Lift Your Hands by Brother Duke Hansen

         The desire to be seen, heard, and recognized is at the heart of our flesh. The simplest things are about worship and praise. The power is in the hands of the obedient. There are desires of your flesh and the desire to serve God. Our scripture reading is going to be in a couple of places this morning. We are going to start in the book of 1 Timothy chapter 2 and begin reading at verse 1.

        I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

        First things first; pray for everyone. Pray for everyone and not just a select few. Don't be one who prays for someone in their home and then run them down in public behind their back.

        2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

        3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.        

        4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

        Salvation and truth are two separate things. It is very important for you and I not to get them confused with one another.

        5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

        There's no way you can ignore the man Jesus. He was 33 years old with a long lasting ministry that continues today. The same spirit he has resides in you still today.

        How mad and jealous would you be if you sinned just once and were condemned while mankind itself receive forgiveness for their sins? This is something to ponder when we talk about the devil. He was cast out of heaven and condemned, meanwhile God's creation is able to be saved through God's grace.

        6 Who gave humself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

        7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.

        8 I will therefore, that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 

        Paul occasionally returns to a point of his previous identity as a pharisee. When you lift your hands, there's no shame. Two stumbling blocks to man will always be wrath and doubt. Wrath is rooted in selfishness. Some men are in the struggle of selfishness. Stop being a tough guy and pursue a life going after God. Putting on God's character. Doubting is dead faith. There are no works from your faith if you are constantly in doubt.

        9 Int he manner also, that women adorn themselves, in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

        Women need to present themselves in modesty and be sober minded. It is your duty as a man and woman to represent Jesus to the world. God's intention is for you and I to be different. God is raising up a people in this day and hour.

        We are going to turn to the book of Exodus chapter 17. We will be reading verses 11 and 12.

        11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

        12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side, and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

        You have been trained by the church to only raise your hands when the spirit moves. There is no scripture where it tells you to wait for the spirit to move. Lift your hands and the spirit will move by your praise.

        The battle in out mindset and what we've experienced as well as learned. Endurance varies from person to person. Why are we conditioned to hear praise for one person and look to condemn another person?

        Heaven should be enough of a motivator for you and I to seize the faith. You have to obtain the knowledge and perfect it. After you perfect your faith, you need to train your children to do likewise.

        Understand God isn't against you, but he's for you. Moses strength and endurance were wearing our before the support was provided. As yourself where your limits are and strengths of your walk.

        Strengths comes from enduring trials. Faith fuels the fire that moves your walk. Your faith can change you from the inside out and it shows to those around you. You are in the battle right now. Who is going to lift their hands for you today? This world is not your best life. Your best life is yet to come.