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Searching for "evil" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "25" to "50". (99 found)

2010-01-21 - Kingdom First - Handle Prayerfully (part 3)
Lord's Prayer: A brief overview:
  1. Our Father in heaven - Set our minds on personal and intimate relationship we have with our God
  2. Hallowed be your name  - Praise and honor him
  3. Your Kingdom come  - Pray for his church, disciples, leaders, people whom the gospel has not reached
  4. Your will be done - Pray for a submissive heart toward will of God in our lives
  5. Give us this day our daily bread - Pray through today's schedule, needs, relying on God
  6. Forgive us our debts - Confess specific sin
  7. As we also have forgiven our debtors - Commit before God to resolve conflict, hurts, concerns in all relationships
  8. Lead us not into temptation - Wrestle with God to be submissive and repentant in areas of weakness
  9. Deliver us from the evil one - Pray that God to stop Satan and than God for victories in him


2010-01-26 - Kingdom First - Self Titled
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, all these things will be given you - Matthew 6:33

Kingdom First:
  • Everything must be re-examined
  • Everything must be reconsidered
  • Every desire, dream, use of money and time
  • Now everything must have a kingdom-first focus
How to tell when you are not seeking first his kingdom:
  1. When you don't have daily times with God in the Bible and prayer
  2. Responsibilities to the church are a burden
  3. Not happy or consistent in giving
  4. Personal comfort, desires direct life's decisions
  5. Can't find the time to share your faith
  6. Gain greater feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction serving another "kingdom"
  7. You have greater regard and protection of your schedule
  8. Discipleship times, family devotionals not deep or consistent
  9. Gaining one more than is greater than gaining one more soul
  10. Dreams center more in this world than in the kingdom
Are you seeking first his kingdom?
The kingdom consists of people who volunteer in a battle between good and evil

2010-02-01 - One Another - Confession Questions (part 2)
What is the power of confession?

a. It brings the forgiveness of sin and purifies us from all unrighteousness - 1 John 1:7-9

b. Confession brings fellowship with God and with brothers and sisters - 1 John 1:7-9
Confession is just not good for the soul, it is good for other's souls and unity

c. Confession represents a strong stand against Satan
Resist the devil and he will flee - James 4:7

d. Confession is contagious - one person's confession can encourage another's confession

2010-03-20 - To Live is Christ - Enemies of the Cross
The acceptance of Jesus leads to joy and not to be naive - Philippians 3:17-21
Be thankful but still have our eyes wide open

The cross stands as a constant reminder of the battle between good and evil
Jesus did not just hang out at the cross - HE DIED there because of his enemies
And the war goes on

To act as though we do could do enough to earn salvation - undermines Jesus' sacrifice
To act as though grace is a license for sin - undermines the purpose of the cross - Romans 6:17

Enemies of the cross = people with minds on earthly things

Philippians had a unique blessing of having Roman citizenship outside of Rome
Our real home country is heaven and our loyalty is to the King of Kings

2010-04-09 - Life to the Full - Two Wisdoms (part 3)
When to comes to the tongue, it is the little things that make all the difference

James compares the tongue to - James 3:3-7:
  • Bits into the mouth of a horse
  • A rudder on a large ship
  • A spark that starts a large fire
  • Taming wild animals is easier that taming our own tongue
Our lives will be used for good or evil, depending on how we control this tiny part of our body

James used his experienced practical teaching style to explain that good and evil should not coexist - James 3:9-12
3 of 4 major crops were - figs, olives, and grapes

Is there far more positive coming from your mouth than negative?

2010-05-09 - World Hates Jesus (part 1)

Preached by Richard Dixon - 1999-09-19

John 15:18-25

  • They didn't want to obey
  • 90% of what they said about Jesus was negative
  • What did they not like? His teachings

    Luke 9:23 Deny self
    Luke 13:5 Repent!
    Luke 14:25-26 Love more than anyone
    Luke 9:57-62 Leave everything
    Luke 6:27-31 Love your enemies
    Luke 12:13-31 Do not worry
    Luke 8:24 Faithlessness as evil

  • American Dream - living for me.
  • Not total commitment then we are not totally convince.
  • Challenges our very self
  • Showing someone the truth will either:
    • They will love you
    • They will hate you

John 3:19-21

  • The way you respond shows your love for God
  • It is not natural to be open.


2010-05-16 - Desire's Journey - Battle Between Us
What causes fights? Isn't it the evil desires within you? - James 4:1-2

The life we want is so far from the life we truly want.
For longing to be filled - we need the cooperation of others
We need others, it is part of our design
Very few of our desire are self-fulfilling

The world is indifferent to our desire
We weren't made to be ignored
We pretend it does not matter - it is doing damage to our souls

Resentment - simmering anger at our blocked desires
We pretend we have rise above it

2010-05-17 - Desire's Journey - The Beast Within
Years of living in an indifferent hostile world creates a deep sense of unsettledness with in us

Battle of good and evil within us - Romans 7:20-23
Sinful desires are contrary to the Spirit
They conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want - Galatians 5:17

There is a nagging awareness warning us not to feel our hunger too deeply or it will undo us
We wouldn't want to do anything crazy or desperate

We want what our unmet desire wants but our sinful nature wants what is contrary

We try everything - TV, sex, relationships, drugs, etc - going one to another
We don't know what we want because we're so unacquaninted with our desire

We try to keep a safe distance between our daily lives and our heart's desire - because it causes us too much trouble

Do we really want to open Pandora's box?

Dare we awaken our hears to their true desires?
Is it better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all?

Our dilemma is this: we can't seem to live with desire, and we can't live without it



2010-05-21 - Desire's Journey - Good News?
The promise of life has been lost in the focus of knowledge and performance

Pharisee knew more about the Bible than we ever will - and it hardened their hearts

There were two trees in the garden of Eden:
  • Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil
  • Tree of Life
We go the wrong tree

Each church has its unspoken list of what you should and should not do
We are told this is the good news

We don't need more facts
We don't need more things to do
We need life

You have made know to me the path of life - Psalms 16:11
My soul pants for you - Psalms 42:1-2
My soul thirsts for you - Psalms 63:1

Why did Jesus appeal to desire?
Because it was essential for life
He who has the Son has life - 1 John 5:12



2010-05-30 - Desire's Journey - Assault on Desire

Battle of desire is not something that just takes place with us or even between us - but against us

Advirtisers play on our desire of creating an image that everyone who is anyone has the object for sale

The evil one has two ploys:

  • Kill our hearts and bury our desires
  • Seduce our desire into a trap

Our addictions are our own worst enemies

Like the rich, young ruler - we find we can not give up our treasures even though God has something much better



2010-07-16 - Desire's Journey - Deeper Desire (part 3)
The first step in the journey of desire is to stop pretending that we would be happy with less
Recovering our heart involves facing our deepest disappointments
We do not need to fear what we find because our heart is our biggest ally

The father of lies takes many people out of the journey for life by keeping them in shallow desire
He threatens us from going to the deep waters of desire by telling us that are core desires are evil
Makes us thing that every thought and desire is our own

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; remove your heart of stone - Ezekiel 36:26
Our core desires are good: I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts - Jeremiah 31:33

We still struggle with sin with our tendency to kill desire or give our hearts over to false desires

2010-08-12 - Waking Dead - Myths (part 3)

Myth tell us three truths, this third one is:

3. In this desparate hour, we have a crucial role to play

Neo sees himself as Thomas Anderson, but he was the one
Dorthy see herself as just a farm girl from Kansas but Joan of Arc was also on the farm but saw much more

People in the scriptures that saw this:

  • Little boy slays the gaint
  • Loudmouthed fisherman who can not keep a job to lead the church
  • Sinful woman with a golden heart became a example of humility to the Pharisees

This eternal truth is the most difficult for us to believe
Our days are extraordinary but most don't see it this way
It is the 'veil of familarity' - you are not what you think you are

There is a glory to your life that your enemy fears

The one who knows what you could be, fears it
The whole world lies under the power of the evil one - 1 John 5:19

Things happen to you and we question why
There is a bigger story going on

If believe we have a crucial role to play and come to know it is true, everything would change



2010-08-20 - Waking Dead - Our Desperate Need
Something has gone wrong within the human race
Most of the misery we suffer on this planet is the fruit of the human heart gone bad

God created us to reflect his glory
Barely three chapters into the Bible, we have missed up the whole project - Sin enters the picture
By chapter 6, God can not bear it anymore and has to start over - Genesis 6:5-6
This is the first mention of God's heart and it is broken

We know we are not what we were meant to be
Most of the religions concur on this point
Usual remedies involve some sort of shaping up
  • Jews try to keep the Law
  • Buddhist follow the Eightfold Path
  • Muslims live by the Five Pillars
  • Many Christians attend church and live morally
The problem is not our behavior, it is in us
Out of the heart comes all sorts of evil - Matthew 15:19
We don't need an upgrade, we need transformation

2010-08-28 - Waking Dead - Wisdom and Heart
Our heart has been made good by work of Christ but we haven't learned how to live from it
Launching out with an untrained heart can bring disaster
We can easily be shamed into sin management and think our heart is bad

The church choose those who had both wisdom and the Spirit - Acts 6:3
We need both

Wisdom is crying out
  • Do not rush the field - Luke 14:31
  • Train yourself to discern good from evil - Hebrews 5:14
  • Live as through your life is at stake - Matthew 10:16
Wisdom is not cramming our heads with principles but developing a discerning heart
Solomon was so sharp because he had a wise and discerning heart - 1 Kings 3:9

But wisdom is not enough
  • Against "wisdom", the disciples were asked to go Saul, the one who used to murder Christians, and lay his hands on him - Acts 9:13-14
  • Would you counsel a father to sacrifice his only child?
  • Take on a fortified city by slashing your ranks from 32,000 to 300?
  • Jesus to give himself up to the authorities and let himself get killed
Wisdom is not enough, it may even hold us back
The common sense life can be the enemy of the supernatural life

2010-08-30 - Waking Dead - Pay Attention to our Heart
Most of us have not been trained to pay attention to our heart
It will take a little practice to tune in to it

Many understand how to play the beautiful instrument of the heart
  • Advertisers work on you to get you to buy their product
  • Your boss knows how to keep you moving
  • Devil is the master at manipulating the heart
The hairs of our head are easier to count than to understand the movement of the heart

The enemy to distress you by throwing all sorts of thoughts your way and blaming you for it
We must proceed with the assumption that your heart is good - Romans 7
Over time you will grow familiar with the movements of your heart

Just like if any counsel or word that presents itself as being from God - must be checked against his word

The flesh will try to use your freedom to get you to do things you shouldn't do
Any discouragement, condemnation (Romans 8:1), accusation, confusion is not from God

His conviction brings desire for repentance - 2 Corinthians 7:10

2010-09-11 - Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 3)
Satan is the Father of Lies - John 8:44
His first attack on the human race was to lie to Adam and Eve
He lied about God and where life was found

He hoping we buy into whatever he is saying
The evil one is still lying to us and is seeking our agreement every day

Try to hold on to this and see much accusation you live under
Your heart is good
Your heart matters to God

We must make no agreement with him
Most of the time we don't recognize the attack because we do not live as though we are at war
We assume these impressions are our own

Any movement toward freedom, life, God, or others will be opposed
Marriage, friendship, beauty, rest - the thief wants it all

2010-09-26 - Waking Dead - Heart of Treasure
Above all else, guard your heart - Proverbs 4:23

Having so long believed our hearts are evil, we assume the warning is to keep us out of trouble
So we lock up our hearts and throw away the key and try to get on with our living
It does say guard your heart because it is criminal but because it is the wellspring of of life
It is treasure - everything else depends on it

Above all else?
We don't even do it once in a while - we careless with our hearts

What if we were careful?
Faith would be must deeper
Relationships so much better

We live completely backwards
"All else" is above our hearts

What do you do on a monthly basis to take care of your heart?

God intends that we treat our hearts as treasures
They were ransomed at a tremendous cost

2010-10-30 - Contagious Christian - Barriers to Relationships (part I)
Biblical Issues with understanding what friendships are in the Bible can be barriers to relationships
Some feel that befriending people who are irreligious is questionable and maybe unbiblical

A look at a few examples of some verses misunderstood

James 4:4 - says not to be friends with the world
1 John 2:15-17 - world is referring to sin and evil that people commit, not to the people themselves
We need to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world

John 17:14 - we are not of this world is sometimes interpreted that we should not associate with people outside of God's family
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one - John 17:15-18
Jesus' purpose was to seek and save what is lost, he had to have relationships in the world to accomplish this - Luke 19:10

2 Corinthians 6:17 - Come out from them and be separate; avoid being yoked with unbelievers
Not referring to everyday friendships but more formal alliances
Paul in an earlier letter said that ordinary interactions with non-Christians is right and necessary - 1 Corinthians 5:9-10

Jesus was a friend of tax collectors and sinners - Luke 7:34

2010-11-16 - Contagious Christian - Making the Message Clear (part I)
Before you can bring the message to others, need to make sure we clearly understand we understand the message ourselves
Making the message clear will need us to be able to illustrate it for those we talk to

God
Three aspects of God we need to look at:
  1. God is loving - Out of compassion He made us and still desires to have a relationship despite our sin against him
  2. God is holy - He is absolutely pure and is separate from everything impure
  3. God is just - He is a perfect judge who will dispense justice to everyone fairly
Us
God made us without sin but we abused our freedom and became evil
Sin requires God to pronounce upon us the death penalty - both physical and spiritual
This is separation from God via hell
We are helpless to change this

Christ
God had the power and authority to devise a plan for our salvation
Christ died and suffered the death penalty debt for us and
  • Expressed the love of God
  • Upheld the holiness of God
  • Satisfied the justice of God
He offered us His forgiveness and friendship
You don't deserve it, we didn't pay for it, we can not earn it

He paid a debt He did not owe
I owned a debt I could not pay

2010-11-21 - Contagious Christian - Breaking Barriers to Belief (part II)
2. Bad Teaching

Some carry inaccurate portrayals of God because they have been taught wrong ideas

As long as they picture God as someone who he is not, they will not want to follow him
  • A helpless old man
  • Cosmic killjoy
  • Disinterested deity
  • Harsh ogre
Misguided mental images effectively blunt  people's motivation to move toward God
Identify with your friends concerns and share your own misconceptions
Beast way of replacing misguided ideas with accurate ones is to teach the Bible

3. Natural Fears

Some have distorted images of Christianity
They are going to lose more than they'll ever gain - misunderstanding God's character

Taste the Lord, his is good - Psalms 34:8

In John 10, Jesus sensed that people were worried about God's plan for their lives
The evil one comes to destroy your life. But I am not like him. I came to give you life to the full.

Christian it not only great way to die but also a great way to live.

2010-11-29 - Trusting God - Samuel
Preached by Rob Milner

Read 1 Samuel 13

Following God's instruction is the key to our success

1 Samuel 10:8 - Go to Gilgal and wait for 7 days and then we will sacrifice
Samuel was the judge before their were kings

Saul waited for 7 days but did not wait to do the burnt offerings
He did not follow God's instructions exactly
How long before we stop waiting?

Ever wanted to take matters into our own hands?
There is nothing as good as trusting and then God fulfilling his promise

There are two battles:
  • Battle between good and evil
  • Battle between faith and action
James 2:18-24
  • v22 - Faith and works - work together
  • Faith without deeds is dead
  • Where am I not following exactly?
  • What am I not submitting to God's will?

James 4:7-8 - God calls us to submit to him fully

Trust in God and not your situation

1 Samuel 13:11-12 - Saul doubted that Samuel was coming

James 1:5-8 - we should believe and not doubt

Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in God and not on one's own understanding
Depending on one's own understanding creates:

  • Pride
  • Controlling person
  • Self-reliant
  • Unreliable - allows our situations to change us
  • Lose of conviction
Psalms 118:8 - Better to rely on God than man

Protect your blacksmiths or you will be found defenseless

1 Samuel 13:19-21
What are the blacksmiths of our lives?
  • Knowledge of the Bible
  • Daily prayer/walk with God
  • Brotherly fellowship


2010-12-23 - Cross of Christ (part I)
Romans 3:22-26, 5:6-8
  • The cross is a demonstration of God’s justice in the face of sin.
  • God would not be righteous if he simply looked the other way in the face of sin and evil.
  • The cross is the greatest demonstration of God’s love. Because God loves us, Jesus Christ died for our sins.
Mark 10:42-45
  • Jesus understood God’s plan for him to give himself as a ransom for us - to die for our sins.
  • He could do this only because of his sinless life.
Mark 14:26-15:41
  • One account of the crucifixion. As you read and discuss each section, ask the question: “Why did God allow this to happen to Jesus?” Because He loves us! (To better describe the physical torments of the crucifixion, you may also wish to read “The Passion of the Christ from a Medical Point of View” by C. Truman Davis, M.D.)


2011-02-01 - Gender Controversy - Intro
We are told that the opposition is a recent phenomenon

  • Bible does not condemn homosexuality
  • Committed homosexual relationships is compatible with Biblical unity

They use examples: Jon/David, Ruth, Naomi

Clear passages are "reinterpreted" so the "modern reader" can understand

  • In the past, people were ashamed to go public
  • People did not have to address it because it was understood
  • Francis Turretin  (17th century) said that homosexuality was  - "sin against nature"

Both sides claim the Bible supports their view - It is one way or the other

Bible disapproves but offers hope
Satan wants to call evil good and good evil

Sodom and Gomorrah
Genesis 13:13 - MEN were exceedingly wicked; rebelled against God

2011-02-25 - Counting the Cost (part I)
Purpose: We want to review things with you to answer any questions or help with situations that could occur.

Luke 14:25-27
  • 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?
James 4:7 - Temptations will come but you need to resist them - fighting for your life/salvation.

1 John 1:5-10
  • 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)


2011-03-08 - NT Commands (part I)

Commands found in the New Testament:

  • Abstain from sinful desires - 1 Peter 2:11
  • Always be prepared to preach the Word - 2 Timothy 4:2
  • Avoid foolish arguments about the law - Titus 3:9
  • Avoid evil - 1 Thessalonians 5:22
  • Avoid godless chatter - Timothy 2:15
  • Avoid false and opposing ideas - 1 Timothy 6:20
  • Avoid troublemakers - Romans 16:17-18
  • Be able to teach - 2 Timothy 2:24


2011-03-14 - NT Commands (part VII)
Been studying the New Testament commands for the past week:

  • Resist the devil - James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9
  • Stand firm in the faith - 1 Corinthians 15:58; 1 Corinthians 16:13;1 Peter 5:9
  • Store treasures in heaven - Matthew 6:20-21
  • Submit to the governing authorities - Romans 13:1
  • Submit yourself to God - James 4:7
  • Submit yourself to each other - Ephesians 5:21
  • Test everything - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
  • Walk with the Spirit - Galatians 5:25
  • Warn those who are idle - 1 Thessalonians 5:14
  • Watch your life and your doctrine closely - 1 Timothy 4:16


2011-05-16 - Names of Satan (part III)
Studying Satan's names:
  • Evil spirit - 1 Samuel 16:14
  • Father of lies - John 8:44
  • Great red dragon - Revelation 12:3
  • Leviathan - Isaiah 27:1
  • Liar - John 8:44


2011-05-18 - Names of Satan (part V)
Satan's names study:
  • Prince of this world - John 14:30
  • Prince of the devils - Matthew 12:24
  • Prince of the power of the air - Ephesians 2:2
  • Ruler of the darkness of this world - Ephesians 6:12
  • Satan - 1 Chronicles 21:1; Job 1:6


2011-05-26 - Fearing God - Slave or Son
Two types of fear:
  • Servile fear - latin meaning slave
  • Filial fear - meaning son
Servile fear is illustrated by the third servant in Christ's parable of the talents
He went out and hid his talent in the ground - Matthew 25:24-25
The devil is the author of servile fear - he uses it to haunt and disturb Christians to make our lives uncomfortable

Filial fear is loving fear of a child toward his father
A mixture of reference, pleasure, joy, and awe which fills our hearts when we realize who God is and what He has done for us

There are 150 references to the fear of God, most in the Old Testament
Ones in the New Testament convince us that fearing God is an attitude of the heart

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.
  1. The source of your behavior - Proverbs 4:23
  2. The source of your speech
  • Out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks - Luke 6:45
  • How can you who are evil say anything good? - Matthew 12:33-37
  1. The source of all evil behavior
  • What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean' - Mark 7:20-23
  • Every inclination of the thoughts of his heart were evil - Genesis 6:5


2011-06-27 - Mind of Christ - Helping People (part II)
The following attitudes can help bring about a heart of compassion:
  1. You must sympathize with people out of a tender heart.
  2. You must believe that every person is precious to God
  3. You must be aware of your own humanness
  • You are made of the same stuff as every other person.
  • Potentially, the situation that exists with other people in desparate struggles.
  1. You must desire to make a difference in peoples’ lives. There must be a desire to count in this world.
  2. You must deny self that allows you to place the interest of others ahead of your own.
The heart of Jesus should be compared with the uncompassionate hearts of others.

  • ~John 8:1-11 - Pharisees vs Jesus (Woman caught in adultery)
  • ~Mark 5:1-20 - Man with an evil spirit vs Jesus
  • ~Luke 7:36-50 - Pharisees vs Jesus (Sinful Woman)
  • ~Matthew 19:13-15 - Disciples vs Jesus


2011-07-07 - Mind of Christ - Heavenly Mission (part II)
Jesus employed at least five elements to accomplish this mission:

1. He gave himself totally to its fulfillment.
  • John 6:51 - This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
  • Galatians 1:4 - He gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age
  • Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live
  • Ephesians 5:2 - Christ loved us and gave himself up for us
  • Titus 2:14 - He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness
  • 1 John 3:16 - Jesus Christ laid down his life for us
  • John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
  • Philippians 2:7- He made himself nothing
  • Hebrews 7:27 - He sacrificed for their sins once for all


2011-08-01 - Mind of Christ - Servant, Washing Feet (part II)
The washing of the disciples feet was illustrative of Christ’s life and ministry
  • Acts 10:38 - How he went around doing good and healing all
  • Mark 1:29-41, 6:30-56 - Taking care of the needs around him
  • 2 Corinthians 8:9 - Became poor so we could become rich
  • Philippians 2:6-8 - Taking on the nature of a servant
The washing of the disciples feet is illustrative of Christ’s death on the cross.
  • Isaiah 53 - He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows
  • Matthew 20:28 - Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve
  • Galatians 1:4, 2:20 - Gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age
  • Ephesians 5:2, 25 - Gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering
No calling we have received will make us more like Christ than that of being a servant

2011-09-17 - Proverbs on Purity (part II)
#3. Cling to what is Good

Proverbs 7:1-5
- God's word will lead us to purity of mind

There’s a saying, “Garbage in Garbage out”
  • This is true spiritually also, what we put in our minds will come out in our actions.
  • This is why pornography is damaging (once the images are in our minds they can stay for weeks, months even years).
  • The only way to refocus our minds is to concentrate on pure ideas.
Consistent Bible study and prayer are important if you want your mind and actions to be pure.
  • Begin your day with a positive message from God and that will help you overcome the temptations of the day (world).

#4. Avoid the temptation

Proverbs 4:14-15
- Don't take the path of evil people. Don't live the way sinners do.

Proverbs 4:25-27 - Don't turn to the right or left.

One way to not give in to lust is to avoid it or flee from it.

James 4:7 - Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

Avoid the places that are tempting to you (wild parties, lustful parts of the city, TV shows)
  • Make a conscience effort to not go the direction (path) of the things that tempt you.
  • The inconvenience is well worth it.
The battle is and will not be easy. Lust is one of Satan’s most powerful weapons.
  • But we must stand ready to do battle with him.
  • We can have the victory in this area if we have a fighting spirit (fight for purity).


2011-10-02 - Genesis 2 - Creation & Recreation Recap

Summary

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

Observations

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

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

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

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

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

Personal Application

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



2011-10-04 - Genesis 4 - Cain Murders Abel

Summary

Eve's sons made offerings to God. Only Abel's was acceptable, so Cain killed him. Abel's blood cried out and God sent Cain away.

Observations

Genesis 4:7 - if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door
The sins of omission are very related to the sins of commission. If you are sitting on the sidelines, you have time (maybe considered laziness) and you will give Satan time to put all sorts of temptations in your head. A lazy person bring is a good friend to the evil one and is considered a brother [Proverbs 18:9].

Genesis 4:9 - Am I my brother's keeper?
The Christian walk is more than God and us. It is also the people around us. We learn about relationships from others. We learn about ourselves and get feedback on how we are doing - and give it as well.  Without others we would have been pointed the way to God and we could not reach  others with the gospel.

Genesis 4:12 - You will be a restless wanderer on the earth
Without God in our lives, we are a restless wander. Our thoughts, emotions, and desires become our direction and we walk aimlessly - not knowing where we are, where we came from, or where we are going.

Genesis 4:26 - At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD
Since the beginning of time men began call for for God. It is built into the nature of our being. Time after time he has answered no matter how far away we go. But when he calls for us, will be answer? Will we let it go to voicemail? Are we screening our calls from Him and only answer the calls that are easy to take?

Personal Application

I wonder sometimes if I have my "ringer" loud enough for me to hear when God calls. A lot of times I look back on important events in my life and realize that I missed another lesson God was trying to teach me but I was not listening. I feel embarrassed  that I was so selfish during that times. I want to listen voice from God more intensely.



2011-10-06 - Genesis 6 - The Flood (part I)

Summary

Humankind corrupted the earth with evil. God decided to destroy them. He told Noah to build an ark to be saved from the flood.

Observations

Genesis 6:5 - every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time
At this point, in a relatively small amount of time, man no longer called out for God. It was just Genesis chapter 4 when men just began to call out for God and at this time

Genesis 6:13 - God said to Noah, "I am going to put an end to all people"
God shared his plans with Noah even though they were very troubling. A deep relationship is where you share you plans and dreams (not in this case). God trusted Noah. Noah trusted God even more (as he should). That mutual trust helped save mankind and allow us to live today.

Genesis 6:22 - Noah did everything just as God commanded him
After being 500 years old or so, Noah still did everything God commanded him to do. We can not imagine the pressure and persecution Noah must have gone through to build a boat in the middle of the dessert. Still he did not waiver. His complete faith was with God and trusted every word God spoke to him. We have trouble with just a small amount of faith that required to live our lives.

Personal Application

Increase 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)

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.



2011-10-13 - Genesis 13 - The Cowboy Conflict

Summary

Abram journeyed with his nephew Lot. Their servants argued, so Lot went to Sodom, Abram to Canaan. The LORD promised Abram the land.

Observations

Genesis 13:7 - So there were quarrels
When there are many things involved, sometimes because there are quarrels. Quarrels come from our evil desires within us [James 4:1]. It is not the amount of items but our heart toward them. In this day in age, there are many quarrel and we have many things. Right now Congress can not agree on much of anything. Are we fighting the good fight or just fighting each other?

Genesis 13:11 - Lot chose for himself the whole region of the Jordan
Lot had a choice, the better Lot wanted the "well-watered" land for himself but in the ended up with the land full of sin. When chose what is better for ourselves rather than others, we many times not get what we think we are getting. If Lot had the choice over again, he would have likely would chose to give the land to Abram but it instead cost him his life.

Personal Application

I have been very quarrelsome at work recently - there is a lot that frustrates me right now. I need to relax and count my blessings. It is not worth broken relationships or loss of life.



2011-10-18 - Genesis 18 - Abraham prays for Sodom

Summary

Three visitors came and said that Sarah would have a son next year. Sodom was very evil; Abraham pleaded with the LORD for the city.

Observations

Genesis 18:14 - Is anything too hard for the LORD?
This is a good question to ask ourselves in times where we doubt God in anyway. Sarai doubted that she would become pregnant because of how old she was. Mary may have been thinking of this scripture when the angel came to her saying she would become pregnant as a virgin - her reaction was much more faithful. Bog came do much more than we can ask or imagine [Ephesians 3:20].

Genesis 18:32 - For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it
God wants all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth [1 Timothy 2:4]. It is the reason God will waiting out all the evil and sin that is in the world. He is looking and searching out those who will changing their ways and love him back. Who around us is looking for God?

Personal Application

I doubt God way too much (once is too much )and I do probably everyday - I am doing it right now. God is god, he can do anything. Yes, even that. I have got to stop making God smaller in my mind. Every time that I think I have an understanding how big and strong he is - God is beyond that. He greater than I can imagine.



2011-11-18 - Thankfulness
Thankfulness

Colossians 1:3,10-12, 2:6-7, 3:15, 17, 4:2
 - In one letter we are instructed SEVEN times to be thankful people. Pretty important

CHART

Philippians 4:10-13 ~ Paul did not start out this way
  • Paul learned thankfulness no matter what your circumstances
  • Without doubt the most valuable secret in life.
  • How can we learn to be thankful?
3 Keys:

1. Remember the past.

    Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ Remember how you used to live. 
  • Remember that you were an object of wrath and on the path to hell.
  • Think how fortunate you are to be in God's grace and on the road to heaven.
  • Were would you be today without God's grace?
2. New thinking in the present

    Serve with a grateful heart
    Matthew 6:1-4 ~ Remember it is more blessed to give than receive.
  • Learn to enjoy serving God and His people.
  • Don't look for recognition.
  • Old life hide sin, new life hide good
    Trust God in everything
    Romans 8:28  ~ God works out EVERYTHING for the good of those who love him.
    Do you believe this ?

3. Think toward the future.


    Philippians 4:2-8 ~ You name is written in the book of life.
  • What do you see?
    • Do not be anxious about anything - the Lord is near.
    • Constantly think about GOOD, NOBLE, HONOURABLE and PURE things. (Don't allow the devil to pollute your mind).
    • Rejoice in the Lord always.


2011-11-19 - Getting Started (part I)
The first few weeks of your new life as a disciple are crucial. Satan is angry because of his loss and God’s gain and he will make an effort to get you off-track as soon as possible. (Revelation 12:7-12) This study will help you get off to a fast start and help you have the right focus to stay close to God and keep the devil at a distance.

Remember what has just happened
  • Romans 6:1-4 - You have begun a brand new life; you were born again (John 3:1-5)
  • Acts 2:36-41 - Every one of your sins has been forgiven and forgotten (Jeremiah 31:31-34)
  • Galatians 3:26-28 - The blood of Christ you received at baptism now covers and protects you.
  • Ephesians 1:13-14 - You received the Holy Spirit who gives you power (Romans 8:5-11)
  • 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 - You have been added to the body; enjoy your new family
Remember what got you to this point
  • Ephesians 4:17~24 - You humbled yourself and let others teach and challenge you – keep it up
  • Acts 19:17-20 - You were completely open with your sins – keep it up
  • Romans 6:17-18 - You obeyed the Bible teaching when you saw it – keep it up
  • Hebrews 3:12-14 - You spent good quality time with other disciples - keep it up


2011-11-24 - God (part II)
God is a powerful God
  • 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
God is a loving God
  • 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
God is serious God
  • 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
These and many other passages will help you better understand the full and complete nature of God. None of us want other people to make a judgment on us with just a few facts about our lives. God doesn’t either!! Continue to read the Bible and learn more about your great God. What you will discover is that the more you know, the more you see just how magnificent God really is.

2011-11-29 - Gratitude (part II)
Gratitude must be seen in our prayer life
  • Philippians 4:6 - Start your prayer times every day with your thankful list
  • 1 Timothy 4:4 - Be grateful for everything God has provided you with – even the basics
Lack of gratitude is both sinful and dangerous
  • Romans 1:21 - Not thanking God can lead to involvement in other sinful areas
  • Luke 17:11-19 - Not thanking God for the blessings you receive is selfish
Gratitude should be felt and spoken on a continual basis
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be thankful in all circumstances, whether great or challenging
  • Ephesians 5:19-20 - Always be thankful-for all things (make a list of 200 thing to be grateful)
As you can see, gratitude is a very important part of your Christian life. Being grateful for all things and at all times will not be easy. You will need to be constantly remind yourself and be reminded by others just how awesome God is and how good He has been to you. The devil wants you to be negative-a whiner and complainer. God wants and expects you to be a grateful disciple. Make some decisions today about how thankful you will be from this day forward.

2011-12-02 - Guarding Your Heart (part I)
Keeping your heart in good condition is not just an important physical principle, but a spiritual one as well. A bad spiritual heart will cause spiritual sickness and ultimately spiritual death – separate from God. The Bible gives us some great information on how to keep our hearts in good spiritual shape and keep them beating strong and healthy for God until the day we die.

We guard our hearts to keep the good and keep away the bad we’re tempted to do
  • Proverbs 4:10-15 - We must make daily decisions to turn away from evil
  • Proverbs 4:23-27 - Our hearts either keep us healthy or harm us spiritually; life or death
Sins is what damages our heart
  • Hebrews 3:12-14 - Sin hardens (diseases) our heart and turns us from God
  • Mark 4:14-20 - Sin and worldliness can choke us from breathing normal
We must do what we can to keep sin far away from our heart
  • Proverbs 7:6-27 - Be careful to stay away from tempting situations you could have avoided
  • 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 - Don’t spend time with the wrong people or in the wrong places
  • 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - Break off any serious union with those who don’t share your convictions
  • 2 Timothy 2:22-23 - Run away if you need to; it is not weak to realize you are weak


2011-12-05 - Day 2 - Tested and Tempted
Matthew 3:16-4:11
  1. What happened to Jesus after his baptism? What should you expect after your baptism?
  2. How was Jesus tempted to question his relationship with God? God's plan for him?
  3. How has Satan tempted you with doubts/insecurity/fears since your baptism?
  4. How did Jesus use the Bible to fight temptation? How does the Bible expose Satan's lies?
Ephesians 6:10-18
  1. How might the devil scheme against you?
  2. What armor has God provided to keep you strong?
  3. What is our only "weapon" against Satan (vs. 17)?
Application: Expect to be tempted and decide to be open about your struggles. Talk with another Christian today about your temptations and pray together.

2011-12-24 - Day 21 - Rejoice in Persecutions
Matthew 5:10-11
  1. What should make us rejoice in persecutions?
  2. Have people insulted or spoken evil of you because of Jesus?
  3. How did you feel?
  4. Who else has been treated this way?
John 15:18-23
  1. How should we expect to be treated?
  2. Why does the world hate us?
  3. What makes people feel guilty when they see us become disciples?
Acts 4:13-22
  1. What made Peter and John so bold?
  2. Has anyone tried to stop you from teaching, speaking or worshiping Jesus?
  3. How have you responded?
Acts 5:17-29
  1. Jesus was persecuted out of envy (MARK 15:10); the apostles were arrested out of jealousy.
  2. Why will we be persecuted or slandered?
  3. By whom?
  4. What was the apostles' reply when they were told to stop?
Acts 5:40-42 - What made the apostles happy?

Application: Let verse 42 be your theme today and every day.

2012-02-03 - Ministry - A Righteous Response
Mark 11:15-17, John 2:15,16

How does Jesus deal with anger? I know many of us, consider Jesus' response to the temple being used for a marketplace as an example of righteous anger. However, I studied eight different translations and the scriptures never state "Jesus got angry. John records that Jesus "made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area. It is hard to imagine myself doing this without harshness and anger but I did not conclude that Jesus was harsh or mean. In Mark 11:17 it simply says that he next "taught them". In John, the disciples saw his actions as "zeal" and when confronted by the Pharisees he answered their questions with profound teaching. This was not a man out of control while responding to mistreatment of his Father's house. Jesus was very God-focused in the way he dealt with the emotion of anger. In Mark 3:5,6 the scripture points out that Jesus was angry "at their stubborn hearts" because they could not respond to his questions due to evil intentions in their hearts. Jesus was angry. How did he deal with it? Further study indicates Jesus combined anger with being/feeling: "deeply distressed. His next response was to heal a man with a shriveled hand and to teach us all an amazing lesson about how deeply God cares for us. WOW! I'm not like Jesus when I get angry, how about you?

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


2012-02-04 - Ministry - Pick Up Your Sword
Matthew 4:1-11

As Christians we constantly live under spiritual warfare. The battle between Satan and God constantly rages. In this passage we see just a glimpse of one skirmish. Satan attacks with his weapon-temptation, and Jesus responds with his skillfully sharpened sword: the Word of God. In this clash Jesus is able to defeat Satan first because he sees the battle,and second because of his passion to fight it with the scriptures.

Question: Do you see the battle? Do you know when you are being tempted, or do the devil's enticements escape you and you easily fall into sin?

In these scriptures Jesus teaches us how to fight back. (V.4) When daily temptation and sin come we have to have deep convictions that we need the Bible. (Satan's first temptation was doubt. "If you are the Son of God") Are you tempted to ignore your desperation for God? Are you desperate to be right with God? Are you tempted to skip your quiet times?

(V.6-7) Are you tempted to test God? Do you think, "If he doesn't answer this prayer, then I won't pray anymore," or "He didn't do that, so I am leaving." Does bitterness or persecution tempt you? Tempted to doubt the kingdom or the scriptures? Tempted to doubt the only church in the Bible, the salvation of family members, or tempted to ignore certain passages Cling to the truths in the scriptures, they are your most powerful weapons. (V. 8-10) Q: Are you tempted by the world? Tempted by their ease? Their power? Their leisure? Tempted to worship what they do-money, attention, praise, desire? (Ps 73)

Write down the temptations you are most susceptible to.

Find a scripture passage in your QT that will help you fight back.

2012-02-23 - Fear of Failure - God Always Sees the Humble Heart
by Gene Kim - Ministry Intern: San Francisco Church of Christ

1 Kings 21

Ahab really wanted Naboth's vineyard, and so he was willing to do anything to get it. He kept on sinning until he got the vineyard - discouragement, self-pity, anger, and eventually murder. There are "vineyards" in everyone's lives nowadays, jobs, relationships, or successes. Ahab was so consumed with what he wanted that his marriage was ungodly. I see how I don't lead my wife because I get consumed with my job and success, and my relationship with God goes the same way as my marriage. I get so guilty that I lose confidence in how God can use my life.
What encourages me about this scripture is how God uses people to confront others with the truth and how He is hoping for people to humble themselves and turn back to Him. Ahab was described as a man who "sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord" (v. 25). Elijah warned Ahab of the impending disaster because of his sin. Ahab took God's warning seriously and humbled himself before God, and the Lord noticed and blessed him! I can feel at times that I have messed up so much that God would never believe in me again, and yet God is merely looking for a heart that is humble, broken, and grateful. He hopes that I would have the courage to see my sin. God notices and moves on behalf of a humble heart!

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