April 12 2015 Determining My Life's Work

Determining My Life's Work

“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.” — James 1:5

Four Questions To Determine My Life’s Work

WHAT does God want?

“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. . . Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.’” — James 4:13-15

WHAT am I good at?

“I (God) have given him the skill, ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work.”— Exodus 31:3

“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

WHAT is in front of me?

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

“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

“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

WHAT is my life’s ministry?

Memory Verse: ““Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” — Matthew 22:37-39

“You are the salt of the earth. . .You are the light of the world—like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see.” — Matthew 5:13-14

“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

December 29 2013 Mistakes To Avoid In 2014

Mistakes To Avoid In 2014

"Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow." Joshua 7:13 (NIV)

FOOLISH MISTAKES TO AVOID

1. USELESS WORRYING ABOUT THE FUTURE

Matthew 6:27 (NIV)"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:30b-33 (NCV)"... Don't have so little faith! Don't worry and say, `What will we eat... or drink...or wear?' The people who don't know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. The thing you should want most is God's kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you."

Matthew 6:3 (LB)"So don't be anxious about tomorrow -- God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time."

THE WISE WAY: TRUST GOD

2. ARROGANT ASSUMING.

Proverbs 27:1 (NIV)"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth."

Isaiah 56:12"’Come,’ each one cries, ‘... Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even better!’"

James 4:14 & 16 (NIV)"Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil."

Proverbs 22:3 (LB) "A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences."

THE WISE WAY: PREPARE

3. FAULTY PLANNING.

James 4:13 (NIV)"Now listen, you who say, `Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.’"

Ecclesiastes 8:7 (NIV) "Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?"

James 4:15 (NIV) "Instead, you ought to say, IF it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

THE WISE WAY: PRAY AS YOU PLAN

Proverbs 16:1 (GN) "We may make our plans, but God has the last word."

Proverbs 16:9 (LB) "We should make plans – counting on God to direct us."

4. LAZY PROCRASTINATING.

James 4:17 (NIV) "Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it sins."

Proverbs 3:27-28 (NIV)"Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, `Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' -- when you now have it with you."

THE WISE WAY: DO IT NOW

1 John 2:3-4 (NIV)"We can be sure we know Christ if we obey His commands. The one who says `I know Him' but doesn't do what He commands is a liar."

2 Corinthians 6:2 (LB)"RIGHT NOW God is ready to welcome you. TODAY He is ready to save you!

June 23 2013 How To Face Your Future

HOW TO FACE YOUR FUTURE

THREE COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

MISTAKE #1:_______________________________

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.  " (James 4:13)

THE SOLUTION:____________________________

"Instead, you ought to say, 'IF it is the Lords will, we will live and do this or that.  " (James 4:15)

"We may make our plans, but God has the last word.  " Prov. 16: 1 (GN)

"We should make plans - counting on God to direct us.  " Prov. 16:9 (LB)

MISTAKE #2:________________________________

Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  As it is, you boast and brag.  All such boasting is evil." (James 4:14,16)

Ps. 39:4-6; Ps. 102:3, 1 1; Job 4:7,9; Ps. 103:15

"Come, " each one cries, "... Let us drink our fill of beer!  And tomorrow will be like today, or even better!" Isaiah 56:12

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.      Prov. 27:1
 
THE SOLUTION:_____________________________

Memory Verse: "So don't be anxious about tomorrow - God will take care of your tomorrow, too.  Live one day at a time.  "     Matt. 6:34 (LB)

MISTAKE #3:_______________________________

"Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins.” (James 4:17)

THE SOLUTION:_____________________________

"Do not with hold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.  Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow'- when you now have it with you.  " Prov. 3:27-29

Luke 12:16-20 -- A foolish man

"RIGHT NOW God is ready to welcome you.  TODAY He is ready to save you!" 2 Cor. 6:2 (LB)

September 2 2012 How To Face Your Future

HOW TO FACE YOUR FUTURE
James 4:13 -17

Everyone is interested in the future. James warns us about common mistakes we make regarding the future.

Three Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Mistake #1 planning without God.
Vs. 13 - Now listen, you who say, today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city; spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.

The Solution: Include God in your planning.
Vs. 15 - Instead, you ought to say, if it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that.

Proverbs 16:1 - We may make our plans, but God has the last Word.

Proverbs 16:9 - We should make plans, counting on God to direct us.

2. Mistake #2 presuming about tomorrow
Vs. 14 & 16 - Why you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

Isaiah 56:12 - Come, each one cries, let us drink our fill of beers and tomorrow will be like today, or even better.

Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

The Solution: Live one day at a time.
Matthew 6:34 - So don’t be anxious about tomorrow, God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.

3. Mistake #3 putting off doing good.
Vs 17 - Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

The Solution: You need to do it now.
Proverbs 3:27-28 - Do not with hold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “come back later, I’ll give it tomorrow” when you now have it with you.

2 Corinthians 6:2 - Right now God is ready to welcome your today. He is ready to save you!

Luke 12:16-20 - Parable of a Foolish Man.