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Searching for "joy" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "25" to "50". (141 found)

2009-01-10 - Raising Awesome Kids - Close Family
Is there any place where our weaknesses are exposed more than in our own homes?

Most families are not that close
Many families merely exist together without any deep love or enjoyment of one another

  • Cain and Abel - murder by his own brother
  • Jacob and his twin brother Esau - folly from their parents' favoritism
  • Jacob's sons turning against their younger brother Joseph
  • Family of David - torn apart by lust, rape, incest, murder
God is showing us what will happen if we are disunited

Four keys to having a close family:
  1. Respect
  2. Openness
  3. Fabric
  4. Atmosphere


2009-01-15 - Raising Awesome Kids - Atmosphere (part 1)

Overall tone of a home
For a family to be close, the atmosphere must be great

What do we need to do to make the atomsphere great?

Basic attitude of being positive and joyful
God is with us, life is great, and no matter what happens, we're going to come out ahead

As leaders of the family, parents must set the tine
Don't let a sour, negative child ruin the atmosphere



2009-01-16 - Raising Awesome Kids - Atmosphere (part 2)

If we can laugh together, then we like being together, which adds up to unity

Idea: have a "joke night" - everyone tell jokes

Happy heart makes the face cheerful - Proverbs 15:13

Cheerful heart has a continual feast - Proverbs 15:15

Cheerful look brings joy to the heart - Proverbs 15:30

Cheerful heart is good medicine - Proverbs 17:22

The phyical environment need to be pleasant
Dirt, filth, and clutter do not create an atmosphere of closeness

The environment says, "we don't care", then people stop caring about each other



2009-01-19 - Jesus with People - Through the Roof

When the paralyzed man came down through the roof - damaged the house of Peter and Andrew - how would you respond?

Jesus demonstrated his love for people in the way he deals with the crowds

Everywhere he went, Jesus drew a crowd
He spoke with authority, conviction because he deeply cared about people

We need to care enough to gather a crowd - People need to be our focus
They need to be in our homes, in our Saturday plans, and focus of our lunch hour

Jesus with the Religious
Their slavery to legalistic minutiae angered him - Matthew 23:23-24
Their stubborn hearts distressed him - Mark 3:1-5
Jesus desire was for them to be saved

Jesus with the Faithful
Jesus gets the greatest joy from interacting with people who believe
Centurion - the faith he was looking for - Luke 18:8
What fires Jesus up? Faith

If we follow Jesus, the smallest seed of faith that we see in others should encourage and excite us.

Who big is your crowd?
Do you see the faith of others?
Is Jesus amazed by your faith or your lack of it?



2009-04-27 - Why We Need Jesus - He Offers Us a Better Life
WHO OFFERS US A BETTER LIFE...
  1. A more abundant life - John 10:10
  2. Peace that surpasses understanding - John 14:27; 16:23; Phillipians 4:6-7
  3. Love that passes knowledge - John 15:9; Ephesians 3:19
  4. Joy that is inexpressible - John 15:11; 1 Peter 1:8
  5. Hope that sustains in the face of death - John 11:25; Revelation 14:13


2009-05-08 - No one like him - His servant heart (part 3)
To serve means
  • Not holding to things
  • Not grasping on
  • Not saving ourselves
  • No protectiveness
  • Not a way of comfort
Jesus did this with the spirit of joy, peace and celebration

No one can save himself and still fulfill the mission of God

Luke 17:7-10 – we have only done our duty

Thinking not in terms of rights but of responsibility

Slave to all – Mark 10:44

We need to empty ourselves with being a doormat

2009-05-12 - No one like him - Joy
Most of the first 1,000 years’ pictures were of Jesus not smiling – common view

Jesus never felt bitterness, negative thinking, or despair

[Cheer-up] I have overcome the world – John 16:33

We can have complete joy – implementing the teaching of Jesus drew near to God (Joy) – John 16:21-24

Joy in enduring the cross – Hebrews 12:2

2009-05-29 - No one like him - Conflict and Controversy (part 2)
Like the earlier prophets, Jesus spoke bluntly to the religious leaders

Ungodly religion must be rebuked; Nice words will not drive the point home; Too much is at stake

Jesus did not enjoy the rebukes but wept over cities (Luke 19:41)

Jesus made sharp contrasts between traditions and the word of God (Matthew 15:3)

Religion that avoided sinners at all cost vs a religion that seeks after sinner at all cost

The goal of a physician is not to spend time with the sick but to help the sick get well

2009-06-02 - No one like him - The Empty Tomb (part 1)
Disciples were confused with ups and downs of the week (Joyous entrance into Jerusalem then the cross)

Without the resurrection there would be no church or New Testament; disciples would have disbanded and movement would have ended

The resurrection gave them courage to preach the resurrection: Acts 1:22; 2:24,32; 3:15; 4:2,10, 33; 5:30

Must be together – cross and resurrection

Cross only – a tragedy; Resurrection only – just another miracle

Changed the disciples lives forever

2009-06-13 - A Life of Impact - Preparation

Preparation

Mark 1:12-13

  • Jesus overcame himself first so that he could then overcome the world
  • Considered it a joy when you face many trials
  • The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare

The Message

Mark 1:14-15

  • His message was attractive – proclaimed that an intimate involvement with God
  • 'Seize the day' attitude – it was an urgent message and he called for an immediate response
  • We must be urgent with people if we want them to act urgently
  • This may be there only opportunity to respond.


2009-07-08 - A Life of Impact - Shepherding

Shepherding

Mark 6:30-44

  • Employees must have a reason to look forward to a completion of a project.
  • Must pause to experience the thrill of victory otherwise we will squeeze the joy right our of lives
  • We will get burned if we do not remind ourselves to rest
  • When we are exhausted our performance in all areas of our lives suffer. (point of diminishing returns)

Work Ethic

  • Important causes are worthy of extreme levels of effort
  • We are to go the extra mile - Matthew 5:41

Crowd Appeal

  • Jesus displayed urgency and charisma when he spoke.
  • People did not want to miss out on anything he might say or do.

Visible Sincerity

  • Meet the crowd’s need for physical and spiritual food - needs of the whole person
  • Meet other’s need without asking anything in return
  • Concerned with how people fared after this life and not just in this life
  • If we are concern more with what we will get ourselves we probably won’t have much of an impact


2009-07-23 - A Life of Impact - Ambition

Ambition

Mark 9:33-35

  • Jesus let them cool down before choosing to address the matter. (less defensive)
  • Jesus never corrected these men for wanting to be great.
  • High achievers in life tend to be high achievers for God.
  • People who are eager to use their lives to benefit others are remembered and admired for generations

Win/Lose/Win

  • When we try to eliminate the agony of defeat, we also take away the joy of victory.
  • To discard dichotomous thinking is to discard the God of the Bible.
  • I win by losing so that you may also win. The loser becomes the ultimate winner!


2009-10-23 - Repentance - What Happened (part 2)
Congregation of consumers ultimately switches products, wholly dissatisfied with a church product
 
New Testament Church Consumer-Driven Church
Repent for the Kingdom of God is near “Meet new friends and get to know your neighbors”
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance… “Enjoy upbeat music with a contemporary flavor”
If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself “a new church designed to meet my needs”

Like a doctor – it would be absurd to change their diagnose and treatment to the wants of the patient.

Repentance is revival

Questions:
  1. Have you made a recent decision to change something in your life?
  2. Why is it more comfortable to make changes on your own terms? What changes do you seek to make?
  3. How well do you respond to reproof – from the Bible and from fellow Christians?
  4. Have you ever changed a fellowship, that is, church membership, to avoid a call to repentance?


2009-11-17 - Repentance - The Church Reorients Us (part 1)
There is no church without repentance
There is no repentance without the church.

How did the early church help seeker to repent?
Aligning themselves to the new community
The church, by definition, is counter-culture
World says, “Conform, get back in line”
Church says, “Repent, come out be different”

What do we think of when we think of counter-culture? Skinheads, etc
Not rebellion for the sake of rebellion but for selfless-love, sexual purity, generosity, purposeful living, revolutionary zeal,
humility, joy beyond understanding

The world hate holiness – hates holy saints

Discipline
Practice largely disappeared during the second half of the century
We live in the customer’s always right culture
Not expelling members but the church meets my needs, what feels right, sin/repentance not your business

2009-11-30 - Master Plan - He Required Obedience
  • Jesus required and expected obedience
  • They were disciples, learners, pupils (“Christian”) did not even come until later - Acts 11:26
  • Being smart was not a requirement for His students, but loyalty was.
  • No statement of faith made at the beginning but they believed that he was the Messiah (Luke 1:41, 45, 49; 5:8)
  • Jesus was obedient to His Word and expected others to do the same.
  • People do not follow hypocrites – Jesus lived it
  • Way of the Cross
    • Meant more than a joyful precession: it meant a surrender of one’ whole life and of His sovereignty.
    • God or Money - Luke 16:13
    • Do not conform to the world = new life - Matthew 5:1-7:29
    • Love was found in obedience (John 14:21)
    • Cross – willingness to die to self so that other may live
  • Strong Teachings
    • Not many followed (many left) - John 6:66
    • Jesus did not go running after them to get them to stay
    • Must be willing to pay the price


2009-12-04 - Master Plan - Proof of Love (part 2)
  • When Jesus spoke about obedience, they had the ultimate example in front of them.
  • Jesus found joy in doing the work of His Father
    • He expected nothing from His disciples – Luke 17:6-10, 8:21, Mark 3:35; Matthew 12:50
  • Development of character is by living and seeing it each day. (Father teaches and expects them to be like him)
  • Jesus knew what they were up against
    • Half-hearted evangelism = not effective
    • Required absolute obedience to the Master’s will, with a complete abandonment of their own
  • We are engaged in a spiritual war – no missing around with God’s commands
  • A day we are indifferent with to our responsibility = day lost to the cause of Christ
  • Lack of zeal in church is a lack of obedience
  • The need of the hour is not despair but action.


2009-12-28 - First the Kingdom - At Ease
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth - Matthew 5:5
But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace - Psalms 37:11

Meekness is strength under the control of God
Being meek is being at ease before God and man
One looks outside himself for the power of life
Totally open with God, God will work in all things for his good

To be meek is not to be afraid...

1. Is at ease with God

Someone who worries and has anxiety reduces them to practical atheists

A child is at ease with their father/mother (in most cases)
I have stilled and quieted my soul; child with mother is my soul within me - Psalms 131:2

2. Is at ease with himself
Jesus knew exactly what authority he had been he had been given by God - John 13:3

3. Is at ease with others
Neither inferior nor superior
No longer deceived by pride, he is free to learn from anyone
At ease with God and himself - has nothing to prove and nothing to fear



2009-12-30 - First the Kingdom - Starving without Him
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled - Matthew 5:6

Jesus himself was the bread of Life - John 6:35
Gave Living water - John 4:10

He describes a relationship with him to be all-consuming
Just like going without food or water fir a prolonged period - there is little else we think about

As deer pants for water, my soul pants for you - Psalms 42:1-2
How excited are you about getting time to be with God every day?

For deep conviction about loving the Word - Psalms 119
Without the sense of duty, he was overjoyed at the privilege of being able to commune with heart of the Creator

Hunger for the Word develops obedience which helps with understanding of God heart to help and server others

2010-01-08 - Kingdom First - Light Gives Direction
You are the light of the world - Matthew 5:14-16

Without light we do not know where to walk
Don't know when to turn or how to reach our destination

God provided the direction for the Israelites when the left Egypt
Wise men were guided by light to find the Savior of the world

Your willingness to give help provides direction and light most do not have

Purity and integrity can shake the business world
Faith and joy in the face of trials can show others with God there is a way out of anything

2010-01-18 - Kingdom First - Giving in Secret
Giving should be done without even our closest friends and family knowing - Matthew 6:1-4
God blesses are many time unknown or unseen to many people
He gives because he wants to

Are you content when no one sees your sacrifice?
Do you give without wanting anything in return?

Jesus' life was full of sacrifical giving and he expects us to do likewise
  • Lift up widow for giving out of her poverty - Luke 21:1-4
  • He challenges the rich young man to sell everything - Matthew 19:21
  • God loved us so much, he gave up his only son - John 3:16
Giving must be a decision we make - do it joyfully

God loves a cheerful giver - 2 Corinthians 9:7

2010-01-24 - Kingdom First - Wise Investing

Jesus is not interested in our obedience outwardly without having our hearts set on heaven
All the ancient were longing for a better country

Living a Christian life is more than living up to a standard of behavior
Meant to ask deeper questions of motivation and heart with an understanding a heart properly movtivated - actions will follow

We should develop a heart that does not store treasures in heaven
Jesus makes a case that does not make sense to store up treasures here because they will not even last here - Matthew 6:19-21

No moth, no rust, no thief, not even Satan himself can diminish our treasure in heaven
It is an incredible freeing feeling to let go of the "treasure" here on earth

Will you miss services to get overtime in?
Do your children see a joyful parent excited about the kingdom of God?

Invest all you have and all you are - Romans 12:1

 



2010-02-27 - One Another - One Another In Groups (part 1)
Small groups were in the center of Jesus' ministry - spent much of his time with the 12

Principles of small groups

Focus on belonging and being devoted - Romans 12:5

 All belong to one another - members of one another
These who have been united with Christ - this is your spiritual family

Be a giver, not just a taker
Always need great listeners (not just being quite) - ask questions, draw people out
Do your part to make the group warm, loving, supportive, open, etc
"I'm not getting much out from this group" - check your heart and actions

Appreciate, affirm, and encourage the different gifts - 1 Corinthians 12
God has given our brothers and sisters for our enjoyment
Give special focus to those who may feel marginalized by illness/disability

2010-03-08 - To Live is Christ - Progress and Joy
Paul was torn - Philippians 1:22-26
He rejoiced to be able to encourage the Philippian disciples
Death brought him face to face he loved

He realized that he had more laps to run and did not want to coast - but to run with all his might

Paul has no desire simply to remain with the disciples - want to continue with them
Greek for "Continue" = to wait beside a person to be ready to help and help all the time

For Paul to live was Christ and to give himself to others for their spiritual progress and deep joy

Whatever the cost, he would be there for them:
  • Their growth - he would pay the cost
  • Patient with someone who was weak - he would pay the cost
  • Someone taking advantage of his humility - he would pay the cost
  • Was through sticky, uncomfortable issues - he would pay the cost


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

2010-03-21 - To Live is Christ - Joy and Crown
Paul: My joy and crown is you standing firm in the Lord - Philippians 4:1
For the Greeks, the crown was a symbol of victory or a token of honor

Paul's crown was changed lives
The legacy was lasting and the reward was eternal
Paul to Corinthians: Result of the ministry not written on tablets but on human hearts - 2 Corinthians 3:2-3

If other people's spiritual growth is not our concern, it will never be our joy
If others are not our joy in this life, they will never be our crown after this life

What brought Jesus joy, brought Paul joy
Where do we get our joy in life?

Self-centeredness is the greatest roadblock of joy
We can not be concerned about the things of God if our own things get in the way

The Philippians were Paul's concern,  his focus, his joy and his crown

2010-03-22 - To Live is Christ - Rejoice Always

It would be one thing to hear "rejoice always" from someone living with plenty but quite another from someone in a challenging situation - Philippians 4:4-5

There is something about being "in the Lord"
If someone is "in the Lord", there is always something bigger than our trials

Paul also had a deep conviction that whatever is one: The Lord Is Near
This is how men and women of God can be joyful and gentle in the most stressful times

God is monitoring their pain not allow more than we can bear and giving his strength
The Lord is near to all who call on him - Psalms 145:18
He is near in every situation we encounter

He is calling on them and us to rejoice always and to have a great attitude

 



2010-03-27 - Life to the Full - Crown not Frown (part 1)
James address Christians under pressure
Without pressure, the human body soon slows down and dies
Pressure keeps the blood flowing

James chooses to call himself servant rather than brother - James 1:1
He was a prominent leader in the early church but he kept a down-to-earth perspective
Anyone in a leadership role needs to have the same attitude

How are trials to be met? With pure joy - James 1:2-8
There are two options: continue in the process of becoming mature or walk away and do it our own way
Maturity is not just spiritual longevity - it is how you react under pressure

What do we do it we lack wisdom? Ask for it
Not IQ but for knowing what to do in tricky situations
It's a promise of God that he will enable you to live more intelligently

What is last big trial you faced? How did you react?

2010-04-22 - Life to the Full - In His Steps (part 3)

1 Peter 3:1-7...

Submission, kindness is a two-way street

Wondering God is not using you more?
Why children are slow to become Christians?
Why don't feel more peace and joy in your house?

Look no further than your marriage!

Questions for wives:

  • Do you resort to worldly means to win?
  • Do you fight for your rights more than fighting for others?
  • Do you show respect for your husband and emphasize his strengths?

Questions for husbands:

  • How often you compliment your wife?
  • Are you generous in the amount of housework you do?
  • Do you respect your wife for her spirituality and other strengths of character?

Questions for both:

  • Do you pray together regulary?
  • Do your children have a fear of God?
  • Are your family devotionals consistent?
  • When outsiders visit your home and see your family, are they more likely to want to follow Christ?


2010-04-29 - Heart of Maturity (Methods of Maturing)

Methods of Maturing

Self-Training with the Word

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Constant use of the word - for direction, correction, and guidance

With each other

Colossians 1:28-29

  • It is our responsibility to grow
  • We need small groups, large groups, and one another times

Imiatating others

1 Corinthians 4:14-17

  • Follow the qualities in people which are best examples of Christ
  • Collectively the best qualities show an example of Christ

Perservering in trials

James 1:2-4

  • Whenever (that means anytime) the testing of your faith comes
  • Consider it a pure joy - Many Trials
  • Perservering is where you mature


2010-05-15 - Desire's Journey - The Dilemma of Desire
We can not live without yearning, yet the yearning sets us up for disappointment
Because of its vulnerable nature, desire begins to feel like our worst enemy

Despair is the fate of the desiring soul - Sam Houston
Hope deferred make the heart sick - Proverbs 13:12

How awful it feels to open our hearts to joy, only to have grief come in
How do we live in a world with desire so deep in us and disappointment lurking behind every corner?
Are a few arrows, dare we even desire?
Do we refuse to love because we may hurt? possibility of pain?

Shutting down our hearts is to die altogether
Hope deferred make the heart sick... but when dreams come true, there is life and joy

Most of us have chosen to reduce our desire to a more manageable size
We allow it only in small doses:
  • Dinner out
  • Vacation
  • A new ______


2010-05-22 - Desire's Journey - Goodness

Does Christianity condemn desire? Like the Puritans

It is not a matter of desire is good or not - it is what we do with it
Christianity recognizes that desire has gone mad within us but not seeking to fix the problem by killing our desire

Something has gone wrong
God gives us commands for our own good
The point is not the law but joy

Faith on its way to maturity moves from duty to delight
If the goal is to move from delight to duty, we are going backwards and regressing

Prodigal son
Younger son desire get him into trouble
Father's desire for the lost boy is deep
He is grateful just to have his son home again
Older brother lived his entire life under duty and obligation - dealt with his sinful nature by killing desire
THose who kill desire are not the ones who experience God's embrace



2010-05-24 - Desire's Journey - Blessed are the Nice?

The enemy wants us to have small passions and desires

We are producing a generation whose greatest virtue is to not defend anyone
Then wonder why there is not more passion for Christ

The greatest enemy of holiness is not passion but apathy
Zeal for your house consumes me - John 2:17
Zeal isn't quite the pcitures we have of Sunday school

If deadness is next to godliness, then Jesus had to deadest person ever - it wasn't the case

God is a consuming fire - Hebrews 10:31
The consuming fire is His jealous love - Deuteronomy 4:24
Joy set before him enable Jesus to endure the agony of the Cross - Hebrews 12:2

 



2010-06-30 - Desire's Journey - Great Restoration (part 1)

Spring reminds us that life can return to the dead
The return of spring brings such a relief and joy and anticipation
Might spring and summer may be nature way of expressing Jesus was trying to tell us?
Nature God's word to us also - Romans 1:20

Our ideas of heaven are sometimes not very desirable
Many Christians have some idea that heaven is an never-ending church service
And then our hearts sink
Forever and ever? That is it?

We sigh and feel guilty that is we are not more "spritual"
We then turn to the present to find what life we can
We can only hope for what we desire

Scripture tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts - Ecclesiastes 3:11
Where is out hearts? In our desires.



2010-07-07 - Desire's Journey - The Grand Affair (part 4)

Sexual intimacy is the closest parallel we have to real worship

The best impostors succeed because they are nearly indistinguishable from what they are trying to imitate
We worship sex and other things because we don't know how to worship God

Our hearts live for "an experience of worship that fills our being with a joy that is so deeply in awe that we are barely aware of ourselves
Our worship services don't get anywhere near something like our wedding night

Men have a hard time relating to the bridal imagery used in Scripture



2010-07-08 - Desire's Journey - The Grand Affair (part 5)

God create male and female in his own image - Genesis 1:27
Gender is how we bear the image of God

God does not have a body so it must be at the level of the soul

Men bear the image of God in their dangerous, inviting strength
Women bear the image of God tender and beautiful
God is the source of all masculine power and feminine allure

It is the nature of love to be generous
Married couples long to have children - want others to share in their happiness
There is no joy like a reunion - there is no sorrow like the sorrow of separation

Jesus tells us to not to fear death
Jesus makes a statement at Lazarus' funeral - if we a are his, we will never die - John 11:26
His tears for Martha and Mary and all who suffer loss and our inablility to see beyond it

God is not the God of dead but of the living - Luke 20:38

 



2010-07-10 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 2)
The first thing in the Bible is God working
The morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy - Job 38:7

Jesus said his Father is always at work to this very day and he too is working - John 5:17

  • 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

God loves his work
God delights in doing tall these things

2010-07-11 - Desire's Journey - The Adventure Begins (part 3)
You would expect:
  • The daughter/son of Einstein to be smart
  • The daughter/son of Lance Armstrong to be fast
  • The daughter/son of Micheal Jordan to be good at basketball
We expect greatness from the offspring of the great
More often than not we think of godliness only in moral terms

We are made like God because we are to be like God on earth - Genesis 1:26

We humans beings are never happier than when we are expressing the deepest gifts that are truly us

The opportunity reveals the our creative nature
All we want is to be released to be who we are

God has created us and our gifts for a place of his choosing

Our creative nature is essential to who we are as image bearers
It brings us great joy to live it out with freedom and skill

2010-07-24 - Desire's Journey - Letting Go (part 1)
The more comfortable we are with mystrery in our journey, the more rest we will know along the way

Paul's quests - 2 Corinthians 6:10
  • Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing
  • Poor, yet making many rich
  • Having nothing, yet possessing everything
If we remain open to sorrow, we can know joy

Somehow being empty allows us to make others rich

Some believe in the church that being a Christian somehow satisfies our every desire
Augustine: "The whole life of the good Christian is a holy longing"

Being content is not the same as being full

2010-07-26 - Desire's Journey - Letting Go (part 3)
Pleasure is often more about drugging ourselves that it is about enjoying ourselves
Avoiding the ache is always worse in the end than the ache itself
We want to predict what the Lord is going to do so that it does not hurt so bad when it happens

Whole creation has been groaning right up til the present time yet if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently - Romans 8:22-25

We live in hope and he says hoping is waiting and groaning

Ask yourself: What am I waiting for? Is there anything I desire that I am doing nothing to secure?

To wait is to learn the spiritual grace of detachment - the freedom of desire
Not the absence of desire but desire at rest

I have still and quieted my soul - Psalms 131:2


2010-07-28 - Desire's Journey - Letting Go (part 5)

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

 



2010-08-14 - Waking Dead - Heart is Central

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

 



2010-08-18 - Waking Dead - Point of all Living
Everything you love is what makes a life worth living

Action: Set down the book and make a list of all the things you love
  • People in your life
  • Things that bring you joy
  • Places that are dear to you
A life filled with loving is a life most like the one that God live - Ephesians 5:1-2

Jesus was asked what was most important
He boiled it down to loving God and loving others - everything else will fall into place

The heart is the connecting point; can not love without it
If we can truly love, be loved, and never lose love - we would be finally truly happy

If we worship efficiency, we can not grow in our love
Some try to master all sort of principles and and never know God intimately, heart to heart.
If do all sorts of Christian things without knowing God, he will say "I never knew you" - Matthew 7:22-23
The point is not the activity but intimacy with God

Taking a course on anatomy won't help you love you spouse
Taking a religion class will not help you love God
You will find God when you seek him with all of your heart - Jeremiah 29:13


2010-09-10 - Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 2)
The question is not are we oppressed but where and how we are

Why does every story have an enemy?
  • Little Red Riding Hood - wolf
  • Dorthy - Wicked Witch of the West
  • Neo - powerful agents
Every story has a villain because yours does

Satan lost the battle against Michael and his angels - was hurled to earth - Revelation 12:9
Satan's mood? He is filled with fury because he knows his time is short - Revelation 12:12

He is trying to steal your freedom, kill your heart, destroy your life
We can go throughout our day and not even once wonder how the enemy might be attacking us
All we know is that we aren't enjoying that abundant life Christ talked about

Ignorance of spiritual warfare is the most native and dangerous thing a person can do
You don't escape spiritual warfare by choosing not to believe it exists or refuse to fight

The thief is trying to steal the life God wants to give - John 10:10


2010-10-12 - Dealing With Your Heart (Part I)
  1. The Blessing of Giving - Acts 20:33-35
    1. Paul did not desire anyone else's money or possessions.
    2. He worked hard and sacrificed to help the weak.
    3. He knew that giving brought more joy than receiving.
  2. Living for Eternal Possessions - Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 10:32-34
    1. When our treasure is in heaven not on earth, our hearts will be in heaven also.
    2. As disciples, we will look foolish to the world because our hearts and our treasures (money) are in heaven not on earth.
  3. All Things For Our Enjoyment - 1 Timothy 6:17-18
    1. It is very easy for us who have wealth to put our hope and trust in money/things rather than God.
    2. As disciples we are commanded to be generous and willing to share.
    3. When we follow God"s plan we can feel great about enjoying the blessings God has given us.

QUESTIONS
  1. Which do I desire more, to give or to receive?
  2. How can I put all my treasure in heaven so that all my heart will be there also?
  3. How am I being generous and willing to share on a daily basis?
  4. Am I enjoying God's blessings or do I feel guilty about the things I have?


2010-10-17 - Giving (Part III)
  1. Giving with Joy - 2 Corinthians 9:7-8
    1. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give. Plan your giving.
    2. God does not want you to give reluctantly or under compulsion. You should feel a joy, excitement, and enthusiasm when you give.
    3. God loves a cheerful (in Greek "hilarious") giver.
  2. The Privilege of Giving - 2 Corinthians 8:3-5
    1. The Macedonians urgently pleaded to give.
    2. They understood that it was a privilege because they had first given themselves to the Lord.
  3. Special Times of Giving, Time of Victory, and Joy for God's People
    1. The Israelites gave to build the temple and the people rejoiced (1 Chronicles 29:1-9)
    2. The building of the tabernacle: the people willingly brought more than needed (Exodus 35:20-29,36:2-7)

QUESTIONS
  1. Am I a cheerful giver? What keeps me from giving cheerfully?
  2. Am I eager or reluctant to give, especially at special contribution times?
  3. At what time was I the most joyful about my giving? Why?


2010-10-23 - Decisions
  1. Honor God with your Wealth - Proverbs 3:9
    1. Will I obey the scriptures
    2. Will I, as a mature Christian, increase my weekly giving?
  2. Guard Your Heart - Proverbs 4:23
    1. What sins of the heart have I confronted and repented of in regard to my finances?
    2. Am I ready to give out of a pure heart and a sincere love for God?
  3. A Living Sacrifice - Romans 12:1
    1. In what ways am I going to live a more sacrificial lifestyle in order to advance God's kingdom?
  4. Give and It Will Be Given To You - Luke 6:38
    1. Have I made decisions to give by faith and to give joyfully to the Lord?
  5. A Spirit of Self-Discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7
    1. Have I prepared a budget that I am ready to live by? If not, when will I have it completed?
    2. Have I sought input?
  6. Free At Last - Romans 13:8
    1. Have I gained deep convictions about getting out of debt?
    2. What is my plan to eliminate sinful/foolish debt from my life?
  7. A Light to the World - Matthew 5:14
    1. How am I going to work at my job in such a way that my life is an upward calling to everyone around me?
    2. Am I fulfilling my financial responsibilities as a disciple in the areas that God expects?


2010-11-05 - Contagious Christian - The Paul Approach
Paul certainly confronted people but his main approach was logical and reasonable presentation of the gospel

Romans - best example of how Paul lays out a sound explanation of the central truths about God nature, sin, and Christ's solution

Paul was a highly educated man and learned under one of the finest teachers of the time

Was there a better person to philosophers in Athens in Acts 17?
His presentation took them from their unknown God all the way to the one true living God
Philosophers would have related to Peter's direct approach
No "you will just have to accept it on faith" = "Leap before you look. Are you lucky?"

Who in your life enjoys working with ideas and evidence?
Many seekers need to hear the gospel not only declared but also defined and defended

2010-11-08 - Contagious Christian - Matthew's Interpersonal Approach
After accepting Jesus' call, Matthew did whatever he could to bring along as many of his friends as possible
He put on big banquet for his tax collector buddies in our for them to meet Jesus - Luke 5:29
He did not confront, debate, or tell them what happened to him
He relied on the relationships he'd built with them and he sought to further develop their friendship

He genuinely cared about them and wanted to influence them toward considering Christ

People who specialize in this approach, tend to be warm and people-centered
Some people will never be reached until someone takes the time to build that kind of intimacy with them

Interpersonal evangelist enjoy:
  • Having people in their homes
  • Sharing a meal
  • Spending time in conversation


2010-11-10 - Contagious Christian - Dorcas' Service Approach
Dorcas was "always doing good and helping the poor" - Acts 9:36
She well-known for her loving acts of service
She made robes and articles of clothing for widows and other needy people in her town

It was very difficult to see her activity without seeing the love of Christ that inspired
Her work was so important that when she died a premature death, God sent Peter to raise her from the dead

People who take on this approach find it relatively easy to servers others
Often those who are quite and enjoy expressing compassion through action

No one fits perfectly into just one approach and you probably use all of them one way or another
God has designed diversity on His team and each member is stronger in some styles than others

A team of Christians who are made up of different styles will strong because they can reach virtually every type of seeker

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.

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