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Searching for "never" in the Quiet Time Archive
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2008-06-21 - Purpose Driven Life - Overcoming Temptation
Refuse to be intimidated

You will never outgrow temptation
Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you
Paul says, "WHEN you are tempted..." - 1 Corinthians 10:13
Jesus was tempted, but never sinned - Hebrews 4:15
The closer you grown to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you

Recognize your pattern of temptation

Know what exactly what trips you up - Stay alert, Satan waits til you are napping - Matthew 26:41
  • When am I most tempted?
  • Where am I most tempted?
  • Who is with me went I am tempted?
Don't give the Devil a chance - Ephesians 4:27
Plan carefully what you do... - Proverbs 4:26-27

Request God's Help

Call on God in times of trouble - Psalms 50:15
Jesus is sympathetic; he understands our weakness - Hebrews 4:15
We can be embarrassed to ask God for help after failing over and over again, but let us have confidence when approaching - Hebrews 4:16

2008-06-25 - Purpose Driven Life - The Call and Commands to Serve
You are called to serve God

It is full-time position
A "non-serving Christian" is a contradiction in terms

You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God - 1 Peter 2:9

You are commanded to serve God

For Christians, service is not an option
Spiritual maturity is never an end in itself
Maturity is for service, we grow up in order to give out
Impression with expression cause depression
Study without service leas to spiritual stagnation

Galilee lake full of life - takes in water but also gives out
Dead sea - takes in but the is no outflow

Not who is going to meet my needs -> Whose needs should I meet?

2008-06-27 - Purpose Driven Life - Shaped for Serving God
Before God created you, he decided what role he wanted you to play on earth
You were made for a specific ministry.

Created in Christ to do good works - Ephesians 2:10

God does not make junk
God never wastes anything - he did not give you talents and gifts unless he intended for you to use them for his glory

God shapes us:
Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experience

We will look at spiritual gifts and heart today:

SHAPE: Spiritual Gifts


He alone decides which gift each person should have - 1 Corinthians 12:11
If you had them all, you would not need others; teaches us to love and depend on each other

Given gifts for the benefit of others
Gift given as a means of helping the entire church - 1 Corinthians 12:7

Two gift problems:
  • Gift-envy - wanting a gift that someone else has
  • Gift-projection - expect others to the same gifts as we do
SHAPE: Heart

Heart = desires, hopes, interest, ambition, dreams, and passion
Heart reflects the person - Proverbs 27:19
You may have interest that no one else has - from God

Don't ignore your interest; consider how they might be used by God

Serve the Lord with all of your heart - Deuteronomy 11:13

How do you know if you are serving the Lord with all of your heart?
  • Enthusiasm - what you love to do; no one has to motivate
  • Effectiveness - passion drives perfection
A simple life is better than a rich life with headaches - Proverbs 15:16

2008-06-28 - Purpose Driven Life - Applying Your Abilities
We are all have abilities that God has given us
To build the Tabernacle, God engaged all kinds of craftsmanship - Exodus 31:3-5

All of our abilities come from God

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well - Romans 12:6
Can not say, "I don't have any abilities to offer"
  • Average person possesses from 500 to 700 different skills and abilities
  • Brain can store 100 trillion facts
  • Can handle 15,000 decisions a second
Every ability can be used for God's glory

Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God - 1 Corinthians 10:31
Remember the Lord your God; he give the ability to produce wealth - Deuteronomy 8:18

What I am able to do, God wants me to do

God equips you will you need for doing well - Hebrews 13:21
Seriously examine what you are good at doing and do it
God will never ask to something you have no talent for
Abilities are not just to make a living, but also for service for him
Be sure to use our abilities to help each other - 1 Peter 4:10


2008-06-29 - Purpose Driven Life - Using Personality and Experiences

Personality

You are very unique 102,400,000,000 in DNA terms
All the particles in the universe is less than 1076

It is obvious that God loves variety
God works through different people in different ways; achieves his purpose through all - 1 Corinthians 12:6
So many personality conflicts between just the 12 disciples

It is easier to  work with the grain than against it
Mimicking someone else exactly does not work

Experiences

  • Family experiences
  • Education experiences
  • Vocational experiences
  • Spiritual experiences
  • Ministry experiences
  • Painful experiences

Greatest ministry comes from our most likely come from your greatest pain
God allows you to go through painful experiences for ministry of others

When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the comfort God has given us - 2 Corinthians 1:4

Paual was honest with his bouts of depression
He eventually put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us - 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

If Paul kept his experience to himslef, millions of people would have never benefitted from it

Don't waste your pain, us it to help others

 



2008-07-01 - Purpose Driven Life - Real Servants (part 1)

We server God by serving others
Everyone wants to lead; not many want to follow - we would rather be generals than privates

How can you know if you have the heart of Jesus?
You can tell what they are by what they do - Matthew 7:16

Real Servants make themselves available to serve

Like a soldier, always by for duty - 2 Timothy 2:4

  • Do what is needed
  • Do it when it is inconvenient
  • Gives up control of their schedule
  • Not frustrated because it is whatever God wants

Real servants pay attention to needs

Always looking out for ways to help others
Great opportunities to serve never last for long
Never tell your neighbor to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now - Proverbs 3:28

Real servants do their best with what they have

Servant never make excuses, procratinate, wait for better circumstances
If you wait for the perfect conditions, you will never get anything done - Ecclesiates 11:4
Less-than-perfect service is better than the best intention



2008-07-02 - Purpose Driven Life - Real Servants (part 2)

Real servants do every task with equal dedication

Whatever you do, do it with all your heart - Colossians 3:23
You are never too [fill in the blank] to be a servant
Jesus specialized in menial tasks:

  • washing feet
  • helping children
  • fixing breakfast
  • servng lepers

Small taks often show a big heart
Little things determine big things
Race to be a leaders is crowded but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants

Real servants are faithful to their ministry

Servants finish tasks, fullfill their responsibilities, and complete their commitments
Can you be counted on by others?
We want to God to say, "Well gone, good and faithful servant" - Matthew 25:23

Real Servants maintain a low profile

Put on the apron of humility, to serve one another - 1 Peter 5:5
Not about show  - If we are trying to please men (including ourselves) we can not be a servant of Christ - Galatians 1:10

Servants are content with quietly serving in the shadows
Wouldn't find many true servants in any Halls of Fame or Who's who books

Be confident that nothing you do for God is a waste of time or effort - 1 Corinthians 15:58



2008-07-05 - Purpose Driven Life - Gods Power in My Weakness (part 1)

God loves weak people and everyone has weaknesses

We usually deny, defend, excuse, hide and resent weaknesses

God wants to use our strengths and weaknesses - 1 Corinthians 1:27
Your weaknesses are not an accident
Being "poor in spirit" is the #1 attitude he blesses - Matthew 5:3
God is never limited by our limitations

Admit your weaknesses

Might be a good idea to list them

Two great confessions:

  1. You are the Chrst (Matthew 16:16) - we need a savior
  2. We are only human (Acts 14:15) - we are not God

Be content with your weaknesses

I am glad about my weaknesses, so the power of Christ may work - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Reasons to be content:

  1. Causes us to depend on God - the less I have, the more I depend on him - 2 Corinthians 12:10
  2. Prevents arrogance - So I wouldn't get a big head - 2 Corinthians 12:7
  3. Encourages fellowship
  4. Increases sympathy

 



2008-07-12 - Purpose Driven Life - Sharing Your Message (Testimony)
Your message includes testimony

Tell other of the difference he made for you - 1 Peter 2:9

Witnessing = simply sharing your personal experiences regarding the Lord

In court witness are NOT expected to:
  • Prove the truth
  • Argue the case
  • Press for a verdict
Witnesses simply report what happened to them or what they saw
You will be my witnesses - Acts 1:8

Personal stories:
  • Easier to relate to than principles
  • Capture our attention
  • People are naturally curious about experiences they never have had
  • Builds a relational bridge
  • Bypasses intellectual defenses
Be ready to all times to answer for your hope - 1 Peter 3:15-16

Four parts of your testimony:
  1. What my life was before Christ
  2. How I realized I needed Jesus
  3. How I committed my life to Jesus
  4. The difference Jesus has made in my life


2008-07-26 - 30 Days at the Cross - Wisdom and Power of God

Will the cross ever make sense to the world?

Will all the wisdom of the world, no one has found God
Man destined to frustration by God himself to show themselves helpless without God

Jews sought a miracle worker general ignoring scriptures like Isaiah 53
Greeks described god as apatheia - total inability to feel; looked don on uncultered Christians

God's plan was never to impress prideful scholars or to find acceptance among the rulers of the ages

Some things never change:

  • Graduate student in the laborary for 100 hours - OK
  • Athlete who trains 6-8 hours a day - OK
  • Executive working 60 hours a week - OK
  • Someone passionate about Christ - Bad

Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing
Man without the Spirit does not accpet spiritual things - 1 Corinthians 2:14
God has blinded the minds of unbelievers - 2 Corinthians 4:4

God didn't come to impress the world. Are you?



2008-07-28 - 30 Days at the Cross - Life through Death

Voluntary surrender is not easy; never comfortable nor enjoyable
Christ can not be formed in us until we are crucified with him - Galatians 2:20 ; Galatians 4:19

Rebellion comes from man's desire to be God
Satan tried to delute the solution to create powerless religions
Our lives do not change at the deepest level and have the same problems as the world

Only when we are sick of our old nature will we be convinced to totally sell out to God
Death to self seems preferable to life

Most of our cires are designed to produce our surrender
Jesus served through suffering - Hebrews 5:8-9
Can not mature without surrender - Hebrews 12:5-11
Many harships come so we enter heaven - Acts 14:22

So how do we go about taking up our cross?

  1. Absolutely commited to the concept - John 12:23-25
  2. Be committed to prayer about surrender - "I surrender" and "Help my lack of suddender"
  3. Be committed to a relationship with another disciple - Share convictions and be open
  4. Be committed to stretching your comfort zone - Do things you can not do without his help
  5. Realize that surrender brings about absolute freedom - life through death will cease the puzzling paradox

 



2008-08-07 - 30 Days at the Cross - Spectators or Sacrifices

Sacrifice - we think of pain, suffering, loss, and the uncomfortable concept of denying self
We hear: "Do what feels good"

Sacrifice is a voluntary presentation of ourselves to God to be used for his purposes
Jesus sacrificed his comfortable position with God to serve, heal, love, preach the good news

 We can respond in serveral ways to the sacrifice of Jesus:

  • Pretend it never happened
  • Can decide to hide from the challenge
  • Immerse ourselves in other thoughts
  • Stand back with our arms folded
  • Understand the facts but no personal acceptance or responsibility

Christ love needs to compel us - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Hiding is dishonest. Spectating is hypocritical. Committing is powerful.

What happens when you offer your body as a living sacrifice?

  • It produces many seeds - John 12:24-25
  • Life truly becomes life
  • Our joy is multiplied
  • It effects us and other for enternity

What types of sacrifices is God asking of you right now?
Is there is anyone, anything, any place, or any position you are holding on to?



2008-08-11 - 30 Days at the Cross - Seeing It Through
It is not hard to start something but it takes character to finish

What did it take for Jesus to reach his goal? Nothing less than a relationship with the Father and death

With dull disciples - could have become impatient
Exhausted after a long journey - could have become selfish
He never gave in

How did he stay so determined to overcome?
Offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears - Hebrews 5:7

Jesus shed tears for:
  • the lost
  • the people he met and healed
  • his disciples to stay faithful
  • his family who thought he was crazy
  • the children
Knowing that God heard his cries, he found victory over discouragement, anxiety, doubt, and loneliness
We are aware of our ineffectiveness, we focus on what we should be doing but neglect our relationship with God

2008-08-12 - 30 Days at the Cross - Mistreatment but Not Misery
No way to be righteous enough, wise enough, or loving enough to avoid persecution
The world can not hate you, it hates Jesus - John 7:7

We never see a hint of retaliation, bitterness, or self-pity
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate - 1 Peter 2:22-23
On the cross: heaped insults (Matthew 27:44) and he is asked God to forgive them - Luke 23:34

How did he get through the cruel and vicious attacks with such grace?
  • He entrusted himself to him who judges - 1 Peter 2:23
  • Kept his focus on the joy that would be his - Hebrews 12:2


2008-08-20 - 30 Days at the Cross - I Am Not Alone
Stress, word for the modern world, everyone has too much of it
Synonymical cousins: worry, frustration, and impatience
Vacation sometimes causes it
Sociologists and Psychologist make a lot of money because of it
Jesus never was described as stressed
Jesus was tempted in every way as we are - Hebrews 4:15

How did he conquer stress? He was not alone - John 16:31-32

Allowing stress to overwhelm us is sin - focus on ourselves
It tempts us to let our emotions lead over our convictions

Worry - always be thousands of reasons to worry - still sin
Frustration - thing don't go the way we think it should - we need faith

We too can overcome stress - we too are not alone

2008-08-26 - Teach Us To Pray - Abba Father

Three verse opened a whole new way of understanding Jesus:

  • Jesus praying: Abba, Father, everything is possible for you - Mark 14:36
  • We can cry Abba, Father  - Romans 8:15
  • Because you are sons we can cry Father - Galatians 4:6

Prior to Jesus it was never used as a reference to God; even scandalous if used
Simular to "da-da" in English
Before Jesus, there was no one who could tell us what he could about God



2008-08-27 - Teach Us To Pray - Savior and Redeemer

The Cross is enough, then, now, and always

Hebrews 7:25-27

  • He is able to completely save
    • Never too short
    • Never too weak
    • Never worn out
  • He always lives - Prepared to recuse me until the day I die
  • Once for all - One death sufficient for all my sins, for all time

God wants his children to be abolutely confident that we can draw near to him with freedom and assurance

Without seeing the cross, David understood his Savior and Redeemer - Psalms 69:13

 



2008-08-31 - Teach Us To Pray - Hungry and Thirsty (part 1)

True prayer is a yearning for God
Most people in the developed world have never been really hungry and do not know what it is like

In the Bible a hunger for God always ends in prayer
My soul yearns for the courts of the Lord - Psalms 84:1-2
My soul thrists for you like a parched land - Psalms 143:6

God invites us to find satisfaction in Him
Come all you are thristy, come to the waters - Isaiah 55:1
He will satisfy your needs - Isaiah 58:11
Are you trying to find satisfaction some other place?

 



2008-09-21 - Teach Us To Pray - Friends and Loved Ones
To intercede or pray on someone else's behalf is a privilege
Our prayers are sacrifices which are pleasing to him - Hebrews 13:15

Paul: I want you to know how much I am struggling for you - Colossians 2:1
Who do you struggle for? How about people you have never meet?

Far be it that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray to you - Samuel to King Saul - 1 Samuel 12:23

Jesus intercedes for us - Romans 8:34
Like a good friend, he adds or subtracts from what you are missing or need
Jesus makes us complete in God's sight

2008-10-01 - Man of Prayer - Father (part 2)

Addressing God as the Father seems pretty normal - not the case in Jesus' day

Sometimes David prayed:

  • O God
  • O Lord
  • O my God
  • O my Lord

...but nowhere will you find David addressing the living god as "Father"
Gabriel was sent to respond personally to Daniel's great prayer in Daniel 9 - yet he did not address God as Father

Patriarchs, the prophets, and the priests of Israel were all men of prayer - never addressed their prayers to God as "Father"
Jesus gave believers the right to become children of God

We begin our time in prayer with a father-child relationship



2008-10-08 - Man of Prayer - YHWH-shamma

God is "the Lord who is present"
Shekinah is the Hebrew word meaning 'residence'

He has a great desire to dwell in the lives of believers:

  • Bodies have become the temple of the living God - 1 Corinthians 3:16
  • Jesus is our Immanuel - God with us
  • He promises that He is always with us - Matthew 28:20
  • He will never forsake us - Hebrews 13:5

 



2008-10-26 - Man of Prayer - Principles of Provision

It is important to understand certain principles apply to receiving our daily bread
If we meet God's conditions, we can have confidence that He will provide

  1. Need  to have a proper relationship with God - Become a Christian
  2. Fellowship with Christ - authentic spiritual communion with Christ
  3. Obedience and faithfulness to God's commands

Haggai 1 - we need to consider our ways

  • Planted much, but harvested little
  • Eat, but never have enough
  • Drink, but still thirsty
  • Put clothes on, but never warn
  • Earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it

Because of there repentance, they were rewarded:

  • I am with you - Haggai 1:13
  • I will bless you - Haggai 2:19
  • I will provide for you - Haggai 2:15-19

 



2008-11-23 - Raising Awesome Kids - Provision and Protection
If anyone does not provide for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever - 1 Timothy 5:8

Our families should never have to worry about where the next meal is coming from
Our Heavenly Father provides for all our physical needs - Matthew 6:25-34
We should not imitate him in caring for my children?

He works his land , will have abundant food - Proverbs 28:19
Get adequate medical insurance - so you do not burden your family will major costs

Takes care of things around the house
Do the repair jobs and maintenance work
Husbands who are lazy - kids will see this and either disrespect us or gladly imitate us in it

Fathers are protectors
If any family member is in a situation where they are being beaten down, overwhelmed - this is the time to act
Should not shield them from the realities of life, but from the forces from which they become helpless

2008-12-13 - Raising Awesome Kids - Winning Obedience from Children (part 2)

First principle = first time obedience

Second principle = Parents never lose
They want to see their limits
Apologize when warrented but never give up in the battle of wills

Sometimes the whole issues comes down to the "mother of all battles"
Compromise is one the most devastating mistakes parent can make
When we do this, we sow the seeds of rebellion - Ephesians 6:4

If you have failed in this area:

  1. Read about passages about obeying
  2. Talk to them about obeying the first time
  3. Explain this has not been the way but will be now
  4. Pray together
  5. From that time on be different

 



2008-12-14 - Raising Awesome Kids - Defiant Disobedience

It starts with 'No'
Sometimes we excuse it by saying, "Well, you'rejust tired"
Shows lack of willpower and fear - compromising ways by raising an isecure, definant, spoiled brat

The key is to break their defiance with crushing their spirit
Be lovingly firm and we can never let them wear us down
Make sure they know it is in their best interest to obey



2008-12-15 - Raising Awesome Kids - Disarming Disobedience

They crack you up laughing while he or she is disobeying you
If we let a child control us by smiling and laughing, we will cry and mourn later
We are creating a monster - who will manipulating others for personal gain

Never let them do whatever just because they are cute or charming



2008-12-18 - Raising Awesome Kids - Dreary Disobedience (part 2)

Israelites - if only we had meat; we never see anything but manna - Numbers 11:4-10
Any grumbling we do is really grumbling against God

God met the needs of the Israelites but he punished them for their attitude - Numbers 11:33
God did want to their needs to be known
Complaining springs selfishness and ingratitude

Must teach our kids to be grateful
Also teach them to express their wishes, opinions, likes and dislikes in a pleasant, positive tone of voice



2008-12-22 - Raising Awesome Kids - Power of Discipline (part 4)

Be consistent - put up a fence and leave it there

Parents must always be unified - never argue in fron of the kids - otherwise they will play you against each other

Make a definite plan - have a family meeting and talk about your expectations

Walk on the narrow/middle road of parenting - not child abuse; not a lack of discipline either



2008-12-25 - Raising Awesome Kids - Gods Training Plan (part 3)

These commandments... are to be upon your hearts (v. 6)

Should train from the heart level
in their minds and on their minds - Hebrews 10:16

Impress them on your children (v. 7)

Training with the Scriptures must be done with great conviction, sincerity and earnestness
If you want it to stick, you will need to give all you have

Talk about them always (v. 7)

Train consistantly - everywhere, anytime, anyplace

About teaching our children how to live life - not nagging about their misdeeds

Make it fun, doable, effective

Most training should be spontaneous

Never underestimate how many times we will have to say the same things over and over again



2009-01-02 - Raising Awesome Kids - How to Nuture Confidence (part 3)
Teach them to appreciate and applaud the efforts and achievements of others

  • Children who learn to admire and encourage other will be confident
  • They will be strong enough to give credit where credit is due
  • Teach your kids to give their best and never blame anyone when they lose
  • Teach them to be like Jonathan - could have been jealous of David but became his best friend - 1 Samuel 18
  • John the Baptist became lesser so Jesus could become greater - John 3:30

Be basically encouraging
Be your children's biggest fan
If you are fundamentally positive - when you give correction it will be received with thankfulness rather than discouragement
Some say - 5 compliments to overcome one criticism
Human nature flourishes on a diet of praise

2009-01-05 - Raising Awesome Kids - Discipling Times
These are times set to spend alone time with your child to talk with them, teach them the Bible, and pray with them
Can begin as soon as your child can communicate fairly well

Never let discipling times become boring and burdensome duty
Try to go somewhere out of the house if possible
Try to have set hours

Select a topic and verse to share
Realize that there may be a different topic that need to be discuss depending on the situation
Compare notes with your spouse

Read verses together > Talk about them > Take action > Share with the rest of the family

These are incredible times to draw your children closer to God and you

2009-01-13 - Raising Awesome Kids - Openness

Instead, speak the truth in love - Ephesians 4:15

An open family is a close family
No simmering backlog of unresolved problems - children should free to speak their minds at any time

Children should believe that we care enough to give them our full attention; will not fly off the handle
This establishes an open door policy with them

Openness is not limited to parents and children - includes the children with one another
Never allow conflict between kids to go unsettled
Send them off to talk about it - Mediate if needed

King Saul - filled with jealousy and envy and held in his feelings
His patteren was to think one thing and say something else - 1 Samuel 18
Resulting in complete emotional and spiritual breakdown

Parent should be concerned for a child that holds everything in
Have open talks during your family devotional times
Establish an atmosphere of freedom and openness



2009-01-21 - Jesus with People - Going Deeper

We want to be know but we keep a safe distance
Jesus has X-ray vision to our hear and see right our heart

John 4:39 - Samaritan women:

  • She was minding her own business
  • Ran into Jesus and was never the same
  • Will you give me a drink he asked - the fact that he (a Jew) spoke to her told her (a Samaritan) that there was some very different about Jesus
  • Whoever drinks from living water will never thirst again - John 4:13-14
  • He confronted her sin and help her see the emptiness of her life
  • He wanteed her to see who she was without God
  • Due to her discomfort, the woman tried to change to subject
  • Jesus skillfully drove out her fears with his love -  brought her back to the conversation of life
  • She shared with others

We too can be afraid of seeing who we really are
When we opened up and were forgiven,  we couldn't wait to tell other either

To set people free, we must be like Jesus:

  • Relate to them in deep ways
  • Not studying the Bible superficially - not helping them see who they are without God
  • Ask the difficult questions
  • Expose sin so they will see their deepest need for Jesus

Jesus' love and acceptance allowed the woman/us to be real and to change



2009-01-24 - Jesus with People - Feeling the Pain

Luke 7:11-17 - He said, "Don't cry", Jesus chose to be vulnerable to everyone's pain:

  • His heart ached for a woman whom he had never meet
  • Immediately felt her pain
  • Was not oblivious to other's pain
  • He gave her reason to rejoice - through his death

Jesus compassion knows no bounds
How wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ - Ephesians 3:18

Are you praying to stretch the capacity of your heart to feel deeply with many others?

Is your lack of openness (rooted in fear of the sin of pride) blocking your passion and compassion?



2009-01-30 - Jesus with People - Greatest in th Kingdom
I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom  of heaven - Matthew 18:1-4

Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost - Matthew 18:12-14

We need to become like children in a very specific way
Our human nature wants to be first and to have control
Matthew 18 were driven by the same desire - they asked Jesus "Who is the greatest?"
When become like little children, we become like Jesus

Paraphrase - Because of your power-hungry pride you guys are not even in the kingdom of God, and nothing will change this fact unless you start imitating this child

After Jesus' sacrifice, all his teachings made sense
Having a child's humility is impossible until we understand the cross
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends - John 15:13

Must see other brothers and sisters in Christ as God's little spiritual children who must be cared for
God's heart is that not a single person be lost
Do we feel the personal responsibility for others?

Who do you know who is struggling spiritually? What can you do to help them?

2009-02-03 - Jesus with People - Give or Take?
World seem to be divided into givers and takers
Usually we feel as though we are the givers and everyone else is a taker
We can draw back and become cynical - before long we cling to possessions, our rights or our feelings
At that point we have become takers
We would never admit it - and many of us do not see it

Jesus meet a man that was a taker - Matthew
Matthew was no different than us - he probably had a family with mouths to feed

As he left the office and crept closer toward the crowd surrounding Jesus
He heard the words - You must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow me
Jesus then walked up to Matthew and said "Follow me"
His life changed forever - became a disciple of Jesus

How did Jesus know? do it? Jesus knew that he was sick and need to get well - Mark 2:17

We need to see people as they ready are and what they can become
Is there some in your life you can share with but haven't because you don't think they are open?

2009-02-04 - Jesus with People - Perceiving Potential

John 1:42

Usually when you meet someone, you introduce yourself - Jesus knew Peter and changed his name!

Peter saw himself Jesus saw Peter
As a fisheran As a fisher of men
Ordinary Life Life of preaching the life-changing gospel
Holding a smelly fish net Holding the keys of the kingdom
No impact beyond the Sea of Galilee Turning the world upside down

Jesus looked at people differently than they look at themself

Others saw Peter Jesus saw Peter
Volatility Passion
Subbornness Determination
Simon Peter

Jesus knew he would fail but he never gave up on Peter.

What name might Jesus give you?



2009-02-05 - Jesus with People - Realness

When it comes to friendship, Jesus again sets the standard

Jesus knew John:

  • Jesus saw his weaknesses - yet accepted him - Mark 3:17
  • Jesus did not hesitate to call him to be a follower - spite of his temperament - Mark 1:19-20
  • He expect John to change - Luke 9:51-56
  • Jesus questioned his commitment when John sought power - Mark 10:35-37

Incredible thing about John is that it would seem that he never doubted Jesus' love

He refered to himself 5 times as the "disciple that Jesus loved"



2009-02-28 - Promises of God - Being Fully Persuaded
Abraham shows us that faith is all about having confidence in the promises of God

Yet he did not weaver through unbelief, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised - Romans 4:20-21

Abraham was justified by faith - Romans 4:13

We must learn God's promises and never waver in unbelief in trusting them.


2009-03-06 - Promises of God - You Call, He Answers

Call me and I'll answer - Psalms 91:14-16

I can help others when I am confident that God is listening to and responding to my prayers

When we lose faith that our prayers will be answered, we lose heart and our relationship with God withers

We may not always give us the answer we want; he always responds for our good

We must see the answers he gives and never doubt that he loves us



2009-03-12 - Promises of God - Carry and Rescue
Paul: My God will meet all your needs - Philiippians 4:19

God most certianly allows us to have needs
He allows situations where we are left to wonder how things will turn out
He has not promised to keep us free from need

As we grow older, all kinds of needs are created

I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you - Isaiah 46:3:-4

Old age and gray hairs = symbols of all the things we can not control and tend to worry us

I will rescue you: deliver us from danger - did not promis we wll never be in danger

From every evil attack and bring me to safety - 2 Timothy 4:18


2009-03-14 - Promises of God - Not tempted Beyond What You Can Bear
He will not let be tempted beyond what yo can bear - 1 Corinthians 10:13

God has not promised that we will not be tempted - James 1:13-15

No situation will ever be too difficult. God simply will not allow it.
There is never an excuse for sin.

Jesus is our ultimate example
He himself suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted - Hebrews 2:18


2009-04-01 - Promises of God - No Disappointment
No one will be disappointed in heaven
No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him - 1 Corinthians 2:9

Not even the most creative can envision
No analogy can really do it justice
No metaphor for it will ever be good enough

Boredom will be as absent in heaven as sorrow, pain, and tears

Jesus said he came to give us life to the full - John 10:10
Started hear on earth in his kingdom on earth

It will be a blast, a feast
It will never end

Our new birth brings us into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven - 1 Peter 1:4

2009-04-02 - Promises of God - Work That Is Worth It
An old criticism of Christians: Too heavenly minded that they are no good on earth
Seem to spend so much dreaming of heaven and not working on solving the earth's problems
This was never God's idea

Prepare your minds for action - 1 Peter 1:13

Setting our minds on the amazing blessings is a powerful encouragement for us to work hard and give our best effort now

Is it worth saying "No" to sin? Just consider heaven!
Worth it to giving to the poor? Just consider heaven!
Worth staying in the race when it gets difficult? Just consider heaven!

Worth blood, sweat, tears to help other to know God? Just consider heaven!
Your labor in the Lord is not in vain - 1 Corinthians 15:58

2009-04-06 - Promises of God - Abrahams Faith
By faith Abraham, called to place even through he did not know where is was going - Hebrews 11:8

Obedience to God is the only thing that makes sense

Ludicrous to think that our limited and mortal minds can out smart an omnipotent and omnipresent God

We will never find the blessing of God if we constantly question the wisdom of God

How do you feel about the word of obey?

2009-04-08 - Promises of God - Tireless Labor
Satan works quickly to wear us down

Fatigue and discouragement are his greatest tools

Do you realize God can give you energy?

Luke 17:7-10 and Galatians 6:9 -> gives energy to never quit

Focusing on how hard something is will never product the desired fruit
Focusing on God and letting others help us product tireless labor

Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his hands
Ester needed Mordecai to carry out the plan to save the Israelities
Jesus needed Simon to carry his cross

God provides helps when we labor tirelessly for him

2009-04-10 - Promises of God - How We Are to Give?
Do not give as the world gives - John 14:27

Give to :
  • Whomever asks
  • Whenever we are asked
  • Freely and from the heart
  • Expect nothing in return
  • Anonymously
How does one give graciously? Death to world passions and desires; Cannot freely give that you are convinced is essential for your personal goals and ambitions

Fear may cause questions:
  • What if someone takes advantage of me?
  • Will there be anything left for me?
  • What if I do not get anything in return?
  • What possible difference can I make?
Comes back to our faith in the providence of God

2009-04-12 - Promises of God - God is Still Faithful
You gave into the temptation again, you sinned
It is the same one and you have never been able to completely conquer this one area of your life

What are your options?
  1. Justify your sin and say it's not all that bad
  2. Blame God for not keeping Satan at an appropriate distance
  3. Decide to leave God because this repenting thing is not working out
  4. Decide to be not to be open about your sin
  5. Tell yourself how bad of person you are
  6. Could trust God and his promises
Read the following passage at least 10 times, memorize it, and be ready with it - 1 Corinthians 10:13


2009-04-16 - Promises of God - Never Give Up
Never give up - Hebrews 10:35-39

Why?

  • God has pledged to save us for all eternity - Revelation 21:1-7
  • Forgive our sins - 1 John 1:5-2:2
  • Provide us with all we need for life and godliness - 2 Peter 1:3-4
  • Give us great friends and huge spiritual family - Mark 10:29-31
  • Show us a way out when tempted - 1 Corinthians 10:13
  • Comfort us in our troubles - 1 Corinthians 1:3-7
  • Equip us for any challenge, any work, any time - 2 Timothy 2:20-21


2009-05-10 - No one like him - His Courage
Submissive yes, Timid and fearful, no.
Submissiveness, not cowardly or silence – gave up self for others

Wanted loyalty over their families and friends (Luke 14:25-27)
They must give up everything for salvation (Luke 14:28-33)

Who can accept it? (John 6:60)
Many no longer followed him (John 6:66)

1. Rich young ruler found that Jesus’ message would not change for anyone (Luke 18:18-30)

2. Jesus never held back – Jesus and turning over tables of thieves
  • Came from the wrong town
  • No educational credentials
  • Follower were common people
3. Courage to go to the cross

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