November 27 2011 A Wonderful Counselor For Life's Decisions

A Wonderful Counselor For Life's Decisions

Isa 9:6 - A child shall be born and His name shall be called wonderful Counselor.

Why we need guidance:

° We have a selfish nature.
Jeremiah 10:23 – O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?

° Our minds are limited.
Isa. 55:8 – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
Rom. 12:2 – But be ye transformed by the renewing or your mind.

° The Pressures surround us in our world.
Psalm 1:1 - Blesses is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly.
Rom. 12:2 – Be not conformed to this world.
James 1:5 – If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally.

I. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His perception.
John 1:1 – The Word was God. 
Gen. 1:27 – So God created man in His Own image.
Gen 3:15 – He (Christ) will crush your (satan) head.
Rev. 13:8 – The Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then approach the Throne of Grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

II. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His personal attachment.
John 15:13 – Greater love has no man that this, that a man lay down his life for another.

III. He is a wonderful Counselor because of His power.
Matt. 28:16 – All power in heaven and earth has been given to Me.
I Cor. 2:4 – My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power.

IV. He is a wonderful Counselor for He waits for permission.
Gal. 2:20 – Christ lives in me.
Isa. 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born and He will be called wonderful, Counselor.

October 30 2011 When Love Is Wise

When Love Is Wise

James 3:13-18

Vs. 18 – And these who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. 

Wisdom is a lifestyle of love.
Vs. 13 – Who is wise and understanding among you? 
Let him show it by his good life.

Lack of wisdom causes all kinds of disorder.
Vs. 14-16 – disharmony and all other kinds of evil.

How To Relate Wisely To Others
Vs. 17

1. If I'm wise, I won't compromise my integrity.
Vs. 17 – The wisdom that comes from heave is first of all pure.
Prov. 10:9 – The man of integrity walks securely.

2. If I'm wise, I won't antagonize your anger.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is peace-loving.
Prov. 20:3 – Any fool can start arguments, the wise thing is to stay out of them.
Prov. 14:29 – A wise man controls his temper, he knows that anger causes mistakes.

3. If I'm wise, I won't minimize your feelings.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is considerate.
Prov. 15:4 – Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

4. If I'm wise, I won't criticize your decisions.
Vs 17 – wisdom is submissive.
Prov. 12:15 – A fool thinks he needs no advice. A man listens to others.

5. If I'm wise, I won't emphasize your mistakes.
Vs 17 – wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.
Prov. 17:19 – Love forgets mistakes, nagging about them parts the best of friends.

6. If I'm wise, I won't disguise my own weaknesses.
Vs. 17 – wisdom is important and sincere.
Prov. 28:13 – You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins.
Col. 2:3 – The secret is Christ Himself, in Him lie hidden all God's treasures of wisdom.