his ways as our ways. God is a better judge.


God knows what instruments and measures will best serve the purposes of his glory. David certainly knew what tools & instrument served him the best.


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 understandeth 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.


Many great, rich & famous people that don’t understand the Word of God – and if you understand the Word of God, give glory to God even you think you are but little, despise or insignificant.


God wants to triumphs the foolishness of preaching over human wisdom.


Ps 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.



It is strange thing why God who is so mighty and so wise used those who cannot pronounced good, uneducated in world’s standards, weak in grammar, cannot construct a good sentence to spread the gospel. It is because God wants to beat down the pride and vanity of men.



Today if you think you are little, despise, small & insignificant – God wants to use you… but before that God wants to smoothes you.


II. God Smooth Those He Wants To Kill The Giants
God wants to cleanse us. To get rid of our rough edges. The weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.


God wants to use us but he needs to cleanse us first for God wants a clean vessel.


2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We are liken into a clay in the potter’s hand -


God is in smoothing business


See the life of the ff. Bible characters:
Joseph – He was 17 yrs when God spoke to him in a dream that God will used him and he will become a great ruler…
David – Was also 17 years old when God asked Samuel to anoint him to be the next king of Israel…
John the Baptist – He was filled of the Spirit in his mother’s womb but still he undergone the smoothing process in the wilderness
Apostle Paul – He was about 30 years old when God called him to be the apostle to the Gentiles…


Jesus Christ our Lord – He was 12 years old when He said in Luke 2:49 …How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?


God does not want rough edges in our life - The weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.


Our God wants to smooths you because He wants to use you – Maybe to be an usher, choir member, sun sch. teacher, preacher, pastor, preacher’s wife, missionary evangelist, or just a simple giant killer.


Maybe God want to use you to build a great works for him but before that you need to undergo a process.


Challenge: If you want to be mightily used by God you need to live a life of a clean and a pure lifestyle. God’s number one attribute is still holiness.


Our God is a holy God and that holy God still hates sin. God wants to smooth and cleanse our immoral and dirty lifestyle, our pride, our covetousness, our envy, etc.


Until God not seen the image of Christ in our life, we cannot mightily used by Him.


1Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:


(The picture here is of an ancient goldsmith who puts his crude gold ore in a crucible, subjects it to intense heat, and thus liquefies the mass. The impurities rise to the surface and are skimmed off. When the metal worker is able to see the reflection of his face clearly mirrored in the surface of the liquid, he takes off the fire, for he knows that the contents are pure gold)


A silver or gold is tried with fire until the face of the goldsmith is seen clearly out of the melted elements. God does not want dirt and rough edges in our life. And most of the time the process is long and tedious.


Illustrate: The archer with a smooth arrow -stretching the bow to the limit.


God is not only smoothing us but sometimes He stretched us to the limit in order that when He pull us off we will hit the target – the perfect will of God.


III. God Smooth Us As We Stay In The Brook

The Brook – It is a river. A small streams in the valley.


How the stones in the brook become smooth?


We are smoothening as we apply the Word of God in the most difficult circumstances in our life.


We are not smoothen in our most happy and joyful events but rather in much tribulations, trials and troubles, in pressures, persecutions and problems, in sufferings, sadness & sorrow, in discouragement, distress and drudgery.


The stream in the valley represents pressures in the lowest part of our life. The water in the brook represents the Word of God that makes us smooth.


Smooth stones are found in flowing water not in stagnant water.


We need the Word of God to smooth us. But the Word Of God must be applied.


The stone smoothen in the brook because of the flowing water. The Word of God must flow through us. It must be seen in our lives.


The Word of God must not only receive, it must be applied and seen in our lives.


When is the Word of God best applicable? During the time of great difficulty.


When is the joy unspeakable and full of glory (1Pet. 1:8) best seen in our lives? When we are distress and discourage. When is that peace that passeth all understanding (Phil. 4:7) best applied in our lives? When we are pressured. When can we best apply Phil. 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” How about James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”


Many active Christians quit during the time of great discouragement and pressure. They say “God understand my situation – ” The Word of God must not only heard it must be seen and applied in our lives.


It’s good to hear the Word of God… but if it is not apply – it will just hardened us. It must not stay, we need to teach the Word of God – let others see Jesus in us.


The world needs the truth in us. Somebody must hear and see the truth in us.


It is how God smoothen us – when the Word of God flows in our lives by applying and teaching it especially during the time of great trials and difficulty.


Conclusion:
Three principles that we can used in our topic smooth stones out of the brook.
1. God does not Necessarily use Great and Mighty to Kill a Giant.
2. God Smooth Those He Wants to Kill the Giants
3. God Smooth Us as we Stay in the Brook

Dwelling in the Secret Place

Text: Psalm 91:1-16

Ps 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.


The secret of a growing, victorious, joyful Christians is in their secret place. Some refer to it as their quiet time. Our performance in the years to come depends on how well we guarded our quiet time. Somebody says that the first step of backsliding is in not having or maintaining a quiet time.


What happen when we dwell in the secret place?


I. TRUST is developed v.2, 4a

A great truth laid down in general, that all those who live a life of communion with God are constantly safe under his protection, and may therefore preserve a holy serenity and security of mind at all times.


He that dwells, that sits down, in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty; he that by faith chooses God for his guardian shall find all that in him which he needs or can desire. It is good to have a quiet spirit trusting God in all our cares. 1Pet. 5:7; Ps. 55:22.


II. TRUTH is revealed v.4b


Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). We can only know the truth if we meditate the Word of God for Jesus Himself is the Word of God (John 1:1,14).
The truth shall set you free – free from doubt, discouragement, fear, pride, strife, vain glory, etc.
Truth just like O.T. manna, it must be gotten on a daily basis as the Bible said in Matt 4:4 “…It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Some truths are easily forgotten, we need a daily reminder.


II. TERROR is taken v.5-12

Terrors talk about problems, hardships, trials and difficulties in life.


Feathers and wings in v.4 represent strong comfort against our enemies as we dwell in our secret place.


His truth shall be thy shield and buckler, a strong defence. God is willing to guard us as the bird is willing to guard her chicks.


IV. TEMPTATION is overcome v.13-14


Temptation says, `Do this pleasant thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is wrong.' Trial or proving says, `Do this right and noble thing; do not be hindered by the fact that it is painful.' Everyday, Satan is tempting us to do wrong or go wrong. We need to pray everyday in our quiet time – lead us not into temptation.


Let us not think that we can overcome our fleshly nature. We cannot. That is God's business. He does it by letting us come to Him and seek His faithful help. He never refuses when asked. Temptation is overcome only if we dwell in him.


V. TRIUMPH will come v.15-16


Exaltation and promotion always comes from God– Ps. 75:6. It comes through humility - Pet. 5:6; James 4:10; But those who seek humility, who try to find humility for its own sake, will never find it. Because humility, like joy and like unity, is elusive when it is sought for its own sake. Humility is a by-product of a focus, off of ourselves and on to our Source. It comes automatically when we get our minds on Jesus Christ as we dwell in the secret place.


And when we start focusing our eyes on him, when we turn our eyes upon Jesus, and we look full in his wonderful face, then the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.