November 13 2016 Give Thanks

Give Thanks

Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:16 (NCV) "Everything has come from You and everything belongs to you."

I'M GRATEFUL TO GOD ...

1. FOR THE GRACE HE'S SHOWN TO ME.

Ephesians 2:8 (NCV) "You have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God."

Psalm 103:2-11 (LB) "I will... not forget the glorious things God does for me. He forgives all my sins. He heals me. He ransoms me from hell. He surrounds me with love ... He fills my life with good things ... He is merciful and tender toward those who don't deserve it; He is slow to get angry ... He never bears a grudge ... He has not punished us as we deserve for our sins."

2. FOR THE PLAN  HE HAS FOR ME.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ICB) "`I have good plans for you,' says the Lord, `I don't plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.'"

3. FOR THE HOME HE'S PREPARED FOR ME.

2 Corinthians 5:1 (NCV) "We know that our body...will be destroyed. But when that happens, God will have a house for us. It will not be a house made by human hands; instead, it will be a home in heaven that will last forever."

1 Peter 1:4-6 (NLT)...and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power Circle that phrase God is protecting you by his power....until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad.There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while."

4. FOR CHANGES HE'S MAKING IN ME.

Philippians. 2:13 (NLT) "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases him."

2 Corinthians 3:18 (LB) "And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him."

HOW TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD

1. BY SINGING

Psalm 147:7 (LB) "Sing out your thanks to Him; sing praises to our God ..."

2. BY SERVING

Hebrews 12:28 (LB) "Since we have a Kingdom that nothing can destroy, let us please God by serving Him with thankful hearts."

3. BY GIVING 

Psalm 50:14 (NCV)"Give an offering to show thanks to God. Give him what you promised."

Deuteronomy 16:10 (GN)"Celebrate the Harvest Festival, to honor the Lord your God by bringing Him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessing He has given you."

4. BY TELLING
Isaiah 12:4 (LB) "Thank the Lord! Praise His name! Tell the world about His wondrous love and how mighty He is!"

January 15 2015 Principles Of Courage For Opposition

Principles Of Courage For Opposition

Nehemiah 6:11-16

1. Courage is in doing our duty.
Verse 11 - O Lord, please hear my prayer. Help me now as I go in and ask the King for a great favor.
John 7:21 - Jesus said, not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Farther in Heaven.

2. Courage is putting our trust in God.
6:9 - Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Isaiah 12:2 - Surely God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord is my strength.

3. Courage is standing steadfast (unmovable.)
Verse 11 - Should such a man as I flee? 
Ph. 1:29 - Do not be frightened in anyway by those who oppose you, for they will be destroyed and you will be saved, and that by God.
Eph. 6:10 - Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

4. Courage is serving in silence.
Verse 15-16 - So the wall was finished and the enemies were cast down in their own eyes, for they perceived that this work was wrought by God.

5. When faced with opposition you refuse to quit.
Ne. 6:15 - When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.
Ne. 6:21 - So we continued to work from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.

POEM
I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
There are battles to fight by day and by night for
God and the right, and I’ll never let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I’m sick ‘tis true and worried and blue and worn out through and through. 
But I won’t let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
I will never yield, won’t lie down in the field and
surrender my shield.
No, I’ll never let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go.
May this be my song, may in legions of wrong, oh, God, keep me strong, so I’ll never let go.