Let's K.I.S.S. In our marriage.
Ephesians 5:1-2, 25-27
I am called to be an imitator of Gods love. "Agape" love. Unconditional love! I need to love my wife's weaknesses and her strengths (not sin).
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Substitute your name in this scripture for each characteristic described. Jesus is the only name that truly fits; however, we need to be like Jesus.
I need to work hard to forgive quickly and not hold any record of wrongs.
Practicals from our marriage. Take responsibility for our own spiritual walk with God. We do not rely on each other to help make us spiritual. We are both committed to our own times with God. We pray together daily.we accept each other where we are at. The goal of marriage is not to think alike but to think together.
We need to believe that our children are affected positively and negatively by our marriages! We need strong marriages to help raise our kids to know God.
It is a learning process to understand our biblical roles as husband and wife.
My goal and my role as a husband is to see both of us in the arms of Jesus.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Marriage and Parenting
Marriage and parenting and how they impact each other.
Ephesians 6:1-3
When you are training a child they must first learn that they are an individual and under authority. Just like our kids, we are under authority too. Under the authority of God and our kids need to know that. We teach then how to submit to Gods authority through submitting to our authority.
We need to live the life that we call our children to live. We are their primary example.
Obedience is to obey the first time!
Kids do need a process of appeal. 4 different parenting styles. Dictatorship, authoritative, permissive and indifference. The worst style is a dictatorship and the best style is the authoritative style which uses communication. The appeal has to be done in a respective way and in the process of being obedient.
Spanking is politically incorrect but biblically mandated! Spanking should always be done with communication.
Character development is so important in who you children will grow up to become!
Making too many rules is a mistake. It takes a lot of time to communicate and build character than it is to just set a bunch of rules.
Eye contact is important too. Unless you have eye contact you are not reaching your kids hearts and they are not focusing on what you are trying to teach them.
It's important to get input from others about what they see in your kids. Other people are not going to be sentimental and can see your children in a way that you don't. Input in what your kids strengths and weaknesses is very important.
Proverbs 20:11
Another signs of how our kids are doing is based on the friends that they are choosing.
You don't want to set a standard higher than they can attain or a standard so low that they don't need Gods help to attain it!
No area should be hands off in our kids development. Especially the sexual area!
Your marriage has to always be center stage! No matter how demanding raising your children it may be, your marriage always has to be first priority!
The "Love Sandwich" in communicating with our kids. Like a sandwich your have three parts. First the bread by encouraging your kids then the meat in addressing what every needs to be addresses and then the last piece of bread in closing with how much God loves them and how he is going to help them.
Proverbs 1:7-19
Peer pressure is simply living in the fear of man rather than in the fear of God.
Developing a shepherding relationship is important with our older kids. My vulnerability and verbal encouragement is huge in developing a shepherding relationship with your kids! Deal with broad themes and do not nitpick everything. Chose your battles.
Ephesians 6:1-3
When you are training a child they must first learn that they are an individual and under authority. Just like our kids, we are under authority too. Under the authority of God and our kids need to know that. We teach then how to submit to Gods authority through submitting to our authority.
We need to live the life that we call our children to live. We are their primary example.
Obedience is to obey the first time!
Kids do need a process of appeal. 4 different parenting styles. Dictatorship, authoritative, permissive and indifference. The worst style is a dictatorship and the best style is the authoritative style which uses communication. The appeal has to be done in a respective way and in the process of being obedient.
Spanking is politically incorrect but biblically mandated! Spanking should always be done with communication.
Character development is so important in who you children will grow up to become!
Making too many rules is a mistake. It takes a lot of time to communicate and build character than it is to just set a bunch of rules.
Eye contact is important too. Unless you have eye contact you are not reaching your kids hearts and they are not focusing on what you are trying to teach them.
It's important to get input from others about what they see in your kids. Other people are not going to be sentimental and can see your children in a way that you don't. Input in what your kids strengths and weaknesses is very important.
Proverbs 20:11
Another signs of how our kids are doing is based on the friends that they are choosing.
You don't want to set a standard higher than they can attain or a standard so low that they don't need Gods help to attain it!
No area should be hands off in our kids development. Especially the sexual area!
Your marriage has to always be center stage! No matter how demanding raising your children it may be, your marriage always has to be first priority!
The "Love Sandwich" in communicating with our kids. Like a sandwich your have three parts. First the bread by encouraging your kids then the meat in addressing what every needs to be addresses and then the last piece of bread in closing with how much God loves them and how he is going to help them.
Proverbs 1:7-19
Peer pressure is simply living in the fear of man rather than in the fear of God.
Developing a shepherding relationship is important with our older kids. My vulnerability and verbal encouragement is huge in developing a shepherding relationship with your kids! Deal with broad themes and do not nitpick everything. Chose your battles.
Friday, March 21, 2014
The Importance of Family Devotionals
The importance of Family Devotionals
(Purpose of this lesson is to communicate the importance of having consistent family devotional times as well as present tips for family devotional)
These are challenges that all people face, but especially as teens.
Dating
Marriage
Sex
Social media
Drugs/alcohol
Pornography
Self-Image
Peer pressure/bullying
Respect
Responsibility
Anger
Depression
Rebelliousness
2009 Lifeway Survey – 2900 Christians, 90% had “desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do”; only 19% read Bible daily
Stands to reason that the % of families who have consistent family devotionals is lower.
One of our main goals this year is to get consistent, dynamic, vulnerable, bonding, open communication, Bible centered family times. We want these times to become the norm, not the rarity. If you are having them consistently every week, that is great and you can help the families/parents that are having a difficult time.
Why are family devotionals important?
God Commanded Us to Teach Our Children
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
God Tells Us That It Will Have A Long Term Impact
Proverbs 22:6
6 Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
What are the benefits of family devotionals?
Increase closeness with your spouse
Increase closeness with children
Build your faith in God’s promises; individually and as a family
Build effective communication
Increase desire to seek God
Advance spiritual growth
Provide insight for living life
Provide comfort/encouragement
Prepare us to share our faith
Build a Christ centered home
If we know family devotionals are important and their significant benefits, we should strive to be consistent in having them.
Deuteronomy 4:9-10
9 Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 10 Remember the day you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people before me to hear my words so that they may learn to revere me as long as they live in the land and may teach them to their children.”
Some reasons we may not have consistent family devotionals:
We forget
We let them fade from our heart and replace with something else
We are all in different spiritual conditions. No matter where we may be, we can begin training within our households.
Our goal is to establish a consistent time to have family devotionals. Talk with your family and decide on a day and time. This will be your priority. If teens have a lot of homework, work around it, work ahead of time.
If we already have established devotionals, great. If not, let’s begin.
Additional Scriptures for Study:
Ephesians 6:4
4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
2 Timothy 3:14-15
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Genesis 18:18-19
18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
Joshua 24:14-15
14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Psalm 78:1-7
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
Spring Revival
Spring Revival
Every year spring allows us to start over. The clocks change, the flowers come out, and nature resets itself in many ways.
A revival is a similar event. Revivals bring change and call people back to God. A revival is for the spiritually dead. It is a call to wake up!
Barnes study in 1999 said that the divorce rate was significantly higher among conservative Christian groups than any other religion. The conclusion was that churches today really do help marriages or provide the resources to help marriages last.
The church is dead in many ways and needs a revival!
Acts 9:1-19
A revival is about 2nd chances! Paul needed redirection and a 2nd chance! God is a God of second chances!
Paul was convinced that he was right. Paul was living with convictions that his traditions were right. Paul later went into many cities and proved through scripture that Jesus was the son of God. What changed? The evidence was always there in scripture but Paul held to his own traditions and refused to see Gods word the way God intended it!
Paul was sincere, intelligent, religious and full of passion; however, fully wrong!
Do we try to deal with God on our own terms? "I want to worship God the way I want to worship God"! Many people today want to live their lives on their own terms. We cannot worship God the way we want, we must worship him the way he calls us to!
Paul new that following Jesus would separate him from all of his friends, cost him his Job, separate him from his family...etc! Paul needed a 2nd chance but understood it would cost him! Paul took advantage of the 2nd chance that God had giving him regardless of the cost he would have to pay.
Acts 9:20-22
Paul took advantage of his second chance immediately!
Acts 22:3-29
Every year spring allows us to start over. The clocks change, the flowers come out, and nature resets itself in many ways.
A revival is a similar event. Revivals bring change and call people back to God. A revival is for the spiritually dead. It is a call to wake up!
Barnes study in 1999 said that the divorce rate was significantly higher among conservative Christian groups than any other religion. The conclusion was that churches today really do help marriages or provide the resources to help marriages last.
The church is dead in many ways and needs a revival!
Acts 9:1-19
A revival is about 2nd chances! Paul needed redirection and a 2nd chance! God is a God of second chances!
Paul was convinced that he was right. Paul was living with convictions that his traditions were right. Paul later went into many cities and proved through scripture that Jesus was the son of God. What changed? The evidence was always there in scripture but Paul held to his own traditions and refused to see Gods word the way God intended it!
Paul was sincere, intelligent, religious and full of passion; however, fully wrong!
Do we try to deal with God on our own terms? "I want to worship God the way I want to worship God"! Many people today want to live their lives on their own terms. We cannot worship God the way we want, we must worship him the way he calls us to!
Paul new that following Jesus would separate him from all of his friends, cost him his Job, separate him from his family...etc! Paul needed a 2nd chance but understood it would cost him! Paul took advantage of the 2nd chance that God had giving him regardless of the cost he would have to pay.
Acts 9:20-22
Paul took advantage of his second chance immediately!
Acts 22:3-29
Guarding Your Identity!
Guarding Your Identity!
Matthew 16:13-19
This is a major turning point in Jesus ministry and development in the disciples he has been teaching for the last three years. Vs 21 explains that after this event Jesus started to prepare his disciples for the cross.
It's easy to see Jesus miracles and understand that he is from God if we are willing to believe. What is hard for many of us is to believe that he would chose a sinner like me and use me in the ways that he wants to use my life!
1 Peter 2:9-10
My identity in Christ is important. I need to remember who I'am in Christ and know that through Jesus I can be the man that God calls me to be!
God sees people in one of two ways. In the light or in the darkness. God loves both people the same. Scripture says that while we were still sinners God sent his son to die for us. It's not about where we come from, our financial status, education level...etc. God is only concerned with whether we are saved or not saved!
My identity is based on this. Either I have mercy or no mercy! Based on my identity my life should reflect one of the two people. If I am saved then my life should reflect that.
God is the only one who knows my value. He created me and he is the only one who knows what I am worth! Regardless of the mistakes that we make in our lives God sees us differently than we do.
When I forget who I am then I am forgetting God. There is no way to separate it.
My identity should produce righteous living!
1 Corinthians 4:1 entrusted with the secrets of God.
Matthew 16:13-19
This is a major turning point in Jesus ministry and development in the disciples he has been teaching for the last three years. Vs 21 explains that after this event Jesus started to prepare his disciples for the cross.
It's easy to see Jesus miracles and understand that he is from God if we are willing to believe. What is hard for many of us is to believe that he would chose a sinner like me and use me in the ways that he wants to use my life!
1 Peter 2:9-10
My identity in Christ is important. I need to remember who I'am in Christ and know that through Jesus I can be the man that God calls me to be!
God sees people in one of two ways. In the light or in the darkness. God loves both people the same. Scripture says that while we were still sinners God sent his son to die for us. It's not about where we come from, our financial status, education level...etc. God is only concerned with whether we are saved or not saved!
My identity is based on this. Either I have mercy or no mercy! Based on my identity my life should reflect one of the two people. If I am saved then my life should reflect that.
God is the only one who knows my value. He created me and he is the only one who knows what I am worth! Regardless of the mistakes that we make in our lives God sees us differently than we do.
When I forget who I am then I am forgetting God. There is no way to separate it.
My identity should produce righteous living!
1 Corinthians 4:1 entrusted with the secrets of God.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Spiritual growth
Spiritual growth
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:14-15
Spiritual maturity is obtained by finding out what gifts I have, where I'm needed and how I can serve in using them.
What gifts has God giving me? How am I using them?
Mark 1:19-20; Mark 3:17 ;Luke 9:51-56; John 19:25-27 johns life transformed!
John wrote about love more than all the other gospels. No where in the bible does the topic love come up more than in the books of John!
1 John 3:16
John was made a passionate man, but god made him a compassionate man.
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:14-15
Spiritual maturity is obtained by finding out what gifts I have, where I'm needed and how I can serve in using them.
What gifts has God giving me? How am I using them?
Mark 1:19-20; Mark 3:17 ;Luke 9:51-56; John 19:25-27 johns life transformed!
John wrote about love more than all the other gospels. No where in the bible does the topic love come up more than in the books of John!
1 John 3:16
John was made a passionate man, but god made him a compassionate man.
When Kings Go Off To War!
At the time that kings go to war!
I am in a battle! A war! A spiritual war and the stakes are high! My family is at stake. The ruler of the world (satan) has declared war on my family!
2 Samuel 11:1-27
David stayed home and chose not to go in to battle. When you stop fighting is when satan attacks! As a husband and father we can learn some strong things about David's life!
When David should have been leading his army in battle he was passive and let Joan do the job God had given to him!
The 3 N's
Neglect!
Neglecting my family comes in many forms but most of all is when I stop investing and put the time in for my marriage and family. Meeting my wife's needs. Being there for my kids. Neglect spiritually by not reading Gods word and not leading my family spiritually.
Nonchalance!
Not caring, no concerns, out of touch and with no desire! Lack of conviction! I need to fight for my wife and stand up to her with convictions to protect her. My kids need emotional connection and I can not allow my self to be unemotional and unconnected!
Naivety!
Being naive and not seeing the spiritual struggle that my family is in! I am called to be different from the world and to lead my family to be different from the world. I have to be in touch with where my family is at spiritually!
As a father I am accountable to God for the influence he has given me over my wife and kids!
I am in a battle! A war! A spiritual war and the stakes are high! My family is at stake. The ruler of the world (satan) has declared war on my family!
2 Samuel 11:1-27
David stayed home and chose not to go in to battle. When you stop fighting is when satan attacks! As a husband and father we can learn some strong things about David's life!
When David should have been leading his army in battle he was passive and let Joan do the job God had given to him!
The 3 N's
Neglect!
Neglecting my family comes in many forms but most of all is when I stop investing and put the time in for my marriage and family. Meeting my wife's needs. Being there for my kids. Neglect spiritually by not reading Gods word and not leading my family spiritually.
Nonchalance!
Not caring, no concerns, out of touch and with no desire! Lack of conviction! I need to fight for my wife and stand up to her with convictions to protect her. My kids need emotional connection and I can not allow my self to be unemotional and unconnected!
Naivety!
Being naive and not seeing the spiritual struggle that my family is in! I am called to be different from the world and to lead my family to be different from the world. I have to be in touch with where my family is at spiritually!
As a father I am accountable to God for the influence he has given me over my wife and kids!
The pain of avoiding conflict!
The pain of avoiding conflict!
Avoiding conflict starts with conflict.
2 Samuel 6:5, 16, 20-23
Because of avoiding conflict david and his wife had no children together.
2 Samuel 13
Not dealing with sin is avoiding conflict.
David's sons were in conflict and David does not deal with it. One of David's sons rapes his daughter and David does nothing. As a result one of David's son kills another son! Not dealing with conflict breads sin and destruction!
Initially it is easier to avoid conflict but in the long run it is harder to deal with. Conflict is seasonal and recurring! When we are in the season of conflict we need to follow it through until the end of it! God gave his people times of war and times of peace! If conflicts are not passing then we need to seek help!
Dealing with conflict is beneficial. David did not deal with conflict and just passed it on to his children. David gave instructions to his son Solomon to kill all the people that he had issues with! Instead of dealing with his problems on his own he handed his son Solomon a hit list to have him deal with the conflict.
How am I avoiding conflict in my marriage? What about with my kids?
Avoiding conflict starts with conflict.
2 Samuel 6:5, 16, 20-23
Because of avoiding conflict david and his wife had no children together.
2 Samuel 13
Not dealing with sin is avoiding conflict.
David's sons were in conflict and David does not deal with it. One of David's sons rapes his daughter and David does nothing. As a result one of David's son kills another son! Not dealing with conflict breads sin and destruction!
Initially it is easier to avoid conflict but in the long run it is harder to deal with. Conflict is seasonal and recurring! When we are in the season of conflict we need to follow it through until the end of it! God gave his people times of war and times of peace! If conflicts are not passing then we need to seek help!
Dealing with conflict is beneficial. David did not deal with conflict and just passed it on to his children. David gave instructions to his son Solomon to kill all the people that he had issues with! Instead of dealing with his problems on his own he handed his son Solomon a hit list to have him deal with the conflict.
How am I avoiding conflict in my marriage? What about with my kids?
The pain of avoiding discipline!
The pain of avoiding discipline!
Job 5:17; Psalms 94; Proverbs 3:11-13; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 13:24
Hebrews 12:4-13
Discipline is for Gods people! Inside the kingdom of God there is discipline! God is my legitimate father and has the right to discipline me! As a Christian we cannot avoid discipline. I need Gods discipline to grow. My job is to endure Gods discipline, not run away from it!
God does not discipline us out of anger but out of love! God disciplines us so that we can share in Gods holiness! Discipline is not meant to be pleasant. I need to work at this so that I can strength in my weak and feeble knees!
Job 5:17; Psalms 94; Proverbs 3:11-13; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 13:24
Hebrews 12:4-13
Discipline is for Gods people! Inside the kingdom of God there is discipline! God is my legitimate father and has the right to discipline me! As a Christian we cannot avoid discipline. I need Gods discipline to grow. My job is to endure Gods discipline, not run away from it!
God does not discipline us out of anger but out of love! God disciplines us so that we can share in Gods holiness! Discipline is not meant to be pleasant. I need to work at this so that I can strength in my weak and feeble knees!
We were born to love!
We were born to love!
We live in a culture today where the world has used biblical terms and redefined them to where they do not have the same meaning! Watered down definitions.
"Born Again" and "love" are good examples of this.
1 Peter 1:22-2:1-3
Sometimes we need to reject our culture and the status quo!
1 Peter 1:17-21
The American definition of love is strictly a feeling and you can't make a heart feel something it does not feel! This is not the definition of Love as God defines love!
There is no such thing as saving faith apart from obedient faith!
Romans 1:5; 10:16; 16:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; John 3:36; acts 6:7
This does not mean that true Christians never disobey God but it does mean that there is no such thing as a chronic disobedient Christian who does not live their life according to Gods word!
We live in a culture today where the world has used biblical terms and redefined them to where they do not have the same meaning! Watered down definitions.
"Born Again" and "love" are good examples of this.
1 Peter 1:22-2:1-3
Sometimes we need to reject our culture and the status quo!
1 Peter 1:17-21
The American definition of love is strictly a feeling and you can't make a heart feel something it does not feel! This is not the definition of Love as God defines love!
There is no such thing as saving faith apart from obedient faith!
Romans 1:5; 10:16; 16:26; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; John 3:36; acts 6:7
This does not mean that true Christians never disobey God but it does mean that there is no such thing as a chronic disobedient Christian who does not live their life according to Gods word!
The God of the small and big problems.
The God of the small and big problems.
2 Kings 6:1-7; 8-23; 24-7:2
Questions the Israelites had after being exciled. Am I still forgiven? Does God still Love us? Are we Gods people? Do we still have a relationship? What does God want from us now?...etc
Elisha use a miracle to solve a problem that for us seemed insignificant but to the guy who lost the axe, it was a huge problem!
God is the everyday, even in small things; all powerful God!
Regardless of how small we think a problem is we need to rely on God with it! When we do things on our own and we succeed we are training ourselves to do things on our own and when bigger problems come we try to do those things as well and before we know we are doing everything on our own strength and God is out of the picture!
When the big problems come do we believe that God is bigger?!
I need to rely on God in EVERYTHING!!!
Vs 24-31 we tend to blame God for our big problems.
Right in the hour of their greatest need when they needed God the most they turned their back on God and he was only one day a way from providing a miracle.
Complete and total deliverance was only a day away!
Trusting God in the small problems helps us trust God in the tough problems!
2 kings 7:9 today is a day of good news! God is big enough! God can solve all my problems big and small! Who am I sharing this with?
2 Kings 6:1-7; 8-23; 24-7:2
Questions the Israelites had after being exciled. Am I still forgiven? Does God still Love us? Are we Gods people? Do we still have a relationship? What does God want from us now?...etc
Elisha use a miracle to solve a problem that for us seemed insignificant but to the guy who lost the axe, it was a huge problem!
God is the everyday, even in small things; all powerful God!
Regardless of how small we think a problem is we need to rely on God with it! When we do things on our own and we succeed we are training ourselves to do things on our own and when bigger problems come we try to do those things as well and before we know we are doing everything on our own strength and God is out of the picture!
When the big problems come do we believe that God is bigger?!
I need to rely on God in EVERYTHING!!!
Vs 24-31 we tend to blame God for our big problems.
Right in the hour of their greatest need when they needed God the most they turned their back on God and he was only one day a way from providing a miracle.
Complete and total deliverance was only a day away!
Trusting God in the small problems helps us trust God in the tough problems!
2 kings 7:9 today is a day of good news! God is big enough! God can solve all my problems big and small! Who am I sharing this with?
The pain of not reconciling!
The pain of not reconciling!
2 Samuel 14:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:13-21
Reconciliation is so important to god! As a disciple I am an ambassador to Gods reconciliation! Our children learn how to reconcile conflict from us. They need to be taught by me to learn how to reconcile conflicts. With out reconciliation the heart hardens!
Ephesians 4:26 there needs to be urgency in conflict resolutions!
2 Samuel 14:33 physical touch is important in the reconciliation process!
I'm sorry, please forgive me, I forgive you and I love! This is reconciling! Reaffirmation is such an important part of reconciliation. Reconciliation is not complete unless both parties are ready to reaffirm the relationship.
David was a bad example of reconciliation but we have Jesus as our example and he is the ultimate example of reconciliation!
2 Samuel 14:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:13-21
Reconciliation is so important to god! As a disciple I am an ambassador to Gods reconciliation! Our children learn how to reconcile conflict from us. They need to be taught by me to learn how to reconcile conflicts. With out reconciliation the heart hardens!
Ephesians 4:26 there needs to be urgency in conflict resolutions!
2 Samuel 14:33 physical touch is important in the reconciliation process!
I'm sorry, please forgive me, I forgive you and I love! This is reconciling! Reaffirmation is such an important part of reconciliation. Reconciliation is not complete unless both parties are ready to reaffirm the relationship.
David was a bad example of reconciliation but we have Jesus as our example and he is the ultimate example of reconciliation!
Attitude of gratitude!
Attitude of gratitude!
Luke 17:11-19
This story is not about the healing of the ten with leprosy but about the response of the one that came back and gave thanks to Jesus.
This guy was a Samaritan! What implications does his nationality have on this story?
The other nine probably rushed to be with their family and enjoy the blessing they had just received! This Samaritan chose to go back and give praise to God before he did anything else!
Romans 1:24-30
Foolish hearts and hardening of the heart starts with not having gratitude for God. Knowing who God is and not acknowledging him! The descent into sin starts with an ungrateful heart!
So why doe we struggle with living in gratitude? Not just having gratitude but living a life of gratitude! It comes to us not think our sinful nature is really that bad. For example if you got a traffic ticket and some offered to die for you so you didn't have to pay it we would think that was crazy. We don't see all sin as deserving death. If we did we would appreciate Gods grace in every aspect of our lives!
How do I feel for what God has giving me in my life? The world wants us to be discontent and not great flu for what we have. When we lack gratitude we start to rly on our own strength to get what we want instead of trusting God and relying on him!!
Practicals:
1.) Make a list of the things you are great full.
2.) Pray and thank god for what you have and refrain from asking God for things you want all the time.
3.) thanking people in your life and taking time out to show them your gratitude.
Jesus never commanded the other 9 to return; however, in his response to the one that returned we see that it was implied that they should have gave praise to God and showed gratitude.
There is a disconnect sometimes between us feeling grateful and then actually living in gratitude. It requires action for us to be truly grateful!
Luke 17:17
Jesus said "your faith has made you well". Does this mean that the other 9 were not healed. The word used here means literally saved. This guys gratitude brought him not only physical healing but rather salvation spiritually!
Luke 17:11-19
This story is not about the healing of the ten with leprosy but about the response of the one that came back and gave thanks to Jesus.
This guy was a Samaritan! What implications does his nationality have on this story?
The other nine probably rushed to be with their family and enjoy the blessing they had just received! This Samaritan chose to go back and give praise to God before he did anything else!
Romans 1:24-30
Foolish hearts and hardening of the heart starts with not having gratitude for God. Knowing who God is and not acknowledging him! The descent into sin starts with an ungrateful heart!
So why doe we struggle with living in gratitude? Not just having gratitude but living a life of gratitude! It comes to us not think our sinful nature is really that bad. For example if you got a traffic ticket and some offered to die for you so you didn't have to pay it we would think that was crazy. We don't see all sin as deserving death. If we did we would appreciate Gods grace in every aspect of our lives!
How do I feel for what God has giving me in my life? The world wants us to be discontent and not great flu for what we have. When we lack gratitude we start to rly on our own strength to get what we want instead of trusting God and relying on him!!
Practicals:
1.) Make a list of the things you are great full.
2.) Pray and thank god for what you have and refrain from asking God for things you want all the time.
3.) thanking people in your life and taking time out to show them your gratitude.
Jesus never commanded the other 9 to return; however, in his response to the one that returned we see that it was implied that they should have gave praise to God and showed gratitude.
There is a disconnect sometimes between us feeling grateful and then actually living in gratitude. It requires action for us to be truly grateful!
Luke 17:17
Jesus said "your faith has made you well". Does this mean that the other 9 were not healed. The word used here means literally saved. This guys gratitude brought him not only physical healing but rather salvation spiritually!
Wants vs Needs
Wants vs Needs
Many people came to Jesus for physical healing and Jesus did not heal everyone. Jesus is more concerned for spiritual healing. We can't always get what we want but God will give us what we need!
Have it your way is the philosophy of the world.
Jesus does not specialize in giving us what we want but in what we need!
John 6:1-15
Jesus gave them free food which is what they wanted...free food! The crowd gores and they meet him on the other side of the lake. Jesus is about to give the crowd what they need.
John 6:25-27
Why am I following Jesus? What need am I trying to meet. Is it what I want or what I need? Jesus addresses what the crowd wants and how it is opposed to what God wants from them.
John 6:28-40
Jesus is not worried about anything but eternity. Vs. 31 the crowd tries to quote scripture to justify what they want.
What am I waiting for? Has Jesus not blessed me enough already? Has he performed enough miracles in my life already?
John 6:41-66
When god says no he is not going to give us what we want, how do we respond? Do I grumble and complain about what I don't get or do I focus on what I need that God is trying to give me?
The problem is that I don't like being told no and I am not content with what God has given me!
Is God enough in my life? The answer to this question determines how grateful I am for my relationship with God.
We need to stop focusing on finances, relationships, material things....etc Trust that God will take care of all of these things on His time.
John 6:67-69
Jesus is the only way! Is this my attitude? Do I believe this wholeheartedly?
Many people came to Jesus for physical healing and Jesus did not heal everyone. Jesus is more concerned for spiritual healing. We can't always get what we want but God will give us what we need!
Have it your way is the philosophy of the world.
Jesus does not specialize in giving us what we want but in what we need!
John 6:1-15
Jesus gave them free food which is what they wanted...free food! The crowd gores and they meet him on the other side of the lake. Jesus is about to give the crowd what they need.
John 6:25-27
Why am I following Jesus? What need am I trying to meet. Is it what I want or what I need? Jesus addresses what the crowd wants and how it is opposed to what God wants from them.
John 6:28-40
Jesus is not worried about anything but eternity. Vs. 31 the crowd tries to quote scripture to justify what they want.
What am I waiting for? Has Jesus not blessed me enough already? Has he performed enough miracles in my life already?
John 6:41-66
When god says no he is not going to give us what we want, how do we respond? Do I grumble and complain about what I don't get or do I focus on what I need that God is trying to give me?
The problem is that I don't like being told no and I am not content with what God has given me!
Is God enough in my life? The answer to this question determines how grateful I am for my relationship with God.
We need to stop focusing on finances, relationships, material things....etc Trust that God will take care of all of these things on His time.
John 6:67-69
Jesus is the only way! Is this my attitude? Do I believe this wholeheartedly?
Monday, February 10, 2014
Fwd: The God of the small and big problems.
The God of the small and big problems.
2 Kings 6:1-7; 8-23; 24-7:2
Questions the Israelites had after being exiled. Am I still forgiven? Does God still Love us? Are we Gods people? Do we still have a relationship? What does God want from us now?...etc
Elisha use a miracle to solve a problem that for us seemed insignificant but to the guy who lost the axe, it was a huge problem!
God is the everyday, even in small things; all powerful God!
Regardless of how small we think a problem is we need to rely on God with it! When we do things on our own and we succeed we are training ourselves to do things on our own and when bigger problems come we try to do those things as well and before we know we are doing everything on our own strength and God is out of the picture!
When the big problems come do we believe that God is bigger?!
I need to rely on God in EVERYTHING!!!
Vs 24-31 we tend to blame God for our big problems.
Right in the hour of their greatest need when they needed God the most they turned their back on God and he was only one day a way from providing a miracle.
Complete and total deliverance was only a day away!
Trusting God in the small problems helps us trust God in the tough problems!
2 kings 7:9 today is a day of good news! God is big enough! God can solve all my problems big and small! Who am I sharing this with?
2 Kings 6:1-7; 8-23; 24-7:2
Questions the Israelites had after being exiled. Am I still forgiven? Does God still Love us? Are we Gods people? Do we still have a relationship? What does God want from us now?...etc
Elisha use a miracle to solve a problem that for us seemed insignificant but to the guy who lost the axe, it was a huge problem!
God is the everyday, even in small things; all powerful God!
Regardless of how small we think a problem is we need to rely on God with it! When we do things on our own and we succeed we are training ourselves to do things on our own and when bigger problems come we try to do those things as well and before we know we are doing everything on our own strength and God is out of the picture!
When the big problems come do we believe that God is bigger?!
I need to rely on God in EVERYTHING!!!
Vs 24-31 we tend to blame God for our big problems.
Right in the hour of their greatest need when they needed God the most they turned their back on God and he was only one day a way from providing a miracle.
Complete and total deliverance was only a day away!
Trusting God in the small problems helps us trust God in the tough problems!
2 kings 7:9 today is a day of good news! God is big enough! God can solve all my problems big and small! Who am I sharing this with?
Fwd: The pain of not reconciling!
The pain of not reconciling!
2 Samuel 14:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:13-21
Reconciliation is so important to god! As a disciple I am an ambassador to Gods reconciliation! Our children learn how to reconcile conflict from us. They need to be taught by me to learn how to reconcile conflicts. With out reconciliation the heart hardens!
Ephesians 4:26 there needs to be urgency in conflict resolutions!
2 Samuel 14:33 physical touch is important in the reconciliation process!
I'm sorry, please forgive me, I forgive you and I love! This is reconciling! Reaffirmation is such an important part of reconciliation. Reconciliation is not complete unless both parties are ready to reaffirm the relationship.
David was a bad example of reconciliation but we have Jesus as our example and he is the ultimate example of reconciliation!
2 Samuel 14:13-15; 2 Corinthians 5:13-21
Reconciliation is so important to god! As a disciple I am an ambassador to Gods reconciliation! Our children learn how to reconcile conflict from us. They need to be taught by me to learn how to reconcile conflicts. With out reconciliation the heart hardens!
Ephesians 4:26 there needs to be urgency in conflict resolutions!
2 Samuel 14:33 physical touch is important in the reconciliation process!
I'm sorry, please forgive me, I forgive you and I love! This is reconciling! Reaffirmation is such an important part of reconciliation. Reconciliation is not complete unless both parties are ready to reaffirm the relationship.
David was a bad example of reconciliation but we have Jesus as our example and he is the ultimate example of reconciliation!
Fwd: The pain of avoiding conflict!
The pain of avoiding conflict!
Avoiding conflict starts with conflict.
2 Samuel 6:5, 16, 20-23
Because of avoiding conflict david and his wife had no children together.
2 Samuel 13
Not dealing with sin is avoiding conflict.
David's sons were in conflict and David does not deal with it. One of David's sons rapes his daughter and David does nothing. As a result one of David's son kills another son! Not dealing with conflict breads sin and destruction!
Initially it is easier to avoid conflict but in the long run it is harder to deal with. Conflict is seasonal and recurring! When we are in the season of conflict we need to follow it through until the end of it! God gave his people times of war and times of peace! If conflicts are not passing then we need to seek help!
Dealing with conflict is beneficial. David did not deal with conflict and just passed it on to his children. David gave instructions to his son Solomon to kill all the people that he had issues with! Instead of dealing with his problems on his own he handed his son Solomon a hit list to have him deal with the conflict.
How am I avoiding conflict in my marriage? What about with my kids?
Avoiding conflict starts with conflict.
2 Samuel 6:5, 16, 20-23
Because of avoiding conflict david and his wife had no children together.
2 Samuel 13
Not dealing with sin is avoiding conflict.
David's sons were in conflict and David does not deal with it. One of David's sons rapes his daughter and David does nothing. As a result one of David's son kills another son! Not dealing with conflict breads sin and destruction!
Initially it is easier to avoid conflict but in the long run it is harder to deal with. Conflict is seasonal and recurring! When we are in the season of conflict we need to follow it through until the end of it! God gave his people times of war and times of peace! If conflicts are not passing then we need to seek help!
Dealing with conflict is beneficial. David did not deal with conflict and just passed it on to his children. David gave instructions to his son Solomon to kill all the people that he had issues with! Instead of dealing with his problems on his own he handed his son Solomon a hit list to have him deal with the conflict.
How am I avoiding conflict in my marriage? What about with my kids?
Fwd: The pain of avoiding discipline!
The pain of avoiding discipline!
Job 5:17; Psalms 94; Proverbs 3:11-13; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 13:24
Hebrews 12:4-13
Discipline is for Gods people! Inside the kingdom of God there is discipline! God is my legitimate father and has the right to discipline me! As a Christian we cannot avoid discipline. I need Gods discipline to grow. My job is to endure Gods discipline, not run away from it!
God does not discipline us out of anger but out of love! God disciplines us so that we can share in Gods holiness! Discipline is not meant to be pleasant. I need to work at this so that I can strength in my weak and feeble knees!
Job 5:17; Psalms 94; Proverbs 3:11-13; Proverbs 5; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 19:18; Proverbs 13:24
Hebrews 12:4-13
Discipline is for Gods people! Inside the kingdom of God there is discipline! God is my legitimate father and has the right to discipline me! As a Christian we cannot avoid discipline. I need Gods discipline to grow. My job is to endure Gods discipline, not run away from it!
God does not discipline us out of anger but out of love! God disciplines us so that we can share in Gods holiness! Discipline is not meant to be pleasant. I need to work at this so that I can strength in my weak and feeble knees!
Fwd: At the time that kings go to war!
At the time that kings go to war!
I am in a battle! A war! A spiritual war and the stakes are high! My family is at stake. The ruler of the world (Satan) has declared war on my family!
2 Samuel 11:1-27
David stayed home and chose not to go in to battle. When you stop fighting is when satan attacks! As a husband and father we can learn some strong things about David's life!
When David should have been leading his army in battle he was passive and let Joan do the job God had given to him!
The 3 N's
Neglect!
Neglecting my family comes in many forms but most of all is when I stop investing and put the time in for my marriage and family. Meeting my wife's needs. Being there for my kids. Neglect spiritually by not reading Gods word and not leading my family spiritually.
Nonchalance!
Not caring, no concerns, out of touch and with no desire! Lack of conviction! I need to fight for my wife and stand up to her with convictions to protect her. My kids need emotional connection and I can not allow my self to be unemotional and unconnected!
Naivety!
Being naive and not seeing the spiritual struggle that my family is in! I am called to be different from the world and to lead my family to be different from the world. I have to be in touch with where my family is at spiritually!
As a father I am accountable to God for the influence he has given me over my wife and kids!
I am in a battle! A war! A spiritual war and the stakes are high! My family is at stake. The ruler of the world (Satan) has declared war on my family!
2 Samuel 11:1-27
David stayed home and chose not to go in to battle. When you stop fighting is when satan attacks! As a husband and father we can learn some strong things about David's life!
When David should have been leading his army in battle he was passive and let Joan do the job God had given to him!
The 3 N's
Neglect!
Neglecting my family comes in many forms but most of all is when I stop investing and put the time in for my marriage and family. Meeting my wife's needs. Being there for my kids. Neglect spiritually by not reading Gods word and not leading my family spiritually.
Nonchalance!
Not caring, no concerns, out of touch and with no desire! Lack of conviction! I need to fight for my wife and stand up to her with convictions to protect her. My kids need emotional connection and I can not allow my self to be unemotional and unconnected!
Naivety!
Being naive and not seeing the spiritual struggle that my family is in! I am called to be different from the world and to lead my family to be different from the world. I have to be in touch with where my family is at spiritually!
As a father I am accountable to God for the influence he has given me over my wife and kids!
Fwd: Spiritual growth
Spiritual growth
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:14-15
Spiritual maturity is obtained by finding out what gifts I have, where I'm needed and how I can serve in using them.
What gifts has God giving me? How am I using them?
Mark 1:19-20; Mark 3:17 ;Luke 9:51-56; John 19:25-27 Johns life transformed!
John wrote about love more than all the other gospels. No where in the bible does the topic love come up more than in the books of John!
1 John 3:16
John was made a passionate man, but god made him a compassionate man.
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:14-15
Spiritual maturity is obtained by finding out what gifts I have, where I'm needed and how I can serve in using them.
What gifts has God giving me? How am I using them?
Mark 1:19-20; Mark 3:17 ;Luke 9:51-56; John 19:25-27 Johns life transformed!
John wrote about love more than all the other gospels. No where in the bible does the topic love come up more than in the books of John!
1 John 3:16
John was made a passionate man, but god made him a compassionate man.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
8 Principals to change.
8 Principals to change.
An object does not move unless an outside force acts upon it. It's the same way for us spiritually! We can't change with out action.
How do you go from decision to change? I need help to change.
8 Principals to change.
#1 - I will not change based on my emotions only. Change happens not by emotion but only by decisions.
Romans 12:1-2
#2 - Remove all distractions and competing priorities. Spiritually I can not continue down the same path over and over agin and expect to see change. Matthew 6:33
Hebrews 12:1-3
Ephesians 4:15-16
#3 - Share your decisions and struggles.
To have true biblical change I need the body. I need relationships to grow spiritually! Self discipline comes from other discipline from others. I need discipleship to help create self discipline.
#4 - Give yourself a deadline or timeline.
#5 - Root your decisions in scripture.
Colossians 3:6
Memorize scripture is the way to root your self into Gods word! Gods word has to live in my heart. With Gods word my actions will be Gods actions.
#6 - Commit your decisions to prayer.
When I am trying to change something I have a need and prayer helps me connect with the power that God has given us.
#7 - Give your self to others.
Philippians 2; Galatians 5:13-14
No matter what it is that I think I need to change always comes down to selfishness. Serving other people will help me change selfishness that is rooted in my sinful nature!
#8 - Focus on the unseen and don't give up!
2 Corinthians 4:13-18
Focusing on what can be seen can be discouraging! I need to focus on what is not seen, to have faith, and in vision my self changing. What is unseen is permanent!
For example: to focus on the seen in your marriage you think about the past in your marriage, the failures in your own mother and fathers marriage...etc. to focus on the unseen I look at Jesus and his bride the church. I focus on the relationship and perfect partner I have in Jesus! I focus on the power Jesus has given me to change.
To focus on the seen with regards to purity, you focus on the past. The fact that you have always struggles with purity. The fact that the world is not a pure place...etc. To focus on the unseen you think about your body being the temple of God. You think about the fact that Jesus is in you. You have the holy spirit and you worship a holy God that calls you to be Holy. You are a new creation through Christ...etc.
Hebrews 12:1-3 focus on what is unseen!!!
Hebrews 12:1-3 focus on what is unseen!!!
Fwd: After baptism, now what?
After baptism, now what?
As a new Christian, what should their focus be? Jesus! They need deep roots and it is important for us to help them develop deep roots!
The worst thing we can do is leave a new Christian alone. We need to surround them and spend more time with them in prayer and having quite times together.
They need deep friendships. We need to train them to initiate new relationships in the church.
Get them started on their mission. Evangelism and their purpose are vital to helping them establish a healthy spiritual life.
Train them in discipleship and openness and what it should look like.
Teach them early on that the kingdom is not just one more thing added to their lives but should be the number one priority in their life!
Fwd: Failure is not an option!
Failure is not an option!
How do you go from a dozen apostles to the worlds largest religion? A shaky start...Matthew 28:16...some doubted!
Jesus did not even pause and commanded them to "go" and make disciples! Doubt can be overcome with doing and being obedient! Jesus did not even address the doubt.
Matthew 28:18-20
The gospel was spread through the disciples. Jesus had all the power and authority and he has given that authority to us.
Jesus gave us a promise! He will be with us always to the very end of the age! How could God not be with us if we are obeying his word and for-filling his will! Jesus is saying go and I will take care of you, go and I am with you, go and I will carry you! Fear will not prevail.
Fwd: King David
King David
Prophet translate "Mouth piece of God", to know Gods word in OT times you needed to speak with a prophet.
Israel wanted a king and inquired to see what God would say and went through the prophet Samuel. God gives Israel what they wanted to teach them a lesson. David was the first King that God chose for his people.
Three kingdoms make up 20% of the OT. Saul, David and Solomon. To be the King that God chose David spent years being the anointed one but not the King. God worked on David, molding his heart to the point that he was able to be the king that God wanted.
Even in his shepherding deputies God was teaching David how to care for people and lead.
Spending time with God should lead me to say, "I'll do it!" This is what David did with Goliath.
Psalms 23:1-6
1 Samuel 16:7-
God chose "a man after his own heart"' no one else has God described in this way. God lead David to this point. God is leading me to have his heart.
David was anointed and then had to wait 15years to actual take over his throne! What faith David had to trust God through all the trouble that came after him.
I need to learn to walk with God and allow him to lead. Too many times I try to lead my own life. I need to follow!!
2 Samuel 15:13-37
Fwd: 1 Samuel
1 Samuel
1 and 2 Samuel written from 1100 BC to 600 BC. The story of Gods people.
1 Samuel 1:1-17
Hanna's need brought her to God. Hanna had one need and that need was a son! Hanna cried out to God and poured her soul out to the Lord.
When I have a deep need that makes me feel bitter or trapped, where does it bring me? Where do I turn?
Hanna knew that her problem was one that could only be resolved by God.
1 Samuel 1:21-27
Hanna's blessings brought her to God as well! When God blesses me does that turn me to The Lord. Do I forget God when he answers my prayers? My great fullness for what God has given me should be evident in how I give praise to Him!
1 Samuel 2:18-21
Samuel learned that God came first no matter what because of Hanna's example!
1 Timothy 4:16
The way I live can positively impact everyone around me!
1 Corinthians 15:33
Conversely the way I live can impact the people around me in a negative way!
1 and 2 Samuel written from 1100 BC to 600 BC. The story of Gods people.
1 Samuel 1:1-17
Hanna's need brought her to God. Hanna had one need and that need was a son! Hanna cried out to God and poured her soul out to the Lord.
When I have a deep need that makes me feel bitter or trapped, where does it bring me? Where do I turn?
Hanna knew that her problem was one that could only be resolved by God.
1 Samuel 1:21-27
Hanna's blessings brought her to God as well! When God blesses me does that turn me to The Lord. Do I forget God when he answers my prayers? My great fullness for what God has given me should be evident in how I give praise to Him!
1 Samuel 2:18-21
Samuel learned that God came first no matter what because of Hanna's example!
1 Timothy 4:16
The way I live can positively impact everyone around me!
1 Corinthians 15:33
Conversely the way I live can impact the people around me in a negative way!
Fwd: According to your faith.
According to your faith.
Mathew 9:27-31
The quest? These blind men were on a quest. For sight? No, they asked for mercy! Why am I here today? What quest am I on?
These guys wanted healing and were willing to follow Jesus until they got it! What ever the need may be, I need to be on a quest for mercy!
Jesus did not heal them immediately. But asked them "do you believe that Jesus is able to do this". Do I believe that Jesus has the power to give me what I need?
Is God able? This is the only question that is important!
Imitating their faith:
They asked!
Faith needs to be persistent. ( they asked all day long )
They did not doubt (Isaiah 35 prophesied that the messiah would heal the blind)
They waited for Jesus to heal them
They shared their faith with others.
I need to be on a continual quest. When Jesus heals or provides in one way I need another quest. Is my faith going to be one that asks, persist, does not doubt, waits for Jesus to work and shares His power with others?!
Mathew 9:27-31
The quest? These blind men were on a quest. For sight? No, they asked for mercy! Why am I here today? What quest am I on?
These guys wanted healing and were willing to follow Jesus until they got it! What ever the need may be, I need to be on a quest for mercy!
Jesus did not heal them immediately. But asked them "do you believe that Jesus is able to do this". Do I believe that Jesus has the power to give me what I need?
Is God able? This is the only question that is important!
Imitating their faith:
They asked!
Faith needs to be persistent. ( they asked all day long )
They did not doubt (Isaiah 35 prophesied that the messiah would heal the blind)
They waited for Jesus to heal them
They shared their faith with others.
I need to be on a continual quest. When Jesus heals or provides in one way I need another quest. Is my faith going to be one that asks, persist, does not doubt, waits for Jesus to work and shares His power with others?!
Fwd: A savior is born!
A savior is born!
Luke 2:1-20
Jesus birth was both ordinary and extraordinary at the same time! Jesus physically came into this world like any other baby. His mother felt the birth pains and His father felt everything an expecting father feels!
Jesus' birth turns Joseph and Mary's life upside down. They had to flee to Egypt. Jesus was born of a virgin. The Son of God! As a lowly child born into poverty was feared and worshipped!
Even at his birth the last are already first. The shepherded's rejoice with angels.
Jesus did not come to be born in some miraculous way and then end the story there. Jesus grew into a man and into the life that God willed for him.
Luke 19:1-10
Zacchaeus was a an that people considered beyond redemption. Zacchaeus turned a profit off of the financial burdens imposed by Caesar. He was also viewed as a traitor amount the Jews. Zacchaeus was also a man that repented!
Jesus lived a life that called people to repentance!
Luke 19:28-44; 45-48
Jesus entered Jerusalem as the king that he is! Pharisees tried to kill him.
Jesus's life commands a response! Zacchaeus repented, disciples worshipped and Pharisees tried to kill him. No one ignored Jesus.
Genesis 3:21-24
This is where man and Gods relationship changed. If man was able to live for every he will live with his sinful nature for ever. From the day we were removed from the garden, God and Jesus had a plan to reconcile our relationship with him so that we could once again be with him.
From Abraham to Jesus, God had a plan!
Hebrews 10:1-14
Man was given the perfection of the garden, the priceless gift of a face to face relationship with God! We threw it away over sin! Jesus offered to be the sacrifice needed to reconcile our relationship to God.
Monday, December 2, 2013
The meaning of life.
The meaning of life.
For parents our children can be the meaning for our lives sometimes. Many marriages end after the children leave the home. Family can be a big distraction from the real meaning of life.
Work can become a distraction too. We spend all our time consumed with it.
The meaning of life....Acts 17:24-27
Why did God create man? To inhabit the whole earth, to set boundaries and mark out times and places, all so that we would seek Him and find him! The meaning of life is to seek God!
Every single one of us has been called by God into a relationship with him. It is our choice to seek him or not. It is our choice to have meaning in our life or not.
What is God calling me too? What does seeking God really mean?
Mark 1:14-20
The calling is always the same. Repent, believe and follow! We are all called to the same standard which is to leave everything! Same today. You cannot respond to the call unless you are willing to leave everything behind.
Have I responded to Gods call? Am I responding to Gods call today?
God filled the earth during this time and at this particular place to answer Gods call!
Gods calling is universal and also uniquely personal.
1 Peter 2:4-10
I am Gods special possession and chosen by God specifically. I'm not a number in a world of trillions of people! God has chosen me intimately.
I need to chose God just like he has chosen me. No different in any other relationship and no different with God! Am I choosing God?
God could have made us love him. God decided to let us chose.
John 6:60-65; John 21:15-19
Peter choosing God all over again! Peter's death glorified God! My hardships are opportunities to glorify God!
2 Peter 3:10-13 later in peters life we see the wisdom and perspective he has gained!
God calls us in the beginning and also calls us over and over again to the THE END!
For parents our children can be the meaning for our lives sometimes. Many marriages end after the children leave the home. Family can be a big distraction from the real meaning of life.
Work can become a distraction too. We spend all our time consumed with it.
The meaning of life....Acts 17:24-27
Why did God create man? To inhabit the whole earth, to set boundaries and mark out times and places, all so that we would seek Him and find him! The meaning of life is to seek God!
Every single one of us has been called by God into a relationship with him. It is our choice to seek him or not. It is our choice to have meaning in our life or not.
What is God calling me too? What does seeking God really mean?
Mark 1:14-20
The calling is always the same. Repent, believe and follow! We are all called to the same standard which is to leave everything! Same today. You cannot respond to the call unless you are willing to leave everything behind.
Have I responded to Gods call? Am I responding to Gods call today?
God filled the earth during this time and at this particular place to answer Gods call!
Gods calling is universal and also uniquely personal.
1 Peter 2:4-10
I am Gods special possession and chosen by God specifically. I'm not a number in a world of trillions of people! God has chosen me intimately.
I need to chose God just like he has chosen me. No different in any other relationship and no different with God! Am I choosing God?
God could have made us love him. God decided to let us chose.
John 6:60-65; John 21:15-19
Peter choosing God all over again! Peter's death glorified God! My hardships are opportunities to glorify God!
2 Peter 3:10-13 later in peters life we see the wisdom and perspective he has gained!
God calls us in the beginning and also calls us over and over again to the THE END!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Made for each other -- Marriage Retreat
Made for each other....Lesson 1
Genesis 1:27
What does this mean? God is formless so he has no body. We are made in Gods image....his spiritual image. God made us different male/female but we are equally The age of God! A man only reflects one part of God and a woman reflects the other part. Together we reflect the full image of God.
Do I see how much we need each other? What makes the heart of my spouse come alive? What makes the heart of a woman come alive and what makes the heart of a man come alive?
Woman: romance, irreplaceable role, unveiled beauty! My wife want to be pursued and romanced. To feel like she is priority!
Song of Songs 1:15-17; Judges 4:17-21...there is something fierce in the heart of a woman and it was created by design. Fight together, my wife wants to be apart of the adventure and a part of the battle.
Psalms 45:11
What makes the heart of a man to come alive? A battle to fight, an adventure to live and need a challenge, a beauty to rescue.
1 Chronicles 12:8 a man wants to be a warrior and needs a battle to fight.
2 Timothy 4:6;
With out a beauty to rescue we just become lonely men fighting alone.
Made For Each Other...Lesson 2
There is a difference between temptation and sin.
How gentle am I being with my wife? I have to learn how to treat her with sensitivity and compassion. Am i meeting my wife's needs and making sure that I am everything she needs.
Ephesians 5:25; Galatians 3:26
When Jesus looks at me he does not see my sin he sees his bride. I need to view my wife in the same way. I need to over look her imperfections. Love covers a multitude of sins. If I love my wife I should see her blameless and pure.
Things I love about my wife: she is very giving physically, deep convictions, strong willed.
Ephesians 5:28
We take care of our bodies so well because we know our needs. I can't put this scripture into practice unless I know my wife's needs.
1 peter 3:7 Weaker does not mean inferior. God has a special heart for the weak. Why would my prayers be hindered? You can hurt Gods daughter and be ok with him! My role as a husband is defined by the needs of my wife. I need to learn how to live out my role through meeting her needs.
I need to know my wife like I know my own body.
Proverbs 31:28-29 do I arise and call her blessed? Encourage my wife daily! My wife is not perfect but she is perfect for me.
Ephesians 5:25-28 I am responsible for washing my wife in the word. I am her primary discipler! Everyday I need to be involved with how she is doing. I need to take responsibility.
Colossians 3:19
I cannot be harsh but never should be passive. Genesis 3 the first temptation for Eve was to want to be like God and mans first temptation was to be passive and not lead. A dame had a leadership role before the fall. He named the animals and Eve. Mans struggle from the curse is passiveness.
What makes a woman's heart come alive is when we are being the men that God calls us to be!
Made For Each Other.....Lesson 3
What makes God's heart ignite? The aspects of God found in women.
Like a woman God is intensely relational. Women say 20k words a day compared to 7k for men. Emotionally God is more like a woman than a man.
1 John 4 God IS love. Not just a description or adjective but a definition! 2 Corinthians 13:14 God wants to envelope us. To consume us. Psalms 139:7 there is great security in God because he is everywhere, in control of all things!
Like a Woman God longs to share adventures with us! Miracle of feeding the 5000. Jesus could have snapped his fingers and feed everyone but he didn't. He asked Andrew what do you have? God wants to take us with him on this adventure. He will use what ever we have to do amazing things! Not matter what we have God can use it!
Genesis 2:18 helper in the Hebrew means partner companion, life saver, life giver. This word is used again in the bible other than for women is for describing God himself.
Psalms 27:9 God is also described as our helper!
Like a woman God has a captivating beauty to unveil!
God created woman to be beautiful and wonderful. Sex was created by God and God created woman to be alluring! A woman is beautiful because God is beautiful. Do you think when we finally get to see God how stunning he will be! Look around at the beauty he has made on earth and we get a small glimpse!
Revelation 22:4 no one has ever seen the face of God but one day we will! Psalm 63:1-7
The truth about money!
The truth about money!
The truth about money is that it does not really belong to me.
Job 41; psalms 24:1; Haggai 2; Deuteronomy 8:17-18
God is the owner of everything! He has never been the former owner of anything!
Principal #1: God owns everything and I am just his money manager.
A money manager manages the money and uses it in the best interest of the owner. God has in trusted me with his property to glorify him with!
At some point the money manager will be held accountable for the way he manages the money. How does God feel about my use of his money?
Principal #2: it is a joy to manage Gods money.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Obedience is when you do something that you don't want to do. When we give out of obedience there is joy in being obedient.
Exodus 36:6; 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
Giving is not the luxury of the rich. No matter what income level you may be on or how much do or don't have, everyone is able to give! Even in poverty it should be a joy to manage Gods money and to give.
2 Corinthians 8:1
Giving and grace are connected. Our giving should be a reflex response to Gods grace. My I tire motivation for giving should come from gratitude for Gods grace! When I give out of grace there is true joy!
God as the owner and possessor of all things is not asking us to do anything that he has not already done himself. God has giving us everything through Jesus Christ and I was purchased as a price!
The Treasure Principal: how to unlock the treasure
The Treasure Principal: how to unlock the treasure chest.
Philippians 3:20
Heaven is not my home. What is my address? Hebrews 11:13, 2 Corinthians 5:20. Do I really believe that my citizenship is in Heaven! Hebrews 11:16.
My heart will always go where I put Gods money.
Matthew 6:21 where your heart is there your treasure will be also. What we care about we invest in, right? It is not where your heart is your treasure will be. It is the exact opposite. Where is my treasure, that's where my heart will be! Give first and my heart will follow!
What or who am I investing in?
Roadblocks to giving: stress, doubt, selfishness, pride!
Mark 10:17 the rich young ruler was not able to give up his stuff. Although he was devote and obedient to scripture his heart was in his possessions!
True joy is only found in giving!
4 keys to pray about:
God is the owner, heaven is my home, where my treasure is there my heart is found, live for eternity and not my time on earth!
Fw: Made for each other -- Marriage Retreat
Made for each other....Lesson 1
Genesis 1:27
What does this mean? God is formless so he has no body. We are made in Gods image....his spiritual image. God made us different male/female but we are equally The age of God! A man only reflects one part of God and a woman reflects the other part. Together we reflect the full image of God.
Do I see how much we need each other? What makes the heart of my spouse come alive? What makes the heart of a woman come alive and what makes the heart of a man come alive?
Woman: romance, irreplaceable role, unveiled beauty! My wife want to be pursued and romanced. To feel like she is priority!
Song of Songs 1:15-17; Judges 4:17-21...there is something fierce in the heart of a woman and it was created by design. Fight together, my wife wants to be apart of the adventure and a part of the battle.
Psalms 45:11
What makes the heart of a man to come alive? A battle to fight, an adventure to live and need a challenge, a beauty to rescue.
1 Chronicles 12:8 a man wants to be a warrior and needs a battle to fight.
2 Timothy 4:6;
With out a beauty to rescue we just become lonely men fighting alone.
Made For Each Other...Lesson 2
There is a difference between temptation and sin.
How gentle am I being with my wife? I have to learn how to treat her with sensitivity and compassion. Am i meeting my wife's needs and making sure that I am everything she needs.
Ephesians 5:25; Galatians 3:26
When Jesus looks at me he does not see my sin he sees his bride. I need to view my wife in the same way. I need to over look her imperfections. Love covers a multitude of sins. If I love my wife I should see her blameless and pure.
Things I love about my wife: she is very giving physically, deep convictions, strong willed.
Ephesians 5:28
We take care of our bodies so well because we know our needs. I can't put this scripture into practice unless I know my wife's needs.
1 peter 3:7 Weaker does not mean inferior. God has a special heart for the weak. Why would my prayers be hindered? You can hurt Gods daughter and be ok with him! My role as a husband is defined by the needs of my wife. I need to learn how to live out my role through meeting her needs.
I need to know my wife like I know my own body.
Proverbs 31:28-29 do I arise and call her blessed? Encourage my wife daily! My wife is not perfect but she is perfect for me.
Ephesians 5:25-28 I am responsible for washing my wife in the word. I am her primary discipler! Everyday I need to be involved with how she is doing. I need to take responsibility.
Colossians 3:19
I cannot be harsh but never should be passive. Genesis 3 the first temptation for Eve was to want to be like God and mans first temptation was to be passive and not lead. A dame had a leadership role before the fall. He named the animals and Eve. Mans struggle from the curse is passiveness.
What makes a woman's heart come alive is when we are being the men that God calls us to be!
Made For Each Other.....Lesson 3
What makes God's heart ignite? The aspects of God found in women.
Like a woman God is intensely relational. Women say 20k words a day compared to 7k for men. Emotionally God is more like a woman than a man.
1 John 4 God IS love. Not just a description or adjective but a definition! 2 Corinthians 13:14 God wants to envelope us. To consume us. Psalms 139:7 there is great security in God because he is everywhere, in control of all things!
Like a Woman God longs to share adventures with us! Miracle of feeding the 5000. Jesus could have snapped his fingers and feed everyone but he didn't. He asked Andrew what do you have? God wants to take us with him on this adventure. He will use what ever we have to do amazing things! Not matter what we have God can use it!
Genesis 2:18 helper in the Hebrew means partner companion, life saver, life giver. This word is used again in the bible other than for women is for describing God himself.
Psalms 27:9 God is also described as our helper!
Like a woman God has a captivating beauty to unveil!
God created woman to be beautiful and wonderful. Sex was created by God and God created woman to be alluring! A woman is beautiful because God is beautiful. Do you think when we finally get to see God how stunning he will be! Look around at the beauty he has made on earth and we get a small glimpse!
Revelation 22:4 no one has ever seen the face of God but one day we will! Psalm 63:1-7
Friday, October 25, 2013
The Parable of the Lost and Found
The Parable of the Lost and Found
Opening Questions:
Have you ever lost something that was very important to you? How did you feel during the time you were looking for it? What efforts did you take to find it? If your search was successful how did you feel once you found it?
Brenda Caunter's missing wedding ring ← http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc80dn3LZq4 →
Today we are going to read about two people that lost something that was precious to them in a few parable Jesus told. In the stories we will get to see God's heart for us and how much he truly loves us.
Body:
Luke 15:1-10
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
- Who were the Pharisees, Tax Collectors and Sinners?
- Pharisees and teachers of the law (self righteous religious leaders of the day).
- Tax Collectors (Dishonest and corrupt).
- "Sinners" (non-pharisees who did not follow Jewish law).
- What do you think about the way the Pharisees and teachers reacted towards Jesus association with the Tax Collectors and "Sinners".
- They thought they were better than them.
- They looked down on Jesus because of his association with them.
- Who does the sheep and the lost coin represent in the parable?
- All of us. We are all lost and in need of a shepherd.
- How persistent were the owner of the sheep and the woman in finding what they lost?
- Completely focused.
- They did not stop searching until they found what was lost.
- How did they react once they found what they lost?
- Full of joy.
- Called friends and neighbors to celebrate.
- These parables gives us a glimpse into God's heart on how he feels when we are lost or go astray. What do you notice about God's heart in these parables?
- A God who longs to have a personal relationship with every person in this world.
- A God who is obsessed with finding every lost person.
- A God who rejoices over a person who turns towards him.
- A God who is compassionate
- A God who values each of us and views us as significant (leaving the 99 for the 1).
- The religious establishment (Pharisees & Teachers) called people to conform to their traditions and practices and rejected/excluded those who did not. What do you think Jesus called people to?
- He called people to a relationship with him.
- God meets us where we are at.
- He wants our hearts – a heart that is obedient to him but not self righteous. Humble!
Jesus shows us a God who goes all out to find us and have a relationship with us. Yet, we can be reluctant to give our hearts completely to him.
- What are some things that stop us from giving our hearts completely to God?
- Busy schedule (share about work/school)
- Religious traditions (share about not just becoming religious)
- Not wanting to change our sinful ways (Share about pride, ,selfishness, rebelliousness...etc)
Closing:
- Where are you at today? Are you a lost sheep or maybe one that has gone astray a bit?
Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
- God is relentlessly searching for us and does not want anyone to go astray. God longs to rejoice with us when we turn our hearts towards him and repent.
- What do you need to repent of today? Are you willing to repent and give your heart completely over to God?
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