September 25 2016 Learning To Be Content

LEARNING TO BE CONTENT

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:17 "You shall not covet...anything that belongs to your neighbor."

"COVET": the uncontrolleddesire to acquire

I. What Happens When I Always Want More

1. Fatigue

Proverbs 23:4" Do not wear yourself out to be rich; have the wisdom to show restraint."

2. Debt

Ecclesiastes 5:11 (LB) "The more money you have, the more money you spend..."

3. Worry

Ecclesiastes 5:12 (GN)"A working man ... can get a good night's sleep. But the rich man has so much that he stays awake worrying."

4. Conflict

James 4:1"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from the desires that battle with you?"

5. Dissatisfaction

Ecclesiastes 5:10 (GN)"You will never be satisfied if you long to be rich. You will never get all you want."

Philippians 4:12(Paul) "I have learned the secret of being content... whether living in plenty or in want."

II. How To Learn To Be Content

1. RESIST COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS.

2 Corinthians 10:12 "We do not dare classify or compare ourselves ... it is not wise."

I Timothy 6:9 (JB) "When we long to be rich, we are a prey to temptation; We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin."

2. REJOICE IN WHAT I DO HAVE.

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (GN)"If God gives a man wealth and property .. he should be grateful and enjoy what he has...it is a gift from God."

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

3. RELEASE WHAT I HAVE TO HELP OTHERS.

I Timothy 6:17-19 (LB)"Tell those who are rich, not to be proud and not to trust in their money which will soon be gone. Tell them to use their money to do good ... to give happily to those in need, always with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven -- it is the only safe investment for eternity!"

Acts 20:35 (GN)"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."

4. REFOCUS ON WHAT'S GOING TO LAST.

2 Corinthians 4:18 "We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever."

Luke 12:15 "A man's true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be."

April 17 2016 Breaking Free From Debt

BREAKING FREE FROM DEBT

Proverbs 21:20 & Selected - When your outgo exceeds your income your upkeep will be your downfall.

Proverbs 21:20 (Living Bible) "The wise man saves for the future but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. "

(The Good News) "Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.,,

Proverbs 27:20 (Good News) "Human desires are like the world of the dead - there is always room for more. "

1. Having more things will make me MORE HAPPY.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend... " 

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

2. Having more things will make me MORE IMPORTANT

Luke 12:15 "Be on your guard against greed in any shape or form. For a man's real life in no way depends on the number of his possessions."

3. Having more things will make me MORE SECURE

Proverbs 11:28 "Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn. " 

Proverbs 19:18 (Living Bible) "The rich man think of his wealth as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety. What a dreamer!"

1 Timothy 6:9 "When we long to be rich we are a prey to temptation We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin. '

HOW DO YOU ENJOY LIFE MORE ON LESS?

1. I find my happiness in HELPING OTHERS.

Acts 20:35 "Jesus said, 'There's more happiness in giving than in receiving"'.

Matthew 5:6 "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God -will satisfy them fully. "

2. I find my self-worth in KNOWING GOD.

Isaiah 43:4 "God says, 'You are precious in my sight!"' 

Matthew 6:26""Your heavenly Father feeds the birds. Are you not more valuable then they?',

Romans 5:8 "The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while -we were sinners Christ died for us. .

3. I find my security in TRUSTING GOD.

Hebrews 13:5 (Good News) "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, I will never leave you nor abandon you. "

November 1 2015 The Prayer Of Deliverance

THE PRAYER OF DELIVERANCE

Matthew 6:13 – And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

THREE OBSERVATIONS ABOUT TEMPTATION

1. First, remember that temptation is normal.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – Every temptation that comes 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 the strength to endure it and so provide you with a way out.

Example:  Joseph

2. Temptation is common.

Hebrews 4:15 – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.

3. Temptation improves our life.

James 1:2-4 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

John 4:4 – Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world.

SIX STEPS TOWARD DELIVERANCE

1.    Identify my vulnerability. 

Matthew 26:41 – Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The Spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

*When am I most tempted?
*Where am I most tempted?
*Who is with me when I’m most tempted?
*What temporary benefit do I get if I give in?
*How do I feel before I’m tempted?

2. Refuse to let fear take over.

Three ways He works

Ephesians 6:10-11 – Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s scheme.

3. Quickly turn to God.

Psalm 50:15 – Call to Me when trouble comes, I will save you and you will praise Me.

Daniel

Joseph

Hebrews 4:15-16 – (Jesus) had the same temptations we do, though He never once gave way to them and sinned, so let us come boldly to God and find grace to help us in our time of need.

4. Intentionally refocus your mind.

James 1:14-15 – Temptation is the pull of your own evil thoughts and wishes.  These evil thoughts lead to evil actions.

Be careful how you think, your life is shaped by your thoughts.

5. Enlist a partner.

Ecclesiastes 5:9-10 – Two are better than one, because together if one falls down, the other can help him up.  But if someone is alone and falls, there’s no one to help him.

James 5:16 – Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other, so that you may be healed.

6. Turn from the devil.

Ephesians 5:17 – Accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the Word of God to use as a sword.

Example of Jesus

YOU CAN HANDLE TEMPTATION