The Love Medley – JJ Hairston

[Verse]
{Oh the overwhelming
Never Ending, 
Reckless Love of God
Oh it chases me down
Fights till I’m found
Leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn’t earn it
I don’t deserve it
Still you give yourself away
Oh the overwhelming
Never Ending, 
Reckless Love of God} [x2]

[Chorus]
{ (There’s no shadow)
No shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
(There’s no wall 
You wont kick down)
No wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me} [Loop]

[He Loves Us]
{He Loves us
Oh how He Loves us
Ooh how He Loves us
Oh how He Loves

He Loves us
Oh how He Loves us
Ooh how He Loves us
Oh how He Loves} [Loop]

[You Deserve It]

[Verse]
{My Hallelujah 
Belongs to you
My Hallelujah
Belongs to you} [Loop]
{You deserve it
You deserve it} [Loop]

Hallelujah (Hallelujah)
A-ll the Glory (All the Glory)
All the Honor  (All the Honor)
All the Praise  (All the Praise)

(You deserve it
You deserve it
Yo-u deserve it
You deserve it) [Loop]

(My Hallelujah 
Belongs to you
My Hallelujah 
Belongs to you) [Loop]

{Oh, oh, oh
Ooh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh} [Loop]

[Outro]
(You deserve it
You deserve it
Yo-u deserve it
You deserve it) [Loop]

Jesus be the center of my life
Jesus be the center of my life
From beginning to the end
It will always be it’s always been You Jesus Jesus

Jesus At The Center – Israel Houghton

Verse 1

Jesus at the center of it all
Jesus at the center of it all
From beginning to the end
It will always be it’s always been You Jesus Jesus

Chorus

And nothing else matters
Nothing in this world will do
Jesus You’re the center
Ev’rything revolves around You Jesus You

Verse 2

Bridge

From my heart to the heavens Jesus be the center
It’s all about You yes it’s all about You
From my heart to the heavens Jesus be the center
It’s all about You yes it’s all about You (Jesus)
(REPEAT)

Verse 3

Jesus be the center of Your church
Jesus be the center of Your church
And ev’ry knee will bow
And ev’ry tongue shall confess You

Interlude

Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus
Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus

Holy And Anointed One – John Barnett

Verse 1

Jesus Jesus
Holy and Anointed One
Jesus

Verse 2

Jesus Jesus
Risen and Exalted One
Jesus

Chorus

Your name is like honey on my lips
Your Spirit like water to my soul
Your Word is a lamp unto my feet
Jesus I love You I love You

Ending

Jesus Jesus

Holy Holy Holy – Hymn

Verse 1

Holy holy holy
Lord God Almighty
Early in the morning
Our song shall rise to Thee
Holy holy holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity

Verse 2

Holy holy holy
All the saints adore Thee
Casting down their golden crowns
Around the glassy sea
Cherubim and seraphim
Falling down before Thee
Which wert and art
And evermore shalt be

Verse 3

Holy holy holy
Though the darkness hide Thee
Though the eye of sinful man
Thy glory may not see
Only Thou art holy
There is none beside Thee
Perfect in power
In love and purity

Verse 4

Holy holy holy
Lord God Almighty
All Thy works shall praise Thy name
In earth and sky and sea
Holy holy holy
Merciful and mighty
God in three persons
Blessed Trinity

Made A Way

Intro

Made a way
Don’t know how but You did it
Made a way

Verse 1

Standing here not knowing
How we’ll get through this test
But holding onto faith You know best
Nothing can catch You by surprise
You got this figured out and You’re watching us now

Verse 2

And when it looks as if we can’t win
You wrap us in Your arm and step in
And everything we need You supply
You got this in control
And now we know that

Chorus

You made a way
When our backs were against the wall
And it looked as if it was over
You made a way
And we’re standing here
Only because You made a way

Verse 3

And now we’re here
Looking back on where we come from
Because of You and nothing we’ve done
To deserve the love and mercy You’ve shown
But Your grace was strong enough to pick us up and

Bridge

You move mountains You cause walls to fall
With Your power perform miracles
There is nothing that’s impossible
And we’re standing here only because You made a way

Tag

And we’re standing here only because You made a way
(REPEAT)

Vamp

You made a way You made a way
(REPEAT)

Vamp

Don’t know how but you did it made a way
(REPEAT)

Vamp

Don’t know how but you did it
(REPEAT)

Vamp

Don’t know why but I’m grateful
(REPEAT)

Vamp

And we’re standing here only because You made
And we’re standing here only because You made a way
And we’re standing here only because You made

Your Great Name – Todd Delaney

Verse 1:
We love to call Your name
It’s something we cannot explain
That happens when we proclaim
Your great name Your great name
(repeat Verse 1)

Chorus 1:
King Jesus no other name
King Jesus none stronger
We can call on You things change, yes
When we call on Your name
(Verse 1, Chorus 1 x2)

Tag 1:
There is power in the name of Jesus
Power in the name
(repeat)

Tag 2:
Things change when we call You Jesus
Things change when we call Your name
(repeat)

Tag 3:
I’m free when I call You Jesus
I’m free when I call Your name
(repeat)
When I call Your name (x3)
When I call Your name

Tag 4:
(Guitar Line)
When I call Your name
When I call Your name
When I call Your name
When I call Your name

Abba (Arms Of A Father) – Bethel Music

Verse 1:
You’re more real than the ground I’m standing on
You’re more real than the wind in my lungs

Pre Chorus:
Your thoughts define me
You’re inside me
You’re my reality

Chorus:
Abba, I belong to You

Verse 2:
You’re closer than the skin on my bones
You’re closer than the song on my tongue

Bridge:
You came running down my prodigal road
You came running with a ring and a robe
Grace is the collision on the way back home
With the arms of a Father who won’t let go

Victory Belongs To Jesus – Todd Dulaney

Intro:

Verse 1:
Who will stand against the Lord
No one can no one will
Who will stand against our King
No one can no one will

Chorus 1:
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Victory belongs to Jesus
Victory belongs to Him
(repeat chorus)
(Verse 1 – Chorus 1 x2)

Channel:
So we put our trust in You
Yes we put our hope in You

Tag 1:
You will deliver You’re a provider
I find my victory in You
Forever victorious Forever we win
I find my victory in You
You will deliver You’re a provider
I find my victory in You
Forever victorious Forever we win
I find my victory in You

(Chorus Vamp)
Victory belongs to Jesus
Victory belongs to Him
Victory belongs to Jesus
Victory belongs to Him
(repeat)

You Waited – Travis Greene

Verse 1:
You came out of Your way
You sat down to speak to me
What amazing grace
That you’ve shown, so patiently

Chorus 1:
And You, waited for me
Just for me
For me

Verse 2:
You called out my name
Knew my past, covered my shame
This amazing grace
You’ve shown so patiently
You’ve shown so patienly

Chorus:
And You, You waited for me, just for me
Oh You, You waited for me, just for me

Vamp 1:
Where would I be If You left me God
Where would I be If You left me God
Vamp:
You waited, waited

My Worship – Phil Thompson

Verse

You Lord
You are worthy
And no one can worship You for me
For all of the things You’ve done for me
And no one can worship You for me

Chorus

Here’s my worship
All of my worship
Receive my worship
All of my worship
(REPEAT)

Bridge

And I will not be silent
I will always worship You
As long as I am breathing
I will always worship You

Tag

You Lord You are worthy

The Goodness of God – Bethel Music

Verse 1

I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God

Chorus

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

Verse 2

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night
You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a father
I’ve known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

Bridge

Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me

iMatter
God loves you so much more than you realize
Say, “God really Loves Me!”

• SUMMARY OF THE TIME FROM ADAM TO JESUS

  Adam to Abraham ……………… 1948 yrs
  Abraham to Egypt …………….. 290 yrs

• From Egypt to Moses: (X) Let X = 63
  X = (Kohath to Amram to Moses)
  Moses to the Exodus ………….. 80 yrs
  Exodus to death Joshua ……….. 70 yrs
  Judges to Samuel …………….. 450 yrs (Acts 13:20)
  Kings of Judah ………………. 513 yrs
• Babylonian Captivity …………. 586 B.C.E.
  —————
  Adam to Jesus 4000 yrs

Satan doesn’t lie… it wouldn’t be tempting if it was an outright lie. he doesn’t tell the complete truth either:

Genesis 3:2-5 NLT
“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

Genesis 3:22-24 NLT
Then the Lord God said, “Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made. After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

God didn’t send Adam and Eve out of the garden to punish them but to protect them…
He didn’t want us to live eternally without Him. He wants us to live forever with Him. We matter!

Matthew 4:8-11 NLT
Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,
‘You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.

Satan couldn’t have offered it it he didn’t own it. The world and it’s kingdoms aren’t as important to Jesus as you…. you matter.

Do you know where we see that tree of life again?

Revelation 22:1-2 NIV
Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

Ok so He loves me, so now, I guess, I need to change and position myself and my desires so that God matters to me. “You must worship the Lord your God
and serve only him.”
​

Stage 1: Naming and Dedicating our Children to God
We all have seen or heard of baby dedications. In the Catholic Church it’s called christenings. We all should, as an outward sign of thanks to God, offer our babies to God. Not necessarily in a specific “my child will do this for you” kind of way, but a more “we will train them to live for You” kind of way. We dedicated our son, Devante, right away. Though we didn’t know all the implications at the time we knew it was important to do.
As we see in the scriptures, the baby doesn’t have to even be born yet to make a declaration to God about their life.

1 Samuel 1:9–20 (NLT)
Hannah’s Prayer for a Son
9 Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. 10 Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made this vow: “O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut.”
12 As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her. 13 Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. 14 “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!”
15 “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the LORD. 16 Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.”
17 “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.”
18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad.

Eli’s words of encouragement gave Hannah hope and that hope began to rekindle her faith.
Samuel’s Birth and Dedication
19 The entire family got up early the next morning and went to worship the LORD once more. Then they returned home to Ramah. When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the LORD remembered her plea, 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the LORD for him.”

Samuel means “name of God”

Though my wife and I didn’t know the full meanings of his names, our son has become the embodiment of their meanings on his own, even without our knowledge of their meanings.

Devante: name of Spanish origin that means fighter of wrong – the act or process of communicating and the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions, or information by speech, writing, or signs. Strong influencer
Glenn: of Scottish/Gaelic origin meaning Valley, typically one that is long and bounded by gently sloped concave sides. True to form this would make the both the valley and my son easily accessible, likeable, and approachable. A place where people want to go and hang out.

Some people don’t believe the old testament because of the naming conventions in it. Every character is named the way they behave or according to their function. I would like to submit this concept to you:
I believe that we function, whether knowingly or unknowingly, as we are named.

God renamed Abram to Abraham and Saul To Paul to get them to hear their destiny whenever they heard their name

The Faith and Obedience of Hannah
1 Samuel 1:21–28 (NLT)
21 The next year Elkanah and his family went on their annual trip to offer a sacrifice to the LORD and to keep his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, “Wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him to the Tabernacle and leave him there with the LORD permanently.”
23 “Whatever you think is best,” Elkanah agreed. “Stay here for now, and may the LORD help you keep your promise.” So she stayed home and nursed the boy until he was weaned.
24 When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull for the sacrifice and a basket of flour and some wine. 25 After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. 26 “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the very woman who stood here several years ago praying to the LORD. 27 I asked the LORD to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. 28 Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there.

Notice that her husband, though he didn’t hear from the Lord, realized that his wife had and trusted her judgement.

Point #2: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child
I’m not saying that we should get delight out of beating our kids. I am saying that we are to train a child in the way that they should go, and they will not depart. We can’t be afraid to correct our kids. We’re supposed to be parents first, then friends second.

Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

The bible says that God is a “just God” so we need to be fair with our kids too.

Proverbs 13:24 (NLT)
24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children.
Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

My wife used to carry a piece of an old dog collar in her purse. We joke about it now, but Devante was seriously afraid of that collar. When he started acting up, all she would have to do is slowly inch the tip of the collar up from her purse and he would scream, “No mommy, no! I’ll be good!”
It’s important to have clear, defined, and enforced boundaries. If there are two parents, then both must agree and enforce, otherwise the child will always go to the more sympathetic parent to get their way.
We also used positive reinforcement, as well as time outs, groundings, and taking away things or limiting their use but perpetually “sparing the rod” will cause both you and them problems in the future. Solomon was one of the wisest men to ever walk the earth, so I always went with what he said:

Proverbs 23:13 (NLT)
13 Don’t fail to discipline your children.
The rod of punishment won’t kill them.

I don’t know how you feel, but I wanted my kids to be able to understand the importance of authority and the consequence and pain that happens when we don’t obey it.
Best Buy Teen

Hebrews 12:5–12 (NLT) quoting Proverbs 3:11
5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
“My child, don’t make light of the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
6 For the LORD disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”
7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees.
Stage 3: Pray and Raise Your Children but Don’t Interfere with God

“Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17–21, NLT)

The bible even tells us to keep praying and never give up:
Matthew 7:7–11 (NLT)
Effective Prayer
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’ ” Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”” (Luke 18:1–8, NLT)

Your prayers shouldn’t be just about you

Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Ultimately God wants us to be “Kingdom minded”. That includes the way that we raise up our children and the way that we act. I’ve heard the phrase, “don’t do I do, to what I say.” That is not the way for us to be with our kids.

It helped me to realize that I don’t have to pray with my wife all the time. I need to have my own personal prayer times as well. God speaks to her differently than He speaks to me. When we put our revelations together it usually makes much more sense. We come together and pray for important and urgent things, but our norm is to pray separately.

Helping our Children’s Future – The story of Rebekah

We shouldn’t go into debt to help our children’s future. We should be leaving them an inheritance.
Proverbs 13:22 (NLT)
22 Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren,
but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly.

“Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The LORD answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the LORD about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked. And the LORD told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.”” (Genesis 25:21–23, NLT)

Rebekah had a clear vision from the Lord that her younger son, Jacob, would be served by the elder, Esau. Even when we have a clear vision from God, we will cause more harm by “helping God” rather than allowing Him to direct our paths.

“And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.” (Genesis 25:24–26, NLT)

Jacob means heel and means insidious, deceitful. Esau means to press or squeeze. Oppressor.
Rebekah made one critical mistake: she didn’t share the vision with her husband. Yes, the times were different then but we have examples of women of courage in the bible who took risks and chose kingdom-mindedness over personal preservation.

How we, the Lynch family, share our revelations and petitions practically

• We share nightly about the day and what God did or we think he’s doing
• We have date nights (and days) weekly to make sure we stay romantic and bake awesome cookies
• We go out of town (Anaheim, San Diego, or Vegas) twice a year to make cookies and set goals
• Now in our later years, we are taking a yearly week vacation via plane to wind down and relax
• We both have conversations with our son individually, now that he’s older, to hear his heart. Not afraid to correct, but now I mostly just give wise counsel.

The definition of thirsty (as a noun)

The worldly slang has a negative connotation

A constant pursuance of sexual gratification:  Stay away from that brother/sister because they’re thirsty!

Webster’s Dictionary Definition

Noun: a feeling of needing or wanting to drink something. The lack of the liquid needed to sustain life: tens of thousands died of thirst and starvation

Practical definition / explanation

Water is basic to human life. Our bodies are made of 60% water (adult male 60%, adult female 55%, babies and children 75%, elderly 50%

1. Blood is 83% water
2. Brain is 74.5% water
3. Kidneys are 83% water
4. Liver is 86% water
5. Muscles are 76% water
6. Connective tissue 60% water
7. Bones 22% water
8. Skin 70% water
9. Even our fat is 20% water

Jesus on the cross

Previously, Jesus had refused to drink wine mixed with a painkiller that was given to victims before crucifixion. He endured all the excruciating pain of hanging on the cross for us.

When Jesus said, “I thirst”, it had been hours since He had a drink of water but note: the stress of Jesus’ words was not that He was physically thirsty. The stress was upon His successful fulfilling of Scripture.  The wording in John 19: 28 indicates that Jesus was fully conscious and was aware of fulfilling the details of the prophesy in Psalm 69: 21:

“You know of my shame, scorn, and disgrace. You see all that my enemies are doing. Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst.” (Psalm 69:19–21, NLT)

Jesus’ stress

Jesus had so many stressors in His life here on Earth.

1. Judas betrayed Him,
2. Peter denied Him,
3. the Roman guards whipped and chained Him,
4. the Jews turned on Him,
5. His own town couldn’t hear Him
6. When times got rough many disciples left Him
7. The disciples that stayed scattered when He was arrested
8. He wept because Mary thought He was too late to help Lazarus

Spiritual Need

In Scripture the physical need to drink is often used as a picture of human spiritual need that only God can satisfy

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst is to be found in God

“When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them. I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. I will fill the desert with pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.” (Isaiah 41:17–18, NLT)

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst is experienced through Jesus Christ

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35, NLT)

The satisfaction of spiritual thirst is known by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and that blessing should be administered from us, as believers, to others

“Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ ” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” (John 7:38–39, NLT)

There is no satisfaction of spiritual thirst apart from God

““For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13, NLT)

The word promises that we will be rewarded now and for eternity

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6, NLT)

“They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”” (Revelation 7:16–17, NLT)

“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.” (Revelation 22:1–3, NLT)

in the next few days I will be updating this site more regularly. I’ve been working hard at my new job and am finally adjusting to the hours. This will be the best way to peek in and see what I’m up to, Check out my sermons, my new music projects, or just give me a shout out. Looking forward to this new chapter.

have a great weekend!

Todd

https://tqlynch.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/01-forgiveness-4-21-2013-sermon-at-crosswalk-church.mp3

Main Scripture Verse

Matthew 6:12–15 (NASB95)

12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’

14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

Why would Jesus hone in on forgiveness in the middle of instructing the disciples how to pray? Because Jesus knew that all of us will be challenged in forgiveness!

Forgiveness Definition

Ceasing to feel resentment for wrongs and offenses; pardon, involving restoration of broken relationships. Primarily, forgiveness is an act of God, releasing sinners from judgment and freeing them from the divine penalty of their sin. Since only God is holy, only God can forgive sin (Mk 2:7; Lk 5:21). Forgiveness is also a human act toward one’s neighbor, given new incentive and emphasis in the NT because of God’s forgiveness in the death of Christ. Hence forgiveness is a uniquely Christian doctrine.

The Problems with Unforgiveness

When we can’t pray effectively we can’t communicate with God effectively. Our power is reduced and restricted. This is what the enemy wants. He wants us to live in a sea of hopelessness rather that in the power of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to live in fear rather than in faith. He wants our power reduced and our frustrations amplified. 

Sometimes we have to move away from the noise to clear our heads. The noise, if it isn’t pride or lust is often unforgiveness

When we live in unforgiveness we not only miss out on God’s forgiveness and the opportunities for comforting others, we also began to isolate ourselves from our direct line of prayer

2 Corinthians 2:5–8 (NASB95)

5 But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you.

6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,

7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.

8 Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.

“Forgiveness is the medicine that helps to heal broken hearts”

Sometimes people that wrong us don’t even realize they have unless it’s pointed out to them… and when it is they often repent right on the spot.

But when people don’t apologize we immediately consider them enemies. Something inside of us turns off the pain by putting up walls of resistance and protection.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NASB95)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Problems we have with forgiveness

I don’t think they’re really sorry yet

What we’re asking is have they truly repented?

How can we tell if someone has a repentant Spirit?

Easy one word answer: fruit – You can tell a tree by the fruit it bears

They need to be punished and I’m the one to do it

Many know the story of Jacob, Esau, and the birthright; but many don’t know the full story about the forgiveness of Esau. We can use this story to parallel what forgiveness can and often looks like no matter what the wrong.

Genesis 25:21–23 (NASB95) Rebekah (wife of Abraham’s son, Isaac gets a word from God

21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.

22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.

23 The Lord said to her,

“Two nations are in your womb;

And two peoples will be separated from your body;

And one people shall be stronger than the other;

And the older shall serve the younger.”

Genesis 25:30–34 (NASB95) Esau Gives up His Birthright for Food. Rebekah didn’t have to do anything

30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom.

31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”

32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?”

33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.

34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised (gave up) his birthright.

Genesis 26:34–35 (NASB95)

34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite;

35 and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

Genesis 28:5–9 (NASB95) Esau is mad so mad that he takes wives that His father disapproves of

5 Then Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take to himself a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he charged him, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”

7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Paddan-aram.

8 So Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father Isaac;

9 and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.

Genesis 32:3–8 (NASB95) Jacob is afraid of Esau

3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

4 He also commanded them saying, “Thus you shall say to my lord Esau: ‘Thus says your servant Jacob, “I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now;

5 I have oxen and donkeys and flocks and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

6 The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”

7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies;

8 for he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.”

Genesis 33:1–10 (NASB95)

1 Then Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two maids.

2 He put the maids and their children in front, and Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph last.

3 But he himself passed on ahead of them and bowed down to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.

4 Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.

5 He lifted his eyes and saw the women and the children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”

6 Then the maids came near with their children, and they bowed down.

7 Leah likewise came near with her children, and they bowed down; and afterward Joseph came near with Rachel, and they bowed down.

8 And he said, “What do you mean by all this company which I have met?” And he said, “To find favor in the sight of my lord.”

9 But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own.”

10 Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably.

There are two lessons learned here:

1. Jacob realized that Esau had forgiven him because he received Jacob favorably. His actions and responses gave Jacob the necessary information to proceed.
2. Jacob went humbly before Esau and was ready to receive the consequences whether favorable or not.

Romans 14:9–13 (NASB95)

9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

11 For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,

And every tongue shall give praise to God.”

12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Why do we fail at forgiveness?

Honestly, we usually think we have to walk the path of forgiveness alone. We don’t. When we have problems we need to consult each other.

Application – How do we keep from failing at our forgiveness

1 John 1:8–10 (NASB95)

8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

James 5:16 (NASB95)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

We need to stop deceiving ourselves. We were not designed to live this life alone. We all need to repent from doing that. We confess our sins to God for forgiveness Then we share our sins and improper inclinations with wise people (wise counsel) around us for our healing!

Sorry it’s been so long since my last post. I will upload some pictures from Africa shortly. I have to do it on my Mac. I’m now going to school at King’s University Fontana Campus and am really excited about that. God is maneuvering in strange ways right now and I will remain patient.

We were able to give 3 more laptops to the rest of the Kenyan Families at the ELI Kipkaren orphanage. I’m looking forward to doing more in the future.

Finances are tight but God always provides.

I will post a picture or two from my new project studio…

Navigating Logos software is getting more intuitive. It’s still tedium switching from book searches to topic searches but now I’m beginning to understand the programmers’ flowchart so it’s finally making more sense to me. I wish that the individual books weren’t so costly. Most of them are 1/3 the price on Amazon Kindle site…. not as much true integration as touted so not worth the extra 2/3rds in my opinion. Rather save the money for something else to benefit the Kingdom.

Love, Peace, and Souls! 🙂

tq