February 26 2017 Getting A Grip On Power

Getting A Grip On Power

Job 6:10 – At least I can take comfort in this, despite the pain. I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

1 Corinthians 4:20 – The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk. It is living by God’s power.

Psalm 68:35 – God is awesome, He gives power and strength to His people.

WHEN TO EXPECT GOD’S POWER

1. When I’m tired.

Isaiah 40:28 & 31 – The Lord is the everlasting God. He never grows tired or weary. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Those who trust the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out, He offers strength to the weak.

2. When I’ve nothing to offer.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – My power shows up best in weak people. Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am, I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own powers and abilities.

3. When I’m in pain.

Psalm 41:3 – The Lord nurses them when they are sick and eases their pain.

4. When I’m tempted.

Romans 7:18 – I often find that I have the will to do good, but no power.

2 Corinthians 10:13 – Every temptation that has come 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 strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

Philippians 4:13 – I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S POWER

1. Admit your need for help.

Proverbs 29:23 – Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

2. Get connected.

John 15:5 – I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them, will produce much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For the Spirit that God gives us does not make us timid. Instead His Spirit fills us with power.

3. Choose God’s way with faith that God’s power will show up.

Hebrews 11:1 – What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen.

Isaiah 40:31 – Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.

Romans 8:17 – And since we are His children, we will share His treasure. For everything God gives to His Son, Christ, is ours too.

February 21 2016 The Word Of Comfort

THE WORD OF COMFORT

John 19:25-27

Verse 26 – Dear woman here is your Son and to the disciple here is your Mother.

Isaiah 40:1 – Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

1. Comfort in suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:5 – For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort over flows.

Romans 5:5 – God has poured His love into our hearts by The Holy Spirit Whom He has given to us.

Philippians 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 4:1 – Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude He did.  You must be ready to suffer too.

Exodus 20:12 – Honor thy Father and thy Mother.

2. Comfort in sorrow.

Verse 26 – Here is your Son.

2 Timothy 4:9-10 – Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.

John 14:16 – I will give you another counselor. (Comforter)

Luke 1:38 – I am the Lord’s servant; may it be to me as you have said.

3. Comfort in service.

Verse 27 – Here is your Mother.

Matthew 28:20 – And surely I will be with you always.

Romans 15:3 – Each of us should please his neighbor, for it’s good to build him up.

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE IN PAIN

• Jesus cares about your pain.
• Don’t handle pain alone.
• Find someone to help.
• Look up to Jesus.

October 7 2012 The Choice Of Comfort

THE CHOICE OF COMFORT
Matthew 5:4 - Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

How To Experience God’s Comfort

1.  Realize God is with you.
Psalm 34:18 - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 121:2-3 - Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber.

Things I need to remember:

• God is aware.
Job 13:27 - You (God) keep a close watch on all my paths.

• God is sympathetic.
Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.

• God let’s you talk about your discomfort.
Heb. 4:16 - Let us approach (God) with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

2. Release the hurt.

How?

I must stop focusing on what has been lost,
And start focusing on what’s left.

Options for our hurts:
•  You can repress it
•  You can rehearse it.
•  You can refuse to resent it.

Isaiah 43:18 - Do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing (says the Lord).

Romans 12:19 - Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said He will repay those who deserve it.

Psalm 10 - Victim’s Psalm

3. Rely on God’s resources for comfort.

Three Comforters:

• God’s Word.
Psalm 119:25, 52 - I am completely discouraged.  Revive me by your Word.  Your Word has been my comfort.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.

• God’s people.
II Cor. 1:3-4 - The God of all comfort comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

• God’s Spirit is a comfort.
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you will all joy, that by the power of the Holy Spirit your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.

Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

January 1 2012 Handling Obstacles

Handling Obstacles

Joshua 1:9 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whoever you go.

Four Steps To Face Your Difficulties

I. Be willing to face your problem.
Verse 9 - Be strong and courageous.

How To Face Your Problems

1. Face them in spite of self doubts
Exodus 3:11 - But Moses said to God, who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?
Jeremiah 1:6 - Lord, I said, I do not know how to speak, I am only a child.

2. Face them when their unfamiliar.
Acts 1:10 - They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going. 

3. Face them in spite of the effort it takes.

II. Be willing to keep an open mind.
Verse 9 - Do not be terrified.

How To Keep An Open Mind

1. Take time to investigate the problem.
Joshua 3:6 - Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.
Joshua 2:1 - Sent two spies.

2. Keep an open mind through communication.
Joshua 2:8-11
Prov. 11:14 - Many advisers make victory sure.

III. Be willing to get others to help you.
Verse 9 - Do not be discouraged.

Hebrews 10:25 - Let us encourage one another.

Examples of Help
• Joshua 3:6
• Joshua 6:1-8
• Genesis 2:18
• I Kings 19:10
• Matthew 26:38

IV. Be willing to face your problems with God’s promises.
Verse 9 - For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Why Promises Are Important

1. Promises comfort us.
Isa. 40:31 - 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 be faint.

2. Promises encourage us.
Romans 8:39 - Not anything else will be able to separate us from the love of God.

3. Promises motivate us.
Acts 26:19 - I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

4. Promises help us hold steady.
Matthew 28:20 - And surely I will be with you always.

March 20 2011 The Word Of Comfort

THE WORD OF COMFORT

(John 19:25-27 - Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.)

(Verse 26 – Dear woman here is your Son and to the disciple here is your Mother.)

(Isa. 40:1 – Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.)

1. Comfort in times of great suffering.

(II Cor. 1:5 – For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort over flows.)

(Romans 5:5 – God has poured His love into our hearts byThe Holy Spirit whom He has given to us.)

(Phil. 2:5 – Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.)

(I Peter 4:1 – Since Christ suffered and underwent pain, you must have the same attitude He did. You must be ready to suffer too.)

(Exodus 20:12 – Honor thy Father and thy Mother.)

2. Comfort in times of sorrow.

(Verse 26 – Here is your Son.)

(II Timothy 4:9-10 – Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me.)

(John 14:16 – I will give you another counselor (comforter.))

(Luke 1:38 – I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said.)

3. Comfort in times of service.

(Verse 27 – Here is your Mother.)

(Matt. 28:20 – And surely I will be with you always.)

(Romans 15:3 – Each of us should please his neighbor, for its good to build him up.)

REMEMBER IF YOU ARE IN PAIN

• Jesus cares about your pain
• Don’t try to handle it alone
• Find someone else to help
• Look up to Jesus