December 21 2014 What Difference Does Christmas Make?

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES CHRISTMAS MAKE?

John 3:16 (LB)  "For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son..."

Because Jesus came at Christmas ...

1.  MY PAST CAN BE FORGIVEN

Romans 3:23-24 (LB)"All of us have sinned... yet now God declares us `not guilty' of offending him IF we trust in Jesus Christ who freely takes away our sins."

2 Corinthians 5:17 (Ph)"If anyone is in Christ, he becomes a new person altogether; the past is finished and gone, everything becomes fresh and new."

2.  MY PRESENT PROBLEMS CAN BE MANAGED

Philippians 4:13 (GN)"I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me."

Romans 8:32 (Ph)"... God gave us his own son - can we not trust such a God to give us ... everything else that we need?"

3.  MY FUTURE CAN BE GUARANTEED

Hebrews 2:14-15 (GN) "... Jesus became like us ... (to) set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death."

Three Christmas Gifts to you from God

1. Ephesians 1:4-7 (GN)"Let us praise God for the FREE GIFT he gave us in his Son... we are set free, our sins are forgiven."  
2. John 14:27 (LB) (Jesus) "I am leaving you with a GIFT; peace of mind and heart... so don't be troubled or afraid."  
3. Romans 6:23 "... the GIFT of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."

Have you accepted these gifts?

January 29 2012 How To Restore Your Shattered Confidence

How To Restore Your Shattered Confidence

Psalm 147:3

I. What shatters our confidence?

1. Rejection.
Isaiah 53:3 - Jesus was despised and rejected by men.
John 1:11 - His own people did not accept Him.
Proverbs 12:18 - Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword.

II. What restores our confidence?

Psalm 147:3 - God heals the brokenhearted and binds up our wounds.

HOW?

Romans 12:2 - Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of mind.
John 8:32 - When you know the truth the truth will set you free.

God’s view of you in Christ:

1. God says you are acceptable.
Ephesians 1:6 - (God) has made us accepted in The Beloved.
Romans 15:7 - Christ has accepted you.
Psalm 27:10- Even if my Mother and Father forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

2. God says you are valuable.
Luke 12:24 - God feeds the birds and you are far more valuable to Him than any birds.
Isaiah 43:4 - God says, you are precious to me.

3. God says you are lovable.
Isaiah 54:10 - The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end, so says the Lord who loves you.
Daniel 10:19 - God loves you, so don’t let anything worry you or frighten you.

4. God says you are forgivable.
Isaiah 54:10 - The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end, so says the Lord who loves you.
Daniel 10:19 - God loves you, so don’t let anything worry you or frighten you.

5. God says you are capable.
Philippians 4:13 - I have strength for all things in Christ who empowers me, I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me, that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency.
Isaiah 61:3 - God will give you beauty for ashes.