2009-12-17 - Master Plan - Reproduction (part 4)
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2010-01-17 - Kingdom First - Not Kidding His challenge to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors His message totally defies world standards Consider the alternative: responding like the world We become enslaved by how other treat us Regardless how much we love the brotherhood of believers, if we hold any bitterness or resentment - we are simply reduced to the level of the world No matter how unjust or painful the treatment, God's grace is sufficient - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 He expects us to have Because he call to a life of righteousness which will produce enemies Are we willing to go all the way and suffer for him - Philippians 1:29 He expects us to love and actively pray for the people who oppose us How much do we persevere with people? Do we answer back kindly when spoken to unjustly? |
2010-02-11 - First the Kingdom - Trees (part 4) All disciples should produce fruit of all kinds of fruit There are some who debate over and over again what fruit (harpos in Greek) is:
A good heart refuses to get entangled in a semantic debate and simply produce for God What kind of fruit does God see in your life? |
2010-03-08 - To Live is Christ - Progress and Joy Paul was torn - Philippians 1:22-26 He rejoiced to be able to encourage the Philippian disciples Death brought him face to face he loved He realized that he had more laps to run and did not want to coast - but to run with all his might Paul has no desire simply to remain with the disciples - want to continue with them Greek for "Continue" = to wait beside a person to be ready to help and help all the time For Paul to live was Christ and to give himself to others for their spiritual progress and deep joy Whatever the cost, he would be there for them:
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2010-03-18 - To Live is Christ - Know Christ Paul wanted to know Christ - Philippians 3:10-11 Did he not know him yet?
Paul knew about Jesus He was will aware that simply doing the right thing did not give him intimacy Do we really know Christ? To become like him in his death is become like him in life:
The spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you - Romans 8:11 |
2010-04-14 - Life to the Full - Got to Pray (part 2) James 5:7-11 - Addresses patience in peace and in suffering Two examples of patience in suffering:
Jewish were very fond of oath-taking - Matthew 5:33-37 James may have been referring to rash oath-taking - Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 Rather than swearing (v12), we should pray (v13) No true disciple should need to take an oath since we must be men and women of our word Simply let our yes be yes and our no be no |
2010-09-12 - Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 4) Heads up. Satan can give us actions and words to say:
Some trying to "work through" things are simply have agreements with the Enemy Satan uses your wounds and unresolved emotional issues to pin your heart down under a spiritual stronghold We must be careful not to make agreements with Satan to increase his dominion |
2010-09-17 - Waking Dead - Spiritual Warfare (part 5) The worldview has simply removed warfare as a practical category We shouldn't be surprised - we can not see spiritual strongholds after we say they really don't exist If you deny the battle raging against your heart, then the theif can just come and go as he pleases Satan says there is not war Lord Almighty = he who is sovereign over all the powers in heaven and on earth, especially over the armies of Israel The God of angel armies God is powerful and and in control but don't always think of of him taking up a sword and shield, breaking down gates to rescue us Big difference: Joe the good man who is in control vs Joe the Naval Seal |
2010-11-22 - Mission - Heart of Christ Reading Luke 19:1-9
Jesus' love had a clear and defined purpose - to restore a broken relationship between the lost and God To have the heart of Christ means to seek and to save what is lost It is beyond:
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2010-12-21 - Sin (part I) 1 Peter 2:9-10
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2010-12-23 - Cross of Christ (part I) Romans 3:22-26, 5:6-8
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2011-08-03 - Daughter Needs - Mr. Success (part I) Jephtah mother was a prostitute and was denied him any share of the estate Years later the Ammonites made war on Israel - it was the opportunity to have one big success He understood that the battle belonged to the Lord Made a foolish vow of saying - if he won he would sacrifice the first thing opened the door of his house - Judges 11:30-31 His one and only daughter can running out He could have renounced his foolish words but he simply wanted success more His pride prevented him to do so Jephtah's pride and drive to be respected were more important than the life of his daughter |
2011-08-13 - Daughter Needs - Laughter If dads are always working, disciplining, serious, they will have a hard time believing love is sometimes light hearted Older daughters may think silliness is not cool, the key is to have fun Games and siliiness are simply mechanisms to achieve fun and laughter Teach your daughters to take their work and calling seriously - but not themselves Being fun and silly requires a degree of vulnerability that many men and women struggle with Tell jokes but do not poke fun of each other - this is forbidden If you make your daughter cry, you have gone over the line Apologize - don't tell her to stop being too sensitive |
2011-08-16 - Daughter Needs - Spiritual Leadership Dads are told there should be three goals:
It is much more than these three items - spiritual leader leads his wife and children toward maturity in Christ When we create spiritual goals, create activities and training designed to reach those goals An army has an organized plan designed to win battles Author's spiritual goals for his children: My child will:
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2011-08-23 - Fearing God - Splendor on Display DNA is estimated to contain instructions that would fill 1,000 600-page books yet it all would fit inside an ice cube Human brain consists of 10 billion nerve cells The best possible end of all God's actions is His own glory Everything God does or allows in all His creation must ultimately serve His glory - there is no end higher How many are your works? the earth is full of your creatures - Psalms 104:24 All creation is an art gallery for which God displays His splendor of His wisdom Intricate designs are endless in their variety In USA and Canada:
God did not have to rely on trial and error |
2011-11-22 - Getting Advise (part II) Advise will bring about only what is good
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2011-12-16 - Day 13 - Saved to Serve Matthew 25:31-46
Application: Who can you help today? Do it. Also, make plans with another disciple to help other needy people this week. |
2012-01-14 - Ministry - Driven By Zeal for God John 2:12-17; Romans 12:11; Numbers 25:6-13 Jesus faced many challenging situations in the ministry. He faced the overwhelming needs of the sick, the poor, the faithless and the empty but antagonizing religious leaders. He also faced an overwhelming sinful scene at the temple one day. Seeing that the temple worship had become simply a place to make money from others as they were sacrificing animals, Jesus decided to take action! After making a whip, he drove everyone from the temple area, overturning tables and scattering money everywhere! With many rebukes and challenges laid out to the religious crowd, the disciples thought of one word, "zeal." God blesses us when we take action against sin with our hearts full of zeal! Jesus was not afraid to be driven by zeal! Jesus was not holding back when challenged by sinful situations! He did not ignore, forget, and walk away thinking "tomorrow" or cowardly crumble with fear! Questions
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2012-01-18 - Ministry - The Heart of Humility Matt. 18:4, Luke 14:10, James 4:10, Phil. 2:5,7-8 Have you ever made a goal in your life to become a humble person? Have you ever prayed consistently over a period of time for God to give you a humble heart? Jesus shocked the crowds following him that day when he declared for all men to change and become like little children or they would not enter the kingdom of heaven! Then he lifts up the quality of humility in a child's heart and commands his disciples to have this heart! The world teaches us that humility is soft, weak, passive, no convictions. Jesus was certainly not this! He was a man of convictions, fearless with the opposition, and pressed on resolutely about his goals! However, he washed the disciples feet, touched the leper, served the crowds, and obeyed the Father in everything. One of the real tests comes in serving. Jesus made himself nothing, became a servant, and humbled himself on the cross for us! Do people know me to be a serving person? How do I feel when I am serving-awesome? Do I serve only when I want to serve and what I want to do if it serves my interests?Jesus came to serve and not to be served! He came to give his life as a ransom for many! Whoever wants to be great among you must be your slave! Matt. 20:26-28 Questions:
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2012-02-03 - Ministry - A Righteous Response Mark 11:15-17, John 2:15,16 How does Jesus deal with anger? I know many of us, consider Jesus' response to the temple being used for a marketplace as an example of righteous anger. However, I studied eight different translations and the scriptures never state "Jesus got angry. John records that Jesus "made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area. It is hard to imagine myself doing this without harshness and anger but I did not conclude that Jesus was harsh or mean. In Mark 11:17 it simply says that he next "taught them". In John, the disciples saw his actions as "zeal" and when confronted by the Pharisees he answered their questions with profound teaching. This was not a man out of control while responding to mistreatment of his Father's house. Jesus was very God-focused in the way he dealt with the emotion of anger. In Mark 3:5,6 the scripture points out that Jesus was angry "at their stubborn hearts" because they could not respond to his questions due to evil intentions in their hearts. Jesus was angry. How did he deal with it? Further study indicates Jesus combined anger with being/feeling: "deeply distressed. His next response was to heal a man with a shriveled hand and to teach us all an amazing lesson about how deeply God cares for us. WOW! I'm not like Jesus when I get angry, how about you? Challenge:
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2012-02-08 - Ministry - One Thing Mark 10:17-22 Can you imagine having a little one on one time with Jesus? What do you think you would ask? What would he say? If Jesus was to challenge you on something in your life, what do you think it would be? He did have a similar conversation with a rich man in Mark 10:17-22 and the rich man asked a pretty important question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus responds with emphasizing obedience to the commands, and the rich man insists that he has been obedient to those Jesus spoke of. Then Jesus tells him, "one thing you still lack," he said, "go sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." So, what was the rich man missing? What did he still lack? Was it a love for the poor? Was he not sacrificial enough? Was it that he loved money too much? I think he was simply ungrateful. Study out the following passages and see for yourself if it something that Jesus might have to talk with you about in your one on one time today!
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2013-10-10 - Resolve to Lead Your Marriage Do you realize that as the leader of your home? We must take courage and always be willing to make the first move, God has put something into men that longs to be courageous. The idea of 50/50 leadership is a farce that creates two heads and two directions. History is littered with self-centered men who have dominated, belittled, ignored, and abused their wives in the name of male leadership. Jesus, God’s Son was the most powerful leader of all time Lead your wife by serving her well. |
2013-12-01 - Love Your Wives Love our wives is actually more demanding than the task placed upon wives to “submit” to their husbands. The example God gives husbands to follow is simply the most courageous and sacrificial act ever done in all human history.
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2014-05-02 - The Miracle of John's birth Luke 1:13 - Your prayer has been heard A priest’s intercession for the nation undoubtedly included a petition for the Messiah, Israel’s promised Deliverer and King. The Creator and Sustainer of the universe was ready to answer a prayer that had been prayed for hundreds of years, but He purposely chose a man who could pray an old prayer with a fresh heart. The prayer at that exact moment may not have been for a son. Zechariah could not possibly have known was how intimately connected would be his corporate prayer for the Messiah and his personal prayer for a son. Not becoming hopeless over a repetitious request can be terribly challenging. We need to continue to walk faithfully with God even though you are disappointed. Zechariah waited a long time for God’s answer, but when it came, it exceeded everything the priest could have thought or asked. Can you even imagine being told in advance of your child’s conception that he or she would bring joy and delight to you and be great in the sight of the Lord?
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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. |
2015-03-08 - Approach to Life Living means living for Christ - Philippians 1:21 Death is near the top of most people's list of fears Death for the believers is nothing more than moving on to new location Paul faced the distinct possiblity of death but there is no hint of fear in his letter He knew
Paul couldn't decide which of the options he preferred Paul never forgot God superinteneded everything that happened to him When you live free from the fear of death or life, you will never have to worry about what lies ahead.
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2015-03-12 - When to Retreat Run from all these evil things - 1 Timothy 6:11 Every competent military strategist needs to understand when to retreat Retreat does not mean defeat but simply makes room for a later victory Pau's battle plan called for Timothy to handle certain types of temptations with a retreat It wasn't just a retreat but a counter attack with something good - fath, love, perseverance, and gentleness This pursuit would shelter Timothy from temptations of the world God instruct you to retreat from certain kinds of tempatation and pursue things that hold out the promise of a spiritual productive future |
2015-03-28 - Crying Out Bartimaeus: He only shouted louder. "Son of David, have mercy on me!" - Mark 10:47-48 Babies cry, that is what they do to get their needs meet Bartimaeus heard stories of Jesus' miraculous healing and he knew he had one shot to get Jesus' attention He commited a breach of etiqutte by crying out so loudly to Jesus that it annoyed the crowd Bartimaeus did care what others thought, he simply wanted Jesus to meet his need Because of his loud persistence, Jesus turned his attention and with command, he could see Never let etiqutte stand in the way of crying out to Jesus Christ |
2015-03-31 - Eyes Have It I have made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman - Job 31:1 Sexual temptation burns many men simply because they are careless Job took some time for self-examination He knew that
Those who have no interest in pleasing the Lord will say, "Hey, there's no harm in looking" but the man commited to God knows better Job's advice if you want to keep your body and mind pure: Don't even look
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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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2015-06-09 - Walking with God One day he disappeared because God took him - Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God and simply disappeared but before he was taken up he was known as a person who pleased God - Hebrews 11:5 He pleased God because Enoch walked with him daily:
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2015-09-23 - Change in Plans 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 |
2015-10-23 - Eager and Ready They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind - Matthew 4:22 James and John didn't waste so much as a minute when Jesus called them to his side They didn't even ask about their destination or agenda, they simply dropped their nets and followed Suppose Jesus came by your place of business today and said "Follow me" Could you immediately follow and serve him, whenever he went and whatever he asked you to do? |
2015-10-24 - Sure Way Down Jonah went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord - Jonah 1:3 God gave specific instructiions to go to Nineveh and warn them about god's judgement Jonah simply did not like the assignment and wanted them dead Jonah wondered why he should warn them, go ahead and judge them When Jonah ran, his life went nowehere but down:
When Jonah came to his senses, he obeyed God's instructions What marching orders had God given you that seem to make little sense? |
2015-12-16 - Pray, Plan, Act We will start rebuilding this wall - Nehemiah 2:20 God gives men the vision, the faith, and the ability to get things done - we must act on what we know Nehemiah first realized Jerusalem's walls needed rebuilding:
He knew he was faced with a daunting task:
Nehemiah approached the work with absolute confidence simply because God called him to the task Has God given you a vision of something he wants you to accomplish? |