When enough isn't

Mark 10:17-21

When is good, good enough? We are never satisfied it seems.

The this guy approaches Jesus with a great question. He seems to look for validation in his life that he was good enough. His life was driven by deeds and he looked for more deeds to validate himself.

More is better, better is more. Is that true?

Jesus tells him to go sell everything you have. Remove the things that are holding you back. Jesus was trying to free this man from the burden of his lifestyle. Jesus wanted him to free up space to truly serve God.

What do you need to subtract from your life to allow you grow closer to God?!

What does enough look like? For most of us we have an abundance of enough!

Jesus asking us to give up what we have here for something better up there!

Living in the light

Ephesians 5:8-20

What dies it mean to be a new creation? Darkness to light. The two are distinct states that are not confused or mistaken. Know one sits in darkness and thinks it is light. Same is true with light. It is never mistaken for darkness.

Light exposes and darkness hides. Where is God shedding light on areas in my life? What deeds are you keeping in darkness?

Are you asleep spiritually? God is calling me to wake up so that Christ light can shine on me. Its up to me to make the decision to wake up.

Live as children of light. Paul gives us a list of spiritual disciplines that help us to live as children of the light.

Reading and praying is important; however, worship is a powerful component that we ofter neglect in our spiritual lives. We were meant to connect through song, palms, and hymns!

Sermon on the Mount

What are you doing in secret?

Matthew 6:1-34

Matthew 5:6;6:1 paradox?

Our motivation should be to glorify God and uplift his image! Truth be told we do things a lot of times for our benefit or to look good in front of people (Matthew 6:1)!

Vs. 2, 5, 16 - Jesus assumes that you are praying, fasting, giving to the poor. Jesus is confronting the reasons why you do what you do. What is your motivation and what are you expecting in return. Praise from men or praise from God!

What does it look like to have the wrong motivation? Jesus says in Matthew 6:1, "beware". We have to stay vigilant and check our motives. How much do you do in private the things you do in public!

People that do things for image are hypocrite! Your not worshiping God to perform or check off a box!

What do you do when you get a little free time? Is your first thought to spend more time in prayer or reading? Why not? Our relationship with God should be motivated by desire and not obligation.

Vs. 4, 6, 18 - God sees, recognizes what you do and rewards you!

Three choices. Choice between two treasures, two visions, and two masters! Store up treasures in earth or heaven? The good eye or bad eye (generosity or single mindedness). Focusing on Jesus. Choosing God or money? You cannot serve both, you must choose.

Vs. 25 - "Therefore" Jesus connects these two passages. Trusting God and letting go of worry. Lets fight materialism in our lives and get focused on the Kingdom of God!

Sermon on the Mount

The sermon on the amount brought old teaching into a new perspective. Jesus taught through Old Testament law the necessity of a relationship with God from the heart. Living for God as not a set of rules but of rather living in obedience from a motivation that comes from the heart!

Matthew 7:13-14

The narrow gate is narrow not because someone has to be perfect in obedience to enter it. The gate is narrow because people would rather be a good person outwardly and ignore the matters of the heart.

Matthew 7:15-20

If your making bad fruit you don't belong to Jesus. Followers of Jesus are identified by their fruit! You can argue doctrine but you cannot argue the fruit that someone bares. What type of fruit are you bearing?

Matthew 7:21-23

Up until Jesus arrived, the more religious you were and the more legalistic you were was viewed as security in God. Jesus shocked them with this teaching that challenged their views and called them to righteousness from the heart vs a list of laws to keep!

Matthew 7:24-27

Our foundation is the law and if we live by it we will be able to withstand the troubles of this world! The law and what we build on is important. We build our life on Jesus from the deeds we do in the open to the thoughts and attitudes of our heart! We start our foundation from the heart and we build with the heart!

I Tell You The Truth

Jesus started many passages with, "I tell you the truth"!

Matthew 8:5-13

The truth statement from Jesus in this story is that faith is about lordship! The centurion, a military man understood lordship! He understood that Jesus was given the authority to grant his request! Lack of faith is a symptom of forgetting who is in charge and who has all power and authority!

Have you forgotten who is in charge?

Jesus was amazed. Jesus is use to dealing with people who doubt his authority and Lordship! Even his own disciples questioned his authority at times!

Mark 10:13-16

Divorce was the hot topic of the day. To the religious leaders of the day, this topic was a top priority and yet Jesus demonstrates his willingness to not compromise on Gods word and yet not neglect what really matters. No one is more hurt through divorce than children! Most people divorce for selfish reasons and disregard the pain and emotional trauma the children go through!

Strange living in Strange Times

Two realities can be true at the same time! Your reality is a lot of times based on your perspective. As christians we living a physical reality in the word and a spiritual reality in heaven!

1 Peter 2:11-15

We are to live as though we speak a different language, have a different culture, different values! We are to be aliens and foreigners in this present age!

1 Peter 4:7-11

Through intense persecution Jesus calls us to love deeply! He teaches us how to do this. Practice hospitality and use your God giving gifts to help and serve others.

Everything we are and everything we do should be used to glorify God!

Submission in Marriage

How does our world feel about marriage? Our world really insults marriage. How its no good, doesnt meet needs, old fashioned...etc!

Statistics and studies show that marriage has a lot of positive benefits physically and mentally. For example married men are 250% less likely to commit suicide. People who are married recover from illnesses faster. Many more examples like these.

Ephesians 5:21-33

In marriage and in christian life in general, submission to Christ is required. Humans and human authority are not worthy of submission; however, through Christ we are called to submit.

Jesus never commanded us to submit when someone is worthy. Submission starts with Jesus and he is worthy of our submission!

Submission does not mean the loss of power. Although a wife is called to submit to her husband without losing her power and does not mean that a man has more power. The roles are equal in Gods eyes. Jesus took the role of a servant with losing all power and authority!

This is a miss understood concept in the world.

God does not call women to be submissive in the work place, in government or and any other secular place. He makes this call only in the sanctity of marriage.

Men have a harder time with servant leadership and woman generally have a harder time with submission. God designed marriage this way for a reason!

Do people look at your marriage and think look at the way he loves her and look at the way she submits to him? Our marriages should point the people around us towards God. It should stand out from the world!

Fear and Faith

Matthew 8:18-22; 23-27

Following Jesus requires sacrifice and commitment. Following Jesus is not easy. The question Jesus is asking is, "will you follow Jesus whatever the cost".

When you made the decision to follow Jesus; how did you feel? Maybe you were anxious. Unsure of what would happen. Maybe you were excited and felt the rest of your life would be easier? We all have some expectation that a life with Jesus will make our lives better. True but few realize the true cost of following Jesus!

The disciples are immediately put into a boat and tested with a storm. Jesus has all power and authority to save! Storms will always come and Jesus does not avoid the storm. He addresses the storm!

Do you doubt in the midst of hardship and struggles? What does faith look like in the midst of a storm? Jesus took a nap! Jesus was sleeping through the chaos. Jesus trust God with out giving into fear!

The disciples got in the boat with Jesus. You have to stay with Jesus! The people that Jesus challenged to follow in vs 18-22 chose not to get into the boat. For many reasons that we would think were good reasons. Storms will come. Staying close to Jesus is the only way to weather the dangers of life! What we give up is nominal compared to what we receive!

Will you follow Jesus?

Where would you be today had you not followed Jesus? Where will you be tomorrow if you chose to follow him?

Be Attitudes

Matthew 5

Jesus challenged the current thoughts and beliefs of the day. He did not dance around social issues. The pharisees tried to trap Jesus with questions on social issues. Jesus talked about the law of Moses from the perspective of Gods heart. He did not treat the law as a set of rules!

Do you treat Gods word as a list of rules or do you see Gods heart surrounding the law. The pharisees loved to police sin and they especially loved to police adultery. Jesus challenged their self righteous judgements!

Jesus demonstrated the need for grace that all of us need! There is a call in the bible to look out for and watch for the sin of your brother. The motive and intention is to help your brother and call them to repentance. Not to be judge and jury! There is no call to police sin someone else.

When people police sin they always draw the line on sin just a little bit past what they are doing. God is the standard and he defines sin. With his definition we all need grace and none of us can stand on our own merit.

Jesus did not replace the law with conscience! Jesus abolished a lot of the daily non moral requirements of the Old Testament but never changed or lightened any of the moral commands in the Old Testament. He increased the standard of the moral commands! Our conscience cannot be the guide to what is right and wrong!

Jesus revealed a shocking version of the law. Through these revelations many allowed his teachings to be a stumbling block. They could not get past their own hard heartedness and distorted beliefs. Jesus picture of the kingdom of God and His plan for salvation went against their idea of God and our relationship with him.

Fear and Faith

Matthew 8:18-22; 23-27

Following Jesus requires sacrifice and commitment. Following Jesus is not easy. The question Jesus is asking is, "will you follow Jesus whatever the cost".

When you made the decision to follow Jesus; how did you feel? Maybe you were anxious. Unsure of what would happen. Maybe you were excited and felt the rest of your life would be easier? We all have some expectation that a life with Jesus will make our lives better. True but few realize the true cost of following Jesus!

The disciples are immediately put into a boat and tested with a storm. Jesus has all power and authority to save! Storms will always come and Jesus does not avoid the storm. He addresses the storm!

Do you doubt in the midst of hardship and struggles? What does faith look like in the midst of a storm? Jesus took a nap! Jesus was sleeping through the chaos. Jesus trust God with out giving into fear!

The disciples got in the boat with Jesus. You have to stay with Jesus! The people that Jesus challenged to follow in vs 18-22 chose not to get into the boat. For many reasons that we would think were good reasons. Storms will come. Staying close to Jesus is the only way to weather the dangers of life! What we give up is nominal compared to what we receive!

Will you follow Jesus?

Where would you be today had you not followed Jesus? Where will you be tomorrow if you chose to follow him?

Gods plan

Genesis 2 — God walked with us

Genesis 3 & 4 — The fall of man. The first murder.

Genesis 6 —so much wickedness in the world that God grieved that he had made mankind...Genesis 6:5-8

God creates a people unto himself and we read about a 1000 years of God trying to have a relationship with his people.

MEN HAVE ALWAYS REJECTED GOD AND CHOSEN WICKEDNESS EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!

God sends Jesus

Jesus came to save!

— samaritan woman at the well, scorned and ridiculed. He broke down racial divides and challenged Racism!

— adulterous women, hypocrisy and injustice!

— the lame, the sick, the socially outcast and forgotten.

— the poor and the needy. He broke down economic boundaries.

Jesus suffered the evils of this world!

— ridiculed and rejected

— scorned and beaten

— mocked and tortured

— abandoned!

THE CROSS WAS THE ULTIMATE DISPLAY OF INJUSTICE!

Why was it unjust! Should have been me!

Our only hope is Jesus!

1 Peter 2:21-25

Hebrews 12:2-3 Focus on Jesus! Do not loose heart!!

God's plan did not end with the cross! It started there! Matthew 28:18-20

Reponding like Jesus

John 13:1-17

Jesus response is to lower himself and serve. Jesus used his power in this way to set an example for us. Can you imaging any president doing this today? What a contrast to the way our word uses power and authority!

How can we use this example in our world today? Jesus shows us that Roman occupation, The treachery of king Herod, the political turmoil of the day is not what matters! Jesus focused on what matters; people! Serving others through love!

HWJR — "how would Jesus respond" should be the example that we follow!

John 13:12-17

Philippians 2:1-11

We need to get beyond politics and opinions and focus on what Jesus focused on!

James 1:19-20

Identiy theft!

Has your identity every been stolen? Mistaken identity? Identify matters. Satan is always going after our spiritual identity.

• Knowing your identity helps you not compare yourselves to the people around you.
• It helps you know your purpose.
• It helps you realize your true value to God!

Luke 3:21-22; Luke 4:1-13

• God confirmed Jesus identity at his baptism!
• Satan questioned Jesus identity!
• That two letter word "if" causes so much doubt and destroys faith!
• Satans tactics are on full display!
• How are you? How do you identify yourself? The world wants to classify you by its definition!
• By politics, race, age, career, sin...
• Hold on to Gods word and let go of the lies of satan! Never let satan define you by his ifs and buts!
• Vs 4 man shall not live on earthly things. Gods word was meant to sustain you!
• Vs 5 Satan has been given this world and the sin that comes with it. He wants to offer you all that the world has to offer in substitute for the glory of the kingdom of God!
• If your identity is not grounded in God then you will always for Satan's lies and deceptions! Trade the temporary for the eternal!
• Vs 9 Satan likes to misinterpret scripture. He likes to throw a little truth in his deception! Satan chose to tell this lie from Jerusalem, from the temple, from the highest point as if that meant something to Jesus!
• Satan took Jesus to church!
• Our identity has to stay in Gods word and not in a church building or a church leader.
• Satan left not giving up but to look for another opportunity!

Matthew 27:40-43

• Satan poses the same question again!
• How does satan come after you.
• How are you holding to the truth in Gods word?
• How is Gods kingdom of peace working in your life?

Jesus washes the disciples feet.

John 13:1-5

1. Jesus was aware that the hour had come. He knew the suffering he was about to endure.
2. Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him.
3. Jesus put a towel around his waist. A King who led with a towel! Kings wear robes and jewelry! They display they display splendor!
4. Like a servant.

John 13:6-9

1. They had witnessed Jesus's power (calms the storm, raised the dead, cured diseases...). Seen his holiness. Witnessed the transfiguration and felt the presence of God!
2. Peter felt unworthy! Peters response was the only one recorded but probably a common response among the disciples.
3. Why did he want jesus not to stop at his feet? What was symbolic about his hands and head? The instruments of sin.

John 13:10-11

1. Peter was far from clean. The power of salvation through Gods grace and mercy!
2. Peter betrayed Jesus just as much as Judas!
3. I am dirty but Jesus has made me clean!

John 13:12-17

1. Do you understand what Jesus has done for you? Much more than serving!
2. We are called to remove all social status, economic status, pride, and arrogance and serve!
3. Our call to service has nothing to do with the response of the people we are serving. Jesus washed Judas feet even though Judas was far from Jesus and was looking to betray him!
4. Christ love compels us — 2 corinthians 5:14-15 — this should be our motivation to do likewise!

Living out the Gospel

Luke 8:1-3

• How did these average, uneducated jews have the influence that they on the world? The early church lived out the gospels in their lives. In doing so they changed the world around them!

Luke 8:4-8

• What is the Lords call in this parable? Those who have ears, let them hear! Hear what Jesus is saying and understand what he is calling us to do.

Luke 8:9-15

• How responsive are you to Gods word? Does it cultivate in your heart and produce something? The good soil was good because accepted Gods word and it produced a crop.
• The only variable in this parable is the soil conditions!
• What allows the good soil to be a good soil? Sometimes we have to cultivate the soil and remove the things that are not good, add things that will help the soil, and break up or sift through the soil!

Luke 8:16-17

• Gods gospel can be fully understood. God's word is the light and will bring light to every dark place.
• It is out job to let that light shine and not snuff is out. It should be on full display!

Luke 8:18-19

• Focus on how you listen. If we receive Gods word and act on it we will be given more.

Luke 8:20-21

• We are Gods family. Those that put the word into practice!

Job

Chapter 16

1. Vs 19-20 Why didn't Jobs friends come and pray with him. Why didn't they try and intercede with God for him? Through Jesus we have the power to pray and intercede with God!

Chapter 17

1. Vs 13-16 Job only had the hope of Gods faithfulness on earth. He no knowledge of Jesus and the hope that was to come!
2. We have that hope! The hope of salvation. The hope of eternity with God!
3. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Romans‬ ‭8:35‬-39

Chapter 19

1. Vs 23-27 Through the toughest trials and struggles come some of our strongest moments of faith! If we trust God and believe in him we can overcome anything!

Chapter 20

1. Righteous people suffer, wicked people prosper, righteous people prosper, and wicked people suffer!
2. It is wrong to assume that if you prosper God is with you and if You suffer God is against you!
3. We do not know why. What we do know is that God rules over our lives and loved enough to send his one and only begotten Son! John 3:16. In what other way could God demonstrate his love to us?!

Job

Chapter 16

1. Vs 19-20 Why didn't Jobs friends come and pray with him. Why didn't they try and intercede with God for him? Through Jesus we have the power to pray and intercede with God!

Chapter 17

1. Vs 13-16 Job only had the hope of Gods faithfulness on earth. He no knowledge of Jesus and the hope that was to come!
2. We have that hope! The hope of salvation. The hope of eternity with God!
3. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" Romans‬ ‭8:35‬-39

Chapter 19

1. Vs 23-27 Through the toughest trials and struggles come some of our strongest moments of faith! If we trust God and believe in him we can overcome anything!

Chapter 20

1. Righteous people suffer, wicked people prosper, righteous people prosper, and wicked people suffer!
2. It is wrong to assume that if you prosper God is with you and if You suffer God is against you!
3. We do not know why. What we do know is that God rules over our lives and loved enough to send his one and only begotten Son! John 3:16. In what other way could God demonstrate his love to us?!

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The cross through the eyes of Job

• The book of Job — Why do bad things happen to good people?
• Will a righteous man love God regardless of blessings?
• Who defines justice? Romans 6:23
• Jobs argument with God was not that he was absolutely sinless. He believed his sin did not justify the suffering he was going through.
• Without Jesus there would be no grace or mercy and we would be left with God punishing us for the sins we commit and rewarding us for our good deeds! SCARY thought!
• Job so the need for someone who could intercede between a sinful man and a Holy God!
• Job 9:2,12,14-15,20,33;14:3-4;15:14;16:19-21; 1 Timothy 2:5-6
• Unlike Job we have the knowledge of the gospel. We have the hope of salvation and eternity with God!
• We can trust God in all situations because we know the price he was willing to pay to redeem us!
• Like Job we may not get the answer to the why questions. What we do know is that God rules over our lives and is in control of everything! He loved us enough to send his one and only begotten Son! John 3:16. In what other way could God have demonstrated his love more completely to us?!

Job

Chp 6

1. Vs 8 — Job still wants an end to his pain and suffering. Its hard to live in the moment when bad things happen. You just want an end.
2. Job desires death over life and does not understand eternity — chp 7:9-11
3. Vs 13 — Job has lost everything and yet his primary concern is success. Why is wealth and status so important?

Chp 7

1. The world is a tough place to live. In the Garden with God was paradise. Man's sin changed all of that.
2. Vs 17 — talking about God, Job wonders why God would even concern himself with mankind. We are so insignificant as beings in comparison to the universes.
3. Vs 21 — there was no forgiveness of sin in the Old Testament that did not require sacrifice. Sin required a penalty. For us Jesus was a sacrifice once for all!

Chp 8

1. God does uphold the blameless and protect the righteous!
2. Job's position was not that he was absolutely sinless. Job's argument was that he did not do anything that deserved what he was going through.

Chp 9

1. Vs 1-3 what is true? God is just! God is fare! How can man plead his case with God. Job wanted a direct relationship and conversation with God!
2. Vs 33 Job longed for a mediator. Someone who could stand between him and God. Job knew a mere man could not stand before God alone. He longed for the day that we now are blessed with! Jesus is our mediator! 1 Timothy 2:5
3. Only in Christianity do you have God reaching down to man. John 3:16
4. Only when you are stripped of everything (share about your own life) and know that you need God do you look for a savior. I cried out to God in desperation!

Chp 10

1. Vs 13-16 Is Job in sin by the way he is speaking? He has not cursed God but he is accusing God of many things. What is he accusing God of?

Job

1. Satan in Hebrew means "advisory" or "one the opposes another"
2. The debate between God and Satan is in response to why Job is so righteous. Is he selfishly obedient because he knows he receives a blessing? If this is the case then Job's goodness isn't really that good. What motivates Job to be righteous? Is solely because of his love for God or what God can give him?
3. Do we really want a God that only blesses us because of perfect behavior? What standard of perfect would we want God to use? Should God reward all good deeds and then punish all bad ones?
4. We ask the question why should righteous people suffer; satan flips the question and says why should a "righteous person" prosper?
5. Two main views to answer the question why. Moralistic view or cynical view?
6. Contrast Jesus and Job.
7. God never promised us an easy life. Jesus did promise rest for our souls! Matthew 11:28-30.
8. Gods ultimate plan is not to harm us. Jeremiah 29:11-13.

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This changes everything!

There is a common thread through out the gospels of Jesus teaching and the disciples not understanding what he was teaching John 10:6

Without the resurrection nothing made sense! It was not until after the resurrection that these men understood the reason and purpose of God!

After the resurrection these men were emboldened with zeal and fervor for God!

1 Corinthians 15:1-8; 12-22 the resurrection is the Gospel of Christ! Without the resurrection the gospel is meaningless and our faith is worthless!

Romans 4:25 the resurrection gives life meaning and was for our benefit!

Do you live in a way that seems odd to the world? How much has the resurrection changed you?

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Because of This Hope!

Because of This Hope!

How does evangelism actually work? Is it all dependent on God or do we have some part in the conversion of the lost? How much is prayer involved in converting the world?

Acts 25,26:1-32

Paul prays that everyone that hears his testimony would accept Jesus as Lord! What are some things we can learn from Paul's example in trying to convert the people he may have influence on. Paul was not intimidated in the least by status of who would hear his testimony.

Paul's testimony. Saul was passionate about persecuting the church. So much so that he would talk long trips into other countries to route out Christians and bring them to punishment. How much more devoted to the spread of the gospel after his conversion!

1.) God calls and commissions us!

Kicking against the goads. Goads were sharp prongs that were used to move cattle and live stock in a certain direction. It is useless to kick against the direction that God is sending you!

Vs 18 shows that Paul was sent to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light! Our mission is the same! We do not have the power to change anyone but we have the power to share! God does the rest!

2.) We respond obediently!

Vs 19 Paul was obedient to the commission he received from Jesus!

3.) Use your words!

Vs 26-29 Paul was bold in his words. He wanted the Kings salvation and not his favor!

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Someone you know needs Jesus! Follow Paul's example and use your words!







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Where God leads He proceeds!

Deuteronomy 31:1-8 be strong and courageous in times of uncertainty!

Frightening Future?

Moses had been there leader for many many years and they had never had another leader. Crossing the Jordon was an uncertain time for the Israelites. Although they were on the crest of the promise land there was uncertainty!

Instead of allowing fear to freeze us we need to trust in God. He will go before us!

Where God leads, He proceeds!

God is a covenant making God and a covenant meeting God! His promises are always true and never fails! When ever I follow God and walk in his steps he is with me every step of the way! God goes before us!

In the New Testament hebrews says that Jesus has gone before us as well. He has went into heaven to prepare a place for us!

Trust in presence of God!

Daniel 10:12-13; 2 Timothy 4:16-17

God is with us and God is delivering clear instructions. We together are a support for each other. God also stands by our side and gives us the strength we need!

God used the name of the God of Abraham, the God of Issac, theGod of Jacob. He always tied his name to people.

Proceed in the peace of the Lord!

What does it mean to be dismayed? Fear is a powerful emotion. We should not ignore our emotions but guide them! The bible never tries to convince us that our fears are unfounded! Moses never told them that there would never be challenges. He simply reminded them that God will be with them through the trials!

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How are we called to respond to events like Covid19?

How are we called to respond to events like Covid19? We should obviously follow CDC guidelines. We should also be called to prayer and seeping our spiritual connections with God! We are called to not be anxious or worry.

Matthew 6:25-34

Anxiety and working has everything to do with our level of faith. We have to focus on the unseen more than the seen. The "seen" for us is the current pandemic. The struggles we are all going through in the interruption of our daily lives. The "unseen" is our spiritual reality.

Do not be anxious!

Jesus says, "therefore" before saying do not be anxious. What is the "therefore"? In Christ, God is our all powerful loving father who can do anything! 1 Peter 5:7 cast all anxiety on God because he cares!

Matthew 6:26,28 how much more does God care about us and value us his children! Only through God is there true scape from anxiety.

Who is our God. Where is God? God is with us! God is there in our good days and our bad days.

Seek first the Kingdom!

Matthew 25:32 our anxieties reveal where our priorities are! When your seeking the kingdom first your hope is in the next life and we invest in our earthly home! The early Christians took these words to heart through very difficult times!

Hebrews 10:32-35

The deeds of Christians in early times when similar crisis where ongoing had a huge impact on the spread of the gospel.

Mathew 10:28





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God wants your best!

God wants your best!

God does not expect perfection. All God wants is for you to try your best! Praise God for his grace and mercy. Hopefully you are not stuck in pattern of trying to achieve perfection. Pursuing perfection is recipe for disaster and dispointment. Trying your best has some consequences as well. The danger is doing what you think is your best. Your opinion of what is your best should not be your standard.

Judges 21:25 everyone does what they think is best. When you live like this your living your life like there is no king! A Christian is someone who absolutely tries to do their best but is not a person who does what THEY think is best!

A Christian is led by the spirit, not by conscience!

James 4:17 this is the greatest value of a Christian conscience. Telling you the good you should be doing. The conscience should not be used to tell you what your doing is not bad.

John 14:16-17 so how do you tell is it the spirit or your conscience talking to you? John 14:15! Does it align with scripture! There will be no disagreement between the spirit and Gods word!

A Christian does what the bible says!

Acts 8:30-35 you cannot obey the bible without knowing what the bible says and you need someone to help teach it to you! Gods word is written in a way that anyone can read it but it was meant to be read and taught comunially!

Search the bible for answer to your questions but not to confirm decisions you have already made!

A Christian seeks the input of other Christians.advice and input should always agree with Gods word. Input is not Devine and should be measured against Gods word!Proverbs 12:15; 24:6; 28:26

Are you living as your own King?







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Dream Home. The purpose of the house.

Marriage is owned by God. Genesis 1:27 God had an intended purpose for marriage that we should display his image!

Genesis 1:26-27

Notice the enfaces on image and unity. Male and female ate made different and it is through those differences that we complete what God was trying to create!

Better together!

Proverbs 31:4; 1 Corinthians 7:34

We are a gift for each other!

GIFT

Gratitude

Intimacy

Fun

Treasure

VOWS

Amos 3:3, Numbers 30:1-2

Reflect on Gods mercy. Deuteronomy 4:31; James 3:17-18 when you reflect on how much God has had mercy on you will allow you to show mercy to your spouse!

Words have power. Do you use merciful words in your conversations? Out of the overflow of the mouth the heart speaks!

James 4:1-2

Win the battle of vulnerability instead of the battle to win an argument!

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Dream home. Needs in the home.

Marriage is both an institution and a divine spiritual union! In the union of marriage is where we get to see God more clearly! There were problems even from the first union God created through Adam and eve!

Ephesians 5:21

My wife has a need that is different than mine and if i neglect that need then i am not submitting out of reverence to christ!

What is my wife's greatest need? God has placed me as her husband to help meet those needs and sometimes you do that through submission to Christ!

Ephesians 5:22-33

This is about christ and the church. Jesus looked down from heaven and saw his church and the churches best effort was like filthy rags. From this perspective Jesus decided to give his life for the church! God has the same expectations for me as a husband for my wife!

Happiness comes and goes. Bad times are coming. But i do have some control over how long the good times or bad times will last.

Sexual faithfulness is more than just about our bodies. Our eyes, emotions and thoughts should be faithful to our wives and to God! Be faithful to the bride that God has given you!

As men we have an inane desire to lay down our lives for our families and God considers that the greatest love of all!

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Dream home. Building with the right tools.

Building with the wrong tools breaks what is not broken. Building with the wrong tools can cause a lot of pain. Building with the wrong tools can slow down progress.

Proverbs 24:3-5; 3:13-18 the wisdom that we have at our disposal is Gods word! There is a joy in fulfilling Gods word!

Ephesians 4:29-5:2 this verse is most applicable in our communications with our spouse. Grieving holy spirit when i am filled with bitterness, rage, and anger...ect!

Romans 14:1-3 we are not wrong we are just different. We are different for a good reason, so that we display the full image of God!

Without forgiveness there will be no progress in your relationship. Let things go in the spirit of canceling a debt.

Colossians 3:1-8 building with the wrong tools will destroy your home!

Colossians 3:12-14 using the right tools will allow you to build what God designed your home to be.

You have to decide which tools you are going to build with, either a righteous tool box or an unrighteous tool box.

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Dream home. Home improvement

Matthew 7:24-29

The storms are coming no matter how awesome your marriage is. You will have to weather a storm!

Proverbs 14:11; Ezekiel 33:32 We have to put the word into practice!

Galatians 5:22-25 keep in step with the spirit. The spirit does what is from God.

James 1:22-25 what do you see? Being obedient to Gods word will transform any situation and give you freedom!

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Dream home. Communion thought.

Matthew 11:28-30 we are suppose to learn from Jesus the attributes of meekness and humility!

Greeks considered their horses as meek once the trainer new that the horse had become obedient to every command. The horse never lost its power but channeled that power into accomplishing the task of his master!

Meekness and humility are not attributes that the world values. They are tossed aside as a weakness.

Jesus's ultimate example of meekness and humility was on full display in the garden of gethsemane and the days leading to the cross! Jesus full of power with 10 legions of angels at his disposal became meek to glorify God and fulfill God's will.

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The kingdom!

The kingdom!

Luke 12:35-48

Jesus parables were his way of teaching moral truths in a way that we can understand it. What is Jesus trying to teach us? Service in the kingdom! The servant must be ready to serve! Get ready to go to work doing Gods will and eagerly await the return of our master! To serve God we have to have our light ready to go in dark places, eyes wide open looking for an opportunity to serve!

Citizens of the kingdom must be serving. Being ready is not enough. We must act and get to work! Luke 12:42-44. Jesus is returning and he has expectations for us when he comes! Are you at work meeting the physical needs in your community? Are you at work meeting the emotional needs.

Reward or punishment waits! God is passionate about service! He wants his possessions taken care of. No amount of righteous doctrine can save an unserving soul!

Galatians 5:13-14 we were remade to serve!










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