So What Are You Going To Do About It?

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…”

-Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV)

Most people struggle with getting started because the starting point can begin slowly and seem small. But Zachariah 4:10 implies that God greatly enjoys watching us get started and watching the process develop. We should not despise our small beginnings.

Pastor Eric recently read this truth, and shared it in this message, "So What Are You Going To Do About It?" When it comes to making a positive difference in the world, change occurs when someone, somewhere takes responsibility for changing himself or herself and takes action to help others change too. Without the actions of some person, somewhere change does not happen.

This is a powerful truth, because we all can identify problems in our lives. Maybe you’ve noticed a problem in your community, your family, or your church. Oftentimes after identifying the problem we have the thought "Someone should do something about this!" But I wonder if you've ever asked God what He would like you to do about it?

So what are you going to do about it?

“You will never be who you ought to be until you start doing what you ought to be doing.” -Pastor Eric Gilbert

Good intentions aren’t enough. Potential isn’t enough. We need to be people that do something and take action because God loves doers. You might remember this from last week's message, Hope Helpers, if we want to make a difference we have to begin doing things that make a difference.

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. -James 1:22 (NKJV)

As Christians, we have divine help in making something happen! Why? Because of 1 John 4:4, Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. The force that is within us is greater than the force that is against us! We should not be discouraged by the enemy. He’s just a bully! We have the power to create change and influence change! We have the empowerment and the enabling of the Holy Spirit within us to begin to change our sphere of influence!

Pastor Eric encouraged us to start applying these 3 Starting Points to our lives TODAY to create change not only in our own lives but the lives of others:

• Start Sharing Your Faith

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. -Acts 1:8 (KJV)

• Start Being Generous

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. -Proverb 18:16 (NKJV)

• Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Trust God to do what you can’t, because God is able.

“When you feel a sense of conviction about an issue, start moving in the direction you believe it should go even when you are uncertain.” -John Maxwell

God does not subscribe to the ideology that we’ve paid our dues, and there is no final destination in this life. God wants to take us from glory to glory! Don’t get stuck on the question “What can I do about it?” Just start moving in the right direction. You can take what you’ve learned and the experiences you’ve gained and impact change!

That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping- believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “that’s how many descendants you will have!” And Abraham's faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead-and so was Sarah's womb. Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this, he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. -Romans 4:17-21 (NLT)

Abraham never lost hope and believed in God’s promise. His faith only grew stronger and he brought glory to God. Isn’t this what we all want our life's testimony to be? That at the end of the day we brought glory to God because we knew that He was able! God is able! He will help us create and influence change.

Pastor Eric had some very encouraging reminders for us if we plan to live lives that bring God glory and avoid discouragement along the way:

• God Enjoys Small Beginnings

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin…” - Zechariah 4:10 NKJV

• Keep Hoping Like Abraham

• God is Able. Nothing is impossible when God gets involved.

The blessing of Abraham is available to anyone who believes. Check out this message, How to Receive & Respond to the Blessing of Abraham, to learn more about the promises of Abraham! Change may start slow and small, but if we keep hoping, God is able, and we will walk in a level of blessing greater than we can imagine or comprehend! Find hope in the fact that you are a child of the Most High God and you are blessed coming and going!

Many people will seek change, but never realize that they are empowered to be the change. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.

You have the power and God is able.

So what are you going to do about it?

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES

Hope Helpers

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. - Ephesians 1:18-19 (CBS)

If you are honest, there is at least one thing in your life that you would like to change. It is true of all of us. We each have something that we would prefer to be different. Maybe it is our appetite, procrastinating ways, bad habits, or secret sin. But we all have something. So what is that one thing that you would like to change about yourself?

Maybe you’ve even reached a point where a change in that area of your life seems so far-fetched that you have settled into the mindset of, “this is just the way I’ve always been, and it’s the way I’m always going to be…” If so, it is most likely your thought process is directly connected to some sort of rut you’re in spiritually.

Over time, I’ve realized that there are a handful of reasons why some people change and others do not.

People change when they want to. Maybe they’ve learned something that motivates them or lights a desire for change. Sometimes this happens due to a new relationship that opens them up to new truth, revelation, or levels of success. As a result, they start to realize that they have been settling for too little. You change when you want to.

People change when they have to. This type of change is often motivated by pain and difficulty. For example, when you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, the doctor says you have to change your lifestyle to overcome the condition. You change because you have to.

People change when they are able to. This type of change occurs in people that want to change and have to change but maybe weren’t able to in the past. This change can require assistance from others. Change can be assisted by the practical insights offered in mentoring relationships, recovery programs, continued education, counseling, and even business consulting. All these things can help enable us to change. You change when you are able.

But here's what I’d like to encourage you with: God has something for your life that is beyond behavior modification. God wants to bring you to a place where you begin to experience a change in such a way that Biblical truth is made manifest in your life. Such as, “Old things pass away and everything becomes new again” (2 Corinthians 5:7). To get to this pinnacle of change, you must be willing to embrace the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. Familiarize yourself with this verse and claim its effect over your life, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). In all of your seeking for change -- or the enablement for change -- don't ever forget to throw your hands up in the air and welcome the power of the Holy Spirit into your life through the name of Jesus Christ.

Is there any area in your life where you want to change, or you need to be able to change? But a more important question, is there any area of your life where God is dealing with you about embracing change?

Because of this truth, “GREATER is He that is in you than He that is in the world…” (1 John 4:4), you can change! You don’t have to stay in this spiritual rut! After all, A.W. Tozer said it best, “You are either in a rut, rot, or revival… and a rut isn’t anything but a grave with both ends kicked out of it.”

You do not have to settle for the way it has always been. You do not have to settle for the generational curse on your life and family. You do not have to settle for the rut and the unexplainable things that have just always been the way they've been. Do not settle for “it is what it is,” but know that “it is what you make it” because you have the power of Jesus Christ dwelling within you. Do not settle for a weak, feeble faith, but know that greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. You have the power to make it happen! You are a winner!

God requires change. And, He wants you to make something happen because He has given you the power to experience change. He has authorized you to use His Word to bring change, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22). God loves doers, and you have the authority of God to do something with His Word!

Don’t let these stumbling blocks prevent you from being a doer of God's Word.

1. “Tomorrow sounds like a better time to start.”

2. “I’ve already tried and failed.”

3. “I can never make a difference.”

Instead, put these stepping stones in place.

1. Develop a Sense of Urgency: Value the sense of swift action.
   

2. Practice Patience: Have the patience to see God’s timing in the change. Only patience works as a virtue. As John Maxwell encourages, “Patience must be given the opportunity to coexist with urgency.” Ralph Marston adds, “Success requires both urgency and patience. Be urgent about making the effort and patient about seeing the results.”
   

3. Be a Hope Helper: Accept that greatness can happen because of what Jesus can do in you and through you.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. - Ephesians 1:18-19 (CBS)

I offer you two final thoughts of encouragement that can help you tremendously, two things I wish someone would have told me long ago.

As you begin to embrace change in your own life and become an agent of change for others:

1. Don't you ever let your vision to win the world overlook the person standing right in front of you.
   

2. Stop trying to do everything, and do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.

Do those two things, and then watch as your life begins to make a difference in your family, your community, and your church because you simply allowed God to transform your life through His desired changes.

Pray this prayer, “God, change me, allow me to become a doer who is urgent in my effort and patient in waiting for the results. Help me to make a difference to someone else today, tomorrow, and every day.”

May the Lord open the eyes of your heart to see the greatness of His power, which is available through the hope of His calling and the wealth of His glorious riches. Greater things are yet to come in your life!

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We invite you to watch this message, Hope Helpers, from Pastor Eric Gilbert, as he encourages us to make change happen within our lives. We can avoid the stumbling stones we face by applying three stepping stones because “Greater is He that is in us than he in the world!”

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE | MESSAGE NOTES

Listening to the Father

Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the LORD said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day, you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.” Joshua 6:1-5 (NLT)

Before arriving at the text above, we can use three characteristics to define the Israelites. One, they were known to be in absolute bondage and slavery. Two, once they were free from bondage and slavery, they became known for wandering. (They wandered in the desert without clear direction due to their inability to obey God's commandments.) And three, they were displaced from their homeland and not yet in the place God had designed for them.

You may not be able to relate to the type of physical bondage that the Israelites experienced, but perhaps you are indeed experiencing a level of bondage spiritually. Maybe it’s an addiction to drugs, an unhealthy relationship, or the result of bad financial decisions. There are many different types of spiritual enslavement that we can experience. Do you need deliverance in an area of your life?

Maybe you are wandering in a spiritual desert, as you experience a season in your life where you feel lost, purposeless, or spiritually dry. Are you currently a wanderer spiritually?

Or, maybe you relate more to feeling displaced from God’s promises. Are you unsure of what your next steps should be?

Our anchor text gives us a view of the Israelites that allows us to see them in a brand new light. They are free from bondage. They have a clear direction. And their feet are positioned on the soil of God’s promised land! They have experienced breakthroughs and progress! To commemorate the event, they have constructed a memorial of stones to signify and serve as a memory, reminding them of their victory.

Whether you're in bondage, wandering, displaced -- or you’re just not sure of your current spiritual status -- I believe this message, When He Says, can help you. In it, I share some insight into the following realities: You have already won the battle! You fight against a defeated enemy! And you will have the opportunity to build your OWN memorials of victory!

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ and only Christ. Our achievements of eternal significance are not based on our abilities, wisdom, or power. True success is based on obedience to God. Meaning, if we desire a position in the winner’s circle and experience overwhelming victory, we must only be obedient to God’s commands.

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God is more interested in who you are becoming than what you are doing.

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The Israelites may have started as one thing, but little by little, they became something new. The same experience can be your testimony. All you have to do is keep putting one foot in front of the other in obedience to God to see victory and success in your life. Obedience is enough because God says it’s enough! In fact, He loves your obedience more than any sacrifice you can ever give. And, in that vein, as you will learn in the message, When He Says, your disobedience doesn't mean God stops loving you, but your obedience to Him keeps you perpetually in His blessings and joy.

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:9-10 (NKJV)

Get under the spout where the glory is coming out! Allow obedience to God’s commandments to position you under the heavens already open with his overflowing blessings!

WATCH IT | DISCUSSION GUIDE |MESSAGE NOTES