Waging a Good Warfare, Avoiding Shipwreck ^{1 Timothy 1:18}This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that you by them might war a good warfare ¹⁹Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Many a ship has been ushered out of the harbor of banners, streamers, waving arms, and glorious send-offs, only to be met with hardship in the middle of the ocean, & become shipwrecked & sidelined from the destiny God had for their life.                                                                     Waging a Good Warfare To avoid shipwreck we must learn to fight the good fight of faith (1Tim.6:12).  God teaches us to fight, because the land (destiny) that we’re possessing requires that we learn to fight.  It must be fought for, we don’t just walk into it. Your destiny is not a light thing, its’ a fight thing.  Have you noticed that God allows the enemy to have strength, to have strategies, He allows the enemy to surround us. Why?  So that we’ll rise up and fight.  If there had never been a Goliath rise up, David wouldn’t have risen up.  In order for you to take ground you have to learn how to wage war in God. Wage War With Your Words Just because God said something over your life doesn’t mean it’ll happen.  Paul told Timothy to wage war with the prophecies (words from God).  When Jesus faced the Devil in the wilderness He spoke to defeat the enemy and win the battle.  IT IS WRITTEN!  We must learn to fight with… “God said!”  Don’t speak what is, that’s carnal.  Speak what will be.  Mk. 11:24 Jesus said… “Have faith in God, Whoever SAYS to this mountain…”  The victory comes to those who know how to wage war with their words.  Prov.18:21 Life and death are in the power of your tongue.  When you speak you wield a powerful weapon. Js.3:26 “If any think they are spiritual, and do not bridle their tongues they deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” Wage War With Your Walk Walk in the Spirit… (Gal.5:16).  It’s not enough to talk the talk, we must walk the walk.  Every step you take is distinct and incremental – you take one step at a time.  God leads your life in steps.  Life is a series of steps, a series of battles. Back to back opposite seasons.   Blessings come then testings.   Your walk is made up of Steps.   When you drove up you got out of your car this morning you and took steps that directed you to your seat without even thinking about it.  We take steps to get from one place to another. Steps are what God has given us. Our steps indicate our directions, our affections, our connections, our imperfections. Psalms 119:133:  God order my steps in your word. Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. Each step that He allows does something for you.  This step might be for your growth, for your healing, for your education. All steps work together for good, to those who are called according to His purpose.  God has placed you in the step you’re in.  Every step you take you’re growing, you’re getting stronger.  God’s getting bigger in your life. The steps your take allow God to do miraculous things in your life.  Like Peter, God calls us to step out of the boat and step onto the water.  Your Words and Your Walk give way to your miracle breakthrough. Heb. 11:30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. The Strangest Battle Plan… Notice the Words and Walk God required to Win the Victory at Jericho in Joshua 6. Joshua 6 is one of the strangest battle plans in history.  God says all I want you to do is walk around the city.  Take steps once a day for 6 days and on the 7^th day go around the city seven times, then Shout. Notice they walked in God’s timeframe.  God says do it in my timeframe.  We like it in our timeframe.  God’s not interested in microwave popcorn,  God works with slow roasts, he’ll let you keep walking till you fall off the bone.  Imagine the beaten path around the city with 3 million people walking around the city. Notice they had to bridle their tongue. Joshua 6:10  You shall not shout nor make any noise until I say to you to shout.  God says: Keep your mouth shut… and walk.  All the enemy heard is their steps.  Why did they have to bridle their tongues? Because if you remember the Children of Israel had 40 years walking in circles because of an Evil Report. The Children of Israel had walked in circles for 40 years.  Some of us are good at going in circles.  Our mouths get us into trouble.  With the battles we deal with we have to surrender our tongues.  No carnal commentary will lead us to God’s victory. Wrong Words will hinder us from taking our destiny in God. Gods calling a people in this hour to have words and a walk that is straight, pure and powerful. Our opinions can get us into trouble.  I don’t feel like that, I don’t like that.  Sometimes you have to hear God say shhhh!  The shout will come when you’ve learned to bridle your tongue and walk the faith journey out step by step. Heb. 10:23  Let us hold fast  the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Close:  1Cor. 9:27  Shipwreck, Castaway…An ink pen without any ink… Useless!   Remember this…Your Words And Your Walk Distinguish, Define, Direct and Deliver You. Let us be cautious in this hour not to disqualify ourselves with our words or our walk.    

Meeting Times Sunday 9:00-9:45 a.m. TOP EDU Classes, and Kids Sunday School
Sunday 10:00 a.m. Worship Service
Sunday 6:30 p.m. This Generation mtg. or periodic Building Together Class
Wednesday 5:30 Connections Meal followed by Ministry to all ages at 7:00 p.m.  Adults, Youth, Kids
Friday Nights 7-10 p.m. Prayer Ignites service
Saturday Nights Periodic Monthly Youth Services and weekly practices for the Youth drama team.
 

Kent Henry Back in Hannibal, Mo at Tabernacle of Praise every Thursday night at 7p.m. in August 2011 We’re so excited to welcome Kent Henry back to teach us and lead us in worship, prayer and intercession.  Every Thursday night in August we will be working to develop a worship soaked prayer room.  Come and join us at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday nights to summon the heart of God and release HIS purposes for this season in the earth.