. (524 found)
2008-02-24 - Power of Gratitude - Badly out of Focus Children - they notice the one toy they do not have even with having a dozen other toys - how do we do?
Gratitude and ingratitude are based on our focus in life
- Negatives - ingratitude
- Positives - gratitude
You can tell the size of the person by the size of things it takes to make him angry
Philippians 4:8 - think about these things
Philippians 4:12-13 - secret to being content in any and every situation
Being content is a decision - 10% what happens to us; 90% how we react to the situation
Romans 8:38-39 - nothing can separate us from the love of God
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2008-02-28 - Power of Gratitude - Thank God Im a Country Boy What ever background we have, we can not change it
Cultural heritage - Jesus from Galilee and Nazareth
Job - Jesus was a carpenter son's
Appearance - Jesus "nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2)
Speech - Disciples "are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?" ( Acts 2:7 )
Why?
"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise" (1 Corinthians 26-29)
Jesus understands and sympathizes - No one knows more about temptation than he.
Let he happy for how God made us and use it for his glory
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2008-02-29 - Power of Gratitude - Bon Appetit Satan works to both deceive us and accuse us - People tend to have a deceived or an accused conscience
Too many of us seem to think that God turns away from us when we are doing bad and turns back when we repent
Fathers are much more engaged when their kids are not doing well
God ran to the Lost Son - Luke 15
Gave his only Son when we were not doing well - John 3:16-17
Christ died for the ungodly - Romans 5:6-11
At the point the mind changes - our conscience should be cleared
Sin is serious - that is what the cross is all about
Feel the burden of sin long enough to be convicted and move to repentence
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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
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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
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2008-03-13 - Be Still My Soul - Times of Fasting
What is fasting? - voluntary abstinence from food in order to draw near to God
Fasting - frequently practiced by those who have walked closely with God:
- Moses - fasted for 40 days as he received the law (Exodus 34:28)
- David - fasted for the life of his newborn (2 Samuel 12:15-22)
- King Jehoshaphat - declared a national fast under a miltary emerency (2 Chronicles 20)
- Esther - called for God's people to fast during a extermination attempt (Esther 4)
- Daniel - fasted to confess his and God's people sin (Daniel 9)
- Nehemaih - fasted for the condition of Jerusalem to improve (Nehemiah 1)
- Jesus - fasted for 40 days at the beginning of his ministry (Matthew 4:2)
- Antioch church leaders - fasted for to bless their ministry efforts (Acts 13:1-3)
- Paul and Barnabas - dedicating newly appointed elders (Acts 14:23-24)
Jesus warned about the mere appearance of fasting - Matthew 6:16-18
Advice
- Decide how long before hand
- Begin with shorter fasts
- Be care with those taking medication or those with a background of anorexia or bulimia
- Do not indulge in a large meal immediately after a fast
A "world fast" is an idea to remove yourself from movies, sports, television, newpaper, other outside info
Reason to fast:
- Humble ourselves
- Show our dependance on him
- To devote time and focus to our spiritual lives
- To ask for God' guidance
- To ask for God's help
- To overcome spiritual lukewarmness
- To pray for a particular need
- To express gratitude and thanksgiving
- Breakthrough in our faith
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2008-03-16 - Be Still My Soul - Keeping a Journal
Reasons for a journal:
- It give you a jump start to your day - helps to remember and build on previous QTs
- Can build on a thought or a theme
- Reveals our spiritual progress
- Keeps us focused on our goals and convictions
- Becomes a seedbed of great inspiration and insight
Practical advice about journals:
- Set aside a notebook - better than random pieces of paper
- Have a place to write down random thoughts and things that need to be done so you are not distracted
- Keep our goals before you
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2008-03-19 - Be Still My Soul - Seven Questions to Ask Having difficulty finding any treasure in your personal Bible study?
Here are seven questions to ask:
- Is there a promise to claim? What are the conditions?
- Is there a command to obey? Is there something God expects me to do?
- Is there sin to avoid? Am I guilty of this?
- Is there a teaching that need to believe?
- Is there an example to follow or avoid? Learn from some examples, record your responses to these examples
- Is there a difficulty to explore? Don't let difficulties throw us, let inspire to study further
- Is there something in the passage I need to pray about?
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2008-03-21 - Be Still My Soul - The Pattern (Part 1) What are we to pray about and in what order?
God has not left such crucial issues to guesswork
Matthew 6:9-13 - Above all other scripture on prayer - understand this one
Things to remember:
- Pattern, not a formula - not meant to be recited, rebuked by Jesus
- May seem awkward at first - stick with it
- Be prepared to spend more time in prayer when you use this prayer - wider range of subjects
- The structure reveals the genius of God - Begin looking to God; then deal with ourselves; once again focus on God
- Notice the use of "us" - personal, but not self-centered
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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
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2008-03-29 - Be Still My Soul - Praise Thanksgiving is praise made practical
- We always thank God - Colossians 1:3
- Overflowing with thankfulness - Colossians 2:6-7
- And be thankful - Colossians 3:15
- Being watchful and thankful - Colossians 4:2
What should we be grateful for?
- Answered prayer
- Blessings of family and friends
- Health
- Material blessings
- Church
Our appreciation grows, our anxiety decreases, and our joy abounds
Never known a person who habitually expressive of gratitude to be afflicted with continual discouragement and depression
Good idea to start and keep a gratitude list
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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
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2008-04-02 - Falling in Love with God - Bitterness
An emotional response (along with fear) that succeed at undermining our love for God
A result of an uncard-for emotional wound
Matthew 18:15-17 - can resolve most issues
Sometimes we are just called on to forgive
Not forgiving is like allowing a physical cut become infected
Examples
- Esau wept bitteryly when he failed to receive the blessing - Genesis 27:34
- Israelites incrediblity harsh and treatment from the Eyptians - Exodus 1:14
- Naomi changed her name to Mara, meaning "bitterness" (losted husband and sons) - Ruth 1:21
- Hannah wept "in bitterness of soul" because of her infertility - 1 Samuel 1:10
- David's men because of the loss of their children - 1 Samuel 30:6
- Job while not understanding the discipline of God - Job 7:11
- Missing the grace of God cause bitter root - Hebrews 12:15
- Envy becomes bitterness - James 3:14
Bitterness will actively oppose any attempt to restore our love for God
Bitter or better - a channel of curses or blessings
Disciples need Jesus' example to overcome the pain of the cross
Jesus wants us to have his attitude toward suffering
- What form do we expect our Christian suffering to take?
- Are we looking for a Christianity that does not involve suffering?
Bible command us to get rid of all bitterness
Two ways to overcome bittereness:
- Forgive - Ephesians 4:32
- Trusting God is at work in all things for our good - Romans 8:28
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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"
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2008-04-13 - Falling in Love with God - Our Perception
We must wafe through our fog of experience and except the truth about God
We can not love a God who is created in our own image
God's timing doesn't always make sense to us:
- Sarah - 25 years before blessing her with a son
- Moses - was 80 years old before God
- Joshua - 40 years of preaching outside of Jersalem
- Jesus - 40 days of tempation in the dessert for about 1000 days of ministry
Some of us have bad days, maybe years. How do we return to God?
Our only hope is to believe in his promises more than we believe in our own perceptions
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2008-04-19 - Falling in Love with God - Intimacy Dictionary definition of Intimacy:
- Marked by close acquaintance
- Relating to one's deepest nature
- Innermost
- Marked by informality
- Very personal
Respectful, but must not be formal - personal
"Quiet Times" OR "our time with God" assumes there is formal meeting / impersonal only
Do we treat friends or co-workers this way?
God desires to know who we are at the deepest level
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2008-04-22 - Falling in Love with God - Listening Whose voice should I listen to?
There are many voices:
- Voice of guilt that reminds me of the past
- Voice of doubt tries to tell me about the future
- Voice that says we are weak and can not do it
- Voice that judges me of wrong doing and bad motivation
Reason for the voices is our own sinful nature
To deal with these other voice we need to memorize scriptures - to not be swayed and know the correct voice to listen to
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2008-04-29 - Falling in Love with God - Seeking Only Him
If God's people will humble themselves pray and seek his face, he will hear from heaven and forgive us - 2 Chronicles 7:11-16
Even after the temple was built, God was concerned whether his people will still seek him
God himself was often "felt" but not "found" - He has the same concern today
Difference: being members / having a deep personal and individual relationship with God
In his pride the wicked does not seek him - Psalms 10:1-4
One thing I ask: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, gaze upon the beauty - Psalms 27:1-9
Nothing will satisfy like seeking his face
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2008-05-03 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - Rest of the Story The first person who presents a case - seems right - Proverbs 18:17
- Marriage counseling - one view, then a different view
- Forming opinion without all the background information
- Good leader - realizing he does not know everything about every subject
- Been hurt by others - assume others are the same way
Good thing to say: "I have seen something which concerns me, but I haven't heard your side yet"
Involving everyone on a decision will help others to feel valued and for you to consistently have good decisions
We have trouble listening to other opinions besides our own
Can you get hurt by other that love you? Yes
- Double indemnity insurance policy against unresolved issues (Matthew 18:15-17 and Matthew 5:23-24)
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2008-05-06 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - Emotions and Spirituality Emotions are God-given and a blessing
Some refuse to get open and honest with their true feeling - from pride and fear
In times of crisis, we usually get past our emotional blockage and express ourselves much better
Negative emotions are not to be trusted
Unless you allow others to break into your closed system of reasoning, the illogical will continue to seem perfectly logical
Satan can use emotions in a damaging way - need to allow others to gain perspective
Emotions are needed and seen in Jesus:
- Cried regularly - Hebrews 5:7
- Open about disappointments - Luke 19:41-44
- Open about struggles - Matthew 26:36-46
Thank God for those who are both emotionally based and spiritually strong at the same time
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2008-05-08 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - Ambition: from God or Satan Depending on the motive:
There is positive ambitions - Romans 15:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:11
There is negative ambitions - Galatians 5:20
There is pure spiritual ambitions with bad motives:
Matthew 20:20-28 - wanted their shot at the left and right seats of Jesus
We often want the right things for the wrong reasons
- Too focused on positional goals in the church
- Excel at work or school - not working for the Lord but working for self - Colossians 3:23
- Too much pressure for a child to succeed - Train a child in the way he should go - Proverbs 22:6
- Allowing secondary motivation become the primary motivation
Examples of primary and secondary motivations:
Subject |
Primary |
Secondary |
Job |
Glorify God |
Make money; Career |
Following God |
Love God with everything we have |
Learning Bible facts, being disciplined, spiritual goals |
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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
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2008-05-17 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - Spiritual vs Doctrinal Thinking, part 1
Can major in the minors and minor in the majors
Tendency to be doctrinal focused - 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 2:14-19; Titus 1:5-11; Titus 3:3-11
Can come from a desire to be leaders, takes focus off our personal lives
Numbers 12:1-15
- v1 - Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses
- v2 - Hasn't God also spoken through us?
- Had a personality conflict but did not want admit it - fought over doctrine
- v9 - Lord anger burned against them and left them
Unity of believers is the acid test of whether we are really his disciples - John 17:20
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2008-05-18 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - Spiritual vs Doctrinal Thinking, part 2
Goal is the be focus on personally knowing God, being changed, and helping others to do the same
Doctrine is important - Must watch it - Timothy 4:15
Must have sound doctrine - 1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 1:13; Titus 1:19, 13, 2:1
Our study helps us understand the heart of God and imitate it
Doctrine thinking |
Spiritual thinking |
Arrogance
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Humility |
High blood pressure |
Inner peace |
Division |
Unity |
Leads people to hell |
Leads people to heaven |
Man-centered |
God-centered |
Unspiritual |
Spiritual |
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2008-05-19 - Power of Spiritual Thinking - Sentimentality
Can easily become sentimental when talking about salvation:
- Family, people you are emotionally connected with
- Thinking about people in remote parts of the world
- It would be cruel to share the gospel with someone who hadn't heard it and was saved
- Like not throwing a life jacket because you think they will be alright
- Religous people - would you be willing to stand before God with - infant baptism or non-disciple life?
All have sin and have fallen short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23
Being "broader" than the Bible puts you on the wrong road
God will be the judge and he has given us the basis of his judgement - John 12:48
Extremes:
- We become judgmental and reason like Pharisee; we are policeman, God is the judge
- Lose our conviction religious doesn't equal salvation
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