Quiet Times Search

• God moves people around
• Noah's life changed because of his righteousness
• Would start the whole human race over again

•  Joesph life changed
• Often did not know what God was doing but we must have faith to change

• Results of brother's action lead to the coming of Jesus
• God allowed Joesph brother's to throw him into slavery for me
• God is all about change because he wants us to have have faith

To know and to be known. It is our deepest ache.
Our bodies are an outward sign of an inward reality

Love makes us to crazy things for love. No union on earth like the consummation of love between a man and woman
Lovers reach for the stars to find words fitting enough to express what the beloved means to them - to a clue to a deeper reality

Becoming one - this is what God is seeking with us
Gender, sexually and marriage server as a lving metaphor
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother ... and the two will become one flesh... I am talking about Christ and the church - Ephesians 5:31-32
The cross is a great mystery - but in context of sacrifing animal - it became clear what they had been doing and what Christ was doing

Bible is the greatest romance ever written
God has given us the highest freedom of all - the freedom to reject him
Love is possible only when it is freely chosen

• 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

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

• Wanted choice seat to the right and left of Jesus
• Wanted to call down fire from heaven to destroy a village

Preached by Richard Dixion on 1999-05-04

Psalms 25:10

• Gratefulness: no arguments, no frustration, no complaining

Psalms 145:13

• All he made - Did God make you?
• We live in an unloving world
  • God is not like use
• We make limits to our love
  • God does not stop
• We all need unconditional love

Hebrews 12:4-10

• God love is tough
• Two kinds of discipline
  • Action - stops for the short-term
  • Heart - God way, deals with sin
• Discipline - creates - discipline and gratefulness
• Running away or running toward discipline?
• He wants us to be holy, righteousness
• Wrong thinking: I won't because I might get disciplined
• Right thinking: I will, and I will be molded

Romans 12:1-2

• What transforms you?
• How are different than a year ago?
• Living sacrifices?

2 Corinthians 5:3

• How would you look if God transformed your life?
• Do you know who are?
• What would Jesus do different in your life?
• God loves us the way we are
  • He refuses to leave us that way

There are expectations everywhere, to have:

• Strong marriages
• Obedient children
• Balanced budgets
• Ethical business
• Effective prayer lives
• Meaningful relationships

Many times the "ought to" comes through louder than the "how to"
Especially true in the challenge of having an evangelist impact
God did not leave us in a state of confusion - What God expects, He enables

We need to focus on the important steps to have maximum impact
HP (High Potency) + CP (Close Proximity) + CC (Clear Communication)  = Maximum Impact (MI)

We are the salt of the world - Matthew 5:13

• Salt makes us thristy
• It spices things us
• It preserves - holds back decay

Which did Jesus have in mind? We don't know
HP (High Potency) = means we need to have a strong concentration of Christ's influnce in our lives
CP (Close Proximity) = means we need to get close to people we're hoping to reach in order to allow His power to have its intended effect

• Stepped of the boat, only to sink - Matthew 14:31
• Rebuked for his dullness - Matthew 15:15-16
• Rebuked Jesus and got the rebuke of a lifetime - Matthew 16:22-23
• Fell asleep when Jesus needed him most - Matthew 26:40
• Denied knowing Jesus three times and wept bitterly - Matthew 26:75

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

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

• I will give the land to you and your descendants
• You will spread out to the north, south, east and west
• People on earth will be blessed through you
• I am with you and will watch over you
• I will not leave you

• Sons
• Strangers
• Daughters

Summary

God told Abram, "Go. I will make you a great nation. You will be a blessing." In Egypt Abram lied about Sarai and Pharaoh was cursed.

Observations

Genesis 12:1 - Leave your country, your people
We take comfort when things do not change. True comfort comes from God. He directs us where we should go to ultimately have comfort in him. To told Abram to leave the country and people he know and go somewhere completely different. When we made big changes it forces us to to stop relying on the things around us and solely on Him.

Genesis 12:13 - Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well
The root of a lie always has its orgins in a selfish reason. It is Satan's native language [John 8:44]. The reasons for lying my even sound spiritual but it is sin. What "harmless" lies are you telling? Who are you telling them to? Are you believing your own lies?

Personal Application

I value comfort but it is not the same comfort that comes from God. When I look at my heart, I am slower to change then I used to be as a younger Christian. This should not be. What is stopping me from changing? Would I being willing to move again for God?

Summary

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

Observations

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

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

Personal Application

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

• What are three areas of your life that you need to be shown compassion and mercy in?
• Do you extend compassion and mercy to others who struggle in the same areas?

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

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

Summary

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

Observations

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

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

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

Personal Application

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

For some, hurtful things your father did and said to you over the years
Others were wounded more by your father’s absence

The question is whether or not you will allow it to hinder you or help you.
Unresolved anger becomes a bitter cancer that poisons hearts.

We are to forgive like God forgives, completely - Ephesians 4:32
Unresolved bitterness is sin and it will distort your own fathering.

If you believe the same lies your father believed, you will also be bound by them.
For every lie that says you need to sin, lust, or feed an addiction to survive or be happy,
God says, "I will take care of you, will never leave you, and will meet all your needs" - 1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:19

Truth doesn’t set you free if you only hear it and mentally understand it.
Ask God to reveal the lies you have believed in the past and help you replace each one with His truth.

Consider memorizing verses that stand against any lies you have believed.

A man of responsibility is also a man who can live independantly
“A man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife” - Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5

We are not be alone in life, and though we need one another in the body of Christ,
A grown man should not need his parents or others taking care of him.
He should be a fountain, not a drain.

if she is constantly nagging you, then you should learn to outpace her concerns.

“I’ve already taken care of that” should be often flowing from your lips.

We should be more like a thermostat, affecting circumstances, rather than like a thermometer.

We need to boldly redefined success for them = “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” - Deuteronomy 6:5
It is not only how we define success for ourselves; this is how we are called as fathers to define success for our children and grandchildren.
You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up - Deuteronomy 6:6-7

1. God’s Word must “be on your heart.”
Many children who leave the faith is because we did not see God actively working in their parents’ lives.
You can’t inspire them with truths you’re not living

Must always tell them how God is moving:

• When God answers your prayers, tell your kids about it.
• When He changes your heart or helps you overcome temptation, celebrate it with them.
• When you face a season of suffering or persecution, let them see the strength of your faith.

Every day gives you fresh, new material for making your life with Christ a front-row experience

2. Training your children to love God must occur within the context of close relationships.

Talk about God is informal time:

• Greeting your kids at the breakfast table
• Sitting around the house
• Having spiritually rich conversations in the car or at dinner

Making disciples of all nations begins with your own children  - it all starts with their hearts.

Summary

Abraham's servant went to Nahor to find a wife for Isaac.

Observations

Genesis 24:1 - The Lord blessed him every way
God blessed Abraham, as he promised [Genesis 12:2], more than he could have asked or imagined [Ephesians 3:20] because of his belief that He would be faithful in his promises. In the investment world, it is about making a return on managed risk. Sometimes in Wall Street you can yield a good return with analysis. Other times, no matter what, you can lose large amounts of captial.  But with God, you can bank on his promises through faithfulness. There is no guessing and changing out mind, we just need to be faithful.

Genesis 24:4 - Go instead to my homeland
His son was nearing 40 years old and Abraham was old himself. He was looked to pass the torch on the next generation. Abraham again was faced with the challege of age-related life changes [Genesis 21:2]. The easy way to find Isaac a spouse would be to just look around the local area. The rational here might be "well, they do not follow God now but we can convert them later". This idea rarely works out and can cause much harm spiritually. Abraham chose again to be faithfully and to take the path less traveled. That path for his servant was 450 miles away to Nahor.

Genesis 24:8 - But under no circumstances are you to take my son there
Abraham nor his son were going to leave Cannon. There must have been some faithful prayer involved to find a way out of this situation [1 Corinthians 10:13]. How was Abraham going to find a wife for his son in a different land without standing in the way of God's promise? For both of them to go would have been an express of their lack of faith in God's promise. Also, if Isaac went a alone, he may have not returned. If Abrham went a alone, Isaac may have found a wife among the Canaanites while he was gone. The solution was a highly improbable plan (without God) for Abraham was to send his servant to find his wife. This way would be at a high cost to old man Abraham because of amount of work extra work he would need to do to cover while the servant was gone.

Application

I am convicted by the way Abraham chose to approach challenging situations. He did not chose the easy way or the first way that sounded right. He chose to be faithful and had a conviction to allow God's promises to fulfilled in his life. I did not mediate and pray through the challenges set before very often. Many times I just say or do the first things that comes to my mind. Those are often thoughts of the easy way or only way to go about things. I need to think about the bigger picture when making  decisions.

Prayer

Praying for heart of disernment and faithfulness in life's challenging situations.

Everyone must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence - Jonah 3:7-8

The biggest enemy of godly leaders is not leading by example

Leading by example has always been one of a leader's greatest goals

• Want children to speak kindly? Speak kindly to them
• Want your coworkers and employees to be more consientious about their work? Show up on time and work deligently until you leave

Jonah warned the Ninevites of God's coming judgement and wrath

Their king responded by instructing his people to:

• Observe a time of fasting
• Pray
• Repent

...in hopes that God would change his minds and spare the city

The king of the Ninevites humility and leading by example saved his city from judgement and wrath

When you do as you say in life, you make it far easier for everyone around you to do the same

He jumped up, stood on his feet and began to walk - Acts 3:7-8

That is the power of a transformed life

This man was not looking for a miracle

The apostles had no money to give him but they did not leave him empty handed

Get up your mat and walk and he took off running and leaped and praise God

Thousands likely turned to Jesus Christ from the personal testimony of one man - Acts 4:4

A changed life is a powerful testimony to the reality of the gospel

You may not feel qualified to a large crowd about Bible doctrine or deep theology but can certainly testify to what God is doing in your life

Abram built an alter there and dedicated it to the Lord - Genesis 12:7

Ever thought about the power available through praise and worship of the heavenly Father?

God inhabits the praise of his people - Psalm 22:3

Praise and worship are avenues through which we enjoy fellowship with God

Abraham was a rich man who obeyed God's call to leave his home and travel to an unknown land

Whenever he settled, Abraham always took time to build an alter and worship God

Through the Holy Spirit, are you making praise and worship a key component of your daily life?

Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven - Matthew 19:21

He was a good man who kept God's commandmetns,yet he was aware of an empty place in his life

Jesus called him to leave everything behind and follow him

The rich man wanted to follow Jesus but not as much as he wanted to hang on to his stuff

This reluctant young man ended his life as a sad case of unfulfilled potential

Neve see Jesus' call to follow him as a deal breaker

I will give the Lord whatever comes out of my house to meet me - Judges 11:30

As it would happen, the first to leave his house was Jephthah's daugther

The Bible contains hundreds of God's conditional promises of blessings

Jephthah's vow went terribiy wrong when he tried to set his own conidtions for blessing rather than appoarching God in faith

Have you felt that you needed to offer God something to receive his promised blessing?

You can't buy what God already wants to give you.

Didn't our hearts burns within us as he talked with us - Luke 24:32

If I look at myself, I am depressed
If I look at those around me, I am disappointed.
If I look at my circumstances, I am discouraged
But if I look at Jesus, I am constantly, consistently and eternally fulfilled

When Jesus died, as the disciples saw it, all hope for a better life was gone

At just the right moment, Jesus reveal himself to them

When he disappeared from their sight, he took with him the pain, despair, and disappointment

When you face situations that leave you feeling despressed, disappointed, and discouraged, look to Jesus

Listen, stay right here with us when you gather grain - Ruth 2:8

Kindness in word and deed is a powerful equalizer

Boaz was consistently kind and compassionate

He greeted the harvesters with a "The Lord be with you!" they would answer "The Lord bless you!"

Ruth, a transplanted Moabite widow, had come to his field to gather bits of grain left behind

Boaz was moved by her story:

• Invited Ruth to eat with him - Ruth 2:14
• Commanded his reapers to leave some bundles for her to find - Ruth 2:15

Do you know anyone like Boaz? How can you be more like him?

Don't make us leave this place - Exodus 33:15

He who has God and many other things has no more than he who has God alone - C S Lewis

Moses had an acute sense of his need for God's presence;

Expereince brought him to this conculsion:

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

None of these things could have taken palce if God had not been with him

As Moses was considering the trip to the Promised land, he did not want to take another step  further without the assurance of God's presence

The Promised Land without the Promise Giver didn't hold much promise

How much does the presence of God mean to you?

We decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there - Acts 16:10

In Acts 16, Luke's language changed from third person to first person as he took an active part of the ministry

We decided to leave for Macedonia at once - Acts 16:11

Luke was not content to just sit back and observe other people's experiences of faith

He became an integal part:

• Doing the same work
• Taking the same risks
• Preaching the same message
• Reaping the same rewards

Christian growthis throwing yourself into the work of the KIngdom

God changed his mind and did not carry out the destructionhe had threatened - Jonah 3:10

Jonah disliked God's command to warn Nineveh of its coming destruction and became angry with God for sparing the city after the Ninevites heard Jonah's preaching and repented

I knew you were a merciful and compassionate God; you are eager to turn back from destroying people - Jonah 4:2

Jonah hated the Ninevties and wanted them killed because he saw them as a treat to his people

God's deviated from Jonah's perfect plan

Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city? - Jonah 4:11

Jonah was God's servant, not his advisor

You will be more happy and peaceful when you simply do what God tells you to do and leave the results to him

Leave your native country and go to the land I will show you - Genesis 12:1

God didn't give Abram a lot of details - Leave your lifelong home for the land I will show you

He promised Abram to be a father of a great nation and the entire earth would be blessed through him - Genesis 12:2-3

There had to have been questions:

• Where exactly is this place?
• What will we do once we get there?
• Where would this nation come from with a baren wife?

Abram went without questioning God or asking for signs

He believed God enough to step out in obedience and helped bring the salvation we enjoy into the world

Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit - 2 Kings 2:9

Prophet-in-training Elisha achieve greatness because he had the faith to ask for a blessing when he had the opportunity

Three times Elijah told him to stay behind, three times he said I will never leave you - 2 Kings 2:2-6

Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted, he didn't hesitate - double portion of his spirit

Elisha got exactly what he requested

When we need God's empowerment, take your shot and for it in faith

A faithful, sensible servant is the one who the master can give responsibility - Matthew 24:45

There are two people in the workplace:

1. Employees who must be watched like a hawk - get the job done that is it
2. Employees  who do their best with enthusiasm

Jesus told a story about a master's trust in a servant who demonstrated faithfulness in big and small issues

That led the master to leave more important responsiblities to the faithful servant

Are you faithful in serving God and your employer? He will reward your faithfulness

Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daugther and instead to share the oppression of God's people - Hebrews 11:24-25

He left his life of ease under Pharaoh and indentified himself with the suffering of his own people

Mose was born to a poor Hebrew mother, but he was raised in a world of privilege

He left Pharaoh's family and inheritance for being a descendant of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob

When you identify yourself with Christ you leave your old ways and thinking.

Then he went with Elijah as his assistant - 1 Kings 19:21

Elisha couldn't help becoming a prophet of the Lord

Elijah approached him and silently threw his cloak over his shoulder, Elisha knew what he meant

The Holy Spirit had touched his heart and he felt ready to leave everything to follow Elijah

First let me go and kiss my father and mother goodbye - 1 Kings 1:19

Elisha had no choice in the matter, for it was God who had called him to leave everything and follow hi,

When the Holy Spirit is allowed to have free reign in your life, you can do nothing but say yes when God calls you to serve Him

"You you love me moew than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied - John 21:!5

Peter promised Jesus he would never leave him nor deny him

In his moment of cowardince, he denied even knowing Jesus three times

After Jesus had risen from the grave, Peter knew that this little incident had to be resolved

Jesus wasn't about to let Peter's temporary failure get in the way of his incrediable future

Jesus fully restored Peter's relationship him with a lesson and Peter would no longer make primise he had no way of keeping

Your failures don't have to be final - God will use that failure to move you closer to enjoying everything he has planned for you

Summary

Isaac and Rebekah had twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal.

Observations

Genesis 25:22 - the two children struggled with each other in the womb
Sibiling rivaly starts early - even before they born in this case. Our thoughts and personalities are formed before we leave the womb. Sure, we can learn and further be formed afterwards but in some sense their parents did not help smooth the relationship. Their parents practiced favoritsm: Issac's love for Esau was conditional based off performance and Rebekah's love for Jacob was consistant and uncondtional [Genesis 25:28].

Genesis 25:32 - I'm dying of starvation... what good is my birthright to me now?
Short term pleasure can lead to long term consequences and lose of sight of the future. Was Esau really going to die of starvation? It does not seem so from his actions after he ate as he just got up and left quickly [Genesis 25:34]. Esau resorted to exaggeration to prove his point. The issue was nothing else mattered at the time except for food and Esau lost perpective of what was most important. Jacob, ironically, was the hunter in this case by patiently laying a trap for his brother's arrival. 

Application

Getting through the short-term pressure-filled moment is often the most difficult part of overcoming tempation. I need to have God's long term perpective when confronted with a short sided want.

Prayer

Praying for God's strength in my weaknesses