May 1 2016 Your Loneliness And God's Presence

YOUR LONELINESS AND GOD’S PRESENCE

Genesis 2:18 – God said, it isn’t good for man to be alone.

Psalm 139:7 – Where can I go from Your presence?

FIVE CAUSES OF LONELINESS

1.  Disappointment.

Psalm 17:13 - Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down, rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

2.  Mechanical world.

2 Timothy 4:9 – Do your best to come to me quickly.

3.  Commercial world.

Ecclesiastes 6:10 - Whoever loves money never has enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with     his income. This too is meaningless.

4.  Busy world.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 - There was a man all alone.  There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

5.  Artificial world.

Ecclesiastes 6:17 - All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

SIX WAYS TO EXPERIENCE GOD’S PRESENCE

Isaiah 41:6 – Don’t worry because I am with you. Don’t be afraid because I am your God.  I will make you strong and help you. I will support you.

1. Receive Christ into your life.

Galatians 2:20 - I will come in to you and will fellowship with you.

Galatians 2: 20 – Christ liveth in me.

Psalm 26-14 – The one thing I seek most of all is the privilege of living in His presence every day of my life.

2. Walk with God in obedience.

John 15:5 - Apart from me, you can do nothing.

1 Corinthians 2:9 - Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.

3.  Fellowship with other Christians.

Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together, but let us encourage one another.

Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friends springs from His earnest counsel.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10- But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.

4.  Wait for God’s guidance.

Psalm 106:13 - But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.

John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you but You cannot bear them now.

Isaiah 28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

5.  Accept God’s will.

Noah

Abraham

The blessing does not come in discovering God’s will but in the doing of God’s will.

Ephesians 6:6 - Do God’s will from the heart.

6.  Recognize God’s presence.

Psalm 116:8 – The Lord stopped my tears and He kept me from defeat so I walk in the presence of the Lord. I kept on believing even when I felt completely crushed.

John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans.

Psalm 139 - Where can I get away from your presence?  If I go up to Heaven you are there. Anywhere on earth you are there. I can’t get away from you.

Psalm 26:14 – Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence Him.

October 4 2015 Game On: Selfishness

Game On: It's Time To Change Our World

“Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.”  - Philippians 2:4

Jesus on Being a Servant: (Jesus) “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,whoever wants to be first must become your slave.  Even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20:26-28 

SIX SIMPLE WAYS TO BREAK FREE OF SELFISHNESS

1.  CONNECT MY FAMILY. 

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God will give you.” - Exodus 20:12 

2. ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES. 

“Don’t use foul or abusive language.  Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” - Ephesians 4:29 

3. PRAY FOR MY FRIENDS. 

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.” - 1 Timothy 2:1

4. INVITE MY FRIENDS TO CHURCH. 

“Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.” - Colossians 4:5 

5.  HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. 

“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD –  and he will repay you!” - Proverbs 19:17

6. ADOPT THE HUMILITY JESUS.

“Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his  rights as God. made himself nothing; took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form.in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross.” - Philippians 2:5-8

Memory Verse: (Jesus) “The greatest among you must be a servant.” - Matthew 23:11

August 11 2013 Beyond GPS: Learning To Trust

LEARNING TO TRUST
 

Memory Verse: James 1:5“If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.”

HOW TO TRUST GOD WHEN HE SPEAKS:

1. Confirm the it truly is God's voice

Proverbs 14:12“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

Proverbs 12:28“The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.” 

How God Speaks:

• Through the Bible (primary)
• Through His Holy Spirit
• Through Prayer
• Through Other Christians
• Through Circumstances

John 10:27(Jesus) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

2. Remember God's faithfulness in my past

Deuteronomy 7:18“But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the LORD your God did . . .”

Psalms 143:5“I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works. I think about what you have done.”

3. Take a step forward in faith

Hebrews 11:6“So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

Hebrews13:20-21“Now may the God of peace—equip you with all you need for doing his will.”

Take a Step . . .Evaluate . . . Retreat or Repeat

4. Stay focused on your relationship with God...not the end result

James 4:8“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”

Isaiah 26:3-4“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: "The Best Question Ever" By Andy Stanley

December 11 2011 Christmas: The Answer To Discouragement

Christmas: The Answer To Discouragement

Isaiah 9:6 - To us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Everlasting Father.

FIVE CAUSES OF DISCOURAGEMENT

1. Disappointment.
Psalm 17:13 - Rise up, O Lord, confront them, bring them down, rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

2. Our mechanical world.
Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for man to be alone, then the Lord God made a woman.

3. The commercial world.
Ecclesiastes 6:10 - Whoever loves money never has enough, whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

4. The busy world.
Ecclesiastes 4:8 - There was a man all alone. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth.

5. Our artificial world.
Ecclesiastes 6:17 - All his days he eats in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger.

SIX WAYS TO CURE DISCOURAGEMENT

1. Receive Christ into your heart and life.
Galatians 2:20 - I will come in to you and will fellowship with you.

2. Walk with God in obedience.
John 15:5 - Apart from me, you can do nothing.
I Corinthians 2:9 - Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.
James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

3. Fellowship with other Christians.
Isaiah 9:6 - To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.
Proverbs 27:9 - Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart and the pleasantness of one’s friends springs from His earnest counsel.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10- But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.
John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
Isaiah 28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

4. Wait on God for guidance.
Psalm 106:13 - But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.
John 11:12 - I still have many things to say to you but
You cannot bear them now.
Isa.28:16 - He that believeth shall not make haste.

5. Accept God’s Will.
Noah
Abraham
The blessing does not come in discovering God’s Will.
But in the doing of God’s Will.
Ephesians 6:6 - Do God’s will from the heart.

6. Recognize God’s presence.
Isaiah 9:6 - A Child is born. A Son is given.
John 14:18 - I will not leave you as orphans.
Psalm 139 - Where can I get away from your presence? If I go up to Heaven you are there. Anywhere on earth you are there. I can’t get away from you.

June 19 2011 Discovering God's Purpose For Your Home

Discovering God's Purpose For Your Home

Genesis 2:18 & 24: The Lord God said, it is not good for man to be
alone. I will make a helper suitable for him. Therefore, a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR THE FAMILY

I. A family is a shelter in the storm.
Proverbs 14:26 - reverence for the Lord gives a man deep strength,
his children have a place of refuge and security.

TYPES 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’s no one to help him.
3. rejection
Ecclesiastes 4:12 - One standing alone can be attacked and
defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.
My Response:

II. A family is a learning center for life.
Psalm 144:12 - May our sons in their youth be like plants that grow
up strong.
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.

Things you always leave home with:
1. Relationships
2. Character
3. Values
Isaiah 38:10 - 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.

III. A family is a place to play.
Ecclesiastes 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife whom you love.
Proverbs 5:18 - Be happy with your wife and find your joy with the
girl you married.
Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift from God, they are his reward.
My Response:

IV. A family is a launching pad for ministry.
I 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 in God.
Romans 12:13 - When God’s children are in need, help them out!
Get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner, or if they
need lodging for the night.
My Response:

John 1:12 - All who received Him, He gave the right to become
children of God.