The Breakthrough Moment with Rev Bernese Shaw - "IT'S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS" (11/30)

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever."

The first Sunday after Thanksgiving is observed as the first Sunday in Advent. Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") is a season observed by many as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas (the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ). According to Isaiah 9:6, the child will be called, The Prince of Peace; it is the Messiah who will establish everlasting world peace. In the Hebrew Scriptures, only the LORD is called el gibbor. This illustration clearly establishes the Deity of the child to be born. He would be Almighty God Himself! This is the same child prophesied by Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14 when he referred to Him as Immanuel, meaning 'God with us.' This child would be 'God with us'. He is the Mighty God, the Messiah! Authority, symbol of power, Mighty God, divine in might; Everlasting Father, continuing fatherly love and care; Prince of Peace, the king who brings peace and prosperity. It’s time that this season should always remind us that no matter what is going on in our lives that we have a Savior that was born and died for our salvation. That He is our Shepherd, our Father, our Guide, and we are never alone with the Lord on our side. So when life seems empty and there is no place to go; no one to turn to, when your heart is troubled and your spirits are low; when friends seem few and nobody cares, there is always God to hear our prayers. With faith in your heart, reach out for God’s hand and accept what He sends, though you can’t understand… For our Father in heaven always knows what is best. And if you trust in His wisdom, your life will be blessed… For always remember that whatever may come your way, you are never alone, for God is beside you. So despite our shortcomings, God sent His Son so that we might be saved from our sins. Romans 3:23-24 says For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. So this morning (today) my brothers and sisters after you have said that you are blessed and thankful during last week with Thanksgiving, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS, to turn over your life and tribulations to God. IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS, so are you tired or troubled? Turn your heart toward God in prayer. Are you weak or worried? Take the time or make the time to study God’s Holy Word. Are you spiritually depleted (sick and tired of all this holy stuff)? Call on a fellow believer to support you, pray with you and for you, and the most important thing is to call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS – it is the season – it is the moment to know that the Creator of the universe stands ready and always able to sustain, protect, and defend you. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on in your life, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on in your marriage, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on in your family, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on with your children, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter what is going on on your job, IT’S TIME TO GIVE IT OVER TO JESUS no matter if you are still unemployed, because Isaiah 9:6-7 says "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever." AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment from Rev Bernese Shaw - Be Thankful Always (11/23)

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving is fast approaching us, just a week away therefore being thankful is something that every Christian should practice on a regular basis. Thanksgiving should not be limited to a certain day, but be a part of our lives at all times, in all circumstances. Not only is it appropriate for us to be thankful during the holidays but it would be beneficial to our spirituality if we made an extra effort to be grateful to God at all times, in all places, and for all things. No matter what’s going on in our lives, we should give thanks to Our Heavenly Father. Thanksgiving is an attitude, a natural part of Christian character. “Give thanks” is a command, an imperative. Giving thanks is not an option for the serious Christian. This command is in the present tense, so the instruction is to keep on giving thanks. Give thanks in everything and in all circumstances. Apostle Paul challenges us to be thankful of all things only makes sense in the light of the promise of Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God. Paul is not saying just give thanks for everything, but in connection with everything that happens. In every circumstance, no matter what or where, you can still thank God. Not everything that happens to us is good, but God uses everything that happens to work for our good; to make us stronger in our walk and faith in Him. Sometimes, we don’t know whether something is good or bad, but we can be thankful that God is working for our good in everything. Thanksgiving is the natural response to the grace and goodness of a great and wonderful God who cares and provides. Thanksgiving should overflow in the life of every Christian. God can take all things and use them for our good. So why should we give thanks? Though there are many reasons: We should give thanks because Rom. 6:17-18 tells us to be thankful for deliverance from sin. When we give our lives to Christ, we are freed from our slavery to sin and enter into a new relationship as children of God. I Cor. 15:57 tells us be thankful for the victorious life we have in Christ.

So how Should We Give Thanks: Through praise - There is something about praise that strengthens us, lifts us closer to God. And, through service - As a doctor judges the heart by a heartbeat/pulse, so people can judge our thankfulness by our lives. Real thankfulness results in service to God. When you become thankful and have an abundance of thanksgiving flow from your heart, people just naturally gravitate towards you. You become a source of inspiration and joy to those around you. Let us all be thankful for everything that God has done for us through Jesus. He has truly supplied all our needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. When we give a gift to someone, when we help another person, when we perform an act of kindness for a fellow human being, we expect some expression of appreciation. Our generosity or service may not be consciously motivated by any desire for recognition. Our action may be prompted primarily by our love, or our compassion, or our genuine concern for the other person's happiness. But if there is little or no evidence of gratitude, we are hurt and offended, and at times grow indignant. Our human desire for thanks is an echo from the heart of God. He, too, wants to be thanked. He expects us to show our gratitude for all His wonderful goodness to us. The Old Testament, as well as the New, rings with the summons to thanksgiving.
Psa. 95:1-2 tells us "O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!"
And Psa. 100:4 tells us "Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name!" So, how do we express our gratitude to God? How can you and I tell if we are really thankful?
Obviously, we praise God with our lips. The author of Hebrews 13:15 says that through Christ we should "continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name". Words, nevertheless, are notoriously cheap, and the gratitude that contents itself with "Thank You" to God, however piously and eloquently phrased, can be cheap and insincere. Real Christian thankfulness should be a life – transforming dynamic. If we are thankful to God, then we shall obey Him. God has redeemed us in order to make us like Jesus. If we are grateful for all that He has done for us, especially for our redemption through Christ’s death on the cross, we shall express that gratitude by our obedience to His will. Out of our gratitude, determination is born to live a yielded life, the desire to please God in all things. A thankful Christian is an obedient Christian. We can be an obedient Christian with thanksgiving by Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily as long as it is call Today, so that none of you maybe hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Colossians 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. So praise God in good times and bad times. Praise in the morning, praise God at noontime, Praise God in the evening, praise God at night, give God thanks in season and out of season, be thankful always. AMEN. AMEN. AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev Bernese Shaw - "Power and Strength"

Psalm 68:35 (NIV): The God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.

Our faith is like a muscle. The more we exercise it, the more it grows and becomes stronger. The less we exercise it, the more spiritually weak we become. So with faith, when the circumstances of life are overwhelming, problems are stacked on every side and when we feel like we have been treated unfairly, we can be sure that God is on the move in our lives and He has a great reward waiting for us when we yield our hearts and lives to Him because we serve a “God who sees.” He knows our circumstances, and he sees what others have done to us. He is not only a God who sees, he is a God who acts and a God who empowers and gives strength to his people. God is our comforter in times of trial and sorrow. He is our refuge and strength when we feel as though we cannot face another trying day. He is our protection when problems grow too large for us to handle, and He is our shield and our deliverer. We may not have the strength to trust God, but Christ within us will give us this ability. Storms that arise in our lives could come from a telephone call, from a letter that brings disappointment, when our child has an accident, when a small pain develops into a serious illness, death, divorce, financial reverses, or maybe just the everyday pressures and tensions that build and build until the thunderhead erupts into a storm. Through it all, we have God - Isaiah 40:29 says “He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].” Philippians 4:13 says “I have strength for all things in Christ who empower me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Nahum 1:7 says “The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him.” Habakkuk 3:19 says “The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility].” And, Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through him who strengthen me.” So my brothers and sisters when life becomes a problem much too great for us to bear, instead of trying to escape, let us withdraw in prayer. For withdrawal means renewal if we withdraw to pray and listen in the quietness to hear what God will say because we receive power and strength through our Holy Father to withstand the storms of life. Make time every day to read and study God’s Word. Your devotion time will empower and strengthen you for your day. Also, you will gain a better knowledge of the scripture and be able to share the Word with others. Always give thanks to God for empowering you with grace and mercy in your weakness and to help you stand strong in your faith even when you feel that your prayers have not been answered and postponed dreams. Pray that the Lord will give you faith and patience to rest in His timing. Acknowledge He is our strength and pray that He will enable you to be strong and whole in mind, body and soul as you wait on Him to move on your behalf. When your world has been shaken, remember there is a God who is unshakeable. When you are weak, pray to God to give you strength to rise above your circumstances and continue to worship him in the face of fear. Pray for God to strengthen you by the power of His Holy Spirit; to stand strong no matter what comes against you and to help you not to lose heart, but rather to continue to grow in faith. Remember Ephesians 6:10 says “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” I am going to end this morning with the words of an old familiar hymn “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” We’ve come this far by faith leaning on the Lord; Trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet. Don’t be discouraged with troubles in your life He’ll bear your burdens and move all misery and strife, that’s why we’ve come this far by faith because we get power and strength from the Lord. AMEN.

The Breakthrough Moment with Rev. Bernese Shaw - "When Under Attack" (11/2/2011)

Nehemiah 4:1-4a Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews. He said in the presence of his associates and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish it in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish and burned ones at that?” Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “That stone wall they are building any fox going up on it would break it down!” Hear, O our God, for we are despised…

The syncope that was just read is about the prophet Nehemiah coming under attack when he heard that Jerusalem’s walls were in ruins, leaving the city vulnerable to attack so he turned to God in prayer to weep and mourn for his city (Neh.1:4). The Lord gave him favor with King Artaxerxes. The ruler not only let Nehemiah take a leave of absence from his post as a cupbearer, he also supplied him (the exiles) with building materials and military protection (Neh. 2:5-9) The king even gave him letters addressed to all provincial governors on the way to Jerusalem so they would allow him and the other Jews to pass through their lands. Time and time again, Nehemiah sought the Lord whenever he faced a problem or threat. He turned to God for the strength to keep going despite criticism and discouragement (Neh. 4:1-5). Nehemiah was not trained to build walls or gates. But, Nehemiah trusted God and obeyed Him anyway. As a result, the Jews rebuilt the wall in 52 days.

When the Lord tells you to do something, He hasn’t made a mistake. The adversaries and the naysayers will make us feel that we can’t do what the Lord has called us to do; they will put us under attack. The Lord will never call you to do something that you can’t do through His power and strength. God uses our weaknesses to draw us closer to Him and teaches us how to rely on Him more completely. God will cover our mistakes and pick us up when we fail. Our job is simply to obey Him and listen to his call. As children of God, we have the awesome privilege of falling on our knees and talking to the Almighty God when we are under attack of our adversaries or the naysayers. Don’t take this precious gift of praying for granted. Humbly approach the throne of grace, confess your sin, and admit that life’s challenges are too much to handle alone. The Almighty Father will reveal His plans and equip you with all you need to succeed. The adversary wants us to be fearful and not believing in the grace and mercy of God. God doesn’t want us to go through life with fear and doubt, wondering if He will respond to our prayers. God has given us a spirit of power. Hebrews 4:16 says “Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Because we belong to Christ, we can pray with authority and trust that the Father will answer our prayers. We will never accomplish what God wants us to do –such as live holy lives or spread the gospels until we put our confidence in Him.

When under attack, radical problems often necessitate radical solutions. To extinguish an oil-well fire, dynamite is sometimes used. The stupendous power of the explosion is the only way to “blow out” the raging inferno. In medicine, the seemingly radical act of amputating a limb preserves life by stopping the progress of cancer or gangrene. Many old buildings are best “renovated” by tearing down, clearing the rubble, and building anew. Before God can build into your life, there may be things he needs to blast and remove: bad habits, selfish attitudes, walls of indifference, and closets of secret sin. Have possessions in your life become the focus of your affection? Are people in your life tearing you down rather than building you up? Do pursuits in your life oppose rather than promote the kingdom of God? We must pray through problems. There is much we can learn by studying Nehemiah’s problems, reactions, and prayers. The struggles and tragedies of this life need not affect your joy as a Child of God. True joy is based on the spiritual realities that God is good and God is faithful regardless of your situation. You have no need to fear or to be anxious. Despite whatever is going on in your life, you can “glorify in his holy name,” and your heart can rejoice as you seek him and the strength he offers. Jeremiah 33:6 says “I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security,” declares the LORD.” The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Trust him, and be filled with joy, peace and hope. The precise extent that we trust God, we are able to live in His peace without fear for today or apprehension for the future. When under attack, Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Pray and trust in the Lord when under attack and He will be there in your time of need.