[September 10. 2008] YOU CAN'T CURSE WHAT GOD HAS BLESSED
- pastor Dennis Leonard (Heritage christian Center in Denver, Colorado, the US)
Genesis 12:2-3
I will make you a great nation; I will bless you,and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
Galatians 3:14, 29
That the blessing of abraham might come upon the Geniles in Christ Jesus, that we moght receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
1. God gave a promise to Abraham when He said, "I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you."
a. Paul said when you love the Lord Jesus Christ; the same blessings that God promised Abraham now belong to you.
b. When you put God first in your life, no one can stop the blessings of God from eventually coming your way.
2. Setbacks occur in all of our lives; it rains on the just and the unjust.
a. A setback can happen on your job, in your family, or even in your health.
b. A setback can place you on the Potter's Wheel where God will mold you and change you.
c. A setback can cause you to go through the fire to become a new vessel, changed and perfected.
3. As a Believer, you may be pressed in on every side.
a. God has a way of allowing difficulties in you life, in order to the change your direction and produce good fruit.
b. Your spiritual enemy has a plan to bring you down, but God has two plans to raise you up.
c. You can't curse what God has blessed.
4. Paul was beaten 5 times with 39 stripes, he was beaten with rods, stoned and shipwrecked three times, and yet he refers to these as light afflictions. Paul knew his help was on the way. (2 Corinthians 11:24-26)
a. The word defeat is not in God's vocabulary.
b. God has a way of turning tribulation into triumph.
5. The faith message is not about getting whatever you are believing God for.
a. The real faith message is when you believe God for a comeback, while you're in the middle of a setback.
b. God specializes in the impossible; you can't curse what God has blessed.
6. If you feel as though your life is at its lowest point, remember you are in good company.
a. Jesus was on His way to the cross, He had some dying to do, but He told His desciples He would be back.
b. Perhaps you've lost your house; it's time to believe God for a new one.
c. If your problems feel as through they are crushing you, call on the Lord.
7. Storms never last; you have to ride them out.
a. Your answer may be delayed, but it can't be stopped in Jesus' Name.
b. The devil wants you to think you're finished and thatyoursituation is hopeless; but you can't curse what God has blessed.
c. Get your eyes off of your storm and get them back on the Lord.
8. When you lood at scripture, you'll see that the odds have always been against the people of God.
a. Esther was taken as a slave, but one day God used her to bring deliverance to His people.
b. Joseph was wrongly accused and thrown into prison; but one day he was promoted from the prison to the palace.
c. When God is working in your life, He may lead youinto a dry place.
9. If you will be determined to put God firest in your life, no enemy can overpower you.
a. If you put God first, no weapon formed against you will prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)
b. If you will put God first, you may be thrown into the fire, butyouwill not be burned. (Isaiah 43:2)
10. I want to remind you that Jesus Christ, the King og Heaven, has already defeated the devil.
a. Any time you make a decision to put the Lord first, your spiritual enemy will come against you.
b. If youare gaining spiritual territory, you can bet that your spiritual enemy will try to stop you.
11. Sometimes when the pressure is so great, it may feel as though there is nothing you can do but surrender.
a. The Word says, if you will be determined to put God firest in your life, no enemy can overpower you.
b. Having done everything you know to do, stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
c. Even though the attacks come and everything may look as though it is lost, you must stand.
12. God is so big; He will turn everything for your good.
a. The righteous may fall seven times, but with God on your side, you can keep getting back up. (Proverbs 24:!6)
b. People may say you won't survive this storm, but you can't curse what God has blessed.
13. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
a. Today is the day of restoration and God's Glory is breaking forth on His church and into your life.
b. There is a double portion ocming for you, if you will trust in the Lord.
