Doubt is certainly a dark place to be. The real problem, though, is not in the object doubted but in the subject who doubts!

There is a lot more going on with doubt than meets the eye. We doubt God because there are often underlying issues in our hearts:

• Unresolved negative issues from our past
• Mixed motives
• Relational difficulties-current and past
• Pride
• Hidden selfishness
• Stubbornness
• Unfulfilled dreams
• Self-pity
• Financial pressures
• Scheduling pressures

These issues and pressures help make us vulnerable to doubting God…so be aware of them and DEAL WITH THEM! From the small to the big, God has answered our prayers about these issues because He loves us and builds us up in prayer.

So, let’s give the devil a heart attack—let him be the “doubting Thomas”, not you!

(Listen to entire sermon below.)

Our journey on this earth as Christians is not about working harder for God or working harder to overcome sin. However, it is about yielding to the Holy Spirit and inviting Him and allowing Him to do His emancipating and marvelous work through us. We must remember that we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength, wisdom, courage, and wherewithal to accomplish and fulfill His will and purpose in us. Without God, we are weak and poor, but in Christ Jesus, we are strong and rich!

We must also remember we are no longer those who walk in darkness and confusion, but we walk in the Life and light of Jesus. In fact, Paul said, we are “not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We are to be passionate in our memory of what Jesus our Passover has accomplished for us at Calvary. He gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice as a ransom for all who will accept His atonement for our sin. Atonement means “at-one-ment” with God!

We are to be constantly mindful what Christ has accomplished as our Passover and sacrificial lamb. Do you have a passion to ask God to enable you to extol His name in your daily walk with Him? Do you thirst and hunger for a closer relationship with Him?

The Psalmist declared, “I will cause Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the peoples will give You thanks forever and ever.”

References: Philippians 4:13; Romans 12:1, 2; Psalm 45:17

(Hear the entire message below.)

If asked what your “spiritual persuasion” was, what would you say? “I’m a Christian”, or "I go to church", or "I pray, I tithe, I volunteer", etc. Would you ever answer, “I’ve been boiled and hammered for Jesus”?

When you come to Him, that’s exactly what has to happen in order to grow and remain in the presence of God.

Exodus 25 is a HUGE word picture from way back in biblical times of what God is doing to us today. WE are the temple now. He is constructing us according to the same plan He used back then.

As we cover a few things in Exodus 25—note that God required PURE GOLD for all the parts and pieces in the Temple. He requires this same “gold” from all of your parts and pieces, too!

GOLD—to be pure, has to be boiled over and over again to get all the impurities out of it. It’s a heavy metal and sinks to the bottom as the impurities rise.

• Once pure, the gold is malleable—meaning that it is flexible (are YOU flexible?) —flexible means it CAN be molded and shaped…not stiff and resistant
• So-o-o-o…the gold was BOILED and then what? It was HAMMERED into shape!
• BOILING and HAMMERING are required in order to be pure and shaped by God

God led the Israelites to build the Tabernacle and the Mercy Seat:

• Pure gold was used and was hammered into the shape GOD wanted
• Pure gold was placed on the tabernacle and Mercy Seat components where GOD wanted

It is the same for us today! Hang on…you’re going to get hammered!

(Listen to entire sermon below.)

Life is a series of decisions…to STAY FOCUSED, we need to know how to make wise decisions at every turn on the road of our journey with Christ.

If you rely on your feelings, impulses, or worldly desires, you can’t stay on track. Our ways don’t work just in case you haven’t noticed.

Don’t get me wrong, you still have a free will. You can choose to do what you want but, eventually, it will not go well!

The way to live FOCUSED on God is spelled out in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Direct your path)

In order to be focused, you have to be CENTERED. If your priorities are based on your purpose and your purpose comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you will be able to stay focused.

Let’s review the four things for focusing your life mentioned in Proverbs 3:5-6:

• Dependence-TRUST IN THE LORD
• Dedication-WITH ALL YOUR HEART
• Discipline-AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING
• Discernment-IN ALL YOUR WAYS, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM

Focusing your life results in…

Direction for your life! AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT.

The end process of dependence, dedication, discipline, and discernment is the LIFE WE YEARN FOR…ONE WITH DIRECTION, PURPOSE AND FOCUS TO IT!

So, you see, we are not just floating around in a sea of uncertainty. God promises to direct your path.

He’s just saying…Stay Focused Honey, Stay Focused.

(Listen to entire sermon below.)