Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 247 SEPTEMBER 2016 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Fear Is Trying to Stop Us God told Joshua that he would face many enemies in the Promised Land. God tells us that when we give our lives to the Lord, we must be strong and courageous. We cannot let fear keep us from believing the things that God has for us. (Don’t turn to the right or the left). When you love the Lord, He doesn’t want you to be afraid of anything. He wants you to trust in Him even when you get a bad report. God wants you to be courageous and believe that He will work everything out. (People with abusive pasts struggle with fears, they think: ”I’m not good enough”) You cannot live a truly victorious life until you make the decision to trust the Lord and not let fear control you. Even when the bottom falls out, God wants us to make the decision to walk by faith and not by sight. You have to walk it out. There is something about fear that tries to control us. Fear tries to tell us that nothing is going to work out. That’s why God told us to have faith in Him. He wants us to look at adversity and believe that He has everything under control. Courage is not the absence of fear. It’s pressing through your fears to do what God is telling you to do. Fear tries to hold you back. The truth is that it takes tremendous courage to obey God and put Him first. We need to take a stand, for instance, in the areas of dating, and not living together before marriage. Courage is when you make up your mind to face the music instead of run- ning away. Courage is about confront- ing someone that you’re afraid of. It’s about making a career move. It’s about making changes that you know are right. The children of Israel did not go into their promised land because they didn’t believe God’s promises. If you are going to go into the land of over- flow, you must have a Promised Land mentality. In other words, you must fear no evil for God is with you. Any time you step out in faith, fear will try and make a coward out of you. You will never live a victorious life, until you learn to be courageous when you feel fear. You will never live a vic- torious life until you decide to trust God’s Word. The enemy’s plan is to defeat you through fear. But God says, “Be strong and courageous for I have promised you success.” I have had to face many fears in coming back to Denver. We had a lot to lose…finances, health…I had to walk by faith. Make no mistake, your spiritual enemy has a plan for you to be fearful, so you never accomplish what God has for you. His plan is for you to never be courageous, so you live a defeated life. There is something about disobedi- ence that opens the door to fear. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they became afraid. Paul said we should give no place to the devil. I’ve seen people give in to drugs…(Fear) to for- tunetellers… (Fear) to pornography… (Disobedience). Job said, “The thing I feared most has come upon me.” Job loved the Lord. But he had a constant fear of losing everything he had. Then one day he lost it all. People who walk in fear always fail. Anytime someone is afraid of failure, they always find a way to fail. If you’re afraid that you’ll get hurt in a relationship, then you’ll always get hurt. If you’re afraid of failing, then you will always fail. Fear causes things to never work out in your life. (You speak the Word; You meditate on the Word… and “Fear is trying to stop you.”) Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water. As soon as he stepped out of the boat, a storm arose. He began to look at the storm and became afraid. Because of the fear, he began to sink. (Fear opens the door) Any time you step out in faith, fear will raise its ugly head. Without faith it’s impossible to please God. Without fear it’s impossible to please the devil. That’s why we must resist. “For my God has not given me a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” The enemy’s plan is to make you timid, so you never confront people or issues in your life. (We are afraid to hurt people’s feelings) Maybe you need to confront a family member or someone at work. You can’t let fear hold you hostage any longer. You can’t let fear control your life. It’s time to control your own destiny. (Be strong and courageous…God gave you a promise…The land of overflow is in front of you…Don’t run away… Stand…) You know there is something wrong in your body, but you won’t go to the doctor. You are afraid of what he’ll tell you. It’s time for you to stop letting fear control you. It’s time to trust in the Lord. (God says, “Fear not” for I have redeemed you…I’ve purchased you with my Blood). Courage doesn’t mean you don’t have fear. Courage simply means you face whatever you’re afraid of. Courage means you will no longer be a coward and let fear hold you back. Courage is about facing difficult things and doing the right thing. Setting boundaries is one area some people have difficulty with. God has called you to face your fears and trust Him. Some years ago the Lord spoke to me about overcom- ing all my fears. I began to face every fear, asking God to strengthen me. (Fear of heights, roller coasters… We have experienced some fearful things in our finances and health. I will not be moved.) The number one fear that people have today is the fear of public speak- ing. I know for myself it was one of my fears. God says, “I know the thoughts I have towards you. Thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Anytime someone is greatly discouraged, it’s because they have forgotten the promises of God. They have forgotten that God has a great plan for their life. The next time fear knocks at your door; make sure that courage answers it. “I will fear no evil for God is with me. No good thing will He withhold from me.” Go back to the Word. David faced many fears, but said, “I will fear no evil.” David faced his giant and said, “You come at me with a sword and a spear. But I come to you in the name of the Lord, and you are coming down.” We all have to face our giants and tell them who’s boss. I don’t know what you’re afraid of today. Maybe it’s the fear of fail- ure. Maybe it’s the fear of not having enough; be a tither. Maybe it’s the fear of people finding out who you really are. Maybe it’s the fear of what people think of you. (Humble yourself) Whatever fears you are facing, you have to make the decision to face them instead of ignoring them. Maybe you have a fear of water; take swimming lessons. If you have a fear of dogs, get a puppy. If you have a fear of loving again, go on a date. (I used to have a fear of public speaking…”Fear was try- ing to stop me.”) Superstition is nothing more than fear. “I will not fear walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror. I will not fear a black cat walking in front of me, or someone putting a hex on me. The devil is a liar. You cannot curse what God has blessed.” If I will diligently obey… The enemy’s plan is for you to be afraid of white people, black people or maybe the police. He wants you to be afraid of the Holy Spirit. He wants you to be afraid of a church like this one. Church is God’s idea. This generation is lost. We need your help. In the last days, times will grow worse and worse. We are facing things that no generation has ever faced before. I’m talking about today’s drug culture. I’m talking about the breakup of the family. I’m talking about a lost generation. God has put a great love inside me for this generation…tat- toos…music. It’s time to trust God for a Promised Land mentality. You can see overflow in your life. You can forgive people that have hurt you. You can get back into church. You can let go of stinkin’ thinkin’. You can change your circle of love, and hang around good people. I could suggest hanging out at Heritage Christian Center’s on Tuesdays for the 6:30 p.m. Happy Hour. That’s why you’re getting back into church. That’s why you’re putting God first. That’s why you’re changing your circle of friends. You will be anxious for nothing, but will pray over everything. “Fear is trying to stop you.” Sometimes you need to stay away from ‘Still people.” I’m talking about those who are Still borrowing money and never pay it back…. Still com- plaining…Still living in the past…Still talking negative…Still gossiping…Still arrogant…Still living like the devil… Still hating…Still running with the wrong crowd…Still drugging…Still clubbing…Still prejudiced…Still hate- ful…Still going nowhere with their lives…Still stuck on stupid. It’s a new day. I’m ready to go into my land of overflow. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus who loves me. My God will do exceedingly abundantly beyond anything I can ask or think. “I will say to the Lord, You are my refuge and my fortress. In You I will trust. Though a thousand fall at my side and ten thousand at my right hand, it shall not befall me. For He has put His angels in charge over me. They will bear me up in their hands, least I dash a foot against a stone.” “The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want.” I will not fear what man can do to me. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. God is working all things together for my good, and noth- ing can stop me from being blessed. I am strong in the Lord and the power of His might. I may be in a storm today, but my God is working everything out. Greater is He…I will fear no evil for God is with me. Nothing can stop my praise. No trouble…No devil…” Fear is trying to stop you.” That’s why you have to praise the Lord in the fiery furnace… Praise Him in the Lion’s den…Praise Him in the morning… Praise Him in the evening… Praise Him while the walls are still standing… If you don’t want to praise Him, don’ hinder me… I can see the land of overflow… It’s close… “Fear is trying to stop you.” By Bishop Dennis Leonard Whatever fears you are facing, you have to make the decision to face them instead of ignoring them. Maybe you have a fear of water; take swimming lessons. If you have a fear of dogs, get a puppy. If you have a fear of loving again, go on a date. Dennis Leonard SERMON