July 31 2016 Accept No Substitutes

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

Ten Values That Build Strong Families - Part 2

"You shall not make any idols ... you must never bow to an image or worship it in any way." Exodus 20:4-5 (LB)            

TWO PRINCIPLES

I.  DON'T `IDOLIZE' ANYTHING!

"Idolize" - to look to something more than God.

"For your own good ... don't sin by making an idol in any form at all."  Deuteronomy 4:15-16 (GN)
    
Why?

1.  Idols will disappoint me.

"...those who make idols are disillusioned because the gods they make are false and lifeless."    Jeremiah 10:14 (GN)

"What's the use of an idol?  It's only something a man has made.  What good does it do ... to trust it?  Habakkuk 2:18(GN)
    
2.  Idols will dominate me

"... (before you knew Christ) you were controlled by dead idols, who always led you astray."  1 Corinthians 12:2 (GN)

3.  Idols will deform me

"Those who make idols will become like them, and so will those who trust in them." Psalms 115:8 (GN)

"They worshiped worthless things and became worthless themselves." Jeremiah 2:5 (GN)

II.  WORSHIP ONLY GOD!

"Worship" -- to give my highestlove and devotion

"(Many) exchange the truth about God for a lie; they worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself!" Romans 1:25 (GN)

The Benefits of Worshiping Only God

1.  IT WILL DELIGHT ME

"Seek your happiness in the Lord and He will give you your heart's desire.” Psalm 37:4 (GN)

"Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed." Romans 10:11 (GN)
    
2.  IT WILL DELIVERME

Jesus said, "If you obey my teaching ... you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32

"If the Son sets you free, you will be really free." John 8:36

3.  IT WILLDEVELOP ME.

"As the Spirit of the Lord works with us, we become more and more like Him."      2 Corinthians 3:18b (LB)

"We arrive at maturity -- that measure of development which is meant by `the fullness of Christ.'" Ephesians 4:13-15 (Ph)

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God." Colossians 1:5

ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES

August 18 2013 Beyond GPS Staying The Course

Beyond GPS: Staying The Course

James 1:5 “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.”

THE DANGERS OF GETTING OFF COURSE

• I will miss Relationships God has for me.
• I will miss Opportunities that God has for me.
• I will miss the Spiritual Growth that God has for me.

Ephesians 4:14-15“We are not meant to remain as children ... but to grow up in every way into Christ...”

Memory Verse: Proverbs 14:14“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”

THREE REGULAR HABITS THAT KEEP ME ON COURSE

1. I Apply WHAT I READ FROM THE BIBLE.

2 Timothy 3:16-17“The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. It is God's way of making us well prepared at every point, fully equipped to do good to everyone.”

James 1:22“Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word. Instead, put it into practice.”

2. I Talk to God WITH PERSONAL PRAYERS.
 
Philippians 4:6“Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

3. I Invite My Friends TO A SUNDAY SERVICE.

Matthew 20: 19-20“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.