Pastor Dan's Blog

How To Be Blessed Financially

Pastor Dan Walker — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:45:52 +0000

God gave us His Word in order to teach us how to live a successful life with His help. Success in God’s eyes is discovering God’s will and then doing it, nothing more and nothing less. God wants you to be a success in life, that’s what He created you for. Yet many people don’t believe that God has good plans for their lives.

3 John 1:2 (NASB95) Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

This prayer of the apostle John reflects God’s will for our lives in the form of a promise. The success of your life, according to this verse, is dependent on the prosperity of your soul. In other words, your spiritual relationship with with God is the foundation of a blessed life. If your soul is prospering, then it is God’s will that you prosper in all other respects, including your health and your finances.

Proverbs 10:22 (NIV) The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.

God wants to bless His children in their finances so that they have the resources to carry out His plan for their lives. God does not bless people financially so that they can spend their money in luxurious living, but so that they can bless others. We are blessed so that we can be a blessing.

In order to be blessed financially by the Lord, you must follow the financial principles that God has given us in His Word. Jesus set out the most important principle, the principle of giving.

Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

When you give to God, God will give back to you, in greater measure than you have given. The more you give to God, the more you will receive. I have seen the truth of this principle evidenced in my own life and the lives of many people in the church. Those that are faithful in giving tithes and offerings are blessed financially, even in the midst of this recession. Those that are afraid and don’t give to God have grave problems in their finances. Each person has a choice to make. Am I going to believe God’s Word and be a generous giver or not? God blesses those who trust Him with their finances.

Listen to my September 6, 2009 message “How To Be Blessed Financially” (message notes).

Download audio file (090906-how-to-be-blessed-financially.mp3)

Giving That Feels Good

Pastor Dan Walker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:56:52 +0000

God has given to us a gift, the Word of God, which is the Bible. The Bible is not simply words written down by men, the Bible is the very Word of God. The Bible is God’s revelation of who He is and how people can know God. God’s Word is God’s manual for living a blessed life, both now and in eternity. God wants you to take Him at His Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

So, God’s Word is meant to equip you to live the life God created you to live. If you don’t make use of God’s Word to guide your life, you’ll miss out on God’s blessings for your life. Our challenge is to take God at His Word. What that means is each of us must believe that what God’s Word says is really true and we can put our trust in it. When you believe that what God has said in His Word is true, then you can live your life trusting in that Word.

This series will not be about God’s Word in general, but about one part of God’s Word. However, the part of God’s Word that we’re going to be talking about is huge. Over 2350 verses in the Bible talk about this topic, which is the topic of money. If you handle your money God’s way, you’ll be blessed in your finances. If you handle your money your way, you will have untold problems in your finances.

God’s Word teaches us that our money really isn’t ours, it’s God’s. And God’s Word has some directions in it about handling His money. One of the most important aspects of handling your money God’s way is the aspect of giving. God wants giving to feel good for every believer. I just recently finished reading a book called “How To Be Happy Giving Your Money Away.” That title captures how God wants you to feel about giving.

For a lot of people giving their money away doesn’t seem to feel good, in fact they resist it and give as little as possible. But what does God’s Word, say about giving? What did Jesus say about giving?

Acts 20:35b (NIV) Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Being blessed makes me feel good. So if I take God at his Word, I’m going to be a giver. I’m going to believe that as I give to God and His Word, I’m going to be blessed in every way.

My parents taught me to be a blessed giver. From around the age of 4, I have given at least 10% of all my income to the church, the Bible calls it a tithe. When my wife Carol was saved as child, she began tithing as well. Over the years, we’ve always had more than enough. Our needs have been met and we’ve had enough to continue being happy giving our money away. God’s promises work whether we’re in a recession or not. We want you and your family to be blessed as well.

Listen to my August 30, 2009 message “Giving That Feels Good” (message notes).

Download audio file (090830-giving-that-feels-good.mp3)

Love That Challenges

Pastor Dan Walker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:51:55 +0000

Being part of a great church is essential for a believer to be blessed by God. Why is it important to be part of a church family? When you are part of a church family, God’s blessing increases in your life. When you are part of a church family, you build relationships that will encourage you. When you are part of a church family, you will receive biblical teaching that will help you grow spiritually. And I could go on and on.

Just any church won’t do. As a believer, you really don’t have a phone book full of churches to choose from. God calls every believer to a particular church family. When you’re in the church family God has called you to, you’re not free to just up and leave because you’ve had a tiff with somebody else. God has planted you in that church family so that you can grow and be blessed.

In the Old Testament, Nehemiah led the people of Israel, which are a type of the church, to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. As those people had a wall to build, so every church, including Full Life, has tasks from God to accomplish. To accomplish those tasks, God has brought specific people into our church family to resource and complete those tasks or ministries. My ministry, as pastor is to equip you to fulfill your ministry and so bring great blessing into your life. Here’s my calling from God to perform.

2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.

Notice that there are three things my preaching should do: correct, rebuke and encourage. Now everybody likes to be encouraged. But what happens when I have to correct or rebuke? Those aspects of preaching are very important, because if you respond to them, your life will change for the better. All too often, people get upset or even drop out of church if they hear something they don’t like.

2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV) For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

If you only hear what you want to hear in a church, guess what? It’s not a great church and you won’t be blessed. People want God to change their circumstances, but not their lives. God doesn’t work that way. We all need to be corrected, rebuked and encouraged in order to receive everything God has for us.

By the end of the book of Nehemiah, the people of Israel had basically fallen away from their close relationship with God. Nehemiah had gone back to Babylon and the people had grown lax in their serving the Lord. When he returned, Nehemiah was appalled with the people and challenged them in three areas that have application to all of us today.

Listen to my August 23, 2009 message “Love That Challenges” based on Nehemiah 13 (message notes).

Download audio file (090823-love-that-challenges.mp3)

Why Am I Here?

Pastor Dan Walker — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:10:58 +0000

Why are you and I here on this planet? Different people have different answers to that question. Some would say that we’re here because some type of living organism evolved from the primordial ooze billions of years ago. In essence, they would say, that we are here by random chance. If we’re here by random chance, than there’s really little purpose in our lives. We might as well just do as we please and enjoy ourselves as much as possible.

The Bible has a different answer to the question of why we are here. The Bible tells us that every person is here on this earth because they were created by God. When God created you, He created you with a purpose in mind. Oftentimes, the Bible refers to God as a potter who creates a clay pot, which refers to us. God shaped and molded you to be a vessel that would honor Him by serving Him.

2 Timothy 2:21 (NASB95) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

God wants you to be useful to Him. God wants you to be prepared to do good work for Him. The Bible calls the work that we do for God in the church family, ministry or service. Jesus taught us in

Matthew 10:8b (NIV) Freely you have received, freely give.

Integrity is giving what you have received from God back to Him in service. Listen to my August 9, 2009 message “Service and Integrity” based on Nehemiah 12 (message notes).

Download audio file (090809-service-and-integrity.mp3)

Building Tomorrow Together

Pastor Dan Walker — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:01:25 +0000

An infant lives for the moment, seeking to satisfy his physical needs. An adult should live for tomorrow, basing his life and actions on what would have the greatest impact for good for his children. A believer should live for eternity, charting his life on a course to influence the eternal destinies of people yet to be born. What are you living for?

Philippians 3:14 (NIV) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Churches can also either live for the moment or live for eternity. A church is not a building, but a group of people committed to God and one another. The church family at Full Life Church is committed to living for eternity, making our lives count for a prize greater than anyone of us can imagine.

Our vision is to expand the influence of our church for God to an increasing number of people. Although God has blessed us in the past few years of our existence in temporary locations, we believe that it is now time for us to have a permanent location from which to minister.

This Sunday, August 2, we officially launch our Building Tomorrow Together stewardship campaign. The first goal of this campaign is to help each person in the church family grow in commitment to and understanding of stewardship. Stewardship means that God owns everything I have. I am simply a manager of what God has entrusted to my care for a season. Stewardship means that I follow God’s direction with regard to my time, talents and treasure.

1 Chronicles 29:11 (NIV) Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

The second goal of the campaign is to raise sufficient financial resources to allow us to move into a permanent church location. When God imparts a vision, He always provides the resources necessary to fulfill the vision. When people give to fulfill God’s vision, He imparts tremendous blessing into their lives. We must remember that everything we have comes from God in the first place.

1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV) But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

I am excited about everything that God is going to do through our Building Tomorrow Together campaign over the next three years. We will have many more activities and information coming out as the campaign progresses. We were very encouraged at the high percentage of people who volunteered to pray and help with the stewardship campaign last Sunday. God’s vision for your life and our church will only be accomplished as we build tomorrow together.

Download the Building Tomorrow Together Campaign Overview Brochure. Listen to the August 2, 2009 message “Building Tomorrow Together” based on 1 Chronicles 29 by Terry Collier.

Download audio file (090802-building-tomorrow-together.mp3)

How To Get Your Life Back On Track

Pastor Dan Walker — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:26:31 +0000

The Bible tells us that God has marked out a path or track that each person should follow in life. Following God’s path for your life is the best possible way that you can life your life. Unfortunately, a lot of people have never found God’s path for their life or they have left God’s path. The writer of Hebrews, likens our journey through life as a race.

Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

According to this verse, there are things that can hinder you in the race of life. There is sin than can entangle you and get your life totally off track. God has given each person a sense of whether their life is on track with Him or not. However, if you are off God’s track long enough, your sense of right and wrong may be permanently warped. God’s Word provides the standard to determine whether you are on track with God or not.

How can you get your life back on track? The answer is through confession and commitment. When God convicts you of sin in your life, it is a good thing. The proper response is to confess that sin to God and make a commitment with God’s help to stay on track. Biblical repentance involves a turning away from sin through confession and a turning toward God through commitment. God is in the life change business, but you’ve got to cooperate with Him in order to see your life get back on track.

All too often, people pray and ask for God to change their dire circumstances, when those very circumstances are the direct result of sin in their lives. God won’t answer those prayers until there is confession and commitment. That’s what it takes to get your life back on track.

Listen to my July 26, 2009 message “Confession and Commitment” based on Nehemiah 9-10 (message notes).

Download audio file (090726-confession-and-commitment.mp3)

Revival Through The Word

Pastor Dan Walker — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:51:00 +0000

What is revival? Revival is the renewal of interest in God or the recovery of spiritual life and strength. Believers and churches across America need revival. Millions of people across the US think they are Christians, but have no relationship with God and so are truly unbelievers. Unbelievers need revival. Perhaps I might say more accurately, unbelievers need an awakening of interest in God that leads to relationship.

Biblically, revivals happen with the combination of three elements: the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the prayers of God’s people. The primary importance of the Word of God seems to lost to many people today, both believers and unbelievers. In bygone years in America, the mark of an educated person was knowledge of the Word of God. Today, the mark of a so-called educated leader appears to be ignorance of God’s Word. Ignorance of God’s Word leads to deep problems in all aspects of life and society.

Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

God’s revealed Word is to guide the footsteps of our lives and lead us to a closer relationship with God. Without God’s Word, we stumble in the darkness. However, for those who are stumbling in the darkness, God’s Word can lead to revival. I would challenge every reader to making a commitment to read God’s Word daily for at least 15 minutes. Pray and ask God to help you apply His Word to your life. What it says, you will believe. What it commands, you will do. Get connected with a Bible-believing church so that you can learn from pastor-teachers how to understand God’s Word better. As you do, you’ll find spiritual revival in your life.

Listen to my July 19, 2009 message “Revival Through The Word” based on Nehemiah 8 (message notes).

Download audio file (090719-revival-through-the-word.mp3)

How To Face Adversity

Pastor Dan Walker — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:30:36 +0000

A believer will face all kinds of adversity as they seek to follow Jesus Christ. For some, this comes as a rude shock. They thought that God was going to solve all their problems and give them the easy life. Believers who do not develop deep roots in God do not last through the difficulties that God allows into their lives.

Mark 4:17 (NIV) But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

The adversity that comes may be external trouble or persecution. This type of adversity can discourage you and cause you to turn your back on God. Other types of adversity may be more deceptive in luring you away from God.

Mark 4:19 (NIV) but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

The types of adversity that Jesus mentions in this verse are basically distractions from God’s plan for your life. Worry is a distraction. Money and any other kind of desire for things that are wrong will lead you away from God’s purpose for your life. The end result is that you do not produce any fruit for God, which proves your belief was not real in the first place. All temptation begins with a distraction away from God’s plan for your life.

What is the answer to facing adversity and it’s distractions? The answer is to keep your eyes on Jesus and His plan for your life. A believer is fundamentally a follower of Jesus Christ. The phrase “follower of Jesus” has become a cliche with little meaning for many. However, a follower of Jesus Christ is someone who doesn’t let themselves become distracted by adversity. Whether the adversity is external trouble or internal temptations, a true believer will keep their eyes on Jesus and refuse to be distracted.

Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus faced adversity by keeping His eyes fixed on God’s plan for His life and fulfilled that plan completely. As you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, He will strengthen you to accomplish the purpose you were created for.

Listen to my July 12, 2009 message “Facing Intimidation” based on Nehemiah 6, to learn how to face adversity in your life (message notes).

Download audio file (090712-facing-intimidation.mp3)

The Importance of Unity

Pastor Dan Walker — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:18:15 +0000

Unity seems to be an elusive goal in our society. Marriages and families are disintegrating at an alarming rate. Infighting and division is common in many other groups, including businesses and churches. What is the cause of this breakdown in unity and harmonius relationships? The cause is simply selfishness, seeking to obtain the greatest advantage from the group and giving back as little as possible. When there is no unity, when there is division, what is the result?

Mark 3:25 (NIV) If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.

When there is no unity in a group or relationship, that “house” is doomed to collapse. On the other hand, unity is a wonderful thing to be a part of.

Psalm 133:1 (NIV) How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

There is blessing, there is peace and joy when people in a group work together in unity. Generally, groups and relationships begin with unity. However, over time, inevitable forces work to sow seeds of division into a group. Unity is something that must actively be maintained, whether in a relationship or in a group.

Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

This verse is speaking specifially about the unity of the Spirit in a church family. Notice that every member must make every effort in order to keep the unity. Of course, unity and peace go hand in hand.

So, whatever church, group or relationship that you are a part of, ask yourself some questions.

Am I taking advantage of others in the group or relationship?
Am I doing less than my fair share in the work of the group?
Am I doing less than my fair share in contributing to the group?
If my behavior is not conducive to keeping the unity, what will I ask God to help me change in my behavior?

Listen to my July 5, 2009 message “Maintaining Unity” based on Nehemiah 5, to learn the principles of maintaining unity in your life (message notes).

Download audio file (090705-maintaining-unity.mp3)

Overcoming Opposition When Following Jesus

Pastor Dan Walker — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 19:46:58 +0000

Whenever anyone makes a decision to follow Jesus and God’s plan for their life, there will be opposition. A lot of people are surprised and dismayed when following God turns out not to be the easy road they thought it was going to be. In fact, the Bible promises that when you follow Jesus, there is going to be opposition.

2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Notice that persecution or opposition happens to those who strive to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. Opposition is not the consequences of wrong things that you have done. If you run a red light and get a ticket, that is not persecution, it is simply reaping what you have sown. Most of the negative circumstances in believers lives in America are caused simply by failing to follow biblical principles. However, even if you are living a godly life, there will be opposition.

Who is behind the opposition? The being behind the opposition to believers carrying out God’s plan for their lives is Satan. Now, I realize that many people do not believe that Satan is a real being, but simply a symbol of evil. Nevertheless, the Bible clearly teaches that Satan is alive and well and out to destroy you and your family. Those who ignore or don’t believe in Satan’s reality or power are the ones who are most easily overtaken by him.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

So, if you’re a believer, you’ve got a prowling enemy looking to destroy you and your family. In fact, Satan is looking to destroy everyone, not just believers. However, believers are his special target, since not only are you not going to join him in hell, but as a believer you are committed to rescuing others from his clutches.

So, how to overcome Satan’s opposition in your life? Be self-controlled. To be self-controlled is to basically keep your life under God’s control. One essential part of self-control is seeking God’s protection in prayer. Secondly, you need to be alert to what Satan is trying to do to destroy you and your family. Don’t compromise in any area of your life. Stay away from bad influences, whether people or various media. Pour yourself in living 100% for Jesus Christ, not just on Sunday, but everyday of your life.

Listen to my June 28, 2009 message “Overcoming Opposition” based on Nehemiah 4, to learn principles on overcoming Satan’s attacks in your own life (message notes).

Download audio file (090628-overcoming-opposition.mp3)