November 9 2014 Fully Engaged In Friends

Fully Engaged in My Friends

The eyes of the Lord search to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose hearts are completely His.– 2 Chronicles 16:9

““Never abandon a friend—either yours or your father's.  Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance.  It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

FOUR ACTIONS TO ENGAGE MY FRIENDS THIS WEEK

1. Provide Encouragement

“For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means ‘Son of Encouragement’).” – Acts 4:26

• Through my words (see Matthew 12:36-37)
• Acts of kindness.
• Just listening.         

2. Play together.

“So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people to do in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them.” – Ecclesiastes 8:15

3. Pray specifically for my friends.

“God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God.” – Romans 1:9

(See other of Paul’s prayers for friends in Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4;

4. Pursue an opportunity to talk about God.

“If you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16

Memory Verse: “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” – John 15:12-13

October 19 2014 Establishing Stability

Establishing Stability

Psalm 127:2 – It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning ‘til late at night, God wants His loved ones to get their proper rest.

1. BUILD MY LIFE AROUND CHRIST.

Matthew 6:33 – God will give you all you need from day to day IF you live for Him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

2. ACCEPT MY HUMANITY.

Ecclesiates 10:15 – Only someone too stupid to find his way home would wear himself out with work.

Psalm 119:73 – You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws.

3. LIMIT MY LABOR.

Exodus 20:9 – You have six days in which to do your work, but the 7th day is to be a day of rest dedicated to Me.

Sabbath means: day of rest,

4. ADJUST MY VALUES.

Ecclesiastes 4:4 – I’ve learned why people work so hard to succeed; it’s because they envy the things their neighbors have.

Mark 8:36 – What good is it for man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Ecclesiastes 4:6 – It is better to have only a little, with peace of mind, than be busy all the time.

5. NOURISH MY INNER LIFE.

Song of Solomon 1:6 – I had no time for myself.

Psalm 119:16 – I will not neglect your Word.

Luke 5:15 & 16 – Jesus often slipped away to be alone so He could pray.

6. COMMIT MY SCHEDULE TO GOD.

Psalm 31:15b – My times are in your hands.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time and a season for everything under Heaven.

7. ENJOY EACH MOMENT.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 – All of us should enjoy what we have worked for. It’s God’s gift.

Proverbs 14:30 – A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.

Matthew 11:28 & 29 – Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest, the load I give you to carry is light.

August 24 2014 Life Circumstance - The Church's Challenge

Life Circumstance: The Church's Challenge

Genesis 2:22 - “As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night.”

Ecclesiates 3:1 - “There is a right time for everything on earth.”

FIVE FACTS ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF LIFE

1. They are beyond our control.

Daniel 2:21 - “World events are under His control. He removes kings and sets others on their thrones...”

2. They are often confusing.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 - “God does everything just right and on time, but people can never completely understand what he is doing.”

3. God has a purpose for each circumstance.

Romans 8:28 - “We know that all that happens to us is working for our good IF we love God and are fitting into his plans.”

4. The circumstances include both good & bad times.

Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 - “There is a time to: be born/die, laugh/cry, find/lose, love/hate, plan/uproot, dance/grieve, keep/throw away, peace/war, heal/kill, gather/scatter, repair/tear, build/tear down, hug/not hug, speak up/be quiet.”

5. What I sow in one circumstance, I’ll reap in another.

Galatians 6:9 - “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued in doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up or quit.”

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF EACH CIRCUMSTANCE

THREE QUESTIONS

1. What can I learn from this Circumstance of life?

Deuteronomy 11:2 –“ Remember what you have learned about the Lord through your experiences.”

Two Facts:

• If you flunk a test, you take it again.
• When you think you’ve learned everything, here comes another class.

2 Corinthians 1:9 – “This happened that we might learn to trust not in ourselves but in God.”

2. What’s most important in our circumstance of life?

• We need to enjoy life now.

Ecclesiastes 11:8 – “People ought to enjoy everyday of their lives.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances that is God’s will for you.”

• Life is short.

James 4:14 –“How do you know what will happen tomorrow? What after all is your life? It is like a puff of smoke, visible for a little while and then disappearing into thin air.”

• You can’t have it all.

Ecclesians 3:1 - “There is a right time for everything on earth.”

Ephesians 5:18 – “Live life with a due sense of responsibility, not as those who do not know the meaning and purpose of life, but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties these days.”

Philippians 4:11 – “I have learned to be content in any situation.”

3. How can I help others in this circumstance of life?

Ephesians 2:10 – “Your were created for a life of good works.”

Proverbs 3:27 – “Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help.”

Ecclesiates 11:4 –“If you wait for perfect conditions you’ll never get anything done.”

August 10 2014 My Job

My Job

“Then Jesus said, ‘come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.’” – Matthew 11:28-29

“So I decided there is nothing better than to… find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that this pleasure is from the hand of God.” – Ecclesiastes 2:24

FIVE GODLY ACTIONS TO DEFEAT THE FIVE JOB STRESSERS

JOB STRESSER #1: “I don’t know what to do with my life.”

• ASK God what He wants me to do.

“If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” – James 1:5

JOB STRESSER #2: “I feel like a failure when I don’t succeed at my job.”

• SEPARATE my identity from my job

“So I turned in despair from hard work. It was not the answer to my search for satisfaction in this life.” – Ecclesiastes 2:20

“For we are God's masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

JOB STRESSER #3: “I hate my job.”

• DO what I love AND LOVE what I do.

“Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with all your might.” – Ecclesiastes 9:10

“His master replied, ‘Good job! You're a good and faithful servant! You proved that you could be trusted with a small amount. I will put you in charge of a large amount. Come and share your master's happiness.’” – Matthew 25:23

JOB STRESSER #4: “I work too much and I’m burnt out.”

• KEEP the Sabbath by taking one day a week off.

“You have six days in which to do your work, but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to Me.” – Exodus 20:9-10

JOB STRESSER #5: “I don’t feel like my job matters.”

• LOOK for opportunities to serve God at work.

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.” – Colossians 3:23

Memory Verse: “It is not that we think we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves. Our only power and success come from God.” – 2 Corinthians 3:5

June 16 2013 Building Homes To Last

BUILDING HOMES TO LAST
Nehemiah 3: 10, 23, 29 & 30
They repaired over against his house.

1.  God intends for our homes to build a wall of prayer.
Verse 10: - Jedaiah made repairs beside his house.

HOW TO BUILD IT

* Select a specific time.

* Choose a special place.

Luke 22:39 - Jesus left the city and went, as He usually did, to the Mount of Olives to pray.
Gal. 6:9 - Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after awhile we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.

2.  Home needs God’s protection.
Verse 23: - After him, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house.

STORMS THAT CAN COME
* Change.

* Failure.

HOW TO BUILD PROTECTION
* Put Christ first in your life.

* Live in obedience to Christ.

Matt. 6:33 - Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.
John 15:4 - Jesus said remain in Me and I will remain in you.

3.  We must build the wall of integrity.
Verse 29: - Zadok (son of Immer) also rebuilt the wall next to his own house.

* Soundness in our relationships.

* Sound character.

Isa. 38:19 - One generation makes known your faithfulness to the next.

4.  The home must build a wall of ministry.
Verse 30: - Meshullam, son of Berekiah, built next to his own house.
I Cor. 16:15 - Stephanas and his family were the first to become Christians in Greece, and they are spending their lives helping and serving Christians everywhere.
Acts 16:33 - The whole family was filled with joy because they had come to believe God.

5.  The home is meant to be a place of fun.
Ecc. 9:9 - Enjoy life with your wife whom you love.
Prov. 5:18 - Be happy with your wife and find joy with the girl you married.
Psalm 127:3 - Children are a gift of God.