Quiet Times Search

With beauty, we need not fear indulging here
There is not a possessive quality to it
You can love the landscape without acquiring the real estate

Beauty is the closest thing we have to fullness without possessing on this side of eternity

Two kinds of losses in life:

1. Shared by all mankind - accidents,  fate, acts of God
2. Only know by the pilgrim - losses that we choose. We give up something that wasn't ours to begin with

Spiritual surrender is not resignation
Not choosing to care longer
Not an attempt to get beyond the suffering

It is surrender with desire

1. God shows up
2. The lights turn on for those who respond
3. Their heart is lifted; grateful tears flow
4. Faith, hope, and love seem like the only way to live
5. The next week, it is though nothing happened

1. God delivers his people from the Egyptians by his display of power - plagues, passover, red sea
2. Israelites celebrate with singing and dancing
3. Israelites complain about the water supply
4. God provides sweet water
5. They complain about the food
6. God drops breakfast from the sky
7. They complain about the water again
8. God provides water from a rock

• Difficult to believe God's intentions are eternal life
• Hard to not feel that we are blowing it
• We will accept some awful things as God's will
  
• God is ignoring our problem or just does not care

• Cinderella rises from from supression to become queen
• The ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan
• Pinocchio becomes a real boy
• Frog becomes a prince
• Scrooge becomes a good friend to all
• Cowardly lion, Scarecrow, Tinman all get what they are missing

• Zacchaeus the trickster becomes Zaccheaus the honest
• Mary the sinful becomes Mary the faithful
• Paul the self-righteous murder becomes Paul the humble apostle

• Satan incited David to take a census of Israel - 1 Chronicles 21:1
• To Peter: "Get behind me Satan" - Matthew 16:21-23

Some trying to "work through" things are simply have agreements with the Enemy
Do you really think the source of that is just you? or God?

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry - Ephesians 4:26-27
Not just anger  - it happens through all sorts of issues

Satan uses your wounds and unresolved emotional issues to pin your heart down under a spiritual stronghold
Wounds we take are not accidential

We must be careful not to make agreements with Satan to increase his dominion

• What group did Jesus tangle with the most?
• Who start the rumors about Jesus to discredit him?
• Where did the open opposition to Christ come from?
• Who paid the 30 pieces of silver for Jesus' capture
• Who got the crowd to start yelling Barabbas when Pilot was ready to let Jesus go?

• They lived together
• Ate together
• Fought together
• Celebrated together

• Frodo hasn't a chance without Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli
• Neo is set free from the Matrix and joins the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar
• Dorthy, the Scarecrow, Tin man, and the Lion
• Band of Brothers - enough said
  
• Prince Caspian with a faithful few Narnians
  
• Maximus rallies his little band
• Captain John Miller and is squad of eight to save Private Ryan
• Jesus had his Tweleve

Jesus focused on a search for the Lost and so they could be Found

The Lost Coin - vital to the woman's survival
The Lost Sheep - represented a significant part of his livelihood
The Lost Son - wayward son who mattered greatly to his father

Each one - Something of great value was missing, something that really mattered

It also make Jesus so upset the religious leaders were discussing who matters to God who does not

When we realize how much God cares about people, we helps us to care for them too

It is worth the effort - what is missing was important enough to warrant an all-out search

Retrievals results in rejoicing

The woman found the coin and threw a party
The shepherd retrieved the sheep and threw a party
The son came home and the father threw the biggest party of all

In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents - Luke 15:10

• Tienanmen square
• East Germans slamming their picks axes into the Berlin Wall

• Continued to claim to be God's Son
• Take care of his mother's needs
• Extend grace to the repentant thief

The soldier's heart was eventually moved and said - "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Nothing short of Jesus' laying down his life would have brought this cynical soldier to his knees

• Be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor - Deuteronomy 15:11
• Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me - Matthew 25:40
• All I ask is that you remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do - Galatians 2:10

1. Yourself - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
   1. We need to be financially independent in the sense that we take care of our own. As adults we should not be dependent on parents, family, friends, or the church except in rare instances.
   2. Non-Christians do not respect people who do not carry their weight financially. We hinder the spread of the Gospel if we are irresponsible with our finances.
2. Family - 1 Timothy 5:4-8
   1. Taking care of our family is one of the most basic responsibilities we have. If we fail, we deny the faith.
   2. Responsibility includes at least parents, grandparents, spouse, children, 7 brothers and sisters.
   3. It is right for us to repay our parents and grandparents.
3. Government - Romans 13:1-7
   1. We need to support the government through the payment of taxes.
   2. We pay not according to what we can get away with but what is right to pay.
4. The Church - 1 Cor 16:1-2
   1. Each one has the responsibility to take care of the church financially.
   2. Set aside on the first day of every week.
   3. Plan and save for special contributions.
5. The Poor - Luke 12:33; James 1:27

1. In which of the above areas am I not fulfilling my responsibilities?

• In context, Paul was specifically warning against those who deny the resurrection of Jesus
• In other situations, we need to make sure we are the one whose influence is prevailing
• Should be on the offense rather than defense
• Take captive of every thought and make it obedient to Christ - 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

• Having people in their homes
• Sharing a meal
• Spending time in conversation

• All Scripture is inspired by God, God-breathed
  
• Should be applied to our lives so that we can be ready for every spiritual challenge
  • Word used to learn what God says by teaching
  • Word used to correct things we are not doing
  • Word used to warn us by rebuking us
  • Word used to put things into practice through training
• Why should we go through this type of learning? Be thoroughly equipped for all good works

• The word of God is relevant and can expose and convict us of sin in our lives - not collecting dust somewhere
• It exposes us for what or who we are - Not everything in the Bible feels good at the time
  
• Sharper than any double edged sword - It can cut us, but its purpose is to cut out the bad, so that we can be healed - just like a surgeon’s scalpel.

• We need to watch how we live and what we teach - both essential to salvation
  
• Illustration: Which wing of an airplane is most important? So it is with what you teach and how you live out those beliefs.
  
• What is the result of careful attention to our life and doctrine?

Marine Corp example

Solider learned to respect autority promptly and correctly by carrying out commands / seeing pure fear and humilation as punishment
Some actually learn to enjoy the challenge of the tough, disciplined life

Solider grows a personal relationship with the general but always conscious of the vast difference in rank between them
It was a different kind of awe - a greater sense of respect and admiration

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
Helps express more abstract spiritual concepts

Awe is defined as:

• An emotion in which dread, veneration, and wonder are vairously mingled
• Submissive and admiring fear inspired by authority
• A fearful reverence inspired by deity

• Question: What do you understand these scriptures as saying to you?
• Question: Who would be the most challenging relationship for you to keep God above?
• Question: What if your (spouse, kids, parent) did not want to be a disciple (or left) what would you do?
• Satan will use relationships closest to you to try to pull you away.
• Don't think these things will never happen to you - never underestimate the devil
• v26 - Even his own life
  • What will you need to overcome?

• Even when you sin after you are baptized then the blood of Jesus will continue to purify you from all sin if we stay in the light
• We should confess our sins and having discipling relationship helps us to take care of one another
• Question: If someone approaches you and talks about how many changes they have seen in you. What should you tell them (role play)

• The first must be last
• This is not how it is in the work place
  • Go ahead take my promotion
  • Kiss up to the boss
  • Fighting to be the best
  • Spend long hours at work

• Who will take care of me?
• They may not thank you

• The humble will be exalted
• Servants can not be prideful; humility is the badge the slave

• Isaiah 1:2 - God created us and cared for us but we rebelled agianst him
• Jeremiah 29:11-14 - Will find God if you seek me with all your heart and soul
• Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is supreme but it will cost you all you have
• Psalms 10:4 - The arrogent say 'God won't hold me accountable'
• Psalms 42:1-2 - David thirst for God
• Psalms 62:1 - David waited patiently for God
• Psalms 63:1 - He longed, thristed, yearned for God
• Psalms 61:2 - He called out to God in despair

1. Not trusting God will take care of us - vs. 3
2. Too prideful and feel nothing can hurt us - vs. 6
3. Idolizing something above God in our lives - vs. 9

• Luke 3:21-23 - When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too
• ~Luke 4:1-13 - We was tempted with the same sin we are tempted with

• John 9:4 - While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
• John 5:30 - I seek not to please myself but him who sent me

• Mark 1:40-42 - Filled with compassion, Jesus cured the man with Leprosy
  
• John 19:25-27 - Make connections for people to be taken care of

• Acts 10:38 - How he went around doing good and healing all
• Mark 1:29-41, 6:30-56 - Taking care of the needs around him
• 2 Corinthians 8:9 - Became poor so we could become rich
• Philippians 2:6-8 - Taking on the nature of a servant

• Isaiah 53 - He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows
  
• Matthew 20:28 - Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve
• Galatians 1:4, 2:20 - Gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age
  
• Ephesians 5:2, 25 - Gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering
  

• It was the Union’s first decisive victory over the Army of Virginia led by General Robert E. Lee.
• He had led his forces into the northern states taking an offensive posture in the war.
• When the Union army followed him into Pennsylvania, he found a spot on the map where several roads joined at an intersection called Gettysburg.
• General Lee did not know the number of Union soldiers he was facing.
• These numbers should have been discovered and reported by his cavalry leader Jeb Stuart, but he was nowhere to be found.
• Stuart, without orders from General Lee, had decided to go on a raiding expedition.
• The cavalry was the eyes of the army. Without the counsel of his cavalry leader Lee was blind.
• Unprepared, Lee went on to lose the battle at Gettysburg. It was just the victory Lincoln had been looking for

1. We need our cavalry “brothers & sisters” giving us advice and counsel
2. They tell us where the enemy is and how strong his forces are.
3. They help equip us to do battle with the enemy.
4. They fortify us when we’re lacking in zeal
5. We need these people in our lives.

• We would ask others what kind of interest rate we should look for, how many miles per gallon, the resale value, look at consumer reports, etc…
• We go to counselors for help (family & career), therapist, on and on
  

• We need to find people who are spiritually mature and gone through such experiences in life
• These men and women can give us godly advice that will help us mature spiritually

• The challenge of life is not that we have too little time, but in how we are going to spend the time we do have.
• We need to make the most of every day (make a to do list to get yourself started)

• Anyone can have a job but do we do the little things that make us a great employee
• Anyone can have a child but do we do the things that make us a great parent

1. Punctuality
2. Paying bills on time
3. Sending birthday (Father’s Day, Mother’s Day cards)
4. Picking up after yourself
5. Keeping your room/car clean
6. Returning phone calls
7. Looking presentable

• Discipline is being able to decide what can be done and doing it the right way
• It’s better to do three (3) things well than ten (10) things half heartedly

• You don’t have to say “yes” to everyone and everything (our people pleasing nature will end up making us overwhelmed, stressed)
  

• Worry is an unproductive emotion (it won’t change anything)
• Worry is like a rocking chair (gives you something to do but gets you no where)

1. Buy things that are useful instead of buying for status
2. Do not buy anything that is producing an addiction in you
3. Develop a characteristic of giving things away
4. Develop a deeper appreciation for God’s creation
5. Stay away from things that take your focus off of God
6. If anything comes before you having QT’S in the morning then fast from that thing (activity) until you control it instead of it controlling you.

Summary

God formed a man and gave him the garden in Eden, except for the tree of knowledge. Adam was alone so God made a woman as his partner.

Observations

Genesis 2:7 - from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life
From nothing, God created us. He even takes our language that is a collection of organized means and breathed [2 Timothy 3:16] it into living and active Holy scripture [Hebrews 4:12].

Genesis 2:15 - put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
Man's purpose in the garden was to work it and keep it up. God gives us work to do in step with what he desires. Work is good for glorify God, helping others, and helping us in our character. In [Acts 17:26], we learn that God determines the times and places we will live. It wasn't a random chance that Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden even with God's fore knowledge of Adam's sin.

Genesis 2:16 - You are free
The first words recorded spoken to man was "You are free". This is important because without freedom, love can not be fully expressed. God created man for Him to love and to be loved by man. What are we doing with the life and freedom God has given us? Does he feel the love?

Genesis 2:17 - you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
The sinful nature within us desires the opposite of what God wants. When it hears about something we can not do, that is the exact thing it desires to do.

Genesis 2:19 - whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name
With our freedom, we are given responsibilities. Instead of just telling us what the names of the animals and plants we, God gave Adam the task and freedom to do so. We need to remember all the things God intrusts us with and give it our all.

Personal Application

Many times I look for ways on how to automate work (it is part of the work I do as part of my career) but sometimes lose sight that work is what I am suppose to be doing. When automating tasks, I need to make sure I am using my additional time to do even more useful things that God has called me to do.

• 2 Chronicles 32:6-9 - God is greater than the devil or any other being
• Psalms 18:29 - God enables us to do what we can’t do on our own by His power
• Ephesians 3:20-21 God has immeasurable and unimaginable power

• Deuteronomy 1:29-31; 3- God is a father who loves to help you and carry you as His child
• Psalms 68:4-6 - God loves to help and rescue those who need to be loved
• Matthew 10:29-31 - God knows and cares about everything in our lives

• Hosea 5:4-6 - God will not tolerate unrepentant behavior
• Psalms 78:56-59 - God refused to let Israel come to Him because of their sin
• Romans 11:22 - God will be stern to those who continue to sin

• Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
• Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death

• Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
• Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal

• Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
• 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
• 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
• 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak

• Proverbs 28:13 - You will always prosper and find mercy from God and other people
• Hebrews 3:13 - Talk with others daily to receive the encouragement needed
• James 5:16 - Healing will come to your heart when you confess to others

• Deuteronomy 11:16 - Satan will always be trying to entice you to return to your life of sin
• Psalms 101:2 - Be careful every day and in every situation
• 1 Corinthians 10:6-12 - Don’t be over-confident; even the greatest have fallen
• Ephesians 5:15-17 - Don’t be careless with your life; take the time to think about all you do
• Hebrews 2:1 - Lack of Being careful will cause you to drift from God

1. How did Jesus show the full extent of his love?
2. What was he trying to teach his disciples?
3. How can we obey verse 17?
4. Give specific examples.

1. Why was Dorcas so loved by everyone?
2. Who were her "special friends"?
3. Why do you think she did so much for them?
4. If you died today, what would you be remembered for?
5. What can we learn from Dorcas' life?

1. What made Timothy different from the others?
2. What shows a genuine interest in the welfare of others?
3. How can you be more like Timothy?

1. What are some disputable matters among Christians today? (dress, taste in music, food and drink)
2. What should your attitude be toward those who see these things differently?

1. What does God care about the most?
2. Are you doing anything that could cause others to stumble?
3. What does verse 23 mean?
4. Do you feel good about the way you are living now?

1. Why did the people criticize Jesus and John the Baptist?
2. Why do you think they were so different yet both were pleasing God?

• What is your attitude towards those who have fallen away from God?
• When was the last time you reached out to someone who has stopped being a part of the fellowship?

• Examine your heart and actions based on Jesus' example the next time you get angry.
• Are you God-focused? Did you bring healing?
• Did you care enough to control your anger and turn it into a victory for God by bringing teaching and discipling to the situation?
  
• What could you have done differently to have Jesus' heart?

• Compassion causes us to act. Mark 1:40 - 42
• Compassion compels us to invest emotionally. John 11: 33 - 35
• Compassion inspires hope. Mark 5:25 - 34

• Do we have compassion on all people? - Psalms 145:9
• Do we restore people with compassion? - Zechariah 10:16
• Do we show compassion to the weak? - Isaiah 42:3 & 4
• Do we stifle compassion in our ministries? - Amos 1:11
• Do you see the spiritual suffering of people?

• Are you building and growing relationships?
• Are they deepening through openness, prayer, and discipleship?
• Pray for at least three people you want to build a deeper relationship with. Pray for them.

1. When challenges come, I must be open with how I really feel (v.11-15).
2. When challenges come, I need to turn to God in prayer (v. 2).
3. When challenges come, I cannot lose faith in God's power (v.21-23).

We must totally aware of our own unworthiness

It took a while, but Job finally understood this: "My ears heard you but now my eyes...and repent in dust and ashes" - Job 42:5-6

This is the reaction we should have when sinful selfs meets a pure, holy and prefect God

David understood our unworthiness: "But who I am... Everything comes from you" - 1 Chonicles 29:14-15

Solomon aware of his own afflicions, asked God to hear men's prayers - 1 Kings 8:38

Jesus warned that we need to be careful to not be proud based off anything we have or done - Revelations 3:17
But to have the attitude of the tax collect who prayed "Have mercy on me, a sinner " - Luke 18:13

Our good deeds or possessions in no way make worthly of coming in the presence of the holy one

For some, hurtful things your father did and said to you over the years
Others were wounded more by your father’s absence

The question is whether or not you will allow it to hinder you or help you.
Unresolved anger becomes a bitter cancer that poisons hearts.

We are to forgive like God forgives, completely - Ephesians 4:32
Unresolved bitterness is sin and it will distort your own fathering.

If you believe the same lies your father believed, you will also be bound by them.
For every lie that says you need to sin, lust, or feed an addiction to survive or be happy,
God says, "I will take care of you, will never leave you, and will meet all your needs" - 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:19

Truth doesn’t set you free if you only hear it and mentally understand it.
Ask God to reveal the lies you have believed in the past and help you replace each one with His truth.

Consider memorizing verses that stand against any lies you have believed.

Men are happiest and at their best when they are responsible

We must resolve to fully embrace all of our responsibilities before God

Responsibility = you are being entrusted and empowered by a higher authority to care for something or someone

The first thing God did after creating Adam, was to give him responsibilities. He placed him in the garden “to cultivate it and keep it” - Genesis 2:15

Sin makes men tend to resist responsibility, but embracing it is part of our manhood

It is a relatively modern invention that establishes teen years as a moratorium on responsibility and prolongs childhood indefinitely.

When a young man is passive and irresponsible, he greatly limits his freedoms, opportunities, and successes.

Responsibility calls us to action and tests us. It reveals our character.

The more maturity a man has, the more responsibility God can trust him with.

Embrace responsibility! Love it. Live it. Teach it to your children.

If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward” - Luke 12:42-43

A man of responsibility is also a man who can live independantly
“A man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife” - Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5

We are not be alone in life, and though we need one another in the body of Christ,
A grown man should not need his parents or others taking care of him.
He should be a fountain, not a drain.

if she is constantly nagging you, then you should learn to outpace her concerns.

“I’ve already taken care of that” should be often flowing from your lips.

We should be more like a thermostat, affecting circumstances, rather than like a thermometer.

The following “heart hindrances” that will push your chidren away.

1. Your absence - they become sheep without a shepherd.
   • You are saying "You’re not important enough for me"
2. Your anger
   • React in anger, you can thoughtlessly say or do things in the heat of the moment that deeply wound your son or daughter’s spirit long-term
   • Love is slow to anger - 1 Corinthians 13:5
   • Humble yourself and quickly apologize
3. Unjust discipline
   • Must explain rules and consequences clearly using God’s Word and authority rather than their opinion - Ephesians 6:1-3
   • Ask yourself, “How can I train them without losing their heart?”
4. Harsh criticism
   • Don’t be sarcastic or belittling
   • Kids who have no freedom to fail will tend to rebel
5. Lack of compassion
   • Mercy warms hearts; carelessness distances them.
   • We must provide a listening ear, wise counsel, prayerful support, and a willing hand
   • Help them think of you as an oasis

Fathers, start spending more “heart to heart” time

ATTENTION

Get their attention, ask important questions like:

• Tell me how you are doing.
• What have you been up to lately?
• What are you most excited about right now?

Make a little one-on-one time with Dad

AFFIRMATION

Kids, as well as adults, want the approval and praise from their dads

They want their father’s "blessing” in their lives.
To bless means "to speak well of"

God: “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased” - Mark 1:11

It is important that you communicate to them, “You are my son (daughter) and I dearly love you. I am very pleased with you.”

Anytime you greet them or talk to them, your countenance, the look in your eyes, and your tone of voice either says, “You are a delight to me” or “You are an irritation to me.”

You should praise them privately, one-on-one, and publicly in front of others. “That is awesome! You are really good at that,” needs to come from your lips as their biggest cheerleader. Regardless of your past, step up to do this now!

AFFECTION

Father pours out His unconditional love on us (Romans 5:5), and so should we to our sons and daughters.

Interact with them in ways that make them fully see, hear, and feel your love.

not only the discipline of a father but also his warm affection and tender love.

Boys who feel loved by their dads are bolder, stronger, kinder to others, and more secure

Girls who feel valued by their dads are more radiant, less desperate for a boyfriend, and more careful whom they marry.

So invest in them, take them places, flood them with tender affection, leaving no question in their minds about your genuine love for them.

 Luke 1:13 - Your prayer has been heard

A priest’s intercession for the nation undoubtedly included a petition for the Messiah, Israel’s promised Deliverer and King.

The Creator and Sustainer of the universe was ready to answer a prayer that had been prayed for hundreds of years, but He purposely chose a man who could pray an old prayer with a fresh heart.

The prayer at that exact moment may not have been for a son.
Perhaps he remembered Abraham and Sarah, and he knew God could do the impossible.

Zechariah could not possibly have known was how intimately connected would be his corporate prayer for the Messiah and his personal prayer for a son.

Not becoming hopeless over a repetitious request can be terribly challenging.
God does not have some limited supply of power, requiring that we carefully select a few choice things to pray about.
God was simply waiting for the perfect time.

We need to continue to walk faithfully with God even though you are disappointed.
Recognizing all the other works God is doing in your life will prevent discouragement

Zechariah waited a long time for God’s answer, but when it came, it exceeded everything the priest could have thought or asked.

Can you even imagine being told in advance of your child’s conception that he or she would bring joy and delight to you and be great in the sight of the Lord?
We breathe a huge sigh of relief over a sonogram showing all the right appendages. What we’d give for a few guarantees about their character!

Eliezer approached a responsibility with single-mindedness and careful planning with a dependance on God.

• Genesis 24:3 - Listened to the challenge
• Genesis 24:5 - Examined alternatives
• Genesis 24:9 - Promised to follow instructions
• Genesis 24:12 - Sumitted his plan to God
• Genesis 24:14 - Devised a plan with room for God to work
• Genesis 24:21 - He waited and watched closely
• Genesis 24:26 - Thanked God for the answer
• Genesis 24:34 - Shared his faith by how God answered his prayer
• Genesis 24:56 - Resfused unnecessary delay
• Genesis 24:66 - Followed through with the entire plan

Bartimaeus: He only shouted louder. "Son of David, have mercy on me!" - Mark 10:47-48

Babies cry, that is what they do to get their needs meet

Bartimaeus heard stories of Jesus' miraculous healing and he knew he had one shot to get Jesus' attention

He commited a breach of etiqutte by crying out so loudly to Jesus that it annoyed the crowd

Bartimaeus did care what others thought, he simply wanted Jesus to meet his need

Because of his loud persistence, Jesus turned his attention and with command, he could see

Never let etiqutte stand in the way of crying out to Jesus Christ

I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman - Job 31:1

Sexual temptation burns many men simply because they are careless

Job took some time for self-examination

He knew that

• God's gaze penetrated far deeper than his own
• The importance of keeping his body aways from sexual sin

Those who have no interest in pleasing the Lord will say, "Hey, there's no harm in looking" but the man commited to God knows better

Job's advice if you want to keep your body and mind pure: Don't even look

Listen carefully to these decrees and regulations, obey them so that you may live - Deuteronomy 4:1

Each of us naturally tends to think we have the right to adopt our our set of morals, standards, and spirituality

Beleivers in Christ must reject such a belief

Moses delivered an uncompromising message of strict obedience of God with no tolerance for sin

He understood the importance of setting righteous standards for the people

Moses faithfully walked this (not sinless) despite being labeled as:

• Inflexable
• Intolerant
• Judgemental

Do you have the courage to risk anger, resentment, oppositon, or insults to follow God?

God does not ask for perfection but a spirit-empowered obedience

Don't you care that we're going to drown? - Mark 4:38

A storm came up that deeply worried even the expereinced fishermen on board

Jesus remined so calm he slept through the worst the Sea of Galilee could deliver

The disciples didn't have a sense of Jesus' ultimate distiny of the cross

Jesus knew his purpose for coming to earth and there was nothing that could keep him from fulfilling it.

He calmed the storm by speaking to it and the disciples learned - When Jesus accompanies you, you have nothing to fear

Have I ever... Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong - 1 Samuel 12:3

Samuel earned a reputation for unimoeachable honesty that served him well

At Saul's coronation, he asked the people to declare if Samuel was honest and person of integrity

Everyone knew the answer and didn't hesitate to give it - YES!

Samuel could speak to the people with great authority because he had carefully maintained his reputation as an honest man

How can Samuel's example help you to choose honesty?

Jairus fall at Jesus' feet, pleading with him for his dying daughter - Luke 8:41-42

Desparation has a way of making people forget about themselves and take unusual risks

Jarius knew the risks when he fell at Jesus' feet:

• Jewish countrymen won't take kindly of him approaching Jesus this way
• By falling to his knees, Jairus acknowledge that Jesus was everything he said he was

He needed more than faith to come to Jesus, he needed courage

Being a synagogue leader, he had access to the very best health care

Jairus had one final hope - Jesus, he knew Jesus could heal his daughter

The Savior  who never turns down a humble man gave him exactly what he needed

Where do you turn when you're in desparate need?

When he saw the man, he felt compassion for him - Luke 10:33

It is easy to have compassion for those we are close to but what about those we don't know or don't like?

When we reach out to a stranger or enemy, we will receive a reward from heaven - Luke 6:35-36

Jew and Samaritan didn't care much for one another, Jews saw Samaritan:

• A mixed race
• Impure
• Not one of them

This particular Samaritan didn't see the man lying in the ditch as an enemy or someone who hated him.

The Samaritan saw him as a human in need and took the extra steps to care for them

This kind of love and compassion is what Jesus extends to you

With his wife's consent, he kept the rest - Acts 5:2

Ananias was apparently a strong leader at home, unfortunately, he took his family in horribly wrong direction and paid a heavy price

He was among the 1st generation believers who sold their property, pooled their resources, and cared for those in need

Ananias sold his property but instead of bring all the money to the apostles, he keep some of it for himself

There was nothing wrong with keeping some of the money - Acts 5:4

Where is failed was when he lied about him giving all of it

Ananias lead his family in the wrong direction, where are you leading your family?

One of the greatest reward of leading your family in a godly direction is to see them grow too

I'm not a professional prophet but the Lord called me away from my flock and told me, 'Go and prophesy to my people in Israel' - Amos 7:14-15

Willingness may not impress some personnel managers but it is exactly God looks for in a servant

Amos was a humble shepherd who also tended a grove of sycamore-fig trees

He had something God values about professional credentials - willingness to follow and obey

God gave him a message to preach and he preached it with enthusiasm

Most people believe that they need training credentials to minister to others

God cares most about your willingness to faithfully serve him

I am full of pent-up words and the spirit within me urges me on - Job 32:18

Job's three friends felt that God was punishing Job for some hidden sin - he rejected this

Job thought God was treating him unfairly

All four of them had it wrong

Elihu: God repays people according to their deeds. He treats people as they deserve - Job 34:10-11

His knew Job's suffering could not be in vain. Job shouldn't see his affection as God didn't care about him rather as a tool in God's hand to teach Job more

Dear woman, here is your son - John 19:26-27

Jesus somehow continued to meet the needs of others even as he was taking his last breath

Jesus' mother suffered inconceivable pain and grief as she saw the cruelty her son endured

In his perfect obedience, love, and compassion, Jesus tended to her needs - Giving her John to take care of her

Jesus was the most compassionate man who ever live - spending his last moments alive taking care of people

What kind of stress or pain often forces you to turn inward?

When does it become most diffcult for you to show compassion to others?

They disobeyed the Lord by buring before him the wrong kind of fire, so the fire burned them up - Leviticus 10:1-2

Aaron's sons were called to priests and were given significant and solemn reponsibility 

There was little wiggle room in the regulations governing the Tabernacle and the sacrifices

Nadab and Abihu wiggled too much

The treated God's commands casually and carelessly and cost them everything

Their action cost them the blessings that God wants to generouly give to everyone who will listen to him

How do you regard the Word of God?

• A code of conduct?
• A book of restrictive rules?
• Road map to blessing, honor and joy?

I long for the years gone by when God took care of me - Job 29:2

During his worst time of misery, Job began wondering if God still cared about him

After he lost everything, Job felt abandoned and longed for the good old days

God knew exactly how much Job had suffered but Job could not feel it

Job was so focused on his suffering that he lost sight of the unchangeable fact that God would never abandon him

Feelings speak truth about your pain but can lie about God's response

God had never abandoned anyone he loves

Give him all of it, I am content just to have you safely back again - 2 Samuel 19:30

Mephibosheth and David had a great relationship until Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, lied about Mephibosheth helping Absalom to take this throne

Mephibosheth found out about Ziba's deception and traveled to Jeresalum to reconcile with his old friend

When David heard Mephibosheth's account, he offered half of what he offered Ziba

Mephibosheth cared little about the offering and was satisfied with know David had returned to his rightful place

Has a relationship you onced enjoyed soured? Take a risk by taking the first step

"Trust in God" can seem easy at times but when trouble hits, justice seems dead and love seems to vanish, many are appalled nature's "heartlessness" and "indifference"
And came to the conculsion that God either does not know or does not care

Jesus saw these same situations as evidences of God's love, his long-suffering patience, and willing to allow the lost to find him
Century after century, God has sent the world prophets, apostles, heros and saints to proclaim the message of heaven to bewildered and sinful man

Countless people trusted God only to discover when evil fotune came, that trust was not as strong enough to stand the shock

Trust shapes perpective

Many things can blot out our trust in God:

• Disappointment
• A dream that has come to nothing
• Central ambition may fail
• Persecution
• Misunderstanding/misrepresentation of men
• Overcome with failure

Jesus had all of the dark experiences it is possible to have

He has a message to commicate that would drive away gloom and woe the world to him

Jesus trust was unbroken despite many rejections and even his own men forsaking him

His death appeared to be a heart-breaking failure, but rather a victorious outcome for us
 

Many in our country can't handle the most important truth but demanded it in our lives from those in our lives:

• Spouse
• Doctors
• Stock Brokers
• Courts
• Employers
• Airlines
• News Organizations
• Road Signs

Health, Money, Safety and relationships require truth but not so much for morality or religion? why?

Usually more volitional objection not intellectual - don't want to be held accountable

We need to answer four questions about truth:
What is truth?
Can truth be known?
Can truth about God known?
Who cares about truth?