Last week we took an in-depth look at the origin of Satan and his battle plan through the ages of mankind. We determined that after all of his foiled attempts to separate us from the love of God in history, and after his dismal failure of stopping Christ's plan of Salvation through His own tortured death in our place, he knows he is completely defeated now. Today in his fury and hopelessness, he is lashing out at God's creation with one purpose against those who have held true to Jesus Christ. That objective being to make us as miserable, ineffective and as broken as possible. And to turn the world as hatefully and violently against us and our message of hope as possible; to break God's heart by hurting His beloved and destroying His Kingdom.

Christianity in our day and age... Like so many other things in our self-focused world...Has developed tunnel vision in our focus and understanding...Of Salvation... Of God's Plan... Of our very place in this Creation!
Even Christian focus… Is on our lives...On how God is... Or is not... Blessing US in our lives...And on all of the evil in this world that disrupts our lives...And on WHY God would allow such evil in our lives…If He loves us so much!

Within this crowd... And those watching and listening online...There are several groups of people... Spiritually speaking! Some of you know Christ as your Savior...Some of you do not know Him...Some of you ONLY THINK you know Him...And some of you... Started the Journey...  Only to fall away again!
We are living in a world that increasingly bombards us…With criticism, accusations, and ridicule...For holding true to a belief that we are created beings...And not products of evolution...Much less... Having the audacity to proclaim that Jesus Christ...Is the ONE TRUE WAY to knowing that Creator!
With so much aggressive opposition...And so many "proofs" against Jesus being thrown at society...With information which is exaggerated, biased, censured, misrepresented, and flat out FALSE...It is easy for those who have never actually read Scriptures...Or have never simply LOOKED at objective evidence...To completely MISS…The overwhelming proofs of Jesus Christ!
Let's STOP and look at just a few UNDENIABLE BASIC FACTS...Which... If considered open-mindedly...Take you to an UNBENDING... AWESOME CONCLUSION!

We are into our fifth week of an exhaustive study on the subject of how God still speaks to us today. We have thus far shown why it is absolutely Biblically sound to still expect God's guidance and voice in our personal lives. And we have studied a number of Biblical ways God uses as He guides, speaks to, and Influences His people. If you have missed any of the previous lessons in the series, we will briefly pull them all together at the end of this study and you can go back on Facebook or YouTube for more. This week we will draw the study to a close with one of the most controversial, often rejected and abused ways in which God Speaks: Dreams and Visions (how the Muslim and Mormon religions started).

For those who may just be joining our Great Adventure...We have spent the last three weeks exploring on of the most important and controversial topics of a Christian's life...How to discern God's Will in our lives!
We've studied far too much to review today...But here is the quick recap to bring us to date: It is Biblically sound to expect that God still Speaks…And Reveals His Will to His people today...Preparing our hearts and minds TO WANT AND DO His Will...Are far more important than worrying about HOW to hear Him!

We are in the middle of one of the most important and useful studies any true Christian could undertake: learning how to discern God's Will. Thus far, it has involved learning the importance and proper way of fasting in a disciple's walk with Christ and preparing our hearts and minds to want, hear, and do God's Will when we hear it. This being the single most important thing in our journey (ship) because we have to be surrendered to Him or Spirit led; like-minded in Christ walking in His Righteousness; hungry for His true will wherever that leads; and expectant that He will speak. And lastly, our previous lesson was focused on actually striving to begin hearing Him speak. First and foremost, through His Word (rudder), which is the foundation for testing all other Words we may hear. Secondly, by letting what you already know in His Word and about His Character be your guide to making the right decision (crow's nest), in your own discernment and will, for His glory and purpose, not your own. And thirdly, learning to walk expectantly and openly, listening for the Spirit Who literally indwells us at the ultimate cost (raise our sails). Because Scriptures promise that the children of God will be Guided by the One Who lives in us and does have the mind of God living in them. All of these ways of hearing God thus far are things we consciously strive to do in order to discern His Will.

We are in the middle of a major study as a Church Family! That has the potential to change the direction of our…Personal lives... And our Church...For BETTER... And FOREVER!
Last week... Many joined together on a QUEST... An ADVENTURE...To FIRST draw closer to God... To surrender more fully to God... And die to self...To truly, Biblically repent of our lives and turn to HIM!

I have had a strong desire to bring this message for some time now, and God has confirmed it to me in several ways. So, in light of the fact that we are beginning a New Year this week, and that we are living in some of the most chaotic, godless, fear-filled, uncertain times any of us have faced in our lifetimes, I believe it is not just advantageous, but absolutely imperative that we join our hearts and minds as God's people in learning to seek and do God's will for our individual lives and the Church.

This time of year churches usually see a fairly decent increase in attendance...
Which often lasts only weeks or months...Before many begin to fade away again!
 
Then there is the Corona Virus...Which has left a number of churches with record low numbers...As many have gotten comfortable not attending live services...And some... No services at all anymore..As they have gotten use to not serving others... Not fellowshipping... Not worshiping...

Last week we talked about learning to walk like Jesus in the world and how this could only be done if we learned to walk "in" Jesus through this world; knowing and relying on Him completely and being filled with His fruits of the Spirit. But, there are many Christians in our generation—by far, probably the majority just as in Jesus' day—who have truly believed in, and accepted Christ as Lord, but are living double-minded lives still clinging to many of the thoughts, sins and attitudes around them; not truly giving yourselves completely to Christ, letting Him in their house but keeping Him restricted to the front foyer.