September 18 2016 How To Manage Life's Crises

HOW TO MANAGE LIFE’S CRISES

How Do We Manage Life’s Crises?

I. Remember the variety of crises or storms we may face.

A. Crises can be of a situational nature.

Proverbs 1:27 – When calamity overtakes you like a storm.

B. Crises can be relational.

Psalm 102:7-9 – I have become like a bird alone on a house top, I lie awake all day long, my enemies taunt me, those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

C. Crises might be emotional.

Job 30:22 – You snatch me up and drive me before the wind, you toss me about in the storm.

II. Know the facts about crises or storms.

A. Storms are inevitable.

James 1:2 – When you face trials.

B. Crises are unpredictable.

Without warning a furious storm came up.

C. Crises are impartial.

Matthew 5:45 – He sent rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

III. There are two possible reactions.

A. I can be filled with panic.

Verse 25 – The disciples went and woke Him saying, “Lord save us, we’re going to drown.”

B. I can be filled with peace.

Verse 24b – But Jesus was sleeping.

IV. Let’s look at how to manage the crisis.

A. Remember God’s closeness.

1. Verse 23 – Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and His disciples followed Him.

2. Isaiah 43:1-2 – Fear not, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

LESSON #1 – When you’re in the crises, remember Jesus is with you.

B. Relax in God’s care.

1. Mark 4:38 – The disciples said to Him, “Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”

LESSON #2 – God cares about what you’re going through.

2. I Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

C. Rely on God’s control.

1. Mark 4:39 – Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Be quiet! Be Still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
 
LESSON #3 – God is in control; you don’t have to be.

2. Jeremiah 32:17 – Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arms.  Nothing is too hard for you.

YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR CRISES

July 31 2016 Prevailing Through Opposition

The Tactics of Opposition

First Tactic: ridicule. (Vs. 1-3)

He ridiculed the Jews.

Second Tactic: organized resistance. (Vs. 6-8)

They all plotted together.

Third Tactic: rumor. (Vs. 11-12)

Two Characteristics of Rumors:

1. They are always spread by those closest to the enemy.

2. They are exaggerated the more they are repeated.

Effective Christians don’t swallow rumors.

The Effect of Opposition

Verses 10-11 – Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, the strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall. Also, our enemies will attack.

The Effect is discouragement.

When does this usually occur in a project?

When the wall half done.(Vs. 6)

Four Causes of Discouragement:

1. “Strength, giving out” Fatigue

2. “So much rubble” Frustration

3. “We cannot rebuild” Failure

4. “Enemies will attack us” Fear

The Right Response to Opposition

What do you do when you’re under attack?

• Rely on God. (Vs. 4-5)

Proverbs 26:4 – Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.

The Effective Christian says, when you’re ridiculed, don’t take it out on people, talk it out with God.

• Respect the opposition. (Vs. 9)

Petition without precaution is presumption.

“Watch and Pray”

Matthew 26:41; Colossians. 4:2; 1 Peter 5:8

• Reinforce your weak points. (Vs. 13)

Effective Christians know: where they are the weakest and they post a guard. (Vs. 16-18)

Effective Christians must build and battle at the same time.

• Reassure your position. (Vs. 14)

“Remember the Lord.”

• Refuse to quit. (Vs. 15)

(Vs. 21-23)

Effective Christians are persistent.

A fundamental principle of the Christian Life - Never Give Up

April 3 2016 Your Future And God's Faithfulness

YOUR FUTURE AND GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 34:4 – I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 145:13 – The Lord is faithful to all His promises.

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

1.  Helps me keep standing when I’m tempted.

1 Peter 5:8 - Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.

1 Corinthians 10:13 - The temptations that you have are the same ones that all people have.  But you can trust God.  He will not let you be tempted more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape.  Then you will be able to stand it.

2.  Helps me keep standing when I’m overwhelmed.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - It is God who gives us the ability to stand firm for Christ.  He has commissioned us, and He has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Philippians 2:13 - For God is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.

3.  Helps me keep standing in the storm.

Isaiah 41:10 - So don’t worry, because I am with you.  Don’t be afraid, because I am your God.  I will make you strong and will help you.  I will support you with my right hand that saves you.

Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

HOW TO RECEIVE GOD’S STRENGTH

1.  Call out to God.

James 4:6-8 - God gives grace to the humble.  So give yourselves completely to God.  Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.

2.  Fill your mind with God’s Word.

Psalm 119:25 - I am completely discouraged; revive me by your Word.

3.  Accept support from God’s people.

Galatians 6:2 - By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.

4.  Hold on to God’s promises.

Isaiah 40:29-31 - He gives strength to the wary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

2 Corinthians 4:18 - So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen.  For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.

Philippians 4:13 – I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me.  I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me.

March 27 2016 The Foundation For No Fear Living

THE FOUNDATION FOR NO-FEAR LIVING

Matthew 28:5 – Don’t be afraid.
Matthew 28:10 – Do not be afraid.

Ephesians 3:12 – In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear.  We can do this through faith in Christ.

How To Establish Your Foundation

Accept God’s Love For Me.

1 John 4:18 – Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear.

Romans 8:39 – Nothing in all creation is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.

Luke 12:7 – God even knows how many hairs you have on your head.  Don’t be afraid. You are worth much.

Believe Christ Died And Rose For Me.

Hebrews 2:14-15 – By embracing death, Jesus destroyed the devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life scared to death by death.

Hebrews 2:15 – Only in that way could He deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread.

Romans 10:13 – Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.

Commit My Fears And My Life To Christ.

1 Peter 3:14-15 – Don’t be afraid of anyone and don’t worry.  But have reverence for Christ in your heart and honor Him as Lord.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Romans 8:15 – This resurrection life you’ve received is not a timid, brave tending life.  Instead, it’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, ‘What’s next, Papa?’

Isaiah 54:7 – With deep love I will take you back.

March 6 2016 The Word Of Humanity

THE WORD OF HUMANITY

John 19:28-30

Verse 28 – I thirst.

1. Truth: It was the cry of humanity.

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

John 1:14 – The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us.

Hebrews 2:18 – Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

2. Truth: It was the cry of healing.

2 Corinthians 5:14 – Because we are convinced that One (Christ) died for all.

Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

3. Truth: It was the cry to act.

Matthew 25:37 – Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?  And He will tell them, I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you were doing it to Me.

Proverbs 25:21 – If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.  If they are thirsty give them water to drink.

4. Truth: It was the cry to drink.

John 7:38 – He who believes on Me out of him shall flow rivers of living water.

How to form the union with Christ

• Realize what you’re thirsty for.

Psalm 63:1 – O God, you are my God and I long for You.  My whole being desires You.  Like a dry worn out and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for You.

• Realize that Jesus understands your pain.

Isaiah 53:4-5 – He took our suffering on Himself and felt our pain for us.  He was wounded for the wrong we did and crushed for the evil we did.  The punishment which made us well was given to Him and we are healed because of His wounds.

• Stop looking for satisfaction everywhere else.

John 7:37-38 – On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to Me!”  “If you believe in Me, come and drink, for the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.