March 26 & April 2 2017 The Kind Of Work God Blesses

THE KIND OF WORK GOD BLESSES

Prov. 22:29 "When you see people skilled in their work, you know that they will end up standing before kings, not working for ordinary people."

SEVEN KEYS TO SUCCEEDING AT WORK

1. Start working enthusiastically wherever I am.

Memory Verse: Eccl. 9:10 (NIV)"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

Three Things To Remember

1. This is a test from God.

Luke 16:10-12(NIV)"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much... But if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?"

2. God is watching.

3. My attitude determines my joy.

Proverbs 12:24 (MSG) "The diligent find freedom in their work, while the lazy are oppressed by work"

Rom. 12:11 (NLT)"Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically."

2. Understand who I'm really working for.

Col. 3:23-24 (NLT)"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and the Master you are serving is Christ."

I Cor. 10:31 (NIV)"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it allfor the glory of God."

3. Concentrate on building my character.

Rom. 5:3-4 (NLT)"We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, because we know that they are good for us- they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation."

Prov. 12:24 (CEV) Work hard, and you will be a leader; be lazy, and you will end up a slave.

4. Care about those I work with.

1 Cor. 16:14 (NLT)"Everything you do must be done with love."

Eph. 4:2 (TLB)"Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's ftiults because of your love. "

5. Exceed what is expected of me.

Col. 3:22 (MSG)"Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best."

Matt. 5:41 (NIV)"If someone demands you to go one mile, go with him two miles."

6. Expand my skills with continual learning.

Eccl. 10:10 (NIV)"If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success."

Prov.19:8 (TEV)"Do yourself a favor and learn all you can; then remember what you learn and you will prosper."

7. Dedicate my work to be used for God's purposes.

Eph. 1:3 (TEV)"We are Christ's ambassadors; and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, 'Be reconciled to God! "

2 Cor. 5:20 (NLT)"Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world."

January 15 2017 Getting A Grip On Hope

GETTING A GRIP ON HOPE

Romans 15:13 - May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him. Then you’ll overflow with hope.

Psalm 52:9 - In Your name I will hope, for Your name is good.

Jehovah Shammah=God is always there!

Three anchors of the soul

1. His presence is watching over me.

Isaiah 41:10 - Don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you. I will support you.

Psalm 32:8 - I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Lamentations 3:21-23 - I have hope when I think of this: The Lord’s love never ends; His mercies never stop. They are new every morning.

2. His purpose is working in me.

Romans 8:28 - We know that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 - (God) I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

Philippians 1:6 - God began doing a good work in you and I am sure He will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again

3. His place is waiting for me.

John 14:1-2 - Don’t be troubled. You trust God, now trust in Me, I am going to prepare a place for you.

Revelations 21:4 - He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. All of that has gone forever.

Isaiah 46:3-5 - Listen! I have upheld you since you were conceived and I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. Can you compare Me to anyone? No one is equal to Me or like Me!

1 Peter 1:3 - In God’s great mercy He has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

Isaiah 40:31 - Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

July 10 2011 Living The Effective Life

Living The Effective Life

Four Keys to Effective Living:

1. Be yourself.

Hebrews 11:24 – By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter.

2. Accept responsibility for your life.

Verse 25 – He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

PRINCIPLE: The negative is followed by the positive

Verse 23 – By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the King's edict. 
Verse 24 – When he had grown up.

3. Establish a value system for your life.

Verse 26 – He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward.

THREE COMMON VALUES
* Pleasure
* Possessions
* Power

Matthew 6:24 – No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both.

THREE THINGS MOSES DECIDED:

God's purpose is more valuable than popularity.

Verse 24 – refused to be known as Pharaoh's daughter.

People are more valuable than pleasure.

Verse 25 – chose to be mistreated rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin.

God's peace is more valuable than possessions.

Verse 26 – regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt.

Your character is determined by your choices, your choices are determined by your values and your values are determined by your vision.

4. Never take your eyes off the goal.

Verse 27 – By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the King's anger, he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.

II Corinthians 4:16-17 – Therefore, we do not lose heart though outwardly, we're wasting away yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory, that far outweighs them all.

Verse 18 – So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.

May 4 2014 How Can I Forgive Others

How Can I Forgive Others 

“And forgive us our sins — just as we forgive those who have sinned against us.”— Luke 11:4 (The Lords Prayer)“

Forgiving others is not: 

• JUSTIFYING their actions.
• Trusting the passage of time.
• DENYING  that you’re hurt.
• CONFRONTING them personally.

1. REMEMBER how much I’ve been forgiven.

““’Come, let’s talk this over!’ says the Lord; ‘‘no matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can take it out and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you white as wool!” – Isaiah 1:18

2. RELEASE the person entirely .

“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison until he had paid every penny.’ That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters in your heart.” — Matthew 18:32-35

““Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. . . Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord.” —Romans 12:17,19

3. RECOGNIZE God’s purpose in the process.

“But Joseph told them, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.’” — Genesis 50:19-20

4. RE-ESTABLISH the relationship . (as much as possible)

““Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

• Romans 12:21 “Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.”
• Romans 12:18

5. REPEAT the process.

“‘No!’ Jesus replied, ‘seventy times seven!’” — Matthew 18:22

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” ---Matthew 6:14-15.

Memory verse: “ Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.” — Ephesians 4:32

March 2 2014 How To Experience Peaceful Living

How To Experience Peaceful Living 

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Proverbs 14:30 – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Three Kinds Of Peace:

1. Spiritual peace.

Romans 5:1 – Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Emotional peace.

Colossians 3:15 – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since you were called to peace.

3. With people around us.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

God’s Promise: John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Five Keys To God’s Peace:

1. Obey God’s principles.

Psalm 119:165 – Great peace have they who love your law.

2. Accept God’s pardon.

Micah 7:18 – Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression

I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

3. Focus on God’s presence.

Isaiah 26:3 – You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast.

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

• Be still.
• Realize that God is God.

Psalm 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.

Philippians 4:7 – And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

4. Trust God’s purpose.

Proverbs 35:6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

• Trust.
• Acknowledge.

Philippians 4: 12, 13 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed, or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want, I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

5. Ask for peace.

Philippians 4:6,7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your request to God, and the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 8:14 – The seen that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries.

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