26 Sep Code Red (Learning to look at what you’re going TO instead of what you’re going through) PART 3
“He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is
established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire on his enemies.” Psalms 112:7-8
This is our key scripture from our series Code Red.
Over the past few weeks we have been sharing our “7 Outstanding Outlines to Overcoming Crisis”
Let’s review…
1. How you respond in a crisis is key (Mark 5:36)
We then began sharing our “3 Key Crisis Concepts”:
1) Crisis doesn’t create your character….it reveals it
When the pressure is on it either reveals you are a lump of coal or a beautiful
diamond!
2) Whatever is in you in abundance will come out in crisis (Matt. 12:33-35)
This is why I frequently tell people…put the Word of God in you when you don’t
need it, so it comes out when you do! If you wait until the crisis hits it may be too
late. This is my 40 th year of ministry and I’ve seen hundreds of people go through
crisis. Unfortunately, most of those people freak out…a few of those people faith
out! In crisis, what is in your heart…human panic or divine plans?!
3) Your initial response will do your miracle or your mess (Mk 5:36)
Do you remember the Biblical story of Jairus’ daughter? She was sick and near
death. Someone from Jairus’ house came and gave the worst news a parent can
hear, “Your daughter is dead.” As soon as the horrible news was given, Jesus turned
around and said, “Fear NOT and believe only.” It would have been so easy for Jairus
to panic and speak words that could have aborted the plan of healing for his little
daughter.
2. What God did for another He can do for you (Acts 10:4)
This is why testimonies can be so inspiring. If God did it for another…He can do it for
you! Please allow me to share with you “Two Testimony Truths”:
1) If the devil can convince you your problem is special…it will be especially hard to
overcome!
The Bible tells us, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to
man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that which you
are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you might be
able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:13). And in I Peter 5:9, “Whom resist steadfast in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the
world.”
In essence, these two scriptures tell us that there is no problem that is
insurmountable and no problem others haven’t faced as well. In other words,
there have been thousands of people who have gone through what you are going
through and thousands of people who have overcome. You might as well be 1001!
This week we continue with…
2) Testimonies bring inspiration. The Word of God brings faith.
Again I love a good testimony…they inspire me! However, inspiration does not
mean activation. Let me explain. Over our married lives, Anne and I have given
away two different cars to two different people. Over a period of time, we were
given cars that were nicer than the ones we gave away. However, God spoke
specifically to us to do so. If you hear my testimony without a specific word from
God for yourself…you will be walking to work for a very long time!
It is perfectly fine to be inspired by someone’s testimony (Rev. 12:10-11). However,
it’s more important to make sure you are firmly grounded on a specific word of God
for you!
Next month we will continue our series!