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Displaying results from "50" to "75". (95 found)
| 2012-02-09 - Ministry - Jesus Stayed Focused Amidst Challenges Matthew 14:13-21 How do you respond to bad news? Do you get angry? Faithless? Hard hearted? Self-piteous? When John the Baptist's disciples came to Jesus to tell him that his predecessor and cousin had been beheaded (Mt.14: 12) Jesus "withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." When Jesus withdrew it wasn't to indulge in his emotions, but to call on his Father in heaven for the strength to handle pressure. Jesus didn't withdraw to escape the demands of the ministry. His dependence on God made it possible for him to deal with pain and still meet the needs of those around him. "Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick." (Mt.14: 14) It's a temptation for me - when I am feeling all the pressures from my life - to place limits on how much I love and serve others. Even though Jesus had just received news of his cousin's death, he didn't get irritated with the demands of the crowds. He healed their sick, then fed them. He didn't "send them away", as his disciples had suggested earlier. If we want to have impact like Jesus did, we must treasure our solitary time with God so that we can remain focused of the needs of others. At some point today or this week, you are going to be confronted with a challenge to give when you really do not want to. You may have to stay up late, get up early, or give in an uncomfortable, inconvenient way. Respond with a spiritual perspective. Respond with compassion. |
| 2012-02-11 - Ministry - Even While Suffering John 19:17-27 As we read the passage, particularly v25-27, it is compelling the even in the throes of pain, Jesus is taking care of his relationships. It would have been easy for him to neglect this as he was busying suffering and dying. It is easy for us as we are in transition spiritually or physically to forget to care of our relationships. This can really hurt people make them feel as though we do not care. Why did not Jesus take care of all of this earlier? Why did he get this done before everything got more harried? The scriptures are silent on this but maybe Jesus wanted to see which of his followers would remain near the cross right up until the end. Mary, formerly without her husband Joseph and now, witnessing the death of her eldest son, was sure to be hurting. Jesus saw in John the compassion and love that He knew his own mother really needed. I think he also knew that John would be for her the closest thing to her own son, Jesus. It is convicting about how much Jesus considered and thought about relationships, even while suffering on the cross. Questions/Followup
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| 2012-02-18 - Fear of Failure - Letting Problems and Failures Build Your Faith by Tracey Jones, San Francisco Church of Christ Romans 4:18-22; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 5:1-6 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us--they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us. Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) I think as a non-Christian, I was the most anxious, controlling person in the world. I remember I would have almost every minute of my life planned out from beginning to end. Although it helped me to be disciplined and to achieve goals, it stopped me from letting people into my heart. I was always the strong one to my friends and family…"the rock". They saw all the successful things on the outside, but they didn't see the desperate, feeble person I was inside. When I began to work with people, it was very difficult for me, because I had no control whatsoever over them. That lack of control began to crush me. Now I see that God is using my problems and failures to encourage me to grow. He is telling me the little that I know is not enough - I need to keep growing and changing and developing into the person He wants me to be. One decision I have made when I have problems in my ministry, marriage, or family is to pray about them and to commit them fully to God. Now, instead of giving in to thoughts like “I can't change that woman's heart, I pray specifically about what I need help with and have confident expectation of what God will do. This has brought much more joy to my marriage, ministry, and life. What is stealing your joy? Could it be that you are letting problems and situations dictate your life? Decide today to commit those things to prayer and ask God to give you increasing character to deal with your life. |
| 2012-02-27 - Fear of Failure - God Encourages Those Who Fail by Yvonne San Juan - Ministry Intern: San Francisco Church of Christ 1 Kings 19:1-9 Elijah felt like a complete failure. He was tired of running, alone, and so discouraged that he preferred death. Elijah had just been a part of a great victory where God demonstrated his power to the people and they saw rain for the first time in many years. He faced a new challenge as the Queen wanted to kill him, and he ran away. God didn't let Elijah fail; he encouraged Elijah with food and rest. God reminded him there were others that were faithful to God and Elijah was not alone. God enabled Elijah to keep on going when Elijah felt like he had had enough. Through failure, I have learned to call to God in prayer, and to be completely honest with Him, just like Elijah. I have also decided to be completely open about my struggles with my friends, and to not go through my failures alone. Also, reading about godly people who have failed in the Bible has given me hope and encouragement during the hard times that when I fail, God still loves me. |
| 2012-10-03 - Prayer of the Righeous - God is Crawling (part II) We think he could never accept us just as we are Peter: Go away from Lord - Luke 5:8 When Jesus started getting too close, he was afraid Legion: Ran from Jesus when he saw him - Mark 5:6 He was wearing a mask of anger and violence and self-destructive habits to hide the pain inside his hear We feel too sinful to let him in Our relationship suffer because we are afraid of rejection because of lack of closeness with God He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand - Psalms 40:1-2 He is willing to get dirty and and get involved with the real you Confession and humility you closer He will not reject you no matter how dirty you are Are you afraid of rejection to the point of finding it difficult to pray? |
| 2012-10-15 - Prayer of the Righeous - Wiping Away Tears When suffering hits us we can either drop to our knees in prayer or run from God Paul chose to run toward God and saw suffering as an opportunity to rely on God - 1 Corinthians 1:8-9 Suffering is a language God understands Jesus was a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering - Isaiah 53:3 Because of this, he is able to help those who are being tempted - Hebrews 2:18 The gospel is the story of God's suffering He made the world, the world reject him Parable of the Talents tells the story of God's rejection - Matthew 21 When God was only left with the option of sending his Son, he did - Matthew 21:35-37 We murdered him and understood what it meant to not be whole Because God has given men freedom to choose, there is suffering on earth When we suffer, we have a chance to draw closer to God There is unique bond between those who are suffering and comforter - Matthew 5:4 |
| 2012-10-17 - Prayer of the Righeous - Treasuring Us We are jewels in the hand of God - Isaiah 62:3 He is rejoicing like the woman in the Lost Coin parable - Luke 15:9 Are worth much more than sparrows - Matthew 10:31 Like young people in love carving their names to profess their love, God has engraved you on the palms of his hand - Isaiah 49:16 He gave his own son in exchange for us - Isaiah 43:4 Who else would do this? He world does always treasure us like jewels
God saw us for who we really were and yet treasures us like jewels in his hand. |
| 2013-01-01 - Prayer of the Righeous - God is a Consuming Fire (part I) God is a consuming fire who should be feared - Hebrews 12:29 He is God who wants us to love him and not idols - Deuteronomy 4:24 God is a blessed and only Ruler, king of kings and lord of Lords - 1 Timothy 6:15 Our problem is that we think God is like us Societies throughout history have developed their own relgions based off God's which human resemblance:
Our Father is without blemish or stain The paradox of God: He says to not be afraid but at the same time to have a humble, contrite spirit - Isaiah 66:2
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| 2013-03-06 - Prayer of the Righeous - More Powerful Than We Can Imagine (part II) Two different responses to God's power: 1. Moses doubted God's power to feed the 600,000 men 2. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego faced the furnace John the Baptist described God's power and man's insignifiance - Matthew 3:3
Imagine trying to asking a clerk compensate for dust when weighing an item for purchase - it would be absurd How do you current view God? |
| 2013-04-19 - The Strength of Jesus (part II) The people were ashtonished by Jesus Who do I you say I am? They had to go to the grave in order to find a man to whom they could liken him No man in Jesus' day was great enough to convey their idea of strength Pilot was afraid of Jesus even though He was a poor unarmed peasant Proof of His power was in the intensity of the hatred and in the intensity of love which he excited You can not hate a weakling or a no body He was so mightly that when men thought of him, they thought of God |
2014-12-11 - Genesis 24 - Search for the Bride of Isaac (part III)SummaryRebebekah went back with Eliezer and she married Isaac. ObservationsGenesis 24:49 - Tell me yes or no, then I know what to do next ApplicationThe God should be obvious in our lives. Do people see God in us and if so is it obvious or is there doubt in their mind? In order for me to reach out to others, my life needs to show Jesus. When I speak and invite others to church/Bible study does it come as a surpise or an invitation or extention of what I am already doing? PrayerPray to be real with people and to share my faith without reservation. |
| 2015-03-14 - No-Compromise Faithfullness Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, The God whom we serve is able to save us - Daniel 3:16-17 Compromise can help you move ahead or it can lead to utter disaster At time, they freely altered some things to please their Babylonians masters But an order to compromise their commitment to God, they adamantly refused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not need to discuss anything, there was no decision to be made After the king saw how the three young men were saved, he sang a different tune - Daniel 3:28 Any choice to distance you from God, there is no compromise, the only answer is "NO". |
| 2015-03-18 - Overcoming Inadequacy ISAIAH It's over, I am doomed - Isaiah 6:4-5 Isaiah looked into the mirror of God's perfection and saw his own inadequacy starting back at him He knew he wasn't fit to serve God, much less stand in his presence God sent an angel and tocuhed his lips with coal and pronounced his guilt removed and sins forgiven - Isaiah 6:6-7 Isaiah changed and boldly called out, "Here I am. Send me" - Isaiah 6:8 |
| 2015-03-25 - Hope Jeremiah: Great is his faithfullness and his mercies begin afresh each morning - Lamentations 3:22-24 He surveyed th ruins of the once great city of Jerusalem Jeremiah saw death and destruction all around and felt a pain we can only imagine He found it within himslef to speak to his one Source of hope Jeremaih recognized God had granted him life and could hope for better things from the hand of his heavenly Father Where do you place your hope when you or loved ones encounter pain and difficulty? |
| 2015-04-15 - Moved by What He Saw This man truely was the Son of God - Mark 15:39 The solider had taken part in some of the most barbaric, brutal executions imaginable, but evertyhg seemed different this time He oversaw Jesus' crucifixion:
This man of war who had a seared conscience and hardened heart, concluded this was the Son of God |
| 2015-04-16 - Godly Enthusiasm It is not by force nor strength but by my Spirit, says the Lord - Zechariah 4:6 Zerubbabel oversaw the reconstruction of the Jerusalem Temple Over a period of 16 years, the people's enthusiasm for the project waned, leaving it unfinished Zerubbabel felt a deep sense of discouragement over the stalled work Zechariah came with a vital message - Don't depend on your own strength. depend on God and his ability to empower you for the task Zerubbabel's faith was renewed - He had a renewed sense of enthusiasm, united the people, and got back to work No worthy project is about human force or strength, it must be about his mighty Spirit Do you think that you or someone else has the key to success? Do you genuinely believe that God's Spirit holds the key to your success? |
| 2015-05-02 - Passion for Justice I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil - 1 Kings 21:20 Elijah courageously and steadfastly pronouned judgement on Ahab who conspired to have Naboth stoned to death Ahab misused his position as king and Elijah confronted him face to face Elijah had a passionate sense of commitment to God's justice When he saw a terrible wrong commited to an innocent man, he could not stand by and do nothing Are you willing to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves? |
| 2015-05-10 - Cure for Disappointment Didn't our hearts burns within us as he talked with us - Luke 24:32 If I look at myself, I am depressed When Jesus died, as the disciples saw it, all hope for a better life was gone At just the right moment, Jesus reveal himself to them When he disappeared from their sight, he took with him the pain, despair, and disappointment When you face situations that leave you feeling despressed, disappointed, and discouraged, look to Jesus |
| 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? |
| 2015-05-23 - Influence from Within Never before had there been a king like Josiah who turned to the Lord will all his heart and soul and strength - 2 Kings 23:25 Josiah did what was pleasing to the Lord's sight - 2 Kings 22:2 His background did not set him up for greatness - his father was a wicked king that drug Judah into idolity For Josiah, it wasn't a matter of where he had come from but where he was headed:
Making a difference in the lives of people around you begins with changes within yourself |
| 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? |
| 2015-06-08 - Letting Go God intended it all for good so I could save the lives of many people - Genesis 50:19-20 Even after his brothers sold him into slavery, Joesph thrived in every situation because God oversaw everything that happened to him God used Joseph's circumstances for His own purpose:
God cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God - Romans 8:28 Have negative emotions or bound by an unfair past? When you understand God cause use everything that happens to you for his purpose, those things begin to lose their grip on you |
| 2015-06-24 - God's Presence Don't make us leave this place - Exodus 33:15 He who has God and many other things has no more than he who has God alone - C S Lewis Moses had an acute sense of his need for God's presence; Expereince brought him to this conculsion:
None of these things could have taken palce if God had not been with him As Moses was considering the trip to the Promised land, he did not want to take another step further without the assurance of God's presence The Promised Land without the Promise Giver didn't hold much promise How much does the presence of God mean to you? |
| 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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| 2015-07-08 - Anticipation Rewarded Holy Spirit reveal to him that he woul not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah - Luke 2:26 Humans are creatures of anticipation. Serveral studies show expectation of something good benefits our health and sense of well-being Simon had lived a long life of such close fellowship with God and the Holy Spirit told him he would see the Messiah A voice told him to go to the Temple, this was his day When Simon saw baby Jesus, he knew immediately that this was the One he had been waiting for Simon: Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people - Luke 2:29-31 |
| 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 |
| 2015-07-17 - Seeing Jesus When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if I were dead - Revelation 1:17 Throughout history, men have struggled with Jesus' identity John had no doubts while worshipping God in exciled to the Greek island of Patmos While listening to Jesus' words and turned to look, he was floored at the sight of the Son of Man - Revelation 1:13 John had the privelege of hearing and seeing Jesus as the King and reacted with both dread and fear |
| 2015-07-30 - Assurance Are you the Messiah we've been expecting? - Matthew 11:3 John the Baptist was courageous man of faith who saw Jesus up close
John sat in a prison cell and began to doubt Jesus' identity Jesus sent back a message of reassurance John did not wallow in doubt, he went to the source to find assurance Where do you turn when you suffer moments of doubt? |
| 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 |
| 2015-08-04 - Appearance Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife - Matthew 1:20 It's hard to imagine Joseph not making some assumptions when his fiancee told him she was pregnant Joseph onlyknew two things:
What would his family think? Would they buy the story? Would he buy his own story? God saw his heart and knew that he was the right man for the job As Joseph slept, God confirmed Mary's story and told Joseph to not be afraid to marry her God allowed Joseph the privilege of caring for the most important child ever born |
| 2015-08-08 - Fatherly Love While he was still a long way off - Luke 15:20 It is not hard to imagine a father tears watching his son taking his inheritance and disappearing from view When the father saw his son appear on the horizen, he recongized Despite the shuffle and haggard appearance, he knew him He couldn't just stand and wait, so he ran The father saw him not as a servant or as damaged goods but as a much-loved son in good standing When you freely give yourself in this way, you heal your relationshops and set an example for others |
| 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? |
| 2015-09-07 - Breaking Barriers We are akk here waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you - Acts 10:33 People tend to honor those who first do something of note Roman military officer Cornelius broke a few barriers of his own when place his faith in Jesus When Peter visited Cornelius, the apostle explained everything to him and he accepted his words They saw that God intended salvation through Jesus for the Jews and Gentiles - Acts 10:44-45 Jesus' death and resurrection broken down the long standing barrier between God and man and between the Jews and Gentiles |
| 2015-09-14 - Maintain Your Guard He became drunk and lay naked inside his tent - Genesis 9:21 Noah, despite being the only righteous man, failed to keep his guard up - Genesis 6:9 After a glass of wine or so became drunk and passed out in his tent Ham saw him naked and commited some unexplained sin - Genesis 9:22 Noah pronouned a curse on Ham's son that had repercussions for thousands of years Noah let his guard down for only a moment but his sin led to dire consequences for his family
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| 2015-09-21 - Ready to Follow Miraculous signs at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory - John 2:11 One day at a wedding party, Jesus performed his very first miracle when he changed water into wine In those days, running out of wine at a wedding was a major social faux pas Mary asked Jesus to fix the problem - servants filled six stone pots with water and wine began to one again - the best they ever tasted Headwaiter: why save the best wine for last? They never saw Jesus the same way again |
| 2015-09-23 - Change in Plans God changed his mind and did not carry out the destructionhe had threatened - Jonah 3:10 Jonah disliked God's command to warn Nineveh of its coming destruction and became angry with God for sparing the city after the Ninevites heard Jonah's preaching and repented I knew you were a merciful and compassionate God; you are eager to turn back from destroying people - Jonah 4:2 Jonah hated the Ninevties and wanted them killed because he saw them as a treat to his people God's deviated from Jonah's perfect plan Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city? - Jonah 4:11 Jonah was God's servant, not his advisor You will be more happy and peaceful when you simply do what God tells you to do and leave the results to him |
| 2015-10-08 - Brag on God I will tell everyone about the wonderful thing you do - Pslams 73:28 It is never a good idea to establish a ruputation as a bragger It is always good to count your blessings and boast of God's goodness Asaph expressed frustration and anger toward God about the injustice, oppresion, godlenssness he saw Although he was displeased, he still rememberd to thank God for his blessings How often do you brag on God and his goodness? |
| 2015-10-12 - Coming Atteactions Peter, no even knowing what he was saying - Luke 9:33 Peter, James, and John once saw a spectacular preview of a coming attraction and it changed them forever As they awoke, they saw Jesus in an unexpected light - he had changed and looked different Jesus' clothes glowed white and Moses, Elijah appeared and began talking to him Fast forward 40 years, Peter wrote, "we saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from the Father - 2 Peter 1:16-17 Peter saw the divinity of Jesus and could not wait to see more |
| 2015-10-16 - Courage to Act Bring out your son . He must die... - Judges 6:30 The Old Testament hero Gideon had the courage needed to champion his principles and God's name This was true even when risking his skin Tearing down the alter of Baal was no small offense to those in Gideon's home town When he did they were ready to inact revenge in the name of their god Joash kept the mob from killing Gideon Gideon looked beyond the surface of things and saw accommodating Baal amounted to treason against God |
| 2015-11-01 - Secure in Love I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love - Romans 8:38 Through difficult times we are tempted to think God must really hate me Some have the misguided idea of the relationship between difficulties and God's love Paul opposed such thinking through his suffering that most of us can not imagine He never saw his suffering as an occasion to doubt God's love for him Can anything ever separate us?
No! Despite these things overwhelming victory is ours through Christ - Romans 8:37 |
| 2015-11-22 - Eyes of Faith The Lord opened the young man's eyes - 2 Kings 6:17 The king of Syria had sent his army to the city of Dothan and surrounded it at night Elisha's servant saw the enemy's chariots, horses, and soliders had surrounded them Naturally, this fearful young man ran directly to his master who was a man of faith Elisha knew that prayer was just what was needed - the servant eyes were then opened Elisha already understood the situation he faced was just a chance for God to demonstrate his glorious power |
| 2015-12-27 - Sin Leads to Loss Moses saw the calf and burned with anger. He threw the stone tablets to the ground - Exodos 32:19 Moses anger may have come from serveral reasons:
We can have a righteous anger that can come from missing out on God's blessings |
2016-11-16 - Genesis 27 - Jacob Steals Esau's BlessingSummaryRebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into giving Jacob his blessing. Esau vowed revenge so Rebekah told Jacob to go to her brother Laban. ObservationsGenesis 27:12 - What if my father touches me... he'll curse me instead of bless me
Genesis 27:20-24 - How did you find it so quickly?... Come closer so I can touch you and make sure that you are really Esau... But are you really my son Esau?
ApplicationHow am I implementing God plan via his promises? My own way or in God's timing? PrayerLord, I want to be obedient and hunble to your plan and in your own way and your own timing. |
| 2020-01-14 - Unfettered Hope Men had become cynical and pessimistic - Jesus still believed they could learn They were convinced that many mortals could only expect nothing but damnation To the religious, there were classes of people who were beyond redemption, no promise could be offered Jesus' hope is as immeasurable as his love
Like scrooge, there was hope for the man whom men have doomed for destruction You can not tell what is in a man just by what he says or does By contrast, Jesus said:
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| 2020-01-20 - Trust - A matter of perpective "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" Jesus saw these same situations as evidences of God's love, his long-suffering patience, and willing to allow the lost to find him 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:
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 |
