2010-12-13 - Seeking God (part III) John 1:18
John 20:30-31
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2011-09-18 - Proverbs on Integrity (part I) Proverbs 19:22 - Poor person is better than a liar Proverbs 20:17 - Gains by fraud ends up being worthless The 1996 New York Times had a story on a golfer named Jeff Sluman.
When someone is a person of integrity he/she is someone that has wholeness about him either.
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2011-10-03 - Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man SummaryThe serpent deceived the woman; she and Adam ate from the tree. Man blamed woman, woman blamed the serpent. The earth became cursed, and God sent Adam and Eve out of the garden. ObservationsGenesis 3:1 - Did God really say Personal ApplicationI need to be aware of Satan's tricks continuously. He does not want to be noticed. I need to pray and reflect on how I am living my life and find where Satan is getting me to deviate even a fraction of a degree. I need also examine my thought and find out they are out of line with God's Word. I will ask others what they see where I have taken a devour on God's narrow road. |
2011-10-08 - Genesis 8 - The Flood (part III)SummaryThe flood abated. Noah sent out a raven and two doves. When the earth was dry God called them all out of the ark. Noah built an altar. ObservationsGenesis 8:1 - But God remembered Noah Personal ApplicationI seem to forget the lessons of difficult times as soon as the pain has lifted. We go through tough times so our character can mature and grow but will I have to go through the same lessons again to learn the same lessons. I want to be grateful for God's discipline (does not come naturally) and change my character accordingly. God discipline the ones he loves, I need to remember why He is doing it [Hebrews 12:6]. |
2011-10-17 - Genesis 17 - Abram becomes Abraham SummaryGod made a covenant with Abram and renamed him Abraham. He renamed Sarai Sarah and promised them a son. The men were circumcised. ObservationsGenesis 17:9 - As for you, you must keep my covenant Personal ApplicationI know I can one-sided and stubborn in my thoughts and sometimes in my relationships. When I get my mind set to do something, that is the way it is. This can be a strength in some situations but a very big weakness if I am contrary to God's thinking. I need to be humble and allow God to change my thoughts and my ways. |
2011-11-12 - Mind Change - Patience Whoever gives up on God always gives up too soon. He doesn’t wear your watch. He doesn’t use you datebook. He doesn’t always follow your script. But he always comes through. 2 Corinthians 1:18-20 - Every one of God's promises are "Yes" in him |
2011-12-18 - Day 15 - The Hope of Heaven Revelation 20:11-15
Application: Pray about what God promises in heaven! If there are any sins you need to confess and change, do it TODAY! |
2012-01-31 - Ministry - The Burden of Jesus Matthew 11:25 Jesus calls the weary and burdened to Himself and promises rest for them. The rest that He refers to is not to stop working and be idle. He is calling us to give Him the burdens of our souls. He calls us to take his yoke upon us. What is this yoke? The yoke of caring about others. The yoke of humility. It takes far less energy to be humble that it does to be prideful. It is much easier to be gentle than it is to be terse or gruff. Jesus beckons us to learn from Him. Really the yoke of Christ would finally lead him to the cross. That does not seem easy or light. In fact, our purpose to evangelize the world in this generation is neither easy nor light. The attitude that we are called to have is one of humility and gentleness. Questions/Followup:
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2012-08-02 - Genesis 21 - The Birth of IsaacSummaryAs promised, Sarah had a son: Isaac. She had Hagar and Ishmael sent away but God preserved them. Abraham and Abimelech made a treaty. ObservationsGenesis 21:1 - The LORD visited Sarah just as he had said he would and did for Sarah what he had promised Personal ApplicationI need to unmoved by the changing seas around me. I go all over the place on where I stand on giving to others without resolve. Need to be consistent as I faithfully follow the Lord. |
2012-10-13 - Prayer of the Righeous - Arms Wide Open (part III) The older son a problem with his brother's return and his father's warm welcome The father pleaded with him - Luke 15:28 He refused to call him brother but instead "this son of yours" - Luke 15:30 It is difficult to pray when you are angry with God and you feel like he owes you something May feel God has not brought justice but Jesus promises to bring it but we need to persevere - Luke 18:7-8 Justice will come but not on our timetable When God's arms are wide open to us, we should not fold ours We can draw close to God with bitterness in our heart Reconcile with our brother BEFORE offering gifts to God - Matthew 5:23-24 Husbands treat your wives with respect so nothing will hinder your prayers - 1 Peter 3:7 If we can not throw our arms wide open for others around us, we are not being like God If we do not forgive, he can not forgive us - Matthew 6:15 |
2012-10-14 - Prayer of the Righeous - Carrying Me Parable of the Lost Sheep illustrates Jesus comfort he want to provide He carries his lamb close to his heart - Isaiah 40:11 God's journey toward us:
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 Mary and Martha - Martha was too busy with the details of life to spend time with Jesus - Luke 10 |
2012-10-20 - Prayer of the Righeous - Singing to Me Zephaniah 3:17
Nature rejoices in God's presence - Psalms 98:7-8 God promises that nature will rejoice in our presence - Isaiah 55:12 Faithful servants are invited to come share in the master's happiness - Matthew 25:23 The very nature of heaven is to share the happiness of God for all of eternity Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22 Our prayer needs to be an outpouring of joy and thanksgiving before a joyful, singing God He loves to hear us being happy My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song - Psalms 28:7 |
2014-02-24 - Heart Hindrances (part II) Continuing the “heart hindrances” that will push your chidren away.
You must keep your radar up to sense if you have your children’s hearts Questions to continously ask:
Too many men foolishly refuse to apologize because they’re trying to save face and don’t want to look bad.
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2014-05-15 - Genesis 23 - The Death of SarahSummarySarah died in Kiriath-arba and Abraham asked the Hittites for a burial site. He bought a cave at full price from Ephron and buried Sarah there. ObservationsGenesis 23:6 - Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince ApplicationWhat kind of reputation do I have at work, at home, and at church? What do others say about me? How has that helped or hindered me? Do I become impatient in waiting for God's promises? Do I try to fulfill God's promises for him? Do we avoid giving when it really costs us something? PrayerLord, help me to have the faith to wait on your promises and to always be ambassador of yours no matter where I am. |
2014-05-30 - Genesis 24 - Search for the Bride of Isaac (part I)SummaryAbraham's servant went to Nahor to find a wife for Isaac. ObservationsGenesis 24:1 - The Lord blessed him every way Genesis 24:8 - But under no circumstances are you to take my son there ApplicationI 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. PrayerPraying for heart of disernment and faithfulness in life's challenging situations. |
2015-02-02 - Stability You were first and rank and power but you are as unruly as a flood - Genesis 49:3-4 Reben did some good things but made some terriable mistakes GOOD - Spoke up for his brother Joesph which lead to saving his life - Genesis 37:21-22 As the first born, Reuben should have received special privileges and promises but Jacob said he was first no longer Reuben's life serves as both as a encouragement and warning about how importance of consistency for us and our family Would you call yourself a stable man or unruly like a flood? |
2015-04-24 - Vows 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. |
2015-05-03 - Importance of Insight Tell this man the meaning of his vision - Daniel 8:16 God gave Daniel a vision concerning future events Daniel realized the vision without a satisfying interpretation would do him no good An angel appeared to him to explain it because of his genuine desire for insight into the vision Knowledge of God's Word is good but having the practical understanding to apply it is life changing God promises to give understanding to anyone who earnestly seeks it How often do you seek out the scriptures on how to be a godly man, husband, father, employee? |
2015-05-05 - Unshakable Foundation The Lord counted him as righeous because of his faith - Genesis 15:6 Faith is the foundation of everything you want to do Abraham habitually took God at his word and believed that He would do just what He promised God made him the father of many great nations God made Abraham some big promises:
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2015-05-19 - Believe and Receive How can I be sure this will happen? - Luke 1:18 Faith is based on the fact that God keeps his promises - especially the promises that seem impossible God had not forgetten Zechariah's prayers He send Gabriel to tell to tell them they would have a son and their son would be the appointed to introduce the Messiah Instead of thanking Gabriel, Zechariah spoke words of unbelief - Luke 1:18 God wasn't about to allow Zechariah's unbelief to get in the way Who you respond when God make you a wonderful promise? |
2015-06-03 - No Retirement Give me the hill country the Lord promised me - Joshua 14:12 Caleb and Joshua led a younger generation into the Promised Land, now Caleb was 85 years old He had not taken the land he was promised 40 years ago and he intended to see it fulfilled Caleb's courage sprang from his unshakable belief God keeps his promises Joshua had abolute faith in the reliablility of God's promises after being told to be strong and couragous because His presence - Joshua 1:9 What sort of hill country has the Lord set before you?
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2015-06-06 - Man of Hope Even when there was no hope, Abraham kept hoping of becoming a father of man nations - Romans 4:18 Hope - a sense of expectancy even when the circumstaces suggest packing it in and giving up At age 100 years Abraham still had no children Humanly speaking, Abraham had every reason to wonder if God had forgotten his promise Abraham remained convicted God would keep all his promises God blessed Abraham and his wife with a son - he became a father of many nations Those who trust in me will never be put to shaem - Isaiah 49:23 Has God given you an yet-to-be-fullfilled promise? Have you grown weary in waiting? |
2015-07-02 - Get Up and Go! The time has come for you to lead these people - Joshua 1:2 Throughout the Scripture, God attaches promises to His commands - If you do this, I will do that Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you - Joshua 1:3 Joshua is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of how "showing up" at God's command leads to victory His promises are often contingent upon our taking steps of obedience |
2015-08-12 - Access Only Moses is allowed to come near to the Lord - Exodus 24:2 At one time, only a few select people had direct access to God Moses was the servant God had choosen to lead his people out of Egyptian captivity Only Moses was permitted to:
In granting Moses such close access to him, God gave him a great responsibility and a great privilege Today the Bible promises with our faith in Jesus, we can boldly come to the throne of our gracious God - Hebrews 4:16 |
2015-08-20 - Balanced Approach You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing youe unfailing love - Micah 7:18 The Bible is largely a book about finding balance - between God's hattred for sin and his desire to completely forgive the sinner Micah understood this balance Challenges:
Opportunites:
Repentant hearers had hope for better things ahead Are there people in your life who need to see both sides of God's nature? |
2015-09-03 - Hit the Ground Running In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you - Joshua 1:11 Joshua was a strong leader - he lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land He didn't hesitate for a moment in following orders: In our time, we require planning, risk assessment, and cost analysis It is unthinkable and even reckless for leaders to move on orders immediately Joshua knew that God was the Commander in Chief and was orchestrating all the nessary events - that is exactly what happened When you believe God and know that he will keep all his promises, you won't wait when God says, "Go now!" |
2015-09-16 - Foresightful Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead - Philippians 3:13 God promises to bless you when you focus on what he calls you to do today and in the future Paul remembered the past and the lessons he had learned from it He often refered to his past but he didn't live there Paul looked forward to things God had for him - namely finishing the race of faith God has a wonderful plan for your future Don't focus so much on where you've been that you lose sight of where you are headed |
2016-10-04 - Genesis 26 - Issac (part I)SummaryIn Gerar, Isaac lied about Rebekah being his wife. ObservationsGenesis 26:5 - Abraham listened to me and obeyed all my requirements, commands, decrees, and instructions
Genesis 26:9 - I was afraid someone would kill me to get her from me
ApplicationThe first step toward helping children live righteously is for the parent to live rightly. What kind of example I am setting for my children? PrayerPlease help me to see what I am projecting onto my children by the life I am living |
2016-11-16 - Genesis 27 - Jacob Steals Esau's BlessingSummaryRebekah and Jacob tricked Isaac into giving Jacob his blessing. Esau vowed revenge so Rebekah told Jacob to go to her brother Laban. ObservationsGenesis 27:12 - What if my father touches me... he'll curse me instead of bless me
Genesis 27:20-24 - How did you find it so quickly?... Come closer so I can touch you and make sure that you are really Esau... But are you really my son Esau?
ApplicationHow am I implementing God plan via his promises? My own way or in God's timing? PrayerLord, I want to be obedient and hunble to your plan and in your own way and your own timing. |
2018-04-03 - The Narrowness of Jesus (part I) To him:
Jesus clung to the true and combated the false He was not afraid of being call intolerant or a bigot He made no compromises and not bend on thing he knew were true and good Jesus correct was taught by the teachers, leaders; not allowing them to roam at their will through the realms of thought Principles were to cling to or else lose their souls |