Quiet Times Search

• Fear clears our mind, reorients our will
• Fruit from fear is not fruit that will last

• Our failures to repent only sadden him
• Hear the loving calls of the prophets – they have likely risk their own lives to serve

• Many call press conferences to get there side of the story our first
• Once guilt is found, party than give a “heart-felt” apology – sorrow for getting caught
• Sin is destructive. It ruins relationships, reputation, peace of mind and personal integrity

• Some believe the abundance of tears is repentance
  • Forgiven women (forgiven)
  • Peter, Paul vs Cain (became angry)
  • Esau (wailed loudly)
  • Judas (deeply regretted)
• All three shed tear but not one repented
• Claiming to be a victim doesn’t make one a victim
• Tears can be self-affirming to one with self-pity (can become more sinful)
• Ones mostly likely to enable and least likely to help you

• Disciples realized that they were responding to Jesus who was willing to give of Himself for them
• Examples of Jesus giving himself away
  • Gave away what the Father gave to Him - John 15:15
  • He gave them peace - John 16:33
  • He gave them despite pain and suffering - John 15:11
• Love is not love until it is given away
• Jesus – God gave away His most precious possession
• No greater love than to lay down our live for others
• Jesus impressed the deep compulsion of His eternal purpose
• It was clear that the Master considered no service too small or sacrifice too great.
• Jesus denied Himself many of the comforts and pleasure of the world and became a servant
• He continually gave His life “for their sakes”
• Disciples learned not in theory but in practice (painful and hard to accept)
• Jesus life was the measure by which they were to regard their own service.
  • To give freely as they had received – Matthew 10:8
  • Love one another as He loved them - John 13:34
  • Calvary love was the standard

• Fears - Matthew 26:36-46
• Disappointment - Matthew 11:14-17
• Anger and Frustration - Matthew 23

• 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

• If you pray
• Please, I beg you to pray
• I command you to pray

• Two-year olds
• nervous people
• lazy-minded
• superficial people
• self-conscious people

• Confidence
• At peace
• Clear-minded
• Alert
• Deep and Focused

Examples of Conflict in the Bible

Euodia and Syntyche - Philippians 4:2-3

1. Conflict happens - normal part of a relationship
Its ultimate effect depends on our response to it
Are we sharping each other or making each other more dull - Proverbs 27:17

2. The goal is to agree

3. We may need help from a third party

David and the jealous king Saul - 1 Samuel 24:8-22

David's conduct with Saul was above reproach; He did everything he could to work things out

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people - Romans 12:18
Peace requires both parties to desire it

There are things that depend on us and others that are out of our conotrl

Paul urges them to be anxious and worried about nothing and to pray about everything because God is in control - Philippians 4:6-7

Peace never comes without surrender
Surrender never comes without a decision to trust

Something instead of dealing with our emotions, we try an avoidance pattern
Adam and Eve hid from God and themselves

We must be in touch with happens to others and ourselves
It is why we must consistently and unashamedly pray about all aspects of our lives
It is not just for some - it is normal experience - just people deciding to trust God in every situation

Guard (a garrison of angel are available to help) our hearts - Satan wants us to trust ourselves and to doubt our God
Our own thoughts are not always the truth

How challenging to turn everything over to God. Yet, how foolish not to!

• pure - not mixed with anything else - in thought, word or deed?
• peace-loving - never to be soft on sin and not follow ways of violence
• considerate - do we really put others first?
• submissive - "obedient, compliant", open to persuasion
• full of mercy and good - God is looking for changes and results
• impartial - not taking the side of the unjust
• sincere - "unhypocritical"

• The prophets - Suffered because they were opposed by the religious
• Job - Maintained his integrity despite not understanding why he was suffering
  

1 Peter 3:1-7...

Submission, kindness is a two-way street

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

Look no further than your marriage!

Questions for wives:

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

Questions for husbands:

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

Questions for both:

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

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

1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 - How do we “put out the fire of” the Holy Spirit? Why is a life of faith the only
one that is in keeping with God’s Spirit living in us? What influences in the world around us can keep us
from having a faithful, God-centered outlook?

Romans 8:5-17, 26-27 - A Spiritual mindset brings life and peace, and obedience to God’s Word. The
Spirit frees us from fear and confirms that we are fully God’s children. The Spirit also aids in our life of
prayer and devotion to God.

Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the Spirit: Expect it! Pursue it! This is the best “evidence” that you have
received the Holy Spirit, who is transforming us to become like Jesus. Decide to live according to the
Spirit - and keep affirming that decision!

1. Singing - Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 3:19; James 5:13
   • To teach
   • To give thanks and express joy
   • To make music and praise God
2. The Lord’s Supper - 1 Corinthians 11:23-29
   • To remember - v24
   • To proclaim - v26
   • To examine - v28-29
   • On the first day of the week - Acts 20:7
3. Prayer - 1 Timothy 2:1-8
   • For peaceful and quiet lives (ie no persecution)
   • With hands (ie a holy life)
   • To advance the gospel - v4-6

1. Acts 2:45, 1 John 3:17 - Material needs
2. Colossians 1:28-29 - Toil to present one another perfect (mature, complete) in Christ.
3. Ephesians 4:29 - Say only what is edifying.
4. Hebrews 3:12-13 - Encourage daily!

1. Respect those who work hard
2. Live in peace with each other
3. Warn the idle
4. Encourage the timid
5. Help the weak
6. Be patient with everyone
   

• About our sins and struggles
• About our marriage/relationship.

• Question: Who has all authority? Jesus is the head (focus) of everything we want to do
• Question What is another name for the body of Christ? The head controls the body. Who is the head of the church? Jesus
• Use illustration to help for understanding
  

• Question: How would you define a foreigner or an alien person? Before becoming a disciple that's is what you
• Now through Jesus we are able to have peace (relationship) with God. To become family.
• As a disciple you become part of the family (household) not a part of the organization
• Question: What is the foundation of God's household? v20 - The Bible
• Share: Everyone in a household has responsibilities as we have responsibilities to the church family

Started reading the one another scriptures in the Bible:

• Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you - Romans 15:7
• Admonish one another - Colossians 3:16
• Be at peace with each other - Mark 9:50
• Be devoted to one another in brotherly love - Romans 12:10
• Be kind and compassionate to one another - Ephesians 4:32
• Be patient, bearing with one another in love - Ephesians 4:2
• Bear with each other - Colossians 3:13
• Build each other up - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Carry each other’s burdens - Galatians 6:2
• Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another - 1 Peter 5:5

Scriptures about Messianic Prophecy

• Isaiah 52:13-53:12 - His form was so marred he no longer looked human
• Genesis 22:1-18 - Abraham did not withheld his son, your only son
• Psalms 16:8-10 - He will you let your Holy One see decay
• Psalms 2:7  - Messiah will be God's Son
• Genesis 12:3 - All peoples on earth will be blessed through you
• Deuteronomy 18:15 - The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you
• Micah 5:2 - From Judah will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel
• Isaiah 7:14 - The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel
• Isaiah 9:1-2 - Future: people walking in darkness have seen a great light
• Isaiah 9:6 - a son has been given to us: Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

• Plant of renown - Ezekiel 34:29
• Prince of life - Acts 3:15
• Prince of peace - Isaiah 9:6
• Prince of the kings of the earth - Revelation 1:5
• Prophet - Luke 24:19; John 7:40
• Ransom - 1 Timothy 2:6
• Redeemer - Job 19:25; Isaiah 59:20; 60:16

• God honors humility
• When we become humble we become more like God himself.

• Best example is in a marriage (someone has to start with “I’m sorry”)
• Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers” not “blessed is the one who wins the argument”

It is God’s will for you to totally trust him and to be completely at peace in every situation.

You have to learn this.

It took Paul some time to learn this (compare 2 Corinthians 1 / Philippians 4)

It will take you time to learn it.

Just decide that you will learn it.

Philippians 4:4-7 - I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me

1. Why does prayer need to be learned? Who are you learning from?
2. (vs. 2-4) How can you praise God's name? Do you pray for God's kingdom (church) to increase?
   
3. Do you pray for daily needs and for forgiveness for yourself and to also forgive others?
   
4. Do you pray for help and protection from temptations?
5. What else does Jesus want us to understand about prayer from verses 5-13?

• What does God want you to pray about?
• What are some worries you can pray about today?
• Do you feel at peace when you pray to God? Trust he will answer!

1. Go to God with my pain and not blame him for it or question why I have it
2. Allow myself to be trained, go after discipling, working out everyday, confessing my sin, all on a daily basis (to be effective, training has to be a daily thing)
3. Take the opportunities that God gives me to be disciplined, get strong spiritually, in school, in fitness, so that my life can get closer and closer to being healed.

• He runs through the fields
• He crawls on his knees to pick us up
• He throws open his arms to forgive
• He carries us home in his arms

Arms of comfort

At Lazarus' death, the angels tenderly bring him to God - Luke 16:19-22

A child who is not regularly cuddled is deeply damaged

As a mother conforms her child, so I will comfort you - Isaiah 66:13

Sometimes we doubt and ours lives are frantic and full of activities and without the peace of God
God promises to take hold of the hands of kings - Isaiah 45:1
...and his people - Isaiah 42:6

Mary and Martha - Martha was too busy with the details of life to spend time with Jesus - Luke 10
She missed the peace that passes understanding
Time in prayer is time when we can quiet our anxious soul

Be still my soul and know that I am God - Psalms 46:10
God will give us rest - Matthew 11:28

A major part of your role as a father is to disciple your kids

Discipling your kids requires discipline on our part

Discipline doesn’t feel good, nor should it - Hebrews 12:11

Discipline should be more on the father’s shoulders than the mother’s because of who we represent.

Loving discipline prepares our kids to respect and obey their heavenly Father

We had earthly fathers to discipline us, for they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good - Hebrews 12:9-10

It is the father’s job is to take the long view, not the short one.

Withheld discipline may seem momentarily pleasant to the child and the parent but it takes no skill or courage to be a passive father

Not disciplining guarantees that uncorrected sin will follow his child into adulthood and follow his family into the coming generations

Its momentary discomfort - knowing that sin will harm a child in far worse ways than even the painful discipline of a loving father.

He who loves him disciplines him promptly - Proverbs 13:24

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it - Proverbs 22:6

IT is a lie from the Enemy to believe that rebelling against and dishonoring authority brings more freedom and peace

Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord - Ephesians 6:4

Joseph: So it was God who sent me here, not you! - Genesis 45:8

Joseph's hear and mind had made peace with his treacherous brothers

He firmly believed that the God who remains in control of all things had sent him to Egypt

When one of your kids defies everything you save or your job moves in a different direction, how do you react?

Do negative emotions to rule the day or take refuge in God who is in control?

God has an amazing way of using even the worst circumstances for your good

Like you, Joseph did know the events ahead of him, he had to move forward by faith

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?

If I have found favor with you, please accept this gift from me - Genesis 33:10-11

We struggle to reconcile with someone who hurt us:

• Fear of rejection
• Pride
• Other emotional issues

For many years Jacob struggled to see his brother, Esau, again

He knew Esua would be angry with him for taking his birthright away

Esau ran to Jacob and embraced him and forgave him

Their brotherhood enabled them to reunite peacefully and lovingly in the end

IS there an estranged friend or family member with whom you need to seek reconciliation?

We found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots - Acts 24:5

Bible repeatedly commands believers to use words to build others up rather than tear them down

Tertullus was a Jewish advocate before the Roman government and went out of his way to tear others down

He wanted to stop all the preaching about Jesus

Tertullus accused Paul of disturbing the peace throughout the Roman Empire

He intented to have Paul imprisioned or even killed

Before you say something about another person, ask yourself if you are tearing down or building up

Holy Spirit reveal to him that he woul not die until he had seen the Lord's Messiah - Luke 2:26

Humans are creatures of anticipation. Serveral studies show expectation of something good benefits our health and sense of well-being

Simon had lived a long life of such close fellowship with God and the Holy Spirit told him he would see the Messiah

A voice told him to go to the Temple, this was his day

When Simon saw baby Jesus, he knew immediately that this was the One he had been waiting for

Simon: Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people - Luke 2:29-31 

Paul urged everyone to eat; you have not touched food for two weeks - Acts 27:33

When problems arise and overwhlm us, are we tempted to "fly off the handle" or panic?

A vicious storm slammed Paul's boat and conviced even seanoned sailors they were going to die

Paul had been through enough in his life of faith to know God would allow him to complete his appoined mission without dying.

God promised not a hair on their head will perish during the trip

We can find peace knowing nothing happens to us unless our heavenly Father allows it

Our situations may not be easy or fun but God still remains in control

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

I have fought the good fight, I  have finished the race - 2 Timothy 4:7

Paul contemplated his own end, he knew:

• The futility of trying to earn God's favor
• Faithful service would prepare him for God's staggering blessings
• He had remained faithful to his calling
• What lay ahead of him beyond the executioner's sword

He felt at peace with his imminent death and did not see his life as his own - 2 Timthoy 4:6

Nothing in this life can compare with what awaits you in heaven as a follower of Jesus Christ

She is your equal partner in God's gift of new life - 1 Peter 3:7

Peter was a married man who understood how God expected him to treat his wife - to honor them

You should remain humble in your marriage and avoid exalting yourself over your wife

Treating them apporpriately help not to hinder (our sin) our prayers

Do you want a happy, peaceful life? Treat your wife with understand, compassion, and respect

You and I are as one. My troops are your troops and my horses are your horses - 1 Kings 22:4

There is a danger of entering into alliances with evil men who have no intent to keep the peace

Jehoshaphat marred his legacy into an ill-advised and miltary alliance with Ahab - the godless king of Israel - 2 Kings 22:43-44

This led to a stinging defeat for Jehoshaphat and Israel and strong rebuke from the prophet Jehu - 2 Chronicles 19:13

God spared him because he had otherwise served him faithfully

His error was the comprise and lack of wisdom in dealing with Ahab

Follow me for the Lord has given you victory - Judges 3:28

Courage and faith have an infectious quality to inspire others to bravery and reliance on God

God raised up Ehud, he was just the man to set change in motion

At the time, Moab's King Eglon held the upper hand

Ehud confronted Eglon in his own palace and order his servants out of the room

He drew his sword and killed the obese king and then escaped

Ehud then led a band of men - Follow me! to a rousing victory, which led to their freedom

Ehud had the courage and faith to step up when no one else could

His action led to the benefit of 80 years of peace

Absalom never spoke to Amnon about this - 2 Samuel 13:22

Absalom showed what happens when the lines of communication between two people break down

He had every right to feel angry  about Amnon rapping his sister

What went wrong is his refusing to talk about it and making no effort to try to resolve the situation - Amnon felt sorry for what he had done

Absalom's anger grew deep inside until it became implacable hatred

He waited for the right opportunity to order his servants to kill Amnon - 2 Samuel 13:28

Absalom paid a heavy price for his failure to resolve his conflict openly and peacefully

Summary

Isaac dug wells, and at Beersheba the LORD blessed him.

Observations

Genesis 26:14 - Harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him

Genesis 26:22 - Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it

• When Abraham prospered, there became a conflict between his shepherds and Lot [Genesis 13:5-7]
• Philistines grew jealous because everything that Issac did seemed to go right
• Jealousy is a dividing force strong enough to tear the mightiest nations

Genesis 26:28 - We can plainly see that the Lord is with you

• Thanking God for their blessings is a great way to overcome this
• Before striking out in anger, consider what you may lose - a friend, a job, etc (foolish pride)
• We should be receptive to those who want to make peace with us
• When God influences our lives, our lives attracts people, even enemies
• We must take the opportunity to reach out to them with God's love

Application

When we see God's blessings, it is an opportunity to share with others with what God has given to us

Prayer

Please help me to see my many blessings and share with others freely