September 18 2016 How To Manage Life's Crises

HOW TO MANAGE LIFE’S CRISES

How Do We Manage Life’s Crises?

I. Remember the variety of crises or storms we may face.

A. Crises can be of a situational nature.

Proverbs 1:27 – When calamity overtakes you like a storm.

B. Crises can be relational.

Psalm 102:7-9 – I have become like a bird alone on a house top, I lie awake all day long, my enemies taunt me, those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

C. Crises might be emotional.

Job 30:22 – You snatch me up and drive me before the wind, you toss me about in the storm.

II. Know the facts about crises or storms.

A. Storms are inevitable.

James 1:2 – When you face trials.

B. Crises are unpredictable.

Without warning a furious storm came up.

C. Crises are impartial.

Matthew 5:45 – He sent rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

III. There are two possible reactions.

A. I can be filled with panic.

Verse 25 – The disciples went and woke Him saying, “Lord save us, we’re going to drown.”

B. I can be filled with peace.

Verse 24b – But Jesus was sleeping.

IV. Let’s look at how to manage the crisis.

A. Remember God’s closeness.

1. Verse 23 – Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and His disciples followed Him.

2. Isaiah 43:1-2 – Fear not, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name, you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

LESSON #1 – When you’re in the crises, remember Jesus is with you.

B. Relax in God’s care.

1. Mark 4:38 – The disciples said to Him, “Teacher don’t you care if we drown?”

LESSON #2 – God cares about what you’re going through.

2. I Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

C. Rely on God’s control.

1. Mark 4:39 – Jesus got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Be quiet! Be Still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
 
LESSON #3 – God is in control; you don’t have to be.

2. Jeremiah 32:17 – Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arms.  Nothing is too hard for you.

YOU CAN MANAGE YOUR CRISES

September 4 2016 Affair-Proofing Your Marriage

Affair Proofing Your Marriage

Memory Verse: Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery."

How to Affair Proof Your Marriage

1. MAKE A COMMITMENT TO GOD'S STANDARDS

Psalm 119:9 "How can a (person) keep his way pure? By living according to your Word."

Proverbs 5:15 (GN) "Be faithful to your own wife and give your love to her alone."

2. MAGNIFY THE CONSEQUENCES

Proverbs 6:32 (GN)"The one who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul."

3. MAINTAIN MY MARRIAGE

1 Corinthians 7:3 (GN)" A man should fulfill his duty as a husband and a woman should fulfill her duty as a wife, and each should satisfy the other's needs."

The top five needs of most men are:

1. Sexual fulfillment
2. Recreational companionship
3. An attractive spouse
4. Domestic support
5. Admiration

The top five needs of most women are:

1. Affection
2. Conversation
3. Honesty and openness
4. Financial support
5. Family commitment

1 Corinthians 7:5 (Ph)"Do not cheat each other of normal sexual intercourse ... or you will expose yourselves to the obvious temptation of Satan."

4. MANAGE MY MIND

How Affairs Develop

1. Accepting sinful thoughts in my mind
2. Emotional, non-physical involvement
3. Physical involvement
4. Rationalizing the affair

James 1:14-15 (LB) "Temptation is the pull of a person's own evil thoughts and wishes. These evil thoughts lead to evil actions and afterwards to death."

2 Timothy 2:22 (Ph)"Turn your back on lustful desires and give your positive attention to goodness, integrity, love, and peace..."

Romans 16:19 "I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about evil."

5. MAINTAIN PROPER RELATIONSHIPS

Ephesians 5:3 "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality."

6. MINIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY

1 Corinthians 10:12 (LB)"So be careful! If you are thinking, `Oh, I would never behave like that - let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin."

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Bad company corrupts good character."

Malachi 2:15 "Guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with your wife."

THE PATHWAY BACK TO PURITY

1. Acknowledge the sin (Psalm 51:1-4)
2. End the relationship immediately
3. Avoid ALL contact with the person from now on. Do whatever it takes to do this!

December 4 2011 Christmas Is The Answer To Life's Demands

Christmas Is The Answer To Life's Demands

The Mighty God

Isa 9:6 - And His name shall be called the Mighty God.

Some Demands In Life

• Demands of circumstances.
Prov. 1:27 - When calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and troubles overwhelm you.

• Demands of life's relationships.
Psalm 102:7-9 - I lie awake, I have become like a bird alone on a house top. All day long my enemies taunt me. Those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

• Demands that are emotional.
Job 30:22 - You snatch me up and drive me before the wind. You toss me about in the storm.

1. We need to see the meaning of Mighty God.
John 5:23 – That all should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father.
John 10:30 – I and My Father are One.
John 14:9 – He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.
John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word and the Word with God and the Word was God.
John 20:28 – My Lord and My God.
Luke 19:9 – Zacchaeus, this day is salvation come to this house. 

2. We see the might of the Mighty God.
John 1:3 – All things were made by Him, without Him was not anything made that was made.
Col. 1:15, 16 – Who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature, for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, all things were created by Him and for Him.
John 8:56 – Your Father Abraham rejoiced to see My day.
Hebrews 4:26 - The reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Eqypt.
Joshua 5:13 -15 -
John 5:26 -I have the power to lay it down and I have the power to take it up again. 

3. We see the Mission of the Mighty God.
Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
Col. 1:9-11 – For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might, according to His glorious peace, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.
Phil. 4:19 – But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

4. We see the must of the Mighty God.

The Psalmist said He is the Lord, Worship Thou Him.
Isa. 9:6 – For unto us a Child is born, His name shall be called, The Mighty God.