Words that Change Everything
God created us with the ability to speak words that truly affect our lives and those around us. As people made in God’s image, we can speak words of life or words of death–its our choice. Jesus Himself modeled for us and taught us how to speak words of life. In this series, you will discover how you can speak words that change everything.
Enjoy!
Introduction: Words of Faith
God loves YOU with a perfect love! Where other “loves” have left us hurt or empty, God’s love is totally different, completely perfect. His love is a HOLY LOVE.
When we allow this truth to change our heart, awakening faith, God’s perfect love will drive out fear and shame and produce confidence, joy and peace on the inside of us.
Listen to this message, Perfect Love, I shared with The Rock Corona campus about a year ago. I hope it blesses you!
God is moving in St. Louis!
The first two weeks of October we held our Grand Opening services for The Rock. We have met lots of new friends that God drew by His Spirit. Over those two weeks we had over 30 visitors. We could sense the presence and power of God, hearts were impact with His word, and we could visibly see a glimpse of the vision God has given us. There is nothing like being in the center of God’s will and experiencing His hand upon your work. He gets all the glory!
I remember the sorrow I felt 2 years ago as I stepped down from pastoring in Glendora, CA. It was, without question, the hardest decision I have ever made. And yet, now there is a new church in St. Louis working to fill this city with the word of God and great joy. The sacrifice that our church, my family, and I made was worth it. I know there is (and will be) greater fruitfulness in Glendora and St. Louis because Jesus is the Head of His church.
A big THANK YOU to those of you who sent us, who believed God with us, prayed for us, and supported us–keep it up! We need it.
Much of our walk with God and our partnering with Him to serve others is done by faith. We don’t get to see the results first. We have to believe first and then we see the results. This requires that we add patience (joy-filled, thankful, perseverance) to our faith. We are just at the beginning of this work of God in St. Louis. When I say, “we saw a glimpse”, its like seeing the tiny green shoot of a giant oak tree beginning to grow. We have to continue to walk by faith.
The Lord has shown us what the next step in the strategy is as we continue to do outreach and prepare for a great Christmas harvest. I choose everyday to believe that God has led us, provide for us, and empowered us up to this point and He will continue to do so. I am convinced He will continue to cause us to increase–not for us but for others and for His glory.
I remember what God told Habakkuk:
Then the Lord answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry (2:2-3).
I encourage you to add patience to your faith. Whatever God has called you to do, He has promised all of Himself and His resources to help you. The Lord is with you. His word will not return to Him void. He will perfect what concerns you. So don’t give up. In the end the vision (what He has spoken/shown you) will speak.
St. Louis is a beautiful city full of amazing people–people Jesus loves, purchased with His blood and wants to receive their full inheritance. So many, however, have not experienced His great love for them nor ever understood the full gospel. So many have been hurt by religion and turned off from church. God wants to reveal and restore His purpose for the people and city of St. Louis.
God is using us to convince people of His love and promises; His power and their purpose. He is using us to bring unity through a diverse, grace-filled community that shows value for every person. He is using us to tear down spiritual strongholds keeping people from Him and their purpose. The Lord has called us, along with other churches, to fill St. Louis with the word and with great joy. We see God multiplying leaders and churches so that every neighborhood has a witness of Christ-light shining in darkness, blessing lifting up the city. In the end the vision will speak!
Please pray for our church and for the people and city of St. Louis. We are especially seeking God and working hard to reach many during the coming Christmas season. Among other outreaches, we are collecting presents to give to kids. Please pray for the strategy, resources and favor we need. And pray for God to draw people by His Spirit.
If you want to give a present or money towards us purchasing presents, here is some information. We are seeking presents that are about $10-15 for elementary and high school kids.
1. Online: http://www.gototherock.com
2. By mail: send presents or offerings to 7109 Field Ave. St. Louis MO 63116. Make checks payable to “the rock”. Write “St. Louis H4TH” in the memo to support our Christmas Outreach.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
God is faithful!
A couple weeks ago we were able to secure an amazing venue to rent for our church services at an affordable price. God did that. The scripture says “The horse is made ready for the day of battle but the victory comes from God.” We prayed and searched but God provided.
In the process I ran into a lot of obstacles and discovered a lot about myself. I am thankful that the Lord tests my faith and uses situations to refine my character. The Lord has a way of leading us into things that push us to our limit, exposing areas He wants to work on (like fear, offense, selfishness–to name a few). He has a way of making us honest. Before we had a breakthrough with the venue, I had a breakthrough in my heart. The Lord led me to confess my lack and His faithfulness. As a team, we continued to move forward in faith rather than changing our minds or goals based in sight. The day we secured the facility the Lord led me to 1 Samuel 17 where David declared to the giant, “THIS DAY the Lord will deliver you into my hand….” Faith rose in my heart and I declared, “This day the Lord will give us a place.” Hours later everything came together. Our testimony is: “They got the venue BY FAITH!” And that will continue to be our testimony because He who called us and promised is faithful.
Our Grand Opening
Our Grand Opening is October 2 and 9 at 10am at Moulin (2017 Chouteau Ave. in St. Louis). We are preparing everything now: praying, inviting people, buying lots of equipment, making sure we are ready for kids and adults. We are ensuring that the presence of God is welcomed, people are loved, kids are blessed, the word is preached with anointing, and people are impacted. We are preparing and the Lord will give the victory!
Please pray
Please pray with us for the hearts of men and woman, young and old, to be impacted by the Lord, to come to our Grand Opening, and to come to Jesus, enter discipleship, and be transformed. This is the beginning of a work that will bring restoration to St. Louis. Along with many other amazing churches and ministries, the Lord has called us to start a church that is fruitful and multiplies-that impacts people and empowers them to bring life to others, that fills St. Louis with the word, with discipleship, with many small groups and churches. I see God’s people rising in faith and love to take authority in the spiritual realm and to serve people. Help us prepare by ‘preparing the way of the Lord’ through prayer.
Spread the word on social media
If you know anyone who lives in the St. Louis metro area, please let them know about this awesome opportunity to grow and to serve. Invite them to our Grand Opening. You can also go to http://www.facebook.com/therockstl. Then like our page and share our Grand Opening post to help spread the word.
Missions trip to St. Louis
We have a few friends coming out to help us invite people (by passing out fliers and door hangers on homes) and launch services the first weekend of October. If you are interested in going on a missions trip to St. Louis, please contact us at saintlouis@solidlives.com.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
I’ve heard many people say, “I think too much. That is my problem.” Thinking too much is never the problem. It’s what you are thinking about that is the problem.
Unbelief reasons. Fear reasons. Pride reasons. So many people reason according to misinformation or even lies. Many people reason according to what is right in their own eyes. This is what leads to bad decisions.
But did you know faith also reasons? Faith simply believes God and accepts the truths of His Word. This shapes the way we think which in turn leads to the right decisions.
Consider how people of faith reason…
DAVID reasoned that since God was on his side he could defeated a man many times stronger and more skilled than him. He simply concluded that God was stronger than a man. He declared, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts” (1 Samuel 17).
Isn’t that the most logical conclusion: God+me=unstoppable?
ABRAHAM reasoned that if God had made a promise He would keep it. This led him to trust and obey God. Romans 4 says of him, “being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” When asked to sacrifice Isaac, the son given by the promise, Abraham reasoned in faith that God would raise him from the dead (Hebrews 11:19). He simply calculated His decision based on God’s character.
He factored God’s faithfulness into the equation.
PETER reasoned that if Jesus could walk on water that he could also walk on water. His faith reasoned something like: “Well Jesus can do it, and I am a follower of Jesus, so if He says I can do it, then I can do it because He gives me power to do what He does.” Peter had already experienced miraculous provision and healing when he obeyed Jesus and depend on His power. And so walking on water was more of the same. His faith reasoned, he asked Jesus, “Tell me to come to you.” Jesus said, “Come”. Peter walked on water.
Simple math for believers: Jesus says I can do it = I can do it.
This is how faith reasons. What seems illogical to unbelief is logical to a person of faith. The person of faith is not being illogical, they are simply reasoning from faith rather than from unbelief. A person of faith comes to a conclusion based on the information they’ve received from God. The truth changes their perspective.
So use your mind to trust God. Think like a believer. Reason in faith. Think too much about His word rather than about, well, whatever else you have been thinking about. Reason in faith.
Here is a good place to start:
Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
If your mind believes what it hears, then hear God’s word. We need our minds renewed. When our mind is renewed our character and choices and life are transformed (Romans 12:1-2). Listen to faith filled preaching and read the bible.
Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.”
Think about and speak out loud God’s word–His way of thinking. Let His mind change your mind.
We all have things that confront us in life from time to time: pressure from the outside, fear on the inside; difficult circumstances and trying relationships; plaguing thoughts and crippling emotions. We all face these things but the important question is: how do you face them? Do they defeat you or do you defeat them? God says you are more than a conquerer through Jesus Christ who loves you (Romans 8:37). God tells us how to overcome these things in His power, to see every stronghold fall.
The bible describes these external and internal trials in various ways. One time Jesus called these trials “mountains”-enormous, immovable strongholds. In essence He was saying, “When you are faced with an impossible situation, a sickness or financial situation you cannot bear, an addiction you cannot overcome, or emotions you cannot change, you need My power. What is impossible with men, is possible for God and for those who trust Him.” You might not be able to move that obstacle by yourself, but you and God can bring it down easily. My four year old can barely carry a large box of cereal by himself. But with my help, it’s easy.
So how do we trust God? How do we work with God to overcome?
Check out what Jesus told us to do:
“Have FAITH in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever SAYS to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” –Mark 10:22-23
When faced with something that will never move without God’s power, do what Jesus says: speak to it! He did not say, “Ask God to move the mountain.” He told us to speak to the mountain. His power will not be released until we speak God’s word in faith. Just like Jesus told the storm He was in to be still (and it worked), so speak to that mountain in front of you. Just like David spoke to Goliath before he felled the giant, speak to that giant in front of you. Tell that stronghold to get out of your way in the name of Jesus and that stronghold will fall.
His power will not be released until we speak God’s word in faith.
That thing opposing you wants you to be silent. God wants you to speak. When we believe that God’s word is true and powerful, we act accordingly. Faith declares God’s word and every stronghold will fall.
Have you received a promise and rejoiced? and then after the promise came hardship and delay? Did you struggled in faith? Well, you are not alone. And just like Abraham, the father of our faith, you can return to where you began.
Abraham was called by God to leave his family, his comfort zone, and his financial safety net. He left everything because he heard God and trusted in His promises (Check out Genesis 12 and Hebrews 11 for more of the story).
When Abraham arrived in the land of Canaan he heard God say, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar as an act of worship to God. This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.
This altar was a symbol of his faith—of his joy, his gratitude, his confidence, his resolve to follow God.
But then Abraham was confronted with an economic crisis, a drought and famine. After the promise came hardships and delay. Abraham struggled in his faith. His character was tested. Abraham went down to Egypt where it was safe. He lied, putting his wife in danger, to save his own skin. Hint: don’t follow that example.
But after his failure came restoration. Genesis 13 describes Abraham’s return: he came out of Egypt and returned “to the place where his tent had been at the BEGINNING, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord (Genesis 13:3-4).”
“…to the place of the altar which he had made there at FIRST.” -Genesis 13:4
Did you see that!? He returned to where he BEGAN. He returned to the place he had FIRST built an altar. He went back to the place God had spoken, to the place he believed God, to the place of joy, of confidence, of resolve, of thankfulness. He returned to faith.
Do you need to return to faith? Do you need to remember what God has promised you? Do you need to remember joy, confidence and thankfulness? Do you need to return, rebuild an altar of faith, worship and call on God’s name? Well, you can. Just like Abraham you can return to where you began. God’s mercy is new today. He is waiting for you to turn to Him, and cry out for His help.
And here is a good place to begin: like Abraham, be “strengthened in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20).” Worship. Boast about God. Praise Him. Find His promises in the bible and shout, “Thank you!”
“Go…make disciples….” –Matthew 28:19
Hi friends,
If you want to live completely out of your comfort zone, utterly dependent on God’s power, in order to see other people come to Jesus, learn His ways, and be transformed, then I recommend starting a church…in a city…. Or join us!
One day there will be many small groups, church services and discipleship classes happening all over St. Louis where hundreds and even thousands will be set free, healed, delivered, filled with the Spirit, and equipped to impact their neighborhood. Right now, we are laying the foundation, we are planting the seed, for that to happen. If we don’t, there are countless who will remain in the bondage of the devil and go to hell. But if we believe God and do His work, lives will be saved, restored, and made solid. This city will be lifted up and blessed.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”—Galatians 6:9
Right now we are working hard in faith and love:
This is impossible! And that is why God has sent us to do it in His power and not our own. He is looking to show Himself strong on behalf of those who rely on His wisdom, guidance, and favor. He is looking for those who will do what His Spirit is leading them to do. It may be impossible without God, but with Him and through faith in Him, we can do whatever He has called us to do. I am more convinced than ever that we are being led by the Lord. And my faith is being tested at a whole new level. Praise God He leads us in victory!
And whatever God has called you to do, He promises to be with you and to supply you with all His wisdom, power, favor, anointing, and grace. Trust the Lord. Strengthen your faith by flooding your heart with God’s promises from His word.
Lastly, would you consider supporting us?
PRAY: We ask that you stand in faith with us, praying for this great city and this church. Pray for laborers, for the word to spread about the church, for kids to come to the bible camps, for people to be drawn to our bible studies and onto our team. Please pray for God to give us courage, favor, anointing, compassion, wisdom, open doors.
SERVE: If you are called to join us in this ministry, contact us at saintlouis@solidlives.com or 314-332-2454 or come to one of our meetings.
GIVE: If you are called to partner with us through giving, you can give online at www.gototherock.com (click on “Give” and choose our campus, St. Louis). Or you can write a check to “The Rock” and mail it to 6425 Myrlette Ct.; St. Louis, MO 63116. Your gift will help spread the word about the Grand Opening of services this Fall and help us reach and bless more people.
Love and pray for you all!
Jesus said: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain….And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:24 and 12:32
Why did Jesus die? He didn’t want to be alone! Jesus is the “grain of wheat” or Seed that died, was buried, and in rising from the dead produces “much grain.” We were created FOR Jesus, to be His Daily Delight (Colossians 1:16 and Proverbs 8:31). He came to bring us out of darkness and into His light. He came to set us free from the bondage of sin and give us His righteousness. He came to ransom us from the power of death and give us eternal life with Himself. And that is exactly what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. Thank you God! Now, when you and I trust in Jesus, making him Lord, and receiving this FREE gift, we become His—alive, forgiven, and free.
And how many people (“grain”) does Jesus want? ALL PEOPLES! Jesus does not want to be alone; He wants “much grain”–a metaphor for all people to come to know Him and become like Him. Jesus wants His Father’s house filled with people from all different ethnicities and backgrounds. He loves that person at your work; He loves your neighbor, He loves your prodigal family member; He loves that person serving you at the store or restaurant. Jesus desires them to be His Daily Delight too! He is drawing you and He is drawing them to Himself.
“When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream.” Psalm 126:1
In a season of brokenness and despair, the Lord came to me and promised, “I will restore you completely.” Even though the struggle with depression, hopelessness, fear, and shame did not end immediately, I continued to stand on this promise, flood my heart with God’s word, and cry out to Jesus for deliverance.
Years later, while enjoying the freedom, joy, peace, and confidence in God’s love that had become my “new normal”, I was reminded of God’s promise. I was assured: God had restored me completely. My faith, calling, joy, intimacy with God, confidence, passion, and more were restored. The many promises God had given me were (and still are) coming to pass in my life. Just to name a few:
He had promised joy and intimacy with God from Isaiah 56:7;
He had promised blessing and confidence from Isaiah 54;
He had promised freedom from Psalm 126;
He had promised hope through Isaiah 60 and 61….
God is faithful. He will do what he promised for you. He will restore you completely. He is the God who hears the cry of your heart and sees your distress (Exodus 3:7-10). He is the God who is with you even in opposition (Genesis 39:21). He is the God who conquered sin and death (Acts 2:24).
Do you remember what God did to the Egyptians? He destroyed them because they were oppressing his people. That is your God. That is the God who loves you and made promises to you. That is the God who made a covenant with you in Christ. Just as He delivered Israel completely, bringing them out of bondage, blessing them financially, teaching them to worship God, and leading them into their promised land, so God will restore you completely. He will heal you inside and out, He will deliver you from all addictions, He will rebuke the devourer of finances and pour out abundant provision on you, He will put confidence in you for your calling, He will fill you with His Spirit, He will break off all fear and shame, he will lead you on the right path, He will be glorified through your life.
So you will declare, when God restores you completely, what David said in Psalm 18:19, “He delivered me because he delighted in me!” And you will sing, “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing…. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.” Psalm 126:1-3
I encourage you to receive God’s promise TODAY. Start declaring TODAY; starting singing TODAY. God is for you!
Pastor David Turner 