. (528 found)
2008-02-23 - Power of Gratitude - Trees, Clap your hands
Cows and birds do a far better job of praising God than most humans - they function the way God wants them to function.
Are at least half our times with God directed toward praise?
Pray though Psalms about praise - Read 1-2 verses at a time
- Psalms 8, 24, 29, 47, 92, 93, 95, 96, 98, 100, 104, 113, 135, 147, 148
The more we talk about something, the more it becomes reality to us.
|
2008-02-25 - Power of Gratitude - Solitary Places
When gratitude cause us to rise early to spend time with God - seeing one of the greatest fruits
No one says that QT must happen in the morning - it always goes better than the days when trying to work out another time during the day
I learned to pray when I sensed that I would come apart at the seams emotionally unless I didn't
Three things helped with prayer life:
- Solitary place - no bothered for a curtain amount of time
- Can walk and pray
- Can pray out loud
writing can help - proven by therapists - helps with negative thoughts
There is no gratitude without prayer
|
2008-02-26 - Power of Gratitude - Uncommon Peace
What enables us to have such uncommon peace? - Commonality
- Relationship with God
- Decision to make Jesus Lord of our lives
- Basic mission - to seek and save the lost
If we in a battle together, we are unlikely to attack one another
Stay committed to God with the mission and discipling firmly in place, our unity will remain
Three warning signs, if not doing:
A. Daily diet
- Time in the Word daily - Acts 17:11
- Daily prayer - Luke 11:1-4
- Share our faith daily - Acts 17:17
- Open with our lives daily with one another - Hebrews 3:12
B. Lack of commitment
C. Lack of discipling
|
2008-02-27 - Power of Gratitude - Free at Last
MLK - as bad as slavery was - there a slavery that last for eternity
2 Corinthians 5:21 - Jesus might become sin for us
As existence of righteousness does not ensure we receive it
Satan tries everything to help us miss this opportunity
Jews after saw their failures in the past - created many regulations so they would not sin
- Not the content of their character
- Basis of conformity to rules
- Majored in the minors and minored in the majors
Religion that is performance based is doomed
- what must we do to please God
- Condemn others outwardly
- Condemn ourselves inwardly
- Everything becomes a matter of right and wrong
- Hearts focused if we have done enough and have done it right
1 Corinthians 15:10 - I worked harder than all of them - yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me
Romans 7-8 - Focus is not on themselves but on him who died for them; Because they are saved
James 1:23-25 - Law points out their sin clearly / making them feel more indebted to God
Motivation to last a lifetime - Our love responding to his grace
Other motivations:
- Fear - only for a while
- Christian fellowship - until other's disappointments and failures
- Ambition - until our disappointments and failures
NOT: Measure up and I will accept you
YES: I'll accept you, now let's walk together in my strength
|
2008-03-01 - Power of Gratitude - Don't waste your sin
Use the past to encourage others
Paul did - chief of sinners - 1 Timothy 1:15-16
Joseph did:
- Told his brothers to not be distressed or angry with themselves for selling him to slavery
- Purpose was to save the lives of his family - Genesis 45:5
- He saved himself a lifetime of bitterness and self-pity
Until and unless we see God's presence in our challenges, we are going to sin
Rejection leads to rebellion, which in turn led to failure
We must become thankful rather than resentful or hurt - give the benefit of the doubt
Key to a life of acceptance is develop a deep gratitude for what God has done through our challenges
- We must come to peace with the past
- Develop his perspective on the matters at hand
- Be gracious is your evaluation of others' roles
- Forgive yourself and others
- Never waste the impact that your past can have on others
- Be thankful
|
2008-03-04 - Power of Gratitude - It is so Hard and but I Love it
Marriage - hardest year of a good marriage is the first one and the hardest year of a bad marriage is the last one
God brings opposites together - rigid and let it go types
Because God is trying to work off the rough edges
If we are to grow through trials, we must learn to view them correctly
First comes hurt, then can come anger or try to ignore it
Other turn to "grin and bear it" or "this too must past" - blocks us from growth
Garden of Gethsemance - Jesus expressed and dealt with emotional pain with prayer - Hebrews 5:7-10
If Jesus had to suffer, how much will we need to be perfected - Colossians 1:24
Trial both mature us and attract others at the same time
Rejoice in the sufferings - 1 Peter 4:13
Must have heaven's perspective in every situation
Even when can not figure out what God is doing - requires a child-like response
Why me? > Why not me?
|
2008-03-05 - Power of Gratitude - Is your Job Sacred or Secular?
A large percentage of our waking hours on the job
God expects even a slave to be happy with their lot in life - Colossians 3:22
Whatever you do, do it in the Lord's name - Colossians 3:17
Offer your bodies as living sacrifices - Romans 12:1
Full-time ministry
We are full-time if we are disciples
Others have gifts not in "up-front" roles
No child of the King of Kings should feel like a second-class citizen
- Hospital worker = God's minister to the medical professionals
- Factory worker = sweating it out for the Lord
- Programming = designing and mental stress for the Lord
|
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
|
2008-03-10 - Be Still My Soul - Quiet Time
Jesus deeply valued his time alone with God
Jesus sought out quiet time
"Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" - Mark 6:31b
"Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" - Luke 5:16
Occasional devotions are OK but should never replace our private time with God
Jesus found a quite place
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father" - Matthew 6:6
If you have no quite place - your relationship will be shallow and limited
Jesus urged alertness
Jesus pleaded with them to be awake and alert in prayer - Mark 14:37-42
Be "clear minded and self-controller" so that we can pray - 1 Peter 4:7
How long? until a sense of peace and closeness with God
How much time in prayer and study? mix it up; our relationship should not become stale
"Remain in me, and I will remain in you" - John 15:4-8
|
2008-03-11 - Be Still My Soul - Time Away
Jesus often withdrew
- Jesus often withdrew - Luke 5:16
- Spent the night praying - Luke 6:12
- Jesus was praying in private - Luke 9:18
- Jesus... took Peter, John, and James .. to a mountain to pray - Luke 9:28
- Withdrew to mountain by himself - John 6:15
When was the last time you withdrew an entire night, day, or week?
We wonder why we are stale, unmotivated, joyless, and weary and have not grown
It takes awhile to detact from the world
A retreat can be unforgetable, life-changing time
You have to plan it to make it happen, Satan will try to stop you
|
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
|
2008-03-13 - 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
|
2008-03-14 - Be Still My Soul - All the Time
To be real, a relationship with God must be all-the-time
If not, you are compartmentalizing your walk with God
"I am with you always" - Matthew 28:20
""Pray continually" - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Nehemiah prayed, wept,and fasted for days before talking wit King Artaxerxes then he prayed again right before talking to him just before opening his mouth - Nehemiah 2:4b
- Your relationship with God does not depend how you have a quiet time
- We should learn to pray short prayers throughout the day
- If we don't remember God throughout the day, can become legalistic about our quiet times
Both are needed - a quiet time can never replace all-the-time
|
2008-03-15 - Be Still My Soul - Exciting Personal Bible Study
What happen to the days when you could not wait to learn more from God's word?
When was the last time you regretted having to close your Bible and go on to other activities?
Excuses:
- Days of excitement are for young Christians
- Mature means being dead and lifeless
- See other older Christians not doing well and assume that is our fate
Paul: "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (Philippians 3:12-16)
The only way to a deep, growing relationship with God - which includes feeding on His word.
Some are not put forth the effort required to dig deeper; have become lazy
Some are satisfied with what they already know and are content being spoon-fed.
"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity" (Hebrews 5:11-6:3)
We need to train ourselves (1 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 5:14)
"This the one I esteem he who ... trembles at my word" (Isaiah 66:2)
|
2008-03-18 - Be Still My Soul - How to Study
God intends for every disciple of His to delight in His Word - Psalms 119:18
Ways to study:
- Study one book of the Bible - Make a simple outline; sometimes we lose patience in our understanding - keep working at it
- Study a section of a book - ie Sermon of the Mount; Jesus and the disciples in the upper room
- Study one chapter of the Bible - Hebrews 11, 1 Corinthians 13, and others
- Study one verse - This is really deep! compare it, cross reference words, look up meanings
- Study one topic - understand and master; use topical, chain-reference, and concordance
Take notes and review each day
|
2008-03-20 - Be Still My Soul - Bible Studies That Changed my Life
Author, Sam Laing, describe different times in his life when quiet times were life changing including:
- Gospel of John - John 13-17
- As a young ministry intern, Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus
- As a mature Christians, David and the Psalms
- After failure, Isaiah 40-66
- Entering forties with cynicism and anger, Book of Ecclesiastes
- All the time, study of Jesus
Never tire of reading about Jesus - his words, poise, love, and balanced character
|
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
|
2008-03-23 - Be Still My Soul - Pour Out Your Heart
We can to one of a few things in challenging times:
- Handle it ourselves
- Turn to God superficially; mentioning thing to God
- Turn to God - pouring out our hearts
Pour out your hearts - Psalms 62:8
I pour out my complaint before him - Psalms 142:2
How can we be close to someone if we have not poured out our hearts
God is all-knowing but unless we tell him our feelings we will never draw close
Everyone has feelings; it may be difficult at first
Jesus: offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears - Hebrews 5:7
Suggestions:
- Get in the habit of telling God how you feel
- Be in a private place
- Take a period of time away
- Allow yourself to cry - frustration, sorrow, or joy
|
2008-03-27 - Be Still My Soul - Persistence
We "should always pray and not give up" - Luke 18:1
Disciples who are not close to God are simply not being perisistent
Examples of persistent prayers:
- Elisha - prayerd 7x before the promised rainfall came down -1 Kings 18:42-45
- Jesus - returned three time to the garden of Gethsemane to surrender to God's will - Matthew 26:36-FF
- Paul - prayed three times before given an answer he did not want - 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
- Early church - prayed all night for Peter's deliverance - Acts 12:1-17
|
2008-03-28 - Be Still My Soul - Postures
Prayer is not only for our minds and hearts, but our bodies
Types of prayer postures:
Kneeling
- Elijah - with his face between his knees (1 Kings 18:42)
- Daniel - knelt in prayer three times a day (Daniel 6:10)
- Peter - knelt in prayer for the life of Tabitha (Acts 9:40)
Standing - Jesus gave instructions and standing in prayer (Mark 11:25)
Prostrate
- Moses - for 40 days (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25)
- Daniel - fell prostrate before the angel Gabriel (Daniel 8:17)
- Jesus - fell on his face in prayer at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36)
Lifting and spreading out hands
- David - Psalms 28:2, 63:4, 88:9, 119:48, 143:6
- Ezra - Ezra 9:5
- Moses - Exodus 9:29
- Solomon - 1 Kings 8:22
Gazing upward - Jesus looking up to heaven (Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41, 7:34)
Out loud and silently - Esther 4:1, Hebrews 5:7, James 4:7-9 / 1 Samuel 1:13
If prayers are not offered from a variety of postures then we are not praying as we ought
We can not separate our bodies from our hearts
Author has developed the ability to pray with great concentration and intimacy while running
|
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
|
2008-04-01 - Falling in Love with God - How Bad It Can Get
A mission of Satan is undermine my relationship with our Father
Must ask all the time: How are God and I doing?
Typical doing questions:
- Am I productive?
- Have a recently had a victory?
- How do people around me feel about me?
- How long has it been since I committed a particular sin?
Relationship questions:
- Do they feel loved?
- Are we connected?
- Have I been sensitive?
- Am I listening?
- Will this activity help our relationship?
When we drift
1. Combative - Psalms 55:20-21
2. Uncaring / Apathy (Harding of our hearts) - Psalms 36:1-4; Esphesians
Presedes sin / sensual gratification
- "I deserve this"
- "I am tired"
- "I am missing out"
- "I know what I need"
3. Hopeless - Job 3:11-13
Hopelessness is godlessness
If deeply in love with God, whispering to me promise after promise
If walking with him closely, he is meeting my needs for strength and faith
|
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
|
2008-04-09 - Falling in Love with God - Jesus: Anointed One
Jesus is the Christ, Messiah - meaning the "Anointed One"
The book of Acts - Christ was lifted high
- The good news that Jesus is the Christ - Acts 5:42
- Proclaimed the Christ there - Acts 8:5
- Jesus is the Christ - Acts 9:22
- "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ" - Acts 17:3
- Testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ - Acts 18:1-5
God's Christ was not confined to mere 33 years
By him all things were created - 1 Colossians 1:16-20
Sometimes we forgot - The Christ still lives today
Romans 8:28
- Who can be against us? No one
- Who will bring any charge against us? No one
- Who is he that condemns? No One
Christ is "begging God for us" Hebrews 7:25 (Dios Habla Hoy Bible)
|
2008-04-14 - Falling in Love with God - Holy Spirit is everywhere
We may suffer more from our neglect of God's Spirit than through any other spiritual problem
We need to be aware of the spirit all the time
A look through the Bible:
- Spirit was present at creation
- God anoints men with his Spirit
- Spirit credited with giving David the plans for the temple
- Engendered Jesus in the womb of Mary
- Was at Jesus' baptism in the form of a dove
- Lead Jesus into the dessert
- Did the healing in Jesus' ministry
|
