April 3 2016 Why Do I Do What I Don't Want To Do

WHY DO I DO WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO?

What do you have a hard time controlling?

• My temper
• Spending
• Eating
• My moods
• Drinking
• Sexual desires
• Procrastinating
• Bad habits

1. THE PROBLEM:

Romans 7:15-16, 18 (LB) "My own behavior baffles me. For I find myself doing what I really hate and not doing what I really want to do! I often find that I have the desire to do good, but not the power. I don't accomplish the good I set out to do, and the evil I don't really want to do I find I am always doing!"

Mark 14:37"The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. "

Results: 

• Confusion.
• Frustration.
• Defeat and discouragement

Romans 7:24 It is an agonizing situation. Who can set me free from the prison of this mortal body?

II GOD'S PROMISE:

John 8:22"Jesus said '.., When you know the Truth, the Truth will set you free. 

FACT: Behind every self-defeating behavior is: A LIE THAT I’M BELIEVING

III. THE PRESCRIPTION:

Acknowledge THE ROOT OF MY PROBLEM

“Sin”: "I'M IN CHARGE AND I DON'T NEED GOD."

1 John 1: 8 (LB)"If we say we have no sin we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth."

To stop defeating myself, I must stop DECEIVING myself.

John 8:34 (Phillips) Jesus: "Everyone who commits sin is its slave " 

Believe that Christ can change me.

Romans 7:24-25"Who can free me from this prison... " I thank God there is a way out through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Romans 8:2 (Ph)"For the new spiritual principle of life in Jesus Christ lifts me out of the old vicious circle of sin... "

John 14:6"Jesus said, 'I AM" the Truth!"

Commit ALL I AM TO CHRIST

2 Corinthians 5:17 (LB)"When anyone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!"

2 Timothy 1: 7"The Spirit God gives us doesn't make us timid,- instead his Spirit fills us with power, love, and SELF CONTROL. "

Stop Trying! Start TRUSTING

2 Corinthians 3:17"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. '

July 28 2013 Trusting God When You Feel Alone

TRUSTING GOD WHEN YOU FEEL ALONE

Thoughts on Discouragement

1. Elijah was totally exhausted.
I Kings 18 - Meanwhile the sky grew black with clouds and the winds rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.  The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

2. Elijah was naïve.
I Kings 19:1-3 - Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.  So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, may the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like one of them.

3.  It can lead to isolation.
I Kings 19:4 - Elijah went a day’s journey into the desert.  He came to a broom tree, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die.

Loneliness = inner emptiness.
A preoccupation with poor me.
Aloneness = is inner fulfillment.
Now that I’m alone with Jesus, I can recover, repair and regroup.

4. It hurts our self image.
Verse 4 - I have had enough, Lord, he said, take my life.  I am no better than my ancestors.

We cannot consistently live in a manner that is inconsistent with the way we see ourselves.

5.  Causes us to run from responsibility.
Verse 9 - There he went into a cave and spent the night and the Word of the Lord came to him.  “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

6. Causes us to blame others for our circumstances.
Verse 10 - I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty, but now the Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword.  I am the only one left.

7.  Makes our future look hopeless.

How did God deal with Elijah’s discouragement?

1.  Gave him rest and food.
Verses 5-8

2.  Encouraged him.
Verses 9-10

Areas I can Change:

Areas I can get changed:

Areas that are not going to be changed:

3.  Renewed relationship with God.
Verses 11-13

4.  Told him to get back to work.
Verse 15 - Go back the way you came.  Anoint the King and Elisha as the prophet to come after you.

5.  Gave him someone to minister to him.
Verse 21 - Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.