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Searching for "power" in the Quiet Time Archive
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2008-03-09 - Be Still My Soul - Early Morning Time

Jesus went to God early in the morning
If Jesus needed to do this, how much more should we?

Excuses:

  • I'm not a moring person
  • I have to leave for work early
  • I have to get the kids off to school
  • I don't want to be legalistic

How does spending the early morning with God help build a closer relationship with him?

  • Show the priority of this relationship
  • Our waking thoughts determine the tone and course of our day
  • Quietest times of the day
  • Emotion have had time to recover
  • Able to clear our consciences of guilt
  • Cast our burdens upon the Lord
  • Able to draw from his power for the day ahead (Psalms 5:1-3)

Hard time getting our of bed?

  • Go to bed at a decent hour
  • Set a definite wake up time
  • Be responsible for getting out of bed - your responsibility
  • Do whatever it takes to wake up
  • Take an early morning shower
  • Two clocks, far from bed


2008-03-12 - Be Still My Soul - Time Outdoors

Do you realize that nearly all of the people we read about in the Bible spent most of their time outside?

  • Star-studded evening would tell how many descendants Abraham would have - Genesis 15:5
  • Looking at God's creation - humbled Job's pride - Job 38:4-7

FInd park, trails, and open spaces.
Open your eyes, listen, breath the realivily clear air

When is the last time you:

  • Took in a sunrise or sunset
  • Watched the changing cloud formations
  • Listen to the songs of the birds
  • Strolled through the leaves of fall
  • Listen to the snow fall as they gently fell to earth
  • Took a good look at the flowers of spring
  • Stopped to watch the a powerful thunderstorm
  • Stood in awe of the sparkling  stars

Psalms 19:1-4; Psalms 65:8-13

Time outside with God is just what many of us need and nothing else will suffice



2008-03-22 - Be Still My Soul - The Pattern (Part 2)
Our Father.
  • We are longer slave but sons ans daughters
  • We can approach him with confidence because of Jesus
In heaven.
  • With Jesus as the high priest,  we can confidence to enter the into the throne room of God
  • Can gain a heavenly perspective
  • Praise God that his resources there are limitless
Hallowed be your name.
  • Being holy, set apart, above us
  • Prayer is not just asking for something but for honoring Him
Your kingdom come.
  • Kingdom has not come to every nation and place nor every person
  • Pray for God to open doors, speaking boldly, with wisdom
  • Pray for those who server and in leading roles
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
  • God wants us to pray about surrendering to his will
  • Challenges is our life must not be avoided but have a surrendered life
  • Read some command and ask yourself if you are following them
  • Jesus never asked for strength to go to the cross but only that he might surrender
  • Besides pride and rebellion, unbelief keeps us from doing God's will
Give us today our daily bread.
  • Bring specific needs to God
  • Must depend on God daily for our spiritual and physical needs
  • Pray thorough your todo list and details
  • Jesus said we could do nothing apart from God - John 15:5
Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
  • Lack of confession results in a hardened heart
  • We will not mature if do not do this soul searching
  • Be specific; ask others for forgiveness if needed
  • Extend forgiveness; can not be forgiven by God otherwise
And lead us not into temptation.
  • What are your weaknesses? Have you faced them?
  • Draw on God's power before Satan strikes
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
  • Return again to praising and glorifying God
  • All power rests in his hand


2008-03-30 - Be Still My Soul - Psalms You Sing
Nothing is quite as effective as music in improving our moods and softening our hearts
  • I will sing and make music - Psalms 57:7
  • I will sing and make music to the Lord - Psalms 27:6
  • Make music to your name - Psalms 92:1
  • Extol him with music and song - Psalms 95:2
  • I will sing and make music with all my soul - Psalms 108:1
  • The Lord is my strength and my song - Psalms 118:14
Use of music in our personal devotions is of utmost importance and is possessed of immense power
Frees us from a mere intellectual approach
Humbles us, especially those of us who are vocally challenged
Get a songbook and start singing during your quiet times

If your relationship with God seems dry and lifeless, music may be the missing element

2008-04-03 - Falling in Love with God - Fear

The other emotional response that undermines our love for God

Perfect love drives our fear - 1 John 4:18
Fear greatly affects our ability to love; renders lifeless our love for God

Fear one of the most powerful and universal tools Satan uses for:

  • Keep man from the knowledge of God
  • Experience of God's power
  • Experience grace in our lives
  • Taking our eyes off of God and onto our circumstances and insecurities

There is healthy fear (like fearing God) but unhealthy fear is one that controls us and causes us to turn away from God's direction
Fear is rarely rational

  • Why are you so afraid - Matthew 8:26
  • Don't be afraid - Matthew 14:27
  • Don't be afraid - Matthew 17:7
  • Don't be afraid - Matthew 28:10
  • Don't be afraid - Mark 5:36
  • Don't be afraid - Luke 5:10
  • Don't be afraid - Luke 8:50
  • Don't be afraid - Luke 12:7
  • Don't be afraid - Luke 12:32
  • Don't be afraid - John 6:19-20
  • Don't be afraid - John 12:15
  • Don't be afraid - John 14:27

God understands the destructive nature of fear
He simply commands us to deal with our fears through our relationship with him



2008-04-11 - Falling in Love with God - Remembering The Father

It is good to be reminded of who God the Father is:

1. God's love is unconitional

  • Thomas, the douber, was forgiven
  • Peter, who deied the Lord, was forgiven
  • Paul, killer of Christians, was forgiven

The only ones who dail to receive forgiveness are the ones who fail  to ask for it

2. God always comes through

God is faithful, he can not disown himself (2 Timothy 2:13)

3. Nothing is impossible for God

God's power is absolute
He can change anyone and anything
It is never an issue of whether or not God has power, it is if we believe

4. God never makes a mistake

He knows what we can bear - he is always right



2008-04-12 - Falling in Love with God - Our False 'Gods'

Here are some false 'Gods' we can create in our mind:

  • He get "attitudes" when we misbehave
  • He does not really forgive
  • His power is limited to people's choices
  • He has no reason to his plan
  • He does not always answer prayer; too busy
  • He thinks we ask for too much stuff
  • He does not want to "over-bless"
  • He will bless when you have earned it
  • He looks are the results of our performance
  • He barely tolerates our presence

All of these ideas are false, contridict the Bible, and are from Satan

If this is my "Father", I will have a turbulent relationship with "him"



2008-04-18 - Falling in Love with God - Intimate Communication
What will God have to do to reach us?

Where theology, structure, and programs are powerless, a relationship is able


I must do everything to stay close to God

John 1:18, Jesus is -
  • close to the Father's heart (NRS)
  • lives in the closest intimacy with the Father (Philips)
  • exists at the very heart of the Father (The Message)
  • lives in intimate communication with the Father (Dios Habla Hoy)


2008-05-14 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - I was Born this Way
Son will not share the guilt of the father - Ezekiel 18:20

Environment or heredity - most likely both
Must be slow to judge situations we do not completely understand otherwise may bless us with an understanding in a way we do not want

Other extreme - develop a victim mentality regarding ourselves or others
Can lead to being angry, use drugs, being immoral, or just about anything else
We have difficulty applying this to a murder

Answer: despite it being more difficult and having different backgrounds, the standard is still the same
He does not ask us to do anything he will not enable us to do
Identify the sin > repent of it > start relying on God grace > formulate a plan to overcome sin
Psychology can find root causes but it is powerless to find a cure

Hezekiah and Josiah were righteous amount a line of kings that were evil

The promises of God are far greater than our past and present challenges

Pray that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way - Colossians 1:10-12

2008-06-02 - Purpose Driven Life - The Heart of Worship (Part 2)
What it means to surrender

Surrendering is not for cowards
It is not repressing your personality
Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience.
To say "no, Lord"- can not call Jesus your Lord
 
To trust God means doing without knowing where, when, how, or why

Most difficult area to surrender is money
Retirement is not a goal of a surrendered life
Surrender is hard work - Warfare against our self-centered nature

The blessing of surrender

Blessings of surrender
 
  • Peace
  • Freedom
  • Experience God's power
Surrendered people are the ones God uses
Everyone surrenders to someone or something
You are free to choose but not free from the consequences
Nothing else works - All other approaches lead to frustration
Must make it a daily habit (maybe more than 50 times a day)
May be inconvenient, unpopular, costly, or seem impossible

2008-06-06 - Purpose Driven Life - When God Seems Distant
Easy to worship God when things are going great

God matures relationship by times of separation - Job, David, Jesus
God promises to never leave you or forsake you

Sin separates - Friendships are tested by separation and silence

Sometimes distance from God is not because of sin - feelings may be off
It is not a feeling,  God will remove your dependence of feelings
 
Tell God how you feel
God can handle your doubt, fear, anger, grief, confusion, and questions
 
Remember: God is unchanging:
 
Job praised God in these ways:
  • Good and loving - Job 10:12
  • All powerful - Job 42:2; 37:5, 23
  • Every detail of his life - Job 23:10, 31:4
  • He is in control - Job 34:14
  • Has a plan for my life - Job 23:14
  • He will save me - Job 19:25
Trust God to keep his promises
His promises do not change despite circumstances
 
Remember what God has already done for you
Even if God will not do anything else for you (very unlikely) He gave his son

2008-06-15 - Purpose Driven Life - Created to Become Like Christ
You are created to become like Christ

Jesus' mission is restore the full image that we have lost
God's ultimate goal for your life on earth in not comfort but character development
If we forget this, you will become frustrated by your circumstances

You exist for God's purpose, not vice versa

Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives - Philippians 2:13

We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work

Obedience unlocks God's power
God waits for you to act first
Make every effort - Luke 13:24; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:3; 2 Timothy 2:15

Ephesians 4:22-24 - Responsibilities in belonging like Christ:
  • Choose to let go of old ways
  • Must change the way we think
  • Must put on the "character of Christ by developing new, godly habits

God uses his Word, people, and circumstances to mold us
  • Truth we need to grow
  • Support when we need guidance or when we fail
  • Environment we need to practice Christ-likeness
In many religions, the mature isolate themselves, not those who are being like Christ

Being like Christ is a long, slow process of growth - You are a work in progress

2008-06-20 - Purpose Driven Life - Defeating Temptation

There is always a way out
He will not permit any temptation that you could not overcome - 1 Corinthians 10:13

Refocus attention on something else

By resisting, you actually reinforce it
Don't fight the though, change the channel
Power of suggestion - the more you think about something, the stronger it takes hold of you
Temptation begins by capturing your attention - Satan can't get your attention when you are focused on something else

Reveal your struggle to a gold friend or support group

If you fall, a friend can help you up - Eccelesiastes 4:9-10
Hiding your hurt intensifies it
Satan wants you to think that your temptation is unique - We all fight the same temptations - 1 Corinthians 10:13
The reason we hide our faults is pride - everything is under control

Resist the Devil

He will flee when you resist - James 4:7
Without Christ we are defenseless against the Devil
Satan can not make you do anything, he can only suggest
Use the Word of God as your weapon against Satan - Jesus simply answered Satan with scriptures
Don't ever try to argue with Satan - he better at it

Realize your vulnerabilities

The heart is deceitful above all things- Jeremiah 17:9

Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations, avoid them - Proverbs 14:16



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

 



2008-07-08 - Purpose Driven Life - Gods Power in My Weakness (part 4)

We are naturally drawn to humble people

If people see your strengths but not your weakness, they can not relate

  • Strengths: Nice that he can do that but I can not
  • Weaknesses: I am not sure how he can do that but if he can then I can with God's power

Decide wheather you want to impress people or influence people

Glory in your weakness

When Satan points out your weakness, agree with him and praise Jesus - 2 Corinthians 12:5
Jesus understans our weakness - Hebrews 4:1
The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness - Romans 8:26

"If you want to be blessed by God and use you greatly, you must learn to walk with a limp" - Joacb



2008-07-27 - 30 Days at the Cross - Who Gets the Credit?

How quick human nature is to accept credit for certain accomplishments
God made us and enables us to do everything
What do you have that you did not receive? - 1 Corinthians 4:7

I will not boast about myself, except my weaknesses (Paul) - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Why boast about our weaknesses?

  • The cross affrirms our worth
  • Frees us from performing
  • So that Christ's power may rest on us - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Who would want the power of God?

A person that truly boasts in the cross does not:

  • Pull away when not feeling appreciate enough
  • Rely on recongnition of other to stay faithful
  • Takes correction without prove their ways
  • Prove thry already know something
  • Project an image of self-worth
  • Have a competive spirit

Jesus could keep a full record of your credits and debts - but do you want that? sin and all?
All credit should go to Jesus

Are you trying to earn your salvation
Boast in your weaknesses. Live in the power of God.



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

 



2008-08-06 - Questions and Answers - Part 7

Answered the following questions in the Q & A section:

  1. Did God put all rulers in power?
  2. Is God present everywhere, sees all things, and knows all things?
  3. Should we observe the Sabbath?
  4. Should we practice physical resistance?
  5. Should work be done on the Sabbath?
  6. Was Jesus the only one to ascend into heaven?
  7. Was John the Baptist Elijah?
  8. Was there one or two men seeking Jesus?
  9. What is God's anger like?

 



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?



2008-08-13 - 30 Days at the Cross - Lasting Impact
We learn that we should pursue: fame, fortune, and material possessions from the world

Jesus refutes all that we have learned - service, sacrifice, and spiritual power
  • Connection to the highest places - John 1:11
  • His ability to move the masses was unparalleled - Matthew 7:28
  • His understanding of what it takes to succeed was clear and unwavering - John 12:23-24
  • He stayed on task until it was done - John 19:30

Many of us spend more time at work than any other single place
If we aren't living the cross here, how can we be living it at all

Honest is required - may mean less money or advancement

Time commitment - it is easy to get caught up at work
Every disciple needs to work hard - but what is the reason?
  • Working for a promotion
  • Earn more money
  • Gain material possessions
  • Working for the Lord - Colossians 3:23
Is it to please your boos, yourself, or God? - Rich young ruler - Matthew 19:16-30

How could a temporary ob on earth be more important than Jesus and his work?
If we compromise at work, how will we ever overcome the world?

2008-08-16 - 30 Days at the Cross - Trusting in Trial
Living by faith is not easy:
  • What will happen?
  • What will I get?
  • Will I be happy
To follow Jesus Christ we must live by faith - Romans 1:17

The cross was a test of faith for Jesus
  • Experienced the slience of God
  • Beaten and hung on the cross
  • Believed in the resurrection that he could not see
  • Could only see the blood, pain and faces of mockers
We see faith was under seige, also see that faith endured

Situations of life:
  1. Positive - grow quickly
  2. Difficult - the questions surface
  3. Tragic - faith needs to accept the situation, ask for help, and believe that God's power will be sufficient
Do you see your difficulties as burdens God shouldn't allow, or as tremendous opportunities to demonstrate faith?

2008-08-19 - 30 Days at the Cross - Prayer and Purpose
Because of the cross we are able to pray
Looking at Christ's humble submission to the cross that we can learn we can learn how to pray

Thank God for the incredible opportunity that we have to talk to him because of his grace
He shows us the attitude we must have as we follow Christ in prayer - right perspective on suffering

After praying, he was able to face the mock trial, jeering, and the beatings
Disciples, who failed to pray, fled and desperation - they were powerless

Jesus purpose of praying was to make sure that we could be saved
Our main purpose to pray is not complaining but for others

2008-09-01 - Teach Us To Pray - Hungry and Thirsty (part 2)
We must Desire God Alone
Many people fail to have satisfying prayer lives because they are double-minded when they pray
Must do our best to rid ourselves of distractions
Unless you passionately fight for time alone with God, it will not happen

God Blesses the Hungry Heart
When we pray righteously, it allows God to work powerfully in our lives
  • Blessed are those who hunger for they will be filled - Matthew 5:6
  • Everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
  • You have not because you ask not - James 4:2
  • Judah sought God, and he was found by them - 2 Chronicles 15:15
  • Sometimes we need to wrestle with God to show how much we want it - Genesis 32:26
Power of prayers are dependent on the hunger in your heart
No hungry heart will ever be turned away

2008-09-02 - Teach Us To Pray - Full Of Faith

Reading from 2 Kings 6:15-17

We can relate to Elisha's servant, he lacked faith
When we lack faith, we only see the world around us and the challenges that life is throwing at us
When you wallow in faithlessness, your Bible study lack power and your eyes skim the pages without absorbing the words

As Elisha's servant looked down at the Arameans, he turned in despair to Elisha
He admitted that he needed help
Because of his humility, he found the help that he needed

Do you collapse in a heap of self-pity or discouragement?
Do you go out and get the help you need?
Do you babble like a Pharisee or have you gotten gut-level honest with God about how you are feeling?

Elisha's servant got humble and trusted his leader
As he looked out again, he saw the Arameans surrounded by the army of heaven

Problems always look less daunting when you get God in the picture and decide to be full of faith



2008-09-03 - Teach Us To Pray - Surrender
Not what I will, but what you will - Mark 14:35-36

Surrender means to put oneself and one's future totally into the hands of God
Surrender is unconditional and total - nothing is held back
Worst scenario possible and is still willing to pay that price

What can we learn from Jesus is this most difficult night of surrender?
  1. He included people in his prayer struggle
  2. He was totally honest with all of his feelings before God and other men - limiting Satan's power - John 3:19-21
  3. Jesus stated his preferences to God very clearly
  4. Prayed until his surrender was complete - surrender is not completed without this kind of prayer - Philippians 4:6-7


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