June 19 2016 Restoring Harmony In The Home

RESTORING HARMONY IN THE HOME

Mark 3:25 & James 4: 1-2

Mark 3:25 – A home filled with strife and division destroys itself.

James 4: 1-2 – What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

Five ways to manage conflict:

1.  There is my way

2.  There is no way

3.  There is your way

4.  There is half way

5.  There is our way

Six Steps to Resolving Conflict:

1.  You need to become a believer in Christ.

Ephesians 2:16 – As parts of the same body our anger against each other has disappeared for both of us have been reconciled to God and so the feud ended at the cross.

2.  You talked to God about the problem.

James 4:2 – Your quarrel and fight.  You do not have, because you do not ask God.

3.  You analyze the problem.

Matthew 7: 3-4 – Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Take the plank out of your own eye and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

1 John 1:8 – If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

4.  You need to schedule a peace conference.

Matthew 5:23-24 – If you remember your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the alter and go at once to make peace, and then come back and offer your gift to God.

1 Peter 3:7

Ways to Communicate                     Ground Rules    
                
1.    Pick the right time                     *No divorce threats         

2.    Choose the right place              * No bad temper

3.    Pray before you meet                * No hatred                  

4.    Come with a positive attitude   *No abusive language                      
    
5.    Establish some ground rules     *No foul mouth                       
                                                            
                                                           *No lies      

Colossians 3:8

5.  Switch your focus.

Philippians 2:3-5 -Don't be selfish, don't just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others too. Your attitude should be like Christ who though he was God, did not demand and cling to his rights as God.

6.  You need to ask for advice.

Proverbs 15:32 – Conceited people don't like to be corrected. They never ask advise from those who are wiser.

Closing thought: It's more rewarding to resolve a conflict that it is to dissolve a relationship.

April 17 2016 Your Finances And God's Provision

YOUR FINANCES AND GOD’S PROVISION

GOD’S GUARANTEE:

Philippians 4:19 – God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

THE CONDITIONS:

GOD PROMISES TO MEET MY FINANCIAL NEEDS

1. If I ask Him for help.

James 4:2 – You do not have, because you do not ask God.

John 16:24 – You have not asked for anything in My Name.  Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.

2. If I learn to be content.

Philippians 4:12 – I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything.  I have learned the secret of contentment in every situation.

Contentment – my happiness doesn’t depend on Circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:6-7- There’s great gain in Godliness combined with contentment for we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.

3. If I practice giving in faith.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each one should give what he’s decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will about in every good work.

Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor the Lord by giving Him the first part of all your income, and He will fill your barns.

4. If I maintain my integrity.

Proverbs 16:11 – The Lord demands fairness in every business deal.

Proverbs 19:1 – Better be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.

Proverbs 10:22 – The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it.

5. I must trust Him with my life.

Matthew 6:33 – Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well what you need, and He will give it to you if you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to.

1 Timothy 6:17 – Don’t put your hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but put your hope in God.

Psalm 111:5 – He gives food to those who trust Him, He never forgets His promises.

October 11 2015 The Prayer Of Dependance

The Prayer Of Dependance

Matthew 6:11 – Give us today our daily bread.

Bread Represents

• The Necessities in Life

Psalm 104:25-28

• The Word of God

Deuteronomy 8:3

• God’s Family and Fellowship

1 Corinthians 1:16

• Represents our Salvation

Luke 22:19

Matthew 6:11 – This is how you should pray: Give us today our daily bread.

I. First of all it means: Trusting Him for today.

• Give us today our daily bread.
• James 4:2 – You do not have, because you do not ask God.

HOW DO WE TRUST GOD FOR TODAY?

1. God’s purpose is to give us what we need.

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.

EXAMPLES

• Good Company
• Father & Mother

2. God is always our source.

Numbers 16:32 – God is the source of all life.

3. God is always available.

Psalm 53:17 – I will pray morning, noon, and night, pleading aloud with the Lord.

II. Depending on God means: Seeing Him as my source.

A) Give us today our daily bread.

HERE’S HOW

1. Trust Him with all necessities,

Philippians 4:19 – God will supply all you ever need from His glorious resources in Christ Jesus.

2. Look to the Son Jesus.

Romans 8:31 – 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?

III. Depending on God means: Trusting God’s timing.

A) Give us today our daily bread.

1. We must have faith.

Matthew 6:34 – Don’t be anxious about tomorrow.  God will take care of your tomorrows too.  Live one day at a time.

2. Let God carry the load.

Psalm 68:19 – Praise the Lord who daily bears our burdens.

IV. Finally, depending on God means: Giving God complete control.

A) Give us today our daily bread.

HOW TO GIVE HIM COMPLETE CONTROL

1. Put Him first in your life.

Matthew 6:32-33 – Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing, your 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.

2. Be generous in your giving.

• Bible says – Give and it will be given to you.
• It is more blessed to given than to receive.

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?"

April 6 2014 God's Strategy For Reducing Stress

God's Strategy For Reducing Stress

Philippians 4:4-9

Vs 4: 4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:6-9"Don't be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Then he says, "Finally whatever is true and noble and right and pure and lovely and admirable, think about such things 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

1. STEP ONE: WORRY ABOUT NOTHING!

vs. 6a "Do not be anxious about anything..."

(Amp)"Do not fret or have any anxiety..."

The facts about worry:

• 40 % never happen
• 30 % concern the past
• 12 % needless health concerns
• 10 % insignificant/petty issues
• 8 % are legitimate concerns

Memory Verse: Matthew 6:34 "Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own."

Key: Live one day at a time

2. STEP TWO: PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.

Vs. 6b... but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

"Petition": A specific, detailed, direct prayer

(Ph)"When you pray, tell God every detail of your needs."

1 Peter 5:7 (JB)"Unload all your worries on Him since He is looking after you!"

1 Peter 5:7 (Ph) You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are His personal concern!"

James 4:2 "... You do not have, because you do not ask God."

Insight: No problem is too big or too small to pray about

3. STEP THREE: THANK GOD IN ALL THINGS.

vs. 6b (GN)"... in everything (pray) ... with thanksgiving..."always asking Him with a thankful heart."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Insight: Even out of bad God can bring good.

4. STEP FOUR: I THINK ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS.

v. 8"Finally, brothers, whatever is true ... noble... right... pure... lovely... admirable.... If anything is excellent or praise worthy -- think about such things."

(JB) "...fill your mind with those things..."

The root cause of stress:

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV) "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

The Result: Peace of mind

Vs. 7 (LB)"If you do this, you will experience, God's Peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your heart quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus."