We have SO many reasons to praise our God and here a just a few:

1. Praise God for He is good.
2. Praise God for His mercy endures forever.

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! Psalms 107:1 AMP

3. Praise God for He redeems us from the enemy.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has delivered from the hand of the adversary. Psalms 107:2 AMP

Let the redeemed say, “I am redeemed!”

4. Praise God for He gathers His people.

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the [Red] Sea in the south.  Psalms 107:3 AMP

5. Praise God for He delivers us from distresses.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their distresses.  Psalms 107:6; 19 AMP

6. Praise God for He is leading us to a city – His city.

He led them forth by the straight and right way, that they might go to a city where they could establish their homes.  Psalms 107:7 AMP

The Lord promises to provide us with homes – both here on earth and in heaven. Ultimately, He will provide us with a brand new home when He establishes a new heaven and a new earth.

7. Praise God for His goodness and wonderful works.

Oh, that men would praise [and confess to] the Lord for His goodness and loving-kindness and His wonderful works to the children of men!  Psalms 107:8; 15; 21; 31 AMP

8. Praise God for His power to satisfy the soul.

For He satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul with good.  Psalms 107:9 AMP

9. Praise God for salvation from distresses.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.  Psalms 107:13 AMP

Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses.  Psalms 107:28 AMP

10. Praise God for deliverance from darkness and the shadow of death.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke apart the bonds that held them.  Psalms 107:14 AMP

11. Praise God for liberation from bondage.

…and broke apart the bonds that held them.  Psalms 107:14b AMP

For He has broken the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron apart.  Psalms 107:16 AMP

12. Praise God for physical healing.

He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.  Psalms 107:20 AMP

Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases.  Psalms 103:3 AMP

Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you. Exodus 15:26 AMP

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.  Isaiah 53:4-5 NKJV

And thus He fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah, He Himself took [in order to carry away] our weaknesses and infirmities and bore away our diseases.  Matthew 8:17 AMP

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  John 10:10 NKJV

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  James 5:14-16 NKJV

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.  1 Peter 2:24 NKJV

13. Praise God for deliverance from destructions.

He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction.  Psalms 107:20 AMP

14. Praise God for deliverance from storms.

He hushes the storm to a calm and to a gentle whisper, so that the waves of the sea are still. 30 Then the men are glad because of the calm, and He brings them to their desired haven.  Psalms 107:29-30 AMP

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  Mark 4:39 KJV

15. Praise God for material prosperity.

He turns rivers into a wilderness, water springs into a thirsty ground, 34 A fruitful land into a barren, salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. 35 He turns a wilderness into a pool of water and a dry ground into water springs; 36 And there He makes the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation, 37 And sow fields, and plant vineyards which yield fruits of increase. 38 He blesses them also, so that they are multiplied greatly, and allows not their cattle to decrease.  Psalms 107:33-38 AMP

Faith is persistent

Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.

Faith is single-minded

James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. 7 For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, 8 [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].

Faith believes God’s promises

Matthew 21:22 KJV
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 21:22 AMP
And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.

Mark 11:24 AMP
For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].

Romans 4:17-21 NIV
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed — the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. 18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”  19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Faith believes without seeing

2 Corinthians 5:6-7 KJV
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight).

Hebrews 11:1 KJV
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 AMP
Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Galatians 2:20 KJV
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Hebrews 4:2 NKJV
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 AMP
And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], 5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.

Faith never quits

Luke 18:1-8 NKJV
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’  4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,  5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.  7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Faith works through love

Galatians 5:6 AMP
For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.

 

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”  John 8:12 NKJV

Jesus is the Light of the world. If we follow Him, we will walk in the light of life. The place Jesus preached this was in the Temple – specifically He was in the treasury. People brought their offerings there, but there were also some burning candles there that represented the Pillar of Fire that went before the children of Israel when God led them out of Egypt, kept them while they were in the desert and led them into the Promised Land. The Pillar of Fire represents God’s presence, protection, and guidance – which we also have in the person of Jesus Christ – if we follow, and continue to follow, Him.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:16-21 NKJV

God sent Jesus – the Light of the world – to save the world. We are not waiting for the light – light is already here – however, many people won’t come to know this wonderful light of freedom, because they love the darkness more than the light. Their deeds are evil and they refuse to come to the light because they want to sin and keep sinning. To come to experience God’s light, through Jesus, one must be prepared to come to the light, have sin exposed and cleansed and then to walk free from the power of sin.

People, who don’t have Jesus, like to talk about “enlightenment”. The dictionary says this about the word “enlightenment”: 1. The act or means of enlightening or the state of being enlightened. 2. Buddhism: the awakening to ultimate truth by which man is freed from the endless cycle of personal reincarnations to which all men are otherwise subject. 3. Hinduism: a state of transcendent divine experience represented by Vishnu: regarded as a goal of all religion. 4. The Enlightenment, a philosophical movement of the 18th century, characterized by belief in the power of human reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine.

People seek “enlightenment” by human means and human knowledge and understanding, but if you don’t want Jesus’ light, then you will continue to walk in the darkness, striving in vain to attain some light of understanding with your natural mind that will ultimately get you nowhere. People are trying to BE gods, when they could have Him come live on the inside of them if they would only receive Jesus! It’s the devil, up to his old tricks, trying to usurp the throne of God; deceiving people into thinking they can be like God and know what He knows. On earth, even if it is night time, you have the moon and the stars, but if you die without Jesus, you will end up in a place of darkness where there is NO light at all, no matter how much “enlightenment you think you have attained.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.  6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.  John 1:1-9 NKJV

John the Baptist was not the Light of the world, only the one who went before Jesus to bear witness that He was the true Light, who lights every man! Even as the sun shines upon every man – Jew or Gentile – so, every man was to be blessed by the Messiah (see also Isaiah 49:6). “The darkness did not comprehend the light” – this actually means that the darkness of evil could not extinguish the light – it never has and never will overcome God’s light! Darkness could not: “seize upon; keep down or under; stop; to catch up with in the sense of to discover or detect” the light. It means that the satanic powers of darkness did not overcome the Word/the Light, but that the Word/ the Light overcame and spoiled them on the cross!

In the light of God’s presence, we see ourselves as we really are – sinners in need of a Savior. When we follow Jesus, the true Light, He removes the darkness of sin from our lives; we can avoid walking blindly and falling into sin; He lights the path ahead of us so we can see how to live. We are not the source of God’s light, but, just like John the Baptist, we are reflections of it – pointing people always toward the Lord Jesus Christ!

Simeon dedicated the baby Jesus with these words from Luke 2:29-32 NKJV: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”  Then in Matthew 4:16 NKJV, Jesus quoted Isaiah 9:2, saying, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  John 9:5 NKJV

Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.  36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”  John 12:35-36a NKJV

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

We, believers, must cooperate with and contribute toward the advancement of the Gospel:

In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight). 5 [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.  Philippians 1:4-5 AMP

Paul is writes this letter to the Philippians and tells them that he thanks God for their fellowship – sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership – with him in the Gospel. The Greek word translated “fellowship” is “koinonia”, which means: fellowship; partnership; participation; communion; communication; distribution; contribution; to communicate; (financial) benefaction. Their partnership and contributions helped to advance the Gospel.

Don’t advance your own interests – advance the Gospel:

For the others all seek [to advance] their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). 22 But Timothy’s tested worth you know, how as a son with his father he has toiled with me zealously in [serving and helping to advance] the good news (the Gospel).  Philippians 2:21-22 AMP

Many Christians are no better than the heathen, when it comes to advancing the Gospel; because they are so busy serving themselves and advancing their own interests that the Gospel is neglected. As believers, we have a responsibility toward the Gospel – to advance the Gospel. No one else is going to do it. If we don’t do it, it won’t be done. We have to lay aside all selfishness and self-promotion and make God’s plans and will and desires, our priority.

Rejoice in the Lord and let your genuine unselfishness be seen by all:

Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice! 5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].  Philippians 4:4-5 AMP

Do not fret or worry about one thing – but tell your Father what you want and need – and His peace will garrison your heart and mind:

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

Fix your mind only on positive, godly, good things; model your way of life on the word of God and God’s peace will be with you:

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. 9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9 AMP

Make sure that you do not neglect the Gospel or those who preach the Gospel – be a partner in advancing the Gospel with your resources of time, abilities and substance:

I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it.  Philippians 4:10 AMP

But it was right and commendable and noble of you to contribute for my needs and to share my difficulties with me. 15 And you Philippians yourselves well know that in the early days of the Gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church (assembly) entered into partnership with me and opened up [a debit and credit] account in giving and receiving except you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent [me contributions] for my needs, not only once but a second time. Philippians 4:14-16 AMP

Learn how to be content in any and all circumstances – be self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency:

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am. 12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].  Philippians 4:11-13 AMP

Your offering is a sweet smell to the Father and results in a harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account:

Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account]. 18 But I have [your full payment] and more; I have everything I need and am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. [They are the] fragrant odor of an offering and sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.  Philippians 4:17-18 AMP

When you participate in advancing the Gospel with your finances, there is fruit that accumulates to your account – a harvest of blessing. Your offering and your sacrifice is a sweet smell that rises up to the throne of God and which He welcomes and in which He delights.

And the Father will liberally supply your every need – according to HIS riches in glory:

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 AMP

But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.  Titus 2:1 NKJV

But [as for] you, teach what is fitting and becoming to sound (wholesome) doctrine [the character and right living that identify true Christians].  Titus 2:1 AMP

If we follow God’s guidelines in all things, we will prosper in all that we do. God’s Word gives us instructions and directions for every area of life.

4. Four Commands to Young Men:

Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,  8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.  Titus 2:6-8 NKJV

1. To be sober minded.To be of sound mind, or to be in your right mind, sane, and moderate.  It seems as if young men are usually the complete opposite of this instruction.  However, by the power of God, young men can be just as sober-minded and sensible as the older and more experienced men can.
2. To be a pattern of good works.  Doing good works is one thing, but a pattern of good works means that you have a good character.  God desires to see good character in all of us, and especially in young men.  Many people excuse bad behavior in young men by saying. “Boys will be boys,” but God expects more of you.  Young men should submit their lives to God and His word so that they can set their lives on a good course. The belief that young men need to “sow their wild oats” before marriage is a carnal, ungodly idea. God expects young men, who are believers, to conduct themselves in a godly way from their youth into adulthood. God needs godly men to be leaders of families, of communities, and of nations.
3. To be uncorrupt, grave, and sincere in teaching.  In doctrine, show integrity, reverence, and incorruptibility. A young man raised in the ways of the world is not fit to instruct others, but a young man, raised in God’s word, has a great deal of wisdom to share with others – not because of worldly experience, but because of instruction in wisdom through the Word of God. It is vitally important that God’s word be taught – pure and uncorrupted.
4. To have sound speech that cannot be condemned. Sound speech is the kind of speech that will put your opponents to shame, and they will have nothing evil to say of you. Ephesians 4:29 AMP says, “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.” Sound words are words that are in harmony with the Word of God. The word “sound” used here means sound and whole. It means healing words – the Gospel of healing for spirit, soul and body.
5. Five Commands to Servants:

Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.  

Titus 2:9-10 NKJV

This advice is good for employees and employers as much as for slaves and masters. God does not condone slavery, but since people insisted on keeping slaves, He gave direction to masters how to treat their servants and vice versa. The Bible gives bosses and workers godly instruction. Bosses should be kind, as well as firm, and workers should be faithful and loyal to their boss.

1. Be obedient.  You will prosper in your employment if you are willing to take orders and to do what your boss asks you to do. Obey your own boss; respect the line of command.  Do not allow others to undermine your boss, by obeying them above your boss.
2. Please your boss in all things. When you are obedient to the Word of God, you will please your boss. Your good attitude will earn you his/her respect.
3. Do not contradict or dispute orders.  Do as you are told, with a good attitude. You are not always aware of the big picture, so cooperate with your boss without arguing or disputing.  One day when you are in charge, you will want people to trust and obey you.  Do not sow the seeds of discord, for you will reap them in the future.
4. Do not steal the goods of the master entrusted to you. “Thou shalt not steal” is the eighth of the Ten Commandments.  An employee who steals is unfaithful and disloyal, and he opens the door to the devil to rob from his own life.  One, who steals, is dishonoring God and harming his neighbor. He has no respect for God, and is an enemy, not a friend. Ephesians 4:28 NKJV says, “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands w that hat is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
5. Show faithfulness in all things. Jesus said that if you were faithful with that which belongs to another man, God would give you that which is your own.  He also said that you are faithful in little; you will be faithful in much, and that if you are faithful with money, you can be trusted with the things of the Spirit. Faithfulness brings promotion.

When it comes time to hand out promotions, the boss will be much more likely to promote a person of integrity, who does all these things above, than someone who has a bad attitude, is dishonest, and unfaithful. These are instructions for a successful and godly life.

Acts 2:40-47

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

Foundational Pillars in the life of the born again believer can be defined as the core system of values, beliefs, and fundamental truths, which are based completely on the Word of God, upon which all Truth is established. These foundational pillars are to be lived out and modeled in everyday life in order to strengthen and advance the Kingdom of God in the Earth through the life of every believer!  

It is of paramount importance that we begin and continue our Christian walk on solid, Christ-centered, Biblical foundations.  It is on these sound, Biblical foundations that all Truths of the Word of God rest. These foundations anchor us to the Kingdom of God and empower us to fulfill God’s purposes and plans for our lives here on the Earth.  The strength of and commitment to these Biblical foundations largely affect how we finish the race set before us and the impact we make on eternity. 

 

Foundational Pillar #1: PRAYER

•Acts 1:14 & 2:1-4 – The Church was birthed through prayer. 

•Jeremiah 33:3 – God reveals things to His people through prayer.

•Mark 11:22-26 – God answers the prayer of faith from His people. 

•Luke 18:1 & Matthew 6:5 – Jesus commands us to pray! 

•James 1:5 – God grants wisdom to those who pray.

•Acts 12:1-17 – God sends supernatural deliverance due to the Church praying. 

•James 5:13-18 – The prayers of the righteous are full of power! 

•2 Chronicles 7:14 – God moves on a nation when His people seek Him through prayer, repentance, and holy living!  

 

Foundational Pillar #2: PRAISE AND WORSHIP

•Psalm 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, & 150 all start with praise unto the Lord!  Praise and Worship elevates us into the presence of God where His power is readily available! 

•Acts 16:23-26 – Chains and shackles are broken, prison doors are opened, and people are set free through praise and worship!   

•2 Samuel 6:14-15 – David ministered unto the Lord through praise and worship! 

•Our praise is irresistible to God. As soon as He hears us call His name, He is ready to answer us. Every time we praise Him, His presence comes. 

•PRAISE entreats the favor of the KING! (See Judah, whose name means praise, and Joseph in Genesis 44&45) 

 

Foundational Pillar #3: PREACHING AND TEACHING THE WORD OF GOD

•The greatest voice of faith that you will hear is YOUR VOICE speaking the Word of God! 

•John 1:1-3, 14 – Jesus is the Word of God!

•Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing the Word of God!

•John 17:17 – The Word is TRUTH!

•John 14:66 & John 10:10b – The Word is LIFE! 

•Hebrews 4:12 – The Word is ALIVE and full of POWER! 

•2 Timothy 3:16 – The Word is God breathed! 

•Matthew 6:18 – The gates of Hell shall not prevail against a person who has revelation of the Word of God! 

 

Foundational Pillar #4: THE FLOW OF THE HOLY GHOST

•Everything that Jesus did during His earthly ministry was based upon His relationship with the Father and the Holy Ghost! Jesus stayed in the flow of the Holy Ghost! 

•M 3:11 & Luke 3:16 – Jesus is the baptizer of the Holy Ghost! To get in the flow of the Holy Ghost, you need to be filled with the Holy Ghost!   

•Acts 1:8 – POWER to be a WITTNESS! 

•Acts 4:31 – BOLDNESS! 

• – COMPASSION for others! 

•John 14:16-18, 26 – Comforter, Spirit of Truth, with you and in you! 

•John 15:26 – The Holy Ghost reveals Jesus! 

 

Foundational Pillar #5: FELLOWSHIP

•With the FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST! 

•With your FAMILY! (wife, husband, children)

•With your CHURCH! Hebrews 10:25

•Mark 16:15-20 – And you GO INTO THE WORLD TO SHARE JESUS WITH THEM! 

Houses of Joy – HOJ Strategy

Each One – Reach One
Each One – Teach One
Make Disciples Win the Lost at any cost

1. What are the Houses of Joy all about?

a. A giant net across the city to catch the harvest of souls.
b. We desire eternal fruit that will remain for the kingdom of God!
c. Win souls, make disciples.

2. Every believer must take their place.
a. Ephesians 4:11-16 Amplified

3. Fellowship.
a. Fellowship is vital in these last days.
b. Fellowship is one way that we will come into the unity of the faith.
c. Acts 2:42 AMP – “And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers.”
d. Iron sharpens Iron
e. Proverbs 27:17 KJV – “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
f. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP – “Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.”

4. Prayer.
a. We must pray for each other.
b. Psalms 34:4 KJV – “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”
c. James 5:16 KJV – “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
d. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 KJV – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
E. Ephesians 6:18-19 KJV – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel.”

5. Care for one another.
a. As a family of believers, we must lovingly care for each other.
b. And be generous towards one another.
c. Meeting the needs of those who are hurting.
d. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 KJV – “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.”
e. Galatians 6:2-5 KJV – “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.”
f. Hebrews 10:24-25 KJV – “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

6. Evangelism – Outreach – Outflow.
a. Acts 1:8 KJV – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
b. Reaching your street and beyond.
c. This is what causes the body to grow.
d. Jesus told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel, and make disciples.
e. Matthew 28:19-20 KJV – “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
f. Mark 16:15 KJV – “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
g. Proverbs 11:30 KJV – “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
h. Before you can make disciples, you must preach the gospel.
i. When you become a disciplined follower, you will become a fisher of men!
j. Outreach – reach out.

7. Discipleship – the benefits of being a disciple and making disciples.  a. Discipleship causes the saints to mature and become established in the Christian Faith.
b. Matthew 10:38 KJV – “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”
c. Matthew 4:19 KJV – “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
d. How will I benefit from being in a discipleship relationship?
e. You’ll experience growth in knowledge and spiritual understanding.
f. You’ll have mature leaders praying for you and your family.
h. You’ll develop new Christian friends.
i. You will learn to be a part of the big vision.
j. You will learn how to minister to the needs of others.
k. You will be known by church leadership and have accountability.
l. You will learn how to witness and to win souls.
m. You will experience the blessing of unity.
n. You will learn commitment, faithfulness, and accountability. You will discover the gifts and talents that God has given to you.
o. You will be raised up to fulfill your eternal destiny.
p. You know that you’re discipling people like Jesus did, if your disciples are making disciples.
q. John 15:8-14
r. As you disciple others, you will continue to grow and produce more fruit in your own life, resulting in more joy.?

NB. If we work together, applying this strategy, together we will shake Tampa, St Petersburg, Clearwater, and Central Florida. We can do this! Not just numbers – but people who are disciples, multiplying themselves. Central Florida will be saved!

1. Your spirit or the Holy Spirit.

a. How to know if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you or if it is your own spirit.

b. Proverbs 20:27 AMPC – “The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.” 

c. 1 John 3:9 AMPC – “No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.” 

d. 2 Peter 1:4 AMPC – “By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.” 

e. Acts 27:9-10 KJV – “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.”

f. Acts 26:13-19

g. Verse 19 KJV – “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.”

h. Acts 10:1-21 – Cornelius and Peter

i. Acts 11:12 KJV – The spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting.

j. Acts 13:1-2 KJV – “Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.”

 

2. Guidance through prophecy.

a. To prophesy means: to bubble forth; tumble forth.

b. He who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, up-building, constructive spiritual progress, encouragement, and consolation.

c. 1 Corinthians 14:1 KJV – “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

d. 1 Corinthians 14:5 KJV – “I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”

e. 1 Corinthians 14:27 KJV – “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.”

f. 1 Corinthians 14:39 KJV – “Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

g. 1 Corinthians 12:29 KJV – “Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?”

h. Acts 20:22-23 AMPC – “And now, you see, I am going to Jerusalem, bound by the [Holy] Spirit and obligated and compelled by the [convictions of my own] spirit, not knowing what will befall me there — 23 Except that the Holy Spirit clearly and emphatically affirms to me in city after city that imprisonment and suffering await me.” 

i. Acts 21:4 KJV – “And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.”

j. Acts 21:8-14

k. Don’t build your life on prophecies. Build it on the Word.

l. Prophecy is for confirmation (not information).

m. 1 Corinthians 14:29-30 KJV – “Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.”

n. We only need one person at a time to bring the revelation forth.

 

3. Guidance through visions.

a. Hebrews 13:2 KJV – “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

b. Acts 9:10-12 KJV – “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”

c. Acts 10:19-20 KJV – “While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.”

d. Acts 8:26-29 – The angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, telling him to go south into the desert and then to climb into the Ethiopian’s chariot to tell him about Jesus.

e. Acts 16:9 KJV – “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.”

f. Acts 18:9 KJV – “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace.”

 

4. How to train the human spirit.

a. Joshua 1:8 – By meditation in the Word of God.

b. James 1:22 – By practicing the Word.

c. Proverbs 4:20-22 – By giving the Word first place.

d. Proverbs 20:27 – By instantly obeying the voice of your spirit.

 

5. Praying in/with the Spirit.

a. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 KJV – “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”

b. 1 Corinthians 14:2 KJV – “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.”