Men by nature think they know it all.
Matthew 11:25-28
When it comes to learning about God it is not a matter of knowledge or wisdom per say. God revels it to you. Reveals it to children and withholds it from the "wise".
If we are smart in our own eyes and God reveals something to me, how am I going to receive it? I will receive it as though I Leander it with my own power! This is the element of the children that God is talking about. God is not going to reveal himself to you until you are ready!
If I think I know all there is to know about God why would he reveal anything else to me?
Matthew 18:1-5
Why is a child the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? A child is teachable, open minded and pure in heart! Children constantly ask the question "why." Children are constantly in explore mode! As students of Christ we need to maintain a curiosity, openness and teachability towards Gods word! We need to be constantly exploring who God is!
Children take low positions. They take a humble position.
Matthew 19:13-15
Why were people bringing children to Jesus to be blessed? We understand that little children need to be blessed if they are to grow and succeed in life! Why don't we seek blessing like this for ourselves? At what point do we go from needing a blessing to not needing one at all? When our arrogance tells us that we no longer really need help. The truth is we need more help and blessing from God now than before!
It's about pride in my heart. God can do so much more with me when I let go of my pride and surrender to Him! To think I can do it on my own is pride! What does this all mean for me? What do I need to grow in? What do I need to learn?
Imagine what my life would look like if I had the heart of a child in these areas? I need to ask for help and admit that I don't have all the answers. I need to be willing to be taught!
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Christmas is a religious holiday that is losing it
Christmas is a religious holiday that is losing its religion!
When you ask the question, "what is the meaning of Christmas" your asking the question of "why did Jesus come?". Christmas is celebrated much more than Easter and really Easter has the greater meaning. Keep Christ in Christmas is a cliche that means what? Does Christ just want us to remember him during Christmas?
Why did Christ come. Why should we celebrate Jesus birth? What is important?Leading up to Jesus birth there were two truths revealed by the angles.
Luke 1:27-33
The "King" has been born!
Matthew 1:18-21
A "Savior" has been born!
Luke 2:8-11
A savior has been born and he is our King! No matter who you are, from Jesus parents to the shepherd in the fields the message is the same. Your king and savior has been born!
Jesus had a lot of great qualities that the Christmas season tries to exalt. His giving, helping the poor...etc. those are great things but the message was not about giving and sharing with each other. Christmas has turned into to a season of just giving and receiving!
Hearing that you King and savior arrives requires a response. A life changing response! Even Jong as a fetus in his mothers womb could not even ignore that his King and savior had arrived when jumped in his mothers womb! King Harold could not ignore that Jesus was born to be King!
Seeing a baby in manger really does not do anything to change our lives! The nativity seen is useless until we acknowledge that our King and savior has arrived!
When your king arrives you have to submit! It's about lordship! We want Christmas without lordship. Christmas was not meant to remind us to just be nice people. Santa never required us to make a decision and have a life changing response. Jesus does require us to respond!
1 Samuel 8:10-18 God teaches Israel what it meant to have a king!
Jesus is a perfect King but it does not remove the fact that Jesus is a king!
A kings wealth will come before your own. His priorities will come before your own! His plans will come before your own. He will have complete authority over you! Jesus is the KING OF KINGS! How much more should we submit and give to Jesus!
Jesus is a benevolent dictator. His ways are always in our best interest. Ever thing he does is out of love for us. There is no democracy! Jesus puts our needs ahead of his by being a sacrifice! He is through a dictator. His time comes before my own! My life should be subject to him in every way!!
He is the king and I am his subject!
Luke 19:10
Jesus is my savior! Have been saved by Jesus? This is the number one reason for the season! The question should not be have I helped the poor or giving to charity. Salvation is question!
Saviors come into rescue! Satan was winning in my life! I was defeated and hopeless! I need a savior! Jesus came in and saved me! Jesus us saved me from so much pain and sin in my life! Have I rejected Him as my king? I am allowing sin to reign in my life again. Jesus is a continual savior and I am in desperate need of Jesus to save me daily!
All the things that the world considers as a good Christmas ( no debt, lots of gifts, full of instant gratification and pleasure ) pales in comparison to what God meant for Christmas to mean! Jesus is my King and my Savior!!
When you ask the question, "what is the meaning of Christmas" your asking the question of "why did Jesus come?". Christmas is celebrated much more than Easter and really Easter has the greater meaning. Keep Christ in Christmas is a cliche that means what? Does Christ just want us to remember him during Christmas?
Why did Christ come. Why should we celebrate Jesus birth? What is important?Leading up to Jesus birth there were two truths revealed by the angles.
Luke 1:27-33
The "King" has been born!
Matthew 1:18-21
A "Savior" has been born!
Luke 2:8-11
A savior has been born and he is our King! No matter who you are, from Jesus parents to the shepherd in the fields the message is the same. Your king and savior has been born!
Jesus had a lot of great qualities that the Christmas season tries to exalt. His giving, helping the poor...etc. those are great things but the message was not about giving and sharing with each other. Christmas has turned into to a season of just giving and receiving!
Hearing that you King and savior arrives requires a response. A life changing response! Even Jong as a fetus in his mothers womb could not even ignore that his King and savior had arrived when jumped in his mothers womb! King Harold could not ignore that Jesus was born to be King!
Seeing a baby in manger really does not do anything to change our lives! The nativity seen is useless until we acknowledge that our King and savior has arrived!
When your king arrives you have to submit! It's about lordship! We want Christmas without lordship. Christmas was not meant to remind us to just be nice people. Santa never required us to make a decision and have a life changing response. Jesus does require us to respond!
1 Samuel 8:10-18 God teaches Israel what it meant to have a king!
Jesus is a perfect King but it does not remove the fact that Jesus is a king!
A kings wealth will come before your own. His priorities will come before your own! His plans will come before your own. He will have complete authority over you! Jesus is the KING OF KINGS! How much more should we submit and give to Jesus!
Jesus is a benevolent dictator. His ways are always in our best interest. Ever thing he does is out of love for us. There is no democracy! Jesus puts our needs ahead of his by being a sacrifice! He is through a dictator. His time comes before my own! My life should be subject to him in every way!!
He is the king and I am his subject!
Luke 19:10
Jesus is my savior! Have been saved by Jesus? This is the number one reason for the season! The question should not be have I helped the poor or giving to charity. Salvation is question!
Saviors come into rescue! Satan was winning in my life! I was defeated and hopeless! I need a savior! Jesus came in and saved me! Jesus us saved me from so much pain and sin in my life! Have I rejected Him as my king? I am allowing sin to reign in my life again. Jesus is a continual savior and I am in desperate need of Jesus to save me daily!
All the things that the world considers as a good Christmas ( no debt, lots of gifts, full of instant gratification and pleasure ) pales in comparison to what God meant for Christmas to mean! Jesus is my King and my Savior!!
Don't miss the manger!
Don't miss the manger!
Luke 2:1-7
The savior of this world was born in a manger next to live stock and into poverty. The Christmas story, the day Jesus was born was a day of hope that gave me an opportunity to have eternal life!
Why did so many miss the manger? There was only a few shepherds and wise men that attended Jesus birth. Where was everyone else. What in their lives were more important than the birth of Jesus?
It is easy to miss the manger. Life stresses and priorities can be a big distraction!
Luke 2:8-16
We need to be intentional and determined about what we are going to do. The shepherds were intentional about seeing Jesus and determined to do it!
Luke 2:25-35
Knowing that Jesus came is only the beginning. We need to know why he came!
Acts 17:24-27
Where ever we go and what ever we do God is working so that we will know him. So that we won't miss the manger.
Luke 2:1-7
The savior of this world was born in a manger next to live stock and into poverty. The Christmas story, the day Jesus was born was a day of hope that gave me an opportunity to have eternal life!
Why did so many miss the manger? There was only a few shepherds and wise men that attended Jesus birth. Where was everyone else. What in their lives were more important than the birth of Jesus?
It is easy to miss the manger. Life stresses and priorities can be a big distraction!
Luke 2:8-16
We need to be intentional and determined about what we are going to do. The shepherds were intentional about seeing Jesus and determined to do it!
Luke 2:25-35
Knowing that Jesus came is only the beginning. We need to know why he came!
Acts 17:24-27
Where ever we go and what ever we do God is working so that we will know him. So that we won't miss the manger.
Christmas is synonymous with Christmas wish lists!
Christmas is synonymous with Christmas wish lists! Some of our kids wishes are outrageous and extreme. Kids wanting sea monsters, actual reindeers....etc. kids are great at dreaming and wishing for things that they think they need.
All through out the bible there are examples of people who think they new what they needed. Adam thought he needed to eat from the tree of life. Jacob thought he needed his fathers blessing regardless of what was right. The de icicles thought they needed to compete for Jesus love and position in his kingdom.
We all think we know what we need to be happy. Materialism is an example. If I Just had this I would be happy. If I just had success at work then I would be happy. If I just had more of ??? I would be happy! What we think we need often times comes from a lack of what we really need.
It's so easy to run after the things we think we need. The world tries to define what you need. Am I chasing after the wrong things? Christmas is a time when this is more visible in our lives.
The truth is that God is the expert on what we really need. What parent does not know what is best for their child? What we really need is a savior! What we need most is forgiveness and Christmas is a reminder that God has provided what we really need!
Everything about Jesus birth and life was planned by God and with a purpose!
Micah 5:2-5
500 years before Jesus birth and Micah is giving the exact place of Jesus birth! God did not just send a savior to the world because that's what they need and he supplies what the world needs! He sent a savior for me and what I really needed!
Romans 5:6-8
God sent me a savior at just the right time for me! God ignored success and power. He ignored material things and sent me a King to save me from certain death! What do I want for Christmas? The answer should be grace, salvation and the blood of Jesus! What I need is forgiveness! This is why we take communion so that we never forget what we really need!
1 Corinthians 2:2 shut out every distraction this season and get resolved to know nothing but Jesus and his crucifixion!
All through out the bible there are examples of people who think they new what they needed. Adam thought he needed to eat from the tree of life. Jacob thought he needed his fathers blessing regardless of what was right. The de icicles thought they needed to compete for Jesus love and position in his kingdom.
We all think we know what we need to be happy. Materialism is an example. If I Just had this I would be happy. If I just had success at work then I would be happy. If I just had more of ??? I would be happy! What we think we need often times comes from a lack of what we really need.
It's so easy to run after the things we think we need. The world tries to define what you need. Am I chasing after the wrong things? Christmas is a time when this is more visible in our lives.
The truth is that God is the expert on what we really need. What parent does not know what is best for their child? What we really need is a savior! What we need most is forgiveness and Christmas is a reminder that God has provided what we really need!
Everything about Jesus birth and life was planned by God and with a purpose!
Micah 5:2-5
500 years before Jesus birth and Micah is giving the exact place of Jesus birth! God did not just send a savior to the world because that's what they need and he supplies what the world needs! He sent a savior for me and what I really needed!
Romans 5:6-8
God sent me a savior at just the right time for me! God ignored success and power. He ignored material things and sent me a King to save me from certain death! What do I want for Christmas? The answer should be grace, salvation and the blood of Jesus! What I need is forgiveness! This is why we take communion so that we never forget what we really need!
1 Corinthians 2:2 shut out every distraction this season and get resolved to know nothing but Jesus and his crucifixion!
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Lesson from Abel
Lesson from Abel
Genesis 4:2-7
Vs 3 in the course of time...why? Did Cain take time to get a heart to want to give?
When you pick fruit at the grocery store what do you do? What would the first fruits look like? What was Cain giving God?
Vs 4 Abel also brought an offering. Both were giving to God on some level. Is making an offering enough?
What was Abel offering God?
In what ways do we give God less than our best?
What does it look like to give good our first fruits?
Vs 6 Why would Cain be angry? Jealous or upset that his offering wasn't good enough?
Sometimes we set limits on how much we give of our lives to God and when God doesn't look on us with favor we get angry and resentful towards Him.
Maybe Cain thought that what he was giving should have been enough?
Vs 7 "just do what is right"...seems too simple? What is God telling Cain here? There is a connection between allowing sin to master us and not giving to God. The offering we bring to God exposes where our hearts are.
In what ways do you need to offer God more?
Genesis 4:2-7
Vs 3 in the course of time...why? Did Cain take time to get a heart to want to give?
When you pick fruit at the grocery store what do you do? What would the first fruits look like? What was Cain giving God?
Vs 4 Abel also brought an offering. Both were giving to God on some level. Is making an offering enough?
What was Abel offering God?
In what ways do we give God less than our best?
What does it look like to give good our first fruits?
Vs 6 Why would Cain be angry? Jealous or upset that his offering wasn't good enough?
Sometimes we set limits on how much we give of our lives to God and when God doesn't look on us with favor we get angry and resentful towards Him.
Maybe Cain thought that what he was giving should have been enough?
Vs 7 "just do what is right"...seems too simple? What is God telling Cain here? There is a connection between allowing sin to master us and not giving to God. The offering we bring to God exposes where our hearts are.
In what ways do you need to offer God more?
Moses: Man of faith!
Moses: Man of faith!
Imaging your an Israelite and you hear this... Exodus 1:22...imagine your were expecting a child and had no idea if it was going to be a boy or a girl?
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses's family hid him. By faith they sent down a river and trusted God that he would take care of Moses.
Hebrews 11:25 by faith Moses chose to with his people. He sacrificed the life he could have had and was offered to him. Hebrews 11:26-27
Moses parents deliberately went against the king of Egypt and taught owes to value Gods will for his life instead of following the edicts of a king who was opposed to God!
Moses learned to have great faith through his parents and their example!
Exodus 2:11-12 Moses became a murder and a marked man. Acts 7:25 over night Moses became a fugitive. An outlaw to the Egyptians and despised by the Israelites. He did not yet become the leader that he thought Israel would embrace.
Exodus 2:23 Mose wondered during this time for forty years as a shepherd. With no purpose I'm his life. He had never become the leader of Egypt like he had thought.
Exodus 3:7-10 Moses probably thought God was done using him. He thought his best days where be hind him but God had great plans for his life. It was not Gods timing earlier and now Moses was in the moment where God was about to use him!
God had a job Taylor made for Moses. Moses was wondering in the desert and had lost his dream of helping his people. God had a plan all the while and was ready to use him. God used that time in the desert to teach Moses and mold him into the man that he needed to be!
Moses caught a glimpse of Gods power in the burning bush. Moses allowed God to use him and rescued Israel with all power!
The Israelites did nothing but complaining and argue with Moses. God wanted to destroy Israel and Moses stood up for Israel and begged God not to destroy them!
God listens to man...how awesome is that that the most high, almighty God considers mans thoughts and concerns!
Moses spent days with God on the mountain and came down in full glory of God! How hard am I wrestling with God to know and be filled with Gods glory? Moses face was radiant! All Israel knew that Moses had spent time in Gods presence!
Hebrews 11:6 God rewards those who earnestly seek him! Am I seeking God the way that I should? Am I readying and praying everyday?!
Matthew 7:7 I need to look and seek God in every area of my life!
Imaging your an Israelite and you hear this... Exodus 1:22...imagine your were expecting a child and had no idea if it was going to be a boy or a girl?
Hebrews 11:23 By faith Moses's family hid him. By faith they sent down a river and trusted God that he would take care of Moses.
Hebrews 11:25 by faith Moses chose to with his people. He sacrificed the life he could have had and was offered to him. Hebrews 11:26-27
Moses parents deliberately went against the king of Egypt and taught owes to value Gods will for his life instead of following the edicts of a king who was opposed to God!
Moses learned to have great faith through his parents and their example!
Exodus 2:11-12 Moses became a murder and a marked man. Acts 7:25 over night Moses became a fugitive. An outlaw to the Egyptians and despised by the Israelites. He did not yet become the leader that he thought Israel would embrace.
Exodus 2:23 Mose wondered during this time for forty years as a shepherd. With no purpose I'm his life. He had never become the leader of Egypt like he had thought.
Exodus 3:7-10 Moses probably thought God was done using him. He thought his best days where be hind him but God had great plans for his life. It was not Gods timing earlier and now Moses was in the moment where God was about to use him!
God had a job Taylor made for Moses. Moses was wondering in the desert and had lost his dream of helping his people. God had a plan all the while and was ready to use him. God used that time in the desert to teach Moses and mold him into the man that he needed to be!
Moses caught a glimpse of Gods power in the burning bush. Moses allowed God to use him and rescued Israel with all power!
The Israelites did nothing but complaining and argue with Moses. God wanted to destroy Israel and Moses stood up for Israel and begged God not to destroy them!
God listens to man...how awesome is that that the most high, almighty God considers mans thoughts and concerns!
Moses spent days with God on the mountain and came down in full glory of God! How hard am I wrestling with God to know and be filled with Gods glory? Moses face was radiant! All Israel knew that Moses had spent time in Gods presence!
Hebrews 11:6 God rewards those who earnestly seek him! Am I seeking God the way that I should? Am I readying and praying everyday?!
Matthew 7:7 I need to look and seek God in every area of my life!
Let's get away!
Let's get away!
Song of Songs 7:11-12
This book talks a lot about getting away. We need to disconnect from cell phones, tv, the world around us and spend time connecting with my wife emotionally, spiritually and of course physically!
Song of Songs 1:15-16
I need to compliment my wife daily!! This book talks a lot about complimenting each other. The world tears people down. There is no compliments. We need to build one another up in love and encourage!
Song of Songs 4:16
The bible talks about preparing to be together. The phone call during the middle of the day. The small kiss when you get home. Embracing!
Song of Songs 2:16; 6:3; 7:10
I need to focus on my wife! She is mine! This is exclusive, there is no one else! Surrender and submission come and increases a persons desire for you!
Proverbs 5:18-19 Ecclesiastes 9:9
Song of Songs 5:16
God designed marriage to be a friendship! My wife is my best friend.
Sing to my wife this week. Write a poem to my wife this month.
Song of Songs 8:6-7
Love is a powerful emotion! I need to unleash my love and never hold it back!
Song of Songs 7:11-12
This book talks a lot about getting away. We need to disconnect from cell phones, tv, the world around us and spend time connecting with my wife emotionally, spiritually and of course physically!
Song of Songs 1:15-16
I need to compliment my wife daily!! This book talks a lot about complimenting each other. The world tears people down. There is no compliments. We need to build one another up in love and encourage!
Song of Songs 4:16
The bible talks about preparing to be together. The phone call during the middle of the day. The small kiss when you get home. Embracing!
Song of Songs 2:16; 6:3; 7:10
I need to focus on my wife! She is mine! This is exclusive, there is no one else! Surrender and submission come and increases a persons desire for you!
Proverbs 5:18-19 Ecclesiastes 9:9
Song of Songs 5:16
God designed marriage to be a friendship! My wife is my best friend.
Sing to my wife this week. Write a poem to my wife this month.
Song of Songs 8:6-7
Love is a powerful emotion! I need to unleash my love and never hold it back!
Hall of fame
Hall of fame
There is a hall of fame for almost everything! Hall of fame acknowledges the best of the best! It's an honor to be admitted to a hall of fame.
Hebrews 11 - the hall of fame of faith! What would it take to be in this hall of fame? They were not chosen for being perfect. Many of these people of faith did many things wrong but they were all noted as men and women of action!
What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1-2
God's definition of Faith is paradoxical. Hope implies an uncertainty and yet faith requires us to hope with complete certainty! Confidence!
What faith is not!
Faith is not emotional. Faith isn't unprovable. Faith isn't a feeling in the moment. Faith is not some magical force and yet it is a powerful force! Faith is not just a belief. Faith is when you take action. True Faith requires action! A leap of faith!
Hebrews 11:3
To try and understand faith every culture and society has tried to explain creation. God did not make stuff out of other stuff. God created the universe out of nothing! Faith is the only option to believe. Faith is believing before it is proven!
Able gave to God without any proof that it was the right thing to do. We know today through scripture that giving is a healthy thing for us to do. Giving molds our hearts and builds our character.
Hebrews 11:7
Living in the desert Noah be lived in what seemed completely absurd. Through faith he took action and was obedient! Noah acted on faith before the first drops of water came. Before the prof came, Noah acted on faith!
Faith for these mean was a confidence and assurance for things that had not been proving yet.
Heaven is real and so is hell although we cannot prove it yet! What should our lives look like if we live by faith? We need to have a standard that goes far beyond what we can see and prove!
How, where, and when do I obey God?
How...in the way I want or the way God demands?
Where...at church on Sunday or everyday of the week?
When...when I eel blessed by God or even in hard times?
Having faith in the cross calls me to love and obey God completely! Jesus in faith offered himself for me before I could even prove that I would change and live for him!
There is a hall of fame for almost everything! Hall of fame acknowledges the best of the best! It's an honor to be admitted to a hall of fame.
Hebrews 11 - the hall of fame of faith! What would it take to be in this hall of fame? They were not chosen for being perfect. Many of these people of faith did many things wrong but they were all noted as men and women of action!
What is faith?
Hebrews 11:1-2
God's definition of Faith is paradoxical. Hope implies an uncertainty and yet faith requires us to hope with complete certainty! Confidence!
What faith is not!
Faith is not emotional. Faith isn't unprovable. Faith isn't a feeling in the moment. Faith is not some magical force and yet it is a powerful force! Faith is not just a belief. Faith is when you take action. True Faith requires action! A leap of faith!
Hebrews 11:3
To try and understand faith every culture and society has tried to explain creation. God did not make stuff out of other stuff. God created the universe out of nothing! Faith is the only option to believe. Faith is believing before it is proven!
Able gave to God without any proof that it was the right thing to do. We know today through scripture that giving is a healthy thing for us to do. Giving molds our hearts and builds our character.
Hebrews 11:7
Living in the desert Noah be lived in what seemed completely absurd. Through faith he took action and was obedient! Noah acted on faith before the first drops of water came. Before the prof came, Noah acted on faith!
Faith for these mean was a confidence and assurance for things that had not been proving yet.
Heaven is real and so is hell although we cannot prove it yet! What should our lives look like if we live by faith? We need to have a standard that goes far beyond what we can see and prove!
How, where, and when do I obey God?
How...in the way I want or the way God demands?
Where...at church on Sunday or everyday of the week?
When...when I eel blessed by God or even in hard times?
Having faith in the cross calls me to love and obey God completely! Jesus in faith offered himself for me before I could even prove that I would change and live for him!
Walking by faith!
Walking by faith!
Hebrews 11:32 and the prophets...who shut the mouths of lions (reference to Daniel)
Daniel was a man of faith and walked by faith even in the little things in his life!
Ezekiel 14:12-14 Daniel was listed in the new testimate as a hero of faith and in the old testimate he was listed as a man of righteousness!
Daniel was an alien in a foreign land. He was one of the first exiles to Babylon! Daniel was the outsider.
Daniel 1:1-7 Daniel was carried off to Babylon at a young age. Daniel was selected to be a slave in the Kings palace. The Babylonians tried to give him a new identity. They changed his name, taught him Babylonian culture and tried to erase his God and replace it with their pagan God!
Who could blame Daniel for adapting or conforming to the world around him? He could have compromised and thought God was not there for him. He could have blamed Gods people and struggled with resentment and bitterness towards God!
Daniel 1:8-14 the Babylonians did not try to conform Daniel by presenting him with big things. It was just food. They were not asking him to bow down to another God or sacrifice a baby...etc. Daniel refused to compromise even the small commandments! Satan tempts us in the same way. He gets us to compromise on the little things and erodes our convictions away a little bit at a time!
Every small compromise I make in my relationship with God ( not having my quit times, missing church, not being open about my sins....etc) gives Satan more and more ground in my life attack me from and reach deeper parts of my life!
Daniel had faith when things were hard which allowed him to have faith when things were even harder!
Daniel 6:1-24 Daniel was brought to Babylon when he was around 16 and hear he is an old man around 60-70 yrs old.
Vs 10 Daniel went home immediately to pray! Daniel would not compromise when came to his food and now he was not going to compromise even when his life was at stake! God delivered and rescued Daniel because of his righteousness!
The king was not able to sleep and it says nothing about Daniel have a rough nights sleep even though he was among lions...lol Daniel did not have a hard night in the Lions den! When I stay close to God and I trust my self to God there is true peace and comfort even in the toughest challenges that I may face!
Daniel says that God found him innocent and saved him! Am I living a life of conviction the way Daniel did! Daniel could have prayed in silence. What if he just hid who he was for 30 days? For Daniel to do that would be to compromise! I know what is right and I need to have the same resolve to never compromise!!!
As faithful as Daniel was to God, God was even more faithful to Daniel! God is always at work, providing a way out and rescuing the righteous!
Hebrews 11:32 and the prophets...who shut the mouths of lions (reference to Daniel)
Daniel was a man of faith and walked by faith even in the little things in his life!
Ezekiel 14:12-14 Daniel was listed in the new testimate as a hero of faith and in the old testimate he was listed as a man of righteousness!
Daniel was an alien in a foreign land. He was one of the first exiles to Babylon! Daniel was the outsider.
Daniel 1:1-7 Daniel was carried off to Babylon at a young age. Daniel was selected to be a slave in the Kings palace. The Babylonians tried to give him a new identity. They changed his name, taught him Babylonian culture and tried to erase his God and replace it with their pagan God!
Who could blame Daniel for adapting or conforming to the world around him? He could have compromised and thought God was not there for him. He could have blamed Gods people and struggled with resentment and bitterness towards God!
Daniel 1:8-14 the Babylonians did not try to conform Daniel by presenting him with big things. It was just food. They were not asking him to bow down to another God or sacrifice a baby...etc. Daniel refused to compromise even the small commandments! Satan tempts us in the same way. He gets us to compromise on the little things and erodes our convictions away a little bit at a time!
Every small compromise I make in my relationship with God ( not having my quit times, missing church, not being open about my sins....etc) gives Satan more and more ground in my life attack me from and reach deeper parts of my life!
Daniel had faith when things were hard which allowed him to have faith when things were even harder!
Daniel 6:1-24 Daniel was brought to Babylon when he was around 16 and hear he is an old man around 60-70 yrs old.
Vs 10 Daniel went home immediately to pray! Daniel would not compromise when came to his food and now he was not going to compromise even when his life was at stake! God delivered and rescued Daniel because of his righteousness!
The king was not able to sleep and it says nothing about Daniel have a rough nights sleep even though he was among lions...lol Daniel did not have a hard night in the Lions den! When I stay close to God and I trust my self to God there is true peace and comfort even in the toughest challenges that I may face!
Daniel says that God found him innocent and saved him! Am I living a life of conviction the way Daniel did! Daniel could have prayed in silence. What if he just hid who he was for 30 days? For Daniel to do that would be to compromise! I know what is right and I need to have the same resolve to never compromise!!!
As faithful as Daniel was to God, God was even more faithful to Daniel! God is always at work, providing a way out and rescuing the righteous!
Monday, October 13, 2014
Who is the greatest?!
Who is the greatest?!
You can be the greatest until someone else comes along and is greater! No matter what area you are on top in your life you are only on top until someone comes along who is better.
Jesus is the greatest! There is no one greater! Hebrews 11 is called the hall of fame of faith and that faith is in Jesus. Jesus is the greatest!
Hebrews 1:1-5
Jesus is greater than the Angels! Everything was made through Him! He is the exact representation of God. He is Gods radiance and glory!!
So what does all of this mean for us?
This is who we have faith in! Jesus is our guardian lord and savior with all the power that is and ever will exist! He has complete power and authority to protect and save us from every situation!!
The Jews revered and worshiped moses. They took great pride in being the descendants of Moses. What do identify my self with? Is my identity and pride in Jesus or something else? I am Gods son first and foremost!
Hebrews 3:5-6
Moses was one of the most faithful servant in Gods house and yet Jesus is over the entire house!
Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:23-24
The high-priest always offered a sacrifice for Israel's sins but was flawed and held back by his own sin. Jesus is the perfect high-priest and the only one to approach God for us with out a hinderance!
Hebrews 7:27-28; 9:13-14; 10:1-12
Jesus was enough! Once for all! Jesus did not just lack sin. He was filled with all righteousness! Jesus covenant is the greatest! There is no need for anything else. This is the only thing I should seek. Jesus is enough! I don't need anything else!
How fortunate that I am to have Gods word written on my heart! Everyman and woman in the Old Testimate would trade places with me regardless of my circumstances because I have The new covenant and gods word on my heart!!
Hebrews 2:2-4; 7:25
Jesus is the greatest savior! Jesus saves completely! There is nothing that Jesus cannot save me from!
Jesus rest is the greatest!
Hebrews 4:6-11
Hebrews 10:25-34
Since Jesus is the greatest, it is the worst to sin against Jesus! How much more severely will the punishment be for those who trample the son of God? If I deliberately keep on sinning on purpose God will withdraw his mercy and sacrifice!
The truth is all I have to do is never give up! I have to continue to fight and repent! When I mess up and fall all I need to do is get back up and continue to make Jesus lord of my life!!
Hebrews 10:35-39 AMEN!!!
You can be the greatest until someone else comes along and is greater! No matter what area you are on top in your life you are only on top until someone comes along who is better.
Jesus is the greatest! There is no one greater! Hebrews 11 is called the hall of fame of faith and that faith is in Jesus. Jesus is the greatest!
Hebrews 1:1-5
Jesus is greater than the Angels! Everything was made through Him! He is the exact representation of God. He is Gods radiance and glory!!
So what does all of this mean for us?
This is who we have faith in! Jesus is our guardian lord and savior with all the power that is and ever will exist! He has complete power and authority to protect and save us from every situation!!
The Jews revered and worshiped moses. They took great pride in being the descendants of Moses. What do identify my self with? Is my identity and pride in Jesus or something else? I am Gods son first and foremost!
Hebrews 3:5-6
Moses was one of the most faithful servant in Gods house and yet Jesus is over the entire house!
Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:23-24
The high-priest always offered a sacrifice for Israel's sins but was flawed and held back by his own sin. Jesus is the perfect high-priest and the only one to approach God for us with out a hinderance!
Hebrews 7:27-28; 9:13-14; 10:1-12
Jesus was enough! Once for all! Jesus did not just lack sin. He was filled with all righteousness! Jesus covenant is the greatest! There is no need for anything else. This is the only thing I should seek. Jesus is enough! I don't need anything else!
How fortunate that I am to have Gods word written on my heart! Everyman and woman in the Old Testimate would trade places with me regardless of my circumstances because I have The new covenant and gods word on my heart!!
Hebrews 2:2-4; 7:25
Jesus is the greatest savior! Jesus saves completely! There is nothing that Jesus cannot save me from!
Jesus rest is the greatest!
Hebrews 4:6-11
Hebrews 10:25-34
Since Jesus is the greatest, it is the worst to sin against Jesus! How much more severely will the punishment be for those who trample the son of God? If I deliberately keep on sinning on purpose God will withdraw his mercy and sacrifice!
The truth is all I have to do is never give up! I have to continue to fight and repent! When I mess up and fall all I need to do is get back up and continue to make Jesus lord of my life!!
Hebrews 10:35-39 AMEN!!!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Intentions vs Actions!
Intentions vs Actions!
Good intentions are often thought of as more important than the actual actions. "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions!" Did no one in heaven have good intentions? Intentions are really cut both ways. What makes the difference?
The truth is good intentions mean nothing unless they are followed with good actions! How good would a Good Samaritan be if he only had good intentions. Conversely how good would the Good Samaritan be if had no good intentions?!
Hebrews 4:12 gods word judges out thoughts and intentions! Intentions do matter!
Mathew 21:28-32
How many times have I said that I was going to do something good and then never followed through and did it?
Good intentions:
I'm going to read my bible everyday!
I'm going to change and repent of this "sin" and never commit it again!
I'm going to never act this way as a parent again!
I'm going to...I'm going to...
Where do my good intentions come from? Does it come from deceit where I know deep in my heart I don't mean what I am saying and it is only lip service!? Does my good intentions come from faith and deep convictions? Good intentions are a start and nothing more.
God is looking for obedience! The son who says the right thing and does not follow through is compared to a Pharisee and is worse than the tax collector and prostitute!
Hidden sin in my life is an example of good intentions with no action. If my life is full of sin and I am not being open and just trying to look good on the outside is the same!
The difference between the prostitute and the Pharisee is that the prostitute knows that God has a reason to bring judgement. The prostitute has a health fear of God and if she repents, she has a reason to be grateful. The Pharisee does not see that his good intentions with no action is opposing God and he has no fear of God!!
Both sons were sinners! No I won't don't is sinful. Yes I will do it and does not is sinful! The key here and the difference is where you end up. The parable ends with one son who is obedient and one son that is rebellious.
It is so easy in our world today to just be religious and compromise true obedience! Grace was never meant to cover over our sins when we become rebellious and stop repenting!
Have good intentions and follow through with good actions!
Matthew 7:15-23
No need to prove anything! My fruit will be obvious to all! A good tree that bears good fruit is all that God is looking for! Jesus always ends with eternity and that is what is at stake here!
Good intentions are often thought of as more important than the actual actions. "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions!" Did no one in heaven have good intentions? Intentions are really cut both ways. What makes the difference?
The truth is good intentions mean nothing unless they are followed with good actions! How good would a Good Samaritan be if he only had good intentions. Conversely how good would the Good Samaritan be if had no good intentions?!
Hebrews 4:12 gods word judges out thoughts and intentions! Intentions do matter!
Mathew 21:28-32
How many times have I said that I was going to do something good and then never followed through and did it?
Good intentions:
I'm going to read my bible everyday!
I'm going to change and repent of this "sin" and never commit it again!
I'm going to never act this way as a parent again!
I'm going to...I'm going to...
Where do my good intentions come from? Does it come from deceit where I know deep in my heart I don't mean what I am saying and it is only lip service!? Does my good intentions come from faith and deep convictions? Good intentions are a start and nothing more.
God is looking for obedience! The son who says the right thing and does not follow through is compared to a Pharisee and is worse than the tax collector and prostitute!
Hidden sin in my life is an example of good intentions with no action. If my life is full of sin and I am not being open and just trying to look good on the outside is the same!
The difference between the prostitute and the Pharisee is that the prostitute knows that God has a reason to bring judgement. The prostitute has a health fear of God and if she repents, she has a reason to be grateful. The Pharisee does not see that his good intentions with no action is opposing God and he has no fear of God!!
Both sons were sinners! No I won't don't is sinful. Yes I will do it and does not is sinful! The key here and the difference is where you end up. The parable ends with one son who is obedient and one son that is rebellious.
It is so easy in our world today to just be religious and compromise true obedience! Grace was never meant to cover over our sins when we become rebellious and stop repenting!
Have good intentions and follow through with good actions!
Matthew 7:15-23
No need to prove anything! My fruit will be obvious to all! A good tree that bears good fruit is all that God is looking for! Jesus always ends with eternity and that is what is at stake here!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Jude 5-7
Vs. 5-6 Jude reminds his readers of the bondage and slavery that God has rescued them from but warns that even though they have been rescued , Gods wrath will not escape them if they do not continue to be faithful to him!
What bondage and slavery has God set me free from? Think about the sin that God has saved me from!
Why would I ever want to turn away from God and go back to my worst days?
When I give temptation a foot hold in my heart and start desiring the things of this world, I have lost perspective and forgotten from what depths God has saved me!
Satan wants me to forget.
He wants me to think that my life was not that bad.
He wants me to think that sin is not as damaging as it really is.
Sin destroys relationships, it will wreck my marriage, harden my hearts and separates me from God.
Vs. 7 Jude use the worst example in history of sin and depravity in his reference to Sodom & Gomorrah. It is an example to me of how much God truly hates sexual sins and to what lengths he will go to remove it!
We have become a sexual explicit culture and the boundaries of what is descent and appropriate are being challenged by the world.
How am I separating my self from this world.
Am I compromising my convictions by what I allow myself to watch on tv or listen to on the radio?
Temptation leads to sin and sin in my life that goes unchecked and unrepented of only leads to more sin. Once I give my heart over to the desire of sin it is never enough. Eventually it separates me from God.
Judgment is coming and those who live like this (Galatians 5;19) will not inherit the kingdom of God!
Giving to God
Giving to God
Acts 4:32-37
No one counted their possessions as their own! They shared everything!
They put the money at the apostles feet....use this in any way you can to glorify God and do his will!
My heart should be the same. I may not have sold a field or house. Maybe I'm just giving a portion of my income that God has given me, but regardless my heart should be the same....use this in any way you can to glorify God and do his will!
Acts 4:32-37
No one counted their possessions as their own! They shared everything!
They put the money at the apostles feet....use this in any way you can to glorify God and do his will!
My heart should be the same. I may not have sold a field or house. Maybe I'm just giving a portion of my income that God has given me, but regardless my heart should be the same....use this in any way you can to glorify God and do his will!
Man's defeat!
Man's defeat!
What is it that defeats men? Sin is what defeats us. Sin is the tool that satan uses!
Sexual sin is a tool that satan uses constantly to defeat us! Sexual sin is most often rooted in pride and selfishness!
Pornography is more than pictures. It's about fantasy and is rooted in selfishness. The fantasy that "your so great, your so desirable"...etc. It is a play to the pride of men. It strokes our ego.
Married men who are never satisfied with their wives and the women that God has given them are a slap in the face to single brothers who abstain for immorality. Married men have a wife that God has given them to engage intimately and spiritually to meet their needs.
Who wants to eat garbage? How long would you have to be out of food before you would eat garbage? Stop eating garbage and eat the meal at home that God has given you!
James 3:15-18
Every evil practice starts from selfishness that goes unchecked!
What is it that defeats men? Sin is what defeats us. Sin is the tool that satan uses!
Sexual sin is a tool that satan uses constantly to defeat us! Sexual sin is most often rooted in pride and selfishness!
Pornography is more than pictures. It's about fantasy and is rooted in selfishness. The fantasy that "your so great, your so desirable"...etc. It is a play to the pride of men. It strokes our ego.
Married men who are never satisfied with their wives and the women that God has given them are a slap in the face to single brothers who abstain for immorality. Married men have a wife that God has given them to engage intimately and spiritually to meet their needs.
Who wants to eat garbage? How long would you have to be out of food before you would eat garbage? Stop eating garbage and eat the meal at home that God has given you!
James 3:15-18
Every evil practice starts from selfishness that goes unchecked!
Accepting Gods Love
Accepting Gods Love
Love is the major overriding theme in The bible. We love the idea of love. 100 top love songs, number one song,"endless love." Romeo and Juliet, written 400 years ago and still a famous love story. We love, love songs and love story.
Do you think about Gods love as a passionate love story? We know God is love but we view gods love in a different light.
Search and read the scriptures John wrote on love...
The books of John define for us what Gods love truly is! Josh was defined as the disciple Jesus loved. John had an understanding of what it really meant to be loved by God.
Jesus did not show favoritism. Any one of the disciples and apostles could have had that kind of relationship with Jesus. Josh was able to receive Jesus love in a different way. Jesus love was the same to all people. Being loved is sometimes hard to do. Being loved unconditionally is hard to accepts sometimes! I believe John understood and was able to receive Jesus love in a different way!
Accepting Gods love requires some effort on my part. My mid set can either receive Gods love or reject it. Gods love is always there but it depends on me in which way or how much I receive!
Luke 9:51-56 being loved can be uncomfortable!
John was not always this way. Early on in his life he was pretty hard line towards people...(wanted Jesus to bring fire from heaven on people, argued with the other apostles on who was the greatest!) later on his life his views on love changed.
John wrote several of his books as though they were love letters. He started each book with "to the church I love"...etc
It's easy to be convinced that Jesus chose John and loved him; however, because of sin it is harder for us to be convinced that Jesus loves me just as much! The same love Jesus had for John is available to me if I would only choose to accept it!
1 John 3:16
We choose God in actions and in truth. If you want to love God then love your brothers and sisters! Love as Jesus defined it is to lay down our lives for each other! We choose to accept or reject God!
Just like John went from harsh and ambitious to a man filled with love, in the same way I need to allow Jesus love to change me. I need to become a man of love that is willing to lay down my life for Him!
Love test...how can I put someone else's needs before my own this week without expecting anything in return?
1 John 4:10
Love is the major overriding theme in The bible. We love the idea of love. 100 top love songs, number one song,"endless love." Romeo and Juliet, written 400 years ago and still a famous love story. We love, love songs and love story.
Do you think about Gods love as a passionate love story? We know God is love but we view gods love in a different light.
Search and read the scriptures John wrote on love...
The books of John define for us what Gods love truly is! Josh was defined as the disciple Jesus loved. John had an understanding of what it really meant to be loved by God.
Jesus did not show favoritism. Any one of the disciples and apostles could have had that kind of relationship with Jesus. Josh was able to receive Jesus love in a different way. Jesus love was the same to all people. Being loved is sometimes hard to do. Being loved unconditionally is hard to accepts sometimes! I believe John understood and was able to receive Jesus love in a different way!
Accepting Gods love requires some effort on my part. My mid set can either receive Gods love or reject it. Gods love is always there but it depends on me in which way or how much I receive!
Luke 9:51-56 being loved can be uncomfortable!
John was not always this way. Early on in his life he was pretty hard line towards people...(wanted Jesus to bring fire from heaven on people, argued with the other apostles on who was the greatest!) later on his life his views on love changed.
John wrote several of his books as though they were love letters. He started each book with "to the church I love"...etc
It's easy to be convinced that Jesus chose John and loved him; however, because of sin it is harder for us to be convinced that Jesus loves me just as much! The same love Jesus had for John is available to me if I would only choose to accept it!
1 John 3:16
We choose God in actions and in truth. If you want to love God then love your brothers and sisters! Love as Jesus defined it is to lay down our lives for each other! We choose to accept or reject God!
Just like John went from harsh and ambitious to a man filled with love, in the same way I need to allow Jesus love to change me. I need to become a man of love that is willing to lay down my life for Him!
Love test...how can I put someone else's needs before my own this week without expecting anything in return?
1 John 4:10
Biblical Christianity or nothing at all!!
Biblical Christianity or nothing at all!!
We live in interesting time! Think about traveling back to biblical times. All of us would want to experience the things the apostles experienced and saw with their own eyes. Why am I in the time period that I am in? God has me where he wants me.
Perceptions can be lost over time. We try to understand and justify Jesus in our own terms some times. We try to mold Jesus into something we can relate to or understand instead of change our selves to fit Jesus!
To follow Christ today is to be old fashion and to believe the bible as truth is antiquated and naive!
Do I share my faith like I really believe that I have the truth to true peace, godly marriages, purity, Godly wisdom?!
Philippians 4:4-7
This is not worldly peace when you make money, have a good job, a happy wife...etc. How hard is it to have peace when everything is going right in your life? This is the peace that comes from God when things are not all ways right but we rejoice!
Our minds and hearts are constantly under attack! I need to guard our heart and my mind with spending time with God. If I am not guarding my heart with the word, who or what am I letting in? Definitely not God!
Philippians 4:8-9
Wise godly decision can make life easier. Unwise quick ungodly decisions can have consequences for years!
Micah 3:8
Where does power come from? The spirit! Justice and might in telling the truth! Living the truth! If I was filled with this type of power today what would I do with it? If God did not hold back his spirit in my life what would I do with it? Watch football? Play video games? Work on my house? It's time to be about my purpose! To allow God to use me and work for him as a servant of Christ!
We live in interesting time! Think about traveling back to biblical times. All of us would want to experience the things the apostles experienced and saw with their own eyes. Why am I in the time period that I am in? God has me where he wants me.
Perceptions can be lost over time. We try to understand and justify Jesus in our own terms some times. We try to mold Jesus into something we can relate to or understand instead of change our selves to fit Jesus!
To follow Christ today is to be old fashion and to believe the bible as truth is antiquated and naive!
Do I share my faith like I really believe that I have the truth to true peace, godly marriages, purity, Godly wisdom?!
Philippians 4:4-7
This is not worldly peace when you make money, have a good job, a happy wife...etc. How hard is it to have peace when everything is going right in your life? This is the peace that comes from God when things are not all ways right but we rejoice!
Our minds and hearts are constantly under attack! I need to guard our heart and my mind with spending time with God. If I am not guarding my heart with the word, who or what am I letting in? Definitely not God!
Philippians 4:8-9
Wise godly decision can make life easier. Unwise quick ungodly decisions can have consequences for years!
Micah 3:8
Where does power come from? The spirit! Justice and might in telling the truth! Living the truth! If I was filled with this type of power today what would I do with it? If God did not hold back his spirit in my life what would I do with it? Watch football? Play video games? Work on my house? It's time to be about my purpose! To allow God to use me and work for him as a servant of Christ!
Friday, September 26, 2014
Jude 1:10-13
Jude 1:10-13
Vs 10 – This kind of speech is fueled
by ignorance and pride. Misunderstand or misinterpreting God's word
can lead to this type of abusive speech. To understand God's word we
need to always strive for a humble heart. We need to be open to what
Gods word says even when we don't like what we are hearing. When we
refuse to approach God in this way we are just like reasoning animals
and our ignorance will destroy us.
Vs 11- Jude provides several examples
to help us understand the true meaning of the people he is talking
about.
- What was the way of Cain (Genesis 4:1-12)?
- What was Balaam's error (Numbers 22:21-41)?
- Why did God destroy the people involved in Korah's rebellion (numbers 16)?
- What did these three have in common?
All three are examples of what happens
when man opposes God and and tries to seek their own interest. Jude
is telling us that when we do not follow Gods word and his will for
our lives, we are like the men he describes in vs 10 and also like
Cain, Balaam, and Korah.
- Each of these men allowed pride to lead them into sin.
- Cain and Balaam were given the opportunity to repent; however, Korah and his entire family was destroyed along with the rest of the men that went along with him in the rebellion.
Vs 12 – Not only are not to be like
these men, Jude also warns us that men like this maybe among us
causing division and keeping us from being connected with God.
- Blemishes at your love feast.
- Eating with us and without being noticed.
- Clouds without rain. Useless in God's kingdom. Showing themselves to be of value but not having any intention of contributing or helping.
- What does he mean by twice dead?
Vs 13 – Jude continues to describe
these men in ways that say they look good on the outside but there
hearts and actions tell a different story.
- Wild waves at sea foaming up shame.
- Wandering stars.
God has reserved the blackest darkness
for men who chose to live like this!
Jude 1:8-9
Jude
Vs 8. What does it mean to slander a celestial being? I think it means to take the Lords name in vain. To curse God or use Jesus Christ is profane way. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are to be revered and His name is holy!!
To use Gods name in vain is sign of disrespect. Out of anger and frustration we say "God Damn" and "Jesus Christ". Where did this habit come from? In Frustration And out of habit I say the "God". This habit needs to stop immediately.
We have been given the power to rebuke the devil ing Gods name. Why would I ever want to use it in any other way and show disrespect!
Vs. 9 Even Satan was given some respect and Michael did not slander him on his own but used Gods name to rebuke him. God is holy, pure and without sin! It makes sense that His name is the only name in which we should respond to evil!
Even the more powerful arch angel Michael did not deal with Satan directly but used Gods name and his power to deal with Satan. How much more should I call on Gods name to fight my own battles with the devil. I am not nearly as strong as Michael (2 peter 2:10-11) and it is foolish to think that I can handle this enemy on my own!
Vs 8. What does it mean to slander a celestial being? I think it means to take the Lords name in vain. To curse God or use Jesus Christ is profane way. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are to be revered and His name is holy!!
To use Gods name in vain is sign of disrespect. Out of anger and frustration we say "God Damn" and "Jesus Christ". Where did this habit come from? In Frustration And out of habit I say the "God". This habit needs to stop immediately.
We have been given the power to rebuke the devil ing Gods name. Why would I ever want to use it in any other way and show disrespect!
Vs. 9 Even Satan was given some respect and Michael did not slander him on his own but used Gods name to rebuke him. God is holy, pure and without sin! It makes sense that His name is the only name in which we should respond to evil!
Even the more powerful arch angel Michael did not deal with Satan directly but used Gods name and his power to deal with Satan. How much more should I call on Gods name to fight my own battles with the devil. I am not nearly as strong as Michael (2 peter 2:10-11) and it is foolish to think that I can handle this enemy on my own!
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Jude 1:3-4
JUDE
Vs. 3 Jude suggest not only do we rejoice in our salvation but that we must content for our faith as well.
Christianity is under attack. The bible is under attack. There is hypocrisy everywhere! As a disciple of Christ I need to defend my faith by living a life worth of the gospel. People are watching me and the example that I set plays a huge role in how the people around me view God and Christianity!
Vs. 4 Jude describes wolves in sheep's clothing. People who look, dress, and talk like they are Christians or believers. People who know the right things to say. Know how to act and carry themselves but really are godless men.
Why are they godless men?
Men that take the grace that Jesus so freely gives and then use it to justify the sin in their lives.
Instead of accepting Gods grace and mercy and repenting of their sins, they use it to continue to sin and manipulate God's word.
This is scary to think about. Although I go to church and read my bible, at any point I can become like these godless men.
Repenting is the key. If I deliberately keep on sinning and I don't go after changing my sinful nature, then I am no better than they are.
I know God does not call me to be perfect; however, he does call me to change and repent. I need to get serious about the sin in my life and to stop making excuses for it!
Jude 1:1-2
Jude
Vs. 1 Jude was the brother of James an the brother of Jesus. Jude did not believe Jesus was the Christ and the Son of God until after Jesus rose from the dead.
None of the countless miracles Jesus did in his life was enough to convince Jude to believe in Jesus. It wasn't until after he had seen the suffering Jesus went through, the pain his mother (Mary) had endured, and then the resurrection of Jesus from the dead that he truly believe.
Christ power is in His resurrection! My power comes from Jesus death and resurrection.
If Jesus had not died I would not be saved.
I would not be able to conquer my sinful nature.
There would be no forgiveness.
Like Jude I was not convinced by all the blessings God had given me or the miracles he had done in my life. It took the power of the cross to break my heart and to really see who I was before God and how much I really need Him.
Vs. 1 Jude is speaking specificity to Christians. Fellow believers in Christ. Brothers.
Like Jude, I have been called to know Christ.
It is sobering to think about this. Out of all the people in the world, many of which do not know God, God chose me and called me to follow him!
What a privilege it is to be pursued by God and chosen by Him!
Jude reminds us that as brothers in the faith, we are loved by God and kept in a relationship with him by or through Jesus.
How often have I taken this simple fact for granted.
Without Jesus I would not be able to have a relationship with God.
Vs. 2 Jude offers a blessing of mercy, peace, and love to his readers.
We all want the same things. To have mercy, live in peace, and to be loved.
Only through Jesus and our relationship with God can we truly have mercy, peace, and love.
Nothing the world has to offer me will ever compare with the abundance of these three things I have in Christ!
Monday, September 15, 2014
Fwd: Sermon notes today
| We need faith to be confident. Hebrew 11:1 How to be confident. Three things that destroy our confidence: 1. Doubt vs TRUST when we don't trust, we are sinning against God. 2. Guilt from sin vs 🌟CONFESSION. I need to confess the things I'm feeling guilty about so that I can connecting with God. 3. Lack of ability vs🌟HUMILITY it means you're putting yourself in a position to learn. Learning how to be humble and ask questions. It's not about working harder but learning how to work smarter. If we lose the heart to be a Learner, we loose the opportunity to connect. Galatians 5:6 Religious people try to prove how they are close to God and not on how they're working on the areas they need help in their lives to be closer to God and helping other draw closer to God. Many times when we are religious, we are unloving. When people really want to seek God, they seek love. When we don't have faith, it's hard to: Trust Forgive Be honest Selfless Grateful Responsive Apologize Humble Show respect We NEED FAITH TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD Hebrews 11:6 God wants to know two things: 🌟do you believe that I'm real? 🌟he wants us to have a real relationship with Him. Spiritual growth happens when we have faith and take action. WHAT CONVERSATION DO I NEED TO HAVE WITH GOD? Hebrews 10:38 🌟LIVE BY FAITH THIS WEEK🌟 🙏Study the bible (Be eager) 🙏 Prayer (Be honest) 🌟TRUE PRAYERS 🌟 Thanksgiving Request Uncover sin Express emotions 🙏 Resolve Relationships (Be loving) 🙏 Start building something new (Have impact) |
Sunday, September 14, 2014
A Living Eulogy.
A Living Eulogy.
We are all going to die. We are all going to have a tomb stone! We need to think about what kind of life do I want to live before it is my last? This is a question we should ask often. We should measure our progress I. These goals and make adjustments if need as we travel along our journey!
Psalms 90:12
We are all alive today! We want a life that glorifies God. Alive that The Lord can be proud of.
Paul's living eulogy...
Acts 20:17-38
Paul says "you know how I lived"! Our lives are witness to who we truly are! What more could have been said at Paul's funeral? Paul's signal focus in life was to do what God had called him to do. What is my signal most important focus in my life?
God has specific plans for each of us. Am I living out Gods will in my life? As Americans we need to redefine what a successful life is. Sometimes our view gets distorted by the world. Gods definition of a successful for filled life into live a life like Paul...faithful to the end!
Paul never viewed himself as being perfect but as one who never neglected to tell the truth! We cannot shrink back from telling the truth. I need to also live my life in truth as I speak the truth in love. I have to have both the truth on my lips and the truth in my life.
Paul through his life lead people to Jesus and not to himself. Paul was a pilar in the faith but through humility refused to promote himself and exalted Jesus above himself in everything he did.
Paul finished his life strong and refused to give up. Through the power of Christ he persevered and stayed faithful.
In Paul's life he gave more than he received. This is an example of a for filled life. To give more than we receive! It's is easy to give more when we are receiving more. Gods plan and design is to give more than you receive. It's on me to make sure that the balance between giving and receiving is in line with Gods view. The more I get the more I should be giving. 2/1 ratio giving/receiving!
I can never out give Jesus. Jesus lived his life this way...giving everything!
We are all going to die. We are all going to have a tomb stone! We need to think about what kind of life do I want to live before it is my last? This is a question we should ask often. We should measure our progress I. These goals and make adjustments if need as we travel along our journey!
Psalms 90:12
We are all alive today! We want a life that glorifies God. Alive that The Lord can be proud of.
Paul's living eulogy...
Acts 20:17-38
Paul says "you know how I lived"! Our lives are witness to who we truly are! What more could have been said at Paul's funeral? Paul's signal focus in life was to do what God had called him to do. What is my signal most important focus in my life?
God has specific plans for each of us. Am I living out Gods will in my life? As Americans we need to redefine what a successful life is. Sometimes our view gets distorted by the world. Gods definition of a successful for filled life into live a life like Paul...faithful to the end!
Paul never viewed himself as being perfect but as one who never neglected to tell the truth! We cannot shrink back from telling the truth. I need to also live my life in truth as I speak the truth in love. I have to have both the truth on my lips and the truth in my life.
Paul through his life lead people to Jesus and not to himself. Paul was a pilar in the faith but through humility refused to promote himself and exalted Jesus above himself in everything he did.
Paul finished his life strong and refused to give up. Through the power of Christ he persevered and stayed faithful.
In Paul's life he gave more than he received. This is an example of a for filled life. To give more than we receive! It's is easy to give more when we are receiving more. Gods plan and design is to give more than you receive. It's on me to make sure that the balance between giving and receiving is in line with Gods view. The more I get the more I should be giving. 2/1 ratio giving/receiving!
I can never out give Jesus. Jesus lived his life this way...giving everything!
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Who is Jesus?
Who is Jesus?
We define things by our perceptions. Many times we miss or never notice God in our daily lives.
Jesus was the son of God, the most interesting man in the world, God in human form...etc and in many situations people could only see him as a carpenters son and a human born from galilee!
Who is Jesus?
Mark 8:27-30
Jesus did not ask this question to impress people or give himself glory. Everything that Jesus did was to glorify God! Jesus was asking this question to also reveal where his disciples were at I'm their hearts.
The Pharisees and religious powers acknowledged that Jesus was a righteous man. A man of God, a profit from God!
What would people say about me. Who would people say that I am? No good tree produces bad fruit! What type of fruit am I producing. People will define me by the fruit that I produce!
What will people think about me if I live my life where all I care about is what God thinks of me.
1 Peter 2:12
Who do people compare me to? What answer would someone give?
Galatians 5:22-23
I need to bare this kind of fruit. Not just one or too fruits of the spirit but all of the fruits of the spirit.
Today to call Jesus savior, the Son of God does not Maegan as much as it did back in biblical times. Somewhere along the way it has lost its meaning! It is only when we feel hopeless and in deep need of help that we truly see who Jesus is and what his name really means!
We done think we need a savior until we realize how much we need God. How much we need Jesus! Recognizing my need for a savior is the only way we can every really know who Jesus is!
Matthew 16:17-19
Peter was the rock because he was able to realize and defined Jesus for who he really was! Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world and the son of the living God! There is nothing else to build Gods church on that Jesus is lord and our savior!!
What am I building my life on? This too will define me to the people around me!
Build on Jesus as the son of God and my savior!
We define things by our perceptions. Many times we miss or never notice God in our daily lives.
Jesus was the son of God, the most interesting man in the world, God in human form...etc and in many situations people could only see him as a carpenters son and a human born from galilee!
Who is Jesus?
Mark 8:27-30
Jesus did not ask this question to impress people or give himself glory. Everything that Jesus did was to glorify God! Jesus was asking this question to also reveal where his disciples were at I'm their hearts.
The Pharisees and religious powers acknowledged that Jesus was a righteous man. A man of God, a profit from God!
What would people say about me. Who would people say that I am? No good tree produces bad fruit! What type of fruit am I producing. People will define me by the fruit that I produce!
What will people think about me if I live my life where all I care about is what God thinks of me.
1 Peter 2:12
Who do people compare me to? What answer would someone give?
Galatians 5:22-23
I need to bare this kind of fruit. Not just one or too fruits of the spirit but all of the fruits of the spirit.
Today to call Jesus savior, the Son of God does not Maegan as much as it did back in biblical times. Somewhere along the way it has lost its meaning! It is only when we feel hopeless and in deep need of help that we truly see who Jesus is and what his name really means!
We done think we need a savior until we realize how much we need God. How much we need Jesus! Recognizing my need for a savior is the only way we can every really know who Jesus is!
Matthew 16:17-19
Peter was the rock because he was able to realize and defined Jesus for who he really was! Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world and the son of the living God! There is nothing else to build Gods church on that Jesus is lord and our savior!!
What am I building my life on? This too will define me to the people around me!
Build on Jesus as the son of God and my savior!
Jesus was focused and deliberate.
Jesus was focused and deliberate.
Mark 1:35-38
Jesus woke up early and had a purpose for the day. He left early to go preach and drive out demons. Is my purpose to preach and drive out demons (sin) in other peoples lives? Am I living life deliberately or am I just loving to survive? What is my plan spiritually for the next couple of months. Am I planing?
Mark 5:1-20
Am I willing to interact with those in society that may have difficult problems to deal with. Jesus went after the people with the most problems! We were all demon possessed before God! Share my story this week with someone! I have the solution and can bring peace to the world
Mark 12:28-34
To religious people, Jesus focused on two things. Love for God and love for others. It's not about living a perfect life. It's about loving God and each other!
Mark 16:9-20
Jesus rose from the dead and went straight back to the mission. Jesus was focused and deliberate about his life and the time that he had.
Sent from my iPad
Mark 1:35-38
Jesus woke up early and had a purpose for the day. He left early to go preach and drive out demons. Is my purpose to preach and drive out demons (sin) in other peoples lives? Am I living life deliberately or am I just loving to survive? What is my plan spiritually for the next couple of months. Am I planing?
Mark 5:1-20
Am I willing to interact with those in society that may have difficult problems to deal with. Jesus went after the people with the most problems! We were all demon possessed before God! Share my story this week with someone! I have the solution and can bring peace to the world
Mark 12:28-34
To religious people, Jesus focused on two things. Love for God and love for others. It's not about living a perfect life. It's about loving God and each other!
Mark 16:9-20
Jesus rose from the dead and went straight back to the mission. Jesus was focused and deliberate about his life and the time that he had.
Sent from my iPad
What does the cross mean to you?
What does the cross mean to you?
The cross can mean many things! To the people of the first century it was a symbol of torture. Everyone new what it meant to be crucified. They had seen live crucifixes before. When Jesus said take up your cross and follow him, that had a graphic meaning to the first century that I believe in many ways has been lost today.
The cross today is a cultural icon. A symbol of religiosity. It's a pendant on a gold chain, a marker for a grave, a hand gesture, or a screen print on a tshirt.
What does the cross stand for to you?
1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
What does the cross mean to you? How has it affected your life? How has it changed your life? How has it giving you power?
When we come in contact with the cross and think about what it means on a personal level we cannot walk away without making a decision to change and live for God!
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
The cross is foolishness when it is just a symbol, a cultural icon or a piece of jewelry. The cross has power when we allow it to change our lives. When we allow it to compel us and no longer live for our selves but for God!
The cross can mean many things! To the people of the first century it was a symbol of torture. Everyone new what it meant to be crucified. They had seen live crucifixes before. When Jesus said take up your cross and follow him, that had a graphic meaning to the first century that I believe in many ways has been lost today.
The cross today is a cultural icon. A symbol of religiosity. It's a pendant on a gold chain, a marker for a grave, a hand gesture, or a screen print on a tshirt.
What does the cross stand for to you?
1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
What does the cross mean to you? How has it affected your life? How has it changed your life? How has it giving you power?
When we come in contact with the cross and think about what it means on a personal level we cannot walk away without making a decision to change and live for God!
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
The cross is foolishness when it is just a symbol, a cultural icon or a piece of jewelry. The cross has power when we allow it to change our lives. When we allow it to compel us and no longer live for our selves but for God!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Grace
Grace
Titus 3:1-7
God commands us to show meekness and gentleness to "all men". All men means all men. There is no excuse or exemption based on who they are.
God found each one of us the way vs 3 describes. Enslaved and bound by all kinds of passions and pleasures! At one time God found us in a desperate state. He rescued us from despair. We were disobedient to Gods laws and deceived!
When we live a life style of sin we are enslaved to it. True freedom only comes through righteousness and rite lushness only comes through God!
There was nothing in us that would cause God to love us. There was nothing we could do to draw God to us!
God saved us simply because of his mercy. Simply because he is a merciful God and a loving God.
What has God done for us?
He washed us up. Cleansed us from all the filth that was in our lives. We can never really connect with God's grace until we realize how sinful we really are and how dark our lives are without him!
God lavished his love on us through our savor Jesus Christ. When we deserved death and so many other things other than grace, God pored out unconditional love on us!
God was not forced to rescue us, he delights in rescuing us.
Ephesians 1:3-10
Titus 3:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:13b-17; 2 Samuel 9:1-8
Jonathan protected David from his father and made a covenant with David that David would bless Jonathan's family. David honored that promise despite of running the risk of someone from Jonathan's family rising up and taking his throne! David was a grateful man who never forgot the grace that was shown to him by Jonathan!
We are all Mephilboseth and we're all crippled and suffering. We don't deserve grace but is given to us because of the covenant of Jesus blood and sacrifice.
Titus 3:1-7
God commands us to show meekness and gentleness to "all men". All men means all men. There is no excuse or exemption based on who they are.
God found each one of us the way vs 3 describes. Enslaved and bound by all kinds of passions and pleasures! At one time God found us in a desperate state. He rescued us from despair. We were disobedient to Gods laws and deceived!
When we live a life style of sin we are enslaved to it. True freedom only comes through righteousness and rite lushness only comes through God!
There was nothing in us that would cause God to love us. There was nothing we could do to draw God to us!
God saved us simply because of his mercy. Simply because he is a merciful God and a loving God.
What has God done for us?
He washed us up. Cleansed us from all the filth that was in our lives. We can never really connect with God's grace until we realize how sinful we really are and how dark our lives are without him!
God lavished his love on us through our savor Jesus Christ. When we deserved death and so many other things other than grace, God pored out unconditional love on us!
God was not forced to rescue us, he delights in rescuing us.
Ephesians 1:3-10
Titus 3:1-7; 1 Samuel 20:13b-17; 2 Samuel 9:1-8
Jonathan protected David from his father and made a covenant with David that David would bless Jonathan's family. David honored that promise despite of running the risk of someone from Jonathan's family rising up and taking his throne! David was a grateful man who never forgot the grace that was shown to him by Jonathan!
We are all Mephilboseth and we're all crippled and suffering. We don't deserve grace but is given to us because of the covenant of Jesus blood and sacrifice.
Seeking The Lord
Seeking The Lord
Hosea 10:12
We schedule so many things through the day, yet seeking The Lord is so many times not our priority and it should be!
Luke 15:17-20
The turning point in this man's life was when he chose to seek The Lord. He had to change his direction and could not stay where he was at.
The parables before the lost son helps us understand that we are all lost and it shows how much God longs to find us!
Luke 15:11-16
Sin distances us from God in the same way that this man set off for a distant land. Sin sends us away from God and we end up so far away.
Ephesians 4:17
Sin removes us from God and when our hearts get hard we fall further and further away. Sin causes us to lose all sensitivity! Following sin will on lead you to pig slop!
To seek The Lord you first have to see where you are at.
Luke 15:17-20
Psalms 84:10
To seek God you must realize that is better to be in Gods house than in any other place!!
The lost son did not just sit and dream about a life with God, he took action! He got up and ran home!
Luke 3:7-14
A changed heart requires action.
Luke 15:21-24
Hosea 10:12
We schedule so many things through the day, yet seeking The Lord is so many times not our priority and it should be!
Luke 15:17-20
The turning point in this man's life was when he chose to seek The Lord. He had to change his direction and could not stay where he was at.
The parables before the lost son helps us understand that we are all lost and it shows how much God longs to find us!
Luke 15:11-16
Sin distances us from God in the same way that this man set off for a distant land. Sin sends us away from God and we end up so far away.
Ephesians 4:17
Sin removes us from God and when our hearts get hard we fall further and further away. Sin causes us to lose all sensitivity! Following sin will on lead you to pig slop!
To seek The Lord you first have to see where you are at.
Luke 15:17-20
Psalms 84:10
To seek God you must realize that is better to be in Gods house than in any other place!!
The lost son did not just sit and dream about a life with God, he took action! He got up and ran home!
Luke 3:7-14
A changed heart requires action.
Luke 15:21-24
Freedom!
Freedom!
The reality and idea of freedom is a very valuable thing. It's what we want and desire the most! Lack of freedom promotes anger and resentment!
John 8:31-33
When someone offers you freedom they are really saving your a slave. The Pharisees refused to see reality that they were slaves!
Jesus mission was to bring freedom and to set prisoners free! Yet in the gospels there is not one story of jesus going into prisons to set any one free. What kind of freedom is Jesus offering?
John 8:34
Freedom from sin!
Romans 6
I am a slave, a prisoner and satan wants to be my master! Slavery that sin puts us in
Is far worst than anything else in this world. Marriages destroyed by sin! Families and children hurt by sin! Relationships destroyed by sin! Dreams crushed by sin. Suicides taken by the guilt of sin! Sin creates doubt and not trust. It isolates us!
Any of us who saw physical slavery or oppression could not just sit and watch with out doing something about it! Then why do I not have the same indignation about the slavery of sin and oppression?!
Every person freed from physical slavery still is a prisoner to sin. Sin has caused more oppression and has killed more people than any other thing in this world!
Romans 8:18-24
Romans 8:25
What a simple answer! Jesus Christ! All of us who have been baptized into Christ have been set free!
What should we do with this freedom that God has given us?!
Romans 6:19-23
Since we have been freed from the slavery of sin, God ask that we chose to be a slave to righteousness!
Giving up our freedom takes trust and humility! Making Jesus lord requires us to trust and obey God!
Galatians 5:13-14
Surrender your freedom not to sin but to serve your brothers and sisters! Unity is expensive and one of the cost of unity is Freedom!!!
Jesus gave up his freedom for God and chose to give up his life for me!
Do I lay down my life and lay down my freedom for my brothers and sisters? For the people around me!
I can't give away what it don't have. I have to be set free from sin in order to offer my Freedom to righteousness!!
The reality and idea of freedom is a very valuable thing. It's what we want and desire the most! Lack of freedom promotes anger and resentment!
John 8:31-33
When someone offers you freedom they are really saving your a slave. The Pharisees refused to see reality that they were slaves!
Jesus mission was to bring freedom and to set prisoners free! Yet in the gospels there is not one story of jesus going into prisons to set any one free. What kind of freedom is Jesus offering?
John 8:34
Freedom from sin!
Romans 6
I am a slave, a prisoner and satan wants to be my master! Slavery that sin puts us in
Is far worst than anything else in this world. Marriages destroyed by sin! Families and children hurt by sin! Relationships destroyed by sin! Dreams crushed by sin. Suicides taken by the guilt of sin! Sin creates doubt and not trust. It isolates us!
Any of us who saw physical slavery or oppression could not just sit and watch with out doing something about it! Then why do I not have the same indignation about the slavery of sin and oppression?!
Every person freed from physical slavery still is a prisoner to sin. Sin has caused more oppression and has killed more people than any other thing in this world!
Romans 8:18-24
Romans 8:25
What a simple answer! Jesus Christ! All of us who have been baptized into Christ have been set free!
What should we do with this freedom that God has given us?!
Romans 6:19-23
Since we have been freed from the slavery of sin, God ask that we chose to be a slave to righteousness!
Giving up our freedom takes trust and humility! Making Jesus lord requires us to trust and obey God!
Galatians 5:13-14
Surrender your freedom not to sin but to serve your brothers and sisters! Unity is expensive and one of the cost of unity is Freedom!!!
Jesus gave up his freedom for God and chose to give up his life for me!
Do I lay down my life and lay down my freedom for my brothers and sisters? For the people around me!
I can't give away what it don't have. I have to be set free from sin in order to offer my Freedom to righteousness!!
Questions and lies!
Questions and lies!
Questions can change our lives! Many were asked or asked the question will you marry me? Life is never the same after that question. Will you come to church with me? Another life changing question. Do you want to study the bible? Life changing questions!
Kids start asking question as soon as they are able to talk. It's natural to have questions. We all ask questions. Eve was asked a question; "did God really say no"
Genesis 3:1-7; 23-24
Some of us read this and think, "yep, that's just like God, always telling us what we can't do". We have a distorted view of God and see him of just a God of do's and don'ts! God is a God of yes! God is a God of freedom!
Imaging some one offered you a beach house in Hawaii and gave you the freedom to stay as long as you wanted, to use it in anyway that you wanted, to swim, sunbath, surf, snorkel, enjoy the beautiful beach and spend endless time there free of charge! The only instructions where to not swim next to the rocks because there is an under current and you will surely drown if you do. What would you say to this? You would be excited to receive this gift! This is exactly what God offered Adam and Eve!
What did Satan ask? A question designed to create doubt! Satan is the father of lies and when he asks a question he is speaking a lie! When satan says "did he really say?" He is not trying to help you clear up a misunderstanding, he is really attacking a weakness and doubt that is already in your heart!!
Did God really say?....feel in the blank and it is always something that we are weak and struggling in! It is always something that we want to do and know is not right!
Eve's response to Satan's question is different than what God really said. She left out the part about being free to roam the garden and added a part about not touching the fruit! How many scriptures do we look at and change the meaning or soften what God is saying to benefit our own agendas and desires?! When Eve went and touch the fruit she made God out to be a lier in her own mind because she didn't die. This just created more justification in her mind to dismiss Gods instruction.
Twisting scripture and justifying our actions only helps Satan have more of a influence on our hearts!
Is the problem the lie satan asked or the lie that Eve answered? Both! Too many times we cast doubt and dissect Gods word with an alternative motive, when we want to justify our actions or convince our selves that it is ok to do what we want to do?
We need to know Gods word enough to know to not have half truths in our beliefs!
We need to thank God for the boundaries he has put in our lives and the hurt he is trying to save us from instead or trying to find a way around them! God is protecting us from so much and wants nothing but our best interest!
When we know Gods word we are able to reject those questions that satan throws at us and the lies he uses to deceive us!!!
Questions can change our lives! Many were asked or asked the question will you marry me? Life is never the same after that question. Will you come to church with me? Another life changing question. Do you want to study the bible? Life changing questions!
Kids start asking question as soon as they are able to talk. It's natural to have questions. We all ask questions. Eve was asked a question; "did God really say no"
Genesis 3:1-7; 23-24
Some of us read this and think, "yep, that's just like God, always telling us what we can't do". We have a distorted view of God and see him of just a God of do's and don'ts! God is a God of yes! God is a God of freedom!
Imaging some one offered you a beach house in Hawaii and gave you the freedom to stay as long as you wanted, to use it in anyway that you wanted, to swim, sunbath, surf, snorkel, enjoy the beautiful beach and spend endless time there free of charge! The only instructions where to not swim next to the rocks because there is an under current and you will surely drown if you do. What would you say to this? You would be excited to receive this gift! This is exactly what God offered Adam and Eve!
What did Satan ask? A question designed to create doubt! Satan is the father of lies and when he asks a question he is speaking a lie! When satan says "did he really say?" He is not trying to help you clear up a misunderstanding, he is really attacking a weakness and doubt that is already in your heart!!
Did God really say?....feel in the blank and it is always something that we are weak and struggling in! It is always something that we want to do and know is not right!
Eve's response to Satan's question is different than what God really said. She left out the part about being free to roam the garden and added a part about not touching the fruit! How many scriptures do we look at and change the meaning or soften what God is saying to benefit our own agendas and desires?! When Eve went and touch the fruit she made God out to be a lier in her own mind because she didn't die. This just created more justification in her mind to dismiss Gods instruction.
Twisting scripture and justifying our actions only helps Satan have more of a influence on our hearts!
Is the problem the lie satan asked or the lie that Eve answered? Both! Too many times we cast doubt and dissect Gods word with an alternative motive, when we want to justify our actions or convince our selves that it is ok to do what we want to do?
We need to know Gods word enough to know to not have half truths in our beliefs!
We need to thank God for the boundaries he has put in our lives and the hurt he is trying to save us from instead or trying to find a way around them! God is protecting us from so much and wants nothing but our best interest!
When we know Gods word we are able to reject those questions that satan throws at us and the lies he uses to deceive us!!!
Absolute truth and absolute grace!
Absolute truth and absolute grace!
The important thing about questions is the answer! Questions stem from the need for an answer. When we ask questions we a looking for truth! There are some truths that we don't want to hear!
God only brings truth. Sometimes we get angry with God over what is true.
John 18:28
Jesus came into this world to tell us the truth about everything. Jesus lived a human life and experienced everything that we experience to help us know the truth!
Pilate ask, "what is truth?" This is not a question that Pilate wants answered. Pilates questions is an answer in his mind. It's the attitude, what's truth...how do we even know. This question was full of doubt!
Everybody has an opinion, how do we know what truth is. If the truth does not fit our agenda then we question whether it is the real truth.
Pilate represents the wisdom of the world. He was roman, advanced, educated, new age, forward thinking...Jesus was narrow thinking, closed minded and traditional in the mind of Pilate.
Absolute right and wrong to the world is closed minded and narrow thinking. Satan likes to use this and back us into an either/or corner. You can't believe the bible and have common sense. We have to be blindly faithful and foolish minded. The truth is that christianity is true and reasonable!
The world attacks the idea that there is absolute truth!
Jesus teaches that there is absolute truth that never changes. Truth that is true for and old lady and a teenage boy, one size fits all truth. Jesus is truth! John 1:14, 17; John 3:21; 4:23-24; 7:28; 8:31-32; 14:6-7;
Satan does not need to convince us that God is a liar, he just needs to convince us that there is another truth!
God is complete truth and grace all at the same time! He is both without any conflict! With the sinful woman caught in adultery, Jesus was 100% truth and 100% grace all the time!
Sin has been punished, every single sin has been punished. There is nothing that I have gotten away from or hidden for God. There is no sin that was not accounted for. I have not gotten away with anything! Either I am punished for my sin or Jesus is punished for the sins that I have committed!! Jesus received death that was meant for me. This is the power of the cross! Complete absolute truth and complete absolute grace and mercy!
The important thing about questions is the answer! Questions stem from the need for an answer. When we ask questions we a looking for truth! There are some truths that we don't want to hear!
God only brings truth. Sometimes we get angry with God over what is true.
John 18:28
Jesus came into this world to tell us the truth about everything. Jesus lived a human life and experienced everything that we experience to help us know the truth!
Pilate ask, "what is truth?" This is not a question that Pilate wants answered. Pilates questions is an answer in his mind. It's the attitude, what's truth...how do we even know. This question was full of doubt!
Everybody has an opinion, how do we know what truth is. If the truth does not fit our agenda then we question whether it is the real truth.
Pilate represents the wisdom of the world. He was roman, advanced, educated, new age, forward thinking...Jesus was narrow thinking, closed minded and traditional in the mind of Pilate.
Absolute right and wrong to the world is closed minded and narrow thinking. Satan likes to use this and back us into an either/or corner. You can't believe the bible and have common sense. We have to be blindly faithful and foolish minded. The truth is that christianity is true and reasonable!
The world attacks the idea that there is absolute truth!
Jesus teaches that there is absolute truth that never changes. Truth that is true for and old lady and a teenage boy, one size fits all truth. Jesus is truth! John 1:14, 17; John 3:21; 4:23-24; 7:28; 8:31-32; 14:6-7;
Satan does not need to convince us that God is a liar, he just needs to convince us that there is another truth!
God is complete truth and grace all at the same time! He is both without any conflict! With the sinful woman caught in adultery, Jesus was 100% truth and 100% grace all the time!
Sin has been punished, every single sin has been punished. There is nothing that I have gotten away from or hidden for God. There is no sin that was not accounted for. I have not gotten away with anything! Either I am punished for my sin or Jesus is punished for the sins that I have committed!! Jesus received death that was meant for me. This is the power of the cross! Complete absolute truth and complete absolute grace and mercy!
Who is Jesus
We define things by our perceptions. Many times we miss or never notice God in our daily lives.
Jesus was the son of God, the most interesting man in the world, God in human form...etc and in many situations people could only see him as a carpenters son and a human born from galilee!
Who is Jesus?
Mark 8:27-30
Jesus did not ask this question to impress people or give himself glory. Everything that Jesus did was to glorify God! Jesus was asking this question to also reveal where his disciples were at I'm their hearts.
The Pharisees and religious powers acknowledged that Jesus was a righteous man. A man of God, a profit from God!
What would people say about me. Who would people say that I am? No good tree produces bad fruit! What type of fruit am I producing. People will define me by the fruit that I produce!
What will people think about me if I live my life where all I care about is what God thinks of me.
1 Peter 2:12
Who do people compare me to? What answer would someone give?
Galatians 5:22-23
I need to bare this kind of fruit. Not just one or too fruits of the spirit but all of the fruits of the spirit.
Today to call Jesus savior, the Son of God does not Maegan as much as it did back in biblical times. Somewhere along the way it has lost its meaning! It is only when we feel hopeless and in deep need of help that we truly see who Jesus is and what his name really means!
We done think we need a savior until we realize how much we need God. How much we need Jesus! Recognizing my need for a savior is the only way we can every really know who Jesus is!
Matthew 16:17-19
Peter was the rock because he was able to realize and defined Jesus for who he really was! Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world and the son of the living God! There is nothing else to build Gods church on that Jesus is lord and our savior!!
What am I building my life on? This too will define me to the people around me!
Build on Jesus as the son of God and my savior!
Jesus was the son of God, the most interesting man in the world, God in human form...etc and in many situations people could only see him as a carpenters son and a human born from galilee!
Who is Jesus?
Mark 8:27-30
Jesus did not ask this question to impress people or give himself glory. Everything that Jesus did was to glorify God! Jesus was asking this question to also reveal where his disciples were at I'm their hearts.
The Pharisees and religious powers acknowledged that Jesus was a righteous man. A man of God, a profit from God!
What would people say about me. Who would people say that I am? No good tree produces bad fruit! What type of fruit am I producing. People will define me by the fruit that I produce!
What will people think about me if I live my life where all I care about is what God thinks of me.
1 Peter 2:12
Who do people compare me to? What answer would someone give?
Galatians 5:22-23
I need to bare this kind of fruit. Not just one or too fruits of the spirit but all of the fruits of the spirit.
Today to call Jesus savior, the Son of God does not Maegan as much as it did back in biblical times. Somewhere along the way it has lost its meaning! It is only when we feel hopeless and in deep need of help that we truly see who Jesus is and what his name really means!
We done think we need a savior until we realize how much we need God. How much we need Jesus! Recognizing my need for a savior is the only way we can every really know who Jesus is!
Matthew 16:17-19
Peter was the rock because he was able to realize and defined Jesus for who he really was! Jesus is the Christ, the savior of the world and the son of the living God! There is nothing else to build Gods church on that Jesus is lord and our savior!!
What am I building my life on? This too will define me to the people around me!
Build on Jesus as the son of God and my savior!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Questions and lies!
Questions and lies!
Questions can change our lives! Many were asked or asked the question will you marry me? Life is never the same after that question. Will you come to church with me? Another life changing question. Do you want to study the bible? Life changing questions!
Kids start asking question as soon as they are able to talk. It's natural to have questions. We all ask questions. Eve was asked a question; "did God really say no"
Genesis 3:1-7; 23-24
Some of us read this and think, "yep, that's just like God, always telling us what we can't do". We have a distorted view of God and see him of just a God of do's and don'ts! God is a God of yes! God is a God of freedom!
Imaging some one offered you a beach house in Hawaii and gave you the freedom to stay as long as you wanted, to use it in anyway that you wanted, to swim, sunbath, surf, snorkel, enjoy the beautiful beach and spend endless time there free of charge! The only instructions where to not swim next to the rocks because there is an under current and you will surely drown if you do. What would you say to this? You would be excited to receive this gift! This is exactly what God offered Adam and Eve!
What did Satan ask? A question designed to create doubt! Satan is the father of lies and when he asks a question he is speaking a lie! When satan says "did he really say?" He is not trying to help you clear up a misunderstanding, he is really attacking a weakness and doubt that is already in your heart!!
Did God really say?....feel in the blank and it is always something that we are weak and struggling in! It is always something that we want to do and know is not right!
Eve's response to Satan's question is different than what God really said. She left out the part about being free to roam the garden and added a part about not touching the fruit! How many scriptures do we look at and change the meaning or soften what God is saying to benefit our own agendas and desires?! When Eve went and touch the fruit she made God out to be a lier in her own mind because she didn't die. This just created more justification in her mind to dismiss Gods instruction.
Twisting scripture and justifying our actions only helps Satan have more of a influence on our hearts!
Is the problem the lie satan asked or the lie that Eve answered? Both! Too many times we cast doubt and dissect Gods word with an alternative motive, when we want to justify our actions or convince our selves that it is ok to do what we want to do?
We need to know Gods word enough to know to not have half truths in our beliefs!
We need to thank God for the boundaries he has put in our lives and the hurt he is trying to save us from instead or trying to find a way around them! God is protecting us from so much and wants nothing but our best interest!
When we know Gods word we are able to reject those questions that satan throws at us and the lies he uses to deceive us!!!
Sent from my iPad
Questions can change our lives! Many were asked or asked the question will you marry me? Life is never the same after that question. Will you come to church with me? Another life changing question. Do you want to study the bible? Life changing questions!
Kids start asking question as soon as they are able to talk. It's natural to have questions. We all ask questions. Eve was asked a question; "did God really say no"
Genesis 3:1-7; 23-24
Some of us read this and think, "yep, that's just like God, always telling us what we can't do". We have a distorted view of God and see him of just a God of do's and don'ts! God is a God of yes! God is a God of freedom!
Imaging some one offered you a beach house in Hawaii and gave you the freedom to stay as long as you wanted, to use it in anyway that you wanted, to swim, sunbath, surf, snorkel, enjoy the beautiful beach and spend endless time there free of charge! The only instructions where to not swim next to the rocks because there is an under current and you will surely drown if you do. What would you say to this? You would be excited to receive this gift! This is exactly what God offered Adam and Eve!
What did Satan ask? A question designed to create doubt! Satan is the father of lies and when he asks a question he is speaking a lie! When satan says "did he really say?" He is not trying to help you clear up a misunderstanding, he is really attacking a weakness and doubt that is already in your heart!!
Did God really say?....feel in the blank and it is always something that we are weak and struggling in! It is always something that we want to do and know is not right!
Eve's response to Satan's question is different than what God really said. She left out the part about being free to roam the garden and added a part about not touching the fruit! How many scriptures do we look at and change the meaning or soften what God is saying to benefit our own agendas and desires?! When Eve went and touch the fruit she made God out to be a lier in her own mind because she didn't die. This just created more justification in her mind to dismiss Gods instruction.
Twisting scripture and justifying our actions only helps Satan have more of a influence on our hearts!
Is the problem the lie satan asked or the lie that Eve answered? Both! Too many times we cast doubt and dissect Gods word with an alternative motive, when we want to justify our actions or convince our selves that it is ok to do what we want to do?
We need to know Gods word enough to know to not have half truths in our beliefs!
We need to thank God for the boundaries he has put in our lives and the hurt he is trying to save us from instead or trying to find a way around them! God is protecting us from so much and wants nothing but our best interest!
When we know Gods word we are able to reject those questions that satan throws at us and the lies he uses to deceive us!!!
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Leadership
Leadership
Everyone needs to be leaders in some way. We should be actively thinking of ways to lead and serve.
What does it mean to be a leader and who should we be leading? The role of leadership is spelled in the bible and defined as a servant.
We should be leading our families, co workers, friends wives...etc in the way God defined it!
Hebrews 13:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16
God has equipped us with everything we need to be the leaders he has called us to be!
Leading at home....Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-3
Leading outside the home....Philippians 2:14-16
Jesus calls us to live a sacrificial life in every area.
How To be like Jesus to for fill these roles of leadership that God has called us to. How do we show the world the love of Christ through our lives?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The bible will help us make decisions that will lead us to be like Jesus. We need to be in Gods word in order to know how to be like Jesus.
Hebrews 10:23-26
We need each other's help in for filling the roles of leadership God has giving us. We need to spur one another on and call each other higher!
When we spur each other on we are being concerned for each other. We need to also correct each other when we see sin in our lives. We have to be humble enough to allow correction so that we can benefit from it!
We need to set examples for others to look to and follow. Leading by example!
Hebrews 10:25
Everyone needs to be leaders in some way. We should be actively thinking of ways to lead and serve.
What does it mean to be a leader and who should we be leading? The role of leadership is spelled in the bible and defined as a servant.
We should be leading our families, co workers, friends wives...etc in the way God defined it!
Hebrews 13:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16
God has equipped us with everything we need to be the leaders he has called us to be!
Leading at home....Ephesians 5:22-33; 6:1-3
Leading outside the home....Philippians 2:14-16
Jesus calls us to live a sacrificial life in every area.
How To be like Jesus to for fill these roles of leadership that God has called us to. How do we show the world the love of Christ through our lives?
2 Timothy 3:16-17
The bible will help us make decisions that will lead us to be like Jesus. We need to be in Gods word in order to know how to be like Jesus.
Hebrews 10:23-26
We need each other's help in for filling the roles of leadership God has giving us. We need to spur one another on and call each other higher!
When we spur each other on we are being concerned for each other. We need to also correct each other when we see sin in our lives. We have to be humble enough to allow correction so that we can benefit from it!
We need to set examples for others to look to and follow. Leading by example!
Hebrews 10:25
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Jesus will fix it!!
>
> Jesus will fix it!!
>
> Jesus knows exactly who I am!
>
> Can Jesus really fix what's going on in my life?
> John 5
> Heb 1
>
> Jesus has given us everything we need to overcome!
>
> Two kinda of people! The ones that understand their need for Jesus and the ones that don't.
>
> I have to put my self in a place where I can let Jesus help me.
>
> John 5:4
>
> This man put himself in the right place... Jesus asks him, "do you want to get healed?"
>
> It wasn't until he made that connection with Jesus!
>
> Just because we are believers and worship, doesn't mean we will be healed. It isn't until we connect with Jesus that we can be healed!
>
> Jesus tells me what to do sometimes and I don't listen/obey, therefore I don't heal.
>
> Stop sinning!! Things get worse when we don't stop.
>
> Stop the pride, the anger, impure thoughts, etc!
>
> I can take Jesus' message as someone who needs Jesus, or someone who doesn't want anything to do with him.
>
> Jesus has work to do with me; there is work to be done!
>
> • Understand the relationship that God and Jesus have.
>
> If we think we have it all together and don't need him: my intellect is overshadowed my personal relationship with Jesus/my need for Him.
>
> If my opinion holds more weight than Jesus, it's worse.
>
> Do I have a "prove" it to me mind set?
>
> If there's anything I have in my life that I feel restricted by, then I need to come to Jesus.
>
> I desperately need Jesus.
>
> Jesus will fix it!!
>
> Jesus knows exactly who I am!
>
> Can Jesus really fix what's going on in my life?
> John 5
> Heb 1
>
> Jesus has given us everything we need to overcome!
>
> Two kinda of people! The ones that understand their need for Jesus and the ones that don't.
>
> I have to put my self in a place where I can let Jesus help me.
>
> John 5:4
>
> This man put himself in the right place... Jesus asks him, "do you want to get healed?"
>
> It wasn't until he made that connection with Jesus!
>
> Just because we are believers and worship, doesn't mean we will be healed. It isn't until we connect with Jesus that we can be healed!
>
> Jesus tells me what to do sometimes and I don't listen/obey, therefore I don't heal.
>
> Stop sinning!! Things get worse when we don't stop.
>
> Stop the pride, the anger, impure thoughts, etc!
>
> I can take Jesus' message as someone who needs Jesus, or someone who doesn't want anything to do with him.
>
> Jesus has work to do with me; there is work to be done!
>
> • Understand the relationship that God and Jesus have.
>
> If we think we have it all together and don't need him: my intellect is overshadowed my personal relationship with Jesus/my need for Him.
>
> If my opinion holds more weight than Jesus, it's worse.
>
> Do I have a "prove" it to me mind set?
>
> If there's anything I have in my life that I feel restricted by, then I need to come to Jesus.
>
> I desperately need Jesus.
>
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Worship!
Worship!
God doesn't require a talented singer or speaker for worship. He requires a willing heart that wants to worship and praise him!
When we sing songs to worship God, everyone should be lifting theirs voices and not just a few in the audience or on stage.
God had a heart for music. The whole book of psalms is a book of songs that were written to God!
Worship songs are used to stir our hearts. Music has that effect on us and it is good for us spiritually to cry out to God in song!
There are songs written by God all over the old testimate!
James 5:13; Revelations 5:9; 15:3; Ezekiel 33:30-32;
God doesn't require a talented singer or speaker for worship. He requires a willing heart that wants to worship and praise him!
When we sing songs to worship God, everyone should be lifting theirs voices and not just a few in the audience or on stage.
God had a heart for music. The whole book of psalms is a book of songs that were written to God!
Worship songs are used to stir our hearts. Music has that effect on us and it is good for us spiritually to cry out to God in song!
There are songs written by God all over the old testimate!
James 5:13; Revelations 5:9; 15:3; Ezekiel 33:30-32;
Surrender
Surrender
Your life was not your own...you were bought and paid for at a price. The medium of exchange for your life was Jesus blood
As disciples we need to wave the white flag everyday not just when we are cornered. Surrender through the world is usually by force. Through god our surrender should be voluntary.
He entrusted him self to him who judges justly.
I need to Surrender in my marriage, job, dating, finances, parenting....every aspect of my life!
What are you refusing to surrender?
We only have two choices God or satan. We either surrender to our own sinful natures or to God.
Your life was not your own...you were bought and paid for at a price. The medium of exchange for your life was Jesus blood
As disciples we need to wave the white flag everyday not just when we are cornered. Surrender through the world is usually by force. Through god our surrender should be voluntary.
He entrusted him self to him who judges justly.
I need to Surrender in my marriage, job, dating, finances, parenting....every aspect of my life!
What are you refusing to surrender?
We only have two choices God or satan. We either surrender to our own sinful natures or to God.
Communion
Communion
Opening:
Baptized April 7, 1991, married for 20 years, three beautiful girls! Only by the grace of God!
Body:
What does the cross mean to me? 2nd chances!
Share about...
Walking away from God. Destroying my marriage.
Being impatient with my girls.
Short with my wife.
God is a God of second chances...third chances....4th chances....etc. As long as we choose to repent and strive to be different, God says "clean the slate...start over!"
2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Opening:
Baptized April 7, 1991, married for 20 years, three beautiful girls! Only by the grace of God!
Body:
What does the cross mean to me? 2nd chances!
Share about...
Walking away from God. Destroying my marriage.
Being impatient with my girls.
Short with my wife.
God is a God of second chances...third chances....4th chances....etc. As long as we choose to repent and strive to be different, God says "clean the slate...start over!"
2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
Father's Day
Father's Day
Father's Day can be a difficult time for some. Fathers come in many different forms. Some of us have very bad memories of our fathers or no memories at all.
The bible is filled with examples of fathers who had faith but we're not able to pass the convictions on to their children. The bibles filled with many examples of bad fathers and children that despised their fathers.
God defines the word father for us and he adores the father son relationship. He wants us to call him father. When God chooses to define himself he does it with the word father!
Father is who God is on a the simplest and most basic level. God has been the father for us that our earthly fathers could never be.
Genesis 4:1-8
The first father and sons in the bible. Adam has one role in this scripture....he laid with his wife. As Cain and Abel try to resolve their problems, Adam is absent. Adam could have been an uninvolved fathers.
God is not an uninvolved father. God is right there with us always. He is always involved in our lives and wants to hear from us and have a relationship with him!
James 4:8
Genesis 7:11-13
Noah made sure his kids and their wives were saved. Noah had a radical message about flooding in the desert and he was able to convince his children to listen to him. Noah had influence on his children. You can't have influence on your children without time invested!
1 Timothy 2:3
Genesis 22:1-3
Abraham taught his son how to sacrifice to The Lord. Abraham taught his son about being obedient to God even when you have to make tough decisions that do not make sense.
In the same way God teaches us through suffering and hard times. Through real life situations.
Acts 17:24-27
Genesis 25:24-28
Isaac was a father who played favorites. He liked Esau more because of who he was. God does not have a favorite. No kore who we are or what type of personality we have God loves each of us just as much!
Deuteronomy 26:18-19
I am Gods treasured possession, I am his favorite with out showing favoritism!
Genesis 27:27-29; 36-40;
There was no need to Isaac to give all his blessing to one son. He could have blessed both but he choose to play favorites.
Genesis 49
Until Jacob blesses all twelve sons there was only one line of gods people. Now Jacob becomes Israel and blessed all his sons and all their sons and daughters become Gods people.
Celebrate today that God is the perfect father and he wants a relationship with me!
Father's Day can be a difficult time for some. Fathers come in many different forms. Some of us have very bad memories of our fathers or no memories at all.
The bible is filled with examples of fathers who had faith but we're not able to pass the convictions on to their children. The bibles filled with many examples of bad fathers and children that despised their fathers.
God defines the word father for us and he adores the father son relationship. He wants us to call him father. When God chooses to define himself he does it with the word father!
Father is who God is on a the simplest and most basic level. God has been the father for us that our earthly fathers could never be.
Genesis 4:1-8
The first father and sons in the bible. Adam has one role in this scripture....he laid with his wife. As Cain and Abel try to resolve their problems, Adam is absent. Adam could have been an uninvolved fathers.
God is not an uninvolved father. God is right there with us always. He is always involved in our lives and wants to hear from us and have a relationship with him!
James 4:8
Genesis 7:11-13
Noah made sure his kids and their wives were saved. Noah had a radical message about flooding in the desert and he was able to convince his children to listen to him. Noah had influence on his children. You can't have influence on your children without time invested!
1 Timothy 2:3
Genesis 22:1-3
Abraham taught his son how to sacrifice to The Lord. Abraham taught his son about being obedient to God even when you have to make tough decisions that do not make sense.
In the same way God teaches us through suffering and hard times. Through real life situations.
Acts 17:24-27
Genesis 25:24-28
Isaac was a father who played favorites. He liked Esau more because of who he was. God does not have a favorite. No kore who we are or what type of personality we have God loves each of us just as much!
Deuteronomy 26:18-19
I am Gods treasured possession, I am his favorite with out showing favoritism!
Genesis 27:27-29; 36-40;
There was no need to Isaac to give all his blessing to one son. He could have blessed both but he choose to play favorites.
Genesis 49
Until Jacob blesses all twelve sons there was only one line of gods people. Now Jacob becomes Israel and blessed all his sons and all their sons and daughters become Gods people.
Celebrate today that God is the perfect father and he wants a relationship with me!
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Remembering!
Remembering!
Things change. The current becomes the past and things fade. Things important today are not always as important in the future.
Spiritually we are called by God to remember! 232 times the bible uses the word remember!
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
Every one who physically were there in Egypt is now dead. Moses challenges the next generation to pass the stories on to their children. To never forget and remember!
Why do we remember? Is God the great I Am or the great I was? How do I view God? As the I Am or I was? Our challenge is to remember and believe that it can happen again today and then remember the new miracles. Remembering spiritually is a building process!
God never intended for us to remember so we could look back and long for the "good ole days". Not to live in the past, but to be inspired about the great things to come!
Gods name "I Am" is the answer to any faithless question we have. I'm not able....God says "I Am"!
Romans 8:11
We learn about what God has done in the past to inspire us about what God can do in the future!
What miracles have happened in my own life. What miracles is God doing today? What areas of my life do I need healing in? Have faith, remember and be inspired!
Romans 8:12-15
The same power and spirit living in me is working in the present and not the past! How do I live like this and show that I believe? By repentance!
Something's change but God is not one of them. The same God that was working in biblical times is the same God who is working today!
Things change. The current becomes the past and things fade. Things important today are not always as important in the future.
Spiritually we are called by God to remember! 232 times the bible uses the word remember!
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
Every one who physically were there in Egypt is now dead. Moses challenges the next generation to pass the stories on to their children. To never forget and remember!
Why do we remember? Is God the great I Am or the great I was? How do I view God? As the I Am or I was? Our challenge is to remember and believe that it can happen again today and then remember the new miracles. Remembering spiritually is a building process!
God never intended for us to remember so we could look back and long for the "good ole days". Not to live in the past, but to be inspired about the great things to come!
Gods name "I Am" is the answer to any faithless question we have. I'm not able....God says "I Am"!
Romans 8:11
We learn about what God has done in the past to inspire us about what God can do in the future!
What miracles have happened in my own life. What miracles is God doing today? What areas of my life do I need healing in? Have faith, remember and be inspired!
Romans 8:12-15
The same power and spirit living in me is working in the present and not the past! How do I live like this and show that I believe? By repentance!
Something's change but God is not one of them. The same God that was working in biblical times is the same God who is working today!
Tools for overcoming temptation.
Tools for overcoming temptation.
The word!
Fellowship!
Prayer!
Fasting!
Singing!
Worship!
Confession!
2 Timothy 3:16-17
God wants to equip me with the right tools. It's not just about having tools, we need to have the right tools and know how to use them! Knowledge is not enough either! I have to make the connection from my mind to my heart!
Ephesians 4:12 am i allowing people to teach me.
1 Timothy 4:7 put in the time to train myself.
The word!
Fellowship!
Prayer!
Fasting!
Singing!
Worship!
Confession!
2 Timothy 3:16-17
God wants to equip me with the right tools. It's not just about having tools, we need to have the right tools and know how to use them! Knowledge is not enough either! I have to make the connection from my mind to my heart!
Ephesians 4:12 am i allowing people to teach me.
1 Timothy 4:7 put in the time to train myself.
Relying on God!
Relying on God!
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus could have turned the stone into bread or anything he wanted to. When satan tempted Jesus with this basic need, Jesus very carefully answered satan with Gods word!
Hunger is a need and we prepare our selves for it by packing a lunch, having money...etc. we prepare and have taught our selves in our minds to for fill this basic need.
Sin is an impulse many times and we prepare to satisfy our sinful desires in much of the same way. Jesus purposely suppressed and denied his basic need of hunger. Jesus had self control!
I need to realize that I have these desires and needs and I need to have a game plan to deny them at times!
Part of this preparation has to do with not relying on my self! Self reliance will only lead me to for filling my sinful desires and needs with out considering God.
Deuteronomy 8:1-3
God knows what he is going to do for us....he wants us to hunger for him and not rely on self!
When we rely on our selves God is going to humble us until We turn to him! Part of relying on God is relying on the brothers that God has put in my life! Am I open with them about my sin? No!
It is about making Jesus lord!
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus could have turned the stone into bread or anything he wanted to. When satan tempted Jesus with this basic need, Jesus very carefully answered satan with Gods word!
Hunger is a need and we prepare our selves for it by packing a lunch, having money...etc. we prepare and have taught our selves in our minds to for fill this basic need.
Sin is an impulse many times and we prepare to satisfy our sinful desires in much of the same way. Jesus purposely suppressed and denied his basic need of hunger. Jesus had self control!
I need to realize that I have these desires and needs and I need to have a game plan to deny them at times!
Part of this preparation has to do with not relying on my self! Self reliance will only lead me to for filling my sinful desires and needs with out considering God.
Deuteronomy 8:1-3
God knows what he is going to do for us....he wants us to hunger for him and not rely on self!
When we rely on our selves God is going to humble us until We turn to him! Part of relying on God is relying on the brothers that God has put in my life! Am I open with them about my sin? No!
It is about making Jesus lord!
Emotionally connected to God!
Emotionally connected to God!
When we don't deal with our emotions, we have moods wings, we escape through sin, we get stuck!
Psalms 7:1; psalms 9:1-2; psalms 18:1-2; David expressed his emotional through psalms. When we get emotionally connected with God then we are able to connect emotionally with other people.
Psalms 16 when we feel emotionally connected to God and see others get emotionally connected with God we are able to connect emotionally to each other!
When we don't deal with our emotions, we have moods wings, we escape through sin, we get stuck!
Psalms 7:1; psalms 9:1-2; psalms 18:1-2; David expressed his emotional through psalms. When we get emotionally connected with God then we are able to connect emotionally with other people.
Psalms 16 when we feel emotionally connected to God and see others get emotionally connected with God we are able to connect emotionally to each other!
Find your Wilderness
Find your Wilderness
Matthew 4:1-11
God is a renewable power that never goes empty! The call of the wild spiritually that can only be quenched by God!
The wilderness is our mission in life. Jesus was lead into the wilderness! Our wilderness is life's struggles and challenges. Satan is out to attack us and destroy us.
Enter the wilderness with God and his power! I have been chosen for this purpose to battle the evil one and to be victorious! Life's struggle is not our only foe. Gods word is my weapon to fight with! Am I using Gods word to fight?
I should not be scared to take the hard path! I should not be scared of the wilderness because this is where God works the most! Have faith and rely on God!
Strong powerful men of God never ask "if" but "how"!have faith and just do it!
When Jesus left the wilderness he was on fire and went on to do some really miraculous things! That same power lives in me!
Matthew 4:1-11
God is a renewable power that never goes empty! The call of the wild spiritually that can only be quenched by God!
The wilderness is our mission in life. Jesus was lead into the wilderness! Our wilderness is life's struggles and challenges. Satan is out to attack us and destroy us.
Enter the wilderness with God and his power! I have been chosen for this purpose to battle the evil one and to be victorious! Life's struggle is not our only foe. Gods word is my weapon to fight with! Am I using Gods word to fight?
I should not be scared to take the hard path! I should not be scared of the wilderness because this is where God works the most! Have faith and rely on God!
Strong powerful men of God never ask "if" but "how"!have faith and just do it!
When Jesus left the wilderness he was on fire and went on to do some really miraculous things! That same power lives in me!
Tempted or tested?
Tempted or tested?
Matthew 4:1-7
The spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted?
Tested or tempted? Tempted is to be enticed to sin or to do something bad. Tested is an opportunity to prove what you have learned. Jesus was tested but the devil and Jesus was found strong and fully capable of living a sin free life.
Am I being tempted or tested? I am going to be tested and either found to be a man or a mouse...lol the power, the same spirit, everything that was in Jesus lives in me know! I need to man up when dealing with sin in my life!!
Jesus had to obey the father just like we do. God had a plan for his life and Jesus obeyed and submitted himself to God in the same way he is calling me to obey and submit as well!
Jesus used the bible to defend himself from temptation!
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
I am not the exception. I need to battle sin the way Jesus did. Not the way Israel did. These people (the Israelites) failed because they did not have Jesus! I have Jesus and the power to be victorious over my sin!
Jesus was not willing to put God to the test an yet we try to test God everyday by giving into sin!
Matthew 4:1-7
The spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted?
Tested or tempted? Tempted is to be enticed to sin or to do something bad. Tested is an opportunity to prove what you have learned. Jesus was tested but the devil and Jesus was found strong and fully capable of living a sin free life.
Am I being tempted or tested? I am going to be tested and either found to be a man or a mouse...lol the power, the same spirit, everything that was in Jesus lives in me know! I need to man up when dealing with sin in my life!!
Jesus had to obey the father just like we do. God had a plan for his life and Jesus obeyed and submitted himself to God in the same way he is calling me to obey and submit as well!
Jesus used the bible to defend himself from temptation!
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
I am not the exception. I need to battle sin the way Jesus did. Not the way Israel did. These people (the Israelites) failed because they did not have Jesus! I have Jesus and the power to be victorious over my sin!
Jesus was not willing to put God to the test an yet we try to test God everyday by giving into sin!
Satan's offer
Satan's offer
Matthew 4:8-11
Satan offered Jesus all of Satan's dominion (the world) for worshiping him instead of God. Satan was offering Jesus all that the world has to offer...the very things that I chase after every day in our pursuit of "success."
Worldly success is a lie that will only pull me further away from God!
No matter how much wealth or success I accumulate it will all be worthless in the end! The most valuable asset I have is time. What am I doing with the time that I have on earth? Am I using the time that God has given me to glorify him?!
What am I serving? What am I worshiping? My job? Money? My selfish desires?
Matthew 4:8-11
Satan offered Jesus all of Satan's dominion (the world) for worshiping him instead of God. Satan was offering Jesus all that the world has to offer...the very things that I chase after every day in our pursuit of "success."
Worldly success is a lie that will only pull me further away from God!
No matter how much wealth or success I accumulate it will all be worthless in the end! The most valuable asset I have is time. What am I doing with the time that I have on earth? Am I using the time that God has given me to glorify him?!
What am I serving? What am I worshiping? My job? Money? My selfish desires?
Jesus as the role model.
Jesus as the role model.
Colossians 3:3 Our spiritual story starts when we are baptized. Our new beginning! We have the opportunity to write a story that is pleasing to God! What story am I writing?
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus relied on God with all his heart. He also knew what his purpose was. He saw the bigger picture so that sin did not have the same appeal. He knew what was more important and he knew the true value of his relationship with God.
We cannot fight temptations with the weapons of this world! You can't fight pride with pride. You have to fight pride with humility and humility will always win. The same goes for other sins as well.
1 Corinthians 2:2 all we need to know is Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. The early Christians did not have the bible. The message was one message. Jesus is the Christ and he died for me.
Romans 8:35-39
Colossians 3:3 Our spiritual story starts when we are baptized. Our new beginning! We have the opportunity to write a story that is pleasing to God! What story am I writing?
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus relied on God with all his heart. He also knew what his purpose was. He saw the bigger picture so that sin did not have the same appeal. He knew what was more important and he knew the true value of his relationship with God.
We cannot fight temptations with the weapons of this world! You can't fight pride with pride. You have to fight pride with humility and humility will always win. The same goes for other sins as well.
1 Corinthians 2:2 all we need to know is Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. The early Christians did not have the bible. The message was one message. Jesus is the Christ and he died for me.
Romans 8:35-39
Monday, April 7, 2014
Hopelessness
Hopelessness
Something's you just can not fix and change. Even small problems can leave us feeling hopeless and causes us to give up. Satan attacks us for the purpose of making us loose hope. When I loose hope satan has won!
When there is no hope sin reigns and spirals out of control.
1 Corinthians 15:16-19
What am I putting my hope in? Hope in anything in this life is useless! Life changes in a blink of an eye. Am I going to put my hope in something that is so unpredictable and unable to provide me security? Hope in Christ is the only true hope!
There is not hope in this life. God created heaven to give us hope in something more than this life!
God out in each one of us the longing for something more in life. That is Heavenly longings that God has planted in each of us. God never intended for us to be full here on earth.
Three ways we can respond to unfulfilled longings:
We are not content with what we have. We are always looking for something better and nothing is ever good enough!
Or we train our selves to stop wanting. We give up. We become bitter and angry with life.
Or there is the Christian perspective that God intended us to have. We see that every signal need has a corresponding fulfillment. For ever longing and for ever desire there is something to fulfill it temporarily. The desire that is there is designed to help us think of heaven and the day where there will be no more longing!
I need to recognize my leggings for heavens and focus on God when those longings come! Consider heaven and consider what reality is in heaven! No time! No more longings! No struggles! Complete peace! Rest in heaven! No need for faith in heaven! Pure pleasure!
Revelations 4:6
Something's you just can not fix and change. Even small problems can leave us feeling hopeless and causes us to give up. Satan attacks us for the purpose of making us loose hope. When I loose hope satan has won!
When there is no hope sin reigns and spirals out of control.
1 Corinthians 15:16-19
What am I putting my hope in? Hope in anything in this life is useless! Life changes in a blink of an eye. Am I going to put my hope in something that is so unpredictable and unable to provide me security? Hope in Christ is the only true hope!
There is not hope in this life. God created heaven to give us hope in something more than this life!
God out in each one of us the longing for something more in life. That is Heavenly longings that God has planted in each of us. God never intended for us to be full here on earth.
Three ways we can respond to unfulfilled longings:
We are not content with what we have. We are always looking for something better and nothing is ever good enough!
Or we train our selves to stop wanting. We give up. We become bitter and angry with life.
Or there is the Christian perspective that God intended us to have. We see that every signal need has a corresponding fulfillment. For ever longing and for ever desire there is something to fulfill it temporarily. The desire that is there is designed to help us think of heaven and the day where there will be no more longing!
I need to recognize my leggings for heavens and focus on God when those longings come! Consider heaven and consider what reality is in heaven! No time! No more longings! No struggles! Complete peace! Rest in heaven! No need for faith in heaven! Pure pleasure!
Revelations 4:6
We all need help!
We all need help!
None of us are really self made or completely independent! We need help in one way or another.
Mark 2:1-12
Here we see a man who desperately needed help. Spiritually we are just as helpless. We are blind and crippled spiritually!
Jesus knew this man wanted physically healing but Jesus knew what he needed. Jesus saw the bigger issue in this mans life!
To Jesus telling the man to walk was easier than forgiving sin. To us we think the exact opposite. We focus one the physical issues in our lives and neglect the more important spiritual things.
When we realize we need help, we will do what ever it takes to get that help! This paralytic did what ever it took to find healing. His faith in Jesus knew that if he could just meet Jesus he would find healing.
This man would not have gone through what he went through to see Jesus if he did not believe that Jesus had the power to heal him!
In many ways this paralytic was lucky that he had a need that he could see. Jesus will give us all the help we need but he never made it easy. We have to be willing to do what ever it takes to be with Jesus!
Jesus is the source of the saving power in this story but this man needed the help of others around him to reach that power. Today many religious people acknowledge the saving power of Jesus but refuse to allow other people to help them get to that power. Getting to Jesus is not something we can do on our own. We need help. God uses people around us to help us reach him.
Am I humble enough to allow people to help me?! Admitting that I need help is the first step!
None of us are really self made or completely independent! We need help in one way or another.
Mark 2:1-12
Here we see a man who desperately needed help. Spiritually we are just as helpless. We are blind and crippled spiritually!
Jesus knew this man wanted physically healing but Jesus knew what he needed. Jesus saw the bigger issue in this mans life!
To Jesus telling the man to walk was easier than forgiving sin. To us we think the exact opposite. We focus one the physical issues in our lives and neglect the more important spiritual things.
When we realize we need help, we will do what ever it takes to get that help! This paralytic did what ever it took to find healing. His faith in Jesus knew that if he could just meet Jesus he would find healing.
This man would not have gone through what he went through to see Jesus if he did not believe that Jesus had the power to heal him!
In many ways this paralytic was lucky that he had a need that he could see. Jesus will give us all the help we need but he never made it easy. We have to be willing to do what ever it takes to be with Jesus!
Jesus is the source of the saving power in this story but this man needed the help of others around him to reach that power. Today many religious people acknowledge the saving power of Jesus but refuse to allow other people to help them get to that power. Getting to Jesus is not something we can do on our own. We need help. God uses people around us to help us reach him.
Am I humble enough to allow people to help me?! Admitting that I need help is the first step!
Meeting Each Other's Needs!
Meeting Each Other's Needs!
John 6:1-9
Spiritual maturity comes through serving and being outward focused. If all we are doing is receiving and not giving then we will not grow spiritually.
Jesus had many excuses not to be giving. He was tired and trying to get away from the crowds. Jesus was looking to get away and needed some space.
What is my attitude about serving? Do I make priority over my own needs like Jesus did?
Many needs around us go un met and the truth is that as long as there is someone in need then our work is not done yet. The temptation is to feel like "why bother".
The disciples didn't want to serve these people because the burden was too great and there were not enough resources to do it.
Jesus didn't let the lack of resources stop him from serving. He took the little that he had and allowed God to multiply it. Sometimes we have a huge problem that overwhelms us and and instead of giving what we do have we end up doing nothing at all. We should be like Jesus and give what we have and then allow God to multiply it!
John 6:11-13
I need to look for ways to give. Pray about my giving and ask God to give ways to serve!
Jesus gave too much. Jesus gave so much that there was left overs! Think about that for a minute. Every man took as much as they needed and Jesus provided more than enough!
Without a serving heart we can not be like Jesus!
John 6:1-9
Spiritual maturity comes through serving and being outward focused. If all we are doing is receiving and not giving then we will not grow spiritually.
Jesus had many excuses not to be giving. He was tired and trying to get away from the crowds. Jesus was looking to get away and needed some space.
What is my attitude about serving? Do I make priority over my own needs like Jesus did?
Many needs around us go un met and the truth is that as long as there is someone in need then our work is not done yet. The temptation is to feel like "why bother".
The disciples didn't want to serve these people because the burden was too great and there were not enough resources to do it.
Jesus didn't let the lack of resources stop him from serving. He took the little that he had and allowed God to multiply it. Sometimes we have a huge problem that overwhelms us and and instead of giving what we do have we end up doing nothing at all. We should be like Jesus and give what we have and then allow God to multiply it!
John 6:11-13
I need to look for ways to give. Pray about my giving and ask God to give ways to serve!
Jesus gave too much. Jesus gave so much that there was left overs! Think about that for a minute. Every man took as much as they needed and Jesus provided more than enough!
Without a serving heart we can not be like Jesus!
Give Up Everything You Have!
Give Up Everything You Have!
Luke 14:33 Jesus called us to give up everything to be a disciple and we can't go to heaven unless we are his disciples!
Luke 14:25-27
My love for God has to be clearly more than anything else in my life. I love God so much that the only other world to describe my other relationships is hate.
God is trying to help us not be selfish! God wants us to be happy and he knows that by denying myself it will lead to true happiness.
Too many churches today teach a happiness gospel that God just wants us to all be happy. They miss the whole message of Christ that true happiness that comes from self denial.
Luke 14:28-32
We need to give up our comfort zone. God wants us to count the cost because God has a mission for us and he knows that it will be challenging us! God uses two concepts, building and battling in war. Why building? Matthew 28:18-20 making and building disciples. Why battling? 2 Timothy 3:12
Giving up your control!
Luke 14:33-35
My struggle in this world really is a control issue. Either I try to control things myself and or give control over to God who is really in control any way. Giving up everything I have is not a burden but really the release of a burden! It's about making Jesus Lord of my life!
Luke 14:33 Jesus called us to give up everything to be a disciple and we can't go to heaven unless we are his disciples!
Luke 14:25-27
My love for God has to be clearly more than anything else in my life. I love God so much that the only other world to describe my other relationships is hate.
God is trying to help us not be selfish! God wants us to be happy and he knows that by denying myself it will lead to true happiness.
Too many churches today teach a happiness gospel that God just wants us to all be happy. They miss the whole message of Christ that true happiness that comes from self denial.
Luke 14:28-32
We need to give up our comfort zone. God wants us to count the cost because God has a mission for us and he knows that it will be challenging us! God uses two concepts, building and battling in war. Why building? Matthew 28:18-20 making and building disciples. Why battling? 2 Timothy 3:12
Giving up your control!
Luke 14:33-35
My struggle in this world really is a control issue. Either I try to control things myself and or give control over to God who is really in control any way. Giving up everything I have is not a burden but really the release of a burden! It's about making Jesus Lord of my life!
Solomon's demise!
Solomon's demise!
Deuteronomy 7:3-4; 17:16-20
1 Kings 3:1-14; 4:20-26; 6:2; 38; 7:1; 9:3; 10:14-15; 11:1-11
Even though Solomon was in sin God continued to bless him until he turned his heart away from God. Solomon's wives pulled him away from God.
Solomon did not see the damage that his choices were causing to his relationship with God over time. His choices ultimately hardened his heart and he lost his love for God!
If Solomon who was the wisest man that ever lived could not walk the line, then why should I think that i will be any different!
Deuteronomy 7:3-4; 17:16-20
1 Kings 3:1-14; 4:20-26; 6:2; 38; 7:1; 9:3; 10:14-15; 11:1-11
Even though Solomon was in sin God continued to bless him until he turned his heart away from God. Solomon's wives pulled him away from God.
Solomon did not see the damage that his choices were causing to his relationship with God over time. His choices ultimately hardened his heart and he lost his love for God!
If Solomon who was the wisest man that ever lived could not walk the line, then why should I think that i will be any different!
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Let's K.I.S.S. In our marriage.
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.
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.
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.
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