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GOD FIRST
CHRISTIAN CENTER

The Truth Concerning God’s Presence We love talking about ushering in the presence of the Lord. ---But we say God is everywhere so why usher Him in we He should be here already if He’s truly everywhere. I believe He’s everywhere, but I also believe we need to seek His presence. Genesis 3:8 Adam and Eve after they sinned against God, hid themselves from God’s presence. David says that God is everywhere, but Adam and Eve hid from God’s presence, and Ge 4:16 says that Cain went out from the presence of God. And Jonah fled from the presence of God. The Presence of the Lord in our lives is one of the most important aspect of our Christian journey, yet few believers really know what the Presence of God really means.

John 17:14-19 We were taught in school about the 5 basic senses of mankind. The sense of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. When we talk about senses in the human body, we're referring to the ways our body gathers information and allows us to respond and function. Our senses are essential for our survival, interaction and well-being. But as we understand the importance of the 5 basic senses, I want to talk about man’s sense of self and God awareness. Sense of Self and Sense of an Awareness of God completes us in knowing who we are. Like the senses of your bodily organs, your sense of awareness of God and self as it relates to God is more important to life than your natural senses. Being aware of who you are and your relationship with God helps you to conduct yourself appropriately and help you to balance the realization that even though you are in the world you’re not of the world. Vs. 16 What does that mean: We are not of the world. Well, Christian live in the world but are not bound by the values of the world, we are not bound by the influence of the world, we are not bound by the lust of the world, and it goes on and on. We are in the world, but the world isn’t in us. • We must maintain our sense of awareness of who we are, and the fact that we are children of the Most-High God.

In our text we find the Prophet Amos speaking to the children of Israel what God had commanded Him to speak. I want it to be known that the Prophet Amos wasn’t born a Prophet, nor was he a descendant of a Prophet. He was simply a everyday Farmer, sheep-farmer to be exact, but God called him to the office of a Prophet because God knew what was in him…. In verse 3 Amos prophesy to the people and he says: “Can two walk together unless that agree. This does simply mean that they agree to walk together, but they must agree in their walk together—I know I lost some people right there. • If you’re really walking together with someone you ought to be in agreement with where you’re going, if you’re walking together with someone, y’all ought to be in agreement with every step you take, I’m taking my time, and you’re walking fast …….. In the world, have you ever had a friend to ask you, come walk with me? The concept of walking with someone implies that you’re with them, where they go—you go, what they’re about to do—you going to do, you’re walking with them, you’re together.

Don't lose out on accomplishing what you need to do each day. Win your day by being intentional and do what you need to do and plan to for that day. Don't allow procrastination to rob you of a successful day of fulfilling your task, goals, and things you need to do for that day.

Powerful message from our First Lady, Asst. Pastor Gwendolyn Ross. This teaching with take you higher in your understanding of the calling of God upon your life. Join us every Sunday at God First Christian Center, 2400 Northumberland Ave. - Richmond, Virginia 23223. 11:30AM every Sunday. Our website is address is: www.girst.org We are a Non-Denomination Christian Church. Remember put God First.

Are You Available Jonah 1:1-3 Many of us know the story of Jonah. It is probably one of the most famous and well-known stories in the bible Jonah was called by God to do a work, but instead of Jonah obeying and making himself available, he ran. He went in the opposite direction. • Jonah had his reason for running away from doing God’s will, (it wasn’t a good reason but I guess it made sense to him). --what is your reason. The Bible tells us in: Mt 20:16 .. for many be called, but few chosen. • The reason why few are chosen is because, only a few responds to the calling. Only a few make themselves available. – Jonah was called, but he wasn’t available. He had other plans. Are you too busy to tend to the business of God? Isa 6:8 • God is searching for those who are willing and available to do ministry. • And ministry isn’t just about preaching and feeding the hungry, • It can be as big as leading a world-wide crusade for Christ, or it can be as small as cleaning the church before and after worship service. But the Lord says: who can I send., who’s available for ministry. Isaiah stood up and shouted….. Mt 9:37 Jesus says: The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; There is a lot of ministry needs, but there are only a few people who are available. 1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: Ac 9:4-6 Saul met Jesus on his way to commit sin, but he met Jesus on the Road of Damascus and it changed his life. And it also changed his availability.

Failure to Separate Will Hinder You From Soaring Exodus 12:31-38 Before a Rocket takes off it must separate from it’s launching pad, and then there are multiple stages of boosters and payload fairing separations to enable the Rocket to soar to the heights that it can reach. – Separation is vital to a successful journey. And I bring this up because the bible tells us that w shall fly like eagles. But like the Rocket, we must separate from some things to reach those heights. And a failure to separate can hinder our ability to reach that height. (vs. 38) - The day of deliverance was at hand; the Hebrews were set free to begin their new life and worship God freely. • God wanted them separate from the false God’s of Egypt and the influence of the Egyptians. Leaving that old life behind, a new start, a new life. But they made a big mistake that would hunt them for the next 40 years and contribute to them not being allowed to enter the promise land. • They didn’t separate themselves. Numbers 11:4 - The mixed multitude were the ones who got the people stirred up and complaining about food, which triggered a chain reaction of dissatisfaction and rebellion that plagued Israel throughout their wilderness journey. The mix multitude were not spiritually aligned with God’s people, their presence introduced ungodly cravings, dissatisfaction, compromise and division. They were tares among the wheat. And they distracted the children of Israel from focusing and trusting in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company can negatively influence your good habits.” If you desire to grow in Christ and have a closer walk with God, stay around people of faith – Iron sharpens Iron. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Nehemiah 13:3 when they had heard the Law, they separated themselves from all the mixed multitude... The people understood, that if they were to have a close walk with God, they would have to separate themselves from bad influence. (be ye separate says the Lord). Your circle of influence should be with people who have the same Christian convictions that you have. Jesus says in Luke 14:26 He said: If anyone comes to Me and does not put me first and does not hate his old life, he cannot be my disciples. • Being separate from your old crowd is not about abandoning them, it’s about loving them differently. • Show love to them by being a witness to them and embracing them with the love of God. 1 Peter 4:4 God’s calling to His children to be separate from the world isn’t about isolation—it’s about holiness, a new life, and destiny. The world is not heading in your direction. • Separation allows for you to soar give you space for spiritual growth, prayer, and deeper relationship with God. Yes, people will think you’re acting funny because you don’t want to hang out with them like you use to do. They may even talk about you. • But I would rather please God than to have you pat me on the back. • Sometimes we are so insecure that we think if we don’t cater to our old friends they will stop being our friends. Have you ever heard the saying – Out with the old, in with the new. When old relationships end, He brings new ones—people who will encourage your new walk. Matthew 5:14 calls believers “the light of the world” Light has to be separated from the darkness in order to be light. Light and darkness can’t occupy the same room. Be separate isn’t about rejecting people—it’s about rejecting sin and staying faithful to God’s calling on your life.