February 16 2014 How Do I Know I Can Trust The Bible

How Do I Know I Can Trust The Bible? 

1. The Bible is scientifically accurate.

“Science is simply thinking God’s thoughts after him.” -Johannes Kepler,

Isaiah 40:22 “God is enthr oned above the sphere on the earth.”

Job 26:7 “God stretches the sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.”

Jeremiah 33:22, “The number of stars are infinite.”

Leviticus 17:11 “The life of every creature is in its blood.”

Leviticus 13:4 “Put an infected person in quarantine for seven days.” 

Psalm 12:6 says “The words of the Lord are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay and purified seven times!”

2. The Bible is confirmed by Jesus.

Matthew 5:18, Jesus said, “I’ll tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished!”

If you believe in the Bible what you like, and you don’t believe what you don’t like, it’s not the Bible you trust, but yourself. -Saint Augustine

3. The Bible has transforming power.

John 8:31-32, “If you continue in my Word, then you are my disciples indeed; And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free!”

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Memory Verse: Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly.”

January 8 2012 How To Live Effectively Through Prayer

How To Live Effectively Through Prayer

Nehemiah 1:4-11

Ezekiel 22:30 - I (God) looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap…but I found not one.

The effectiveness of my public life is determined by my private life.

Three Key Questions:

I. When should I pray?

Answer: before I do anything else. (verse 4)
An effective person does more than pray, but he doesn’t do anything else until he prays.

He prays:
• Effective people make prayer a first priority.
• Ineffective people make prayer a last resort.

When Nehemiah used prayer:
1:4-11
6:9
2:4
13:29
4:4,5
5:19
4:9
13:14,22,31

II. Why should I pray?

1. It shows I’m depending on God.
John 15:1-8
Matt. 5:3

2. It lightens my load.
Isaiah 40:31 - They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary, they Shall walk and not faint.

Effective people find their strength on their knees.

3. It releases God’s power.
Jer. 33:3 - (God says) Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you know not.

III. How should I pray?

Example of effective praying - verses 5-11.

Key question to ask myself:

How we should pray.

Four Secrets To Answered Prayer

1. Base your request on God’s character.

What Nehemiah said about God (verses 5-6)

* You’re a faithful God
* You’re a great God
* You are a God of love

2. Confess the sins of Israel and himself. (vs. 6b-7)

Effective people accept the blame. Losers pass the buck.

3. Claim the promises of God.
(vs. 6b-8) Nehemiah reminded God.

Prayer transforms God’s promises into performance!

The strength of my prayer life is determined by how well I know the promises of God.

4. Be very specific in what you ask. (vs. 10)

If I can’t ask God to bless what I’m doing, then I’d Better start.

Summary: The Type of Prayer God Answers:

* A prayer of conviction. (of who God is)
* A prayer of confession. (of what I am)
* A prayer of confidence. (in what God has promised)
* A prayer of commitment. (I’m willing to be a part of the answer)