destinychurch

The Authority of the Believer - A Prayer

"The Deceiver" - Service Notes 3/2/2011

Tonight at Destiny we began our new midweek series, "Uncovered." Specifically, here is the prayer we cited as a church body at the begining and the end of the teaching... a few asked if I could post it - also attached are the abbreviated sermon notes.

God wants to renew every part of our lives - it begins with our minds. 

God, I give you my mind and heart. Satan, I take back what is rightfully mine through God, in Jesus name.

God, I want to learn your promises in your Word, use the name of Jesus that you’ve given to me, and exercise the authority that You’ve delegated to me.

Satan I come against you in the name of Jesus. You have no place in my life. I refuse to believe, think, entertain, listen or have anything else to do with your lies. You are bound in Jesus name!

I speak the name of Jesus over every part of my life, my family, my circumstances, and my resources…  that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. I confess Jesus Christ as Lord… to the glory of God the Father. 

I am God’s workmanship, created for good works. Therefore - I am who God says I am, I have all that God says I have, and now I can do all that God wants of me. Amen!

Tonight at Destiny God put it on our hearts to lead the congregation in a prayer reminding the enemy  

Uncovered – The Deceiver (Week 1)

1Pet. 5:8-9 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

There are four strategies that Satan has in his war with believers (This is week 1).

#1 The Deceiver

• Target – Our Minds and Hearts

Prov. 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

• Weapon – Lies

Gen. 3:1-4 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

Gen. 3:4-5 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

John 8:44 “…He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

• Purpose – Destroy believers by keeping them ignorant of God’s will for their lives.

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Comes –  gr. “erchomai” - to come and go by an established and organized system.

Satan’s kingdom is strategic and well organized

• The Believer’s Defense – The Name of Jesus and the Word of God

2Cor. 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Rom. 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Every believer must know their authority in Christ in order to live a victorious Christian Life.

Phil. 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

There's No Better Day to Start a Bible Reading Plan

It’s the first of the year... 2011 here we come!

Reading Scripture changes everything!

One of the greatest commitments a believer can make is to reading their Bible.

Below are the two reading plans I am currently doing. The first reading plan is to read during a 21 day fast.  The second is a blended plan where you can read the entire Bible over the course of one year.

21 Day Fast Reading Plan – (January 1^st – 7^th)

Source: http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/21-day-fast/1

Saturday

Daniel10

Sunday

1 Chronicles 21:18-27

Monday

Daniel 1

Tuesday

Psalm 119 

Wednesday

Matthew 6:5-18

Thursday

Isaiah 58

Friday

Mark 14:1-26

 

Bible Reading Plan (January 1^st – 7^th)

Source: http://www.youversion.com/reading-plans/mcheyne-one-year-reading-plan

Note: Both of these reading plans are from www.youversion.com - these guys are great! I love using their site because it means I can access my daily readings from anywhere, keep up with my progress, make notes and mark off on my personal plan where I last left off. If you’re a techy type, this is a great way to read through the Bible.

 

 

21 Days to Change Your World - 2011

It's time for our 21 day fast at Destiny Church - an incredible time when we as a church family take the first three weeks of the New Year and set aside something "natural" in pursuit of something "supernatural". Each Destiny member is challenged to set something aside out of his or her daily routine and "fast" it as we agree in prayer. We are praying for the lost (those who don't know Christ) and what Bible refers to as the exiled (those that have been separated from God). 1) Family 2) Friends 3) Coworkers 4) Government and leaders to come home to God.  

Throughout the Bible fasting is presented as a spiritual discipline and an act of willful humility, and often accompanied with confession and repentance. A person who was so passionate about what God had put on their heart would willingly deny themselves something in pursuit of a greater cause. As a church we are in pursuit of bringing people to Christ, helping them find their next step, and teaching them to do the same. Using Daniel as a template, I challenge each church member to set something aside the first 21 days of the year and commit themselves to prayer pursuing what God loves most...and that's bringing people to back to Him! 

Here is a list of some of the most commonly fasted thing... Pop, carbonated drinks, other drinks besides water, television, computer, video games, internet, sweets, candy, chocolates, etc… Fast food, shopping, using credit cards, & lotteries/gambling, red meats, gossiping, Facebook, bad-mouthing, judging, being critical, cursing, tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, naps, sleeping in, pushing snooze, and the list goes on.

I am so excited about what God is doing in the days to come!

 

 

Praying for the Loved, the Lost, and even Our Enemies

As Christians God has called us to pray... not just for ourselves, but also for those we love, those that are lost, and even our enemies. Here are some of the things Renae I love praying over others.

Phil. 1:4-6 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

A Thankful Spirit

• 1Th. 5:16-19 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

God’s Plans to be Known and the Courage to Pursue them

• Prov. 16:3-4 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. 4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster.

Supernatural Provision

• 2Cor. 9:10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

Divine Protection

• Psa. 91:11-12 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; 12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

Courage to ask for Forgiveness and Strength to Forgive Others

• Matt. 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Comfort in Trouble

• Heb. 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Victory Over Temptation

• Matt. 18:18  “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Rest that is Sweet

• Psa. 4:7-8 You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. 8 I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Hope that is Sure

• Rom. 8:28  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Hearts Protected

• Prov. 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Words that are Spirit Led

• Matt. 10:19-20 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Understanding that Everything Needed is Already be Found in Christ

• Rom. 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

 

Does God Really Love Me?

When was the last time you stopped and meditated on God’s love, specifically how much He loves YOU? I am convinced, the more you know about God's love, the more that love has the power to change everything! It is my challenge to you to read the passages below. Take at least one to heart and meditate on it, think about it, and let God remind you that no matter what is taking place around you, He still loves you!

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies (Psalm 36:5).

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings (Psalm 36:7).

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love (Psalm 48:9).

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever (Psalm 52:8).

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever (Psalm 136:26).

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends John 15:13).

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love (John 15:9).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:35-39).

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2).

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-5).

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).

 

Wrong Ways to Worship!

Most have heard of the popular TV program, “What Not To Wear”, but did you know long before the TV show existed, God had made a similar list? Except this one had nothing to do with fashion, it has to do with heart and worship. It’s called, “How and what not to worship.” Here’s a look at the wrong ways to worship…

• Geographically – The belief that location increases, or lessons, the value of worship.
• Ignorantly – Unknowingly playing follow the leader in worship.
• Pagan – Going through the motions, without God, in worship.
• Stubbornly – Worshiping with a sense of obligation.
• Religiously – Worshiping God without relationship.
• Selfishly – Worshiping for personal gain or status.
• Apathetically – Worshiping flippantly or uncaringly.

John 4:20-24 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews." "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

To better understand why knowing this is important, join us this weekend at Destiny Church. If you can't make it in person, you can always join us live online via live-streaming, just go to our website www.destinychurch.com and click live-streaming. Hope to see you at church!

 

Alive and Well

Stress, anxiety, anxiousness, and even depression are nearly pandemic in our world. Nothing catches God off guard. Today, God is going to have a good day, no matter what, and so we might as well join him. We are in the middle of a four week series on being, "Alive and Well," - you can catch up on all the teachings on our website @ www.destinychurch.com

Here are notes from last week...

Alive and Well – Singleness of Mind (Philipians Chapter 1)

Is. 26:3  You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Our minds are at war! Battles with stress, discouragement, depression, and anxiety are universal, but for the believer, God has provided a cure.

Four things that steal joy

1. 1-    Circumstances – the conditions around us beyond our control
2. 2-    People – those we “want” to love, those we “have” to love
3. 3-    Things – possessions that carry personal or monetary value
4. 4-    Worries – inability to see God at work

Paul demonstrates and describes the first key to freedom - the power of a single mind.

The single mind says, “it makes no difference what happens to me, as long as God’s word gets out, and God gets His way”

Phil. 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

The single mind anticipates what is God going to do, instead of complaining about what He has not done

Regardless of natural chains

Phil. 1:12  Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Despite the Critics

Phil. 1:15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 

Even in crises

Phil. 1:20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Rom. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

God’s grace is always there when facing things beyond our control, we need to make sure we have His mind, on all things, especially things we can’t control.

Homework - Five good reasons to stop worrying.

1.    Worrying accomplishes nothing. (Matthew 6:27-29)

2.    Worrying is Not good for you, and it hurts other. (Proverbs 12:25)

3.    Worrying is the opposite of trusting God. (Matthew 6:30) (Philippians 4:6-7)

4.    Worrying puts your focus in the wrong place. (Matthew 6:25) (Matthew 6:31-33) (1 Peter 5:7)

5.    Worrying is sin in the making. – (Deut. 6:5) (Rom. 14:23)

Skyler "The Rock Star"

Meet the Rock-Star! His real name is Skyler, but you’ll see in a second why I call him, “The Rock Star.”

Skyler is ferociously protective of his little brother, his big sister, and most of all, he is protective of his mom.  His mom will tell you, “He’ll fight for his family’s honor long before he fights for his own.” 

Like any 10 year-old, Skyler loves playing things like soccer and football, and any time on the playground is a good time. All of these things he will have to retrain his body to do after his scheduled surgery this next week, one that will require a year for him to recover from.

Skyler is not like other kids, he is unique. He was born with a radial defect; he has no forearms, or thumbs, and has only 3 fingers on one hand, and four on the other. When he was born, his mom was told his brain function would be minimal, but Skyler proved everyone wrong! He is now a brilliant fifth grader, a young man who has overcome many challenges already, but has some of the biggest ones still ahead. 

Severe scoliosis has prevented his heart and lungs from growing, creating a life-threatening challenge for this little guy. For the boy who loves to play, just going out to the mailbox wears him out.

In the next few days, Skyler will undergo an 18 hour surgery at the Children’s Hospital in Denver, CO, where every vertebra in his back will be fused, a rod inserted, and room made for his heart and lungs to grow. The rod is to be removed after his 21^st birthday; a birthday he won't see if he does not have surgery. A birthday people from our church are making sure he gets to see.

In this picture, Skyler smirks as he watches the live-streaming service at Destiny (Wednesday August 11, 2010) from his home in Texas. He is watching as strangers from a church, ones in Broken Arrow, OK, who are celebrating his life by taking up an offering to cover the operating cost (specifically the fuel) of flying him, his mom, and two younger siblings in a Piper Meridian to his life-saving surgery. The plane, loaned free of charge by a Colorado businessman, brought with it two volunteer pilots (both extraordinary Christians). Their mission: fly Skyler, and his family, safely from their home in East Texas to a Denver hospital so he can have surgery.

As Skyler watched online, he saw believers lining the front, placing money on a table, while others gave online. As he took it all in, he told his mom, “I feel like a rock star!” Now you know why I call him the Rock Star.

Update: Here's a picture of Skyler (bottom left) and members of his family being flown to Colorado taken just minutes ago. 

Skyler, A ten year-old boy who is, “fearfully and wonderfully made!” Psalms 139:4

Destiny Church Backpack Outreach Totals are In! (by Renae Goolsbay)

I have to brag about our DestinyChurch family! We had a goal to supply BA Neighbors & the BAPD with 70 backpacks & supplies for their community outreach…and we surpassed that goal with 103 backpacks! Here is the list of items collected if you are curious. DestinyChurch is a church all about loving people...thank you for making an impact in your community! May you be blessed, as you have blessed others!

Note: If any other supplies come in at this point, we will store them in my office and they will be donated to JOHN 3:16’s Back To School Festival on Aug. 14th.

DestinyChurch 2010 Backpack/School Supply Outreach w/BA Neighbors & BAPD
103 - Backpacks
94 - Spiral 1-Sub notebooks
3 – Spiral 5-Sub notebooks
5 – Spiral 3-Sub notebooks
42 – Wide ruled notebook paper
7 – College ruled notebook paper
8 – Composition notebooks
156 – Glue sticks
217 – Folders with brads
69 – Folders (w/o brads)
38 – Bottles of glue
54 – Scissors
38 – Pkgs. colored pencils
28 – Highlighters
33 – Pkgs. markers
4 – Watercolor paint sets
15 – Pkgs. note cards
46 – Rulers
85 – Pkgs. #2 pencils
25 – Pkgs. mechanical pencils
9 – Pkgs. red pens
7 – Pkgs. blue pens
35 – Pkgs. black pens
31 – Boxes of tissue
5 – Paper towel rolls
4 – Calculators
8 – Pencil sharpeners
41 – Pink erasers
11 – Pkgs. pencil-top erasers
35 – Supply boxes
10 – Pencil bags
87 – 24pk crayons
2 – 16pk crayons
11 – 8pk crayons
2 – 64pk crayons
14 – Jumbo crayons
2 – Compasses
1 – Protractor
1 – 4pk dry-erase markers
2 – 3-ring binder
1 – Dictionary
2 – Dividers
4 – Individual lunch bags

If I Could Have Anything This Monday July 12, 2008

If I could have anything... I mean anything at all, the list would inevitably go on and on. I'd probably start with doing everything imaginable for my family, then I'd lay out all the dreams I have for our amazing church family, and after all of their needs have been met, I'd snap my fingers and all the facilities etc...

However, since I can't have anything and everything I could ever want and dreamed of this moment, I choose to take what God has already given me - peace. God's peace. The peace that gives me the strength to hang on until I see all those other things come into being. Life is good!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.