Quiet Times Search

Search Quiet Times via a keyword or string
Keyword(s):
Number of Studies:


Searching for "knew" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "25" to "50". (125 found)

2009-08-13 - A Life of Impact - Open arms

Open arms

Mark 14:27-31

  • We should warn others to be ready for failure – not to discourage them.
  • Failure is unavoidable; defeat comes when we give up!

Giver of life

  • Anyone who discovers a cause for which he would be willing to die has discovered the reason for which he was born.
  • Is your life like: roller coaster ride, merry-go-round, or life a bumper car?
  • Jesus had taken these men out of the amusement park, and they knew it.


2009-09-08 - Wild at Heart - The fathers voice (part 1)
A man needs to know his name - He needs to know he has got what It takes
Can not know who we are until we know God
Adam knew Eve intimately - this how we need to know God.

Deep knowledge comes from a process of initiation. You have to know where you come from.
Some try to get their identity from others – girlfriend/wife, friends, job, and hobbies
Who can we turn to for this need?

God could take him on that journey, provide what is missing

Who will give your name and mean something? God!
There is a terrible assault

Adam was created for adventure and battles; he created us for a unique place in his history
Abram becomes Abraham, Jacob becomes Israel, and Saul becomes Paul

2009-09-21 - Wild at Heart - The Enemy (part 2)
A warrior is cunning.
When to fight and when to run
Three enemies:
  1. world
  2. flesh
  3. devil
We don’t want to move unless we’re guaranteed success
We want the easy way out
Your flesh is a weasel, a poser, and a selfish pig. And your flesh is not you.

Paul knew the struggle within – my sin is not me – this not my true heart - Romans 7
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you - Ezekiel 36:26
There is a war within us, but it is a civil war. There is a traitor within who wars against our true heart fighting alongside the Spirit of God
The real you is on the side of God against the false self.
The man who wants to live valiantly will lose heart quickly if he believes that his heart is nothing but sin
We are never told to crucify our heart
We are never told to kill the true man with in us
Never told to get rid of those deep desires for battle and adventure and beauty

2009-10-11 - Wild at Heart - The Strategy (part 4)
3. Cutting a deal

When did king David fall?
When David was not a warrior
He sent other to the fighting for him

Weapons of war
If you saw your life as a great battle and you knew you needed time with God for your survival, you would have “quite times”
It’s about connecting with God
Whatever brings you back to you heart and the heart of God
If you do not have God and have him deeply, you will turn to other lovers

Men devote hours to finances to retire
Rigorous training for a marathon
How much do we strive to for our relationship with God?
The body is built to endure hardship
Put on the armor of God everyday

We walk in the authority of Christ
Do not attack in anger and do not swagger forth in pride
Do not even think about going into battle alone
Don’t make that a lifestyle of isolation

2009-10-21 - Wild at Heart - An adventure to live (part 4)
The problem with modern Christianity is it’s obsession with principles
Real test of a man comes when all his resources fail
Living and loving – jump in with both feet

Ask your wife what is wrong? Dangerous – very much a mystery
She does not want to be solved; she wants to be known

We know how to be nice but we really do not know how to fight

Christian life should not be chaotic or be flagrantly irresponsible.
Break away from it all and head off into the unknown God
Adam - No formula for how he was to handle mess
God honored and did not hold his hand

Was not left alone to face life
The only way to live in this adventure – is in an ongoing relationship with God
Control we crave is an illusion – it in exchange for God’s relationship
Moses and God knew each other
David was after God’s own heart
Jesus made God known – John 15:15
What are you teaching me here, God?

What are you asking me to do or let of?
What in my heart are you speaking to?

2009-11-24 - Master Plan - Selection (part 3)
Few were converted in His lifetime.
  • Little more than 500 after the resurrection - 1 Corinthians 15:6
  • 120 received baptism at the day of Pentecost - Acts 1:15
Strategy
  • Why not an army?
  • He needed leaders to lead the ministry after He left. Not all followers. It takes energy to produce a leader.
  • Not trying to impress the crowd but the usher in a Kingdom
  • Mass are like helpless sheep wandering aimlessly without a shepherds
  • Masses willing to follow anyone that came along with some promise for their welfare
  • Jesus was a realist. He knew he could not meet all the needs on His own.
Some concern themselves with baptisms and numbers more than power and love of God
Everything that is done with the few is for the salvation of the multitudes.

Modern Practicals
  • We are not even keeping with the growing population
  • We in an age where more rapid communication is now being seen than ever before
  • Must not be frantic to try to change the pattern overnight
  • Do like Jesus – start with a few lowly disciples and do as it was done by Jesus
    • Slow, tedious, painful, and probably unnoticed at first
    • Not spiritual “junk-food” revivals
  • Which generation are you living for?


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.


2009-12-23 - First the Kingdom - The Only Door (part 2)
More examples of spiritual beggars:

Mary
  • Why was she picked to give birth to the Savior?
  • She already knew how much she needed God as her savior
  • Already in a humble state before him - Luke 1:46-55
Paul
  • Took a jolt on the way to Damascus
  • He finally came to see his poverty of spirit
    • Nothing good lives in me - Romans 7:18
    • I am the least of the apostles - 1 Corinthians 15:9-10
    • Confessed his poverty to the very end - 1 Timothy 1:12-15


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



2010-01-06 - Kingdom First - At War
Blessed are those who are persecuted - Matthew 5:10-12

Persecution must come and will come to every person who want to live a godly life - 2 Timothy 3:12

Persecution must come because we are war Satan

Jesus: I did not come to bring peace but a sword - Matthew 10:34
He knew that life mean war

Knowing that life means war will not make us glad but it will make us ready

2010-01-19 - Kingdom First - Handle Prayerfully (part 1)
Jesus was a man of prayer - he knew how to do it and he did it all the time
  • Prayed for the power to heal and to change others - Mark 9:29
  • In prayer in order to be at peace with God's will - Matthew 26:36-46
  • Struggled in prayer to be wholehearted submissive to his Father - Hebrews 5:7-8
  • Prayed by himself - Matthew 14:23
  • Prayed before others - John 11:41-43
  • Prayed with his face to the ground - Matthew 26:39
  • Prayed looking up to heaven - John 17:1
  • Prayed standing up - Mark 11:25
  • Prayed kneeling down - Luke 22:41
  • Prayed in early in the morning - Mark 1:35
  • Prayed throughout the night - Luke 6:12
He did NOT say:
  • If you pray
  • Please, I beg you to pray
  • I command you to pray
But "When you pray..."

2010-03-03 - To Live is Christ - In My Heart
Philippians 1:7-8

During Paul's 3 days of blindness:
  • His Pharisaic crust was broken
  • His independence had melted
  • He recognized and braced the true Lord
One of the most touching paragraphs written by Paul in the NT
Instead of seeing cell walls - he saw the Philippian disciples needs, struggles, and victories
Paul had to have come to know them all
He did not just start the church there, he began a family

He was committed to all of them - he was a true shepherd:
  • He called his own sheep by name - John 10:3
  • He laid down his life for them - John 10:11
  • He knew his sheep - John 10:14
Paul turned from persecutor to nurturer
We too can long for people with the affection of Christ but we must have people in our hearts

2010-03-06 - To Live is Christ - Christ is Preached
Some men in Philippi conveted the importance of Paul's position, but not the painful consequences - Philippians 1:15-18

In the hearts of each of us, when distracted and self-reliant, is a demon of selfish ambition

Paul was secure in his position before God - a saved servant of Jesus Christ
He knew that these men would either become convicted of their sin or God would deal with them

Bottom line: Christ was being preached

More than anything he wanted people to come to know the Jesus he came to know

2010-03-07 - To Live is Christ - Self Titled
What is missing in so many lives is a clear sense of identity and purpose

Paul knew who he was and his his purpose of living/dying for Christ

In fact he had a relationship, example and a security destiny with Christ

If they spared his life, his purpose was to:
  • Show the life of Christ in his life
  • Tell others the good news
  • Mature those who were disciples
If death, then a life in heaven with Christ
Either way, it was a "win-win"

Paul was going to be delivered, one way or another - 2 Corinthians 1:10
  • Delivered from prison
  • Delivered from his life and struggles
  • Delivered from his loneliness and anxiety
What could be better than an unswerving commitment to someone greater than yourself?

2010-03-13 - To Live is Christ - No One Else Like Him
Those with with the greatest impact are not the ones you expect
Romans centurion - Matthew 8:5-10
Canaanite woman - Matthew 15:21-28

Timothy struggled with illness and fear made quite an impression on Paul
  • He looked out for the interest of others
  • He lived out the message
  • He knew what it meant to go to the cross
  • He was convinced that he was more alive when he was dead
  • He discipleship was a matter of practice
  • He had no trouble seeing the mission of Jesus
  • He did not run aimlessly but purposeful, selfless, and dedicated servant of Jesus
How do Timothys come about?
  • They study to become like this
  • They are discipled to become like this
  • They do whatever it takes
God uses them to bless the world

2010-03-18 - To Live is Christ - Know Christ
Paul wanted to know Christ - Philippians 3:10-11

Did he not know him yet?
  • Three days of fasting and prayer? - Acts 9:9
  • After 3 years of personal training? - Galatians 1:11-24
  • After a visit to the 3 heaven? - 2 Corinthians 12:1-6
Geek verb ginoskein - close to intimacy of marriage

Paul knew about Jesus
He was will aware that simply doing the right thing did not give him intimacy

Do we really know Christ?
To become like him in his death is become like him in life:
  • Give when you are tired
  • Pray when you do not want to
  • Stand your ground against emotions and thoughts
  • Overcome fear and to love in practical, unselfish way
To live like this is to know Christ
The spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you - Romans 8:11

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



2010-08-01 - Desire's Journey - Keeping Heart (part 2)
The NT scriptures do not differ from the old testament about forgetfulness
Bread and the cup was give to us in rememberence of him

Paul was shock that the Galatians were turning away so soon from God - Galatians 1:6
He sent Timothy to the Corinthians to remind them to share the eternal life he gives through Christ - 1 Corinthians 4:17
Peter, who knew firsthand the grief that comes with forgetting writes to keep firm the grip on faith - 1 Peter 5:10

Life is a journey of the heart that requires the mind
The heart is the center of life
Desire is always where the action is
We must bring the truth into our hearts to guard and to guide our desires - this is the other half of the mission

Popular phrases that do not work: Follow your heart, Trust your soul

We must cling to the truth for dear life - both heart and mind together

2010-08-05 - Waking Dead - Arm Yourselves (part 2)
God intends for you to have eternal life

When someone gets married, it isn't just a marriage to help them in retirement but their whole lives

I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living - Psalms 27:13

No one who has left everything will fail to receive many times as much in this age, in the age to come, eternal life - Luke 18:29-30

Jesus talks about a life available to us in this age
Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come - 1 Timothy 4:8

When we hear eternal life, most think a life that waits for in eternity
But eternal means "unending" not "later"
Eternal life can start now

Jesus was raised from the dead, now we also may live new lives - Romans 6:4
Coming fully alive is what he was committed to

What a different it would make if we really knew that our lives and God's glory were bound together
Things would start looking up


2010-08-07 - Waking Dead - At War (part 2)

The theme of does not end with the Old Testament
I have come to bring peace but the sword - Matthew 10:34

The birth of Christ was an act of war
The enemy knew it and tried to kill him - Matthew 2:13

The whole life of Christ is marked by battle and confrontation

  • Kick out demons with a stern command
  • Rebukes fever and it leaves
  • Rebukes a storm and it resides
  • Confronts the Pharisees numberous times
  • He wakes Lazarus from the dead
  • Decends into hell and leads a train of captives free - Ephesians 4:8-9

Not just a theme of the Bible but the backdrop for the whole story

What is he fighting for? Our freedom and restoration
The glory of God is man fully alive



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


2010-08-27 - Waking Dead - Guided
Narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few will find it - Matthew 7:14

Each day: do you wake to tackle a to do list or wake in the midst of a dangerous story?
If you are not pursuing a dangerous quest, then you do not need a guide
If you want the life Jesus offers, then you are going to need more than a handful of principles
Can not possibly prepare yourself for ever situation
We need God intimately and we need him desperately

You have made know the path of life - Psalms 16:11
There is a narrow path to life and we need help finding it

Example path from a church:
  • Become a member
  • Take a course on doctrine
  • Faithfully attend the Sunday morning service and small group fellowship
  • Complete a course on Christian growth
  • Live a life of Christian growth
  • Complete a course on evangelism
  • Consistently look for opportunities to evangelize
  • Complete a course on finances, marriage, and parenting
  • Complete a course on leadership
  • Complete a course on hermeneutics
  • Complete a course on spiritual gifts
  • Complete a course on missions
  • Complete a course on biblical counseling
  • Carry a significant local church ministry load
Program teaches you principles and how to apply them but not how to walk with God

All religions has principles to follow but only Christianity can teach you to walk with God
The most important thing of all is intimacy with God

Those who only do good things - Jesus will say I never knew you - Matthew 7:23

Teach a man to fish?
Teach a man to walk with God and you help him solve the rest of his life

2010-10-07 - Contagious Christian - Attractiveness of Authenticity (part 1)
Jesus knew the importance of perceptions
Are you either drawing people toward a relationship with God or pushing them further away? - Matthew 5:16
How we conduct our daily lives has implications that reach all the way into eternity

As part of the high potency - there are three qualities of being a Christian
Authenticity, compassion, and sacrifice

Authentic Identity

When people are asked what qualities of person brother you the most - dishonesty usually is near the top of the list
People are drawn to sincerity
Avoid acting like more than you are or pretending you're less that what you are

When following Christ - We renounce the sin in our lives but not the authentic identity we have
One of the greatest mistakes a believer can make is to renounce or repress his uniqueness in a vain attempt to appear more spiritual
Years of identity repression - you can totally lose your understanding of who you really are
There are some who will never see Him for who He really is until they watch Him living uniquely in our lives
The family of God is kaleidoscope of people with different gifts and temperaments

We were fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalms 139:14
There is someone out there one step away from faith, they just need someone like you - your passion, personality, and interests

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?


2011-02-07 - Christian Joy (part II)
What is your personal yoke?
Who or what are you yoked to?
  • Job
  • Money
  • Internet
  • Pain
Being yoked with Jesus means joy

What burdens you about Christianity?
  • Evangelism? Jesus' reason for being here
  • Quiet Times? Jesus got up early and make effort to get away to do so
  • Christian Fellowship? Jesus was a friend even to Judas
Matthew 23:25-26
  • We are concerned with how we look
  • Jesus is concerned with your heart
How much do you want to be joyful?
Matthew 13:44-46
  • They found the most important thing and sold it all to find it
  • They knew what they wanted
How desperate are you?
What is stopping you? You are

2011-02-14 - Sin and Repentance - Kansas City (part I)

Luke 7:36-50

A. Simon the Pharisee

  • Knew about Jesus but did not KNOW Jesus
  • Not a disciple (didn't even welcome Jesus into his house)
  • Not broken over his sin (felt bad but not convicted enough to change his life)

B. Sinful Woman

  • Only concerned with her relationship with Jesus (not a people pleaser)
  • Convicted about her sin the closer she got to Jesus (didn't pull away after seeing her sin)
  • She was broken over her sin (wanted to change and did something about it)

Question: Which type of heart would YOU SAY youv'e had toward YOUR SIN until we started studying the Bible?
If Sinful Woman - then this study will help to expose the heart in many ways

Isaiah 59:1-3

  • Question: According to the Bible, what has separated man from God? God | SIN | You
  • How are our sins forgiven?
    • God must forgive
    • Man must repent
  • Both must occur in order for your sin NOT to keep you separated from God
  • Question: How do you define sin and repentance? Let how the Bible does.


2011-03-04 - Jesus is God (part I)
Examples showing the deity of Jesus:
  • All Authority - Matthew 28:18; Colossians 2:10
  • Called God by James - James 2:1
  • Called God by John - 1 John 5:20; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 19:16
  • Called God by Jude - Jude 25
  • Called God by Paul - Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:15-17; Colossians 2:9; 1 Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:13
  • Called God by Peter - 1 Peter 3:22; 2 Peter 1:17
  • Forgives sins - Mark 2:5
  • Judges - John 5:22
  • Knew All things - John 21:17


2011-03-05 - Jesus is God (part II)
Examples showing the deity of Jesus:
  • Knew Hearts of the Pharisees - Matthew 12:25; Luke 5:22; Luke 6:8; Luke 7:39-40
  • Knew Plot of Judas - John 6:70
  • Knew Problems of his disciples - Luke 9:46-47
  • Knew Sincerity of the one scribe - Mark 12:24
  • Knew Thoughts of the Scribes - Matthew 9:3-4
  • Knew Whereabouts of Nathanael - John 1:48
  • Omnipotent - Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 3:13; John 14:20
  • Omnipotent over Death - Luke 7:14-15; Luke 8:54-56; John 11:4
  • Omnipotent over Demons - Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 8:28-32


2011-10-16 - Genesis 16 - Ishmael is Born

Summary

Sarai told Abram to have children with Hagar. Hagar conceived, then ran away, but an angel sent her back. Hagar's son was Ishmael.

Observations

Genesis 16:5 - You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering
At age 86 [Genesis 16:15] and 14 years too early, Abram had forgotten God's promise and was starting to make God's promise work for himself instead of waiting for God to fulfill his promise of making him a father of a great nation. Agreeing to Sarai's idea, he married Hagar and she became pregnant. This really complicated things between the three of them. The same thing happens with us. When we go about trying to do what we think God wants, things really get messed up.

Genesis 16:8 - where have you come from, and where are you going?
The angel that appeared asked about what direction Hagar was going.  Both question are necessary in evaluating our spiritual growth. Like understanding your physical location, you must first understand the past and state of mind you came from. Not knowing the starting point, you can not give directions. If you just knew where you have been and have no direction to go, you can not grow either.

Personal Application

I know I have experience times where I think I am doing what God wants but it really comes from my impatience or my selfish desires to see things happens the way I want them and when I want them. I need to just be patient and ask "is this the Lord will?".



2011-10-31 - Mind Change - Spiritual Truth
Spiritual truth is greater than physical circumstances

The physical is temporary; the spiritual is eternal.

More obvious does not mean more real.

The eternal is superior to the temporary.

Romans 8:17 - We suffer with him so we may also be glorified with him
Hebrews 10:32-34 - You knew that you certainly had a better and lasting possession

2011-12-29 - Day 26 - Dealing with Doubts
Matthew 11:1-6
  1. After all that John the Baptist knew about Jesus, why do you think he began having doubts?
  2. What did John do to deal with his doubts?
  3. What should you do when doubts enter your mind?
Matthew 18:16-17 - Does this surprise you? Read on and see what Jesus told his doubting disciples to do.

1 Corinthians 15:11-14
  1. What were the Christians in Corinth doubting? They had believed at first, but later some began to doubt.
  2. What are some teachings you have doubted after believing?
Luke 24:36-45
  1. Where do you think doubts come from?
  2. How did Jesus help them to find faith?
Application: Write briefly how you can overcome doubts through openness, the word of God, prayer and obedience.

2012-02-01 - Ministry - Intimidated or Inspired?
Matthew 23:1-7

The austere lifestyles of the Pharisees were not ones that Christ wanted us to imitate. They said all the right things and lived in all the wrong ways. People felt burdened around the Pharisees because they knew they could not match up to that kind of lifestyle. The Pharisees were not just legalists; they were separatists, which is what the word Pharisee means. They were men preaching a life too big for them to live. They did not readily inspire the average Jew to follow them. People were afraid of them. They lead by intimidation rather than by inspiration. In vs. 5, Jesus chastises them for doing everything for men to see. In vs.6 he condemns their obsession with position and again in vs. 7, Jesus rebukes their love of role. They did not attract the kind of following that Jesus did and this made them bitter and envious. They did not really have the hearts of the people because they had only a heart for themselves.

Do you call attention to yourself?

Do you focus on your position or your role and get angry when it is not what you want?

A person focused on men, role, or position will not want to serve and therefore will not inspire, only intimidate.

Find some way, even small way, in which you can serve or encourage someone today. This will be an inspiration to them and to you.

2012-02-05 - Ministry - Touching Faith
Mark 5:24b-34

This woman had been subject to a chronic disorder for 12 years of her life. Imagine for a minute the discouragement, doubt, devastation, and frustration of not being able to see this condition get better. In fact, it just got worse. Have you ever felt defeated about something in your life? Have you ever been discouraged for months about your marriage? Personal fruitfulness? Relationships? Then you can relate to this woman. One of the Satan's deadliest tactics is to keep people from being open about their lives. Sadly, many of us fall into this trap Satan has laid for us and we begin to live "double lives" in the Kingdom. We live a certain way in the world and a certain way at church. For a brief moment in her misery, she decided to have faith and touch him Jesus felt power leave him so he asked "Who touched me?" People stop, some get nervous, some put their heads down, some look at others. Everything is silent.

The woman's conscience perhaps was pricked and she had a decision to make. She knew what she did and she knew what the right thing to do was. So she fell to her feet, trembling with fear, she told him the whole truth. But what she thought Jesus would do, he didn't do because he is not like you or me. She learned Jesus wanted to her to be open and tell the truth not because he wanted to scold her, admonish her, or even take the miracle back. He actually wanted to honor her.

Question: What doubt or discouragement in your life is holding you back from being 100% sold out to God?

Talk to your discipleship partner today about it. Getting "in touch" with it is the first step to change.

2012-02-11 - Ministry - Even While Suffering
John 19:17-27

As we read the passage, particularly v25-27, it is compelling the even in the throes of pain, Jesus is taking care of his relationships. It would have been easy for him to neglect this as he was busying suffering and dying. It is easy for us as we are in transition spiritually or physically to forget to care of our relationships. This can really hurt people make them feel as though we do not care. Why did not Jesus take care of all of this earlier? Why did he get this done before everything got more harried? The scriptures are silent on this but maybe Jesus wanted to see which of his followers
would remain near the cross right up until the end. Mary, formerly without her husband Joseph and now, witnessing the death of her eldest son, was sure to be hurting. Jesus saw in John the compassion and love that He knew his own mother really needed. I think he also knew that John would be for her the closest thing to her own son, Jesus. It is convicting about how much Jesus considered and thought about relationships, even while suffering on the cross.

Questions/Followup
  • Are you building and growing relationships?
  • Are they deepening through openness, prayer, and discipleship?
  • Pray for at least three people you want to build a deeper relationship with. Pray for them.


2012-02-12 - Ministry - But Because You Say So
Luke 5:1-11

Peter's faith was ebbing with the tide. No fish, no breakfast. After a frustrating night of fruitless fishing he was struggling to accept a carpenter's fishing tip to let down the nets yet again. Yet Peter softened his will to the Master's will and obeyed out of faith. He had no other reason to believe he would even get a nibble at the net. As the fish came in Peter got that sinking feeling of realizing the depth of his own sin. He deferred to Jesus and knew he did not deserve to be in the Master's presence. I am struck by Peter's decision to follow Christ's command to let down the net again even though years of experience and an empty-netted night begged him not to. Sometimes experience can breed cynicism because we are used to certain results and have formed certain expectations. Cynicism replaces obedience and robs us of faith. It gives us a reason to not have to believe because "we have been there, done that" and it has never work. Peter's humility is convicting and his responsiveness to Jesus is a powerful example. We can easily be deceived by experience that has result in fruitless and netted us nothing.

Is your evangelism producing fruit?

Maybe you are letting your nets down in the wrong place or in the wrong way.
Find a new fishing hole. Consider reaching out to different kinds of people.

2012-02-29 - Fear of Failure - Mistakes Build Character
by Kristi Henry - Ministry Intern: San Francisco Church of Christ

Matt. 16:21-23, Matt. 26:31-35

Peter loved Jesus, he received some stinging rebukes from him. Imagine a firend saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me. You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." I would probably start crying or get prideful and mad. I don't like to look bad. Peter was always getting exposed! I know I have made many mistakes as a disciple: I have given bad advice, hurt people, lied to look good, not been open about sin, and destroyed relationships. I have had a lot of failures, challenges and struggles. I need to follow Peter. He grew and learned from the sin and mistakes he made. Peter never gave up. Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, not on himself and because of that was able to change and grow by accepting the teaching. When I look at Peter I see a man that Jesus loved, believed in, and knew would be a powerful leader in his church. I can decide to be like Peter and persevere through challenges, discipling, and rebukes. I can decide to fix my eyes on
Jesus and not on myself. I can believe that God has plans for me to do great things for his church and never give up.

Decide today to:
  1. Persevere through challenges, correction, and struggles.
  2. Allow failures to expose your character so that you can become all God wants you to be.
  3. Keep your eyes focused on Jesus, not on yourself and how you feel.


2013-10-09 - Resolve to Lead Your Family

When Moses died, God turned to Joshua and told him it was now his job to lead

He promised him four spiritual resources to help him

  • He gave him God-ordained AUTHORITY to “cross this Jordan - Joshua 1:3
  • He gave him God’s WORD to meditate upon “day and night” - Joshua 1:8
  • He gave him God’s PRESENCE as a reliable companion, guide, and shield - Joshua 1:9
  • He gave him God’s PEOPLE to support and encourage - Joshua 1:16-18

Again and again Joshua heard: “Be strong and courageous!”
God knew that a leader tends to become overwhelmed, afraid, and passive.
Leaders are not leaders because they’re smarter, more talented, or more organized
Leaders take courage by repeatedly step up and use their influence to move others in the right direction.

Leadership is about courage - the courage to trust God, to do the right thing, to stand alone, and to maintain forward momentum



2014-05-02 - The Miracle of John's birth

 Luke 1:13 - Your prayer has been heard

A priest’s intercession for the nation undoubtedly included a petition for the Messiah, Israel’s promised Deliverer and King.

The Creator and Sustainer of the universe was ready to answer a prayer that had been prayed for hundreds of years, but He purposely chose a man who could pray an old prayer with a fresh heart.

The prayer at that exact moment may not have been for a son.
Perhaps he remembered Abraham and Sarah, and he knew God could do the impossible.

Zechariah could not possibly have known was how intimately connected would be his corporate prayer for the Messiah and his personal prayer for a son.

Not becoming hopeless over a repetitious request can be terribly challenging.
God does not have some limited supply of power, requiring that we carefully select a few choice things to pray about.
God was simply waiting for the perfect time.

We need to continue to walk faithfully with God even though you are disappointed.
Recognizing all the other works God is doing in your life will prevent discouragement

Zechariah waited a long time for God’s answer, but when it came, it exceeded everything the priest could have thought or asked.

Can you even imagine being told in advance of your child’s conception that he or she would bring joy and delight to you and be great in the sight of the Lord?
We breathe a huge sigh of relief over a sonogram showing all the right appendages. What we’d give for a few guarantees about their character!

 



2015-02-03 - Suffering with Benefits

Take pleasure in my weakness; when I am weak, I am strong - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Paul did much of his writting in prison and enduring arrests, beatings, threats against his life because of Jesus

People who take pleasure in suffering are usually the ones who need mental help.

Paul knew his suffering wouldn't last forever and that God had something better

He remembered his suffering would last a moment, while the glory to come would last forever

Suffering can:

  • build endurance
  • mature your faith
  • remind you of your own weakness
  • bring you to the point of complete dependance of him

 



2015-02-04 - No Contest

I come to you in the name of the Lord - 1 Samuel 17:45

David spoke words of confidence

He knew that God had sent him and He never sends a man to fight without equipping and guilding him

Goliath had size, armor, weapons and a hard heart on his side
David had a slingshot, some stones, and an abolute faith in God (delights in enabling the impossible)

It was a hopeless situation - for the Giant

The moment David accepted God's call to fight, Goliath was as good as dead.

This is the Lords battle! - 1 Samuel 17:47

What "giants" in your life make you feel like the underdog? In Christ, can not only win over the giants but have an abolute rout.



2015-03-08 - Approach to Life

Living means living for Christ - Philippians 1:21

Death is near the top of most people's list of fears

Death for the believers is nothing more than moving on to new location

Paul faced the distinct possiblity of death but there is no hint of fear in his letter

He knew

  • If he lived, could continue his work
  • If he died, he would simply move to his new location in heaven - Phippians 1:21-24

Paul couldn't decide which of the options he preferred

Paul never forgot God superinteneded everything that happened to him

When you live free from the fear of death or life, you will never have to worry about what lies ahead.

 



2015-03-18 - Overcoming Inadequacy

ISAIAH

It's over, I am doomed - Isaiah 6:4-5

Isaiah looked into the mirror of God's perfection and saw his own inadequacy starting back at him

He knew he wasn't fit to serve God, much less stand in his presence

God sent an angel and tocuhed his lips with coal and pronounced his guilt removed and sins forgiven - Isaiah 6:6-7

Isaiah changed and boldly called out, "Here I am. Send me" - Isaiah 6:8



2015-03-28 - Crying Out

Bartimaeus: He only shouted louder. "Son of David, have mercy on me!" - Mark 10:47-48

Babies cry, that is what they do to get their needs meet

Bartimaeus heard stories of Jesus' miraculous healing and he knew he had one shot to get Jesus' attention

He commited a breach of etiqutte by crying out so loudly to Jesus that it annoyed the crowd

Bartimaeus did care what others thought, he simply wanted Jesus to meet his need

Because of his loud persistence, Jesus turned his attention and with command, he could see

Never let etiqutte stand in the way of crying out to Jesus Christ



2015-03-31 - Eyes Have It

I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman - Job 31:1

Sexual temptation burns many men simply because they are careless

Job took some time for self-examination

He knew that

  • God's gaze penetrated far deeper than his own
  • The importance of keeping his body aways from sexual sin

Those who have no interest in pleasing the Lord will say, "Hey, there's no harm in looking" but the man commited to God knows better

Job's advice if you want to keep your body and mind pure: Don't even look

 



2015-04-01 - Request That Honors God

King Solomon: Who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours? - 1 Kings 3:9

As Solomon was preparing to succeed his father, King David, he knew he couldn't handle the task

He didn't think twice when God asked him what he mosted wanted for himself

Solomon could have asked for anything (long life, riches) but he foucsed on his most immediate need - wisdom and understanding

God liked what he heard and gave Solomon exactly what he had asked for and more

Solomon receieved wisdom and understanding beyond any other man - 1 Kings 3:11-12



2015-04-07 - Clear Conscience

I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear fpr as long as I live - Job 27:6

How oftern do we long for a quiet conscience when what we really need is a clean conscience?

Job did a quick personal inventory - He had a completely clean conscience

Though Job didn't know why he was suffering, he knew that it hadn't come as a result of sin

God called Job "blameless" a man of complete integrity - John 1:8

Do you enjoy a clean conscience? Are you at peace with God? with the people around you?



2015-04-09 - Where Credit is Due

They realized this work had been donw with the help of our God - Nehemiah 6:16

Nothing keeps a man's feet on the ground like remembering that everying blessing he has comes from the hand of God

Nehemiah understood the importance of giving God the credit in all things

Order of events:

  1. Nehemiah learned of the city's wall condition
  2. He sprang into action
  3. He surveyed the problem
  4. Prayed about it
  5. Came up with a plan to rebuild the walls
  6. Reconstructed he the wall in 52 days

Nehemiah knew when he gave God the credit that the swiftness of the rebuilding project would be a warning to Jeruslem's enemies

There is no self-made men - only men who recognize the God who made them

What good thing is God doing in your life right now? Have you given him the credit?

 



2015-04-22 - A Friend Indeed

Take that if you want it, for there is nothing else here - 1 Samuel 21:9

A true friend gives of himself, and even sacrifices himself, for the good of another

Ahimelech was this king of friend to David

When David was on the run from King Saul, Ahimelech help him with food and a weapon for battle

All Ahimelech knew was his friend was in need of help - his act of kindness came at a heavy price

When KIng Saul heard Ahimelech assisted David, he ordered his execution - 1 Samuel 22

Being a true friend mean making personal sacrifices. Do you have a true friend? Are you a true friend? 



2015-04-25 - Gift of Time

Remember how short my life is - No one can live forever, all will die - Psalms 89:47-48

The essence of gody wisdom is realizing that we are mortal and our days are numbered

Ethan was in touch with his mortality and immortality - I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever - Psalms 89:1

He knew how to put his time on earth to the best use by openly praising God

How are you spending the time God has given you?



2015-04-30 - Inner Conflict

I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway - Romans 7:19

Paul found himself unable to always do what he knew was right. He was equally unable to always avoid doing what he knew was wrong

Paul reveled his genuine conflict over his desire to obey God perfectly and his inability to do so 

What Paul wanted more than anything was to have vicotry over sin

We are sinners who must daily tap into God's grace and forgiveness

You will find consistent success in avoiding sin only as you walk daily in the power of the Holy Spirit



Next 25 >>