2009-09-13 - Wild at Heart - False self (part 4) A masculine journey always takes a man away from the women, come back to with his question answered A man does not go to a woman to get his strength; he goes to her to offer it. Addiction comes when we have taken our soul to her for validation. What else are we looking for? God Adam had God God gave Adam Eve out of His humility Eve eventually took the place of God Adam was not deceived Time where Eve had fallen but Adam had not Adam choose Eve over God Men without his true love, God, will try to find another Why do you remain thirsty after you have had a drink… it is the wrong well In God will only find the true healing of the wound |
2009-10-14 - Wild at Heart - Eve's Wound Question for her is: Am I lovely? She needs to know that she is exquisite and exotic and chosen. This is core to her identity, the way she bears the image of God Will you purse me? Do you delight in me? Will you fight for me? Wound says - No, you are not beautiful and no one will really fight for you Wound usually always comes from the hand of her father He has the power to cripple or to bless is just as powerful to her as to the son Her heart is violated and the message is driven father in – you are not desired, you will not be protected, no one will fight for you. If the father is passive, a little girl will suffer a silent abandonment – not noticed or pursued Like so many unloved young women, they will to turn to boys to hear what she never heard from her father When a woman never hears she’s worth fighting for, she comes to believe that is the sort of treatment she deserves A hesitant man is the last thing in the world a woman needs. She needs a lover and a warrior, not a nice guy Number one problem between men and women is that we men, when asked to truly fight for her, hesitate We are still seeking to save ourselves, we have forgotten the deep pleasure of spilling our life for another |
2009-11-17 - Repentance - The Church Reorients Us (part 1) There is no church without repentance There is no repentance without the church. How did the early church help seeker to repent? Aligning themselves to the new community The church, by definition, is counter-culture World says, “Conform, get back in line” Church says, “Repent, come out be different” What do we think of when we think of counter-culture? Skinheads, etc Not rebellion for the sake of rebellion but for selfless-love, sexual purity, generosity, purposeful living, revolutionary zeal, humility, joy beyond understanding The world hate holiness – hates holy saints Discipline Practice largely disappeared during the second half of the century We live in the customer’s always right culture Not expelling members but the church meets my needs, what feels right, sin/repentance not your business |
2009-12-08 - Master Plan - Demonstration (part 2)
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2009-12-17 - Master Plan - Reproduction (part 4)
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2009-12-24 - First the Kingdom - Key to everything else The first beatitude is the key to whole sermon on the mount By ourselves we can not live out the sermon - we need help from God
Does this describe you? Would God describe you this way? |
2010-01-02 - First the Kingdom - Healthy Heart What is your spiritual diet? The Word is what purifies us It discerns the thoughts and attitudes of the heart It will diagnose and sanctify us Keep our hearts pure by living according to God's word - Psalms 119:9 David had a steady diet of the Word To keep a healthy heart: 1. Maintain a healthy diet - David "set before his eyes no vile thing" - Psalms 101:3 What do we need to cut out of our lives? 2. Need exercise to make our heart strong
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2010-02-03 - One Another - Confession Questions (part 4) How do we grow in our confession? a. Be open even at the temptation level We will get used to talking what we are thinking and going through We will nip many things in the bud before they progress to sin b. Start over-correcting Start confessing everything You can always tone it down so it does not become annoying :) c. Ask some else what they think of your confession: Do you find me to be a confessing person? What is my confession level?
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2010-02-04 - First the Kingdom - Building with Gold (part 1) Known as the golden rule - Matthew 7:12 Jesus' standard for treating others was not how they treated him He demonstrated his incredible compassion:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit - Philippians 2:3-5 Jesus walked with his disciples teaching them to put others first not theology |
2010-02-09 - First the Kingdom - Trees (part 2) Bad Trees Bad trees always produce bad fruit
Until someone sits down and studies the Bible with someone it is impossible to know what kind of heart they have |
2010-02-22 - One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 2) Biblical Principles of Reconcilation:
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2010-02-24 - One Another - Reconciling with One Another (part 4) Some things that depend on us We can always have a gracious attitude Paul choose to focus on the result - Christ is being proclaimed - Philippians 1:15-19 We can always be humble Consider others better than ourselves - Philippians 2:3-4 We can always be positive - Philippians 2:14-15 We can always listen - James 1:19-20 We can always control our anger - James 1:20 Some things are our of control when to comes to reconciliation but they are many things within our control to build a relationship |
2010-02-26 - One Another - Forgiving One Another (part 2) Other matters related to forgiveness: Forgiveness is the ultimate 'one another' trump card Love, which always forgives, can cover a multitude of sins - 1 Peter 4:8 Forgiveness must come from a grateful heart If forgiveness comes from anything other than a grateful heart, we lack the purity of heart Rid yourself of all bitterness, rage, and anger - forgiving each other as Christ forgave you - Ephesians 4:31-32 We must help one another forgive When a person is not forgiving, they grow bitter The sin of lack of forgiveness of someone may be greater than the actual offense See that no one misses the grace of God and no bitter root grows - Hebrews 12:14-15 Pain and anger are not resolved in a moment, but let us never doubt where we must end up |
2010-02-27 - One Another - One Another In Groups (part 1) Small groups were in the center of Jesus' ministry - spent much of his time with the 12 Principles of small groups Focus on belonging and being devoted - Romans 12:5 All belong to one another - members of one another These who have been united with Christ - this is your spiritual family Be a giver, not just a taker Always need great listeners (not just being quite) - ask questions, draw people out Do your part to make the group warm, loving, supportive, open, etc "I'm not getting much out from this group" - check your heart and actions Appreciate, affirm, and encourage the different gifts - 1 Corinthians 12 God has given our brothers and sisters for our enjoyment Give special focus to those who may feel marginalized by illness/disability |
2010-02-28 - One Another - One Another In Groups (part 2) Look for the Spirit's work in all things - 1 Thessalonians 5:6-19 The Spirit is always at work - John 5:17 Guard against the tendency to look at your group through unspiritual eyes God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong - 1 Corinthians 1:27 Don't just hang those you click with, God wants to teach us through people who are different from us Support spiritual leadership - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 Ask your leader(s) if he/she feels your support and encouragement - how you can more fully show it |
2010-03-22 - To Live is Christ - Rejoice Always It would be one thing to hear "rejoice always" from someone living with plenty but quite another from someone in a challenging situation - Philippians 4:4-5 There is something about being "in the Lord" Paul also had a deep conviction that whatever is one: The Lord Is Near God is monitoring their pain not allow more than we can bear and giving his strength He is calling on them and us to rejoice always and to have a great attitude
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2010-03-23 - To Live is Christ - Anxious About Nothing Paul urges them to be anxious and worried about nothing and to pray about everything because God is in control - Philippians 4:6-7 Peace never comes without surrender Something instead of dealing with our emotions, we try an avoidance pattern We must be in touch with happens to others and ourselves Guard (a garrison of angel are available to help) our hearts - Satan wants us to trust ourselves and to doubt our God How challenging to turn everything over to God. Yet, how foolish not to!
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2010-03-28 - Life to the Full - Crown not Frown (part 2) Poor and rich people need to watch their step - James 1:9-11 Proverbs teach us that the middle way between poor and rich is best - Proverbs 30:7-9 The crown of life is not received quickly nor cheaply - James 1:12 There are too many rationals to go the easy way:
You always find a reason why you can not persevere We are not victims, by God's power we can be victors |
2010-04-08 - Life to the Full - Two Wisdoms (part 2) Teaching is one of the few gifts mentioned in both in the lists of Ephesian 4 and 1 Corinthians 12 What exactly is a teacher?
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2010-04-16 - Life to the Full - Personal Life of Peter (part 1) Before calling him, Peter's character was more rash than rational The Bad He gave into bad habits, swearing - Matthew 26:74 He lacked a mission in his life - Luke 5:10 The Good He spoke his mind plainly - Matthew 16:22 Responded quickly - Galatians 2:11 Always ready to learn from his mistakes - Luke 22:23 Peter was totally transformed by the Lord; he became bold and confident - Acts 4:12-13 |
2010-05-23 - Desire's Journey - Disowned Desire Examples of desires used for bad then good King David - passions got him in trouble, then gave us our book of worship Peter - was hotheaded disciple always quick with a reply Paul - extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers, killed Christians Those who killed their passion altogether would murder the very essence that makes heros of the faith |
2010-06-01 - Desire's Journey - Futility and Failure Men's punishment and curse hits man where it hurts most - in the field - Genesis 3:17-19 We drawn our sense of worth from work Man's deepest desire always relates to his strength Man's worst fear is not meaursing up |
2010-06-15 - I need to pray (part 2)God overcomes our weaknessesRomans 8:26 - God knows what we need 2 Corinthians 11:30 - FF - We must admit that where we are weak Show me where I am weak, Lord!?! God overhears our prayersPsalms 4:1-8 - God listens to our prayers Psalms 5:1-3 - Wait in expectation Psalms 10:15-18 - God is always there Psalms 65:1-4 - When are overwhelmed by sin Psalms 102:17 - God responds to prayer Psalms 109:3-4 - We must men and women of prayer |
2010-06-23 - God does not change (part 1) Preached on 2003-01-12 Hebrews 13:8 - Same always; it is his nature Hebrews 6:13-20 - God's purpose is unchanging - Wanted to make it clear Numbers 23:19-20 - God's Integrity never changes - God keeps his promises and oaths - Who else do I know is like this? Malachi 3:6 - God does not change James 1:16-18 - God does not change But our lives change God allows our lives to change so we hold on to his unchanging hand |
2010-07-10 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 2) The first thing in the Bible is God working The morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy - Job 38:7 Jesus said his Father is always at work to this very day and he too is working - John 5:17
God loves his work God delights in doing tall these things |
2010-07-12 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 4) Some love what they do They have found a way to link what they are truly gifted at with the means of paying the bills We've come to think of work as a result of the Fall Dilbert is a icon our working days
Work is not a thing ones does to live, but the thing one lives to do What if you even the freedom and power to do exactly what you were always meant to do? |
2010-07-23 - Desire's Journey - The Heart's Healer Worship is the act of the abandoned heart adoring its God It is the union we crave and what we need Worship occurs when we say to God from our hearts, "You are my One whom I desire" In Psalms - no matter where the poet begins, he always ends in worship It is no coincidence, where our journey must lead Our only hope for rest from our craving of our desire is in God and us united with him |
2010-07-24 - Desire's Journey - Letting Go (part 1) The more comfortable we are with mystrery in our journey, the more rest we will know along the way Paul's quests - 2 Corinthians 6:10
Somehow being empty allows us to make others rich Some believe in the church that being a Christian somehow satisfies our every desire Augustine: "The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing" Being content is not the same as being full |
2010-07-26 - Desire's Journey - Letting Go (part 3) Pleasure is often more about drugging ourselves that it is about enjoying ourselves Avoiding the ache is always worse in the end than the ache itself We want to predict what the Lord is going to do so that it does not hurt so bad when it happens Whole creation has been groaning right up til the present time yet if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently - Romans 8:22-25 We live in hope and he says hoping is waiting and groaning Ask yourself: What am I waiting for? Is there anything I desire that I am doing nothing to secure? To wait is to learn the spiritual grace of detachment - the freedom of desire Not the absence of desire but desire at rest I have still and quieted my soul - Psalms 131:2 |
2010-08-01 - Desire's Journey - Keeping Heart (part 2) The NT scriptures do not differ from the old testament about forgetfulness Bread and the cup was give to us in rememberence of him Paul was shock that the Galatians were turning away so soon from God - Galatians 1:6 He sent Timothy to the Corinthians to remind them to share the eternal life he gives through Christ - 1 Corinthians 4:17 Peter, who knew firsthand the grief that comes with forgetting writes to keep firm the grip on faith - 1 Peter 5:10 Life is a journey of the heart that requires the mind The heart is the center of life Desire is always where the action is We must bring the truth into our hearts to guard and to guide our desires - this is the other half of the mission Popular phrases that do not work: Follow your heart, Trust your soul We must cling to the truth for dear life - both heart and mind together |
2010-09-17 - Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 5) The worldview has simply removed warfare as a practical category We shouldn't be surprised - we can not see spiritual strongholds after we say they really don't exist If you deny the battle raging against your heart, then the theif can just come and go as he pleases Satan says there is not war Lord Almighty = he who is sovereign over all the powers in heaven and on earth, especially over the armies of Israel The God of angel armies God is powerful and and in control but don't always think of of him taking up a sword and shield, breaking down gates to rescue us Big difference: Joe the good man who is in control vs Joe the Naval Seal |
2010-09-18 - Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 6) We must be careful that the religious does not turn discipleship into a soul-killing exercise Counseling "medicine" for the sick patients can cause an endless cycle of always relying on the meds instead of focusing on a solution Hope deferred makes the heart sick - Proverbs 13:12 So the wounds of the heart are never healed A religious spirit makes it next to impossible foe a person to break free by spreading the belief there is no war
If it does not restore the image of God and rejoice in the heart, it is not Christianity |
2010-09-24 - Waking Dead - It Will Be Messy Going to a church service with hundreds of people will never expose you That is what most prefer - because community will It will bring you close and you will be seen and you will be known Therein lies the power and the danger The enemy hates this: he knows it can be powerful and God and his kingdom Remember divide and conquer? This is his way Most have settled for safety in numbers - a comfortable, anonymous distance An army that keeps meeting for briefings, but never breaks into platoons and goes to war Community is like camping together Stuff is scattered out there for everyone to see During fellowship there are two important things to remember 1. Know the heart is good - so much easier to trust and to forgive We are for one another 2. Know that we are at war The enemy is always trying to pull everyone away |
2010-10-14 - Dealing With Your Heart (Part III)
QUESTIONS
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2010-10-16 - Giving (Part II)
QUESTIONS
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2010-10-18 - Sacrificial Living
QUESTIONS
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2010-10-27 - Contagious Christian - Strength of Sacrifice (part II) Second major way to sacrifice is money The person on the receiving end of help always knows better what effect giving on other's lives Sometimes the lack of things we need shows us the way to Christ
What might happen if you loosened your grip on your material possessions?
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2010-11-01 - Contagious Christian - A Matthew Party Like today, many of the religious and non-religious of Matthew's day did not have intersecting social circles Some he planned a party for the religious and non-religious to come to - Luke 5:29
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2010-11-10 - Contagious Christian - Dorcas' Service Approach Dorcas was "always doing good and helping the poor" - Acts 9:36 She well-known for her loving acts of service She made robes and articles of clothing for widows and other needy people in her town It was very difficult to see her activity without seeing the love of Christ that inspired Her work was so important that when she died a premature death, God sent Peter to raise her from the dead People who take on this approach find it relatively easy to servers others Often those who are quite and enjoy expressing compassion through action No one fits perfectly into just one approach and you probably use all of them one way or another God has designed diversity on His team and each member is stronger in some styles than others A team of Christians who are made up of different styles will strong because they can reach virtually every type of seeker |
2010-11-17 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part II) Christ - Common questions Why couldn't God just forgive and forget, as we can? Like in car accident, God is willing to forgive but someone still has to pay for the damage What kind of justice is there in having Jesus suffer instead of me? God was not a reluctant bystander The difference is that God is will and he is taking his own punishment for you You Many people are left with the impression that if they go to church or they born into a church they are saved Not everyone that calls Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom - Matthew 7:21-23 We have got to be crystal clear that a personal response is essential Do vs Done The difference between religion and Christianity is Do vs Done Religion spells DO - as in we try to do something for God's salvation It is like a salesman that needs to meet a quota but does not know what it is But we can never do enough and will always fall short - Romans 3:23 Christianity spells DONE Means that what we could never do for ourselves, Christ has already done He lived a perfect life we could never live He willingly died on the cross to pay the penalty we owed |
2010-11-27 - Mission - All Nations The only event in history where all mankind gathers together is Judgment Day An expert in the law asked "What I do to inherit eternal life?" and "Who is my neighbor?" This expert had given his life to study of the scriptures Jesus illustrates the greatest commandment - one man helping another Does not talk about:
James 2:14-16 - Do you claim to have faith? It is never alone Food, clothing, a blanket shows that you have saving faith Christian who "share their faith" don't always "share their food" Sometimes we resemble the expert in the law who did not love their neighbor By focusing on helping the poor, many people seem to become more evangelistic Physical and spiritual needs are inseparable Jesus said, I was hungry, of need of clothes, sick. Did you help him? - Matthew 25:35-36 He takes it personally - Jesus grew up poor Doves were the sacrifice of the poor - Luke 2:24 |
2010-12-10 - Mission - With You Always One of the last things Jesus said to assure his disciples, I am with you always - Matthew 28:20 Same message given to those who were:
Do you want to share because you will asked about it or because He will be with you? If we could truely grasp the significance of Jesus being with you - radically change the face of evangelism We are commanded to preach whether we want to or not - 1 Corinthians 9:17 Jesus reminded Paul that He was with him and that is all Paul needed When we find ourselves timid, we need to remind ourselves who is with us |
2011-01-03 - Discipleship (part III) John 13:34-35
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 10:28-31
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2011-01-22 - Followup - Laziness (part I) Introduction 1 Timothy 4:7-8 - We must train ourselves to be godly; it does not come naturally; rather the whole Christian life is a process of training in righteousness. Laziness Hebrews 6:1
Proverbs 24:30-24 - Disorganization of sluggard Proverbs 26:13-16 - Laziness of sluggard |
2011-01-31 - Followup - Servant (part II) Humble Servant - Luke 17:7-10 Question: What should our attitude be while serving?
When we serve, we’ve done nothing special except our duty Excellent Servant - Mark 7:37 Jesus did all things well When we serve, we must do so with excellence Ephesians 6:7-8 - When we serve, we must serve as though Jesus himself had asked us to do it! |
2011-02-10 - Fearing God - Glorious Truth (part III) Wisdom is commonly defined as good judgment In the Bible, it also has a strong ethical content Example The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but accurate weights are his delights - Proverbs 11:1 Honest is the best policy in business Biblical wisdom always factors God into the equation
It is essentially self-serving Example Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil - Proverbs 15:16-17 This kind of wisdom can only come from the Lord All levels of our society base their supposed happiness on their ability to acquire the possession they want |
2011-02-11 - Fearing God - Parable of Awe Marine Corp example Solider learned to respect autority promptly and correctly by carrying out commands / seeing pure fear and humilation as punishment Later he realizes how much the general cares for him by putting his life on the line for the solider Jesus often spoke in parables, fictional stories that as if they really happened Awe is defined as:
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2011-03-08 - NT Commands (part I) Commands found in the New Testament:
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2011-03-09 - NT Commands (part II) Commands from the New Testament
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2011-05-22 - Righteousness not easy but valuable Righteousness not easy but valuable 2 Timothy 4:16-17
God values righteousness over the sacrifice of
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2011-05-24 - Righteousness that comes from faith Righteousness that comes from faith Romans 4:13-25 Abraham believed God when it looked like he and Sarah could not have children He did not waver in his faith - vs. 20 He was fully persuaded that God had the power to do anything - vs 21 Where does your righteousness come from?
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2011-06-14 - Mind of Christ - Intro (part VII) He is worth following:
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2011-06-24 - Mind of Christ - Obedience (part IV) He obeyed God because he wanted to please God more than he wanted to please himself (continued)
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2011-07-13 - Mind of Christ - Heavenly Mission (part VIII) We must employ at least five elements to accomplish this mission: 1. We must give ourselves totally to this fulfillment
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2011-08-05 - Daughter Needs - Father Knows Best Father Knows Best dad = insists on always being right Only accepts his daughter when she performs to his standard Everyone needs to learn how to live and work under authority and need to command a certain level of respect, but sometimes we are wrong We need to own up to our own shortcomings If we ignore or deny our mistakes - it will create bitterness A father who refuses to admit their mistakes has a daughter that does not trust him How can can she rely on your advice Your reliability is increased when you admit your mistakes A strong man admits and corrects his mistakes If you want your daughter to believe in her father, show her you know best and own your behavior |
2011-08-13 - Daughter Needs - Laughter If dads are always working, disciplining, serious, they will have a hard time believing love is sometimes light hearted Older daughters may think silliness is not cool, the key is to have fun Games and siliiness are simply mechanisms to achieve fun and laughter Teach your daughters to take their work and calling seriously - but not themselves Being fun and silly requires a degree of vulnerability that many men and women struggle with Tell jokes but do not poke fun of each other - this is forbidden If you make your daughter cry, you have gone over the line Apologize - don't tell her to stop being too sensitive |
2011-08-20 - Fearing God - Holy Justice, Holy Mercy But God does not leave Isiah devastated We tend to think of justice in a positive sense - child murdered and the community wants to see justice The murder does not want to see justice The wages of sin is death - in this sense we don't want to see justice done God's justice is both holy and perfect God always wants to give mercy He can not be lenient and can not violate His own justice The solution is Christ - he reconciled God's justice and mercy The Lord laid on him the iniquity of us all - Isaiah 53:6 |
2011-08-31 - Fearing God - Growing in Fear There is no point to a spiritual retreat if it does not affect our lives back home We need to be consistly in awe,reverence, honor, and worship on a high level How do we grow in fearing God? Jeremiah 32:38-41
We need to fan it into flames - 2 Timoty 1:6 The Holy Spirit helps - it is our responsiblity to grow
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2011-09-21 - Proverbs on Pride (part I) Proverbs 16:18 - First pride, then the crash This is one saying that always been apart of history:
Mark 7:20-22 - (arrogance/pride) is a reflection of the heart = don’t take it so lightly Luke 1:50-52 - God scatters the thoughts of the proud (busy covering themselves & looks) James 4:6 - Every time you say, “Ha-Ha, I know I’m prideful” realize “God’s apposing me”
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2011-10-03 - Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man SummaryThe serpent deceived the woman; she and Adam ate from the tree. Man blamed woman, woman blamed the serpent. The earth became cursed, and God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden. ObservationsGenesis 3:1 - Did God really say Personal ApplicationI need to be aware of Satan's tricks continuously. He does not want to be noticed. I need to pray and reflect on how I am living my life and find where Satan is getting me to deviate even a fraction of a degree. I need also examine my thought and find out they are out of line with God's Word. I will ask others what they see where I have taken a devour on God's narrow road. |
2011-10-05 - Genesis 5 - Genealogies (part I)SummaryAdam's line was: Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth. ObservationsGenesis 5:2 - He created them male and female and blessed them Personal ApplicationThe challenge for me is simple: To finish the race [Acts 20:24] with great faith and perseverance. But not just to get by but to have a relationship with God that shines before others. When people talk about me, do they stop and mention my relationship with God like the Bible does with Enoch? What does God say about my faith? |
2011-10-08 - Genesis 8 - The Flood (part III)SummaryThe flood abated. Noah sent out a raven and two doves. When the earth was dry God called them all out of the ark. Noah built an altar. ObservationsGenesis 8:1 - But God remembered Noah Personal ApplicationI seem to forget the lessons of difficult times as soon as the pain has lifted. We go through tough times so our character can mature and grow but will I have to go through the same lessons again to learn the same lessons. I want to be grateful for God's discipline (does not come naturally) and change my character accordingly. God discipline the ones he loves, I need to remember why He is doing it [Hebrews 12:6]. |
2011-10-12 - Genesis 12 - The Call of AbrahamSummaryGod told Abram, "Go. I will make you a great nation. You will be a blessing." In Egypt Abram lied about Sarai and Pharaoh was cursed. ObservationsGenesis 12:1 - Leave your country, your people Personal ApplicationI value comfort but it is not the same comfort that comes from God. When I look at my heart, I am slower to change then I used to be as a younger Christian. This should not be. What is stopping me from changing? Would I being willing to move again for God? |
2011-10-17 - Genesis 17 - Abram becomes Abraham SummaryGod made a covenant with Abram and renamed him Abraham. He renamed Sarai Sarah and promised them a son. The men were circumcised. ObservationsGenesis 17:9 - As for you, you must keep my covenant Personal ApplicationI know I can one-sided and stubborn in my thoughts and sometimes in my relationships. When I get my mind set to do something, that is the way it is. This can be a strength in some situations but a very big weakness if I am contrary to God's thinking. I need to be humble and allow God to change my thoughts and my ways. |
2011-10-20 - Mind Change - Every Situation In every situation there is a right spiritual way to think. It may take some time to find it. It may take some discipline to embrace it. But it is always there, and it is always best. It is always the key to overcoming any challenge. Philippians 1:27 - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ |
2011-11-12 - Mind Change - Patience Whoever gives up on God always gives up too soon. He doesn’t wear your watch. He doesn’t use you datebook. He doesn’t always follow your script. But he always comes through. 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 - Every one of God's promises are "Yes" in him |
2011-11-14 - Mind Change - God can handle it With God, there is no straw that breaks the camel's back. You may think, “I can’t take one more thing.” But with God you always can. You can take whatever he allows life to bring. He will always be enough. Psalms 34:17-19 - LORD delivers him from them all 1 Peter 5:10-11 - He will himself restore you and make you strong |
2011-11-16 - Mind Change - Grace God always gives the next grace for the next step. It may look bigger than any you have taken before, but if he calls you to take it, his grace will be sufficient. The challenges that are coming up may be greater than any you have faced, but God will always be enough. Judges 6:14 - Go in the strength you have 2 Corinthians 1:10 - We have set our hope on him that he will deliver us yet again |
2011-11-17 - Mind Change - Never Quit Never quit! You may feel like quitting. You may think there is no other option. But there always is. Decide now, and again and again, that you will never quit. 1 Corinthians 15:58 - Your labor is not in vain in the Lord Galatians 6:9 - We must not grow weary in doing good 2 Corinthians 4:1,16 - We do not despair |
2011-11-18 - Thankfulness Thankfulness Colossians 1:3,10-12, 2:6-7, 3:15, 17, 4:2 - In one letter we are instructed SEVEN times to be thankful people. Pretty important CHART Philippians 4:10-13 ~ Paul did not start out this way
1. Remember the past. Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ Remember how you used to live.
Serve with a grateful heart Matthew 6:1-4 ~ Remember it is more blessed to give than receive.
Romans 8:28 ~ God works out EVERYTHING for the good of those who love him. Do you believe this ? 3. Think toward the future. Philippians 4:2-8 ~ You name is written in the book of life.
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2011-11-21 - Getting Advise (part I) One of the greatest advantages you have as a disciple is the wealth of knowledge, insight and experience available from all the other disciples in the church. These individuals have experienced a lot personally or have helped many people through tough or challenging situations in life and want to be there to offer help (or advise) to you. We came to God by letting Him use others to help us see the truth, and we will grow stronger and closer to God by letting others continue to help us. Getting advise will be of tremendous help to you in your Christian walk. This study will help you see how God uses advise to help you grow and your best for Him. Our feelings and emotions can often mislead us and hurt us
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2011-11-22 - Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
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2011-11-28 - Gratitude (part I) The topic of gratitude is extremely important and one that we probably don’t stress enough. As a new disciple you want to get into some good habits of gratitude. Being thankful to God for your salvation is really just the beginning. Being grateful for every situation you find yourself in is the goal. In the study, we will look at God’s call be thankful. Gratitude is a commandment of God
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2011-11-29 - Gratitude (part II) Gratitude must be seen in our prayer life
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2011-12-01 - Growing (part II) Take it upon yourself; don’t only rely on others
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