2010-12-28 - Repentance (part II) Ephesians 4:20-24.
2 Corinthians 7:8-11.
Luke 15:11-32 or Luke 19:1-10
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2011-01-03 - Discipleship (part III) John 13:34-35
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 10:28-31
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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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2011-03-09 - NT Commands (part II) Commands from the New Testament
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2011-03-15 - One Another (part I) Started reading the one another scriptures in the Bible:
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2011-06-10 - Mind of Christ - Intro (part III) The heart is the source which continuously supplies your life with the kind of person you are.
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2011-07-04 - Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part V) Oneness with the Father means to think the same thoughts, speak the same words, do the same deeds, and be of the same kind of character. We must think the same thoughts.
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2011-07-05 - Mind of Christ - Relationship with God (part VI) For oneness with the Father, we must be of the same kind of person:
What it does NOT mean:
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2011-08-11 - Daughter Needs - Loving Kindness A daughter needs a father's gentleness, protective favor to intercede for her against those who would do her wrong Two tendencies to limit their kindness:
Do you give your daughter far more positive comments then negative? Say something positive, then say "do better" next time? |
2011-08-12 - Daughter Needs - Communication and Correction When I say something positive, is it just a prelude for some type of correction? If this is true, she will dread hearing praise from me How is my correction?
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2011-09-26 - Proverbs on Advice - Seek Help Proverbs 15:22 - Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Gettysburg was the turning point of the Civil War.
Proverbs 11:14 - For lack of guidance a nation falls but many advisers make victory sure. In the life of a disciple we need eyes all around us (we are in a spiritual battle, not against flesh and blood but against the dark forces of this world).
Five lessons to learn about advice... 1. Seek Advice Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death Proverbs 18:15 - The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, the ears of the wise seek it out If we were going to buy a car for the 1st time, most of us would seek a lot of advice.
If we need help in other areas (that’s good) surely our spiritual life is more important because it has an eternal destination (good or bad)
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2011-10-01 - Genesis 1 - Creation & RecreationSummaryGod created the heavens, the earth and everything that lives. He made humankind in his image and gave them charge over the earth. ObservationsGenesis 1:1 - the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, Personal ApplicationGod is bigger than I think he is. I have made him too small in my mind and do not allow Him to take control -- this is absurd since he has control over the universe and does a perfect job at it. My actions show that I don't fully trust God in this way. |
2011-10-06 - Genesis 6 - The Flood (part I)SummaryHumankind corrupted the earth with evil. God decided to destroy them. He told Noah to build an ark to be saved from the flood. ObservationsGenesis 6:5 - every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time Personal ApplicationIncrease my faith, Lord! I see Noah's faith to build an ark and I struggle to have faith today.The struggles I face today are not even a speck compared to Noah's troubles. Noah had great faith because he trusted God and what he said. That is what I need to do. |
2011-10-07 - Genesis 7 - The Flood (part II)SummaryNoah and his family went into the ark with two of each creature. It rained for forty days and forty nights and the earth was covered. ObservationsGenesis 7:1 - I have found you righteous in this generation Personal ApplicationI need to look for what I see as gray areas in my life. When I am neither hot nor cold [Revelation 3:16], I am not aware of where I am. |
2011-10-09 - Genesis 9 - The Rainbow & Capital Punishment SummaryGod blessed Noah and set the rainbow as a sign that he would never flood the earth again. Noah got drunk and cursed Ham's son Canaan. ObservationsGenesis 9:3 - Everything ... will be food for you; I now give you everything Personal ApplicationI don't grow very well in the good times. It is the times of trials and difficulty when I forced by God's discipline to change. I want to change and grow while not under all circumstances. What does it show God when I move toward him only when pushed? |
2011-12-13 - Day 10 - Praying Like Jesus Mark 1:32-39
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2011-12-16 - Day 13 - Saved to Serve Matthew 25:31-46
Application: Who can you help today? Do it. Also, make plans with another disciple to help other needy people this week. |
2011-12-21 - Day 18 - Learning from Others Matthew 18:1-4
Psalms 32:8-10 - How can you not be like a horse or mule? Application: If you have resisted learning from younger disciples, repent today and seek them out to ask questions. If you are young yourself, set the believers a great example |
2011-12-28 - Day 25 - Being Open John 15:15
Application: Spend some time today writing down some feelings/plans/secret sins that you haven't been sharing. Discuss these things with another Christian this week. Be open! |
2011-12-30 - Day 27 - Learning to be Loyal What does loyalty mean to you? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
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2012-01-01 - Day 29 - Jesus is Coming Soon 2 Peter 3:3-14
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2012-01-04 - Day 32 - Walking as Jesus did 1 John 2:5-6 - Think back over the past several days. Are you walking like Jesus? Mark 1:21-28
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2012-01-05 - Day 33 - Shining Like Stars Philippians 2:14-16
Application: Pray for a heart that truly loves deeply as you share your faith today. |
2012-01-07 - Day 35 - Worthy of the Name 1 Peter 4:12-19
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2012-01-12 - Day 40 - Good Heart, Good Deeds, Good Things Luke 8:15
2 Peter 1:5-11
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2012-02-01 - Ministry - Intimidated or Inspired? Matthew 23:1-7 The austere lifestyles of the Pharisees were not ones that Christ wanted us to imitate. They said all the right things and lived in all the wrong ways. People felt burdened around the Pharisees because they knew they could not match up to that kind of lifestyle. The Pharisees were not just legalists; they were separatists, which is what the word Pharisee means. They were men preaching a life too big for them to live. They did not readily inspire the average Jew to follow them. People were afraid of them. They lead by intimidation rather than by inspiration. In vs. 5, Jesus chastises them for doing everything for men to see. In vs.6 he condemns their obsession with position and again in vs. 7, Jesus rebukes their love of role. They did not attract the kind of following that Jesus did and this made them bitter and envious. They did not really have the hearts of the people because they had only a heart for themselves. Do you call attention to yourself? Do you focus on your position or your role and get angry when it is not what you want? A person focused on men, role, or position will not want to serve and therefore will not inspire, only intimidate. Find some way, even small way, in which you can serve or encourage someone today. This will be an inspiration to them and to you. |
2012-02-10 - Ministry - The Shepherd's Touch John 10:1-18 In verse 11 Jesus calls himself the good shepherd and says that the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. A shepherd is protective of his flock and a love for them. True shepherds do not want to lose even one single sheep. They stand between their sheep and danger. They are more concerned for the welfare of their sheep than they are for themselves. They are willing to go without so that their sheep might have their needs met. The sheep are responsive to their master's voice. They trust him because of his heart for them. The world teaches us to look out for ourselves at the expense of others. It teaches us that we are the most important people and that our comfort and security comes first. Finally, the measure of a shepherd's heart for the sheep will come when danger approaches. That is when the heart of the shepherd is the most exposed. Will the shepherd stay and fight and protect or run and hide and let the sheep fend for themselves? What kind of "protective" phone call, card, or visit can you give to someone to keep them tied into the flock? It doesn't take long to do something like this but the result will be everlasting. |
2012-02-12 - Ministry - But Because You Say So Luke 5:1-11 Peter's faith was ebbing with the tide. No fish, no breakfast. After a frustrating night of fruitless fishing he was struggling to accept a carpenter's fishing tip to let down the nets yet again. Yet Peter softened his will to the Master's will and obeyed out of faith. He had no other reason to believe he would even get a nibble at the net. As the fish came in Peter got that sinking feeling of realizing the depth of his own sin. He deferred to Jesus and knew he did not deserve to be in the Master's presence. I am struck by Peter's decision to follow Christ's command to let down the net again even though years of experience and an empty-netted night begged him not to. Sometimes experience can breed cynicism because we are used to certain results and have formed certain expectations. Cynicism replaces obedience and robs us of faith. It gives us a reason to not have to believe because "we have been there, done that" and it has never work. Peter's humility is convicting and his responsiveness to Jesus is a powerful example. We can easily be deceived by experience that has result in fruitless and netted us nothing. Is your evangelism producing fruit? Maybe you are letting your nets down in the wrong place or in the wrong way. Find a new fishing hole. Consider reaching out to different kinds of people. |
2012-03-02 - Fear of Failure - I get knocked down, but I get up again by Angel Calica - Ministry Intern: San Francisco Church of Christ 2 Corinthians 4:9 The scriptures say we will get knocked down. The question is are you going to stay down, or get up again and keep going? Failure tests what kind of character we have. Do you give up easily and stay down (quitter)? Or are you a fighter and get up again? What are the sins that can keep us down?
Hebrews 4:6
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2012-10-09 - Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part I) Wild Living of the Prodical Son Son became incredibly ungrateful toward his father - Luke 15:12-13 The sad situation became worse when be became greedy too - Wanted "his" part of the estate Consuming his thoughts and with no regard to what his father felt, he asked Amazingly, his father said yes From there the son wasted this money His life was full of sin - Luke 15:13,30 Then the economy collapsed and there was a severe famine - Luke 15:14 Life was so bad and he was so hungry, he became jealous of the pigs - Luke 15:15-16 The son was incredibly ashamed and reluctant to go home When he came to his senses, he remember his father and his generosity and kindness He thought as least as a servant, I would be better off than this - Luke 15:18-19 |
2014-03-04 - Heart to Heart time with our kids Fathers, start spending more “heart to heart” time ATTENTION Get their attention, ask important questions like:
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. 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. |
2014-05-15 - Genesis 23 - The Death of SarahSummarySarah died in Kiriath-arba and Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial site. He bought a cave at full price from Ephron and buried Sarah there. ObservationsGenesis 23:6 - Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince ApplicationWhat kind of reputation do I have at work, at home, and at church? What do others say about me? How has that helped or hindered me? Do I become impatient in waiting for God's promises? Do I try to fulfill God's promises for him? Do we avoid giving when it really costs us something? PrayerLord, help me to have the faith to wait on your promises and to always be ambassador of yours no matter where I am. |
2014-05-31 - Genesis 24 - Search for the Bride of Isaac (part II)SummaryEliezer met Rebekah by the well exactly as he had prayed. ObservationsGenesis 24:12 - Please give me success today ApplicationI do not have the dependant prayer I need to have. I have many failures because I depend on myself and do not ask God. |
2015-01-08 - Genesis 25 - Death of Abraham (part I)SummaryAbraham died and was buried with Sarah ObservationsGenesis 25:7 - lived a long and satisfying life |
2015-02-11 - Lead By Example Everyone must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence - Jonah 3:7-8 The biggest enemy of godly leaders is not leading by example Leading by example has always been one of a leader's greatest goals
Jonah warned the Ninevites of God's coming judgement and wrath Their king responded by instructing his people to:
...in hopes that God would change his minds and spare the city The king of the Ninevites humility and leading by example saved his city from judgement and wrath When you do as you say in life, you make it far easier for everyone around you to do the same |
2015-02-14 - Praise Your Wife My darling, you are as beatiful as Jerusalem - Song of Solomon 6:4 Solomon understood the value of speaking passionately to his beloved His words overflows with love, affection, intimacy, and passion It models the kind of inimate coomunication you can enjoy with your wife The words should be personal and thoughtful - take the lead! How do you rate the passion and fun in your marriage?
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2015-03-12 - When to Retreat Run from all these evil things - 1 Timothy 6:11 Every competent military strategist needs to understand when to retreat Retreat does not mean defeat but simply makes room for a later victory Pau's battle plan called for Timothy to handle certain types of temptations with a retreat It wasn't just a retreat but a counter attack with something good - fath, love, perseverance, and gentleness This pursuit would shelter Timothy from temptations of the world God instruct you to retreat from certain kinds of tempatation and pursue things that hold out the promise of a spiritual productive future |
2015-03-16 - Going Golden Nabal Nabal was a crude and mean in all his dealings; his wife, Abigail, was a sensible and beatiful - 1 Samuel 25:3 Life will present you with countless opportunties to extend kindness David sent some men to ask for a few much-needed provisions Nabal: Who is this fellow David? Who does this son of Jesse think he is? - 1 Samuel 25:10 He proceeded to instul David's servants and sent them away. A few days after he refused to assist the Lord's servant David, Nabal died of an apparent heart attack |
2015-03-24 - Opposition Sanballat was very angery when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. "What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they're doing?" - Nehemiah 4:1-2 Spiritual opposition often confirm that you are headed in the right direction in your life of faith Nehemiah endured this kind of opposition as he worked to rebuild the ruined city walls around Jerusalem Sanballat did everything he could to thwart Nehemiah's work
The main question is not whether such opposition will appear but how you will respnd when it arrives Will you choose discouragement or strengthen your sense of resolve? |
2015-04-06 - Confidence How much longer will you waver between two opinions - 1 Kings 18:20-21 Elijah demonstrated that kind of confidence in hos heavenly Father when he challenged 450 priest of Baal to match the power of the true and living God When he had seen the sad spectacle of Baal's priest, he called on God to remind the people who he was Elijah never had a doubt about what would happen next Place your complete confidence in the one true God |
2015-04-22 - A Friend Indeed Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here - 1 Samuel 21:9 A true friend gives of himself, and even sacrifices himself, for the good of another Ahimelech was this king of friend to David When David was on the run from King Saul, Ahimelech help him with food and a weapon for battle All Ahimelech knew was his friend was in need of help - his act of kindness came at a heavy price When KIng Saul heard Ahimelech assisted David, he ordered his execution - 1 Samuel 22 Being a true friend mean making personal sacrifices. Do you have a true friend? Are you a true friend? |
2015-05-11 - Shining Lamp Full of the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God - Acts 7:55 Nothing prompts change likea man's courage in the face of potential personal loss. Stephen had that kind of courage. Religous leaders hoped persecuting Christians would put a stop to this new religious movement, exactly the opposite happened Stephen willingly died for what he believed in and he contributed greatly to the spread of the gospel message At the scene of Stephen's murder stood a young Pharisee named Saul - the same Saul God miraculously converted Stephen's courage and faith in the face of death apparently made a lasting impression Pauls bold preaching would change the world forever - Acts 22:19-20 Lamps do not talk, but they do shine. Is your lamp shining today? |
2015-05-12 - True Kindness Listen, stay right here with us when you gather grain - Ruth 2:8 Kindness in word and deed is a powerful equalizer Boaz was consistently kind and compassionate He greeted the harvesters with a "The Lord be with you!" they would answer "The Lord bless you!" Ruth, a transplanted Moabite widow, had come to his field to gather bits of grain left behind Boaz was moved by her story:
Do you know anyone like Boaz? How can you be more like him? |
2015-05-25 - Suffering Servant All of us have strayed away - Isaiah 53:5 Jesus Christ was the perfect example of that kind of giving Isaiah saw this example of a humble, suffering servant from his own time He depicts a man who willingly subjected himslef to unspeakable suffering on the behalf of others How does Jesus' selfless giving motivate you? |
2015-06-02 - Desparate Faith 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:
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? |
2015-06-13 - Second Chances Naaman became angry and stalked away - 2 Kinds 5:11 Naaman had a serious infectious skin disease He went to Eliasha for healing and he said to go the Jordan and wash 7 times Naaman was disappointed and angry with this but his servants encouraged him to do as Elisha said He obeyed and was healed - God of Israel is a God of second changes Because of Naaman's eventual humble obedience, he was healed and later found salvation - 2 Kings 5:15-18 |
2015-07-03 - Righteous Anger Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple - John 2:15 Jesus became angry times when he saw authorities have a lack of love and true faith in his heavenly father He espcially got angry this time with the money changers who were greedy in their dealing with those pilgrims trying to purshase sacrificial animals Jesus always directed his anger at things that stood in the way of God's purposes for mankind Do you express your anger over the same kind of issues that angered Jesus? When you become angry, ask yourself:
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2015-07-11 - Share the Joy Jethro was delighted when he heard about all the good things the Lord had done - Exdous 18:9 Paul: "be happy with those who are happy" - Romans 12:15 Jethro, Moses' friend, celebrated with the people of Israel: "Praise the Lord, for he had rescued you from the Egyptians - Exodus 18:10 He immedidately blessed those around him with words of praise The same thing can happen when you share in another's joy over God's kindness and blessing
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2015-07-14 - The Road to Forgiveness I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus - Philemon 1:10 Philemon, an apparently wealth and influential believer, faced the same decision we face when some wrongs us Do we forgive and restore or we withhold forgiveness and let the relationship die? Onesimus had been Philemon's slave, stolen from Philemon, deserted him, and ran away The question wasn't wheather Philemon had been wronged but what he was going to do about it Understanding God's grace and forgiveness is the key to forgiving those who have hurt us |
2015-07-16 - Compassion 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:
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 |
2015-07-19 - Inner Cleaning The king instructed Hilkiah to remove all of the articles that we used to work Baal (and others) from the Lord's temple - 2 Kinds 23:4 Hilkiah shows the importance of inner cleasing He had an unbending loyalty to the Lord and a commitment to spirtual renewal among the people of Judah Hilkiah steps:
It is important to exampine yourself from time to time to clean out anything that keeps you from enjoying the full fellowship with the Lord |
2015-07-25 - Forgive and Forget Now it is time to forgive and comfort him - 2 Corinthians 2:7 Paul told the Corinthian Christians to forgive a man who had caused him and the church a lot of trouble God's purpose for discipline is to forgive and restore, not to condemn and reject Paul apparently shared these believers' sense of injury but he eagerly extended forgiveness and restoration to give the man some hope and encouragement Who in your life needs that kind of forgiveness and encouragement? |
2015-08-01 - Listen No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words - Job 2:13 Many men struggle with just listening - why God gave us two ears and only one mouth At first Job's friends were the exactly the kind of friends he needed After Job had spoken, they began speaking but instead of comforting him they tried to fix his problems - which made things worst Sometimes it is best to just listen instead of trying to fix things |
2015-08-09 - Just Like You Whay are you doing this? We are merely human beings - just like you! - Acts 14:15 Paul and his missionary companion Barnabas demonstrated an attitude of humility and tolerance as they faced sin in the city of Lystra When they healed a cripped man, Paul and Barnabas watched in horror as the people began to worship them They did respond to the people in anger or disgust - rather they continued to love these sinners them even though they hated the sin Paul and Barnabas sent a message that they were no better than anyone else - all of them together were sinners saved by God's grace What kind of message are you sending to those around you? |
2015-08-10 - True Leader An elder... an honorable position - 1 Timiothy 3:1 Timothy faced the daunting responsibility of picking the right leaders for his congregation Paul instructed Timothy to look for leaders with:
Timothy understood that God had called all believers to live by a higher standard than the world around them Being a church leader means consistently demonstrating the kind of character worthy of being emulated |
2015-08-19 - Called to Stand You know the evil these people are, "Make us gods who will lead us" - Exodus 32:22-23 Aaron had a opportunity to stand up for God - he failed He had been with Moses long enough to know better God had commanded the Israelies not to make themselves any kind of idol - Exodus 20:4-5 Aaron could not find within himself to stand up to the people and claimed to be an innocent bystander He failed both when he buckled under the pressure of the people as well as taking responsibility for his part of the sin |
2015-08-27 - What Goes Around God had paid me back for what I did to them - Judge 1:7 We always reap what we sow or what goes around, comes around Adoni-bezek enjoyed some success as a king and military leader - he took captive of 70 nearby kings Then he went overboard by mistreating his captives:
When the armies of the tribes of Judah and Simeon, attacked and took Adoni-bezek into custody They cut off Adoni-bezek's thumbs and big toes and died If you want to reap kindness and love, then sow them in your every word and action |
2015-09-04 - Always Caring 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? |
2015-09-15 - Redemption Ruth told her mother-in-law about the man in whose field she had worked - Ruth 2:19 Ruth must have wondered why the wealthy influential Boaz would show her such kindness Boaz was what Old Testament called a family redeemer - Leviticus 25:25-28 When Ruth's husband died, she traveled with Naomi to Bethlehem where she met Boaz They eventually married and brought her into the lineage of King David When Boaz extented his kindness, at first it was not from romantic love, but from obedience to God |
2015-09-18 - God's Kindness Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him and he became proud - 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 Bible calls Hezekiah a godly king - he didn't make good use of an amazing gift God had given him He received 15 years additonal life - 2 Kings 20 Hezekiah forgot to be a good steward of what had given him and became proud by showing off his treasure of house and armory - 2 Kings 20:13 God warned him that the same Babylonian nation that send the treasure would destroy it - 2 KIngs 20:14 |
2015-09-19 - Risky He was one who had provided food for the king - 2 Samuel 19:32 Barzillai was a fine example of courage in the face of risk and contrary public opinion David's popularity had waned and the king's son, Absalom, had staged a coup. Barzillai gave David and his men food, water, and lodging - 2 Samuel 17:27-29 He knew the risks involved with aiding David but he stood up for what was right When David had regained his throne, he told of Barzillai's kindness and courage to his son Solomon - 1 KIngs 2:7 Gold character means doing and saying what you know is right even when no one seems to be watching |
2015-10-11 - Strong Foundation For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to God of heaven - Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemiah learned the dilapidated walls around Jerusalem had left the Jewish residents vulnerable to attack What did he do? Nothing but talk to God about the crisis He offered the kind of prayer that GOd delights in answering:
Nehemiah didn't rush into the task before first pleading for God's favor - Nehemiah 1:5-11 |
2015-10-17 - Take It Seriously 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?
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2015-11-10 - Stressed Out? David was afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. He pretented to be insane - 1 Samuel 21:12-13 Nothing reveals what's inside you quie like a stressfull situation David fled to Gath become incognito from the murderous King Saul King Achish's officers were aware of his true identity and David feared for his life and acted insane Hardly the kind of behavior you would expect from Israel's next king David allowed his stress rather than his God-inspired courage to rule the day You may not be able to avoid stressful situations but you can decide for yourself how you'll respond to them |
2015-11-27 - Peter's Changes Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized - Acts 2:38 Some people who knew Peter wondered if he was the same person they had seen fall flat on his face so many times:
It didn't look as if Peter had the right stuff to be the kind of ambassador Jesus called him to be Peter preached with power and courage without regard to what could be some painful consequences He knew that his preaching would get him into deep trouble but he did it anyway and thousands turned to Jesus in one day - Acts 2:41 Peter show what can happen to a man who knows Jesus Christ and lives by the Holy Spirit's empowerment |
2015-12-28 - Passionate Obedience My nourishment comes from doing the will of God - John 4:34 Willingness to obey is one thing, developing a passion for obedience is another level completely Jesus lived to obey his heavenly Father He left paradise to take a form of a man and remained passionately and single-mindedly devoted to accomplishing his Father's will Nothing could stand in the way of his accomplishing his goal - even dead of the cross The smallest deviation from what God had plan would have meant disaster for mankind Jesus' plan was never in jepardy because of the passion he had to obey everything his Father directed Do you feel eager to obey God? |
2016-10-04 - Genesis 26 - Issac (part I)SummaryIn Gerar, Isaac lied about Rebekah being his wife. ObservationsGenesis 26:5 - Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions
Genesis 26:9 - I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me
ApplicationThe first step toward helping children live righteously is for the parent to live rightly. What kind of example I am setting for my children? PrayerPlease help me to see what I am projecting onto my children by the life I am living |
2024-02-01 - Truth (part III) Can truth be known? Athiest may start with "I don't believe in God!" Would you be willing to look at the evidence? Evidence can not convince the unwilling Complete agnosticism is self-defeating - "truth can not be known" and believe it to be true (a true claim) Truth can be known? YES Can all religions be true?
Major differences:
"Tolerance" means that you are suppose to except all religions to be true
You shall not judge - it is a judgment Elephant parable (world religions are objective vs objective) - may seem persuasive until you get to one question - what the perceptive of the narrator, isn't it an objectiveone? |