The Memphis Church
Living in the Valley
Are you in a period of your life where it seems like nothing is going right? Are you tired of giving all you have only to get nothing in return? If you are sitting down every night and asking God what have you done to deserve this? Then this message is for you!
Locations & Times
7400 Cordova Club Dr E, Cordova, TN 38018, USA
Sunday 11:00 AM
Point #1:
Living according to God's Plan will sometimes lead you to times of struggle.
Living according to God's Plan will sometimes lead you to times of struggle.
The Mountain Top and the Valley Low.
Point #2:
What does it mean to be living in the valley?
The valleys of life represent some of the lowest points and most difficult times we (both believers and non-believers) will ever run into. They are often the times when we feel like no matter what we do nor how hard we try... things just do not seem to get any better. In fact, things may sometimes seem to only be getting worse?
It is at these times many people often give up and begin to accept "their bones" to be the "norm". Because there is a false sense of relief in giving up.
What does it mean to be living in the valley?
The valleys of life represent some of the lowest points and most difficult times we (both believers and non-believers) will ever run into. They are often the times when we feel like no matter what we do nor how hard we try... things just do not seem to get any better. In fact, things may sometimes seem to only be getting worse?
It is at these times many people often give up and begin to accept "their bones" to be the "norm". Because there is a false sense of relief in giving up.
Point #3:
Death = Separation
Death = Separation
To be "dead" means to be separated from God.
As believers we understand that every person has two births: a physical birth and a spiritual one. When we are physically born, we are Spiritually dead and thus separated from God at birth.
As believers we understand that every person has two births: a physical birth and a spiritual one. When we are physically born, we are Spiritually dead and thus separated from God at birth.
We are all born from corrupted seed and to some degree never taught "how" to sin.. it is in our nature. When we become "born-again", we begin the process of crucifying (killing) our "flesh" (our sin-nature) and awakening our Spirit
In short, the dead things in your valley represent the things in your life that are separated from God or the things that can separate you from God if you do not handle them correctly and according to His Word.
Point #4:
The Work of the Prophet
The Work of the Prophet
There are three main reasons why you feel like your valley experience is all but killing you:
* Understanding;
* Reciprocity and
* Patience
Understanding - The "truth" you "stand" under.
Reciprocity - It ain't fair
Patience - You want instant change
* Understanding;
* Reciprocity and
* Patience
Understanding - The "truth" you "stand" under.
Reciprocity - It ain't fair
Patience - You want instant change
Your Understanding
It is difficult to be around cardinal minds when you have had a Spiritual experience. But just because the (spiritually) dead are are in a state of separation (sin), don't forget that you once was just like them.
It is difficult to be around cardinal minds when you have had a Spiritual experience. But just because the (spiritually) dead are are in a state of separation (sin), don't forget that you once was just like them.
Reciprocity
God is Just... no where in any translation of the Bible (except the MSG) does it ever record that God is fair.
God is Just... no where in any translation of the Bible (except the MSG) does it ever record that God is fair.
Many of us (believers) are under the impression that just because we are Christians that this somehow entitles us to a trouble free life. We feel like everything should be fair and equal... that you should get out of something exactly what you put in it. Please understand that this will never be the case when God calls you to deal with "dead" things.
Point #5:
You Must Face Your Fear of Hope.
You Must Face Your Fear of Hope.
God asks Ezekiel, "Can these bones live again?"
In this question, we find the hardest fight anyone in a valley experience will have to face... it is the fear of Hope. Your valley experience is crushing you right now because trying has hurt you to the point where you have given up the will to continue the fight. When this happens, you being to see signs of hope as an opportunity to suffer more pain.
In this question, we find the hardest fight anyone in a valley experience will have to face... it is the fear of Hope. Your valley experience is crushing you right now because trying has hurt you to the point where you have given up the will to continue the fight. When this happens, you being to see signs of hope as an opportunity to suffer more pain.
Point #6:
Prophet... Speak to your Bones. Not what you say... but what God says.
Prophet... Speak to your Bones. Not what you say... but what God says.
In the valley, it can become easy to become bitter, cold and evently silent when dealing with things that you feel like are not "fair".
That which you do not speak to will remain dead. Since you will not give your tongue to God, Satan is using it for his victory.
When you speak, speak what God has given you and not what you emotionally feel.
When you speak, speak what God has given you and not what you emotionally feel.
Point #7:
Bones... You need to listen!
Bones... You need to listen!
When you are separated from God (dead), the Words of a Prophet will seem like foolishness. Sometimes God's answer does not look like your vision.
Point #8:
Change Begins with Obedience
Change Begins with Obedience
God commands Ezekiel to speak to the bones. In essence He is asking the Prophet to pour into something that cannot pour back into him... to give something that he cannot get in return. It ain't fair - it's JUST!
When you speak to your bones, speak as you have been commanded. Do not call things as "you" see them, but as they should be.
When you speak to your bones, speak as you have been commanded. Do not call things as "you" see them, but as they should be.
Point #9:
Follow God's Order
Follow God's Order
After speaking to the bones, God then commands Ezekiel to speak to the wind. The Wind is a reference to God's Holy Spirit.
The problem with many of us is that we want to skip step #1 and jump straight to #2. We don't want to speak to the thing that's hurting us, we just want to go somewhere and "pray about it."
Stop trying to convince God to breath life into things that you have abandoned! Why do you think He brought you to the valley in the first place?
Your miracle will not start with God's Wind, but with your Words.
Understand that transformation will happen in stages that a person will experience the rest of their life.
The problem with many of us is that we want to skip step #1 and jump straight to #2. We don't want to speak to the thing that's hurting us, we just want to go somewhere and "pray about it."
Stop trying to convince God to breath life into things that you have abandoned! Why do you think He brought you to the valley in the first place?
Your miracle will not start with God's Wind, but with your Words.
Understand that transformation will happen in stages that a person will experience the rest of their life.
Point #10:
God already knew the valley was dry when He brought you to it!
God already knew the valley was dry when He brought you to it!
In your Valley Experience, God is trying to teach you three main principles:
1. He is trying to teach you about inequalities.
2. He is trying to teach you how to handle things that are not fair.
3. He is trying to teach you how to obey inspite of your opinions.
1. He is trying to teach you about inequalities.
2. He is trying to teach you how to handle things that are not fair.
3. He is trying to teach you how to obey inspite of your opinions.