April 16 2017 Easter - The Foundation For Happiness

EASTER, THE FOUNDATION FOR HAPPINESS

Col. 1:14 – Christ bought our freedom with His blood.

John 10:10 – Jesus said, “I come to give you life to the full.”

Matt. 28:5 - He is not here, He has risen.

Psalm 146:5 – Happy is he whose hope is in the Lord.

Happiness is Possible:

1. Because Christ can free you from guilt.

Eph. 1:7 – By the death of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

Col.2.14 – He has cancelled every record of the debt

we owed. Christ has done away with it by nailing it to the cross.

Rom 8:1 – There is no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ.

2. Because Christ can free you from worry.

I Peter 1:2 – God’s Spirit has been at work in you heart through Jesus Christ. May God grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear.

Ph. 4:13 – I am ready for anything through the strength of Christ who lives in me.

3. Because Christ can give you purpose.

Eph. 2:10 – We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to live the good life as He meant for us to live it.

Acts 20:24 – Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus.

4. Because Christ can give you a home in heaven.

Col. 2:20 – Christ has set you free from following the world’s ideas of how to be saved by doing good and obeying various rules.

Rom 4:4 – You don’t earn the right to heaven, no, for being saved is a free gift. If a person could earn it by being good, then it wouldn’t be free, but it is.

Rom. 6:23 – The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

A Prayer That Leads to Happiness: Dear God, I believe Jesus Christ was who He claimed to be, Your Son, and that He proved it by rising from death. Jesus Christ, thank You for dying for me on the cross. I want You to forgive my sins and I want to know You personally and experience the freedom You offer. As much as I know how, I ask You to come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.

April 17 2016 Breaking Free From Debt

BREAKING FREE FROM DEBT

Proverbs 21:20 & Selected - When your outgo exceeds your income your upkeep will be your downfall.

Proverbs 21:20 (Living Bible) "The wise man saves for the future but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. "

(The Good News) "Stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.,,

Proverbs 27:20 (Good News) "Human desires are like the world of the dead - there is always room for more. "

1. Having more things will make me MORE HAPPY.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 "He who loves money shall never have enough. The foolishness of thinking that wealth brings happiness! The more you have, the more you spend... " 

Ecclesiastes 6:9 "It is better to be satisfied with what you have than to be always wanting something else. " 

2. Having more things will make me MORE IMPORTANT

Luke 12:15 "Be on your guard against greed in any shape or form. For a man's real life in no way depends on the number of his possessions."

3. Having more things will make me MORE SECURE

Proverbs 11:28 "Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn. " 

Proverbs 19:18 (Living Bible) "The rich man think of his wealth as an impregnable defense, a high wall of safety. What a dreamer!"

1 Timothy 6:9 "When we long to be rich we are a prey to temptation We get trapped into all sorts of foolish and dangerous ambitions which eventually plunge us into ruin. '

HOW DO YOU ENJOY LIFE MORE ON LESS?

1. I find my happiness in HELPING OTHERS.

Acts 20:35 "Jesus said, 'There's more happiness in giving than in receiving"'.

Matthew 5:6 "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God -will satisfy them fully. "

2. I find my self-worth in KNOWING GOD.

Isaiah 43:4 "God says, 'You are precious in my sight!"' 

Matthew 6:26""Your heavenly Father feeds the birds. Are you not more valuable then they?',

Romans 5:8 "The proof of God’s amazing love is this: while -we were sinners Christ died for us. .

3. I find my security in TRUSTING GOD.

Hebrews 13:5 (Good News) "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, I will never leave you nor abandon you. "

October 18 2015 Wise Up

Wise Up!

Proverbs 4:7-8 (GN) "Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight! Love wisdom and she will make you great!

1. What is it?
Wisdom: Seeing and responding to life from GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death. 

2. What will it do for me?
 
Proverbs 3:14-18 (NCV) Wisdom is worth more than silver; it brings more profit than gold.  Wisdom is more precious than rubies;  nothing you could want is equal to it. With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life,  and with her left hand she gives you riches and honor.  Wisdom will make your life pleasant and will bring you peace. As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it,  and everyone who uses it will be happy.

Six Benefits

1. LONGER LIFE
2. WEALTH
3. HONOR
4. PLEASURE
5. SECURITY
6. HAPPINESS

3. How can I get it?

• READ GOD’S WORD

Proverbs 1:2 (LB) "(Solomon) wrote these Proverbs to teach his people how to live - how to act in every circumstance. "

Proverbs 1:3 (GN) "They can teach you how to live intelligently  

• DO WHAT IT SAYS

Proverbs 7:1-2 (GN)  Never forget what I tell you to do. Do what I say  and you will live.  Be careful to follow it. . . "

• GET TO KNOW GOD

Proverbs 1:7 (LB)"How does a person become wise? Ae first step is to trust and revere the Lord "

Proverbs 9:10 (LB)"For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom.  Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.  

Make Wisdom a Life Goal!

July 5 2015 The Antidote To Anxiety

THE ANTIDOTE TO ANXIETY

Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven,  hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

Three Keys to Overcoming Worry

Philippians 4:6 (LB) "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs. "

1. Ask FOR GOD’S ASSISTANCE

Give us today our daily bread.

Memory Verse: James 4:2"...You do not have because you do not ask God!"

Numbers 16:32 (GN)"God is the source of all life..."

God is my source... 

Source of Wisdom (Psalm 36:9) 
Source of Strength (Isaiah 48:5) 
Source of Happiness (Psalm 43:4) 
Source of Hope (Romans 15:13) 
Source of Peace (Romans 15:33) 
Source of Patience (Hosea 15:5) 
Source of Salvation (Hebrews 5:9) 
Source of Encouragement (Romans 15:5)

2. Remember GOD'S RESOURCES

"Give us today our daily bread.”

Philippians 4:19 (Ph)"God will supply all that you ever need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus.

(JB) "...as lavishly as only God can.

Matthew 6:32-33 (LB)"Don't worry at all about having enough food and clothing .... our heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and He will give them to you if you give him first place in your life. . . "

Romans 8:3 (LB) "Since God didn’t spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us  all, won't he also surely give us everything else?"

3. Trust GOD’S TIMING

"Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:34 (LB)"Don't be anxious about tomorrow.  God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time”.  

(NIV) "Each day has enough trouble of its own!"

Psalm 68:19 "Praise the Lord... who DAILY bears our burdens”

TWO RESULTS OF TRUSTING GOD AS YOUR SOURCE

1.You become more AT PEACE. 

2.You become more GENEROUS.

Matthew 7:11 "If you were asked by your son for bread, would you give him a stone?  How much more likely is it that your heavenly Father will give good things to those who ask him?"

January 25 2015 Getting Stuck In My Career - Parts 1 and 2

GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY CAREER

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    

Definition of UnStuck: Moving forward in my life because I am willing to give God complete control.

THE STORY OF MARK
(Acts 13:4-5; 13-14; 15:36-40)

So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit.  They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.  There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God.  John Mark went with them as their assistant. Acts 13:4-5

Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem.  But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. Acts 13:13-14

THE STORY OF MARK (contd)
(Acts 13:4-5; 13-14; 15:36-40)

After some time Paul said to Barnabas, >Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing. Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark.  But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted
them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.  Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated.  Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care.  Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there. Acts 15:36-40
    
4 CHOICES TO GETTING UNSTUCK IN MY CAREER:

1)  CHOOSE TO MAKE GOD MY BOSS.

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

• Love God & Others (see Matthew 22:37-39)
• serve my co-workers. (see Matthew 23:11-12)
• find a Godly mentor.  

(Paul) Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

2)  CHOOSE TO SEPARATE who I am FROM what I do.

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

• Daily Quiet Time
• A Weekly Sabbath

(Jesus) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36

3) CHOOSE TO BE FAITHFUL IN THE SMALL THINGS

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

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

4) CHOOSE TO PERSEVERE EVEN WHEN I FEEL STUCK

We were under great pressure; far beyond our ability to endure As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened.  Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally B not a bad idea since He=s the God who raises the dead! 2 Corinthians 1:8-9

Timothy, please come as soon as you can.  Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica.  Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.  Only Luke is with me.  Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 2 Timothy 4:9-11 (see also Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:24)
                     
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