Confession: I confess that find it really difficult sometimes to get my head around the incredible fact that God’s Temple dwells within us. How about you? But I thank God for it.
1st Corinthians 3:16-17 1st Corinthians 6:18-20
Many, if not most people, make the mistake of thinking that God cares only about the spiritual. But God wants us to be whole in Soul and Body as well as Spirit. (3 John: 2).
4. God has approved a ready-to-go and tested vaccine for immediate release.
Two major ingredients of God’s vaccine:
1) FAITH
2) PRAYER
5. A brief look at how God’s vaccine works.
FEAR NOT! – Isaiah 43 – The Bible uses the word “FEAR NOT” or “BE NOT AFRAID” 103 times.
Background – When this was written, the people of Judah had reason to be afraid of the
Babylonian army which could mean potential death or exile.
6. God’s first words in Isaiah 43: “FEAR NOT” (Do not be frightened). Isaiah 43:1
7. GOD’S ANSWER OR INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE – THIS IS INCREDIBLE. Isaiah 43: 18-19 Here is what God says to us today:
Verse 18: “Remember not (think on it) the former things, neither consider the things of old.”
Verse 19 – “Behold I will do (accomplish and advance) a new thing. Now it shall spring
forth, shall ye not even know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in
the desert.”
NO-ONE BUT THE LORD CAN MAKE ROADS IN A WILDERNESS OR RIVERS IN THE DESERT.
- "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence in God." – Helen Keller
- Hope is being able to see that there’s light/ despite all the darkness – Desmond Tutu
- Hope is waking up a dream – Aristotle
8. OUR RESPONSE TO FEAR.
There are about 1,600 IFs in the Bible: 800 Old Testament, 500 New Testament. The word IF appears in all 66 books of the Bible and indicates that someone has to make a decision.
THE WORD IF IS INTERESTING. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORDS IN THE BIBLE BECAUSE IT SPEAKS DIRECTLY TO OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO GOD. MOST PROMISES IN THE BIBLE HAVE CONDITIONS AND THE WORD “IF” SPEAKS TO THOSE CONDITIONS. OUR RESPONSES TO GOD’S COMMANDS AFFECT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM AND DETERMINES OUR RECEIVING FROM HIM.
WE WILL LOOK AT THREE EXAMPLES OF HOW GOD’S VACCINE WORKS WHEN WE APPLY IT HIS WAY 2nd Chronicles 7:13-15
IF God decides to: God’s Vaccine IF my people:
1. Send rain 1. Humble themselves
2. Send locusts 2. Pray
3. Send pestilence 3. Seek
4. Turn (repent)
Here’s an incredible example of how God’s vaccine works (VERSE 14):
1. God will hear us
2. God will forgive us
3. God will heal our land.
THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE OF HOW GOD’S VACCINE WORKS
- God will heal (divine intervention/return to normal) our land. God always deals with the symptoms before He deals with the prescription.
- How to ask God for wisdom? James 1:2-4 – God’s diagnoses when you have problems. Prescription: Verse 5-8 IF you lack wisdom ask for it in faith. I read James 1:2-8 every day and does it ever work.
- Another verse I read first thing every morning and apply this vaccine to my life, and it gives me incredible encouragement: Philippians 4:6
Coming Soon by Podcast and a Brand-New E-Book: THE BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF GOD: And what can occur when we treat our bodies as God’s Temple
CONTENTS OF THE COMPLETE 8 WEEK PODCAST PLUS A NEW E-BOOK PREPARED TO HELP YOU STUDY PERSONALLY OR IN SMALL GROUPS WHEN PERMITTED, WHICH WILL REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU.
Shalom, Barry
