Money back guarantee!!!

Hey Family, If I were to offer you a guarantee that said if you invest 500.00 you are guaranteed to receive a return of 1,000,000.00 most would be looking to find a way to come up with the 500.00 right now. Right?

As a leader finding ways to inspire people to walk deeper with God is one of the hardest things to do. Mainly because it’s a personal choice. I or no other leader can push anyone into a closer walk with the Lord.

Now back to the one million mentioned above. We as humans like the security of a Guarantee. We make purchases based on a money back guarantee. We play games based on the odds. We show up to work each day and give our best, because our performance guarantees our paycheck. So with such emphasis on Guarantees I have to wonder why it is that we struggle so much in the spiritual things that have direct promises of results.

I was speaking with a friend of mine and we were talking about people who say they want more of God in their lives, more of his anointing, and more of his blessing but, seemingly are unwilling to pay the price to have such. By price I mean they want the reward, they want the guarantee, but don’t want to put in the work. We live in a world that has become so obsessed with instant gratification, and the mentality that if something is hard or doesn’t make us feel good then its not worth effort.

We have complete dedication to our jobs, our kids, our kids extra curriculars, our relaxation, our ME time, but yet when it comes to our walks with God we find it easy to make excuses. We neglect prayer, study, gathering together, tithing and giving, etc with excuses such as I’m tired, I had to work all week, I need a nap, my favorite show is on, my team is playing tonight, etc.

Someone said to me recently that they admired my commitment to Church and to God. They asked how do you do it? I’ve even had some tell me I’m crazy for being “at Church” all the time. I’ve had some say they could never do that. Now I am no perfected saint. I am not some super spiritual guru with all the answers but what I can say is this. I think of my walk with God much like the opening line of this message. I have a guarantee. I have promises from God that if I remain faithful, focus on him, follow his plan, and stay the course that he will work all things in life for my good. Those same guarantees apply to you.

Is it easy to examine yourself and look at your weaknesses? NO

Is it easy to get up and push through when your tired? NO

Is Gods plan always convenient? NO

Does really committing yourself to God and making the adjustments needed to put him first in your life pay off? YES YES YES

Pastor preached Sunday morning about being rooted. A tree without roots can never grow. Without plugging into the water source, you can’t thrive spiritually. This is not a lecture. This is an inspiration. If you are struggling with committing your life to God. If you are having a hard time with attendance and connecting to church. If you struggle with Tithing and Giving If you want to be closer to God. Let me challenge you. Not as a leader but, by the promises of God.

I can testify and promise you that if you will set aside your own desires and truly commit your life to Gods plan you will have more blessings than you will know what to do with. It’s Guaranteed!!!!! Will it be all sunshine and rainbows, happy days and bliss? NO but It will be a fulfilling life that exceeds what we can ask or think. Don’t be fooled by the do what makes you happy culture. Instead run towards the do what makes God happy and glorifies him way of thinking. His way is so much better than hours.

Here are a few of my favorite money back guarantees (promises) from God.

Jeremiah 29:11, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" God's plan for your life includes hope and a prosperous future, or one in which you thrive. Psalm 103 lists many ways that God wants to bless you. The psalmist exclaims, "Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." God is invested in your well-being and working toward your renewal, wholeness, and healing daily. In addition to blessing us, God has big dreams for our lives and beckons us to follow. Obedience often requires faith and risk, but God will delight in your dependence on him and always be there to support you.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. We often complain of being too tired but right in this passage he promised that if we delight and hope in him that he will give us strength.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I mean if we ever had a money back guarantee this is the mack daddy of all guarantees. You have heard me testify of miraculous financial things that God has done in my life. Yes, it takes faith to give 10% each week, Yes it is scary when you first start but I can tell you now that I’m afraid not to give. Because God has given a return on the investment so much greater in my life than I could have ever imagined. If you have financial issues, I challenge you to give. Opportunity, increase and blessing are guaranteed. HE LITERALLY SAID TEST ME IN THIS.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gathers in my name, there am I with them.” Well that sounds amazing. Kind of defuncts the I can stay home and pray alone theory. I mean yes, we can but there is a comfort in knowing that when we gather together with other believers he is there to work in our midst.

Honestly I could go on all day with these but I will not. I will say this. If you are struggling with putting God first I encourage you to get in the bible and find the promises of God. Make a special effort to attend worship services this weekend. Give your tithe and test God on his promise to bless you. We all can lose focus. Its human nature but I challenge us all to move our walk with God higher up our priority list. It’s a money back guaranteed best decision of our lives situation. We must not be so consumed with what we want or what makes us happy, that we miss the blessings of God by being unwilling to put in the work. Jesus love you all and So do I. I pray we all find a closer walk with God and a deeper relationship with Jesus. I pray we prioritize our lives around our faith and that we see the benefits of making God first.

It may not always feel good and it will take work but the benefits of chasing after Jesus with all we have are stellar and the retirement plan is out of this world 😉 Sunday is coming.

Lets all...

Commit to attending worship this weekend

Lets all commit to entering worship with one mind and accord completely focused on God

Lets all give and sew into the kingdom

Find 20 minutes each day to read the word

Find 20 minutes each day to Pray. (thank God, Worship God, make our requests known, and trust his answers)

I love you all and hope to see you at church this week.

Josh