Quiet Times Search

Most of us have lost something:
• Losing wallet - not a good thing
  • Feels good to find it.
God's desire is to "find" what is lost - YOU!
 
• Problem: We are separated from God by sin

Jesus came to...

Save the lost

Luke 19:10

• Uses people to save others
• Many people to save some:
  • Do not know they are lost
  • Are confused
  • Misguided
  • Are not interested
  • Are looking
• Despite the what phase we are in we are still lost.
• No excuses 
  • Those who have issues are not really searching
    • "What about those hypocrites?"
    • "I am too busy"
    • "I will but...."

Acknowledge the Father

 John 14:9

• To relate
• Some think God doesn't care
  • How can God allow all these shootings?
    • Isrealites were saying the same thing in the dessert
• Jesus = God with us
• If Jesus was standing next to you how would you act differently?

Preached on 2003-03-16

Bad day? Being at your worse, need someone at their best

What is your reaction to these people?

Romans 5:6-8
Ephesians 2:1-5

God was at His best

John 13:1-38- Apostles betraying

Matthew 26:36-46- Apostles sleeping

Luke 22:47-53 - His own turned against him

Mark 14:53-65 - False witnesses, no answer

Luke 22:54-62 - Peter not standing up for Jesus

Luke 23:26-43 - Killing him, our savation

1 Peter 2:18-25 - Are you have been hurt more than Jesus?

Too many of us have placed eternity somewhere out there
We seem to forget that we will get the earth back as well

I will create new heavens and a new earth - Revelation 21:1
When he says he is making all things new, he includes the earth

Won't the whole earth be destroyed?
That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat - 2 Peter 3:12

Noah's day of the Lord
By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed - 2 Peter 3:6
World was destroyed in the sense that all wickedness and corruption of mankind - Genesis 6-7
Fire is also used for cleansing throughout the Scriptures

On that day, Jesus appears and announces himself as the Bridegroom - Matthew 9:15

Jesus makes his proposal: I will prepare a place for you - John 14:2-3
Culture of the day - these very words would be used by a young man to his fiancee
He would return to his father's house and build the additonal room to be the bride suite

We have become betrothed to the Bidegroom
The bride belongs to the bridegroom - John 3:29
We are in the time of waiting for the Bridegroom to return

The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing - Augustine

• Thunderclouds gather over the prairies
• Plant grow or start to grow and lift heavenward
• Maple leaves are woven
• New stars are born every day
• There is always a sunset and sunrise somewhere on the Earth

Grief is the antidote to the incessant possessive demand within

Sow in tear = song of joy - Psalms 126:5

Two spiritual discipline we need

1. Worship - must adore God deliberately and regularly
2. Grief - must allow a time for sorrow to do own personal sowing

Making time to grieve may sound strange
Just because we do not feel it does not mean it is not there
There are thousands of distractions these days
Sometimes it comes out in a song or movie
Sometimes small disappointments can be a door into the room of grief

Beauty and affliction are the only two things that can pierce our hearts
We must have a measure of beauty in our lives proportionate to our afflication

• The story continues - we are headed somewhere; bad times = the story has taken a tragic turn
• It can't be done - I can not arrange for life I prize - this frees our hearts
• It is coming - The life I prize is coming, what I am aching for now, but it is coming
• Battle and journey - We are at war; watch your heart; Don't just let anything in

Myth tell us three truths, the second is:

2. There is a great struggle or quest or battle that is well under way

Christianity isn't about:

• Going to Sunday school
• Being nice
• Holding car washs
• Sending clothes to Mexico

As good as those things might be, this is a world at war
We live in a far more dangerous and dramatic story than we ever imagine

Reason we love these is because it is telling us that this is our most desperate hour

• The Chronciles of Narnia
• Star Wars
• The Matrix
• The Lord of the Rings

Without this buring in our hearts, we lose the meaning of our days

Notice that those who have tried to wake up to this reality were ususally killed

• The phophets
• Jesus
• Stephen
• Paul
• Most of the disciples in the Bible

Has it occured to you that someone is trying to shut them up?

The heart is central
The need to even to be remined of this show how far we have fallen from the life we were meant to have

The heart is addressed in the Bible more than any other topic

Love the Lord your God with all your heart - Deuteronomy 6:5
Man looks at the outward appearance, Lord looks at the heart - 1 Samuel 16:7
Where your teasure is, there your heart will be also - Luke 12:34

Trust in the Lord with all of your heart - Proverbs 3:5
These people honor me from their lips but their hearts are far from me - Matthew 15:8
The Lord weighs the heart - Proverbs 21:2

The heart can be:

• Trouble, wounded, pierced, grieved, even broken
• Cheerful, glad, merry, joyful, rejoicing
• Whole or divided
• Wise or foolish
• Steadfast, true, upright, stout, valiant
• Frightened, faint, cowardly
• Wandering, forgetful, dull, stubborn, proud, hardened

The heart can be unpredictable but it is central to our being

The heart answers a lot of questions:

• Why did my relationship fail? One or both don't have to heart to make it work
• Why are some many struggling with depression and discouragement? They have lost heart
• Why can I not break free from our addiction? We gave our heart away and need to get it back

• leb = heart
• shabar = broken

• Describes a bush whose twigs are broken off - Isaiah 27:11
• Describes idols of Babylon shattered on the ground - Isaiah 21:9
• Describing a broken bone - Isaiah 38:13

Ephesians 1:11-14

• We eat to get energy
• We need to eat to healthy spiritually too
• What are we feeding the spirit?
  • What is your spiritual diet?
  • Are you eating junk food?
• Do not forget the Holy Spirit! - get to know him better
• We will die if we continue to gratify the sinful nature

Ephesians 3:14-19

• We desire to be filled
• Fullness = satisfied (not looks for more)

Ephesians 4:11-13

• Leaders help us
• Let other into your life

Ephesians 4:17-29

• All these sins are poisonous to our health
• Put on new self - start a new diet

General healthy spiritual food items

1. Obedience
2. Prayer
3. Bible Study
4. Singing
5. Encouraging Others
6. Serving
7. Contribution
8. Graduated
9. Fasting
10. Confessing Sin
11. Discipling

1. Weak - poison = no, good food = no, eats little
2. Sick - poison = some, worldly, impure
3. Dying - not eating much, lots of poison
4. Strong - lots of food, consistent, wide variety

1. Scheduled meals
2. Decide what meals should go
3. Decide what to start eating

• Scripture reading becomes I have to read it to understand the gospel for others
• Talking to God suddenly takes on a new purpose - passionate pleas for friends
• Our desire to worship grows as your gratitude grows
• Helps maintain a high standard of purity

• 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

• Because you contacted them out of blue
• Both of you want to see all the changes that have happened since you last saw them

• Should be titled "Jesus, the seeker of Zacchaeus"
• Introduction starts with Jesus calling out Zachhaeus
• How did he know him? Jesus was present when God gave him life - John 1:3
• The crowd was less than delighted
  • They enjoyed the fruit of Jesus' miracles
  • Failed to grasp his love

• Enjoying the fellowship
• Benefiting from counseling
• Learning how to change bad habits

Examples of those seeking God:

Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:26-40

• What do we know about this seeker?
  • He is important and therefore certainly busy, but still finds time for God.
  • He reads the Scriptures himself and asks questions about what he is reading.
  • He is humble and sincere enough in his search to ask for help.
    
  • What he learns he acts on right away, as seen with his baptism.
• How did he feel after coming to know God better?
  
• The burning questions he had about God were answered in an afternoon.
  

Bereans - Acts 17:10-12

• What was it about these Berean seekers that made Luke refer to them as having “noble character”?
  • Enthusiastic
  • Great Eagerness - explain
    
  • Examined the scriptures daily
    
• Why was it important for them to “examine the Scriptures every day” for themselves?
• What was the result of this eager yet diligent attitude?
  
• As with prayer, reading the Bible is vitally important to knowing God.

• Jesus teaches these Jews that intellectual belief is not enough.
  
• He calls them to believe God enough to trust his will for their lives. This trust is demonstrated by the decision to live according to Jesus’ teaching.
  
• True faith is seen in our obedience.
• Notice when we will know the truth, after we obey.
  

• If the Bible is so powerful and helpful, why aren’t more people truly following what it says?
• Bottom line, we can not live according to our own feelings and desires.
  

• What is another hindrance to following God’s word? Tradition
  
• Religious tradition which takes precedence over the Word of God can result in worldly solutions to spiritual issues and make our worship of God empty and pointless.

• Sin is the fundamentally “un-God-ward” orientation of our “flesh” or “sinful nature” and finds expression in many different ways. Emphasize “and the like.”
  
• What is the common element in all these things? Self-centeredness.
  
• Be as specific as necessary to explain and share from your own life about the sins listed. How do you see yourself in these verses? What sins have been characteristic of your own sinful nature? (If needed, look at additional Scriptures which catalog sins.)

• We are sinful and in need of forgiveness not only as a result of those sins we have committed, but for failing to do the good that we know to do.

• How does sin enslave?
  
• Note that sin is a power that must be defeated as well as specific acts that must be repented of.
  
• Who alone can set us free from sin? (John 8:31-36)

• What are the eternal consequences of sin?
  
• Why be urgent to learn about receiving the gift of God that comes through Jesus Christ?
  
• Review these verses as honestly as you can to get in touch with the bad news about your own sinfulness. In the next couple of studies, we will look at the good news of God’s solution to our bondage to sin. (Note: In some instances it is important to have the person articulate how he or she was saved or forgiven of sin before examining the Bible’s teaching about salvation.)

• Question: The disciples that were scattered began teaching the Greeks what? Good news about Jesus
• Question: What did Barnabas encourage people to do? Know an hold to Jesus' words
• Barnabas found Saul then brought him to Antioch so they could teach the Word of God (review)
• Question: In Antioch, the disciples of Jesus were called what for the 1st time? Why?
• A disciple of Jesus is WHAT they were. Christian is what the world labeled them
• Christian = Disciple = Saved

• Question: What did Jesus proclaim in Galilee? What was the good news? Kingdom of God was near; your life can change)
• Question: What is the first thing Jesus instructed these fishermen to do? Follow him. What does that mean?
• Question: What will Jesus make us into? What does that mean? Is this something you are willing to do?
• Share what purpose your purpose was before becoming a disciple
• Question: What would you say your life has been focused/purpose so far?

• Question: What were Jesus and his disciples doing? How is your prayer life?
• Question: Why do you think the people thought so many things? Turned to men instead of God's word
• Question: If someone wants to come after Jesus what does He say they need to do?
  • Deny self - Put God's will above your own
    
  • Take up his cross and crucify self - no longer live for self but to do God's will
  • Follow Jesus and imitate the life of Jesus - do the things that Jesus would do in situation
• Question: How can you show Jesus that you want to hold to his standard?

• Question: What do you think these men wanted from Jesus?
  • These men wanted the life and blessing of being with Jesus without the commitment
  • Jesus wants full commitment - like in a marriage - not 80% commitment
  • There is no good reason to NOT follow Jesus
• Question: How can you show 100% commitment? QTs, fellowship, coming to church, BT, etc

Romans 6:23

• We deserve death because of our sins but God is willing to forgive us in spite of who we are (God's gift to us)
• Question: After studying these scriptures, would you say the Bible describes your heart in response to your sin more like the Pharisee or the Sinful woman?

John 3:1-7

• Question: What did Jesus say MUST happen in order for someone to be born again?
• Question: We should born of what? Spirtual birth not a physical birth - not being religous but living a righteous life
• Question: What do we need to have convictions on in order to be born again?

Acts 2:22-24

• Jesus is God's son (miracles prove it)
• Jesus died for our (YOUR) sins
• God raise Jesus on the 3rd day
• Question: So how should we respond to the fact that our (YOUR) is why Jesus died on the cross?

Acts 2:36-41

• Repent and be Baptized (wall is removed)
• Then we can have a relationship with God (what happens at baptism)

Romans 6:1-4

• Question: What are you baptized into? If you were baptized into Jesus' death, what else does that allow us to have? New Life
• You can go from the heart of the Pharisee to the heart of the Sinful Woman by understanding the forgiveness through Jesus
• Encouraged to write a letter to God thanking him for forgiving you of your sins (write the sins out)

• If a person sins against you (go and talk to them one on one), if it does not go well get help.
• If they refuse to stop sinning it's better that they leave the body than for the whole body to be hurt.
• Question: How do you feel about what Jesus is telling his disciples to do with someone who refuses to repent?
• This won't happen to someone if they continue to seek advice and imitate Jesus.

• Question: When these people found the kingdom of God what was their response?
• They were willing to give up any and everything to possess the kingdom of God
• God wants you to experience this same joy, are you willing to give up anything for the kingdom?

• 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)

• Question: What do you think the heart of what Jesus is saying in these scriptures?
• Question: Biblically speaking, because someone goes to church  does that make them a Christian? Are they a Christian because they are a good person? What if they know a lot about the Bible, does that make them a Christian?
• That means you are saying that the majority of people in the world are lost. How does that make you feel?
• Make God feel said but God has a plan for them - 1 Timothy 2:1-6

• v22 - The miracles Jesus did proves he was God's son
• v23 - He died on the cross for your sin
• v24 - God raised him from the dead
  

• Confess with your mouth (acknowledging God and everyone around you that you nor anything else will be the Lord of your life,expect Jesus)
• It is not the confession that justifies you, it is your heart that God is looking at.

• John 8:16 - I stand with the Father, who sent me
• Romans 8:5 - Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires

• John 14:24 - These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me
• John 12:49 - Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it

• John 5:19 - Whatever the Father does the Son also does
• John 13:15 - I have set you an example that you should do as I have done

• Ecclesiastes 6:7 - Appetite is never satisfied
• Matthew 6:31-32 - Food, drink, clothes: pagans run after all these things

• Luke 12:22 - Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life
• Worry has been defined as a prayer to the wrong god

• Take children to church service
• Pray with them regularly
• Have family devotionals

1. Be sure of their salvation
2. Love and understand God's Word
3. Know and willingly obey God's rules
4. Know their spiritual gifts
5. Be able to teach spiritual truths
6. Be effective witness
7. Spend daily time with God
8. Do acts of service for others
9. Exercise self-discipline
10. Fellowship with other believers
11. Understand the power of prayer
12. Maturely walk with God

• Peter: Remember when walking on water
• Thomas: But you doubted and fell into the water
• Peter: Like you have any room to talk, doubting Thomas
• James: Remember the transfiguration? Yeah, I was one of three disciples there. We saw Moses and Elijah.
• Andrew: Yeah, you seem to miss the whole point when you fixated on getting them shelters
• Matthew: We can take these guys anywhere

• Forgetting to the trash and why I was in the garage
• Forgetting Juniper's shoes on the way to church
  

1. Grace
2. “Lifted up” – growing and being blessed
3. Relief because his burdens and anxieties will be carried by God
4. Better relationships (God opposes the proud, so do other people)

1. Accept full responsibility (don’t blame others for your actions)
2. Make no excuses (don’t be defensive)
3. Apologize humbly and go on your way rejoicing.

1. Tell them in a respectful way (don’t give in to faithlessness or fear)
2. Focus on your love for them and not on what they have done to you.
3. Forgive them (like Jesus did you) and move on being better friends.

A. What does it mean to “flee” from something?
     To desperately run away from something dangerous (a murderer, predator, etc…)
B. What does it mean to “pursue” something?
     To move toward something with all your strength

• How much is a hint? Are there any hints in your life?
•  What does God call us to replace impurity with?

* We overcome sin by meditating on God’s precepts (word) and following his statues.

* God wants you to be pure and holy, he’s given you his word and spiritual brothers and sisters to help you on your spiritual journey.

• 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

• In proverbs it refers to the person who hates correction (pride makes us stupid)
  
• When we are unwilling to receive godly correction we are trusting our own way over that of our advisors (this type of pride makes us stupid)
  

• Physically: We have an illness = we go see an expert doctor, to ignore his advice and handle the situation on our own would be stupid
• Spiritually: We face temptations and challenging situations = we should seek advice from spiritually minded people (they may advice us something simple like, read these scriptures or something radical like change jobs) but to ignore experienced spiritual advice would be stupid. Even if you don’t like it (pray about it, get another “experienced” opinion)

• Type A: Listens on the outside (even nod your head “yes”) but on the inside all systems are shut down.
• Type B: You are calm on the outside but on the inside you’re steaming mad ready to explode and interrupt (who do they think they are)
• Type C: Listens and really tries to understand (learn) not just say OK but embrace the input to become a better disciple

Summary

Adam's line was: Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech and Noah. Noah's sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth.

Observations

Genesis 5:2 - He created them male and female and blessed them
It has always been God's intention to bless each and every one of us. And we do have many blessings!! But do we see them? We can not be grateful toward God unless we step back and look at all the great things he has done for us.

Genesis 5:22 - Enoch walked with God 300 years
Through the family line which is described here, God stops the pattern of listing the names of children and ages of important events to mention   Enoch's walk with God. Because of the obvious age limitations we have today, It was a walk longer than we will ever see with God on this earth - probably greater than 4 times. Can you imagine the faith and persistence he must have had?

Genesis 5:24 - then he was no more, because God took him away
Enoch did not see death but rather he was taken up to heaven. Along with Elijah [2 Kings 2:11], they were are the only two mentioned in the Bible to have gone directly to see him. How and why this happened, I am not sure but it does show God felt these relationship were very special to Him.

Personal Application

The challenge for me is simple: To finish the race [Acts 20:24] with great faith and perseverance. But not just to get by but to have a relationship with God that shines before others. When people talk about me, do they stop and mention my relationship with God like the Bible does with Enoch? What does God say about my faith?

Summary

Noah 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.

Observations

Genesis 7:1 - I have found you righteous in this generation
Of all the people, God considered Noah the most righteous among his generation. God knows our thoughts [1 Chronicles 28:9] , motives, and sees our actions. What has God found us to be?

Genesis 7:16 - Then the LORD shut him in
In the end, it is God's call when things should start and end. It was God who decided what to close the ark's door and He shut the door. Same is true for either our death or judgement day. God will call the shots. Now is the time where we call the shots. To either follow him or not.

Genesis 7:20 - covered the mountains to a depth of more than twenty feet
Assuming mount Everst (29,029 feet) existed back in these time, the flood was quite deep. Nothing could have survived that much water. Even if you limit your focus to just earth - God's power is tough to comprehend.

Genesis 7:23 - Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out
Besides Noah, his family, and the animals on the boat, every living creature was killed. Sometime thoughts enter our minds that there is some kind of gray area between good and evil where we can live our lives. On that day, there were only those inside the boat and those outside of the boat. No one lived in the middle.

Personal Application

I 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.

Summary

Japheth's line lived in the coastlands; Ham's included Nimrod and the Canaanites; Shem's lived in the East. These formed the nations.

Observations

Genesis 10:4 - peoples spread out ... each with its own language
These family was not only in not on the same page, in the same state. They each had a completely different language. Their words were likely not written down so changed easily because there was no reference point. Having different languages is not a bad thing but it illustrates when we do not have a reference point in our lives, our standards, direction, and our feelings of the day change we do things. Like God's written word, if we do not keep refering to it, we will live as if we are standing on shifting sand [[Matthew 7:26].

Genesis 10:6 - sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put and Canaan
From Ham's children, came the Jews and others like the Philistines [Genesis 10:14]. I am not sure if this separation came from the times these kids were growing up but does show how much we need unity in our family. Though in verse 6, they had different languages. Unity is very important in a family and godly unity only comes from God. We can be united in mind and heart from our relationship with God. It is never to early introduce God to your family - especially children.

Personal Application

I am convicted on how fast families can be divided by Satan. How things can change and a heart is no longer are responsive in a relationship. I need to start ASAP.  I am going to make sure my children know God, his word and what it means to have an amazing relationship with Him.

Summary

Angels took Lot out of Sodom. The city was destroyed by fire and Lot's wife was turned to salt. His daughters had children for him.

Observations

Genesis 19:14 - But his sons-in-law thought he was joking
What fatal mistake?!? When Lot urged his son-in-law to leave the city, they did not take him seriously. Lot was urgent, they were laid back. It cost them their lives. There are times to joke around but not in life and death situations. What are we not taking serious that we should? What are the cost(s) if we don't start taking these things seriously?

Genesis 19:22 - I cannot do anything until you reach it
God is love and love is patiently waiting on us to change. There is a time for judgement but God is holding on us to turn to him. Here God was holding back just long enough for Lot to leave the area before destroying it. One of the many ways God relates this idea to us is in the parable of the weeds. He explains that we grow among weeds and he tolerates the weeds only because of the harvest. Once the harvest comes, the wheat is harvested and the weeds are thrown into a fiery furnace [Matthew 13:42].

Personal Application

By nature, I am a jokester. I have love to laugh - there is a time for everything. I need to learn how to take the important things seriously. When I hear a call from God to repent, not sure my immediate reaction is to change. I make excuses about doing things in the near future or lie to myself that I am doing OK. The costs are too great not to hear and obey the call.

• Proverbs 16:25 - What seem or feels right is not always right; others can help you see that
• Proverbs 19:2 - Be zealous, but make sure you have the correct information

• Proverbs 12:15 - Wise people let others in their lives and listen to input
• Proverbs 12:1 - Getting advise and being corrected in your thinking is very wise

• 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

1. What helped to keep these young disciples faithful?
2. Are you devoting yourself to the same things they did (2:42)?

1. What does it mean to have "deep conviction"? How can you develop conviction?
2. Who should you imitate? In what ways?
3. Are you becoming a "model" to others? How?

1. What sacrifices did Jesus make to go and pray? Think of his previous day. What excuses could he have made to not pray?
2. When do you feel the need to pray? Do you ever make excuses not to pray?
3. How has your prayer time been the past 10 days?

1. What kind of prayer life did Jesus have?
2. What things, besides going to the cross, would have been difficult for Jesus to obey?
3. What things are difficult for you to do as a disciple?
4. Have you been praying with loud cries and tears for God to help you be obedient?
5. What situations in your life do you need to pray more about? Make a list and be specific.

1. Imagine what the day of judgement will be like. Who will be there?
2. How will everyone be feeling?

1. Who is the bride of Christ?
2. Describe heaven.
3. Check yourself against verse 8. Are any of these sins in your life?

1. What other eternal joys will be in heaven?
2. Why does God want us to know these words are trustworthy and true?

1. What does it mean to be a royal priesthood?
2. What message should you be sharing?
3. Are you really declaring God's praises or just giving out an invitation?

1. How can you tell if you're living for yourself or living for Jesus?
2. What does it mean to be Christ's ambassador?
3. Would Jesus be pleased with the way you present him?
4. What does it mean to APPEAL to and IMPLORE people?
5. What attitude should you have toward the lost?

1. Why was Paul distressed?
2. What are some sights around your city that should distress you?
3. Where did Paul share his faith?
4. Why did Paul begin his message by commending the Athenians for being very religious?
5. What does this teach you about preaching Paul's message?

1. What kind of heart does God want us to have?
2. What qualities of children do we need to imitate?

1.  Who is "over you" in the Lord?
2. Does it have anything to do with age or education?
3. Write the names of some Christians who work hard, set a good example and admonish you.
4. Are you showing them respect?
5. What kind of disciples need special help (vs. 14)?
6. Have you been admonishing for any of these problems?

1. What gives us real maturity and understanding?
2. How is verse 100 opposite of how our society thinks?
3. What should your attitude be when you are being taught/corrected by someone younger than yourself?

1. What did Jesus share with his disciples?
2. Are you this kind of a friend to other Christians?
3. Do they really know all about your life?

1. What does it mean to speak freely?
2. Are you opening your heart to others?
3. What are some feelings you aren't expressing to anyone?

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?

1. What kinds of insults and sufferings have you endured for Jesus?
2. What should your attitude be?
3. What does Satan want you to think and do when you are being persecuted?

1. Have you gone through suffering like this?
2. What are you doing to encourage other Christians who are going through insults and persecutions?

1. Have you faced lions, flames, swords, armies, tortures, flogging, imprisonment, chains - or even banishment for Jesus' sake?
2. How did God regard these people?

1. What kind of life did Paul live for Christ?
2. How did he feel about his sufferings?
3. Have you been rejoicing or complaining as a Christian?

1. What does God promise to those who seek him with all their hearts?
2. Are you seeking him or something else?

1. What should make you content?
2. What will a desire for money and things do to your life?
3. How does someone "wander" from the faith?
4. What other desires could make us wander?

1. Do you have a heart like this?
2. What is your life producing?

1. What do you need to do to keep growing as a Christian?
2. Define goodness, perseverance, brotherly kindness.
3. What happens if you stop growing?
4. What does verse 10 mean?

1. If a brother or sister came to visit you, what kind of report would they give about your Life?
2. How do you feel about your life in Christ up until today?
3. Are you growing?
4. In what areas do you need help?

• Which will you choose in this year?
• What are three things that you most feel the need to change in your life?
• How will you take the first step in each of these three?

• Finances, Discipline (Laziness), Purity
• Eating and drinking habits over the holidays.
• Relationships

• Do I welcome spiritual relationships?
• Do I confess sin and push my life into the light?
• How do these sins affect my heart for people?

• Choose one characteristic of love and practice it each day.
• Ask someone how to become more loving.
• Demonstrate my love by serving someone today.

1. When I feel like I am failing, I have to ask, "What is God trying to teach and show me through this?" and also get input from other disciples.
2. I need to study out how people in the Bible dealt with challenges and failures that are similar to the ones I'm experiencing.
3. I need to build the faith of others who are in the midst of challenges by openly sharing about my failures, what I learned from them, and how God helped me overcome.

They need to see Jesus - Deuteronomy 6:1-9

God did not want his people to forget him

What did he want them to remember?

• How God helped them
• Obey all his commands
• To fear him
• Love God with everything we have

All these things he still wants us to remember

In what ways can we show our kids, Jesus?

• Incorporate your children in the things you do
• Talk about God / ask them thought provoking questions
• Read the Bible to them /
• Pray with them

v 20-24 - The questions will come; opportunities to share more

With a Watchful Eye - 1 Timothy 4:15-16

 They will not be a Christian and stay a Christian by chance

Summary

God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. As Abraham obeyed, an angel stopped him. The LORD provided a ram instead and blessed Abraham.

Observations

Genesis 22:2 - Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering
God calls us to sacrifice to a high degree. We need to trust in God when we are called to sacrifice. Abram was called to the give up one of the most important persons in his life. At what point do we stop sacrificing? When we feel we are about to leave our comfort zone? When the price is too high?

Genesis 22:5 - and then we will come back to you
He did not know how or in what way but Abram had faith God would not forget about His promise to Abram. Would his son come back to life? Would God give him a new son? What whatever was to happen, Abram believed he would not be coming back alone when he said "we will come back".

Genesis 22:12 - I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son
God present us with tests in our life to see where our heart is at. These test also tell us where our own heart is at if we pay attention. There was no cost Abram was not willing to pay to seek out the Lord which show he had the right perceptive of God's power.  Our sacrifice level shows our love for God.

Personal Application

I know for me I give until it starts to physically hurt, brings up bad memories, or I don't see the need to. It does not depend on me; I need to sacrifice in relation to the need. As I grow close to go God I will see God's heart in this.

1. The longing for adventure that requires something of us
2. Desire for intimacy - to have someone truly know us for ourselves

It is the core of our spiritual journey

Any religion that ignores it survives only as guilt-induced legalism, a set of propositions to be memorized and rules to be obeyed

What does these desires have to do with God?

Hasn't God left us with them to draw us closer to him?

Fathers are to reveal and represent God

All fatherhood comes from Him (Ephesians 3:14–15).

Should be able to see these qualities of God:

• a loving Provider
• a strong Protector
• a truthful Leader
• a respectable Authority
• an intimate Friend

The word father means “founder, source, chief, or leader.”

Godhead described, it is always God the Father first, then the Son, then the Holy Spirit.

Want to know what God is like? then just look at Jesus.

Are representing your heavenly Father? Thist is your priceless purpose.

1. They learn their identity from you - go to their dads for answers to their biggest questions: Who is God? Who am I? Am I loved?
2. They learn their values from you - Kids watch their dads to find what’s important. Constantly reinforce the higher priorities and deeper truths of life.
3. They learn their worth from you - girls with strong dads are much more likely to feel secure

Great homes don’t just happen, need to be intentionally cultivated and guarded.

Let truth, love, and wise discipline become constant ingredients of fathering.

Jeshua and Zerubbabel joined his fellow priests in rebuilding the alter of the God of Israel - Ezra 3:2-3

Ask yourself what tops your list of things to do, if spending time with God is not, then it is time to make an adjustment

Their actions created a buzz - they insisted on rebuilding the alter before rebuilding the city wall

"Can't that wait?" "Don't these guys understand the danger we face?"

Jeshua and Zerubbabel understood without God's protection, their enemies would destroy them, wall or no wall

They remembered what happened to the previous wall builder - they forgot to include God and their wall came tumbling down

Does anything on your to do list come before spending time with God?

When you make time with GOd your top priority, you invite blessings on all the other items on the list.

Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people - Joshua 1

God called Joshua to lead the people

He struggled through fears but he became a great example of hom to make fear a nonissue

Joshua did not start this way.

How did Joshua get courage?

1. He had a strong sense of purpose - Joshua 1:6
2. He completely obeyed God's instruction - Joshua 1:7

Recipe for courage: Joshua was determined to go where God called him to go and do what God called him to do

When you combine God-given sense of purpose and a commitment to obedience, God willenale to defeat your enmied and give all he promised

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

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 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:

• 40 years living in Midian
• Faced down a stubborn Pharaoh
• Saw God's power in freeing his people from salvary

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?

The time has come for you to lead these people - Joshua 1:2

Throughout the Scripture, God attaches promises to His commands - If you do this, I will do that

Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you - Joshua 1:3

Joshua is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of how "showing up" at God's command leads to victory

His promises are often contingent upon our taking steps of obedience

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?

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?