HOW TO HAVE A BANNER YEAR

January 1, 2012

Allen McLauchlin, Pastor

A family friendly, never alone, purpose driven church  

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.   Genesis 28:15 

I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.  Genesis 31:13 (Jacob had been away from home for 20 years).  

HOME:  The place where God’s wants you to be. The place where the promises of God are fulfilled. The place where  your body, soul, and spirit are lined up with God’s will.    

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  (Kingdom thinking, this is home) Matthew 6:33 

NOTE:  If you return home, you will have a BANNER YEAR.  (Enjoying the promises of God) 

1. Make a considerable effort  to deepen your relationship with __family____. 

So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.  Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels.  Genesis 31:4,17 

Husbands love your wives, wives support your husbands, children honor your parents.  Ephesians 5: 22ff 

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it,   

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. All the believers were together and had everything in common.   1 Corinthians 12:25-27; Acts 2:44 

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 2:4,5 

2.  Turn your _____prolems__________ over to God.  Let Him fight for you. 

Your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me.  Genesis 31:7 

Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.  You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD.  2 Chronicles 20:15,17 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5 

3. Break company with ____distractors_______. (people, places, things or habits) 

Jacob  fled with all he had, and crossing the River, Euphrates, he headed for the hill country of Gilead. Genesis  31:21 

Laban caught up with Jacob and asked, “Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of tambourines and harps?  You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters good-by. You have done a foolish thing.”  Genesis 31:27,28 

Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing.  2 Corinthians 6:17 

Flee evil desires.  2 Timothy 2:22

4. Forgive those who have wronged you, ___release_______ yourself. 

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands.  Even so, Jacob  offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal.  Genesis 31:42 

I, even I, am he who forgives your transgressions, for my own sake,  and remembers your sins no more.  Isaiah 43:25 

And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.  2 chronicles 30:20 ( forgiveness is equated with being made whole)

NOTE:  Unforgiveness, keeps you a prisoner of the past .