Overcomer – Beating The Odds Part 1: Preparing For The Fight

John 16:33 In this world you will have hard times.

1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called

Life is a fight, but it’s a good fight, a fight you can WIN, IF you do things God’s way.

To WIN we need to PREPARE.

1Corinthians 9:24-27 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

When the fights come our degree of preparation is REVEALED.

You FIGHT like you PRACTICE!

God wants to be your TRAINER/coach and He believes you can do it.

Romans 8:31, 37 31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Take the FIGHT serious enough to TRAIN seriously.

First, you have to decide WHO will be your head trainer and spend time with Him; You have to PRAY.

1Thessalonians 5:17 Never stop praying.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Talking to God RELEASES His presence, power, provision, promises, and wisdom into situations.

We will never be an Overcomer ON OUR OWN.

Second, Decide who you are going to TRAIN with.

1Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Acts 2:42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

Hebrews 10:24-25 24And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, 25Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

To be an Overcomer we must train with others FAITHFULLY.

Third, You have to STUDY and DO what’s in the training manual.

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

There are things you need to KNOW and DO in order to be an Overcomer.

You can’t DO what you don’t KNOW.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

1John 5:4-5 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Application: Start training – READ your Bible, Pray, meet with other Christians, and put into PRACTICE what you learn.

Life Of Valor Part 4: Live Your Code

Live Your Code V –

CREATE opportunities for SUCCESS. Prepare in ADVANCE. Success doesn’t happen by ACCIDENT.

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Failure to PLAN is planning to FAIL.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

AVOID those situations that you FAIL and get DEFEATED.

2Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1Thessalonians 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil.

Live Your Code VI –

Face Your FAILURE.

Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

We are to confess our sins/wrongs to GOD.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

We are also to confess to OTHERS.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other

Our confession of sin to our fellowman is three fold: 1) To seek FORGIVENESS from those we’ve wronged. 2) To seek ACCOUNTABILITY for our self. 3) To HELP others LEARN from our mistakes.

Confession is also a telling of the things done RIGHT.

1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

By sharing our stories of doing it right and doing it wrong others can be encouraged, instructed, corrected, and WARNED.

Hebrews 10:23-25 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Share your STORY.

Conclusion Video–

We are not to fear PEOPLE or DEATH only fear (respect and live to honor) GOD.

Luke 12:4-5 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

1Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

Fear of men or death will ROB us of the blessed and meaningful life God has for us.

Matthew 25:21 ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

You not only have to START right, but you must FINISH right. You must PERSEVERE!

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

You don’t always get to decide WHEN or in WHAT circumstance you will die, but you always get to decide HOW you will die (in what condition of reputation), in other words what LEGACY you leave behind.

Application: CHOOSE this day whom you will serve! FEAR God and let that move you to take seriously your preparations to succeed and your avoiding the circumstances of failure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Point Of It All

Jesus did NOT come to establish a new religion, to help you escape Hell, to help you gain Heaven, or to help you to be a good or moral person. It’s BIGGER than all this!

Genesis 1:26-27, 3:1-5 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Man’s original position was made a little lower/less than GOD, but fell to the level of ANIMAL.

Psalm 8:4-6 4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority— (Hebrews 2:5-8; Hebrews 1:14; 1Corinthians 6:3)

Romans 3:23 Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard

Jude :10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them. (1Corinthians 1:18-25; Isaiah 55:8-11; 2Peter 2:12)

The work of Jesus Christ accomplished something greater than mere restoration of man back to his ORIGINAL position/former glory. It provided the opportunity for man to become something greater, a NEW/different kind of creature.

2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (John 3:5-6; Psalm 82:6-7; John 10:31-39)

It’s important to note the phrase “in Christ”. Through our acceptance of God’s offer we are born of God, as his children, we are now “in Christ” and ONE with God. We become born of the same SPECIES (class of being) that God is. In the book of Genesis God sets precedent that like begets like, everything procreates after it’s own kind.

John 1:12 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (1John 3:9)

1John 3:1-3 1 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

John 17:20-23 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (Colossians 3:3-4)

Matthew 11:28-30 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus’ yoke is his WAY OF LIFE. This is the easier and better way of life.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Man fell to the level of an animal, but has been restored to SONSHIP through Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:12-17 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (1Peter 2:11)

Ephesians 4:24 … put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Application: The point of it all is to be like Jesus/GOD. Nothing LESS.

Unstoppable: How to stop life from becoming a train wreck (Part 4)

4. It's not a QUICK FIX. It's a PROCESS.

1st) REDIRECTION onto a new track to get life moving on a safer path while you get it slowed down and dealt with.

Matthew 7:13-14 13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

The beauty of Jesus is He is constantly providing “SWITCHES” (opportunities where our train/life can switch tracks) and thus move in the new/right direction. God is CONSTANTLY reaching out to us inviting us to come follow Him and do life His way to get His results.

Romans 12:1-2 1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

2nd) There are "things" you will suddenly stop/quit and start, but the LIFE itself will have to be slowed to a stop.

1Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

1Corinthians 15:33-34 33Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 34Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning;

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. (Ref. 2Timothy 4:2-5)

You must SLOW it down in order to bring it to a stop, deal with the hazardous materials, and get it to move in the right direction.

Romans 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Application: Let Jesus be your engineer, determine to take His path and do things His way, and always keep God’s Truth as a COMPASS to guide you (in thought and deed) in the journey.

What is God Speaking to You?

Unstoppable: How to stop life from becoming a train wreck (Part 3)

3. Live a life/lifestyle of FAITH (Faith is TRUST/Confidence).

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

It is a LIFESTYLE/way of life, not just an internal belief.

Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Do I really trust/believe? Do I believe what I SAY about God (God is love, God is good, God is faithful)? Using the language can cover up what we REALLY think, feel, and believe.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Do it God’s way get GOD’S results. Do it another way get other results.

Jeremiah 17:5-8 5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. 6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."

It takes COURAGE/guts to live by faith. We may not always understand how or why or in what way, but we always can be confident in WHO (God) and His intentions, plans, and purposes.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (John 3:16-17, 10:10 what attitudes and nature are conveyed)

We need to think OUT OF THE BOX.

Genesis 30:37-39 37 Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches. 38 Then he placed the peeled branches in all the watering troughs, so that they would be directly in front of the flocks when they came to drink. When the flocks were in heat and came to drink, 39 they mated in front of the branches. And they bore young that were streaked or speckled or spotted.

Application: Remember, the true measure of faith is OBEDIENCE.

What is God Speaking to You?

Unstoppable: How to stop life from becoming a train wreck (Part 2)

2. Be Willing to FACE and DEAL with the issue.

1Samuel 17:1, 3-4, 1 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled at Socoh in Judah.3 The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them. 4 A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall.

Get a CLEAR and accurate picture of what the issue is and what it isn’t and what brought us to this point. Starting Point: You can’t deal with an issue if you don’t KNOW what it is. What is your storm/out of control train… health, relationship, finances, tragedy?

8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel…10 Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." 11 On hearing the Philistine's words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

Running from problems DOESN’T work and pretending they don’t exist or hoping they’ll just disappear won’t make them go away.

16 For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

20 Early in the morning David left the flock with a shepherd…He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry.23 As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. 24 When the Israelites saw the man, they all ran from him in great fear.

Whatever it is, we need to ACKNOWLEDGE and face the issue and take the problem on. The first place to start is with your self.

Proverbs 19:3 A man's own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

32 David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him." 33 Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth."

37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." 45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

Take the problem on. Don’t RUN from it. Instead of life happening to you, you happen to life.

Application: Starting with YOU, list the factors that led to your situation. Now prayerfully write some action steps to deal with each.

What is God Speaking to You?

 

Panic Attack, Josh Hatcher, and Ariel Campbell on the Liveline with Anne Holliday on WESB discussing Rock for Haiti, and performing LIVE and UNPLUGGED

 

 

 

 

Mike McAvoy talks about Unlocking the Mysteries of a Better Life

Mike McAvoy talks about Unlocking the Mysteries of a Better Life

Mike McAvoy talks about Unlocking the Mysteries of a Better Life

Mike McAvoy talks about Unlocking the Mysteries of a Better Life

Mike McAvoy and Josh Hatcher appear on 1490 WESB to talk about the partnership between Open Arms Community Church and Conakry, Guinea, and an upcoming mission trip.

 

Mike McAvoy talks about the dark side of spirituality. Includes a story from Pastor Andy Haskins about his supernatural experience with demonic forces.

 

All it takes is a look at some of the top shows in television right now (Supernatural, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Charmed, and Ghost Hunters) to see that people find the paranormal and supernatural intriguing.
Are ghosts real? What happens when I have a spiritual encounter with a ghost or spirit?

Mike McAvoy talks about the Supernatural and Paranormal, and lays the foundation for a four part series that discusses these intriguing questions and opens the door for understanding the role of spirituality in our lives from God's perspective.

Includes Part 1 of an interview with Brian and Michelle Mahaney as they talk about their experiences with mediums and talking to the dead.

To support this ministry, please visit: http://www.openarmsbradford.org/give.html

All it takes is a look at some of the top shows in television right now (Supernatural, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Charmed, and Ghost Hunters) to see that people find the paranormal and supernatural intriguing.
Are ghosts real? What happens when I have a spiritual encounter with a ghost or spirit?

Mike McAvoy talks about the Supernatural and Paranormal, and lays the foundation for a four part series that discusses these intriguing questions and opens the door for understanding the role of spirituality in our lives from God's perspective.

Includes Part 1 of an interview with Brian and Michelle Mahaney as they talk about their experiences with mediums and talking to the dead.

To support this ministry, please visit: http://www.openarmsbradford.org/give.html

 

Sex is a big deal. Everyone knows it. Sexual attraction and desire is one of the motivating factors for men and women getting married. Sexual frustration is one of the top marital issues, and one that can lead to divorce. Recent studies suggest that one in three marriages has problems linked to a lack of sexual activity. Why is it that so many people can't keep their hands off each other before they get married, but after the honeymoon they rarely touch each other? Why are so many couples dissatisfied with their sex life? Wives pretend to be sleeping or sick. Husbands are resentful. Where did the passion go? We've got problems and God's got answers!

Few topics stir passions and emotions more than human sexuality. Last year, Open Arms Community Church sparked water cooler conversations all over the region with their eye opening and frank series on sex.

This January, the saga continues as we embark on the journey of understanding sex by God's design and unleash the potential of your sexuality.

Sex is a big deal. Everyone knows it. Sexual attraction and desire is one of the motivating factors for men and women getting married. Sexual frustration is one of the top marital issues, and one that can lead to divorce. Recent studies suggest that one in...

Sex is a big deal. Everyone knows it. Sexual attraction and desire is one of the motivating factors for men and women getting married. Sexual frustration is one of the top marital issues, and one that can lead to divorce. Recent studies suggest that one in three marriages has problems linked to a lack of sexual activity. Why is it that so many people can't keep their hands off each other before they get married, but after the honeymoon they rarely touch each other? Why are so many couples dissatisfied with their sex life? Wives pretend to be sleeping or sick. Husbands are resentful. Where did the passion go? We've got problems and God's got answers!

Few topics stir passions and emotions more than human sexuality. Last year, Open Arms Community Church sparked water cooler conversations all over the region with their eye opening and frank series on sex.

This January, the saga continues as we embark on the journey of understanding sex by God's design and unleash the potential of your sexuality.

 

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Pastor Mike McAvoy

Josh Hatcher