February 19 2017 Getting A Grip On Change

GETTING A GRIP ON CHANGE

Genesis 32:22-32

Verses 24-30 – Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face and yet my life was spared.”

Four Steps To Change

1. The crisis phase.

Prov. 18:12 – Pride ends in destruction (discomfort.) Humility ends in honor.

LESSON: We don’t change until our fear of change is exceeded by the pain we’re experiencing.

2. The commitment phase.

Verse 26 – The man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

LESSON: God often allows our problems to continue long enough to see if we really mean business.

Gal. 6:9 – After while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

3. Confession.

Verse 27 – The man asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, “Jacob.”

LESSON: He will never change us as an individual until we honestly confess our faults and sins.

Prov. 28:13 – He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

4. Cooperation.

Verse 30 – So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face.”

Verse 28 – “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel.”

II Cor. 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.

June 28 2015 Making Freedom Last

MAKING FREEDOM LAST

Luke 8:39 - Return home and tell how much God has done for you.

FOUR WAYS TO MAKE FREEDOM LAST

I. Stop thinking your present position cannot be changed.                                

A) Verse 27 - For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tomb.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING

1.  Stop listening to the voice of the past.

Philippians 3:13 - Forgetting those things which are behind.

2. Decide to break out of the rut.

Philippians 3:13 & 14 - Strain towards what is     ahead and press on toward the goal.

EXAMPLES

Peter - Matthew 26:75

Samson

II. Start to understand your personal value.

A)  Verse 30 - Jesus asked him what is your name?

HOW TO SEE PERSONAL VALUE

1.  Listen to what God says.

Matthew 10:30-31 - The hairs of your head are all numbered.  You are worth more than many sparrows.

2.  Listen to your friends.

Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.

III. Step into the power of Christ.

A)  Verse 28 - When he saw Jesus, he cried and fell at His feet.

Verse 30 - My name is Legion.

HOW TO STEP INTO POWER

1.  Confess our need.

1 John 1:9

2. Surrender to the authority of Christ.

Romans 12:1 & 2

IV. Shoulder the price of permanent change.

A)  Verse 39 - Jesus sent him away saying, return home and tell how much God has done for you, so the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

HOW TO MAINTAIN THE NEW POSITION

1.  Replace old habits with new ones that help.

Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.

2.  Let discomfort become part of your life.

Nehemiah

3. Double up.

Hebrews 10:25 - Let us consider and give attentive courteous care to watching over each other, studying how we may stimulate each other to helpful deed and noble activities.

4. Determination.

5. Depend on God.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit that God has given us fills us with power, love and self-control.

Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.

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.

February 19 2012 How To Break The Cycle Of Failure

How To Break The Cycle Of Failure

Luke 8:39 - Return home and tell how much God has done for you.

FOUR WAYS TO BREAK THE CYCLE

I. Stop thinking your present position cannot be changed.
A) Verse 27 - For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tomb.

HOW TO CHANGE YOUR THINKING

1. Stop listening to the voice of the past.
Philippians 3:13 - Forgetting those things which are behind.

2. Decide to break out of the rut.
Philippians 3:13 & 14 - Strain towards what is ahead and press on toward the goal.

EXAMPLES
Peter - Matthew 26:75
Samson

II. Start to understand your personal value.
A) Verse 30 - Jesus asked him what is your name?

SOME EXAMPLES TO LOOK AT
Matthew
Zacchaeus

HOW TO SEE PERSONAL VALUE

1. Listen to what God says.
Matthew 10:30-31 - The hairs of your head are all numbered. You are worth more than many sparrows.


2. Listen to friends that want to help.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times.

III.Step into the power of Christ.
A) Verse 28 - When he saw Jesus, he cried and fell at His feet.
Verse 30 - My name is Legion.

HOW TO STEP INTO POWER
1. Confess our need.
I John 1:9

2. Surrender to the authority of Christ.
Romans 12:1 & 2

IV. Shoulder the price of permanent change.

A) Verse 39 - Jesus sent him away saying, return home and tell how much God has done for you, so the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
HOW TO MAINTAIN THE NEW POSITION

1. Replace bad habits with new ones.
Romans 12:21 - Overcome evil with good.

2. Let discomfort become a part of your life.
Nehemiah

3. Double up.
Hebrews 10:25 - Let us consider and give attentive courteous care to watching over each other, studying how we may stimulate each other to helpful deed and noble activities.

4. Determination.

5. Depend on God.

II Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit that God has given us fills us with power, love and self control.
Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who is at work within you, giving you the will and the power to achieve His purpose.