March 19 2017 Creating A Spiritual Legacy

Creating A Spiritual Legacy

Memory Verse: Matthew 25:21 (NIV)"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

Mark 10:45 (NIV) Jesus, "I did not come to be served, but to SERVE, and to GIVE my life as a ransom for many."

THE TWO WAYS TO CREATE A LEGACY

1. By living a life of service.

Eph. 2:10 (NCV)"God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for its to live our lives doing."

Rom. 6:13b (LB)"Give yourselves completely to God - every part of you you want to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes."

Acts 20:24 (NLT)"My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus--the work of telling others the Good News about Gods wonderful kindness and love."

Mark 8:35 (LB)"Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live."

Matthew 10:42 (NLT) And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.

2. By living a life of generosity.

Deut. 15:10 (MSG) Give freely and spontaneously. Don't have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God's blessing in eveiything you do, in all your work and ventures."

SIX KEY STATEMENTS

2 Corinthians 9:6-12

1. I NEED TO SEE MY GIVING AS AN INVESTMENT, NOT AN EXPENSE.

Verse 6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously."

2. NEVER GIVE OUT OF PRESSURE OR GUILT.

Verse 7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

3. I EXPECT GOD TO MEET ALL MY NEEDS

Verse 8 "And God is able to make ALL grace abound to you, so that in ALL things at ALL times, having ALL that you need, you will abound in EVERY good work

4.  I EXPECT GOD TO MULTIPLY THE SEED.

Verse 10 "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

5. I EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE MORE THAN I THOUGHT.

Verse 11 "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in THANKSGIVING to God!

6. LIVE WITH AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.

Verse 12 Cor. 9:6-12 (NIV)"This SERVICE that you perform will not only supply the needs of God's people but also cause the overflowing of many expressions of THANKSGIVING to God"

March 12 2017 God's Prescription For Health

GOD'S PRESCRIPTION FOR HEALTH

WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT MY BODY

I Cor. 6:12-20

1. God Expects Me To Manage My Body

1 Cor. 6:12-13a (NIV)"Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything. Food is for the stomach and the stomach for food - but God will destroy both

2. My Body Is God’s Property

1 Cor. 6:13b (NIV)"The body is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord and the Lord for the body."

3. My Body Will Be Resurrected after I die

1 Cor. 6:14 (NIV) "By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and He will raise us also

MISTAKES WE MAKE

• We rely on will power instead of God’s Power
• We have the wrong motivation
• We try to change on our own

4. My Body is Connected to the Body of Christ

I Cor. 6:15a & 18 (NIV) "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? ...Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."

5. The Holy Spirit Lives In My Body

1 Cor. 6:19(NIV)"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? "

6. Jesus Bought My Body On The Cross

1 Cor. 6:20 (N1V)"You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Romans 12:1 (NIV)"I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship."

GOD’S PRESCRIPTION FOR HEALTH

Memory Verse: Psalm 119:73 (LB) You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws."

Deut. 32:47 (NLT)"These instructions are not mere words—they are your life! By obeying them you will enjoy a long life in the land..."

Prov. 3:1-10 (NIV)"Keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity... Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honor the Lord with the first part of your wealth, the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing."

1. Trusting God IS GOOD FOR MY HEALTH

Psalm 116:7 (NCV)"I said to myself "Relax, because the Lord takes care of you." "

Prov. 14:30 (NIV) A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

2. Confessing My Sin IS GOOD FOR MY HEALTH

Psalm 32:3-5 (NLT) "When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. ...My strength evaporated... Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them... and you forgave me! All my guilt is gone."

3. Having Fun IS GOOD FOR MY HEALTH

Prov. 17:22 (NIV)"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

February 19 & 26 2017 God's Plan For Financial Blessing

GOD'S PLAN FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING

TWO IMPORTANT TRUTHS ABOUT MONEY

Luke 12:15 (NIV)"Jesus said, 'Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds ofgreed; a man's lift does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. "

Luke 16:9-13 (NIV)"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain eternal Mends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So ifyou have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And ifyou have not been trustworthy with someone else property, who will give you properly ofyour own? No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve both God and Money."'

1. MONEY IS A TOOL AND A TEST.
2. MANAGING MONEY IS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE.

EIGHT HABITS FOR FINANCIAL BLESSING

1. I must trust God as my source and supply.

Rom. 11:36 (NLT)"Everything comes from God; everything exists by his power; and everything is intended for his glory."

Deut. 8:18 (NIV)"Always remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability TO PRODUCE WEALTH."

Pr. 16:3 (NLT)"Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed."

2. I must do my work as an act of worship.

Col. 3:23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

Pr. 21:5 (NLT)"Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty."

Pr. 10:4 (NIV)"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."

Pr. 16:11 (NLT)"The Lord demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard."

Pr. 12:11 (NIV) "Hard work brings prosperity; only fools waste time chasing fantasies."

Pr. 13:11 (NLT)"Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; but wealth from hard work grows."

3. Keep good records.

Pr. 27:23-24 (LB)"Riches can disappear fast... so watch your business interests closely. Know the state of your flocks and herds."

1 Cor. 16:2 (LB)"On the first day of every week put aside some of what you have earned during the week, and use it for the offering The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn."

http://saddleback.com/watch/webcast/financial-seminar-2010

4. GIVE THE FIRST TEN PERCENT BACK TO GOD

Pr. 3:9-10 (LB)"Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns to overflow!"

Deut. 14:23 (LB)"The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives."

Mal. 3:10 (NCV)"Bring to My Storehouse a full tenth of what you earn...Test me in this, 'says the Lord. 'I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.

5. I must save and invest for the future.

Pr. 21:20 (LB)"The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets."

Pr. 13:11 (NCV) "Money that comes easily disappears quickly, but money that is gathered little by little will grow."

Pr. 24:27 (NLT)"Develop your business first before building your house."

6. You setup a repayment plan to get yourself out of debt.

Pr. 3:27 (LB)"Don't withhold repayment of your debts."

Rom. 13:8 (NIV)"Let no debt remain outstanding."

7. Budget your spending.

Pr. 21:5 (TEV)"Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough."

Pr. 10:16 (NLT)"The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin."

Memory Verse: Pr. 21:20b (TEV)"... stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it."

8. I must enjoy what I have.

Eccl. 6:9 (TEV)"It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to always be wanting something else."

1 Tim. 6:18 (NLT)"Tell them to use their money to do good They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them."

WHAT MOST PEOPLE DO: THE ORDER GOD BLESSES:

1. Spend it - 1. Dedicate it to God

2. Worry about it - 2. Tithe it

3. Repay it  - 3. Save & Invest

4. Save it - 4. Repay it

5. Give it,  -  5. Enjoy it

Mt. 6:31-33 (LB) "Don't worry... Your heavenly Father already knows what you need, and He will give it to you IF you give him first place in your life AND live as he wants you to."

January 8 2017 Your Choice: Blessed Or Stressed

YOUR CHOICE: BLESSED OR STRESSED

Decade of Destiny – Part 1

Deuteronomy 28:2-8 - You will experience all these blessings IF you obey the Lord your God.  You will be blessed in your towns and in the country. You will be blessed with many children and productive fields.  You will be blessed with fertile herds and flocks.  You will be blessed with baskets overflowing with fruit, and with kneading bowls filled with bread.  You will be blessed wherever you go, both in coming and in going.  The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you, and the Lord will BLESS EVERYTHING YOU DO and will fill your storehouses with grain.

Job 42:12 – The Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the first half of his life.

GOD PROMISES TO BLESS MY LIFE

1. If I meet with Him daily.

Proverbs 8:34 – Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

Psalm 31:19 – You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you.  You do so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.

2. If I study and do His Word.

Psalm 1:1-3 – Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His Word he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.

James 1:25 – The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it, he will be blessed in what he does.

3. If I tithe my income.

Malachi 3:10 – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my hours.  Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

4. If I help others in need.

Psalm 41:1-2 – God blesses those who are kind to the poor and helpless.  He helps them out of their own troubles.  He protects them and keeps them alive; He publicly honors them and destroys the power of their enemies.

Proverbs 22:9 – A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 11:11 – Good people bless and build up their city.

5. If I share the good news.

Philemon 1:6 – I pray you will be active in sharing your faith, so that you will fully understand every blessing we have in Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:8 – The man who plants and the man who waters have on purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

6. If I participate in fellowship.

Romans 1:12 – I’m eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.  In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed If you Do them.

November 13 2016 Give Thanks

Give Thanks

Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:16 (NCV) "Everything has come from You and everything belongs to you."

I'M GRATEFUL TO GOD ...

1. FOR THE GRACE HE'S SHOWN TO ME.

Ephesians 2:8 (NCV) "You have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God."

Psalm 103:2-11 (LB) "I will... not forget the glorious things God does for me. He forgives all my sins. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with love ... He fills my life with good things ... He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; He is slow to get angry ... He never bears a grudge ... He has not punished us as we deserve for our sins."

2. FOR THE PLAN  HE HAS FOR ME.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ICB) "`I have good plans for you,' says the Lord, `I don't plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.'"

3. FOR THE HOME HE'S PREPARED FOR ME.

2 Corinthians 5:1 (NCV) "We know that our body...will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever."

1 Peter 1:4-6 (NLT)...and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power Circle that phrase God is protecting you by his power....until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while."

4. FOR CHANGES HE'S MAKING IN ME.

Philippians. 2:13 (NLT) "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases him."

2 Corinthians 3:18 (LB) "And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him."

HOW TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD

1. BY SINGING

Psalm 147:7 (LB) "Sing out your thanks to Him; sing praises to our God ..."

2. BY SERVING

Hebrews 12:28 (LB) "Since we have a Kingdom that nothing can destroy, let us please God by serving Him with thankful hearts."

3. BY GIVING 

Psalm 50:14 (NCV)"Give an offering to show thanks to God. Give him what you promised."

Deuteronomy 16:10 (GN)"Celebrate the Harvest Festival, to honor the Lord your God by bringing Him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing He has given you."

4. BY TELLING
Isaiah 12:4 (LB) "Thank the Lord! Praise His name! Tell the world about His wondrous love and how mighty He is!"