May 8 2016 Coping With The Fears Of Raising Children

COPING WITH THE FEARS OF RAISING CHILDREN

Matthew 5:48- Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

1. I must understand my children.

Psalm 103:13 – As a Father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.  For He knows how we are formed.

Proverbs 24:3 – Homes are built on the foundation of wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 22:6 – Train a child in the way he should go, and then when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 14:29 – A patient man has great understanding.

2. I must accept my children.

Psalm 145:8 – The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

Romans 15:7 – Accept one another.

Psalm 127:3 –Children are a gift from God, they are His reward.

3. I must communicate with my children.

HOW

• By starting early.

The Bible says a child left to itself disgraces it’s mother.

• Start early.

Isaiah 28:9 – Who is He trying to teach?  To whom is He explaining His message?  To children weaned from their milk.

• Begin with small pieces.

Isaiah 28:10 – For it is do and do, do and do, rule on rule, rule on rule, a little here a little there.

• Communicate creatively.

Deuteronomy 6:6 -7 – These commandments, impress them upon 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.

4. I must discipline my children.

Hebrews 12:6-The Lord disciplines those whom He loves.

Proverbs 13:24 – If you refuse to discipline your son, it proves you don’t love him.

Proverbs 19:18 – Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn.  If you don’t you are helping them destroy themselves.

1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out all fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

HOW TO DISCIPLINE

• Discipline calmly.

Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his anger.

• Don’t be a nagger.

Ephesians 6:4 – Don’t keep scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful, use loving discipline.

• Discipline quickly.
• Discipline sparingly.

5. I must express love to my children.

• Through affection.

Psalm 145:9 – The Lord is good and has compassion on all He has made.

• Affirmation.

Psalm 145:14 – The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

• Attention.

Psalm 145:18 – The Lord is near to all who call on Him.

6. I must be consistent with my children.

Psalm 145:7 – The Lord is righteous in all His ways.

Proverbs 20:17 – It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father.

• Don’t imply perfection.
• Keep your promises.

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

December 1 2013 When God Interrupts Your Life

WHEN GOD INTERRUPTS YOUR LIFE

Proverbs 19:21 – You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

He’s trying to get your attention.
Ps. 81:13 – God says, “I wish my people would listen to Me.”

Prov. 16:25 – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

He has a different plan.
Jer. 29:11 – I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord, I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

I Cor. 2:9 – No one has ever seen, heard, or even imagined what wonderful things God has ready for those who love Him.

He wants you to trust Him.
Rom 8:28 – We know that all that happens to us is working for our good IF we love God and are fitting into His plans.

Jer. 29:13 – God says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

How to Establish a Spiritual Base for My Life

Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and showed He was God by coming back to life. 
I Cor. 15:2-4

Accept God’s free forgiveness for my sins. Rom 3:22

Switch to God’s plan for my life. Mark 1:15; 
Rom. 12:2

Express my desire for Christ to be the director of my life. Rom. 10:9

If you are willing to take these four steps, then pray this simple prayer:

Dear God, I believe You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins so I can be forgiven. I’m sorry for my sins and I want to live the rest of my life the way You want me to. Please put Your Spirit in my life to direct me. Amen

August 5 2012 How To Handle Temptation

How To Handle Temptation

James 1:13-15 - When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one tempted when, by his own evil desire.

THREE FACTS ABOUT TEMPTATION

1. First, remember that temptation is natural.
1 Corinthians 10:13 - Every temptation that comes your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But, God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. At the time you are tempted He will give you the strength to endure it and so provide you with a way out. 

2. Temptation is neutral.
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 without sin.

3. Temptation is necessary.
James 1:2-4 - Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
John 4:4 - Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.

FIVE WAYS TO HANDLE TEMPTATION

1. Refuse to be intimidated.

• Three ways He works:
Alarmed - Frustration - Discouragement
Ephesians 6:10-11 - Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s scheme.

2. Request God’s help.
Psalm 50:15 - Call to me when trouble comes, I will save you and you will praise Me.

• Daniel
• Joseph

Hebrews 4:15-16 - (Jesus) had the same temptations we do, though He never once gave way to them and sinned, so let us come boldly to God and find grace to help us in our time of need.

3. Refocus your attention.
James 1:14-15 - Temptation is the pull of your own evil thoughts and wishes. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions.
Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.

4. Reveal your struggle to a friend.
Ecclesiastes 5:9-10 Two are better than one, because together, if one falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, there’s no one to help him.
James 5:16 - Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other, so that you may be healed.

5. Resist the tempter.
Ephesians 5:17 - Accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the Word of God to use as a sword.

•Example of Jesus: Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Instant NO. Quoted scripture.

June 3 2012 Rekindling Love In The Home

Rekindling Love In The Home

Revelation 2:4-5 - You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the tings you did at first.

Three Things To Do
•  Remember the good times.
•  Repent or change your attitude
•  Do the first things again.

Five Steps To Rekindle Your Romance:

1. You must give attention to your mate.
Philippians 2:2-4 -Live together in love, as though you had only one mind and one spirit between you, look to each other’s interest, not merely your own.

The first enemy of romance is a busy schedule.

2. There must be affirmation.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Give encouragement to each other and keep strengthening each other.

Proverbs 12:10 - Take delight in honoring each other.

3. There must be affection.
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands be affectionate.

Ephesians 5:28 - the love a man gives his wife is the extending of his love for himself to enfold her.
Genesis 26:8 - Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

4. Your marriage needs adventure.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife, whom you     love.

1 Timothy 6:17 - God provides everything for our enjoyment.

5. Your marriage needs accordance.
1 John 1:7 - If we are living in the light of God’s presence, then we have wonderful fellowship and joy with each other.

How To Develop Spiritual Oneness:
•  Pray together

•  Share your life.    

Five Areas of Oneness:
•  Intellectual intimacy

•  Emotional intimacy

•  Physical intimacy

•  Recreational intimacy

•  Spiritual intimacy

April 15 2012 Six Ways To Grow A Healthy Family

Six Ways To Grow A Healthy Family

1. (F) Fun

Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife.

Proverbs 5:13 - Be happy with your wife and find joy with the girl you married.

Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift from God.

2. (A) Attention

Philippians 2:2-4 - When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide.  Be humble and give more honor to     others than yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.

Philippians 2:5-7 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.

Romans 12:10 - Love one another, out do one another in     showing honor.

3. (M) Ministry


1 Corinthians 16:15 - Stephanas and his family were the first to become Christians in Greece, and they are spending their lives helping and serving Christians everywhere.

Acts 16:33 - The whole family was filled with joy because they had come to believe God.

Romans 12:13 - When God’s children are in need, help them out.  Get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner, of if they need lodging for the night.

4. (I) Insulate the members from the storms of life

Proverbs 14:26 - Reverencefor the Lord gives a man deep strength, his children have a place of refuge and security.

3 Kinds Of Storms

1. Change.

2. Failure.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, if one of them falls down the other can help him up, but if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad because there is no one to help him

3. Rejection

5. (L) Learning Center

Psalm 14:12 - May our sons, in their youth, be like plants that grow.

Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the     Lord.

Luke 2:52 - Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man.

Isaiah 38:19 - One generation makes known your faithfulness to the next.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - These commandments impress them upon 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.

6. (Y) Yield to God

Joshua 24:25 - Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers or the gods of the Amorites, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Philippians 4:8 - Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and dwell on the fine, good things in others.