Covenant Life Church

Pastor Dave Crammer

Living a Life of Love, Power, and Purpose

Episodes

  1. Jun 7

    Governing Our Thoughts: Keep Doubt Out

    Isaiah 55:8–11, AMP For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Hebrews 3:16–19 NKJV For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses?17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness?18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 1. KEEP YOUR FAITH IN GOD! Matthew 14:28–31, AMP And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. 29 He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus. 30 But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me [from death]! 31 Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt? 2. KEEP DOUBT OUT OF YOUR FAITH. James 1:6–8 NKJV But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Matthew 21:21 NKJV So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done.’” 3. ANSWER DOUBT Mark 11:21–24, NKJV And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 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. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Romans 4:17–21 NKJV (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” 19 And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. 20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. The post Governing Our Thoughts: Keep Doubt Out first appeared on Covenant Life Church.

    48 min
  2. May 31

    Governing Our Thoughts

    Key thought: Allowing the Word of God to govern what we think, say and do. The word Govern means to direct, rule, manage, control, or guide the actions and affairs of a person, group, organization, or nation according to established principles, laws, or authority. John 6:63 NKJV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. Our lives are often governed by our thoughts, and our thoughts are governed by what we consistently believe and meditate upon. 1. LOW THOUGHTS = LOW LIFE Isaiah 55:8–11, AMP For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Romans 12:2, AMP Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. 2. A GOOD EXAMPLE Numbers 13:27–32, AMP They told Moses, We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey. This is its fruit. 28 But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage]. 29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South (the Negeb); the Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country; and the Canaanite dwells by the sea and along by the side of the Jordan [River]. 30 Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it. 31 But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are. 32 So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature. Romans 3:34 NKJV God forbid: yea. Let God be true and every man a lie. Hebrews 11:1, AMP NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Numbers 14:1–3, AMP AND ALL the congregation cried out with a loud voice, and [they] wept that night. 2 All the Israelites grumbled and deplored their situation, accusing Moses and Aaron, to whom the whole congregation said, Would that we had died in Egypt! Or that we had died in this wilderness! 3 Why does the Lord bring us to this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will be a prey. Is it not better for us to return to Egypt? 3. MUST CONTROL THE INPUT 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, •bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. Philippians 4:8–9, NKJV Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which •you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. The post Governing Our Thoughts first appeared on Covenant Life Church.

    52 min
  3. May 24

    No Offense… But

    Offense in the Strong’s Concordance skandalon: Stumbling block, offense, trap, snare There will always be opportunities for us to be offended. It starts as something small but if left unaddressed it will cause big problems in our lives if we let it. It’s a sign of the end times. Matthew 24:10 AMPC 10 And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. Offense will immediately stop our spiritual growth and keep our faith form working because it turns our love cold. 1 Peter 5:8 AMPC 8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([b]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. Loving people is the highest form of spiritual warfare there is. Proverbs 4:23 KJV 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Philippians 1:9-10 NKJV 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ. The more you love other people and get your eyes off yourself, the more God will do for you and the happier you’ll get. Psalm 119:165 AMPC 165 Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. When someone offends us, we can take it or leave it. Offense is completely unproductive. It can rob us of everything yet produce absolutely nothing. 1 Peter 4:8 NKJV 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Genesis 9:21 21 And he drank of the wine and became drunk, and he was uncovered and lay naked in his tent. 22 And Ham, one of his sons, glanced at and saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 So Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it upon the shoulders of both, and went backward and covered thenakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they did not see their father’s nakedness. We can receive a blessing from God simply by covering the offenses of others. Mark 11:22-25 AMPC 22 And Jesus, replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. 23 Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and [g]let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop. If we want verses 22-24, we have to do verse 25! Resources: Avoiding the Trap of Being Offended by Kenneth W. Hagin Love: The Way to Victory by Kenneth E. Hagin The Bait of Satan by John Bevere The post No Offense… But first appeared on Covenant Life Church.

    44 min
  4. May 17

    Growing in Love

    Ephesians 4:11–15 NKJV And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ When we love, we grow. When we withhold love, we shrink.” — A.W. Tozer 1. WHAT IS THE GOD-KIND OF LOVE? Romans 5:5 NKJV Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. To fellowship with God, to walk with God, to walk in God’s realm, we must walk in love. Divine Love. Main Truth The God-kind of love is not natural human love. It is the very nature of God placed inside the believer at the new birth. For God is Love. You do not have to “try” to get this love—if you are born again, it is already in your spirit. 2. LOVE IS THE GREATEST SPIRITUAL FORCE 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 John 4:7-8 NKJV Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 3. THE LOVE WALK AND FAITH WALK ARE CONNECTED “Love is the key to the supernatural life.” — Smith Wigglesworth “There is something about believing God that will cause Him to pass over a million people just to get to you.” — Smith Wigglesworth (Often connected with his teachings on faith working through love.) Galatians 5:6, NKJV For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. 4. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LOVE Meditate on these verses from 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 and even place your own name in them as you recite them. What is This Love? What about this God-kind of Love? What are its characteristics? I Corinthians 13:4 AMP “Love endures long and is patient and kind;” “Love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy;” “Love is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited-arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly), and does not act unbecomingly.” “Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking;” “(Love) is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it-pays no attention to a suffered wrong.” “(Love) pays no attention to a suffered wrong.” “(Love) is ever ready to believe the best of every person.” “(Love’s) hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening). Love never fails-never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.” If you walk in love you will not fail. Love never fails! Romans 13:10 NKJV “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” 5. WALKING IN LOVE IS A CHOICE Ephesians 5:2 NKJV Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Love is not merely an emotion—it is a decision and a spiritual law. You can choose love even when feelings disagree. The flesh wants revenge; the spirit wants restoration. Mature believers let their spirit rule over emotions. Practical Ways to Walk in Love Forgive quickly Refuse gossip Pray for those who hurt you Speak kindly Prefer others Stay out of strife Assume the best about people Love Keeps the Door Open to God’s Blessings This is the Highest Level of Christian Living Mature Christianity Looks Like: Stability Forgiveness Humility Compassion Patience Self-control Daily Confession “I am a lover, not a hater. The love of God has been shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost. I walk in love toward all people. I forgive quickly and refuse strife. My faith works because I walk in love. I let my spirit dominate my flesh. The God-kind of love rules my life” “Developing the love of God in your life is developing the very nature of God within you.” — Kenneth E. Hagin The post Growing in Love first appeared on Covenant Life Church.

    45 min
  5. May 10

    You are Loved

    YOU ARE LOVED A mother’s love for her children is one of the strongest and most mysterious forces in the world. It carries her through the pain of childbirth. It washes over her face as she smiles at her baby for the first time. It endures through exhausting days and sleepless nights, over the course of months and years. It is nurturing, faithful, protective, and sacrificial. Isaiah 66:12–13 NKJV For thus says the Lord: “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, And the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; On her sides shall you be carried, And be dandled on her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, So I will comfort you; And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.” Storge Storge – familial love, pertaining to the love between parents and their children. As wonderful as this love is, it’s limited Agape is the nature of God and His love never runs out. A Mother’s Love Is Nurturing. 1 Peter 2:2–3 NKJV as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. She is Comforting 2 Corinthians 1:3 NLT God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort A Mothers Love Is Contagious. 1 John 4:18–19 NKJV There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. Ephesians 5:1–2 NKJV Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. A Mother’s Love Is Protective. Psalm 18:2–3 NKJV The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. Joshua 1:9 ESV Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” A Mother’s Love Is Faithful. Numbers 23:19 NKJV God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? A Mother’s Love Believes The Best A Mother’s love is sacrificial. More than anything, a mother’s love is sacrificial. A mother stretches herself literally and metaphorically, from the time of conception until the twilight of her own life. A mother never stops being a mother. In this way, a mother’s love teaches us the deepest and most profound truth about God: that God loved us enough to come to earth, take a human body, and sacrifice himself on the cross for us. 1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” Isaiah 49:15–16 Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” The post You are Loved first appeared on Covenant Life Church.

    42 min
  6. May 3

    Walking with the Father

    Matthew 6:25–34, NKJV Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Our theme is growing up spiritually. We need to grow by becoming acquainted with our heavenly Father. 1. HE CARES FOR YOU Matthew 6:25–34 NKJV Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? He cares about every area of your life. 1 Peter 5:7, AMP Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7, TPT Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you. Here are some of the things Jesus said about the Father. John 16:23 KJV And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you”. John 16:27 KJV For the Father himself loveth you….” Matthew 6:8-9 KJV …for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father….” Ephesians 3:14-15 KJV For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”. 2. GETTING ACQUAINTED THROUGH THE WORD “I can’t understand God by feelings. I understand God the Father by what the Word says about Him. He is everything the Word says He is. Get acquainted with the Father through the Word.” – Smith Wigglesworth MATTHEW 6:26 KJV Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 6:31–32, NKJV Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. One translation says, “Be therefore not faithless saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink?…” When you talk that way you are without faith. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Your Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need of these things. So have no worry, no fret, no anxiety. Matthew 7:11, NKJV If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! JOHN 17:23 KJV I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 3. YOU CAN WALK FREE OF FEAR Romans 8:31 KJV “If God be for us, who can be against us?” Ephesians 3:14–21, NKJV For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ •which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. PSALM 27:1 KJV The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When you remember it is this wonderful Heavenly Father who loves us even as He loved Jesus, then you can understand that we need not be afraid! HEBREWS 13:5-6 KJV ..for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. He’s your Helper! And He will meet your needs! PHILIPPIANS 4:19 KJV 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Experiencing Our Acquaintance PSALM 23:1-6 NKJV The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. The post Walking with the Father first appeared on Covenant Life Church.

    48 min

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Living a Life of Love, Power, and Purpose